The Hastings Planning Commission held public hearings for two applications for special use licenses for future cannabis dispensaries in Hastings. Those applications were for a site at 2103 Vermillion St. from Steve Benowitz, which was unanimously recommended for approval, and at 215 Ramsey St. from Joshua Bruns, which was not recommended for approval with a vote of 4-1, with Commissioner Gino Messina the nay vote. These recommendations will be brought before the Hastings City Council at the May 5 meeting for action.
Approval of a special use permit “does not guarantee any entity the ability to sell cannabis. It’s really the first in about three steps to secure cannabis sales in the city of Hastings,” said Economic Development Director John Hinzman.
Approval of the special use permit only allows applicants to move forward with state licensure with the Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) which requires applicants to have compliance with local zoning before applying at the state level.
Currently in Hastings, “our ordinance as it sits would allow only one cannabis retail business in the city, so even though we have two applications tonight, and may have more in the future, under our code, we can only allow the issuance of one registration of cannabis,” said Hinzman.
Due to the City of Hastings population, the city must allow one dispensary if the applicant meets all other standards. While it can allow more than one dispensary, state law requires accepting one dispensary per 12,500 residents meaning it must allow at least one.
The Planning Commission held its first public hearing on Benowitz’s application, where Benowitz himself spoke. Benowitz spoke to his nearly 50 years of experience as a businessowner in Hastings where in 1976 he received his first liquor license from the city.
Benowitz openly admitted to not knowing “a lot about the cannabis business,” but compared it to his learning on the job for various other businesses.
“It’s very important to me that this is done properly,” said Benowitz.
Joshua Bruns, the other applicant, also spoke at the first public hearing citing 2103 Vermillion St.’s proximity to the paths at Vermillion Falls which he said were “an attraction in a public park that is regularly used by minors,” which is one of the setback categories in Hastings’ cannabis ordinance.
While this detail of 2103 Vermillion St.’s proximity to the park had previously been approved by the city attorney, Chair Gino Messina asked about the specifics of that approval. Hinzman explained that the setback specifically referred to “facilities” within the park rather than simply trails. The pavilion at the Vermillion Falls Park is roughly 600 feet away, which clears the 500-foot setback requirement.
“There’s not any formal facilities that are designated or identified in that area, so it was our conclusion that it met the requirement,” said Hinzman.
The second public hearing concerning Bruns’ application at 215 Ramsey St was met with objections from various community members including from Owner of SC Toys Barb Hollenbeck.
“I have kids in and out all day long,” said Hollenbeck about her toy store which is located less than one block away from the proposed site.
Hastings Prescott Arts Council (HPAC) President Kathy O’Keefe echoed Hollenbeck’s concern about the placement of the site. HPAC’s office and Creative Space is set to open May 17 at 213 Ramsey St., next door to Bruns’ proposed site. The creative space is specifically meant to host free classes and events for all ages, including minors.
“We’re going to be conducting art lessons there for many students including minor children,” said HPAC Treasurer Scott Northard
Bruns addressed these concerns siting that a dispensary is not a place that people would use cannabis, merely purchase it, referencing the security plan that was submitted alongside his application to the city. He asked for “the opportunity for this business to prove itself and not be categorized prematurely.”
The Planning Commissioners were similarly skeptical of Bruns’ application, voting not to recommend it to the city council 4-1.