4. Draft minutes 07-06-2021 Planning Commission
July 6, 2021
The Scandia Planning Commission held their regular monthly meeting on the above date with
modifications. The meeting was conducted in-person at the Scandia Community Center and over
an electronic platform. All participants who joined the meeting remotely could hear each other
and contribute to discussions.
Last month the City Council made the following appointments to the Planning Commission:
• Jon Engstrand – to fill Squyres’ unexpired term to February 1, 2024
• Andrew Essling – to fill Amundson’s unexpired term to February 1, 2025
Chair Travis Loeffler called the meeting to order at 7:08 p.m. The following were present:
Commissioners Jon Engstrand, Andrew Essling, Jan Hogle, Perry Rynders, and Chair Travis
Loeffler. Staff present: City Planner Evan Monson, City Administrator Ken Cammilleri, City
Clerk Brenda Eklund. Council member liaison Jerry Cusick was also present.
PUBLIC FORUM
Jan and Brian Heller explained that they’ve purchased property on 190th Street where they will
be building their residence in the next few years. They first want to construct a garage to store
equipment they are using on the property to prepare the building site, and asked if there could be
a special permit for them to do this, as the development code does not allow an accessory
structure to be built on property without a primary residence.
City Administrator Cammilleri explained that there could be temporary storage options for the
Hellers. If the Commission wanted to explore an ordinance amendment, they could direct staff to
research this or ask the Heller’s to apply for an ordinance amendment. Commissioners directed
staff to initiate a draft ordinance for consideration at a future meeting.
There were no other public comments.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA, MINUTES
Hogle, second by Rynders, moved to approve the agenda as presented. Motion
unanimously carried by roll call vote.
Hogle, second by Rynders, moved to approve the June 1, 2021 minutes as presented.
Motion unanimously carried by roll call vote.
PUBLIC HEARING: VARIANCE TO INSTALL A NEW SEPTIC SYSTEM LOCATED
WITHIN REQUIRED SETBACK AREAS AT 21529 ST. CROIX TRAIL NORTH. MARK
MCGINLEY, APPLICANT. PC RESOLUTION NO. 2021-12
Mark McGinley is proposing improvements to his seasonal cabin at 21529 St. Croix Trail North,
a 1.23-acre parcel located within the St. Croix River District. There is currently no septic system
for this property. A holding tank system is proposed that would be 103 feet from the OHWL of
the river, requiring a variance from the 150-foot setback standard for septic tanks and soil
treatment systems in the riverway district.
July 6, 2021
Scandia Planning Commission
Page 2 of 2
Planner Monson summarized his staff report. Due to the slopes of the lot on the west side and the
narrow depth, compliant locations for a septic system are very limited. The City Engineer
concluded that a grading permit will be required, and the six trees being removed should be
documented. The National Park Service approved the proposed project as having minimal visual
impacts. Monson reviewed the criteria for consideration of a variance request and recommended
approval. The request for a septic system 103’ from the river’s OHWL is in harmony with the
Comp Plan and appears to be the minimum action necessary to eliminate the practical difficulty
of the lot lacking suitable space for a system that meets setbacks. A resolution with findings and
five conditions of approval was presented, including that any required Watershed and grading
permits are secured.
Chair Loeffler opened the public hearing at 7:29 p.m. There were no comments and the hearing
was closed.
Commissioner Rynders commented that the proposed location is a reasonable site for the septic
system. Commissioner Hogle noted that this proposed site is the only option on the property.
Chair Loeffler explained that the site visit noted a potential move farther from the OHWL when
the tank size is known.
Rynders, second by Hogle, moved to approve PC Resolution No. 2021-12, Approving a
Variance for 21529 St. Croix Trail North. The motion carried 5-0 by roll call vote.
The recommendation to approve the variance to construct a septic system within a required
setback will be presented to the City Council on July 20, 2021.
REVIEW PLANNING COMMISSION ORIENTATION TOPICS: OPEN MEETING
LAW, COMPREHENSIVE PLAN, GENERAL ZONING
Planner Monson and City Administrator Cammilleri reviewed open meeting law, the
Comprehensive Plan, general land use zoning topics, and the role of the Planning Commission as
advisory to the City Council.
ITEMS FOR FUTURE AGENDAS – NEXT MEETING AUGUST 3, 2021
Three variance applications are pending. Staff will research ordinance amendments on allowing
accessory structures to be constructed prior to a primary residence.
ADJOURNMENT
Hogle, second by Rynders, moved to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried 5-0.
The meeting adjourned at 8:21 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Brenda Eklund
City Clerk