HomeMy WebLinkAbout100224 PC MINUTESCITY OF APPLE VALLEY
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES
October 2, 2024
1. CALL TO ORDER
The City of Apple Valley Planning Commission Meeting was called to order by Chair Kurtz
at 7:00 p.m.
Members Present: Jodi Kurtz, Paul Scanlan, David Schindler, Becky Sandahl, Phil
Mahowald, Jeff Prewitt, and Douglas Hlas
Member(s) Absent: None
City staff members attending: Community Development Director Tim Benetti, City Planner
Alex Sharpe, City Attorney Sharon Hills, and Department
Assistant Breanna Vincent.
2. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Chair Kurtz asked if there were any changes to the agenda. – None.
MOTION: Commissioner Schindler moved, seconded by Commissioner Scanlan,
approving the agenda. Roll call vote: Ayes - 7 – Nays – 0.
3. CONSENT ITEMS
A. Approval of Minutes of September 18, 2024
MOTION: Commissioner Scanlan moved, seconded by Commissioner Schindler,
approving the minutes of September 18, 2024. Roll call vote: Ayes - 7 –
Nays – 0.
4. PUBLIC HEARING
None
5. LAND USE
A. Zoning Ordinance Amendment – Cannabis Business Ordinance
City Planner Sharpe gave a brief presentation.
CITY OF APPLE VALLEY
Dakota County, Minnesota
Planning Commission Minutes
October 2, 2024
Page 2 of 3
Chair Kurtz asked if an additional business would be added once the City’s population
grows.
City Planner Sharpe stated that yes, but the population would need to grow by 12,500
and there would need to be an ordinance amendment at that time.
Chair Kurtz asked how these businesses will be separated between each other so that
there is not multiple cannabis businesses conglomerated.
City Planner Sharpe said that the separation distance buffer would control this and is one
of the considerations for the Commission’s motion. Without a buffer, there could be four
cannabis businesses on all four corners of an intersection and the City does not have any
say in where the businesses can be located as long as it is zoned appropriately.
Commissioner Scanlan asked if a retailer would be able to go into any location in the red
zones on the map as long as they are meeting any separation distance buffers adopted by
the City.
City Planner Sharpe stated that is correct.
Commissioner Scanlan stated that he would prefer the larger buffer and, if needed, the
City could reduce it in the future.
Commissioner Prewitt asked for clarification on what a “developable site” would be.
City Planner Sharpe said that developable sites refer to any site that would allow retail
sales within the community. This could be an existing site within a multitenant building,
a brand-new site, or a site that has been demolished with plans to rebuild. The purple area
on the map is setup to also allow some retail sales.
Commissioner Hlas stated he is in favor of the 1,000’ buffer.
Chair Kurtz agreed with the 1,000’ buffer.
Commissioner Prewitt stated his support for the more conservative buffer.
Commissioner Schindler opined that the 1,000’ buffer would be best.
MOTION: Commissioner Scanlan moved, seconded by Commissioner Sandahl, to
recommend adoption of the draft Cannabis Business Ordinance with an added
provision stating that setback buffers do not apply to an existing licensed and
registered cannabis retailer if one of the setback special uses subsequently
commences operation within the buffer area. Additionally, the Commission