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74 <br />September 10, 2010 j Volume 4 j No. 17 Zoning Bulletin <br />neighborhoods" in an effort to "combat suburban sprawl and traffic <br />congestion." More specifically, the bill would establish two separate <br />grant programs: "Comprehensive Planning Grants" and "Sustainability <br />Challenge Grants." A new Office of Sustainable Housing and Commu- <br />nities would be created to "administer and regulate these new grants." <br />Source: CNSNews.com; www.cnsnews.com <br />MINNESOTA <br />The state has reportedly "sent more than 600 letters to property <br />owners across Minnesota who rent their cabins for a week or less." <br />The letters are an attempt to enforce an existing law, and warn that <br />owners of private rental cabins might need to buy a license and un- <br />dergo inspections. The state reportedly wants private "cabin owners to <br />pay an annual licensing fee and have a regular inspection to ensure that <br />the building complies with state and local health, safety and zoning <br />rules." The law being enforced is "meant to ensure that private rental <br />cabins meet the same requirements as hotels and resorts." <br />Source: Minneapolis Star Tribune; www.startribune.com <br />PENNSYLVANIA <br />Pending in the state House of Representatives is House Bill 2431, <br />which would essentially eliminate municipal zoning and replace it with <br />county -wide zoning. The bill was set for a House Local Government <br />Committee hearing in late August. Reportedly, the state Senate's "sister <br />bill, 1357, is less sweeping," providing for "'boundary review commis- <br />sions' and other efforts to look at ways municipalities can cut costs by <br />sharing services." <br />Source: Standard Speaker; httm f /standardspeaker.com <br />WASHINGTON, D.C. <br />"Medical marijuana is now legal in the District after ... Congress <br />declined to overrule a D.0 Council bill that allows the city to set up as <br />many as eight dispensaries where chronically ill patients can purchase <br />the drug." The law reportedly "allows patients with cancer, glaucoma, <br />HIV /AIDS and other chronic ailments [to possess] up to four ounces <br />of the drug." The Department of Health must now license dispensaries <br />and cultivation centers. District residents could protest through the zon- <br />ing process where dispensaries are to be located. <br />Source: Ganja.com; www.ganja.com <br />uestions or Comments west gwnlan @tl omsonreuters com t <br />12 © 2010 Thomson Reuters <br />