09.b Draft minutes 03-03-2026 Planning Commission
March 3, 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.
Chair Travis Loeffler called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. The following were in attendance:
Commissioners Laszlo Fodor, Jan Hogle, Michael Marosok, and Chair Travis Loeffler. Absent:
Commissioner Mary Cullen. Staff present: Bolton & Menk Planner Jeffrey Matzke, substituting
for City Planner TJ Hofer who is on parental leave, and City Administrator Kyle Morell. City
Council member liaison Mike Lubke was present over Zoom.
PUBLIC FORUM
There were no public comments.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA, MINUTES
Fodor, seconded by Hogle, moved to approve the agenda as presented. The motion carried
unanimously.
Hogle. seconded by Fodor, moved to approve the February 10, 2026 minutes as presented.
The motion carried unanimously.
PUBLIC HEARING: VARIANCE FROM A MANAGE 1 WETLAND SETBACK FOR
IMPERVIOUS SURFACE RELATED TO DRIVEWAY IMPROVEMENTS AND A
VARIANCE TO ALLOW THE EXPANSION OF A NONCONFORMING STRUCTURE
WITHIN THE ORDINARY HIGH-WATER LEVEL SETBACK AT 19750 MAXWILL
AVENUE NORTH. JEREMY IMHOFF, APPLICANT ON BEHALF OF PROPERTY
OWNER JARMOLUK LIVING TRUST.
Property owners Jeff and Sharon Jarmoluk are proposing to replace and expand an existing cabin
at 19750 Maxwill Avenue North. The redevelopment triggers a number of requirements. The
existing cabin is nonconforming from both the Ordinary High-Water Setback of Big Marine
Lake and the side yard setback.
Planner Matzke provided an outline of the request for variances needed for the lake setback for
the structure and for a wetland setback for the expanded driveway. Matzke explained that the
expansion of the structure triggers the City’s Driveway and Fire Apparatus Access Road
Requirements for improvements based on the length of the driveway. The proposed driveway
turnaround and a portion of the walkway encroach 37 feet into the required 75-ft. setback of a
Manage 1 wetland (38 ft. setback). Staff proposes the turnaround be narrowed from 29.9 feet to
the required minimum width of 20 feet to decrease the encroachment into the wetland setback to
40.5 feet.
Planner Matzke noted that the two separate parcels under the same ownership must be combined
as both lots are nonconforming. When combined, the parcels meet the minimum dimensional
standards for development of a nonconforming lot. However, the existing parcels have very little
buildable area on the site as setbacks from property lines, the OHWL and the wetlands overlap.
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March 3, 2026
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Planner Matzke explained that the proposed house will be outside the wetland setback but 51.9
feet from the OHWL where 100-ft is required (48.1-foot variance). This is similar to existing
conditions; however, the existing cabin’s deck is closer to the lake than the replacement structure
will be. Matzke displayed an aerial map showing similar setbacks from neighboring properties
along this section of the lake, saying this is important for the variance criteria that asks if a
variance request is in line with neighboring properties.
The survey of the site includes an existing 10’ by 20’ shed within the OHWL and the wetland
setbacks. Staff found no record of any approval for the accessory structure making it an illegal
nonconformity. Planner Matzke said the existing shed must be removed because it sits within the
setbacks.
Two new raingardens will be installed to collect runoff. Overflow of the raingardens will be
designed to move south into the wetland. Planner Matzke explained that the applicant is working
with the Carnelian-Marine-St. Croix Watershed on shoreland restoration from a 2017 project.
The Watershed is asking for additional improvements to help the ecology of the area; however,
these improvements are not required by City Code.
The DNR provided comments, asking for the house to be moved farther from the lake and closer
to the wetland, therefore averaging the setback distances for the primary structure.
Planner Matzke concluded with staff’s recommendation to approve a 48.1-foot variance from the
minimum required 100-foot structure setback to the OHWL of Big Marine Lake, and a 40.5-foot
variance encroachment for the driveway into the 75-foot minimum wetland setback. This would
require an adjustment of the turnaround to a 20-foot width as recommended by the City
Engineer. Conditions of approval were presented in a resolution, one being that the existing
accessory structure be removed.
Fodor, seconded by Hogle, moved to open the public hearing at 7:30 p.m. Motion carried
unanimously.
Jeremy Imhoff, Applicant: Explained that the property has been used as a getaway for the family.
The owners are now retired and wish to make this property their home. Acknowledged the
challenges with the small buildable area. They have worked with the Watershed to fill in a 100
square foot area of wetland to improve the buildable area. Asked about keeping the hammerhead
turnaround at 30 feet as shown on the survey and not reduce it to 20 feet as proposed by staff.
Jeff Jarmoluk, Property Owner: Explained that his crew cab vehicle with a trailer and plow
attachment needs the additional hammerhead space to maneuver.
Dan Grundtner, St. Paul and nearby property owner: Said he is a property owner to the south and
has no concerns.
There were no additional public comments.
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March 3, 2026
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Hogle, seconded by Fodor, moved to close the public hearing at 7:36 p.m. Motion carried
unanimously.
Commissioner Hogle said she understands the request for a larger hammerhead, and believes this
to be reasonable with the proposed use of the property.
Chair Loeffler said he appreciates that the septic system is being moved away from the lake to
protect the wetland and the lake, with rain gardens being installed. Loeffler said he likes that the
home will be no closer than the existing cabin, and although larger it remains at the same
setback. Loeffler said he is concerned that the house will be so close to the adjacent property to
the north.
Commissioner Marosok said the property will have improvements with gained setbacks,
improved drainage and an improved septic location. Marosok noted that the shed was installed
incorrectly.
Administrator Morell stated that the shed can be kept on the property if it is moved out of the
wetland setback. An amended site plan would need to show the improved location. If the
applicant wants to keep the shed, they should present a revised site plan to the City Council for
review and approval.
Chair Loeffler stated his concerns about the side yard setback encroachment with the walkway
but said he understands why. Loeffler said he is more concerned about the driveway turnaround
being 20-feet in width rather than 30-feet.
Commissioner Marosok said he would rather see the turnaround approved as shown because the
rain gardens are designed to collect runoff, and there will be vehicles driving off the area anyway
making it impervious over time. Marosok said he sees the proposal as a substantial improvement
to the lot.
Commissioner Fodor said he is not in favor of an increased hammerhead. Chair Loeffler agreed,
saying he likes the staff recommendation of 20-feet in width.
Hogle, seconded by Fodor, moved to approve the variances as recommended by staff for
wetland and OHWL setbacks, with an amendment to Condition #5 regarding the shed
relocation to an approved site on the property which meets setbacks. Motion carried 4-0 by
roll call vote.
The recommendation to approve the variances for 19750 Maxwill Avenue will be presented to
the City Council at their meeting on March 17, 2026.
CITY COUNCIL UPDATES
No updates were announced.
ADJOURNMENT
Hogle, seconded by Fodor, moved to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried 4-0.
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The meeting adjourned at 8:31 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Kyle Morell, City Administrator