Plan Commission

Village of Grantsburg Plan Commission Meeting Monday, May 8, 2023 The Plan Commission for the Village of Grantsburg met on Monday, May 8, 2023, at 5:30 p.m. in the Village Board Room, 316 S. Brad Street, Grantsburg, Wisconsin. Present: Chairman/President Terrance Kucera, Trustee Greg Peer, Members Brent Blomberg, Natalie Finch, LuAnn Ebersold. Absent: Member Tyler Meyers Others present: Police Chief Mitch Olson, Director of Public Works (DPW) John Erickson, Deputy Clerk/Treasurer Allison Longhenry, Greg Marsten-Burnett County Sentinel, Marie Vannelli- Vannelli Enterprises, LLC, Larry Ebersold, Michelle Arneson Call to Order Chairman/President Kucera called the Plan Commission meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. CUP application – Puff N Stuff Smoke Shop President Kucera reopened the Public Hearing (continued from April 24, 2023) at 5:30 p.m. Clerk/Treasurer Meyer read the Public Hearing Notice. President Kucera asked for anyone wishing to speak in favor of the Conditional Use Permit application received from Crex Development Corp, owner and Marie Vannelli, Vannelli Enterprises, LLC dba Puff N Stuff, applicant for a smoke shop at 441 State Rd 70 E. (parcel #07- 131-2-38-19-23-1 01-000-017000). Marie Vannelli gave a brief history of her previous bar/resort ownership in Pine City, MN on Lake Pokegama and described the products that would be for sale at the smoke shop. She indicated most of her clientele is elderly looking for CBD lotions, creams, etc. President Kucera asked for anyone wishing to speak against the CUP. Larry Ebersold, 304 S. Russell Street, indicated he was speaking against the CUP until he knew what products she would be selling. Michelle Arneson, RN at Burnett Medical Center and Certified Tobacco Treatment Specialist spoke against vaping and its’ effects on children. Arneson also voiced her concerns about the smoke shop being across the street from the schools. President Kucera closed the Public Hearing at 5:40 p.m. President Kucera asked the Plan Commission members if they had any questions or concerns regarding the CUP application received. Member Finch voiced her concerns with the products to be sold and the location being so close to the schools. Member Finch proposed the Village consider adopting an ordinance, in the future, limiting the number of smoke shops allowed in the Village, their location in relationship to the schools, products sold, etc. Vannelli assured those present that she would not be advertising or targeting students and would not be allowing anyone under 21 years of age to be in the shop. Buyer ID’s will be checked. Vannelli also explained she would be at the shop 80% of the time with a former employee of hers being hired as the manager. Trustee Peer asked if Vannelli would consider donating money from their sales toward a recovery type program. Vannelli indicated she was not opposed to that. Chief Olson reported he had checked with the Hudson Police Department and they have not had issues with the store located in Hudson the Vannellis are involved with. It was also reported these types of products are currently being sold at some of the local convenience stores. President Kucera asked if any audience members had additional questions. Larry Ebersold asked about additional employees at the smoke shop. Vannelli indicated the current plan was for herself, her son, her sister and the manager to be employees of the shop. Arneson stated the accessibility to these types of products 1  May 8, 2023, Plan Commission Meeting Page 2 would be increased if the Village allowed the smoke shop in the Village. Member Blomberg asked if a new Conditional Use Permit is required if the business is sold to someone else. C/T Meyer indicated change of ownership would require a new CUP application. Discussion was held on the duties of the Plan Commission and the criteria their decision should be based upon. Motion by Member Finch, second by Trustee Peer to recommend the Village Board approve the Conditional Use Permit application received from Crex Development Corp, owner and Marie Vannelli, Vannelli Enterprises, LLC dba Puff N Stuff, applicant, for a smoke shop at 441 State Rd 70 E. (parcel 07-131-2-38-19-23-1 01-000-017000). Motion passed 3-1 with Trustee Peer, Member Finch, and Member Blomberg voting yea and Member Ebersold voting nay. Minutes Motion by Member Blomberg, second by Member Finch to approve the minutes of the April 24, 2023, Plan Commission meeting as presented. Motion passed unanimously. Adjournment. Motion by Trustee Peer, second by Member Ebersold to adjourn the Plan Commission meeting at 6:07 p.m. Sheila Meyer Clerk/Treasurer