OTTER TAIL COUNTY
— An open farm market store and two cannabis-related businesses were approved for a conditional use permit during the Otter Tail County Board meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 23.

Land & Resource Management Director Chris LeClair said the open farm market store that is located southeast of Ottertail will offer direct-to-customer sales. The application stated products sold would include eggs, beef, garden products and bakery items listed under the cottage food laws of the state.

The property for the business is currently zoned agricultural and in the process of being sold to a family member, LeClair said. It is located at 18266 County Highway 59, Vining.

Paul Halvorson and Alicia Kropuenske applied for a conditional use permit. The county’s planning commission recommended approval, and the county board followed suit, also giving its approval for the business to move forward.

LeClair informed the board that Dale and Deborah Formo Trust requested a conditional use permit to manufacture cannabis infused edibles in Buse Township at 3110 Pebble Lake Road, Fergus Falls. He noted the location is within 1,000 feet of a natural environment lake, which puts it in the county’s jurisdiction.

LeClair stated the application submitted to the county stated the business was pre-approved by the state’s Office of Cannabis Management. LeClair added that the owner was stated to be Michael Erickson.

The planning commission recommended approval with the conditions that the manufacturing facility offers no retail sales, public access or exterior signage. The commissioners approved the conditional use permit with conditions set by the planning commission.

The commissioners also reviewed two applications for cannabis retail businesses. Both were located in Pelican Rapids.

Danielle Royer submitted an application to open Wildflower Cannabis at 520 North Broadway in Pelican Rapids.

LeClair said the state received the business’s application and approved it. He added that the city of Pelican Rapids delegated registration authority to the county, which is why the request was before the commissioners. He informed the commissioners the proposed business met all of the county’s ordinance requirements, including setbacks.

The setbacks are essentially a zone around educational facilities, some human services resource facilities and parks where minors may frequent.

The commissioners approved the conditional use permit for Wildflower Cannabis in a 5-1 vote, with Commissioner
Dan Bucholz
opposing. Bucholz, who serves the city of Perham and its surrounding townships, did not state why he opposed it.

LeClair added, in addition to the state and county approval, the business may also need to obtain necessary land use permits from the city.

Scott Dahms also submitted an application for a retail cannabis business in Pelican Rapids. The business was stated to be named Elevated Dispensaries, and the desired location was 40 Second St. in Pelican Rapids.

LeClair said Elevated Dispensaries obtained pre-approval from the state; however, an issue cropped up with the county’s buffer zone requirements. He explained the business location had adequate distance from educational and human service related facilities, but came up short meeting the setback for parks, specifically Veterans Memorial River Park along the Pelican River.

“This is the one that warrants discussion today, whether or not this park meets the ordinance language that states it is regularly used by minors,” LeClair said.

Commissioner Wayne Johnson noted Pelican Rapids is his hometown, and the city is in the district that he serves. He said the park is not typically used by minors, but a farmer’s market is held at the location.

“Is that frequented by minors? From me being there, I haven’t seen many minors; it’s usually just parents buying food,” Johnson said.

After some discussion about what the county ordinance means when it states “a park frequented by minors,” the commission agreed to table the application, review the ordinance and make a decision later.