BLUE EARTH– A series of decisions regarding buffer zones for cannabis businesses were finally laid down at the Blue Earth City Council meeting on Monday.

City Attorney David Frundt presented the council with a summary of his research on state policy regarding cannabis ordinances, along with further revisions to the draft ordinance from the council’s last meeting on March 2.

“I said at the last meeting that I would prefer to only allow one cannabis business in town, but I also understand the perspective of the businesses, in that this is a profitable new industry and it’s coming whether we like it or not,” council member Ann Hanna remarked. “I would still like to limit the number we allow in Blue Earth, but perhaps we should allow more than just one.”

City Administrator Dawn Collins also provided some more information regarding the specific licenses held by a prospective cannabis business that may potentially come to Blue Earth.

“The business I have been speaking with has applied for the “microbusiness with retail endorsement” license, which would allow them to manufacture products, package them, sell them and allow for on-site consumption,” Collins shared. “Their current concern, however, is with the existing buffer zones restricting their potential location options.”

Mayor Rick Scholtes suggested that not only should acceptable zones for a cannabis business be defined, but also how buffer zones for all businesses should be measured.

“I would suggest that all of our buffer zones be measured from the property lines, which would save us the headache of having to determine how we measure such zones in the future,” Scholtes explained. “Personally, I’m in favor of there being no buffer zones, so long as the business is located in the appropriate district.”

Following further discussion, a motion was made and seconded to set a buffer zone distance of zero feet for cannabis businesses, while excluding them from residential zones R1, R2 and R3. A motion to amend the list of restricted areas to also include zone B1 was passed unanimously. Following this, the amended original motion passed unanimously.

A motion was then made and seconded to cap the total number of cannabis businesses in Blue Earth at three. The motion passed 6-1, with council member Jacque Drew in dissent.

Some discussion was held on how to approach regulating and restricting temporary cannabis events, but the council moved to table the issue until their next meeting on April 6.

Other business discussed at the city council meeting included:

— The public hearing for Ordinance 26-03 to amend Subsection 250.11 of the city code regarding the Fitness Center Board was held. Following the public hearing, a motion was made and seconded to pass the ordinance. The motion passed unanimously.

— Resolution 25-06 approving the State Airports Fund grant agreement for the construction of the 5 Unit T-Hangar project was unanimously approved.

— Resolutions 26-08, 26-09, and 26-10 approving applications to the Drinking Water Revolving Fund for South Linton Area, the North Watermain Loop, and lead service replacement for the South Linton Area were unanimously approved.

— Resolution 26-07 approving the conveyance of real property and authorization of deed for St. Luke’s Lutheran Care Center to purchase the curved section on the west side of Rice Street was approved 6-0. Council member John Huisman abstained from the vote.

— A motion to not waive the statutory tort liability limits on the League of Minnesota Cities Insurance Trust (LMCIT) liability coverage waiver form was unanimously approved.