Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting

What was on the agenda

12 items as recorded in the packet and minutes, each with a plain-English summary of what was at issue.

ACalled to Order

Call to order.

Chair Ames called the meeting to order.

meeting administration

No action

p. 1p. 1

BPledge of Allegiance

Pledge of Allegiance.

The pledge was recited.

meeting administration

No action

p. 1p. 1

CRoll Call

Roll call.

Four commissioners were present; Lewis, Carlson and Pearo were absent.

meeting administration

No action

p. 1p. 1

DApprove/Amend Agenda

Approve or amend the October 24, 2023 meeting agenda.

The Commission approved an amended agenda, approved the August 22 and September 26 meeting minutes, and adjourned at 9:18 PM. The amendment added a discussion of the Paone IUP as Item 3 and moved the septic ordinance discussion to Item 4.

The amended agenda was approved, adding a Paone IUP discussion as Item 3 and moving the septic ordinance to Item 4.

meeting administration
Paone IUP follow-up
septic system ordinance

Approved

p. 1p. 1

EApprove/Amend September 26, 2023 Minutes

Approve or amend the September 26, 2023 meeting minutes.

The September 26, 2023 minutes were approved.

meeting administration

Approved

p. 4p. 1

FApprove/Amend August 22, 2023 Minutes

Approve or amend the August 22, 2023 meeting minutes.

The August 22, 2023 minutes were approved.

meeting administration

Approved

p. 2p. 1

1Public Hearing: Mackenzie Hills Preliminary Plat

Public hearing and consideration of the Mackenzie Hills preliminary plat, PID 20-33-25-21-0006.

The Commission held the Mackenzie Hills public hearing for a three-lot residential plat and CUP to defer street paving. Discussion focused on the future 205th Avenue right-of-way, a shared driveway arrangement, maintenance and future paving concerns, engineering conditions, buildable areas, septic sites, and park/trail dedication. The Commission recommended approval with the planning-report conditions, except that the possible screening/landscaping condition was removed; Jorgensen abstained.

The Commission recommended approval of the preliminary plat and CUP with planning-report conditions, except that Condition 17 on screening/landscaping was removed.

Mackenzie Hills subdivision
street paving deferral

Approved with conditions

p. 1p. 3

2Public Hearing: Nowthen Pastures 3-lot Preliminary Plat

Public hearing for Nowthen Pastures 3-lot preliminary plat, PID 08-33-25-41-0001, to take comments and continue the hearing.

The Nowthen Pastures public hearing was opened because it had been noticed, but the applicants had asked for more time to evaluate stormwater requirements. The Commission continued the hearing to November 28, 2023 at 7 PM at the Historic Town Hall.

The hearing was opened and continued to November 28, 2023 at 7 PM at the Historic Town Hall.

Nowthen Pastures subdivision

Continued

p. 1p. 3

3Discussion: Paone IUP approved October 10, 2023

Added discussion item about the Paone interim use permit approved by the City Council for 7411 181st Avenue.

Commissioner Bies raised concerns about the interim use permit approved by the City Council for outdoor storage at 7411 181st Avenue. The discussion covered whether the use should have been treated as an extended home occupation or a storage lot, the City Attorney's view that the existing ordinance required allowing a leased-storage IUP subject to conditions, the October 10 moratorium on leasing land or buildings in residential areas, and the need to revisit the extended home occupation regulations.

The Commission discussed concerns about the recently approved Paone IUP and the ordinance language for leased storage in residential districts; no formal action was taken.

Paone IUP follow-up
extended home occupation rules

Discussion only

p. 3p. 3

4Discussion: Subsurface Sewage Treatment System Ordinance

Continued discussion of proposed changes to the City septic system ordinance to reflect Minnesota 7080 rules.

The Commission continued reviewing the draft ordinance updating the City's subsurface sewage treatment system rules to reflect Minnesota 7080 requirements. Discussion covered three-year pumping or annual sludge/scum measurement, two septic sites for lots, accessory-building systems, inspection timing, nonresidential use changes, groundwater protection, compliance tracking for about 1,500 systems, possible public hearing outreach, wetland setbacks, and whether homeowners should be allowed to install certain systems. Stockman was directed to revise the draft for the next meeting.

The item was renumbered to Item 4 by the amended agenda. The Commission continued reviewing the draft and directed Stockman to bring an updated version to the next meeting.

septic system ordinance

Discussion only

p. 7p. 5

5Upcoming Projects

Upcoming projects list from the agenda.

The posted agenda listed upcoming projects; the minutes do not record a separate action on this list.

upcoming projects

No action

p. 5

6Motion to Adjourn

Adjournment.

