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08.b Draft minutes 08-05-2025 Planning Commission August 5, 2025 The Scandia Planning Commission held their regular monthly meeting on the above date. The meeting was conducted in-person and virtually over an electronic platform. All participants who joined the meeting remotely could hear each other and contribute to discussions. Chair Travis Loeffler called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. The following were in attendance: Commissioners Mary Cullen, Laszlo Fodor, Jan Hogle, and Perry Rynders and Chair Travis Loeffler. Staff present: City Planner TJ Hofer, City Administrator Kyle Morell and City Clerk Brenda Eklund. City Council member Kirsten Libby was also in attendance. PUBLIC FORUM There were no public comments. APPROVAL OF AGENDA, MINUTES Hogle, seconded by Fodor, moved to approve the agenda as presented. The motion carried unanimously. Hogle. seconded by Fodor, moved to approve the July 1, 2025 minutes as presented. The motion carried unanimously. PUBLIC HEARING CONTINUED FROM JULY 1, 2025: CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT FOR AN ESSENTIAL SERVICES UTILITY SUBSTATION AT 18180 MANNING TRAIL NORTH. NORTHERN NATURAL GAS COMPANY, APPLICANT. Planner Hofer presented a request from Northern Natural Gas Company for a Conditional Use Permit to allow a utility substation to be constructed on a 3.26-acre parcel described as Lot 1, Block 1, Nelson Addition. The subject property was part of a minor subdivision at 18180 Manning Trail approved in April 2025 and will be accessed from 180th Street North. The application described the odorizer facility as a federally mandated infrastructure enhancement to the natural gas lines operated from the Hugo Compressor Station located directly across 180th Street. The application stated the facility will generate minimal noise, infrequent traffic, and designed for low-profile operation. At their meeting on July 1, 2025, the Planning Commission opened the public hearing for the CUP application and voted to continue the hearing to the next meeting to allow the applicant time to address issues with the site plan. A revised site plan was received by staff on July 18th. Planner Hofer explained that the revised site plan lowered the impervious surface area to less than 25%, moved structures outside the wetland setbacks, and added additional vegetative screening along the south and east property lines. Hofer noted that the ordinance requires the use to be adequately screened from property lines and right-of-way, and the Commissioners should discuss if the proposed screening is sufficient to meet the standards. Scandia Planning Commission August 5, 2025 Page 2 of 8 Development on the site requires a woodland preservation plan. All significant trees removed must be replaced as determined by the tree replacement schedule in the ordinance. Planner Hofer explained that the applicant has not proposed planting replacement trees on the site but rather will pay cash in-lieu to the tree replacement fund in the amount of $4,600. Planner Hofer addressed the fence standards and the proposed black vinyl coated chain-link fence with barbed wire on top that will enclose the facility. The height exceeds the allowed 6’ maximum height. The applicant has cited federal regulations to allow for a security fence which may preempt the city’s standards. Hofer explained that the City Attorney is currently reviewing the standards to determine if the preemption can be justified. Hofer directed the Commissioners to not hold up the CUP due to this issue as the fence is not being approved as part of the CUP and will require a fence permit in order to be installed. Planner Hofer noted a written comment from the neighboring property owner regarding their request for increased screening. Planner Hofer concluded with a recommendation to continue the public hearing and discuss the application. Hofer provided a draft resolution of approval of the CUP with findings and conditions written in the staff report. Chair Loeffler announced that the public hearing has remained open and any speakers may come forward. Robin Kushlan, Ham Lake. Stated they are the adjacent property owners to the east of this site. They are asking for additional screening on the east and south property lines of the lot being developed. Leon Kushlan, Ham Lake. Stated they are the property owners to the east of this site. Their biggest concerns are of the landscaping. They would like to see more conifers to provide year- round screening, with more trees on the east and along the road to the south. The site plan shows trees to the north, and they want this repeated on the east side. Kushlan asked why the plan showed two retention ponds initially and is now down to one? With the amount of hard surface, Kushlan said he has concerns how this will affect the water level of the wetland. Kushlan stated they are asking for decent