3a January 5, 2016 Planning CommissionJanuary 5, 2016
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 and Travis Loeffler. Commissioner Dan Squyres arrived at 7:18 p.m. Staff present: City
Administrator Neil Soltis, City Planner Sherri Buss and Deputy Clerk Brenda Eklund. Council
member Chris Ness was also present. Chair Maefsky called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA, MINUTES
Hogle, seconded by Loeffler, moved to approve the agenda as presented. The motion
carried unanimously by those present.
Hogle, seconded by Loeffler, moved to approve the December 1, 2015 minutes as presented.
The motion carried unanimously by those present.
DISCUSSION OF REQUIRMENTS AND STANDARDS FOR AGRITOURISM
ENTERPRISES
Planner Buss presented draft Ordinance No. 166, adding Section 4.35 to Chapter 2 of the
Development Code regarding standards for Agritourism Enterprises. The definitions and
performance standards were based on the Commission's discussion at the December meeting,
which used the Rural Event Facility as a starting point.
The Commissioners discussed the permit requirements and standards. An Interim Use Permit
would be obtained if the enterprise held more than 4 events annually that exceeded 100 attendees
at each event. Buss will prepare a tabulated chart to make this clear in the ordinance. Buss
explained that she did not include an Annual Operating Permit (AOP) as a requirement, but
language that the City may schedule reviews as needed.
Requiring a Transportation Plan was omitted from the draft ordinance in paragraph (4), as was
the requirement for a grading plan.
Much discussion occurred on the lot size standard. Planner Buss will prepare a table with 5, 10
and 20 acre distinctions and the allowed number of attendees and events that are allowed at these
acreages. (5)(B), limiting a maximum number of people was eliminated from the draft. The
Commissioners agreed that (5)(F) addressing sound amplification of ceremonies and educational
events only was fine as written. Regarding setbacks in (5)(G), if an event requires a permit, a
100 -foot setback from the boundary of the property is necessary for event activities, including
parking. If an event needs a permit, it may not begin before 9:00 a.m. "Permitted event" will be
added to (5)(I). Buss will reword (5)(J) addressing signs for language that conforms to the
recently updated sign ordinance.
Planner Buss will revise the draft ordinance based on these changes for further review at the
February 2nd Planning Commission meeting.
January 5, 2016
Scandia Planning Commission
Page 2 of 3
DISCUSSION OF REVISION TO DEVELOPMENT CODE REGARDING THE
DEFINITION OF REPLACEMENT OF NON -CONFORMING STRUCTURES
Planner Buss presented a draft ordinance that amends the development code section on
nonconforming structures (Chapter 1, Section 3.13) to provide quantifiable criteria for
determining the difference between expansion and replacement of an existing nonconforming
structure. Buss explained that the DNR recommended the criteria, used by Washington County
and by other municipalities, to make the standard clear and explicit in the code. Reconstruction
is replacing 50% or more of the assessed value of a structure, whereas remodeling/expansion
would mean improvements that equal less than 50% of the assessed value of a structure. Buss
stated that 50% is also a commonly applied standard in floodplain zoning.
Anderson, seconded by Squyres, moved to schedule a public hearing on February 2, 2016
for the proposed ordinance amendment to the Development Code regarding
nonconforming structures as presented. The motion carried 5-0.
DISCUSSION OF REVISION TO DEVELOPMENT CODE REGARDING ON-SITE
SEWERAGE SYSTEMS
Planner Buss presented a draft ordinance that would amend the development code (Chapter 2,
Section 3.1) on standards for sewage treatment. The Washington County Health Department
requested the City adopt the County's SSTS ordinance and clarify that the City will handle
variances related to setbacks and zoning issues, and the County will handle variance requests that
relate to technical requirements of septic systems. Buss explained that the proposed ordinance is
based on language used in other cities in the County.
Loeffler, seconded by Squyres, moved to schedule a public hearing on February 2, 2016 for
the proposed ordinance amendment to the Development Code regarding subsurface septic
systems as presented. The motion carried 5-0.
DISCUSSION ON CONDITIONAL USES IN THE VILLAGE MIXED USE A (VMU A)
AND VILLAGE MIXED USE B (VMU B) ZONING DISTRICTS
Commissioners continued the review on uses that should require CUP's in the Village District.
The December staff report listed the current CUP uses on a table with comparison to surrounding
cities. Each type of business was reviewed to determine if it meets criteria to require a CUP,
such as hazards inherent in the use, and impacts it may have to surrounding properties. Various
types of businesses such as bakeries, beauty salons, bed & breakfasts, copy services, grocery
stores, pet grooming and garden supplies stores were removed from requiring a CUP. Indoor
recreation, sports and fitness clubs would be a permitted use if under 4,000 square feet in size.
Planner Buss will prepare an ordinance amendment reflecting these changes for a public hearing.
Chair Maefsky recommended that a statement that businesses must comply with the
Architectural Guidelines be included.
Squyres, seconded by Loeffler, moved schedule a public hearing on February 2, 2016 for
the proposed ordinance amendment to the Development Code regarding uses in the Village
Mixed Use A and B zoning districts as modified. The motion carried 5-0.
January 5, 2016
Scandia Planning Commission
Page 3 of 3
ITEMS FOR FUTURE AGENDA
Administrator Soltis proposed that language be added to the sign ordinance that references
protection of dark skies, as contained in the Architectural Guidelines. This addition could be
added to respect the citizen concerns about internally lit signs that are now allowed in the revised
sign ordinance. Chair Maefsky asked Soltis to write this up for discussion at the February
meeting.
ADJOURNMENT
Loeffler, seconded by Anderson, moved to adjourn the meeting. The motion carried 5-0.
The meeting adjourned at 8:45 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Brenda Eklund
Deputy Clerk