NEW ULM – The Cannabis zoning ordinance was approved by New Ulm City’s Council Tuesday with no resistance.

During Tuesday’s meeting, the council conducted a second consideration of the cannabis zoning ordinance regulation and formally adopted the amendment. The first reading of the ordinance was held during the Feb. 18 city council meeting.

New Ulm City Planner John Knisley said since the first reading of the ordinance, staff received no comments from the public and no changes to the ordinance since the first reading. Knisley also told the council that at this time there was only one business interested in opening a cannabis retail space in New Ulm. He said the business has not specified or confirmed where the retail business will be located but has inquired into a location where cannabis retail would be allowed.

Before approving the second reading, City Councilor Eric Warmka said had received no comments from the public in regards to this ordinance. The other councilors also reported none of their constituents had called about the cannabis zoning.

Warmka made the motion to officially adopt the zoning ordinance with a second from Councilor Tom Schmitz. It was unanimously approved by the council

The ordinance specifically amends the city code establishing zoning districts and standards for cannabis and hemp businesses. The new regulations detail where and what type of cannabis businesses operate in New Ulm.

The zoning also establishes which types of districts permit different types of cannabis businesses.

In the ordinance, cannabis retail will be permitted in most business districts including the General Business District (B-2), Community Business District (B-3) and Central Business District (B-4).

The amendment would also allow cannabis retail with a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) in the planned industrial (I-1) and general industrial (I-2) districts. Cannabis delivery, cannabis manufacturing, testing, transportation, wholesale and hemp manufacturers would be permitted in I-1 and I-2 districts.

Cannabis cultivation would only be permitted in agricultural and open space use districts (AOS).

The ordinance also establishes where in New Ulm cannabis businesses are restricted from operating. New Ulm’s ordinance establishes buffer zones prohibiting a cannabis business within 1,000 feet of a school or 500 feet of a day care, residential treatment facility, or public park.

Following the approval, City Manager Chris Dalton said the amendment only covered zoning laws. The council will need to establish how to license cannabis businesses within the city. Dalton said the registration and licensing of cannabis businesses would likely be discussed at the next council meeting on Tuesday, March 18.

State law requires at least one cannabis license to be granted for every 12,500 people in a community. Since New Ulm’s population is 14,000 the city must grant at least one cannabis sales license, but could allow more. During previous discussions, the council had leaned toward allowing two or three licenses.