screening. Katie DiGiacomo, Kirk Avenue: Said they recently experienced a lot of noise from this site in a 3-day period. DiGiacomo said the surrounding neighbors want transparency and communication from the utility on significant noise coming from the site to be able to plan for outdoor activities, in the same manner of notices sent from electrical and phone utilities. Any additional trees added for a noise barrier would be wonderful. DiGiacomo said they would like to be informed of the construction schedule for this project. City Administrator Morell clarified that the noise activity was generated from the utility’s compressor station located across the street in May Township. There were no additional public comments. Rynders, seconded by Hogle, moved to close the hearing at 7:15 p.m. Motion carried 5-0. Scandia Planning Commission August 5, 2025 Page 3 of 8 Commissioner Cullen asked about the cash in-lieu of replacement trees proposal described in the staff report. Planner Hofer explained that the tree replacement fund can be used if there are no practical places to plant trees on the site. The right-of-way, stormwater pond, and wetland area are limitations on this site. Payment in this case is reasonable but not necessarily required. Cullen said that the public is asking for additional trees for screening, so is it possible to add trees along the east and south property lines? Hofer said it’s possible, but underground pipe placement may be an issue, along with limitations of slope and right-of-way. Along the east, it remains undetermined what would be reasonable here due to unknown soil types near the wetland. Hofer said staff cannot advise for certain there is good placement for additional trees but would need a professional consultant to determine this. Cullen recommended the applicant provide this information. Planner Hofer explained that landscape screening is required and needs to be maintained for the life of the project, and the Commission can recommend additional screening. With the tree preservation requirement, the city can dictate the species and placement of trees on site but do not monitor long-term maintenance of these trees. Chair Loeffler said he is recommending more screening on the east and south property lines. If not, the applicant must prove the required screening is not possible. Commissioner Cullen recommended the city not accept the tree fund cash payment of $4,600 but require additional screening along the east property line to meet the maximum required. Chair Loeffler added that taller trees may be needed along the south to limit views from travelers along Manning Trail. Planner Hofer explained that without stricter rules in the ordinance, the site cannot require screening from every angle. If the Commission is recommending additional screening, the condition should be amended to read “Property shall be completely obscured from the right-of- way and the property lines”. Chair Loeffler addressed the question about reducing to one retention pond on the site. Stormwater management is overseen by the Rice Creek Watershed, and the City relies on them for appropriate design of the site. Chair Loeffler said he encourages Northern Natural Gas to find a way for better communication to the neighbors. Cullen moved to remove Paragraph 5.b iii from the resolution (payment of $4,600 to the tree fund) and require the applicant replace the trees on-site at the tree preservation rate; add a condition the applicant meet screening requirements on the south and east sides of the property with a revised landscape plan for entire screening from the south and east. Fodor seconded the motion. Motion carried 5-0 by roll call vote. The recommendation for approval will be presented to the City Council at their meeting on August 19, 2025. Scandia Planning Commission August 5, 2025 Page 4 of 8 Planner Hofer asked for clarification if screening is required the entire length of the property lines or only to screen the facility? Hofer said he will discuss this condition with the applicant and define this language when the recommendation is presented to the City Council. PUBLIC HEARING: AMENDMENTS TO THE UNIFIED DEVELOPMENT CODE REGARDING EXTERIOR STORAGE OF VEHICLES Planner Hofer presented a draft ordinance that would amend a section of the Unified Development Code to address concerns around exterior storage of vehicles. At their meeting on June 3rd, the Commission held a public hearing and recommended adoption of an earlier version of exterior storage amendments, but the City Council tabled a decision at their meeting on June 17th and asked staff to revise the ordinance amendments to address concerns about limits on storage placed on larger lots. The Council reviewed an updated version prepared by staff at their meeting on July 15th and recommended the Commission hold a public hearing again as the ordinance amendment had changed significantly. Planner Hofer explained the newer