The meeting was adjourned at 9:18 PM.

meeting administration

Approved

p. 1p. 5

Motions and votes

6 motions on the record. Split votes are highlighted.

motion_001_approve_amended_agendaMOTION BY BIES, SECOND BY JORGENSEN TO APPROVE THE AMENDED AGENDA FOR TONIGHT'S MEETING; Bies added Item 3 to talk about the Paone IUP approved by the City Council earlier in the month and moved the Septic System Ordinance to Item 4;.

Exact transcript text

MOTION BY BIES, SECOND BY JORGENSEN TO APPROVE THE AMENDED AGENDA FOR TONIGHT'S MEETING; Bies added Item 3 to talk about the Paone IUP approved by the City Council earlier in the month and moved the Septic System Ordinance to Item 4;

moved by Bies, seconded by Jorgensen

Passed

YAmes
YHaapala
YJorgensen
YBies
·Lewis
·Carlson
·Pearo

p. 1

motion_002_approve_august_minutesMOTION BY AMES, SECOND BY HAAPALA TO APPROVE THE MEETING MINUTES OF AUGUST 22, 2023.

Exact transcript text

MOTION BY AMES, SECOND BY HAAPALA TO APPROVE THE MEETING MINUTES OF AUGUST 22, 2023.

moved by Ames, seconded by Haapala

Passed

YAmes
YHaapala
YJorgensen
YBies
·Lewis
·Carlson
·Pearo

p. 1

motion_003_approve_september_minutesMOTION BY BIES, SECOND BY HAAPALA TO APPROVE THE MEETING MINUTES OF SEPTEMBER 26, 2023.

Exact transcript text

MOTION BY BIES, SECOND BY HAAPALA TO APPROVE THE MEETING MINUTES OF SEPTEMBER 26, 2023.

moved by Bies, seconded by Haapala

Passed

YAmes
YHaapala
YJorgensen
YBies
·Lewis
·Carlson
·Pearo

p. 1

motion_004_mackenzie_preliminary_plat_cupMOTION BY BIES TO APPROVE THE PRELIMINARY PLAT OF MACKENZIE HILLS AND THE CUP FOR DEFERRAL OF STREET PAVING REQUIREMENTS SUBJECT TO THE CONDITIONS AS OUTLINED IN THE CITY PLANNING REPORT WITH THE EXCEPTION OF CONDITION 17 TO BE REMOVED;.

Exact transcript text

MOTION BY BIES TO APPROVE THE PRELIMINARY PLAT OF MACKENZIE HILLS AND THE CUP FOR DEFERRAL OF STREET PAVING REQUIREMENTS SUBJECT TO THE CONDITIONS AS OUTLINED IN THE CITY PLANNING REPORT WITH THE EXCEPTION OF CONDITION 17 TO BE REMOVED;

moved by Bies, seconded by Haapala

Passed

YAmes
YHaapala
AJorgensen
YBies
·Lewis
·Carlson
·Pearo

p. 3

motion_005_continue_nowthen_pasturesCHAIR AMES MADE THE MOTION TO CONTINUE THE PUBLIC HEARING TO NOVEMBER 28, 2023 AT 7 PM AT THE HISTORIC TOWN HALL,.

Exact transcript text

CHAIR AMES MADE THE MOTION TO CONTINUE THE PUBLIC HEARING TO NOVEMBER 28, 2023 AT 7 PM AT THE HISTORIC TOWN HALL,

moved by Ames, seconded by Bies

Passed

YAmes
YHaapala
YJorgensen
YBies
·Lewis
·Carlson
·Pearo

p. 3

motion_006_adjournMOTION BY JORGENSEN, SECOND BY BIES TO ADJOURN THE MEETING.

moved by Jorgensen, seconded by Bies

Passed

YAmes
YHaapala
YJorgensen
YBies
·Lewis
·Carlson
·Pearo

p. 5

Prior history on this business

When someone referred back to earlier business, we found the matching prior discussion and tied it in here.

Administrator Lehner asked why park/trail dedication fees were being acquired for only one lot to which she responded that the City Council approved an ordinance amendment many years back to allow credit for existing lots of record in existence prior to platting.

— Lehner/Stockman

What this is about
Prior City Council direction on how to charge park/trail dedication fees when existing lots of record are replatted.

p. 1

Related history

The records I searched do not contain a prior City Council decision matching the recollection that Council adopted an ordinance amendment allowing “credit” against park/trail dedication fees for existing lots of record before platting. There is only a partial related record: the February 24, 2026 and March 10, 2026 packet materials include subdivision code language noting that Ordinance 2017-03, adopted October 10, 2017, allows some exemptions for subdivisions of three or fewer parcels and sets rules for minor subdivisions. Those excerpts do not address park/trail dedication fees or any credit for pre-existing lots of record. The 2026 packets also include fee schedule ordinance materials, but the excerpts provided do not show the specific park/trail dedication fee policy or a prior vote on that issue.

