City Council Considers Limiting Number of Liquor Stores, Other Adult-Focused Businesses – Albert Lea Tribune

Albert Lea City Council is scheduled to vote Monday on whether to put a cap on the number of adult-themed businesses in the community.

Talk of the businesses came as the council in recent months talked about zoning and the number of cannabis businesses it would allow with the state’s legalization of marijuana.

In June, the Council approved a moratorium on the creation of new tobacco, off-sale liquor, sexually oriented businesses and cannabis licenses for up to six months while it studies how to regulate the businesses fairly. All companies work with people 21 and over.

After approving zoning requirements for all adult-themed businesses, the council in October approved an ordinance regulating the licensing of cannabis businesses, limiting the maximum number of retail cannabis establishments to two in the city.

Now, when it comes to setting a maximum number for the other types of businesses, city staff on Nov. 12 initially proposed capping the number currently in use, noting that the council could expand the decision at any time. the number of licenses it would allow. City Manager Ian Rigg said, as with future cannabis stores, it’s easier to expand if needed than to have a lot and pull back.

There is currently a business classified as a sexually oriented business with Aragon Bar, and there are two tobacco shops and eight liquor shops. A tobacco store is classified as a store that primarily sells tobacco-related products and does not include places like gas stations that sell other products and then happen to sell tobacco products as well.

Both during the last council work session and during the meeting, some councilors said they thought setting the limit at two tobacco businesses might be two low.

Third Ward Councilman Jason Howland instead offered to set the limit at four, noting that more and more people are using vaping devices, and setting the number at two could hinder future growth opportunity for local businesses.

“With the legalization of cannabis and also more and more people using electronic cigarettes, or vaping, rather than traditional tobacco … I think there are opportunities for growth for local businesses in the city,” he said, noting that he did not think of growing to four tobacco shops. it would be detrimental to the community, especially considering there are already eight liquor stores.

Sixth Ward Councilman Brian Anderson said there are already zoning rules that would prohibit new tobacco shops from being built within certain distances of schools and other places.

Rigg said he would confirm the failures before the second reading on Monday.

The council ultimately approved the first reading 6-0. Councilor Reid Olson was absent due to a death in the family.

As part of the ordinance update, the council will also approve transient merchants to undergo a background check at the time of application and pay an investigation fee, as found in the city’s annual fee schedule.

Anderson and First Ward Councilwoman Rachel Christensen asked for community input on the issue before the next meeting.