03-04-2014 Planning Commission
March 4, 2014
The Scandia Planning Commission held their regular monthly meeting on the above date. Vice
Chair Jan Hogle called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. The following were in attendance:
Commissioners Sue Bies, Jan Hogle, Steve Philippi, Dan Squyres. Commission Chair Christine
Maefsky was absent. Staff present: City Administrator Kristina Handt, City Planner Sherri Buss
and Deputy Clerk Brenda Eklund. Council member Ness was also in attendance.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA, MINUTES
Squyres, seconded by Philippi, moved to approve the agenda as presented. The motion
carried 4-0.
Philippi, seconded by Squyres, moved to approve the February 5, 2014 minutes as
presented. The motion carried 4-0.
PUBLIC HEARING: MINOR SUBDIVISION AT 21602 MEADOWBROOK AVENUE.
CHRISTOPHER AND JENNIE FERDERER, APPLICANTS (RESOLUTION NO. 03-04-
14-01)
Christopher and Jennie Ferderer, along with property owners Gary and Margaret Olson, of 21602
Meadowbrook Avenue, have applied for a Minor Subdivision. They are proposing to subdivide
the 10-acre parcel to create a 6.23-acre parcel with the existing home, and a 3.77-acre parcel.
The smaller parcel is proposed to be developed with a new single-family home.
Planner Sherri Buss presented the staff report which found the request to be consistent with the
land use goals of the Comprehensive Plan. Buss explained that the subdivision will result 5
buildable lots within the 40-acre area. Currently this area includes two residential dwellings –
the existing home at 21602 Meadowbrook, and a home on the southwest parcel. If a new home
is constructed on the 3.77 acres, another owner will still be able to add one more dwelling unit
within the 40-acre area. Buss noted that the subdivision meets the requirements and intent of the
Comprehensive Plan which allows for a maximum density of 4 dwelling units per 40 acres.
Buss went on to explain that the request meets the requirements of the Development Code for lot
size, buildable area, road frontage, building setbacks and access. The applicants must obtain the
required septic system permit from the County prior to a building permit being issued for the
new dwelling. Buss recommended that a park dedication fee of $3,000 be collected in lieu of
land for the creation of the new 3.77-acre parcel, to be paid before approval of the final plat.
City records indicated that the owners paid a park fee in 2005 when the 10-acre parcel was
created.
Buss summarized an approval of the request with conditions written into a resolution.
Vice Chair Hogle opened the public hearing at 7:12 p.m. There were no comments and the
hearing was closed.
Administrator Handt relayed an e-mail from Chair Maefsky in which she recommended denial of
the request based on concerns of exceeding the 4 per 40 density and the potential of creating
unbuildable lots. Handt explained Attorney Pratt’s position that the staff recommendation is
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Scandia Planning Commission
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compliant with the Comp Plan and Development Code as the language clearly indicates
“dwelling units”. Handt stated that if the Commissioners decide to deny the request, they would
need to formulate findings of fact.
Buss stated that the e-mail does raise good issues to continue the discussion about intended
changes to the language in the Code, to be further discussed at the next meeting. Buss clarified
that as it stands now, the request meets the law.
Buss relayed information from Assessor Frank Langer concerning tax implications of property
being defined as buildable or not. If a parcel meets the definition of buildable lot, the parcel
would be taxed at that value. If the City were to inform him that a parcel cannot be developed
due to density limits (making it unbuildable), he would reassess and lower the value.
Commissioner Philippi stated that he could see no reason not to recommend approval as the
minor subdivision meets the intent of the law.
Bies, seconded by Squyres, moved to recommend to the City Council approval of
Resolution No. 03-04-14-01, Approving a Minor Subdivision for 21602 Meadowbrook
Avenue. The motion carried 4-0.
This recommendation will be heard at the March 18, 2014 City Council meeting.
PUBLIC HEARING: ORDINANCE NO. 152, AMENDING CHAPTER 2, SECTION 4.26
TEMPORARY DWELLING UNIT DURING CONSTRUCTION
Administrator Handt summarized the proposed changes to Section 4.26, Chapter 2 of the
Development Code, as discussed at the February meeting. The interim use permit to allow for a
temporary dwelling unit during construction may be issued for up to one year before expiring,
and allows for an option to extend the removal of the temporary dwelling beyond 30 days (but
not to exceed 90 days).
Vice Chair Hogle opened the public hearing at 7:32 p.m. There were no comments and the
hearing was closed.
Philippi, seconded by Bies, moved to recommend to the City Council approval of
Ordinance No. 152, Amending the Development Code, Chapter 2, Section 4.26 Regarding
Temporary Dwelling Unit during Construction. The motion carried 4-0.
ADJOURNMENT
Squyres, seconded by Bies, moved to adjourn the meeting. The motion carried 4-0.
The meeting adjourned at 7:34 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Brenda Eklund
Deputy Clerk