Mayor Roberts recuses from cannabis IUP; council hears interim use permit details for proposed Forest Lake Cannabis

The council addressed an interim use permit application from Budding Measured Movement LLC, which plans to operate under the name Forest Lake Cannabis at 1467 Lake Street South.

Before discussion began, Mayor Roberts (Speaker 3) disclosed a personal interest in a similar business and excused themself from the item. The council recorded on the record that Mayor Roberts stepped out of the room and asked Acting Mayor Valento (Speaker 8) to preside over the item.

Staff (Speaker 8) presented the IUP as a request for retail sales in a multi-tenant space within the MU-2 zoning district. Staff said departments reviewed the application; the police department approved the security plan; interior building permits will be required; and the city requires odor mitigation and future signage to meet city standards. Staff also said this applicant disclosed the specific state license they intend to seek — a micro business license — and noted that the city's zoning code does not allow micro businesses within 250 feet of residential properties. Staff framed the interim use permit as temporary and subject to future statutory changes at the state level; the city uses the interim permit tool to retain flexibility if state rules change.

The transcript excerpt ends during staff's summary of zoning and code considerations. The record does not include a council vote or final decision on the interim use permit in the provided excerpt.