06.a2 Draft minutes 02-05-2025 Work Session
February 5, 2025
A work session meeting of the Scandia City Council was held on the above date. The meeting
was conducted in the Council Chambers at the Scandia Community Center and over an
electronic platform. All participants who joined the meeting remotely could hear each other and
contribute to discussions.
Mayor Steve Kronmiller called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. The following were present:
Council members Jerry Cusick, Kirsten Libby, Mike Lubke and Mayor Steve Kronmiller.
Council member Jim Gribble participated over Zoom. Staff present: City Administrator Kyle
Morell and City Clerk Brenda Eklund. City Planner TJ Hofer participated over Zoom.
APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
Lubke, seconded by Libby, moved to approve the agenda as presented. Motion carried 4-0.
MET COUNCIL COUNCILMEMBER GAIL CEDERBERG
Gail Cederberg introduced herself as the Metropolitan Council Member acting as a liaison for
communities in District 11. By statute, every 10 years the Met Council prepares a long-range
system plan for land use, water resources and transportation, and is now working on the Imagine
2050 land use plan. In the plan, Scandia is classified at Diversified Residential and Rural Center,
the same as the 2040 classification. Ms. Cederberg reported on progress and future projects for
the Met Council.
Ms. Cederberg stated the importance of getting involved early in preparation of the next Comp
Plan update. Council member Libby said she is interested in applying for a position on the Land
Use Committee.
RUSTIC ROOTS INQUIRY
Planner Hofer introduced a discussion for a potential future application for a planned unit
development for the existing Rustic Roots Winery. Owner Greg Sandager has concerns on the
submittal requirements at this stage, and is asking for a waiver of some of these standards for
grading and stormwater plans. Hofer explained that the City Engineer needs a clear description
of the proposed improvements before determining if items can be waived.
Planner Hofer said the business is working with Carnelian Marine Watershed on a water control
project and is preparing detailed engineered plans for that agency. Hofer noted Council Action
options listed in the staff report:
1. Require the submittal of engineered plans.
2. Defer the decision until the applicant comes forward with a formal application.
3. Defer the decisions of requiring engineered plans to staff after the application is
received and reviewed.
4. Waive the requirements for engineered grading plans, provided the plans can show
compliance with the adopted standards.
Scandia City Council Work Session
February 5, 2025
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Greg Sandager addressed the Council, stating the business has been issued many permits over
the years and would like to streamline them into one consolidated permit. Staff has advised that a
Planned Unit Development can roll all uses into one operating permit for the business.
Sandager explained their intent to keep operating as they do and yet have approval for future
business plans. This would be an opportunity to clean up the various permits, such as the
temporary event center which expires in a few years. Sandager said they would like to construct
a sturdier tent rather than an expensive building. Staff is recommending a PUD to include future
abilities, such as to operate as a cidery or brewery or restaurant. Sandager said part of the PUD
requirements have redundant requirements, such as engineering that the Watershed is also
needing, and these plans are expensive to have designed by an engineer. Sandager asked why
prepare this twice? Sandager stated that they are working on a potential joint project with the
Watershed to address erosion issues on Oakhill Road, to control our runoff and that of the
roadway to solve the problems with one project.
Mayor Kronmiller said that the City is looking to work with the Watershed to make projects less
burdensome. Administrator Morell said there will be an update on this at the next meeting.
Council member Libby said the business has had lots of permits already, and she would
encourage funds be spent otherwise for his business, making option #4 acceptable with the
understanding that folks aren’t unduly burdened. Council member Libby said why should two
sets of plans be needed for all entities.
Council member Lubke said the Watershed requirements are stringent, so having our engineer
review the same plans seems like an extra step.
Council member Gribble thought the Council should entertain that any plan the Watershed will
require as sufficient because we are all after the same goals to protect the environment. Gribble
said option #4 is reasonable.
Mayor Kronmiller clarified that accepting the approved Watershed engineered plans defines
option #4. Sandager explained the stormwater plans for the city engineer would be the same, but
prepared with different titles and at an additional cost.
Lubke, seconded by Cusick, moved to approve Council Action #4, waive the requirements
for engineered grading plans, provided the plans can show compliance with the adopted
standards. Motion carried 4-0.
Planner Hofer explained that through the discussion of the various existing and proposed uses for
Rustic Roots, Sandager asked staff to make a determination if a building used for wine
production could be considered an agricultural building. Staff reviewed definitions in the Unified
Development Code for “Agriculture Processing” and for “Winery”. Hofer explained that the
vineyard is an accessory to the winery use, and therefore concluded that wine production is not
considered an agricultural process. Further research into state statute definitions was done, and
staff found the city’s definitions are somewhat in contradiction.
Scandia City Council Work Session
February 5, 2025
Page 3 of 3
Sandager said the winery is outgrowing the existing production building and plans an addition. If
the building is not considered an agricultural building but rather a commercial building, costs
increase dramatically. Sandager said he would like further consideration of the interpretation of
the code.
Planner Hofer said because the UDC considers winery to be a commercial use, the
manufacturing of wine is commercial; however, fermentation of a product is agricultural. Hofer
said the Council should discuss the intent of the definitions and consider the following actions:
• Motion to reaffirm the decision of staff and confirm that wine manufacturing
should be considered a commercial use.
• Direct staff to further research the topic, including consulting with the City Attorney to
review precedent.
• Direct staff to amend the code to clarify that wine manufacturing is considered an
agricultural process.
Administrator Morell clarified that the proposed buildings would be for production and storage
and not have a public use. Sandager noted that the current production building is inspected by the
Department of Agriculture, and the tasting room is classified as a commercial use.
Council member Gribble said if the new building is strictly for processing, he has no objection to
clearly define it as agricultural.
Lubke, seconded by Cusick, moved to direct staff to amend the code to clarify that wine
manufacturing is considered an agricultural process, and to review the existing definitions
so they are not in conflict. Motion carried 4-0.
ADJOURNMENT
Lubke, seconded by Libby, moved to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried 4-0.
The meeting adjourned at 7:45 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Brenda Eklund
City Clerk