An ordinance amending Maple Plain City Code regarding zoning related to cannabis businesses.
The ordinance amends Maple Plain's Zoning Code to establish comprehensive regulations for cannabis businesses, addressing their definitions, permitted zoning districts, and operational standards. Under the amendment, most cannabis businesses are designated to the Industrial district and lower-potency hemp edible retailers are limited to the Gateway district. Additional provisions include buffer zones to protect sensitive areas such as schools, parks, and residential neighborhoods, and caps on the number of retail establishments. These measures ensure the city maintains regulatory oversight while accommodating state-mandated allowances for cannabis businesses.
The ordinance reflects recommendations from the Planning Commission, emphasizing the importance of initial protections for schools and parks and allowing for future adjustments as the cannabis industry evolves. The Commission endorsed maintaining cannabis businesses within industrial zones to minimize neighborhood disruptions while limiting low-potency hemp edible retailers to three locations. The amendment also includes a registration process to supplement state licensing, providing the city with greater control over local cannabis operations. These thoughtful regulations aim to balance community concerns with economic opportunities introduced by the cannabis industry.