Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting

What was on the agenda

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

A1Call to order

Called to Order

Meeting was called to order at 7:05 p.m.

meeting administration

No action

p. 1p. 1

A2Pledge of Allegiance

Pledge of Allegiance

The pledge was recited.

meeting administration

No action

p. 1p. 1

A3Roll call

Roll Call

Roll call was taken; Carlson was absent.

meeting administration

No action

p. 1p. 1

A4Approve meeting agenda

Approve/Amend tonight's meeting agenda of April 26, 2022.

The Commission approved the agenda and prior minutes, noted upcoming May items for a Shermer five-lot plat and a cell-tower CUP amendment, and adjourned at 8:50 p.m.

The April 26, 2022 agenda was approved.

meeting administration

Approved

p. 1p. 1

A5Approve meeting minutes

Approve/Amend meeting minutes of March 22, 2021.

The Commission approved the agenda and prior minutes, noted upcoming May items for a Shermer five-lot plat and a cell-tower CUP amendment, and adjourned at 8:50 p.m.

The minutes record approval of March 22, 2022 minutes, while the agenda listed March 22, 2021.

meeting administration

Approved

p. 1p. 1

A6Public hearing: Country View Acres 2nd Addition, 19370 Marmoset St.

Public hearing for Country View Acres 2nd Addition at 19370 Marmoset St., including subdivision, lot-width variance, and easement vacation.

The Commission held a public hearing on the proposed Country View subdivision at 19370 Marmoset Street. After questions about cul-de-sac lot widths, house placement, parcel shape, and the existing drainage and utility easement, the Commission approved the preliminary plat, lot-width variances for Lots 1 and 2, and vacation of the drainage easement.

The Commission approved the preliminary plat, lot-width variances for Lots 1 and 2, and vacation of the drainage easement.

Country View Acres 2nd Addition

Approved

p. 1p. 2

A7Public hearing: septic setback variance, 19934 Birchwood Lane

Public hearing for a setback variance to replace a septic system on a non-conforming parcel at 19934 Birchwood Lane on Twin Lake.

The Commission held a public hearing on Janie Finn’s request for a septic-system setback variance at 19934 Birchwood Lane. The discussion covered replacement of the septic system during a house sale, the proposed box mound system, well-location questions, and distance from the ordinary high-water line, and the Commission approved the findings and recommendations for the variance.

The Commission approved the findings and recommendations for the septic-system setback variance.

Finn septic system variance

Approved

p. 1p. 2

A8Discussion: architectural standards and site design criteria

Discussion of Architectural Standards and other site design criteria related to commercial and industrial uses.

The Commission continued discussing proposed commercial and industrial design standards. Members reviewed building color and design examples, discussed neutral colors, materials, screening, parking layout, landscaping, and community identity, and asked the planner to bring back integrated ordinance changes with pictures, narrative, and conceptual drawings.

Commissioners discussed the standards and asked for integrated ordinance changes, narrative, pictures, and conceptual drawings for a future review.

commercial and industrial design standards

Discussion only

p. 1p. 3

A9Upcoming projects

Upcoming Projects at April Meeting: Shermer 5-lot plat on Twin Pkwy? Amended CUP for cell tower at 5606 Verde Valley Rd?

The Commission approved the agenda and prior minutes, noted upcoming May items for a Shermer five-lot plat and a cell-tower CUP amendment, and adjourned at 8:50 p.m.

The upcoming May projects were listed.

upcoming projects

Discussion only

p. 1p. 3

A10Adjourn

Motion to Adjourn

The Commission approved the agenda and prior minutes, noted upcoming May items for a Shermer five-lot plat and a cell-tower CUP amendment, and adjourned at 8:50 p.m.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:50 p.m.

meeting administration

Approved

p. 1p. 3

Motions and votes

5 motions on the record. Split votes are highlighted.

M1MOTION MADE BY COMMISIONER BIES SECOND BY HAAPALA TO APPROVE THE APRIL 26, 2022, MEETING AGENDA.

