3. August 1, 2017 Planning Commission minutes
August 1, 2017
The Scandia Planning Commission held their regular monthly meeting on the above date.
The following were in attendance: Commissioners Walt Anderson, Jan Hogle, Travis Loeffler,
Tom Noyes and Dan Squyres. Staff present: City Administrator Neil Soltis, City Planner Sherri
Buss and Deputy Clerk Brenda Eklund. Council member Chris Ness was also in attendance.
Chair Squyres called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA, MINUTES
Noyes, seconded by Anderson, moved to approve the agenda as presented. The motion
carried 5-0.
Noyes, seconded by Hogle, moved to approve the July 11, 2017 meeting minutes as
presented. The motion carried 5-0.
DISCUSSION ON AMENDMENT TO DEVELOPMENT CODE CHAPTER 2, SECTION
3.9, LIGHTING
Planner Buss explained that an update to the lighting ordinance is necessary for the recently
approved site improvements at Scandia Elementary School. The lighting plan for the project
proposed the use of LED luminaries for the parking lot, but the city’s current ordinance prohibits
LED lighting in all districts. Buss said that the language is outdated as LED lighting is now the
standard for most outdoor lighting for its efficiency and low maintenance. The City Council will
hold the public hearing on the proposed ordinance amendment at its August 15th meeting, and the
Planning Commission must provide its recommendation on any update to the development code.
The Planning Commission reviewed an amended ordinance with some additional changes as
recommended by Administrator Soltis.
To clarify that the standards apply to outdoor lighting (not signs) as defined in the
development code.
That the standards do not apply to street lighting on City streets or State and County
highways.
That traditional decorative lighting that existed in the VMU A and B Districts at the time
of adoption is exempt, as is temporary holiday lighting.
Removed individually lit letters in signs from the listing of prohibitions since this is
regulated by the sign ordinance.
Removed 5(C)(6) from the performance standard as it is redundant to 5(A).
Removed 5(C)(4) describing setbacks from the street ROW because many storefronts are
at the ROW line and the intensity standard will apply here.
Updated Section numbers referenced in 5(D).
The Commissioners also addressed the use of predator lights which can be commonly used by
livestock owners and operate by flashing or blinking to scare away predators like fox, bear,
skunks, etc. Commissioner Hogle questioned if an exception should be made for this category of
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Scandia Planning Commission
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lights, but it was determined to leave any type of language to address these out of the ordinance
for now.
Commissioner Anderson stated that outdoor recreation lighting should be made stricter because
he has been blinded by the rink lights in the wintertime when driving past the hockey rink at
night. He said this could apply to the ballfield lights as well. There was discussion on
measuring the intensity of the lights at the street and the rational needed to make the lighting
sufficient enough for a safe playing environment. Chair Squyres said that they are not designing
a lighting plan and questioned the regulations for this type of lighting. Planner Buss said that she
would explore recreational lighting for other communities and present this concern to the
Council for the public hearing on the lighting ordinance, with an option to comply or regulate
outdoor lighting.
Loeffler, seconded by Anderson, moved to recommend to the City Council the lighting
ordinance amendment with the changes as discussed, with the objection to the outdoor
lighting performance standard. The motion carried 5-0.
REVIEW SHORELAND MANAGEMENT ORDINANCE UPDATE
Planner Buss led the continued discussion on the update to the City’s shoreland management
ordinance using the 2016 DNR model. A draft ordinance was presented and Buss explained the
recommended changes section by section.
Section 1.2: Kept the intent and purpose language from the City’s current ordinance.
Section 2.6: Added definitions relevant to Scandia such as Accessory Dwelling Unit
(removed guest cottage) and Community Solar Gardens as defined “to comply with state
statute”; removed commercial use and commercial PUD as these uses are not allowed in
shoreland; added pavers to the listing of types of impervious surfaces; adopted the DNR
definition of building height because the current language in the code is complicated;
adopted the current definition of residential PUD; used existing definition of resort.
Section 3.2 and 3.4: removed references to certificate of compliance as these are not
issued.
Section 3.6: Added the listing of conditions attached to CUP from the current ordinance;
removed the section on mitigation as this is arbitrary.
Section 4.0: Shoreland Classifications were cleaned up and it was noted that Sylvan Lake
is now Keewahtin. The next zoning map will show the shoreland overlay of Lake Elwell
on the properties along the west boundary with Forest Lake.
Section 4.22: Removed this zoning reference.
Section 4.23: Added Administrative Permit and PUD to describe land uses; changed
Accessory Apartment to Accessory Dwelling Unit on the chart, along with permitting
Home Occupations; will consider options for duplexes for future discussion; allow
museums and semipublic uses with a CUP; Buss will research the definition of forested
land; will continue discussion of performance standards for Solar Farms on recreational
lakes as the DNR now allows them (limit to 1 mW?).
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The Planning Commissioners discussed holding a public meeting before the public hearing to get
feedback on what types of development residents may or may not want within the Shoreland,
such as marinas, resorts, restaurants, etc. Administrator Soltis noted that any decisions to allow
commercial uses must be consistent with the Comprehensive Plan.
The ordinance will continue to be reviewed at the next meeting.
DISCUSSION ON PROCESS TO REVIEW CONCEPT PLANS FOR PROJECTS
At the July meeting the Commission requested a discussion of concept plan review for large
projects. Administrator Soltis provided excerpts from the current development code that allow
for pre-application review for site plans and minor subdivisions and a mandatory concept plan
review for major subdivisions. The Commissioners were in favor of adding concept plan review
as an option for Conditional Use Permits as it would seem useful for certain types of
applications. Planner Buss will bring back language for an optional CUP concept level review as
part of the CUP process for future discussion.
FUTURE AGENDAS
Commissioner Hogle recommended discussion on regulating explosive targets being used for
target shooting, known as tannerite targets. She said they are extremely loud but was informed
that they cannot be regulated by the noise ordinance because they are an intermittent sound.
Administrator Soltis explained that the Council has discussed target shooting within the last year
and it was decided that the noise ordinance would regulate its enforcement – he will bring back
the summary of that discussion. Planner Buss recommended the City Attorney be consulted
about this activity as more communities are getting complaints.
ADJOURNMENT
Loeffler, seconded by Anderson, moved to adjourn the meeting. The motion carried 5-0.
The meeting adjourned at 9:10 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Brenda Eklund
Deputy Clerk