3.a) December 2, 2014 Planning CommissionDecember 2, 2014
The Scandia Planning Commission held a joint meeting with the Scandia Economic
Development Authority on the above date. Chair Christine Maefsky called the meeting to order
at 7:00 p.m. The following were in attendance: Commissioners Jan Hogle, Travis Loeffler,
Steve Philippi, Dan Squyres and Chair Christine Maefsky. EDA members present included
President Tom Triplett, Greg Isaacson, Sally Swanson and Bruce Swenson. Staff present: City
Administrator Kristina Handt, City Planner Sherri Buss and Deputy Clerk Brenda Eklund. City
Council member Chris Ness was also in attendance.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Chair Maefsky added an update of the Log House Landing Improvement Project to the agenda.
Squyres, seconded by Hogle, moved to approve the agenda as amended. The motion
carried 5-0.
Administrator Handt explained that approval of the November 5, 2014 minutes will be on the
January agenda, since this is a joint meeting with the EDA and not a regular meeting.
DISCUSSION REGARDING MET COUNCIL THRIVE 2040 COMMUNITY
DESIGNATIONS
Planner Buss explained that the Metropolitan Council is in the process of preparing the major
policy documents that will help guide the 2040 Comprehensive Plan update process for the
region. One of the key documents is Thrive 2040, which was adopted by the Met Council in
May 2014. Other policies pertaining to transportation, housing, parks, airports and water
resources will be finalized next. Thrive 2040 identifies the community designations and the land
use policies that will apply to each designation for the development of Comprehensive Plans.
Communities have until the end of 2018 to prepare and submit updated Comp Plans to the Met
Council. Each community’s Comp Plan must be consistent with the Met Council’s goals and
policies.
Buss stated that the EDA joined the meeting for a discussion about Scandia’s future vision for
the village area and the entire community in regards to land use policies related to applicable
community designations.
Lisa Barajas of the Met Council staff was present to provide information on the classification
schemes and answer questions. Scandia is designated as a Diversified Rural community in the
Thrive 2040 document. These communities include a variety of farm and non-farm uses and
preservation of agricultural land is supported. DivR communities do not usually have municipal
water and septic and are discouraged from residential development at urban densities. To
maintain rural atmosphere, 4 per 40 densities are encouraged as clustered lots to preserve large
tracts of land versus 1 lot per 10 acres.
Barajas explained that the Rural Center designation could also apply to Scandia. Rural Centers
are small towns that serve as commercial, employment and residential centers that serve
surrounding rural areas. These may have denser commercial and residential land use patterns
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than Diversified Rural communities. Regional, state and federal funding sources are available to
develop life-cycle and affordable housing, whereas DivR communities are typically not eligible
for these funds.
Squyres asked if the Village Center area could be designated as Rural Center and the rest of
Scandia as Diversified Rural. Barajas said that could be done at the City’s request and would
make sense to have both designations. Where the line is drawn is up to the City. A request
could be made at any time and wouldn’t have to wait for the 2018 update. Triplett asked if all
properties in the RC would need to be connected to a municipal sewer or only part of them.
Barajas stated that having part of the properties connected would not disqualify a Rural Center
designation.
Triplett stated that lack of housing alternatives such as affordable and life-cycle housing is a
critical issue that can have effects on the elementary school population and recruitment to the fire
department. Large lots that are common in Scandia cannot be affordable to many working
families.
Handt asked if the Rural Residential designation could work for Scandia, as municipal
wastewater infrastructure does not need to be extended. Barajas said that the Council does not
want to add to this classification and is only acknowledging that they exist, whereas the RC
really fits for Scandia.
Barajas explained the Livable Communities Program that offers grants to support affordable,
life-cycle housing for Rural Centers. Handt noted that Scandia’s Housing Performance Score
indicates that a contribution of $21,000 is needed from the City to receive funding. Barajas said
it does not necessarily need to be a monetary contribution and that in-kind services are
considered for eligibility. Buss said it could be a good idea to request a grant for the planning
stage to address this issue, before the development stage.
Swenson stated three things that are critical for a thriving community: local services, senior
housing and affordable housing for families. All three need to be worked on together. He stated
that an expanded medical health facility with a pharmacy is needed, but is limited by the
infrastructure.
Squyers asked if more density in the Village Center is the goal, and is there any flexibility in
DivR to allow for alternative housing ideas, such as nanny suites or mother-in-law apartments.
Could an additional unit be added to one lot as a low income rental unit? Barajas said yes,
guidelines allow for this as long as open space is preserved – it would be encouraged as a great
use of resources. Handt noted that accessory apartments are allowed in all districts through an
Administrative Permit process, but separate structures are not allowed.
