City council approves CUP for cannabis store, adds Woitalewicz

The Worthington City Council on Monday night unanimously approved a conditional use permit that would allow for the operation of a cannabis retail store at the current Jimmy John's location.

Freedom Paradise Holdings plans to combine the vacant middle unit at 1300 Humiston Ave. with the adjoining unit on the west side of the building — currently occupied by Jimmy John's — for its cannabis retail store. Prior to Monday's vote, Worthington Director of Community Development Matt Selof told council that even though many people may not want cannabis stores in the community, the city can't simply say no. 

"For better or worse, the state has given the city no legal authority to prohibit it entirely in the city, so it is here, regardless of whatever the city may think of it," Selof said. "Secondly, I know there's been a lot of concern for the existing business, Jimmy John's, in that location. And as unfortunate as it is that you might lose a business there, at the end of the day it is up to the landlord to negotiate a lease with their tenant, and it's not really the city's role to manage the leases that are negotiated between tenants and landlords in the city.

"As you go into considering this request here, you're essentially considering a conditional use permit from a business that has already signed a lease for this space," he continued. "There's really no guarantee that Jimmy John's would even stay there if you deny this, nor should there really be a consideration that you give to this tonight. We do like to support our existing businesses and things, but unfortunately sometimes things just don't work out and leases don't work out between landlords and tenants."

Council members approved the conditional use permit with conditions recommended by the Worthington Planning Commission, as well as others brought forward Monday. Those included placement of a security camera on the west side of the building to monitor parking lot activity, as well as the stipulation that the entrance to the cannabis retail store not be shared with other entities leasing space at the location.

Also Monday, Amy Woitalewicz was appointed as the newest member of the council.

Woiltalewicz replaces Larry Janssen, who represented Ward 1 and resigned in May. After Janssen stepped down, a City Council Subcommittee was created for the purpose of offering a recommendation for his replacement. Three eligible applicants were interviewed.

Woitalewicz joined the council immediately following her appointment Monday for the duration of its meeting. She said afterward:

"I love this community and I have four generations of family living here, so I feel like I have a vested interest in and care about what is happening," she said. "I served for seven years on planning and zoning, and I also was an honorary City Council member many years back and I found the work interesting — and it aligns a bit with what I do for my day job."

Woitalewicz is employed as business finance director with the Southwest Initiative Foundation.

"I do small business lending in an 18-county region, so I work with banks and communities for that," she explained.

She added about joining council: "I heard about the opening and a few people ... reached out to me and said, 'would you consider this?' And I thought my immediate answer would be no, but then I realized it's a great opportunity because it's a year and a half appointment. It's a good way to get your feet wet."

Janssen’s current term expires at the end of 2026.