01-07-2020 Planning CommissionJanuary 7, 2020
The Scandia Planning Commission held their regular monthly meeting on the above date.
The following were in attendance: Commissioners Greg Amundson, Jan Hogle, Perry Rynders
and Chair Dan Squyres. Absent: Commissioner Travis Loeffler. Staff present: City Planner
Merritt Clapp -Smith, City Administrator Ken Cammilleri and Deputy Clerk Brenda Eklund.
City Council liaison Jerry Cusick was also present.
Chair Squyres called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA, MINUTES
Rynders, second by Amundson, moved to approve the agenda as presented. Motion
carried 4-0.
Rynders, second by Hogle, moved to approve the December 3, 2019 meeting minutes as
presented. Motion carried 4-0.
DISCUSSION ON TABLED VARIANCE APPLICATION FOR A NEW SINGLE-
FAMILY DWELLING AT 18630 NORELL AVENUE, CHAD AND AMY NELSON.
(PC RESOLUTIONNO. 2020-01)
In November, a public hearing was held for a variance application from Chad and Amy Nelson
to remove an existing cabin and construct a new single-family dwelling at 18630 Norell Avenue.
Based on a site visit, application review and public hearing comments, the Planning Commission
indicated that the applicant did not make the necessary findings to justify a variance. The
Commissioners tabled the item and requested the applicants revise the site plan to better fit the
buildable area of the parcel.
Planner Clapp -Smith explained that the new survey submitted on December 23, 2019 shows a
reduced degree of variances as the Commissioners requested. The table below was presented
showing the changes from the original application:
Requirements in
Existing
Proposed
Non -Conforming or
GR Districts
Variance
Lot Size — 2 acre
0.47
0.47
Non -Conforming
minimum
Road frontage — 160
100 feet
100 feet
Non -Conforming
feet
Front Setback — 40 feet
7 inches
20 feet
Variance of 20 feet
Side Setback — 20 feet
About 11 feet from
7.5 4-4 feet from south
Variance of 12.5 6 feet
south side lot line.
side lot line.
on south lot line.
About 30 feet from
20 4-2 feet from north
Conforming
north side lot line.
side lot line.
of 8 feet on north lot
line.
Big Marine OHWL
More than 140 feet
79.17-3-4 feet
Variance of 20.9 2"
setback — 100 feet
feet
January 7, 2020
Scandia Planning Commission
Page 2 of 3
Planner Clapp -Smith stated that the changes resulted in lot coverage being reduced from 25% to
24.4% based on the revised survey. Clapp -Smith said that the findings for meeting the criteria for
variances has been met and recommended approval with four conditions written into a
resolution.
Applicant Chad Nelson presented graphics which described the revisions to relocate and
reposition the dwelling on the property to reduce the intensity of the variances needed and said is
the best solution they can provide.
Commissioners agreed that the applicants did significant work to make improvements based on
their November discussion on the request to minimize the necessary variances.
Rynders, second by Amundson, moved to adopt PC Resolution No. 2020-01, recommending
approval for variances at 18630 Norell Avenue. Staff noted that Condition #3 should include
language that any other permits required from regulatory agencies must be obtained.
Rynders, second by Amundson, moved to amend PC Resolution No. 2020-01 with
additional language to Condition #3, and adopt the amended resolution. Motion carried 4-
0.
The recommendation for approval will be presented to the City Council at their January 21, 2020
meeting.
DISCUSSION ON TABLED VARIANCE APPLICATION FOR A NEW SINGLE-
FAMILY DWELLING AT 12632 182ND STREET NORTH. APPLICANT MIKE MANN
ON BEHALF OF PROPERTY OWNERS JANA AND DENNIS PALKERT
(PC RESOL UTION NO. 2020-02)
In December, a public hearing was held for a variance application from Mike Mann of Lecy
Bros. Construction on behalf of property owners Jana and Dennis Palkert, to remove an existing
structure and construct a new single-family dwelling at 12632 182nd Street. Based on a site visit,
application review and public hearing comments, the Planning Commission indicated that the
applicant did not make the necessary findings to justify a variance, and that the proposed home
appeared to have options to shift location and size to better align with the buildable envelope of
the parcel. The Commissioners tabled the item and requested the applicants revise the site plan to
better fit the buildable area of the property.
Planner Clapp -Smith explained that the new survey submitted on December 27, 2019 shows a
reduced degree of variances as the Commissioners requested. The table below was presented
showing the changes from the original application:
Requirements in
Existing
Proposed
Non -Conforming or
GR Districts
Variance
Lot Size — 2 acre
0.614
0.614
Non -Conforming
minimum
Road frontage — 160
160 feet
160 feet
Meets standard
feet
January 7, 2020
Scandia Planning Commission
Page 3 of 3
Front Setback (from
road) — 40 feet
130 feet
40 feet
Meets standard
Side Setback — 20 feet
About 40 feet from
20 feet from north side
Meets standard
north side lot line.
lot line.
About 45 feet from
15.1 44 -5 -feet from
Variance of 4.9 9-.5
south side lot line.
south side lot line.
feet on south lot line.
Big Marine OHWL
32.2 feet to front deck
71.6 68 -.3 -feet
Variance of 28.5 31,7
setback — 100 feet
of residential structure.
feet
Planner Clapp -Smith described comments from the City Engineer to address erosion control and
drainage on the challenging topography. In response to the Watershed and DNR's comments,
the applicant significantly reduced the use of proposed retaining walls. These comments were
incorporated into a resolution for approval with 8 conditions.
Dennis Palkert, property owner, stated that multiple designs and iterations were proposed to
address the Commissioners concerns, resulting in an improved setback from Big Marine Lake.
Jeff Peterson, 12628 182nd Street, said the new plan is an improvement and asked that the
grading plan address any runoff that could flow to his property. Peterson questioned the
contours of the property; he would support a home closer to the lake if it would reduce grading
and preserve the natural topography.
Mark Lecy, the builder, answered questions about excavation on the site. Chair Squyres noted
that Mr. Peterson made a good point to consider — that topography should be considered in
balancing the distance from a water body.
Amundson, seconded by Rynders, moved to adopt PC Resolution No. 2020-02,
recommending approval for variances at 12632 182nd Street North. Motion carried 4-0.
The recommendation for approval will be presented to the City Council at their January 21, 2020
meeting.
FUTURE AGENDAS
Election of Chair and Vice -Chair of the Planning Commission will be conducted at the February
4, 2020 meeting.
ADJOURNMENT
Rynders, second by Hogle, moved to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried 4-0.
The meeting adjourned at 7:50 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Brenda Eklund
Deputy Clerk