3.a) Minutes August 4, 2015 Planning CommissionAugust 4, 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
Commissioner Anderson requested a discussion of the Log House Landing be added to the
agenda. Anderson, seconded by Hogle, moved to approve the agenda as amended. The
motion carried 5-0.
Hogle, seconded by Loeffler, moved to approve the July 7, 2015 minutes as presented. The
motion carried 5-0.
DRAFT ORDINANCE NO. 165: INDUSTRIAL PARK DISTRICT UPDATE
Planner Buss began the discussion on potential updates to the Industrial Park ordinance section
by explaining that the EDA requested the Planning Commission review the uses permitted in the
IP District, as the list is limited in comparison to the ordinances of other small communities.
Many of the uses that require a Conditional Use Permit in Scandia’s IP District do not require
permits elsewhere, such as Hugo, Forest Lake, Chisago City and Columbus.
Planner Buss provided examples of their ordinances along with a draft ordinance that transferred
uses such as building supply stores, food and beverage processing, radio and tv stations, sports
and fitness clubs, and warehousing businesses from a conditional use permit to a permitted use.
Common uses such as nurseries and garden centers, government buildings, and publishing
operations were added to the permitted uses list as well.
The Commissioners reviewed the updated list of permitted uses and noted that wholesale
bakeries could be removed and considered as part of the food and beverage processing category.
Commissioner Loeffler stated he had no concerns with the permitted uses in the draft ordinance
as they generate low traffic and waste. Commissioner Hogle agreed and stated that if they did,
those businesses would be excluded.
The discussion moved to the list of uses that require a CUP. Buss explained that she expanded
laboratories to designate medical, research and testing. The Commissioners noted that
“research” could be removed from the listing as “research facilities” is its own use.
There was much discussion on the performance standards that were added for the IP District in
order to have general standards for all of the industrial uses. Buss explained that the standards
are similar to those included in the Environmental Regulations section, but more detailed.
Others are borrowed from the ordinances that were reviewed from small communities.
The Commissioners suggested that many of these could be referenced to Chapter 2, Section 3.3,
Environmental Regulations. Commissioner Loeffler suggested that (J) mechanical equipment,
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be regulated for screening, as research facilities could have large equipment. Buss stated that she
will reword the paragraph to keep the site aesthetically pleasing.
The Commissioners were in agreement that the ordinance could be noticed for a public hearing
at the next meeting, with the revisions as discussed. It was recommended that the businesses in
the IP District be notified of the hearing.
DRAFT ORDINANCE NO. 164: SIGN ORDINANCE UPDATE AND SCANDIA
ARCHITECTURAL GUIDELINES
At last month’s meeting, the Planning Commission discussed potential updates to the City’s sign
ordinance and Architectural Guidelines in response to comments from the EDA that some of the
City’s sign regulations should be changed to better support community events and local
businesses. Buss provided the updates to the definitions and proposed changes that were
recommended to the draft ordinance and Guidelines for further review. Sally Swanson,
President of the EDA, and Susan Rodsjo also joined in the discussion.
Chair Maefsky recommended that a definition of pylon sign be added. Buss stated these are also
known as pedestal signs and could be combined within the definition. Commissioners asked if
definitions needed to be added for the other sign types regulated in the ordinance. Staff reviewed
the current list of definitions and found that all of the types mentioned except pylons signs are
listed in the existing ordinance or in the new definitions proposed in the amendment.
Commissioner Hogle noted that political signs should reference the state statute for the
appropriate language. Buss will make that change.
The Commissioners determined that signs painted on buildings could be allowed with size
restrictions. Buss will prepare language that allows one per street frontage not to exceed 20% of
the wall area. Murals that serve a community purpose could be allowed with City approval.
Much discussion on advertising signage transpired. It was noted that signs for the sale of ag
produce should have language added that the products are “currently available” and the time
limit of 135 days could be removed. “Available” would also be added to the definition of
abandoned sign. Commissioners also changed the requirements to permit sandwich board signs
for the sale of ag produce.
The definition of temporary portable signs would be added and must meet the Architectural
Guidelines when used in the VMU, VN and Commercial Districts for community events.
Commissioners recommended that the word “legs” be deleted from the definition of Portable
Signs to distinguish them from Temporary Signs. Portable Signs are therefore defined as
moveable signs. Allowing advertising signs for businesses in the Plaza concluded that additional
discussion is needed. The EDA has expressed concerns that Temporary Signs and Banners
should not be required to meet the Scandia Architectural Guideline requirements, particularly
those related to colors that may be used on signs. Maefsky noted a compromise should be the
goal for businesses and the observance to Scandia’s historical appearance. Commissioner
Loeffler recommended they look more closely at the Guidelines document to get a sense of what
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could be allowed. Swanson was advised to have the EDA come up with suggestions to consider
at the next meeting.
Commissioners requested that the word “partly” be removed from the requirement that signs not
obstruct the view of lakes or scenic areas.
The next topic of discussion involved off-premise signage for the Village Area businesses. Buss
proposed section (8) to address directional signage that could represent multiple businesses along
the Highway 97 and 95 roadways. Commissioners recommended that language be added to
permit up to 2 Off-Premises Community Signs per intersection with State Highways and County
Highways (TH 97, TH 95, CSAH 15 (Manning Trail), CSAH 3 (Olinda Trail), etc.). It was
suggested that the guidelines for park signage be referenced to allow for a consistent look among
Scandia’s signs. Buss will incorporate the suggestions into the next draft review. The
Commission requested that the section indicate the type of permit that is required for the Off-
Premises Community Signs.
Maefsky stated that they will continue to review the sign ordinance at the next meeting and asked
that the Commissioners come prepared for a thorough discussion that will include the
Architectural Guidelines document and the suggestions from the EDA.
LOG HOUSE LANDING – COMMISSIONER ANDERSON
Commissioner Anderson stated that the road to the Log House Landing is in atrocious and
dangerous shape. He stated that the community needs this access to the river and he wants the
City to make the road functional through the Planning Commission. Administrator Handt stated
that the appropriate role for the Planning Commission is to recommend projects for the Capital
Improvement Plan. The public hearings are held at the November Planning Commission
meetings and he would have an opportunity to give input at that time.
ADJOURNMENT
Hogle, seconded by Loeffler, moved to adjourn the meeting. The motion carried 5-0.
The meeting adjourned at 10:00 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Brenda Eklund
Deputy Clerk
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