Loading...
02-10-2026 Planning Commission February 10, 2026 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. At the January 20, 2026 meeting of the City Council, Commissioner Michael Marosok was appointed to a 5-year term on the Planning Commission and was sworn in prior to the start of the meeting. Chair Travis Loeffler called the meeting to order at 7:07 p.m. The following were in attendance: Commissioners Mary Cullen (arrived at 7:36 p.m.), Laszlo Fodor, Jan Hogle, Michael Marosok, and Chair Travis Loeffler. Staff present: Bolton & Menk Planners Jeffrey Matzke and Greenlee Dahle substituting for City Planner TJ Hofer who is on parental leave, City Administrator Kyle Morell and City Clerk Brenda Eklund. City Council member liaison Mike Lubke was present over Zoom. PUBLIC FORUM There were no public comments. APPROVAL OF AGENDA, MINUTES Chair Loeffler announced an addition of a resolution to the agenda after General Business. Hogle, seconded by Fodor, moved to approve the agenda as amended. The motion carried unanimously. Hogle. seconded by Fodor, moved to approve the December 2, 2025 minutes as presented. The motion carried unanimously. ELECTION OF PLANNING COMMISSION CHAIR AND VICE-CHAIR The City’s Code of Ordinances, Section 30.08(B) provides for the Planning Commission to appoint a Chairperson and Vice Chairperson of the Planning Commission from among the members of the Commission for a 1-year term, subject to approval by the Council. Fodor, seconded by Hogle, to continue with Chair Loeffler and Vice-Chair Hogle. Loeffler and Hogle accepted the nominations. Motion carried unanimously by a roll call vote. WITHDRAWN VARIANCE Chair Loeffler announced that the Variance at 19750 Maxwill Avenue was withdrawn by the applicant last week, after the hearing notice was published and sent to surrounding property owners. There were no speakers for this variance present at the meeting. Staff explained that the variance will be revised and set for a public hearing in March. Scandia Planning Commission February 10, 2026 Page 2 of 4 PUBLIC HEARING: AMENDMENT TO THE UNIFIED DEVELOPMENT CODE SECTION 153.500.110 SUBD. 3 -- STANDARDS RELATED TO THE REPLACEMENT, ALTERATION, AND EXPANSION OF NONCONFORMING BUILDINGS AND STRUCTURES. Staff has drafted an amendment to update the existing standards regarding nonconforming buildings and structures to address concerns which the City Attorney had regarding a standard related to replacement and alterations of nonconforming buildings and structures. Planner Matzke described the proposed ordinance language to be more in line with state statute language which deals with nonconformity – a use can be continued with repair, replacement, alteration and improvement. Scandia’s code has some language that could be interpreted differently. This ordinance modifies language for clarity for nonconforming situations. Last fall, the Council directed staff to research more clarifying language. Hogle, seconded by Fodor, moved to open the public hearing at 7:24 p.m. Motion carried unanimously. Nick Bancks, 197th Street, stated he is a Manager on the Carnelian-Marine-St. Croix Watershed Board. Bancks addressed the administrative approval process in the ordinance, saying if the process is not clear and consistent it has potential negative impacts to water quality; cumulative impacts through an unclear process can lead to negative impacts to lake quality over time. Bancks said this ordinance amendment seems rushed, and asked the City to take time to gather feedback especially for Watershed rules, saying they share responsibilities for water protection. Bancks said the Watershed did not receive advance notice of the hearing and would like to work in partnership to improve the language. Bancks recommended the Commission table action for a future date to allow time for the Watershed to provide feedback and dialogue on this issue. Chair Loeffler noted that two written comment letters were in the meeting packet from Watershed Administrator Mike Isensee and from Mr. Richert mirroring these concerns. Administrator Morell recommended the Commission leave the public hearing open for a future date rather than close the hearing. Commissioner Hogle said the comments express legitimate concerns, and the ordinance should be tabled to allow time to get feedback. Commissioner Fodor said he agrees. Commissioner Marosok said he has the same concerns in regards to expansion. There are many nonconforming lots around the lake, and they need watershed feedback so as to not affect water quality. Chair Loeffler questioned what language is in conflict with state statute. Planner Matzke said clarification is needed on the alteration section. Scandia’s UDC language is not as clear when alteration is allowed versus what state statute allows. Staff recommends removing the 50% valuation language which is murky. Scandia Planning Commission February 10, 2026 Page 3 of 4 Chair Loeffler said he echoes the stated concerns. Loeffler said the ordinance has never been interpreted the way I envision, and has potential for expansions to be misinterpreted in the future which is a problem. Most nonconformities are lakeshore setbacks where it is critical to protect lakes. When a variance rather than an administrative permit is needed for expansion, the Commission looks at the entire picture of the property for the best outcome. Loeffler said that last fall, the Commission sent a recommendation to the Council to remove the administrative permit process, but the Council did not concur and the ordinance remains allowing expansions to be administrative permits. Administrator Morell explained that staff presented revised ordinance language to both the Commission and the Council to get their thoughts on the proposed language. The question for a process to remain as administrative or variance is still in discussion. The Council position is that the administrative process is less cumbersome for an applicant with a small project on a property. If the proposed ordinance goes to the Watershed for comments, the draft ordinance may change. Morell said there is no deadline to adopt amendments. Planner Matzke said that variance approvals can be written to be specific rather than a blanket variance for the entire property. Variances were written that way 30 to 40 years ago, but in recent times the approval language is narrowed to the specific request. Administrator Morell noted that the city’s shoreland ordinance does require a variance for changes to outside dimensions which do not meet setbacks. Mayor Steve Kronmiller, 188th Street, addressed the Commission. Kronmiller said there has been some conflict with interpreting the language, but the Council does not want to make it onerous for applicants doing minor projects. Kronmiller said there should be balance for when is an administrative permit appropriate versus a variance. Planner Matzke said he has seen some communities allow a minor amount of expansion administratively. Staff can provide options for language and the city can decide what is appropriate. Hogle, second by Fodor, moved to table the proposed ordinance amendments to nonconforming buildings and structures. Motion carried unanimously by roll call vote. Administrator Morell announced the UDC amendment will be tabled until further notice. APPOINT A PLANNING COMMISSIONER TO SERVE ON THE CAPITAL INVESTMENT COMMITTEE The Capital Investment Committee (CIC) meets during the City’s budgetary process to provide strategic planning advice to the City Council on large capital expenditures involving roads, buildings, parks and any infrastructure. With Perry Rynders term having ended on the Planning Commission on February 1, 2026, this vacancy needs to be filled. Commissioner Cullen volunteered to serve on the Capital Investment Committee. Scandia Planning Commission February 10, 2026 Page 4 of 4 Cullen, seconded by Hogle, moved to appoint Commissioner Cullen to serve as the Planning Commission representative on the Capital Investment Committee. Motion carried 5-0. CITY COUNCIL UPDATES No updates were announced. ADDITION – RESOLUTION Chair Loeffler presented a resolution in recognition to City Clerk Eklund for her service to the city. Eklund announced her retirement plans effective in the forthcoming month. FUTURE ITEMS: Next meeting – March 3, 2026 A variance for wetland and lake setbacks at 19750 Maxwill Avenue North will be held at the March 3, 2026 meeting. ADJOURNMENT Hogle, seconded by Fodor, moved to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried 5-0. The meeting adjourned at 8:22 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Brenda Eklund, City Clerk