04_11_2006_TBMinutes_WORKSHOPApril ril 11, 2006
On the above date, a Special Workshop Meeting was held to discuss changes to current
ordinances. In attendance were the following Board members: Chairman Dennis Seefeldt,
Vice -Chairman Michael Hinz, Michael Harnetty, Blair Joselyn and Nancy Madden. The
following Planning Commission members were present: James Malmquist, Kevin
Nickelson, Peter Schwarz and Donnette Yehle. Chris Ness was absent. Also present were
Township Attorney Dave Hebert and Town Planner Richard Thompson.
STUDY ON COMMUNITY RESIDENCES
Planner Richard Thompson reviewed the Study of Ordinance Review of Community
Residences prepared by TKDA. Federal and state laws hold a heavy hand in regulations
of group homes. It is unequivocal that residences having 6 or fewer individuals must be a
permitted use, New Scandia does have a high concentration of group homes as compared
to other communities in Washington County; five homes within a two mile radius, with a
per capita ratio of I bed per 152 residents. In regards to the many police calls made to the
Home on 15734 240'h Street, the licensing department for Washington County was
unaware of the poor management at this facility. There is a formal compliant process in
place. The County is dependent on citizens to report to them all complaints and concerns
which the County is obliged to act on. All serious violations should work themselves up
to the state level. Supervisor Harnetty and a group of citizens have been working closely
with Representative Ray VandeVeer to construct a bill that would focus on corporate
managed firms that operate the community residences; they operate as a business and
should be under local government control. A meeting has been scheduled for May 2"a
that will involve Super -visor Harnetty, a small group of Scandia residents, Dan Papin —
the Washington County Director of Cominunity Services and Jeff Feltz — executive
director of Community Living Options. Mr. Feltz will be given a chance to hear of the
issues regarding the group homes in New Scandia Township that C.L.O. operates.
It was also discussed that an ordinance could be put in place that would regulate the
group homes as it would rental units. The City of Shoreview currently classifies
community residences in this manner.
MAJOR SUBDIVISION APPROVAL PROCESS
All present were in agreement that the current 100% bonus given to developers when
planning an Open Space Design is in need of being changed. Planner Richard Thompson
stated that the trend in surrounding cominuilities is to lower the bonus, as there appears to
be a fear of too much density. Beginning at 25% or 50%, and then being granted
additional percentage of lots to meet Township goals of preserving natural features
appeared to be an improvement. Having a community well could be weighted most
heavily. There continues to be the question if community septic is a benefit to the
development or not. It was discussed to have the entire Township mapped out in regards
to locating natural features to preserve and to locate a system of corridors of green space.
Washington County may have the resources to do this. Trying to define a focal point
appears to be too opinionated, and there should be.a way to quantify how the additional
New Scandia Township Workshop
April 11, 2006
page 2
lots are granted. A list of values that the Board defines as worthy to preserve and
therefore grant additional bonus lots up to 100% was begun. These included contiguous
open space, historical buildings, cultural features, forest, wetlands, agricultural land,
sensitive ecological areas, high quality soil, views and wildlife habitats, among other
items. All agreed that a 100% bonus is okay as long as the developer cams it. It was
suggested that a consultant be hired to work with the developers prior to drawing up a
preliminary plat. The cost would be charged back to the developers.
Town Attorney Dave Hebert and Planner Richard Thompson will draft changes to
Chapter 12.1 and 12.9 of the Development Code by the next workshop. A 25% base
bonus will be granted for clustering, with additional percentages granted for preserving
defined values.
ADULT USE ORDINANCE
Town Attorney Dave Hebert has submitted a draft ordinance providing for the regulation
of adult oriented businesses in the Town of New Scandia; providing for the issuance of
licenses; and penalties for violations. Mr. Hebert will acquire studies of how adult
oriented business can negatively affect communities - the next step in the process of
adopting this ordinance.
TREE PRESERVATION ORDINANCE
Curt Hadland, representing the Rural Landscape Preservation Committee, presented
findings of his review of current ordinances relating to tree preservation. The guidelines
seem to lack the specifics of tree preservation. Mr. Hadland would like to add a Tree
Mitigation Pen -nit as a requirement for developers, along with adding enforcement
through a trained arborist to monitor the development. In regards to granting bonuses to
cluster designs, it was suggested to add landscape screening to the detailed list. Mr.
Hadland will contact Mark Sandercott of the Big Marine Lake development with R_LPC
guidelines.
A follow-up Workshop has been scheduled for April 25, 2006 at 7:00 p.m.
Meeting adjourned.
Brenda Eklund
New Scandia Township Deputy Clerk