Sauk Rapids City Council Sets Monday Public Hearing for Rental Density Ordinance Amendment and New Cannabis Related Business

(KNSI) – The Sauk Rapids City Council has set two public hearings for Monday night’s meeting, including one for a cannabis-related business.

The applicant, Cultivating Knowledge, is asking for a Conditional Use Permit for a spot at 1101 13th Avenue North to operate, produce, grow, harvest, and prepare cannabis for the state’s recreational use market. Last month, the city approved a CUP for another business, Uncle Hippies Cannabis, which will operate in the industrial park and have no signage.

In the consent agenda, the council will also consider a moratorium for all cannabis-related land uses. Items in the consent agenda can be approved in one fell swoop, unless a member moves to have it pulled for further discussion.

Another hearing will consider an amendment to the city’s rental density ordinance that would add a distance-based density standard as well as the current standard based on the block. In December, the council passed a rental density ordinance, despite community push back that would cap the number of rental properties at 15% of any given block. It meant no new licenses would be issued until a rental home is converted into a single-family unit. Those who spoke out were critical of the move, saying it infringes on private property rights.

The city implemented the new rule in response to rising rental applications in single-family neighborhoods, where increased rental properties raised concerns about declining property values and poor maintenance compared to owner-occupied homes.

The meeting gets underway at 6:00 p.m.

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