Feb 10, 2026## CITY & GOVERNMENT CLIENTS - CONTACT INFORMATION <table> <tr> <th>Public Sector Client</th> <th>Prosecution Services</
Mar 10, 2026Council may also appoint a council liaison who shall be a non-voting member who is not counted for quorum purposes. B. T
Mar 10, 20267\. The memo from the City Planner dated February 18, 2026 is incorporated herein by reference. The staff report from th
Mar 10, 2026# CITY OF NOWTHEN ANOKA COUNTY STATE OF MINNESOTA # ORDINANCE NO. 2026-XX # AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE SCHEDULE OF FEES F
Feb 24, 2026# CITY OF NOWTHEN ANOKA COUNTY STATE OF MINNESOTA ## ORDINANCE NO. 2026-01 # AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE SCHEDULE OF FEES

Commissioner Jorgensen voiced his concerns over shared driveways and problems they created in the past, noting that the City spent a lot of money getting rid of shared driveways. They are problematic and many lawsuits tend to occur.

— Jorgensen

What this is about
Prior City experience with shared driveways and private roads, raised during Mackenzie Hills review.

p. 1

Related history

The records I searched show only partial matches. Recent subdivision materials repeatedly treated private driveways/private roads as items needing conditions, easements, and code compliance. For example, at the September 23, 2025 packet, a minor subdivision included options for installing a cul-de-sac or providing financial security, required driveways to meet City Code Section 11-6-2.J.4, and required driveway/road easement documents before recording. At the March 10, 2026 meeting packet, minor subdivision approvals again included conditions that driveways meet City standards, that private driveway work avoid wetlands, and that address placards be visible from public roads. The records I searched do not contain a prior decision matching Commissioner Jorgensen’s specific recollection that the City spent a large amount of money getting rid of shared driveways, and they do not show lawsuit history tied to shared driveways. The available records support that shared/private access has been a recurring review issue in subdivisions, but they do not document the past cost or litigation concern described in the comment.

Dec 23, 2025DECISION: Based on the foregoing information and applicable ordinances, the Planning and Zoning Commission recommends ap
Sep 23, 2025Option A: The cul-de-sac can be installed in substantial compliance with the Approved Plans and an easement acceptable t
Feb 24, 2026Council approval, including demonstrating compliance with Section 10-3-5. If the comments from the City Engineer memo ar
Apr 14, 2026DECISION: Based on the foregoing information and applicable ordinances, the City Council approves the Final Plat for Pal
Mar 10, 20267\. The memo from the City Planner dated February 18, 2026 is incorporated herein by reference. The staff report from th

you look at the squawk we had on 185th in Jasper they wanted to assess us on every lot that we could create in the future not the ones that we we had houses on but the every lot in the future

— Jorgensen

What this is about
Prior assessment dispute on 185th and Jasper, used as an example during shared-road discussion.

17:45

Related history

The records I searched do not contain a prior decision matching this recollection of an assessment dispute on 185th and Jasper, or an assessment being proposed on every possible future lot rather than existing home lots. The closest results are unrelated subdivision conditions about future lot divisions and park dedication fees, plus an unrelated vendor document listing a Jasper Street business address. None of the search results show a Council discussion or vote about a 185th/Jasper assessment dispute.

Dec 23, 2025DECISION: Based on the foregoing information and applicable ordinances, the Planning and Zoning Commission recommends ap
Sep 23, 2025Option A: The cul-de-sac can be installed in substantial compliance with the Approved Plans and an easement acceptable t
Jan 13, 2026<table> <tr> <th>THEFTS</th> <th colspan="4"></th> <th></th> <th></th> <th></th> <th></th> </tr> <tr> <th>Number</th> <t
Apr 14, 20266\. The approved total outdoor cultivation area shall not exceed 7000 square feet that is in a fenced and secured area a
Mar 24, 20265\. No extraction, production, or retail endorsements have been issued by the OCM. Even if granted by the OCM in the fut

He stated that the home occupation regulations were set up for operating out of owner-occupied homes and that the leasing clause may have been intended for indoor leased space but wasn't made clear in the existing language.

— Pilon

What this is about
Prior ordinance language for extended home occupations and leasing, discussed while reviewing the Paone IUP.

p. 4

Related history

The records I searched show a partial match. In the February 24, March 24, and April 14, 2026 meeting packets, the Paone-related IUP materials treated the proposed use as an extended home occupation tied to the property owner’s residence/property. The draft conditions repeatedly said that the property owner must hold the state cannabis license, that no employees other than the property owners could be on site, that business materials had to be stored in the accessory structure, and that no other business or unauthorized outside storage would be allowed. Those records support the recollection that the home-occupation framework being applied was owner/property-owner based, not a general leased-site business approval. However, the search results do not include the actual prior ordinance language for the “leasing” clause or any recorded explanation that the clause was specifically intended only for indoor leased space. No formal vote on clarifying that leasing language appears in the excerpts provided.

