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Editor’s note: Today’s INSIGHT edition, and that on Jan. 5, will feature a look back at some of the stories, activities, milestones and accomplishments that occurred during 2024 in Lapeer County. The County Press looks forward to report the news and events of 2025, and we appreciate your readership and trust in us to report hometown news and information that makes a difference. Happy New Year! — Jeff Hogan
LAPEER — Last January, the City of Lapeer pumped the brakes on accepting new marijuana business applications while officials made changes to ordinances related to zoning and violation enforcement. Officials enacted a moratorium on new marijuana business applications.
After months of review, the Lapeer City Commission in early December approved amendments to city ordinances related to oversight of marijuana businesses in the city. It stipulated that any new marijuana grow facilities would have to be located in the city’s industrial parks — no longer allowed to be located close to other commercial businesses or homes.
The Lapeer City Commission in early January 2024 agreed to a six-month moratorium sought by city manager Mike Womack who said city staff had identified areas that need attention. In 2018, the City allowed six marijuana dispensaries where adults age 21 and older may purchase medical and recreational marijuana products, but officials set no limit on the number of marijuana grow and process businesses that may operate in Lapeer. There are currently seven marijuana grow facilities in operation.
The issue of marijuana has come to a head after months of complaints from residents, neighboring businesses and passersby of a marijuana odor around several grow facilities in the city — including the SDRK Grow LLC facility on S. Saginaw (former site of Lapeer Grain Co).
The Lapeer Planning Commission asked the City Commission to take another look at the City’s ordinances, citing concerns that marijuana businesses have been allowed to locate in areas that they probably shouldn’t have been allowed due to proximity to other commercial businesses. The greatest concentration of marijuana businesses is located east of Court Street on Genesee Street/Imlay City Road as well as on Saginaw and Court streets south of the Canadian National Railroad tracks.
Officials had also talked whether there should be a cap on the number of grow operations in Lapeer.
”}]] Editor’s note: Today’s INSIGHT edition, and that on Jan. 5, will feature a look back at some of the stories, activities, milestones and accomplishments that occurred during 2024 in Lapeer County. The County Press looks forward to report the news and events of 2025, and we appreciate your readership and trust in us to report Read More