version of the proposed amendments to the UDC, now based on lot size rather than zoning district, with special provisions related to riparian lots. Summary of Changes to the Ordinance • Additional standards were added to clarify the allowances for boat docks and boat lifts. • Proposed standards setbacks and allowed locations of exterior storage were added. This standard includes a requirement that LRV and RCV stored in the side or rear yard on RRG lots be setback 100 ft. from the road right-of-way, reduced from 200 ft. • A standard regarding exterior storage screened from property lines and abutting public streets is proposed. • The number of allowed LRV and RCV allowed on a residential and agricultural lots have been revised from a maximum of two, to a number based on the size of a lot or parcel with a maximum of five, as detailed in Table 153.400.090-1. • Standards previously proposed for the Rural Residential Neighborhood district have been revised to apply to riparian lots. • The number of allowed LRV and RCV on riparian lots has been amended to reflect Table 153.400.090-1, resulting in a reduction of LRV allowed. • Table 153.400.090-2 has been revised to reflect the proposed changes; however, the associated diagram has not yet been revised. • An additional standard has been added to clarify how the number of vehicles on vacant lots is determined. A number of written comments were received. Planner Hofer recommended the Commission open the hearing, receive comments and discuss the amendments, particularly those related to storage on pervious surfaces, and location for storage of LRV and RCV. City Administrator Morell stated that the ordinance would apply to properties all over the city, a change from the previous version in which amendments were based on zoning district. Commissioner Cullen said this document is a struggle to understand, and asked for an overview of what problem we are trying to solve. Scandia Planning Commission August 5, 2025 Page 5 of 8 City Administrator Morell explained the existing regulations for recreation and camping vehicles to be stored outside are too restrictive for many residents who live around lakes. The city has been crafting new language to set the number of allowed vehicles to more realistically allow for what they have, first by a zoning district approach to this one based on lot size. Rynders, seconded by Hogle, moved to open the public hearing at 7:53 p.m. Motion carried 5-0. Paula Johnson, Larkspur Avenue. Said those who live on the lake have lake stuff. Asked if boats, lifts and trailers which take up space in a yard are not counted. Said she can’t imagine seven big things on my property. Asked if there is no time limit for storage of docks, boats and lifts in a yard. Administrator Morell explained the existing language restricts storage from September 15 to May 30 and does not count towards the allowed number of items. The City has never required they be in the lake or taken out. Shaun Collier, Maxwill Avenue. What about the noise from allowing more Recreation Camping Vehicles? This would result in a campground feel to residential neighborhoods. James Krummi, Layton Avenue. Said he is confused about regulations being considered for boats and docks. Chair Loeffler explained the current ordinance does not count boats, docks and lifts towards the allowed number if stored lakeside. Loeffler said his opinion is that these items shouldn’t count. Anne Myre, Larkspur Avenue. Said she is trying to follow this ordinance language but it is tough to understand. She appreciates that staff will respond to questions. Administrator Morell said that once the Commission has settled on a version to recommend to City Council, the document will eliminate the redlines. Jeff Holker, 196th Street. Said this is a complicated situation and staff is doing a great job. Provided that 50% of lake lots are under 0.25 acres, and 30% are under 0.5 acres. Exterior storage is a significant issue for a large number of people. Said this lot size version is a better approach, but he still has concerns with the number allowed on small lots. Impervious surface coverage is capped at 25%, and any additional covered area does increase the speed and quantity of runoff into lakes and rivers. Holker said the Watersheds noted this concern of increased runoff and the storage of vehicles in lakeshore. Asked the Commission to take a hard look at the numbers and size allowed and the potential impacts. Holker said it would be a shame to allow lake properties to become parking lots. There were no further public comments. Rynders, seconded by Hogle, moved to close the public hearing at 8:07 p.m. Motion carried 5-0. Scandia Planning Commission August 5, 2025 Page 6 of 8 Commissioner Rynders listed off a few grammatical errors and language recommendations, along with points of discussion. Loeffler, seconded by Fodor, moved to accept Rynder’s grammatical recommendations. Motion carried 