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SMART SPRINKLERS: City, VLAWMO team up for water pilot program PAGE 13A
Council puts moratorium on public use and sale of cannabis BY NOELLE OLSON EDITOR
PAUL DOLS | PRESS PUBLICATIONS
Area residents plan for a night out Residents gather at Podvin Park to socialize during a previous Night to Unite, also known as National Night Out. This year the event is scheduled for Tuesday, August 1. The purpose of the annual event is to build and foster community bonds between citizens, businesses, and public safety organizations. To learn more about what is happening in your neighborhood, check with your local police department, Sheriff’s office or city website.
Developer miffed about wasted time, money for apartment project BY DEBRA NEUTKENS STAFF WRITER
WHITE BEAR TOWNSHIP — Plans for a 148-unit apartment building were abandoned after a request to change zoning from industrial to residential was nixed by the Town Board. The project by White Cedar Apartments LLC, located on vacant land along Centerville Road required an amendment to the zoning ordinance before it could proceed and the board sided with the Planning Commission, which recommended denial. site, owned by the North
Oaks Company, would require rezoning from industrial to high-density R-4 through an amendment to the future land use map. Interim Planner Evan Monson told the supervisors July 17 the Planning Commission had concerns with water usage, lost jobs if the site was rezoned and that the project would add to traffic congestion. “They also noted a desire a maintain a small community feel,” he said. One of the applicants, Mark Houge, president of North Oaks Company, disagreed with the job loss concern. Housing is a
key element to attracting and retaining employees for nearby companies like Schwing America and Heraeus Medevio, he told the board. “You need all types of housing, including rentals. The township has not added rental property in some time.” He added that 75% of new housing in Ramsey, Washington and Hennepin Counties are rental units. Houge also argued residential water use is comparable to industrial usage and his numbers were from a manufacturing company to back the claim.
Possession and use of cannabis by adults will be legal starting in August, but the sale of cannabis likely won’t be legal until January 2025 due to a moratorium on the public sale and use of cannabis products. “So doing this because the law makes cannabis use legal and it is vague as to whether or not you can use this in public in certain spaces like public parks,” said Council Member Erik Goebel. “I just don’t think that using cannabis in public is appropriate and I would like to see it be something that we allow in private residences for adult use.” Goebel noted people can still buy gummies, beverages and things containing THC products. “This is for cannabis that is more than .3% dry weight basis of THC,” he said. City Administrator Kevin Watson said the state of Minnesota allows for municipalities to have a municipal cannabis store and businesses might want to take some time to know what rules the city puts in place. “We’re looking to sort of kind of put things on pause while staff can do some research and work with the League of Minnesota cities and figure out what may be best for our community as a relates to cannabis sales and cannabis use in our community,” Watson said. “We’ve
CONTRIBUED
Vadnais Heights City Council approved a temporary liquor license for Big Wood Brewery for an Oktoberfest event the weekend of Sept. 29-Oct. 1. The brewery purchased the former Garceau Hardware property at the intersection of Vadnais Blvd., Edgerton Street and Centerville Road in 2021, but it has not been reported when they will occupy the location.
SEE APARTMENTS, PAGE 9A
SEE CANNABIS, PAGE 9A
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