Exact transcript text

MOTION MADE BY COMMISIONER BIES SECOND BY HAAPALA TO APPROVE THE APRIL 26, 2022, MEETING AGENDA.

moved by Bies, seconded by Haapala

Passed

YAmes
YBies
YHaapala
YJorgenson
YPearo
·Carlson

p. 1p. 1

M2MOTION MADE BY COMMISSIONER PEARO SECOND BY JORGENSON TO APPROVE THE MARCH 22, 2022, MEETING MINUTES AS SUBMITTED.

Exact transcript text

MOTION MADE BY COMMISSIONER PEARO SECOND BY JORGENSON TO APPROVE THE MARCH 22, 2022, MEETING MINUTES AS SUBMITTED.

moved by Pearo, seconded by Jorgenson

Passed

YAmes
YBies
YHaapala
YJorgenson
YPearo
·Carlson

p. 1p. 1

M3MOTION BY COMMISIONER PEARO SECOND BY BIES TO APPROVE THE PRELIMINARY PLAT OF COUNTRY VIEW ESTATES SECOND ADDITION, A VARIANCE FOR LOTS 1 AND 2TO ALLOW LOT WIDTHS OF 202.2 AND 198.4 FEET RESPECTIVELY, AT THE BUILDING SETBACK LINE AND TO VACATE THE DRAINAGE EASEMENT ESTABLISHED AS PART OF COUNTRY VIEW ACRES.

Exact transcript text

MOTION BY COMMISIONER PEARO SECOND BY BIES TO APPROVE THE PRELIMINARY PLAT OF COUNTRY VIEW ESTATES SECOND ADDITION, A VARIANCE FOR LOTS 1 AND 2TO ALLOW LOT WIDTHS OF 202.2 AND 198.4 FEET RESPECTIVELY, AT THE BUILDING SETBACK LINE AND TO VACATE THE DRAINAGE EASEMENT ESTABLISHED AS PART OF COUNTRY VIEW ACRES.

moved by Pearo, seconded by Bies

Passed

YAmes
YBies
YHaapala
YJorgenson
YPearo
·Carlson

p. 2p. 1

M4MOTION BY COMMISSIONER PEARO SECOND BY BIES TO APPROVE THE PLANNING COMMISION FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS APPROVING THE VARIANCE FOR A SYPTIC SYSTEM SETBACK FROM THE OHWL FOR 19934 BIRCHVIEW LANE NW.

Exact transcript text

MOTION BY COMMISSIONER PEARO SECOND BY BIES TO APPROVE THE PLANNING COMMISION FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS APPROVING THE VARIANCE FOR A SYPTIC SYSTEM SETBACK FROM THE OHWL FOR 19934 BIRCHVIEW LANE NW.

moved by Pearo, seconded by Bies

Passed

YAmes
YBies
YHaapala
YJorgenson
YPearo
·Carlson

p. 2p. 1

M5MOTION BY COMMISSIONER HAAPALA SECOND BY BIES TO ADJOURN.

moved by Haapala, seconded by Bies

Passed

YAmes
YBies
YHaapala
YJorgenson
YPearo
·Carlson

p. 3p. 1

Prior history on this business

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

It is unknown if Park and/or Trail Dedication requirements existed at the time of platting in 1990. The two lots platted as part of Country View Acres were combined into the 26.25 acre parcel currently being split into 3 lots. If dedication fees were paid for two lots in 1990, then park/trail dedication ($2,500/lot) will be owed for one lot at this time. Perhaps staff can do some research on this prior to the City Council meeting.

— Planner report

What this is about
Whether park and trail dedication fees were paid when the original Country View Acres lots were platted in 1990.

p. 6

Related history

The records I searched do not contain a prior decision or payment record showing whether park or trail dedication fees were paid when the Country View Acres lots were platted in 1990. The search results include recent application/escrow materials for Chad and Melissa Fossum and a December 23, 2025 Planning and Zoning Commission recommendation on a minor subdivision, but they do not include the 1990 plat approval, minutes, fee schedule, development agreement, or receipt records that would confirm whether dedication requirements existed or were paid at that time. Based on these results, this remains unresolved from the available packet/minute search. Staff would likely need to check older plat files, recorded subdivision documents, archived Council minutes from 1990, and any historical fee or receipt records to verify whether park/trail dedication was assessed for the two original lots.

