04_25_2006_TBMinutes_WORKSHOPApril 25, 2006
On the above date a Workshop Meeting was held involving the Planning Commission and the
New Scandia Town Board. The following Planning Commission members were present: Chair
Chris Ness, James Malmquist, Kevin Nickelson, Peter Schwarz, Donnette Yehle. The following
Town Board members were present: Chairman Dennis Seefeldt, Michael Hametty, Blair Joselyn,
Nancy Madden. Michael Hinz absent. Town Planner Richard Thompson and Town Attorney
Dave Hebert were also present.
ADULT ORIENTED BUSINESSES
Discussion of the Draft of an Adult Use Ordinance submitted by Town Attorney Dave Hebert
included changes and additions to the wording. The ordinance was modeled after three Town
Ordinances of surrounding communities. The ordinance cannot prevent their establishment in
town, but can discourage their operation. No public bearing is necessary to adopt this particular
ordinance, as it is defined as a police ordinance. Preceding adoption of an Adult Use Ordinance, a
study needs to be presented to the Ordinance Revision Committee. This study would show the
effect on crime in communities where Adult Businesses are present. A report on this study from
the Attorney General's office will be obtained.
TREE PRESERVATION ORDINANCE
In establishing guidelines for tree preservation, it was agreed upon that an ordinance should more
clearly state what is needed for the developer of a property to adhere to. A permit for tree removal
should be a requirement. It was agreed necessary to have a qualified arborist mark the trees to
remain and the engineering firm would do periodic on-site inspections. A -penalty for violating the
agreement or harming the trees during construction would be assessed. The current ordinance in
the Development Code appears in multiple sections. This seems to be scattered and should be
combined to more concise wording. Dennis Seefeldt and Peter Schwarz will pull the current
ordinance together and also review Forest Lake's Woodland Preservation regulations. The Rural
Landscape Preservation Committee will also work with Kathy Widin, an arborist who has written
tree codes for other municipalities. Ms. Widin could possibly work as a consultant to revise the
current ordinance.
DEFINITION OF AN AGRICULTURAL BUILDING
As currently defined, an agricultural building can be built for any type of operation. There have
been several instances of large buildings being constructed to house three goats or storage for two
to three acres of hay, then being used for storage associated with a small business (lumber, semi -
trucks and trailers). This type of use is classified as non-compliant. Discussion of the wording
that should make this more clear includes that use of an ag building should be tied to the actual
farm operation which is tied to the agricultural use of the land. With twenty to forty acre farms,
current allowable square footage may not be adequate. It may be necessary to allow additional
size through a certificate of compliance, therefore giving a handle on what is being done with the
building. But there is also the question of what becomes of these large buildings after the farm
operation ceases. The aesthetics of a building was also discussed. Can "hoop buildings" be
disallowed? How can the rural character of the town be maintained through the Development
Code? Discussion also included how to deal with horse operations. Defining "companion
animals" may need to be addressed. Supervisor Dennis Seefeldt and Planning Commission
member Kevin Nickelson will further research this issue.
A follow-up Workshop will be held May 9,2006 at 7,00 p.m.
Meeting
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New Scandia Township Deputy Clerk