As many as 1,500 plants could start churning out medical marijuana in Niles next fall.

The City Council approved the sale of an empty lot at 13th and Lake Streets to a developer who wants to build a $1.5 million grow facility for medical cannabis plants.

The sale still has a couple of hurdles to clear, including approval of the building plan and obtaining a grow license from the city.

On Monday, Dec. 10, the council also discussed the controversial ban on future marijuana shops, and how to move the process forward.