May 12, 2026#### Auditor's Responsibilities for the Audit of the Financial Statements Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assura
Mar 10, 2026APPLICATION FEES AND EXPENSES: We the applicant and undersigned property owner agree to provide to the City, in cash or
Mar 10, 2026agreements related to those applications, including direct costs such as recording fees and third- party consultants (At
Feb 24, 2026APPLICATION FEES AND EXPENSES: We the applicant and undersigned property owner agree to provide to the City, in cash or
Dec 23, 2025DECISION: Based on the foregoing information and applicable ordinances, the Planning and Zoning Commission recommends ap

there have been other recent subdivision scenarios in the City where lot width could not be achieved with cul-de-sac access.

— Planner report

What this is about
Prior subdivision situations in Nowthen where cul-de-sac access prevented compliance with lot-width requirements.

p. 5

Related history

The records I searched do not contain a prior subdivision discussion or decision matching this recollection about cul-de-sac access preventing compliance with lot-width requirements. The search results returned unrelated 2026 packet materials, including public safety incident tables, fee schedule language, prosecutor agreements, farmers market support, hazard mitigation, and Heritage Festival materials. None of the results described a subdivision scenario, lot-width variance, cul-de-sac access issue, or related council action.

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
Apr 14, 2026CITY OF NOWTHEN </figure> RESOLUTION No. 2026-XX Council Meeting Location: Historic Townhall 19800 Nowthen Blvd NW Nowth
May 12, 2026CITY OF NOWTHEN </figure> RESOLUTION No. 2026-XX Council Meeting Location: Historic Townhall 19800 Nowthen Blvd NW Nowth
Mar 10, 2026# CITY OF NOWTHEN ANOKA COUNTY STATE OF MINNESOTA # ORDINANCE NO. 2026-XX # AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE SCHEDULE OF FEES F
May 12, 2026CITY OF NOWTHEN </figure> Council Meeting Location: Historic Townhall 19800 Nowthen Blvd NW Nowthen MN, 55330 ## RESOLUT

This variance should have been approved before the property was placed upon the market.

— Planner Stockman

What this is about
A prior point in the sale process when the Birchwood septic setback variance should have been approved.

p. 2

Related history

The records show this exact point came up at the April 26, 2022 Planning and Zoning Commission public hearing for Janie Finn’s property at 19934 Birchwood Lane NW. The application was for a 50-foot variance to allow a replacement septic system 100 feet from the ordinary high-water line of East Twin Lake. Planner Stockman noted that, as part of a house sale, the septic system must be brought up to current code, and stated that “this variance should have been approved before the property was placed upon the market.” The formal City Council action followed at the May 12, 2022 meeting, when the Council approved the Finn septic system setback variance for 19934 Birchwood Lane. The motion passed unanimously, 5 ayes.

Apr 28, 2026CITY OF NOWTHEN ANOKA COUNTY, MINNESOTA PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION FINDINGS & RECOMMENDATION ACCESSORY BUILDING VARI
May 12, 2022STATE OF MINNESOTA COUNTY OF ANOKA CITY OF NOWTHEN CITY COUNCIL FINDINGS & DECISION APPROVING Variance for Septic System
Apr 26, 2022STATE OF MINNESOTA COUNTY OF ANOKA CITY OF NOWTHEN PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION FINDINGS & RECOMMENDATION APPROVING Vari
Apr 28, 2026CASWELL ENGINEERING CO. ENGINEERS & LAND SURVEYORS ## BIRCHWOOD ANOKA COUNTY, MINNESOTA KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS:
Jun 28, 2022VACATE THE DRAINAGE EASEMENT ESTABLISHED AS PART OF COUNTRY VIEW ACRES. MOTION CARRIED. FIVE AYES. 2\. PUBLIC HEARING TO

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

Where this came up before

Sources