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01-05-2021 Planning Commission January 5, 2021 The Scandia Planning Commission held their regular monthly meeting on the above date with modifications. Due to the health advisory issued by the State regarding the COVID-19 outbreak, to avoid public gatherings and limit social contact, the meeting was conducted over an electronic platform. All Planning Commissioners, staff, and participants who joined the meeting remotely could hear each other and contribute to discussions. City Administrator Cammilleri and City Clerk Eklund were present at City Hall. Cammilleri was the presenter and displayed the meeting materials for participants to view on their remote screens. Chair Dan Squyres called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Roll call was taken. The following were participants to the meeting: Commissioners Greg Amundson, Jan Hogle, Travis Loeffler, Perry Rynders and Chair Dan Squyres. Staff present: City Planner Evan Monson, City Administrator Ken Cammilleri, City Clerk Brenda Eklund. Council member Jerry Cusick was also present. PUBLIC FORUM No public comments were made. APPROVAL OF AGENDA, MINUTES Rynders, second by Loeffler, moved to approve the agenda as presented. Motion unanimously carried by roll call vote. Rynders, second by Loeffler, moved to approve the December 1, 2020 minutes as presented. Motion unanimously carried by roll call vote. SUMMARY OF ISSUE IDENTIFICATION SURVEY AND RESULTS RELATED TO THE DEVELOPMENT AND ZONING CODE UPDATE PROCESS – PRESENTED BY SWANSON HASKAMP CONSULTING Julia Paulsen Mullin, SHC Consultant, summarized the results and key observations of the Issue Identification Community Survey conducted last fall to gather input from the community about zoning issues: zoning administration, zoning regulations, and concerns in the community that zoning can address. Mullin said they were pleased with the number of 130 responses but need to gather more input from businesses and residents in the Village Mixed-Use Area. Commissioners offered suggestions on a targeted outreach approach. Addressing the non-conforming lakeshore properties will be a goal of the new zoning code, thereby reducing the need for variances when improving these properties. PUBLIC HEARING – MINOR SUBDIVISION AT 12937 MAYBERRY TRAIL NORTH, TO SPLIT THE 22.09-ACRE LOT INTO TWO LOTS OF 10.5 ACRES AND 11.06 ACRES IN SIZE. APPLICANTS MATTHEW AND JENNIFER OLSON. PC RESOLUTION NO. 2021-01. Matthew and Jennifer Olson, with consent of property owners Richard and Betsy Sandstrom, are proposing to split an existing 22.09-acre property at 12937 Mayberry Trail into two parcels: Lot 1 at 10-5-acres in size, and Lot 2 with the existing residence at 11.06-acres in size. The Olson’s January 5, 2021 Scandia Planning Commission Page 2 of 3 are proposing to construct a new residence on Lot 1 in the future. The property lies along the east side of Fish Lake. Planner Monson summarized the staff report that outlined the regulations in Chapter 3 of the development code for a minor subdivision. The proposal met all the criteria and is consistent with the Comprehensive Plan. A wetland delineation was completed on the property, with drainage and utility easements shown on the survey. Monson recommended the collection of a park fee in lieu of acquiring parkland, in the amount of $3,000 for one buildable lot being created by the minor subdivision. Monson concluded with a recommendation of approval with findings and four conditions presented in a resolution. Chair Squyres opened the public hearing at 8:03 p.m. Matt Olson, applicant, stated that the proposal is straightforward and conforms to the code requirements. There were no other comments and Chair Squyres closed the hearing at 8:04 p.m. Chair Squyres questioned if the density requirement of 4 buildable lots per 40-acre quarter- quarter section in this zoning district was reviewed. Staff explained that the density requirement is met. Amundson, second by Loeffler, moved to adopt PC Resolution 2021-01 as presented, approving the Minor Subdivision at 12937 Mayberry Trail. Motion carried unanimously by roll call vote. The recommendation to approve the minor subdivision will be presented to the City Council at their meeting on January 19, 2021. DISCUSSION ON AMENDMENTS TO THE ACCESSORY STRUCTURE ORDINANCE The Commissioners discussed proposed amendments to the accessory structure ordinance as directed by the City Council to study. Administrator Cammilleri explained the amendments as prepared by City Attorney Nelson to recognize attached garages as accessory structures, and to address accessory structures built on nearby lots without a principal structure. This draft also included changes to the amount of allowable square footage and number of structures based on the size of a property. The Commissioners agreed that language added to the table made it clearer that existing attached structures are exempt from the limit for accessory structures, but asked to further study the maximum allowed square footage on the amended table. A section on placement of accessory structures on contiguous residential lots with certain requirements was added, with the property owner recording a covenant acknowledging the owner’s agreement that the principal lot and contiguous lot must be sold together as if the lots constituted a single property. Cammilleri noted the challenge of this section, that this would be problematic in certain neighborhoods, and a policy issue in terms of character and aesthetics in January 5, 2021 Scandia Planning Commission Page 3 of 3 all areas of Scandia. Squyres agreed that this may look good on the surface but there appears to be more to it. Commissioners will continue discussion on the amendments at the next meeting, and directed staff to add an exemption to the chart for the 24’x36’ structure (864 square feet) that is allowed currently, to address multi-use garages with living space above, and potentially limit areas of town where accessory structures can be built on contiguous lots. ITEMS FOR FUTURE AGENDAS – NEXT MEETING FEBRUARY 2, 2021 The accessory structure code amendments will be reviewed in preparation for a possible public hearing in March. An organizational meeting is planned for next month, to review open meeting law and review key criteria in the development code and comp plan. ADJOURNMENT Loeffler, second by Rynders, moved to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried unanimously by roll call vote. The meeting adjourned at 9:50 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Brenda Eklund City Clerk