5-0. City Administrator Morell advised that if the Commission is concerned on the number of items, they should determine what the number should be. Commissioner Laszlo proposed that boats do not count toward the allowed number if stored lakeside. Chair Loeffler recommended that if there are difficulties getting a boat to the lakeside, then it will count when stored in the driveway. Commissioner Hogle noted that if the boat is stored lakeside, then it’s not visible from the road and not enforced. Hogle said based on a visual aspect, don’t put something in the ordinance that is difficult to enforce. Planner Hofer clarified the recommendation that boats can be stored anywhere but will count toward the allowed number when stored in a side yard or roadside. Chair Loeffler recommended to not count canoes and kayaks, but a pontoon and a fishing boat should count. Commissioner Cullen said she is not understanding what we are trying to do. Are they considering values and appearance of properties? Cullen said she can’t have an opinion on the ordinance without guidelines, saying this is way too complex and would suggest simplification. Cullen said the details matter but she needs a better explanation of what the problem is. Chair Loeffler stated visual and impervious is the issue. How much is too much stuff? Drive around the city and you see too much stuff stored outside. Commissioner Fodor said the categories are problematic. Snowmobiles are in same category as kid’s dirt bikes. Planner Hofer noted the definition for recreational vehicles but having exceptions is confusing and difficult for enforcement. The Commissioners discussed recommended amendments and settled on the following. • Clarify LRV and RCV. If the item is not street legal, it is not included. An ATV is counted; snowmobile, trailers, docks and boat lifts do not count towards large recreation vehicles. Make an exception for canoes, kayaks, paddle boats, paddleboards, but count docks and lifts when they should be in the water May 30 to September 15. If docks and lifts are in a yard in the summer they will be counted. Planner Hofer said he can insert a Water Recreation Equipment definition for canoes, kayaks, paddleboards and the like. Scandia Planning Commission August 5, 2025 Page 7 of 8 • Quantity table revisions. Chair Loeffler said the goal is to store your stuff so it’s not an eyesore for everyone else. Consensus to allow one boat for exterior storage which will not count towards the allowed number; any more boats count regardless of property size. Revise the brackets to categories of 0 to 0.5 acres: 1 item with 1 free boat; 0.51 to 1.0 acre: 2 items and 1 free boat (one can be a camper); 1.0 acre and greater: 3 items plus a boat (one can be a camper). Count docks and lifts if not in the water during summer season. Clarified that anything stored in a building or screened from streets and adjacent properties does not count toward the allowed number. • Suggest storage setbacks from lot lines match structure setbacks for the property. Planner Hofer noted that on small lots this could be impossible. Commission recommended that items must be stored to meet structure setbacks unless stored in driveway. • Impervious surface issue. Allow storage of RCV and LRV on pervious surface. • Allow storage on vacant lots that are under the same ownership and contiguous. Consider the total area of the lots as one lot size for determining number allowed. There must be a principal structure on one of the lots. Make an exception for community owned property. Rynders, seconded by Fodor, moved to recommend approval of the ordinance regarding exterior storage with all amendments. Motion carried 4-0 by roll call vote with one abstention. Commissioner Cullen stated she abstained with a suggestion to simplify the regulations. CITY COUNCIL UPDATES Council member Libby reported that at their meeting on July 15th, the Council approved a Conditional Use Permit for an accessory structure as recommended by the Commission. FUTURE ITEMS: Next meeting – September 2, 2025 Commissioner Rynders suggested a discussion to address the understanding of approved variances with setbacks of distance and how this relates to any future improvements. Rynders said there cannot be expansion within the setback laterally without another variance. Planner Hofer reported that the September 2nd meeting may have a Conditional Use Permit for a Distribution Solar Energy System on Mayberry Trail. PN Products is looking to expand their facility and will require a site plan review for industrial use. The recommendation for approval will be presented to the City Council at their meeting on August 19, 2025. ADJOURNMENT Rynders, seconded by Fodor, moved to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried 5-0. Scandia Planning Commission August 5, 2025 Page 8 of 8 The meeting adjourned at 10:13 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Brenda Eklund, City Clerk