<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=3y2Z8p_1EUN1Ji200" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=3y2Z8p_1EUN1Ji200" width="601" height="500" ></figure>A request by The Herbal Care, LLC, for a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) to operate a Cannabis Microbusiness without on-site retail sales was denied by a 4-1 vote at the Faribault County Board of Commissioners meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 18.The Faribault County Planning and Zoning Commission had held a meeting on Aug. 10 concerning the CUP request by The Herbal Care and had voted to recommend the approval of the CUP with conditions. Planning and Zoning administrator Sara Hauskins supplied the background information for the proposed CUP.“The current 3.24 acre property where the business would be located consists of a residential home, a manufacturing/processing building, four storage buildings, and nine greenhouses,” Hauskins explained. “The proposed cultivation operation has been designed to comply with Minnesota Statutes Chapter 342 and applicable Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) administrative rules governing commercial cannabis cultivation, security, environmental protection, worker safety, and inventory accountability. The cultivation campus consists of approximately 36,000 square feet of greenhouse production space distributed among nine commercial greenhouses, along with a dedicated post-harvest and support facility. The operation is designed to provide approximately 25,000 square feet of active flowering canopy.”Following Hauskin’s summary of the project, board chairman Bruce Anderson asked for any public comment on the matter.Daniel and Hilary Korynta were the first two speakers to address the matter. The Korynta family lives directly to the north of the proposed Cannabis Microbusiness.“I am opposed to the project because of the proximity to our property,” Daniel Korynta said. “It is less than 50 feet from their property to our house. We have three young children who are outside playing a lot and I am worried about the smell.”Hilary Korynta spoke up next.“Our daughter’s swing is 15 feet away from their greenhouse,” she commented. “If this was built somewhere else I would not have a problem. I am worried about their ability to control the odor – the potential smell. And I worry about exposing our children to the smell.”Hilary also read a letter from 90-year-old Bonnie Beckmann in which Beckmann expressed her concern about her ability to sell her land if the Cannabis Microbusiness is approved.Miriam Klingbeil, who along with her husband, Steve, currently own the property where the cannabis operation would be located, also spoke on the matter.“I know these people (the potential new owners) and I am comfortable with them,” Klingbeil stated. “Sometimes we are afraid of things we do not know. I understand the concern but it is a legal business. On a positive note, it would bring more income and taxes to the county.”She concluded her remarks by asking people to listen and see how it could be a positive thing for the community.Others who spoke against the proposed business expressed their concerns over air quality, security, odors and a possible reduction in property values.Next, the board and the public heard from two people involved in the proposed business, owner Markel Bababekov and his employee Kevin Kleinops.“I am the owner of The Herbal Care,” Bababekov said. “I have over 10 years of cannabis experience. I started in Los Angeles about 14 years ago. I am with Kevin who is more than just an employee, he is my friend. He has been working for us for quite some time and is going to be our master grower at this facility.”Kleinops shared his experience with cannabis began 27 years ago.“I was 12 years old and planted my first plant with my father,” Kleinops commented. “My first commercial operation was in 2010. I ran both a medical cultivation center as well as a medical cannabis dispensary in northern California.”He then shared a personal story of why he is a major proponent of medical cannabis.“I have a sister who has an incredibly rare genetic disorder and I spent most of my childhood with her zombied out on heavy narcotic drugs,” Kleinops stated. “She used to suffer from horrible seizures, lack of appetite and things of that nature.”He noted he became very interested in cannabis in 1996 once medical offerings began.“I became very interested in what this plant could do and followed it and researched it ever since,” Kleinops remarked. “In 2017 I started a company with a group of veterans called TRU Relief. We created a pain salve that was for advanced nerve damage and debilitating pain caused by special forces HALO (High Altitude, Low Opening) jumps. That company and product are still active and located in Middleton, Wisconsin.”He also shared he grew up on a farm which was a demonstration farm from Purdue University and was aware of all of the different smells, such as hog farms, involved in agriculture.“When it comes to alleviating anyone’s concerns, I am going to be in Wells 90 percent of the time,” Kleinops said. “I have always had an open door policy if anyone wants to call or if anyone has a complaint I am always willing to sit down and try and work things out.”During discussion it was noted there would be a chain link fence around the facility.“I volunteered for hospice and I know what cannabis does for patients,” commissioner Gertrude Paschke said. “People who are on their death bed – they can rally. It is legitimate, but I have children and grandchildren and I do understand the concerns.”Asked by commissioner Bill Groskreutz about setbacks, Hauskins said there is a setback of 500 feet from recreational areas like parks or churches – anywhere that children would regularly gather.“So what if the Koryntas had a day care?” Groskreutz asked.“Then there would be a setback,” Hauskins replied.Eventually, a condition was suggested by commissioner Greg Young that a 12-foot high fence that is impervious to wind would be added on the north side of the property. It was also discussed that the CUP would not be transferable to a new owner.“It sounds like all of the criteria have been met and you have given a great explanation of your business,” chairman Bruce Anderson said. “My biggest concern is for the three children living right next door. There is a reason there would be a 500-foot setback if there were a daycare there. The health and well being of the children in our county is what I look at.”A motion to approve the CUP resolution was eventually made by Paschke and seconded by Groskreutz.The roll call was taken with Paschke voting first in favor of granting the CUP. Groskreutz was the next to cast his vote and he voted no.“Legally, I think the applicants have the right to do this,” he said. “But in my mind, ethically it is not the best place for it.”Commissioners Young, Tom Loveall and Anderson also voted no citing the same reason Groskreutz had offered for his no vote. Therefore the CUP was denied on a 4-1 vote.</div></body>

Block Source: Faribault County Register

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A request by The Herbal Care, LLC, for a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) to operate a Cannabis Microbusiness without on-site retail sales was denied by a 4-1 vote at the Faribault County Board of Commissioners meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 18. The Faribault County Planning and Zoning Commission had held a...

CUP denied for Cannabis Microbusiness

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A request by The Herbal Care, LLC, for a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) to operate a Cannabis Microbusiness without on-site retail sales was denied by a 4-1 

CUP denied for Cannabis Microbusiness

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