Dec 23, 2025DECISION: Based on the foregoing information and applicable ordinances, the Planning and Zoning Commission recommends ap
Sep 23, 2025Option A: The cul-de-sac can be installed in substantial compliance with the Approved Plans and an easement acceptable t
Mar 10, 2026# CITY OF NOWTHEN ANOKA COUNTY STATE OF MINNESOTA # ORDINANCE NO. 2026-XX # AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE SCHEDULE OF FEES F
Feb 24, 2026compliant, then installation of a new ISTS or remediation of a non-compliant ISTS shall be completed prior to commenceme
Feb 24, 2026# CITY OF NOWTHEN ANOKA COUNTY STATE OF MINNESOTA ## ORDINANCE NO. 2026-01 # AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE SCHEDULE OF FEES

Liaison Pilon stated that there was a moratorium approved on October 10, 2023 which prohibits the leasing of land or buildings in residential areas to allow time for review of the Extended Home Occupation regulations.

— Pilon

What this is about
Recent City Council moratorium related to leasing land or buildings in residential areas.

p. 4

Related history

The records I searched do not contain the October 10, 2023 moratorium decision described in the recollection, and they do not show a prior formal vote prohibiting the leasing of land or buildings in residential areas. The search results do show related later activity on Extended Home Occupation regulations and permits. At the March 10, 2026 meeting packet, the Council had findings for Interim Use Permits for Extended Home Occupations at 21360 Xenon St NW and 8704 190th Ave NW, and later development-tracking notes say those applications were approved by the Council in March 2026. The April 14 and May 12, 2026 packets also list follow-up conditions for those approvals, but the provided records do not include a vote outcome for the approvals or any moratorium action.

Apr 14, 2026### Development Applications in Review Palomino Estates -- Kyle Roessler - 20930 St. Francis Blvd. · An application for
May 12, 2026### Developments in Post-Approval Tracking of Conditions Jason Jones - 8704 190th Ave NW · An application for an Interim
Mar 10, 2026CITY OF NOWTHEN ANOKA COUNTY, MINNESOTA ### CITY COUNCIL FINDINGS OF FACT AND DECISION Interim Use Permit for Extended H
Mar 10, 202614\. The site access shall be from a paved publicly-accepted road unless access via a gravel publicly-accepted road is a
Feb 24, 202614\. The site access shall be from a paved publicly-accepted road unless access via a gravel publicly-accepted road is a

Stockman stated that Columbus, MN was a good resource as they had just started a septic system compliance program.

— Stockman

What this is about
A comparable septic compliance program in Columbus, Minnesota, suggested as a resource for Nowthen's ordinance implementation.

p. 5

Related history

The records I searched do not contain a prior decision or discussion matching Stockman’s recollection about Columbus, Minnesota being used as a resource for a septic system compliance program. The search results returned unrelated 2026 packet materials, including police reports, attorney/prosecution agreements, farmers market support, cannabis zoning language, and a general fee schedule ordinance, but nothing specific to Columbus, septic compliance, or Nowthen’s ordinance implementation. Based on these results, there is no recorded prior vote, direction, or formal action in the searched materials confirming that Council used Columbus as a model or resource for a septic compliance program.

Mar 10, 2026<table> <tr> <th colspan="9">BURGLARIES</th> </tr> <tr> <th>Number</th> <th>Case Number</th> <th>Created On</th> <th>Off
May 12, 2026CITY OF NOWTHEN </figure> Council Meeting Location: Historic Townhall 19800 Nowthen Blvd NW Nowthen MN, 55330 ## RESOLUT
Mar 10, 2026# CITY OF NOWTHEN ANOKA COUNTY STATE OF MINNESOTA # ORDINANCE NO. 2026-XX # AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE SCHEDULE OF FEES F
Apr 28, 2026CASWELL ENGINEERING CO. ENGINEERS & LAND SURVEYORS ## BIRCHWOOD ANOKA COUNTY, MINNESOTA KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS:
Apr 14, 2026CITY OF NOWTHEN </figure> RESOLUTION No. 2026-XX Council Meeting Location: Historic Townhall 19800 Nowthen Blvd NW Nowth

Meetings

Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting

What was on the agenda

Motions and votes

Prior history on this business

Related history

Related history

Related history

Related history

Related history

Related history

Where this came up before

Sources