For immediate release
Aug. 2, 2024
Media contact: City of Albert Lea Building Official Wayne Sorensen, at 507-377-4340 or [email protected]
Public hearing Tuesday on zoning for adult-focused businesses
Planning Commission to review draft law on cannabis, off-sale liquor, tobacco and sexually-oriented entities
The Albert Lea Planning Commission will hold a public hearing Aug. 6 on a draft zoning law that would limit the locations for new cannabis, off-sale liquor, tobacco and sexually-oriented businesses. The hearing will be held at the commission’s meeting Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers on the top floor of City Hall, 221 E. Clark St.
The Planning Commission is the first step in the City of Albert Lea adopting new regulations on adult-focused businesses. The commission will make a recommendation to the Albert Lea City Council on adopting the draft law as presented by staff or with suggested changes. It may vote on a recommendation immediately after Tuesday’s public hearing or at a future meeting.
The council will make the final decision on zoning for adult-focused businesses. City staff are drafting other controls, such as permissible hours of operation, that will go to the council for consideration later this year.
The city has a moratorium on new applications for cannabis, off-sale liquor, tobacco and sexually-oriented businesses that expires in November unless extended by the city council. The city put a pause on new adult-focused business to conduct a study on how best to regulate them.
Building Official and Zoning Director Wayne Sorensen led the study with assistance from City Planner Megan Boeck, City Clerk Daphney Maras and Engagement/Enrichment Director Cathy Malakowsky. They studied guidance from the Office of Cannabis Management; researched cannabis regulations in other states; and met with several groups, including representatives of law enforcement and schools, to gain input.
Under the draft zoning law, new adult-focused businesses would be prohibited in residential areas, the historic downtown, an area around downtown and areas along interstates.
In other parts of Albert Lea, new cannabis, off-sale liquor and tobacco businesses would need to be at least 1,000 feet from a school or 500 feet from a day care, residential treatment facility, place of worship, or an attraction within a public park that is regularly used by minors, including a playground or athletic field.
Sexually-oriented businesses, including those with exotic dancers, would need to be at least 1,000 feet from a school or 500 feet from a residential area, park, recreational area, public theater, shopping center, airport or place of worship. They would need to be at least 1,500 feet from an interstate highway.
Staff recently added the setbacks from churches and other places of worship based on public input.
In addition, new adult-focused businesses would need to be least 500 feet from a similar use, meaning there could not be a cluster of cannabis or other adult-focused businesses within the same immediate area.
Existing adult-focused businesses can continue to operate in their current locations. However, expanding in their current locations may be prohibited, depending on the final law adopted by the Albert Lea City Council.
For more information, including the draft zoning law, visit the city website at https://cityofalbertlea.org/zoningforthefuture/.
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