Otter Tail County receives first cannabis retail business application – Perham Focus

OTTER TAIL COUNTY — An application to open a retail cannabis store on Main Avenue in New York Mills has been denied.

“We got our very first cannabis registration application for retail business …” Land and Resource Management Director Chris LeClair said during the Otter Tail County Board of Commissioners meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 26.

He explained Matt Wedde submitted the application for ML Enterprises Incorporated, DBA Continental Cannabis Company. The location for the proposed retail cannabis business was stated to be 20 North Main Avenue in New York Mills.

The county allowed cities and townships to create their own ordinances for cannabis-related businesses. While Perham and Fergus Falls created their own ordinances. New York Mills opted to use the county ordinance and delegate those requests to the County Board via a resolution the NYM City Council approved in July.

LeClair said the county adopted its ordinance for cannabis-related businesses

this past March

, which requires retailers to register with the county.

“That allows us to do compliance checks to make sure they’re not selling to minors,” he said.

LeClair said the applicant was pre-approved by the Office of Cannabis Management on July 17, and zoning approval from the city of New York Mills was obtained on Aug. 13.

After reviewing the location of the proposed business and set-back requirements in the county ordinance, it was determined the location wouldn’t be approved.

LeClair explained the setback issue came on two fronts: one was the proximity to the school, and the other to a park.

The county’s ordinance requires cannabis retail businesses to be at least 1,000 feet from any educational institution. The proposed cannabis retail business is approximately 930 feet from New York Mills Public School, which is located at 209 Hayes Ave.

Board Chair Wayne Johnson asked if the intent was to use the school building or the property line, noting crossing the parking lot would likely provide an additional 70 feet to the setback requirement.

The county attorney informed the board that past practice has been the property line, adding children may play in the parking lot or be going to and from vehicles.

LeClair also noted the proposed location was about 223 feet from Central Park, which failed to meet the 500-foot requirement, as well.

The County Board unanimously denied the application. It was noted that the applicant has 18 months to obtain a cannabis business license; therefore, another location could be considered.

LeClair added the county recently received two more applications for cannabis-related businesses in the county, both being in Pelican Rapids, which also deferred the process to the County Board.

“So there’s going to be two more of these coming to you,” LeClair said.

Barbie Porter is a reporter for the Perham Focus. Email story ideas to Barbie at bporter@perhamfocus.com or call 218-844-1447.

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