08.b Draft minutes 02-08-2022 Planning Commission
February 8, 2022
The Scandia Planning Commission held their regular monthly meeting on the above date with
modifications. The meeting was conducted virtually over an electronic platform. All participants
who joined the meeting remotely could hear each other and contribute to discussions.
Chair Travis Loeffler called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m. The following were participants:
Commissioners Jon Engstrand, Jan Hogle, Kirsten Libby, Perry Rynders, and Chair Travis
Loeffler. Staff participating: City Planner Evan Monson, City Administrator Ken Cammilleri,
and City Treasurer Colleen Firkus, and Council member Jerry Cusick.
PUBLIC FORUM
There were no public comments.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA, MINUTES
Hogle, second by Rynders, moved to approve the agenda as presented. Motion carried
unanimously by roll call vote.
Hogle, second by Rynders, moved to approve the January 4, 2022 minutes as presented.
Motion carried unanimously by roll call vote.
ELECTION OF PLANNING COMMISSION CHAIR & VICE-CHAIR
Rynders, seconded by Hogle, moved to nominate Travis Loeffler as Chair and Jan Hogle as
Vice-Chair of the Scandia Planning Commission. Motion carried unanimously by roll call
vote.
CONTINUED FROM JANUARY 4, 2022: VARIANCE FROM THE RIGHT-OF-WAY
SETBACK TO CONSTRUCT AN ACCESSORY DWELLING UNIT AT 21450 POMROY
AVENUE NORTH. SUSAN RODSJO, APPLICANT. PC RESOLUTION NO. 2022-02.
Planner Monson reviewed the variance request of the applicant to construct an accessory
dwelling unit (ADU) closer to the road than the primary residence. Monson reviewed 8 criteria to
allow an ADU under the City’s Comprehensive Plan and Development Code. The practical
difficulty identified was placement of the septic system at the rear of the house and the area for a
backup system on the south side, as well as drainage issues on the north side. Applicant has
amended the plan to come under the 1,000 sq. ft. threshold.
Chair Loeffler re-opened the public hearing at 7:20 p.m.
Patricia Ann Brannon 21455 Pomroy Ave N., lives across the street from Rodsjo. Stated that she
will be able to see the settler cabin from her driveway. She requested that the City abide by its
zoning regulations for ADU’s for setbacks and lot sizes as clearly stated in Sec. 4, p. 77. The
code states the ADU must be located to the rear or side of main structure if on a lot less than 5
acres and the applicant has 4.4 acres with the cabin in front of the house. Brannon asked why
can’t it be adjacent to house along the driveway. Brannon also pointed out the proposed red color
does not match the home and asked if a 2nd driveway will come off their current driveway.
Brannon also said the current home is listed on Air B&B and asked if that will be the use of the
CITY OF SCANDIA PLANNING COMMISSION
February 8, 2022
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cabin; will it become a Bread & Breakfast? Brannon asked that if approved the cabin be fully
screened from the road and the color to match the house color. Brannon asked if approved that a
condition is made for no future expansions that will exceed 1,000 sq ft. in the future. The city has
control of the community development and Brannon said that this home is the second Air B&B
on Pomroy and that the other one also lists a barn as an event center.
Applicant Sue Rodsjo: Stated that with her family’s Scandinavian heritage and love of history, it
has been their dream to have something historic on their property. They purchased this settler’s
cabin from a neighboring community. They have asked their contractor to reduce size of the
entry way to be in compliance on size. The proposed location is densely screened from Pomroy
and they will be happy to plant conifers to provide additional screening, but when standing at
cabin site, they cannot see her neighbor’s house even in the winter. The cabin will be primarily
used as a guest cabin for children, grandchildren, visitors and guests. They may rent to elderly
parents or someone visiting Scandia and plan to be in full compliance with the development
code. They are not a Bread & Breakfast, which has different requirements than an Airbnb. City
Code has exceptions for historic structures. Cabin was built in 1860’s in Shafer or Franconia.
