8.b Draft minutes 02-02-2021 Planning Commission
February 2, 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 7:07 p.m. The following were participants to
the meeting: Commissioners Jan Hogle, Travis Loeffler, Perry Rynders and Chair Dan Squyres.
Absent: Commissioner Greg Amundson. Staff present: City Attorney Chris Nelson, 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
Commissioner Loeffler added to the agenda a discussion on temporary farm dwellings.
Rynders, second by Loeffler, moved to approve the agenda as amended. Motion
unanimously carried by roll call vote.
Hogle, second by Rynders, moved to approve the January 5, 2021 minutes as presented.
Motion unanimously carried by roll call vote.
ELECTION OF PLANNING COMMISSION CHAIR AND VICE-CHAIR
Due to the absence of Commissioner Amundson, the Commissioners were in consensus to table
the election of the Chair and Vice-Chait to the March 2nd meeting. Squyres will serve as the
Acting Chair until the Chair is elected.
REVIEW OF OPEN MEETING LAW, APPLICATION REVIEW PROCESS,
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN, PRIORITIZING ORDINANCE REQUIREMENTS FOR
BUILDABLE AREA - CITY ATTORNEY CHRIS NELSON, PLANNER EVAN
MONSON
City Attorney Nelson provided an overview of the open meeting law requirements as based on
state statutes. Nelson’s presentation also covered the variance review process the Commission
follows in making land use decisions.
Planner Monson explained how the Comprehensive Plan is a guide and basis for land use
decisions. The Commissioners will be sent action worksheets from the Plan for future
discussions on this topic.
February 2, 2021
Scandia Planning Commission
Page 2 of 3
DISCUSSION ON AMENDMENTS TO THE ACCESSORY STRUCTURE ORDINANCE
Discussion on amendments to the accessory structure ordinance continued from last month’s
meeting. Because the ordinance is complicated and hard to apply in its current form,
Administrator Cammilleri recommended a delay of proposed revisions until the new zoning code
incorporates lake neighborhoods as a special zoning district. This will provide tools in the
ordinance to address accessory structures placed on lots without a principal structure to areas of
the city where it makes sense. Cammilleri explained that the new code will provide each zoning
district to have its own set of rules, something the existing ordinance does not address. Chair
Squyres said it does make sense to wait to integrate these standards into the new zoning code.
The Commissioners discussed the amended chart of allowed number and size of accessory
structures, and the potential to limit the size of an attached garage. Cammilleri explained that it
can be problematic not to have size limits, and to keep scale in mind for consistent vision and
neighborhood character. Cammilleri asked the Commissioners to think about the size chart, and
to allow more time to refine this ordinance in order to develop the ordinance to effectively apply
standards, with flexibility in rural areas and consistent character for smaller lots.
Loeffler, second by Rynders, moved to table amendments to the accessory structure
ordinance for further discussion at the March 2, 2021 meeting. Motion unanimously
carried by roll call vote.
DISCUSSION ON AMENDMENTS TO BUILDING MATERIALS IN THE
DEVELOPMENT CODE CH. 2, SECTION 3.14 BUILDING TYPES AND MATERIALS
TO REMOVE CONFLICTING REQUIREMENTS WITH THE ARCHITECTURAL
GUIDELINES
Administrator Cammilleri introduced a topic of discussion related to Chapter 2, Section 3.14
(Building Types and Materials) that are inconsistent with the Architectural Design Guidelines.
Draft ordinance amendments will be presented at the next meeting, along with potential
amendments to the sign ordinance to address the placement of a monument sign in the City’s
park.
ADDITION: DISCUSSION ON TEMPORARY FARM DWELLINGS
Commissioner Loeffler explained his awareness that the existing standards for temporary farm
dwellings in the zoning code appear to be outdated and should be readjusted to better support the
character of Scandia, to allow small farm and garden operations to have temporary structures for
farm laborers. Loeffler noted that the existing standard that the farm must be at least 75 acres in
size should be reduced because farm operations can exist on much smaller acreage. Loeffler
added that the City should support its goals to create affordable housing, support rural character
and support businesses by amending this ordinance.
The Commissioners were in agreement to the proposed amendments, and Chair Squyres called
for a public hearing on proposed amendments to the temporary farm dwelling ordinance for the
March 2, 2021 meeting.
February 2, 2021
Scandia Planning Commission
Page 3 of 3
ITEMS FOR FUTURE AGENDAS – NEXT MEETING MARCH 2, 2021
Two public hearings are scheduled for March 2nd, along with further discussion on the accessory
structure code amendments, building materials, and sign ordinance.
ADJOURNMENT
Loeffler, second by Rynders, moved to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried unanimously
by roll call vote.
The meeting adjourned at 10:05 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Brenda Eklund
City Clerk