3.a) July 7, 2015 Planning Commission MinutesJuly 7, 2015
The Scandia Planning Commission held their regular monthly meeting on the above date. The
following were in attendance: Chair Christine Maefsky, Commissioners Walt Anderson, Jan
Hogle, Travis Loeffler and Dan Squyres. Staff present: City Administrator Kristina Handt, City
Planner Sherri Buss and Deputy Clerk Brenda Eklund. Chair Maefsky called the meeting to
order at 7:00 p.m.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA, MINUTES
Chair Maefsky added an announcement of a climate change workshop to the agenda. Loeffler,
seconded by Squyres, moved to approve the agenda as amended. The motion carried 5-0.
Commissioner Hogle asked that the June 2, 2015 minutes be clarified by adding language
specifying that agriculture must be the primary use in the Ag Preserves District to the last
sentence on page 4.
Loeffler, seconded by Anderson, moved to approve the June 2, 2015 minutes as amended
per Hogle’s comments. The motion carried 5-0.
CITIZENS’ CLIMATE LOBBY – MAEFSKY ANNOUNCEMENT
Chair Maefsky announced that the St. Croix Valley Chapter of the Citizens’ Climate Lobby will
be hosting a workshop on climate change at the Scandia Community Center on July 11th. The
public is invited to attend.
PUBLIC HEARING: MINOR SUBDIVISION AT THE SOUTHWEST END OF 218TH
STREET. RONALD NECHODOM, APPLICANT. (RESOLUTION NO. 07-07-15-01)
Planner Buss presented the request of Ronald Nechodom to subdivide a 9-acre parcel from an
existing 39.72-acre parcel located on the southwest end of 218th Street, known as German Lake
Estates. The property is zoned General Rural within the Shoreland Overlay of German Lake, a
natural environment lake. Mr. Nechodom plans to develop the property with a single-family
residence.
Buss explained that the proposal meets the goals of the Comprehensive Plan and the underlying
zoning requirements. The lot has one-acre of buildable land and is 300-feet in width, which
meets the road frontage requirement. A septic area was identified and Buss stated that the
applicant will need a County permit for septic installation. The Carnelian-Marine Watershed
commented that a permit from their agency will need to be approved and permanent buffers
established within the German Lake shoreland and around the wetlands for compliance with the
Wetland Conservation Act.
Buss stated that park dedication is required for the new subdivision, and the City has the option
of obtaining park land or collecting the $3,000 fee. Since the property is not within a Park
Search Area, the Commissioners could propose collecting the park fee.
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Buss concluded with a recommendation to approve the subdivision and presented a resolution
with 8 conditions, such as obtaining the required permits and recording the new parcel with the
County within one year.
Chair Maefsky opened the public hearing at 7:12 p.m.
Administrator Handt noted that the written comments received from John Lindell were
responded to with an explanation that the subdivision is in compliance with the Comprehensive
Plan and Shoreland Regulations.
There were no public comments and Chair Maefsky closed the hearing at 7:13 p.m.
A discussion of lot sizes within natural environment lakeshore confirmed that the minimum lot
size is 5 acres and meets the DNR’s approval. The Watershed will determine the extent of
buffers as this can differ for each water body.
Commissioner Hogle recommended that park fees be collected in lieu of park land. The
Commissioners were in agreement that condition #5 remains as presented for the collection of
$3,000 before the final plat is approved.
Hogle, seconded by Squyres, moved to approve Resolution No. 07-07-15-01, Approving a
Minor Subdivision for German Lake Estates on 218th Street North. The motion carried 5-
0.
The recommendation to approve the minor subdivision will be presented to the City Council at
their July 21, 2015 meeting.
DISCUSSION OF CHANGES TO THE SIGN ORDINANCE AND SCANDIA
ARCHITECTURAL GUIDELINES RELATED TO SIGNAGE
Planner Buss provided information on sign guidelines and regulations with examples from
neighboring communities in response to the EDA’s request that the City’s sign ordinance be
updated to better support businesses in the Village Area. Each issue was identified and discussed
for potential changes.
