Albert Lea City Council presses pause on new specific new business

ALBERT LEA, Minn. (KTTC) – The Albert Lea City Council announced its decision to pause applications for new, expanding or relocating off-sale liquor, cannabis, tobacco and sexually oriented businesses Monday.

Existing businesses will be allowed to continue operating. They can also apply for renewal of their licenses or transfer them to new owners as long as the business space remains the same.

The decision to restrict new applications stems from Minnesota’s legalization of the recreational use of marijuana in 2023. Since the legislation will allow new cannabis businesses to open shop in 2025 or earlier, the Albert Lea City Council says it is concerned about the placement of such businesses and is intending to regulate them with parity in regard to tobacco product shops, off-sale liquor and sexually oriented businesses.

During the moratorium, the city’s Development Services Department (DSD) will study how best to regulate these businesses with the goals of protecting public health and safety, neighboring properties, economic viability, public assets, and the general welfare of the city.

The DSD will also study possible changes to official controls of these businesses, including the zoning code, related policy and how to improve the regulatory process.

This moratorium is set to last 6 months, but the DSD expects to make recommendations to the City Council before then.

For more information, visit City of Albert Lea website.

The public is also encouraged to attend an open house on Wednesday, May 22 at the Albert Lea City Hall where information will be provided, and the public may provide input.

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