The Septic plans will be in the permit application to the County. Other locations were considered
but the property is a low spot and lots of wet areas constraining septic sites. Any additional
driveway requests will be in the permit and reviewed by city staff. All uses will be in compliance
with code. The ADU is allowed on a property less than 5-acres. It is the setback that requires a
variance on less than 5-acres. The code for matching the color of the primary house is for lots
less than 4-acres, but since the trim on the house is dark red, they would be willing to darken the
red of the cabin to be closer to the trim color of the house even though not required. However,
they are using a special paint to preserve the log of the cabin and may not be able to match trim
exactly and requests leeway on the color. Eight letters of support have been received from
neighbors, including. John & Sandy Zuniga, the neighbors to the south who are the only ones
who can see the cabin and are in favor of it.
Planner Monson verified color consistency between structures does not apply as the lot is over 4-
acres. Planning Commission Rynders asked if there can be a requirement that there be continual
screening maintained because what happens if they remove some of the trees currently screening
the proposed cabin. City Administrator Cammilleri stated that the City is required to enforce
screening and could revoke the permit. Rynders asked why are they not requiring compliance on
the placement to avoid variance as did not the placement of the house create the need for the
variance? Monson explained that placement of the septic system and future septic location is not
under the applicant’s control due to drainage issues and soil types. Monson indicated house
placement could be used as a finding. Planning Commissioner Hogle pointed out that putting the
cabin in the back or side would put the cabin closer to two other properties and have less
screening, the color red is a classic Swedish red, most letters were in support of the structure, and
the applicant is willing to work with neighbor for additional screening. Planning Commissioner
Libby said the property is heavily wooded and a cleared area around the cabin would be
beneficial, and is in favor of preserving this historic structure. Chair Loeffler said color is not an
issue, any rentals will require an Administrative Permit, and it would not meet the requirements
for a Bread & Breakfast.
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Hogle, seconded by Rynders, made a motion to approve PC Resolution 2022-02 to approve
a variance. to construct a detached accessory dwelling unit closer to the road right-of-way
than the house on a lot under 5-acres in size identified as 21450 Pomroy Ave. N. with all the
conditions listed therein. Motion carried unanimously by roll call vote.
CONTINUED FROM JANUARY 4, 2022: AMENDMENTS TO CITY OF SCANDIA
DEVELOPMENT CODE, CHAPTER 3, SECTION 6.2 (8) REGARDING MINOR
SUBDIVISION REGULATIONS FOR NEW ROADS, AND TO CITY OF SCANDIA
DEVELOPMENT CODE, CHAPTER 3, SECTION 13, REGARDING MINIMUM
DESIGN STANDARDS FOR STREETS.
Administrator Cammilleri encountered an issue in the language of Chapter 3, the Minor
Subdivision Process, and the Minimum Design Standards for Streets. The table used to show
what is allowed in each zoning district is not accurate and other language is contradictory. The
proposed changes would eliminate these conflicting provisions. A draft document was presented
that gives design options and eliminates conflicts. Cammilleri questioned which provision will
prevail if there are conflicting provisions. Also, the Minimum Design Standards is very
uncompromising the way it is written, for example excessive shouldering. Cammilleri
recommends these standards be outlined in the Engineering Guidelines instead of the
Development Code to allow the city more flexibility in development design.
Planning Commission asked to review a clean copy of the proposed changes at the March
meeting with the goal to have a public hearing on the changes at the April meeting.
CITY COUNCIL UPDATES
Planner Monson reported that the City Council approved the amended CUP for Rustic Roots by
approving an Interim Use Permit to allow use of a tent as a temporary rural event facility for up
to 5 years, and that the Solar Ordinance amendment was put on hold.
FUTURE ITEMS
• Joint Workshop with the City Council to review the Unified Development Code
Project on Wednesday, February 16, 2022 at 6:00 PM focus on accessory structures.
Content should be sent out before the meeting.
• The City is considering a park planning process. Eight RFPs were reviewed and it
was narrowed down to 3 proposals to be considered at the February 15th Council
meeting at 5:30. Planning Commission members welcome to attend.
• Next meeting – March 1, 2022 virtual unless Council changes policy on the 15th
ADJOURNEMENT
Rynders, seconded by Hogle, moved to adjourn the meeting. The meeting adjourned at 9:26 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Colleen Firkus
City Treasurer