Buss explained that the sign regulations in the development code require that signs in the Village
Area and Rural Commercial districts be compatible with the Architectural Design Guidelines.
Susan Rodsjo chaired the committee that developed the Guidelines which were adopted in 2009,
and was present at the meeting to join in the discussion. Rodsjo commented that the goal of the
Guidelines is to retain the historical nature of the community and discourage the use of elements
that take away from historical integrity.
The first issue identified by the EDA is the prohibition of banners and pennants, and encouraged
their use to advertise community events over a longer period of time. Buss reported that most
communities allow banners for a temporary amount of time. Stillwater allows them only for
non-commercial purposes. The Commissioners concluded that banners could be allowed to
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promote community events up to 30 days before the event through 4 days following the event.
Rodsjo suggested that the definitions of banners and pennants be added to the development code,
and that photos of acceptable examples be added to the Guidelines. Chair Maefsky stated that
more discussion is needed to further address the commercial use of banners.
The second issue identified by the EDA is the prohibition of portable signs, such as the portable
sign used by the Lions Club to promote various events. Buss stated that portable sandwich
boards are allowed, but it was noted that it would be difficult for the Plaza businesses to make
use of these due to the large setback from the highway.
It was proposed that community events be allowed use of portable signs. Commissioner Hogle
asked if there is a definition for “community event”. Planner Buss offered to research this from
other communities and bring back a definition. Discussion of the Farmers Market operating as a
business concluded that the term could be written as “business sponsored community event”.
Administrator Handt relayed the concern that the current limit of 3 signs advertising a
community event should be removed; the EDA proposes no limit due to the Scandia’s large area.
Chair Maefsky stated that the number allowed could be determined by the event. Commissioner
Hogle requested that the definition of an “abandoned sign” be added as contained in Forest
Lake’s code.
Rodsjo stated that the bright yellow portable sign used by the Lions is not consistent with the
desired historical look and suggested a sign more in line with one used by Abrahamson’s
Nursery. Planner Buss suggested that visual examples be provided in the Guidelines with use of
colors that fit the desired effect.
A third issue identified for amending is the permit requirement for temporary signs.
Administrator Handt stated that she does not see the need to monitor garage sale and community
event signs and it adds extra work for staff. Buss noted that Scandia is the only community she
knows that requires permits for garage sale signs.
Chair Maefsky thought there is value in having an applicant obtain a garage sale sign permit as it
give legitimacy to their sale and acknowledgment that they are following the law. More
discussion followed and it was decided to strike the permit requirement for temporary signs but
keep the regulation on size limits.
The EDA also requested that the guidelines be amended to permit signs with animation. Forest
Lake allows changeable electronic copy signs but Osceola and Stillwater prohibit dynamic
display signs. Much discussion followed on aesthetics and character and why they have been
prohibited. Commissioner Loeffler stated that there should be some compromise for businesses
to draw customers into their stores by use of advertising signs. Maefsky suggested the business
owners be asked to explain their desired requests and the City could work with them.
Administrator Handt stated that off-site signs are needed.
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Maefsky, seconded by Squyres, moved to not allow animated signs and to encourage
businesses to bring their ideas as to what would work for business promotion. The motion
carried 5-0.
Planner Buss offered to research how other communities handle off-site signage for businesses
that are removed from highway frontages. Administrator Handt noted that the corner of
Highway 97 and Oakhill Road (Lilleskogen Park area) has been identified as a potential location
for a city-owned sign that businesses could be advertised on. It was agreed that signage should
have a distinct and common look for cohesiveness throughout the City.
Planner Buss will bring a draft of the proposed changes to the Development Code and Design
Guidelines for further review at the next meeting. Commissioner Hogle recommended that
requirements for political signs be updated to reference the State Statute 211B.045.
ADJOURNMENT
Hogle, seconded by Anderson, moved to adjourn the meeting. The motion carried 5-0.
The meeting adjourned at 8:30 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Brenda Eklund
Deputy Clerk