Triplett asked what steps should be taken to allow for affordable housing. Buss said a change in
zoning and amendments to policies in the Comp Plan are needed, so that the zoning and plan are
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in agreement. One could start with the area that has the most potential for this type of
development.
Maefsky said she would not be comfortable in altering the Comp Plan without considerable
public involvement, as increased density in the VN district was a controversial issue during the
2008 Comp Plan update.
Handt explained that the Comp Plan contains the general statements which encourage affordable
housing, but it’s implemented through the development code. Amending the code to allow for
this would still be consistent with the Comp Plan. Handt recommended tweaks to the code to
encourage alternative housing. In talking with developers, they are scared off by the CUP
requirements for multi-family housing in the VN district. CUPs require an extensive outlay of
funds, can be a lengthy process and could end up being denied. By changing multi-family
housing to a permitted use, developers may be more likely to invest in the community. Swanson
agreed that Scandia’s strict regulations can be a problem.
Buss noted that the housing issue should be taken on for the next round of the Comp Plan, but
that the Rural Center request could be done at any time. Barajas clarified that the system
statement for the new Rural Center designation under Thrive 2040 would be applicable after
September 2015, but an amendment to the current plan can be submitted any time up to the end
of 2018. Buss stated that they could amend the plan with a vision of downtown as the Rural
Center and use these policies as such for its development. Maefsky stated that she would be
looking for community input as a first step.
Handt questioned if this needs to go to the point of amending the Comp Plan. Changes to the
code could be made now to encourage the desired type of development.
Squyres stated that they should take a cautious approach to make sure the community develops
as desired and this needs to be spelled out in the Comp Plan. This is an opportunity to make
Scandia a great place – we may end up with a townhome development that looks like it belongs
in Woodbury, not Scandia. Maefsky agreed that it needs to be carefully planned out to be sure it
fits into the overall plan. Swanson said that this is where the architectural guidelines pertaining
to design would be applied.
Handt explained that it’s a change in process that she is recommending, and this may be the
place to start.
Philippi stated that a change of this magnitude, allowing townhomes on one-acre lots, should be
greatly discussed within the community. Triplett noted that there will never be 100% approval.
Swanson said that public hearings for code changes allow for this input. Maefsky countered that
she thinks by the time a proposal gets to the hearing stage, it’s a done deal with only minor
changes or tweaking.
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Loeffler said that he moved to Scandia because he wanted land and wants surrounding land to
stay that way. It could be dangerous unless done in the right location and in a tasteful design, as
the set of townhomes in Wyldewood Acres are.
Maefsky summarized the goals as how to increase multi-family affordable housing in the Village
Center and to increase the density to increase life-cycle housing – what steps need to be taken to
achieve this. Isaacson agreed that they should look at increased density in designated areas that
make sense.
Buss advised to start with identifying where and what density they are thinking about, and what
design guidelines would be followed. A community strategy meeting with maps and overlays
showing proposed changes could be held. Buss explained that they could consider an expansion
of the zoning area to include part of the Highway 97 corridor that is close to the core area of
town.
Buss continued that the EDA could invite developers in so that they could show examples of
what they could market in Scandia. Triplett stated that he could arrange for this type of meeting
with the help of Barb Dacy, director of the Washington County HRA.
Maefsky said that the Planning Commission’s next meeting would address exploration of the
future steps and look at the permitting versus CUP requirement.
LOG HOUSE LANDING IMPROVEMENT PROJECT UPDATE
Maefsky reported on the status of the Log House Landing Improvement Project. The Committee
continues to research the concerns and solutions to address erosion, runoff and water quality,
access issues, preservation of the rural character and natural resources of the site, and using tax
money wisely for the project. Maefsky offered sections of the Comp Plan that referenced
specific goals that the end project must meet to stay in conformance to the Plan.
Maefsky explained that the Committee is working with the County Engineer to do a cost analysis
of gravel versus paved roadway, within a timeline that will still meet the goal of putting the
project out for bids in April 2015. This analysis will be presented at the Committee’s December
17 meeting, and she projected to have a recommendation to the Planning Commission in
January. Maefsky stated there may need to be a special meeting called next month to keep things
on track.
Maefsky did inform the group that the Committee has a consensus that it be a one lane roadway
with parking that is consistent with what’s there now.
ADJOURNMENT
Loeffler, seconded by Squyres, moved to adjourn the meeting. The motion carried 5-0.
The meeting adjourned at 9:00 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Brenda Eklund, Deputy Clerk