09.b Draft minutes 09-02-2025 Planning Commission
September 2, 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 7:02 p.m. The following were in attendance:
Commissioners Mary Cullen, Laszlo Fodor, Jan Hogle, 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
Commissioner Rynders asked to add an agenda item to discuss variances and their potential for
future expansion. Planner Hofer recommended adding this as a discussion topic under Agenda
Item #6.b to clarify and identify the scope of this issue to assist staff with preparing a report for
the next meeting.
Rynders, seconded by Fodor, moved to approve the agenda as amended with the addition
of Agenda Item #6.b, Variances. The motion carried unanimously.
Commissioner Rynders recommended the minutes be amended on page 7 under Future Items;
change “cannot” to “should not”.
Hogle. seconded by Rynders, moved to approve the August 5, 2025 minutes as amended.
The motion carried unanimously.
PUBLIC HEARING: CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT TO ALLOW FOR AN
ADDITIONAL 25% OF TOTAL SQUARE FOOTAGE OF ACCESSORY STRUCTURE
AT 15455 240TH STREET NORTH. LISA MCKINLEY AND LORA MCKINLEY,
APPLICANTS
Planner Hofer introduced an application for a Conditional Use Permit to allow for an additional
25% total accessory structure square footage on a 17.5-acre parcel at 15455 240th Street North.
The property is currently vacant, and the applicants intend to build a single-family dwelling with
five accessory structures. Two of the accessory structures are attached and three accessory
structures are proposed to be built for a total area of 7,338 square feet. The Unified Development
Code allows for an exception of 1,200 square feet in area that serves as a garage, allowing for a
net square footage of 6,138 square feet. Property this size is allowed 5,000 square feet of
accessory structures, whereas the UDC allows for a maximum 6,250 square feet and one
additional structure with a CUP.
Planner Hofer noted the site plan submitted for development of the property. Accessory
structures are allowed in front of a principal structure provided the lot is five acres or more and
placed at least 200 feet from the road right-of-way. The accessory structures proposed are a
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minimum of 250 feet from the northern road and will be used for livestock. Hofer stated that all
dimensional standards for the proposed development are consistent with the standards in the RR-
G zoning district.
Planner Hofer concluded with a recommendation to approve the request for a CUP with findings
that the proposal is consistent with the Comp Plan and UDC. A resolution was prepared with
conditions of approval to permit up to 6,138 square feet of accessory structures, including that
the design of the accessory structures comply with character area standards, and existing
vegetation is maintained to the extent possible to provide screening.
Rynders, seconded by Fodor, moved to open the public hearing at 7:11 p.m. Motion carried
5-0.
Dustin Sweeney, Pickett Avenue, asked what type of lighting will be used on the outbuildings.
Chad Sycks, 240th Street, said allowing for more square footage is good; having more buildings
allows for storage to be inside and not visible to the neighborhood. Said the layout of the
property looks good.
There were no further public comments.
Rynders, seconded by Fodor, moved to close the public hearing at 7:14 p.m. Motion carried
5-0.
Commissioner Rynders said this is generally straightforward; 6,000 plus square feet on 17.5
acres is not excessive, and the agricultural use fits the property.
Commissioner Hogle asked it be clarified that no trees will be taken down for the buildings.
Chair Loeffler confirmed that buildings will be constructed in the open space.
Chair Loeffler said that from the site visit, he believes the applicants will be good stewards of the
land.
Commissioner Cullen inquired if the neighbor may have light pollution concerns.
Administrator Morell explained the UDC standards for exterior lighting, that lighting be directed
downwards.
Commissioner Cullen said she has no issues with the recommendation.
Rynders, seconded by Hogle, moved to approve a Conditional Use Permit at 15455 240th
Street with conditions in the staff report. Motion carried 5-0 by roll call vote.
The recommendation to approve the CUP will be presented to the City Council at their meeting
on September 16, 2025.
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SITE PLAN REVIEW TO EXPAND A STRUCTURE AT 21060 OZARK COURT
NORTH. PETER NORA, APPLICANT
Planner Hofer summarized a Site Plan Review application from Peter Nora, owner of PN
Products, to allow a 76’ by 80’ addition to the existing business at 21060 Ozark Court North.
The addition is proposed to serve as a warehouse expansion for the manufacturing business.
Planner Hofer explained that the addition meets the criteria for lot standards in the Industrial
Park zoning district, but not the County standard of a 20’ setback from the drainfield for an
occupied building. Based on the applicant’s site plan, the addition measures 17.12 feet from the
drainfield. Hofer noted the applicant could work with the County to define the addition as
unoccupied due to the warehouse use, and therefore allowed a 10’ drainfield setback.
Planner Hofer stated that the Watershed has approved a permit for the expansion. There will be
no significant tree removal or landscape changes on the property. Hofer concluded with a
recommendation to approve the building expansion with conditions to address the septic
regulations with Washington County, and conditions for a grading permit to address the City
Engineer’s comments.
The Commissioners discussed the finding from Washington County that the addition for a
warehouse use is considered an occupied building. Planner Hofer said it is inadvisable to go
against the County and recommended the applicant talk to County staff directly before making
large changes to the site plan. Chair Loeffler stated that potential future use could make it an
occupied space.
Rynders, seconded by Fodor, moved to approve the Site Plan Review for a building
expansion at 21060 Ozark Court North with conditions described in the Planner’s staff
report. Motion carried 5-0 by roll call vote.
The recommendation to approve the Site Plan Review will be presented to the City Council at
their meeting on September 16, 2025.
ADDITION: DISCUSSION ON VARIANCE EXPANSIONS
Commissioner Rynders said he would like to clarify his concerns that once a property has an
approved variance for setbacks, can more setbacks be approved administratively in the future?
Can a property owner use a variance to build a new structure within the variance setback? If
there is not an approved variance but rather an existing non conformity, is the structure
expandable in the same manner? Where does expansion of 50% of value come in?
Planner Hofer said there is a need to identify clearly what is allowed by state statute. However, if
a property was approved for a variance to build an accessory structure, it is not allowed to build a
house using the variance. Resolutions of approval must be written clearly and thoroughly with an
understanding of what is allowed by state statute.
Administrator Morell explained that staff will provide a report with what the state allows and
what the development code allows. There are things the city has control over, but what the city
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may want to do might not be allowed per the state. Staff has identified parts of the code which
may not be in state compliance.
Staff will prepare a memo of understanding for the next meeting with points of discussion on this
topic.
CITY COUNCIL UPDATES
Planner Hofer reported that on August 19th, the City Council approved exterior storage ordinance
amendments but modified it slightly to remove one allowed boat per property, and rather
increased the number of allowed LRV and RCV by one. The Conditional Use Permit for
Northern Natural Gas odorizer station was approved. A fence with slats will provide screening in
lieu of vegetation which cannot be planted in areas of the property where underground pipelines
are located. Regarding tree replacement, NNG will plant trees where the property allows and pay
into the tree fund the remaining value.
FUTURE ITEMS: Next meeting – October 7, 2025
Planner Hofer reported that the Octboer 7th meeting may have a Conditional Use Permit for a
Distribution Solar Energy System on Mayberry Trail, and a potential variance on Bone Lake. In
July, the City Council heard a request from Federated Coop to allow for dynamic display signs,
and directed the Planning Commission to hold a public hearing on amendments to the sign
ordinance to potentially allow them. A public hearing will be scheduled for the next meeting.
ADJOURNMENT
Rynders, seconded by Cullen, moved to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried 5-0.
The meeting adjourned at 7:48 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Brenda Eklund, City Clerk