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09.b 08-04-2026 Planning Commission minutes DRAFT August 4, 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 Mary Cullen, Michael Marosok, and Chair Travis Loeffler. Commissioner Jan Hogle was present over Zoom. Absent: Laslo Fodor. Staff present: City Planner TJ Hofer and City Administrator Kyle Morell. PUBLIC FORUM There were no public comments. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Marosok, seconded by Cullen, moved to approve the agenda. The motion carried 4-0. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Commissioners discussed corrections needed to the July 7, 2026 meeting minutes regarding the “Items for Future Agenda” dates. Cullen, seconded by Marosok, to table the minutes of July 7, 2026 for corrections. The motion carried 4-0. PUBLIC HEARING: CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT FOR ADDITIONAL ACCESSORY STRUCTURE SQUARE FOOTAGE AT 20440 OLINDA TRAIL NORTH The applicant is requesting a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) to allow additional accessory structure square footage on the property. The proposed project would bring the total accessory structure square footage on the property to 4,932 square feet after applying the residential garage exemption. The Unified Development Code allows up to 4,000 square feet without a CUP and up to 5,000 square feet with an approved CUP. Hofer explained that the proposed structure meets required setbacks and lot coverage standards. Wetland setbacks will be reviewed during the building permit application process. The closest wetland area appears to be approximately 200 feet from the proposed structure, while the required setback is 100 feet. The application was circulated for review and comment. The Watershed District will require a permit and recommended additional stormwater management. The City Engineer determined that a grading permit is not required and that additional stormwater management is not necessary for this project. Staff determined that the project is consistent with the Unified Development Code and Comprehensive Plan and recommended approval of the CUP. Marosok, seconded by Cullen, moved to open the public hearing. Motion carried 4-0. Jim Gribble, 20235 Olinda Trail North, spoke in favor of the CUP, stating that the project would improve the appearance of the property and existing buildings. Scandia Planning Commission August 4, 2026 Page 2 of 3 Marosok, seconded by Cullen, moved to close the public hearing. Motion carried 4-0. Commissioner Hogle asked whether anything observed during the site visit was inconsistent with the staff report. Chair Loeffler asked why a grading permit was not required. Hofer explained that a grading permit is required when disturbance exceeds 5% of the total lot area, when lot coverage thresholds are exceeded, or when work occurs within 50 feet of a lot line. Commissioner Marosok stated that he initially had concerns regarding the Watershed District’s stormwater management recommendation but noted that the site visit showed a significant distance between the proposed structure and the wetland area. Commissioner Cullen asked about the Watershed District’s request for stormwater management related to the wetland. Hofer explained that the request was outside the applicable City code requirements for this CUP. Chair Loeffler noted that the applicant intends to use the structure to cover equipment currently stored outdoors. Marosok, seconded by Cullen, moved to approve the Conditional Use Permit as presented. Motion Carried 4-0. The recommendation to approve the variance request will be presented to the City Council on August 18, 2026. GENERAL BUSINESS: AMENDMENT TO UNIFIED DEVELOPMENT CODE SECTION 153.500.110 SUBD. 3, TO AMEND THE STANDARDS RELATED TO THE REPLACEMENT, ALTERATION, AND EXPANSION OF NONCONFORMING BUILDINGS AND STRUCTURES Hofer presented proposed amendments to the Unified Development Code related to nonconforming buildings and structures. The purpose of the amendment is to address inconsistencies between the City’s code language and state statute, as recommended by the City Attorney. Hofer explained that the City currently allows expansion of nonconformities, although state statute does not require cities to allow such expansion. The proposed amendment would align the City’s ordinance language with the City’s interpretation of statutory requirements. Staff reported that the City has been working with the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to better understand its interpretation of expansion language, as the DNR’s interpretation does not align with the City’s understanding. Hofer reviewed additional language recommended by the Carnelian Marine St. Croix Watershed District (CarMar) regarding statutory language that would allow correction of unrelated items when reviewing nonconforming requests. Staff stated that this language applies specifically to shoreland regulations and should be considered as part of the Shoreland Ordinance rather than the UDC amendment. The Watershed District preferred the language to remain outside of the Shoreland Ordinance but included in the DNR model ordinance. Staff recommended moving forward with the amendment as presented and not including the additional CarMar language in the UDC amendment. Commissioner Cullen stated that she would prefer the Shoreland Ordinance be updated before approving changes to nonconforming language so that both amendments could be reviewed Scandia Planning Commission August 4, 2026 Page 3 of 3 together. Hofer disagreed, stating that the amendment has been discussed for several months and that discussion has focused on shoreland nonconformities rather than changes to the UDC language itself. Chair Loeffler asked staff what action was preferred. Hofer stated that staff would like the language to move forward for approval because it has already been reviewed and discussed without significant changes. Commissioner Marosok stated that the Shoreland Ordinance and UDC amendments are separate issues and that the UDC amendment brings the City into conformance with statute. Chair Loeffler stated that moving the amendment forward would provide cleaner language for future review and allow discussion to focus on expansion language. Hofer reviewed the specific nonconforming language changes identified in the staff report. Hogle moved to approve the amendment language as presented. Marosok seconded the motion. The motion carried 3-1, with Cullen opposed. CITY COUNCIL UPDATES Hofer reported that the four variances approved by the Planning Commission at the previous meeting were approved by the City Council. Hofer also reported that the amendment regarding accessory structure height was approved by the City Council. The approved language included a graphic allowing building height corrections without requiring a new public hearing. ITEMS FOR FUTURE AGENDA The Commission will hold a public hearing for revisions to the cannabis language in the City’s zoning use table. ADJOURNMENT Marosok, seconded by Cullen, moved to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried 4-0. The meeting adjourned at 7:57 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Kyle Morell, City Administrator