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The Albert Lea City Council is slated to vote Monday on whether to place a cap on the number of various adult-themed businesses in the community.

Discussion about the businesses came as the council in recent months has talked about the zoning and number of cannabis businesses it would allow with the legalization of marijuana by the state.

The council in June approved a moratorium on the creation of new tobacco, off-sale liquor, sexually-oriented business and cannabis licenses for up to six months as it studied how to regulate the businesses equitably. All of the businesses work with people ages 21 and over.

After approving zoning requirements for all of the adult-themed businesses, the council in October approved an ordinance regulating licensing for cannabis businesses, restricting the maximum number of retail cannabis establishments to two in the city.

Now, as it turns to setting a maximum number for the other business types, city staff on Nov. 12 initially proposed setting the limit to the number currently in use, noting that at any point in time it desired, the council could decide to expand the number of licenses it would allow. City Manager Ian Rigg said just as with future cannabis stores, it is easier to expand if needed than it is to have to0 many and retract.

Currently there is one business classified as a sexually oriented business with the Aragon Bar, and there are two tobacco stores and eight liquor stores. A tobacco store is classified as a store that primarily sells tobacco-related products and does not include places like gas stations that sell other products and then also happen to sell tobacco products.

During both the last council work session and meeting, some of the councilors said they thought that setting the limit on two tobacco businesses might be too low.

Third Ward Councilor Jason Howland instead offered to set the limit at four, noting that more and more people are using vape devices, and setting the number at two might hinder a future opportunity for growth of local businesses.

“With the legalization of cannabis and also more and more people using electronic cigarettes, or vapes, rather than traditional tobacco … I think there’s opportunity for growth for local businesses in town,” he said, noting he did not think increasing to four tobacco stores would be a detriment to the community, especially considering there are already eight liquor stores.

Sixth Ward Councilor Brian Anderson said there are already zoning rules in place that would prohibit new tobacco stores from being built within certain distances from schools and other places.

Rigg said he would confirm the setbacks before the second reading on Monday.

The council ultimately approved the first reading 6-0. Councilor Reid Olson was absent because of a death in the family.

As part of the ordinance update, the council will also approve that transient merchants be required to undergo a background check at the time of application and pay an investigation fee as found in the city’s annual fee schedule.

Anderson and 1st Ward Councilor Rachel Christensen asked that people in the community give their input on the issue ahead of the upcoming meeting.