WORTHINGTON — The Worthington City Council approved three conditional use permits for dispensaries to be located at 1015 Third Ave., 341 Oxford St., and 1151 Ryan’s Road, Monday night.
Before discussion on the first dispensary took place, Councilman Mike Kuhle shared his concern for the amount of dispensaries coming to Worthington.
“I’m really concerned… if we approve the three conditional use permits tonight, that’s already four businesses that are coming into the city of Worthington,” he said. “I’m thinking we’re gambling here if we don’t put some type of limits in this community. That’s my personal opinion.”
Councilman Dennis Weber said if they were to limit the number of dispensaries, the council would have to choose which dispensaries would be permitted.
“Free market will determine that on its own because it’s competition between the businesses,” he said. “If there’s too many, a lot of them will not succeed. I think they will clean themselves out and restrict on their business themselves.”
Mayor Rick von Holdt commented about the potential then to regulate how many people can sell alcohol in town as well.
“Let it run its course first of all, otherwise we’re going to start having to regulate this or that or people are going to want to regulate more things that we’re probably not doing,” he said.
City Administrator Steve Robinson reminded the council of its responsibility for the night.
“This is a zoning issue,” he said. “A conditional use permit identifies that these businesses are in an approved zone. Conditional use allows the council to impose reasonable conditions on those businesses.”
With that, action began.
The dispensary on Third Avenue caused the most concern as it is located in The Thompson building, which houses several families in upper level apartments.
I just personally would not want to see this type of business right next door in an apartment complex connected to my building, if I was a resident.
Councilman Chris Kielblock
“Should we be allowing a cannabis business in this building (with) residential above it, and the entrance to the residential right next to the cannabis business?” Kuhle asked.
It was clarified there would be no on-site consumption or cultivation, and the customer process upon entering the dispensary involves an age check at the door.
“My main concern with this particular application for dispensary was really the proximity of a higher residential-specific area of our downtown that serves individuals, many families that include little ones,” Councilman Chris Kielblock said. “I just personally would not want to see this type of business right next door in an apartment complex connected to my building, if I was a resident.”
Kielblock said he had discussions with the applicant, Kirk Kruse, who addressed issues of air quality and ventilation to help keep the lingering scent of cannabis products to a minimum.
The permit was approved 3-2 with an additional condition, created by Kuhle, to install a camera on the exterior of the building to cover the east side, including the parking lot and alley. Councilmen Kuhle and Kielblock voted in opposition to the permit request.
The other two permits were approved with little discussion.
The dispensary to be located at 341 Oxford St. included debate on either paving the driveway entrance or paving Fredrick Avenue instead. While council members said they thought they would have to pave Fredrick Avenue someday, they approved the permit with the condition of paving the driveway entrance. Additional conditions include no on-site consumption or cultivation, and security cameras must be installed to cover all exterior areas of the business.
The final permit for a dispensary in the strip mall on Ryan’s Road was approved after meeting with the applicant, Mayson Faison, who was not at last week’s Planning Commission meeting.
Faison is considering properties in the area to be closer to her future business and family.
In other action, the council:
- Authorized disbursing Spending Plan funds to reimburse the developer for wetland mitigation in both the building and right-of-way sites of the South Shore Apartments.
- Approved a special assessment for 2025 miscellaneous unpaid charges for the engineering department.
- Approved a special assessment for the Second Avenue street improvement.
- Approved a U.S. 59 and frontage road jurisdictional transfer agreement with the State of Minnesota.
- Authorized the Worthington Ice Arena to advertise requests for qualifications for a Construction Manager at Risk.
- Accepted a $5,250 State of Minnesota grant to cover a portion of the SWPPP upgrade at the Worthington Municipal Airport.
- Accepted a Minnesota Department of Transportation grant to put toward airport improvements such as the new 150- by 50-foot three-bay hangar.
- Accepted a MnDOT grant for airport maintenance and operation.
- Received a completed change order update on the Service Road and Service Drive improvement project.
- Approved Task Order 21 with Bolton and Menk, Inc. to complete the final construction plan design for the East Okabena Lake Trail project.
Chloe Farnsworth became a reporter for The Globe in April of 2025. She received a Bachelor of Arts degree for journalism from the University of Minnesota Duluth.
