Commission approves recommendation to add setback rules and a hemp wholesaler license to Moorhead code

The Moorhead Planning Commission on May 4 voted to recommend two text amendments to the Moorhead City Code (Title 10) to the City Council: clarifying front‑yard and street‑side setbacks for mixed‑use districts and adding a third lower‑potency hemp edible wholesaler license to the use table.

City planner Houston said staff would pull two items from the packet to work on further and present only items 1 and 2 that evening. On item 1, Houston described the setback change as a housekeeping fix to establish a 10‑foot setback for brand‑new developments in mixed‑use districts (infill lots continue to use block averaging); Houston noted a 25‑foot garage setback established last year remains in effect. “We left it at 10 feet because that's the setback for all mixed use districts in Morehead,” Houston said; staff clarified the intent is to standardize the setback for mixed‑use zones.

On item 2, Houston said the city is adding a state‑recognized third lower‑potency hemp edible license for wholesaling to the local use table; staff noted approximately three wholesalers have already obtained the state license. Houston described both items as mostly housekeeping changes to align the code with current uses and the comprehensive plan.

A commissioner asked whether the setback change applied only to mixed‑use districts and whether it affected single‑ and two‑family standards; Houston confirmed it applies to mixed‑use districts and explained the averaging approach for infill versus new development.

A motion to recommend approval of items 1 and 2 only was moved, seconded and approved by voice vote. The commission forwarded the text amendments to the City Council for final action.