The Lake County Board held a hearing at their August 27th meeting to give the public an opportunity to have input on a proposed emergency moratorium on cannabis businesses. The moratorium would place a temporary hold on the establishment of new cannabis related businesses within the confines of Lake County and would run through December 31st of this year. The cities of Two Harbors and Silver Bay are exempt from the moratorium due to the fact that they have both decided to take up moratoriums of their own. The city of Beaver Bay has indicated they would like to operate under the County moratorium. Reasons for the moratorium are threefold. It will give County officials time to consider an ordinance on where cannabis products can and can’t be smoked within the county. It will also allow officials time to examine additional zoning changes and restrictions that will need to be in place for cannabis businesses to operate next year under Minnesota State Statutes. The moratorium will also allow for time to make decisions related to the number of businesses allowed in the county, parameters around the hours that such businesses will be able to operate and other considerations like proximity to schools. Though a number of area residents attended the public hearing, there were no public comments. After a brief discussion, the Board voted in favor of the moratorium.
The $45 million Silver Rapids Lodge development project near Ely, MN was also on the Board’s agenda. Readers may remember that the project has run into stiff opposition from residents who live in the area. The proposal calls for expansion of the lodge by adding 49 one-fourth functional units to the property. Additionally, a new main lodge facility would be built along with a bar, restaurant, outdoor sauna, pool and other “resort amenities”. Area residents are concerned about the impact that an expansion of this type will have on the pristine nature of their community. Folks have expressed concern over the increase in vehicle and pedestrian traffic, the added light and noise pollution and impact that the increased boat traffic will have on the lake. There is additional concern that the expansion project will bring large scale retailers to Ely, thereby making it difficult for local retail businesses to survive. The project does not require an environmental assessment worksheet since there are fewer than 50 units that will be a part of the development. While the Lake County Environmental Services staff have doubtless done their due diligence on the proposed project, the slim margin between the number of units to be added and what is required for environmental assessment leaves some uncertainty. Commissioner Rick Hogenson had questions for the developers about how occupancy of the 49 units would work. Lack of clarity in the developer’s answers left Hogenson with questions and when the vote was called, he cast the sole nay vote. Remaining Board members voted to move the project forward to the next phase of planning.
The next County Board meeting will be held on September 10th at 2:00.
