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.

CALLCall to order, pledge, and roll call

Meeting called to order, roll call taken, and meeting policy summarized.

Meeting opened and roll call was taken.

meeting administration

No action

p. 1p. 1

AI-001Approve tonight's meeting agenda

Approve or amend the February 23, 2021 agenda.

Agenda approved.

meeting administration

Approved

p. 1p. 1

AI-002Approve January 26, 2021 minutes

Approve the January 26, 2021 Planning and Zoning meeting minutes.

Prior minutes approved.

meeting administration

Approved

p. 3p. 1

AI-003Cote Lot Reconfiguration and Flag Lot Conditional Use Permit

Public hearing for Jim and Kristin Cote's lot reconfiguration and flag lot conditional use permit on 201st Avenue.

The Commission recommended approval of the Cote lot reconfiguration and flag lot CUP for property on 201st Avenue, with the screening condition removed, the ditch/wetland easement condition changed to 20 feet on either side of the wetland, and park/trail dedication and paving/curbing requirements waived.

Recommended approval with condition changes and waivers.

Cote lot reconfiguration and flag lot CUP

Approved with conditions

PDFp. 3

AI-004Leistico Preliminary/Final Plat and CUP for Deferral of Street Paving Requirements

Public hearing for Leistico preliminary/final plat and CUP to defer street paving requirements.

The Commission recommended approval of the Leistico preliminary and final plat and CUP to defer street paving, adopting the findings and recommendations as written. The plat divides the family property into four buildable parcels and two outlots, with future road and accessory-building conditions left in the written findings.

Recommended approval by adopting findings and recommendations as written.

Leistico Estates plat and street paving deferral

Approved

PDFp. 4

AI-005Carr's Tree Service

Public hearing for Carr's Tree Service interim use permits and variances for outdoor storage and gravel surfacing.

The Commission recommended approval of Carr's Tree Service's IUPs and variances with added conditions, including a minimum 16-foot driveway, a buffer-yard variance application, a new City Council public hearing, a maximum one-acre gravel area unless stormwater ponding requirements are met, pavement for 130 feet from the property line, a revised site plan showing buffer avoidance, turning radius and pile locations, and removal of logs, brush, woodchips, vehicles, machinery and equipment when the site is vacated.

Recommended approval with added conditions and a new City Council public hearing.

Carr's Tree Service outdoor storage IUP and variances

Approved with conditions

p. 5p. 5

AI-006Phases Two and Three Brand Name Storage

Public hearing for Phase Two and Three Brand Name Storage CUP, site plan, minor subdivision, and setback variance.

The Brand Name Storage public hearing was opened and continued to the March meeting because revised plans were not submitted in time. During that item, the Commission also passed a 3-1 motion asking the City Council to have staff investigate storage-unit moratoriums.

The hearing was opened and continued to the March meeting because revised plans were not submitted in time.

Brand Name Storage phases two and three
storage unit moratorium discussion

Continued

p. 2p. 6

AI-007Planning & Zoning Commission Policy

Discussion of Planning and Zoning Commission policy.

The Commission reviewed proposed changes to its policy and code-of-conduct documents, including quorum language, order of business, agenda packet timing, staggered terms, residency language, staff attendance confirmation, compensation language, and future training and vacancy processes.

The Commission reviewed proposed policy changes; the minutes record discussion but no final P&Z vote.

Planning and Zoning Commission policy

Discussion only

p. 2p. 6

AI-008Upcoming project: Volunteers of America

Upcoming project: Volunteers of America, 22426 St. Francis Blvd.

The Commission briefly reviewed upcoming projects: Volunteers of America, CST Industrial Subdivision and Development, and the Dryden minor lot split.

Listed under upcoming projects and discussed briefly.

Volunteers of America

Discussion only

PDFp. 8

AI-009Upcoming project: CST Industrial Subdivision & Development

Upcoming project: CST Industrial Subdivision & Development, St. Francis Blvd.

The Commission briefly reviewed upcoming projects: Volunteers of America, CST Industrial Subdivision and Development, and the Dryden minor lot split.

Listed under upcoming projects and discussed briefly.

CST Industrial Subdivision and Development

Discussion only

p. 2p. 8

AI-010Upcoming project: Dryden Minor Subdivision

Upcoming project: Dryden Minor Subdivision, 6700 Viking Blvd.

The Commission briefly reviewed upcoming projects: Volunteers of America, CST Industrial Subdivision and Development, and the Dryden minor lot split.

Listed under upcoming projects and discussed briefly.

Dryden minor subdivision

Discussion only

p. 2p. 8

AI-011Motion to adjourn

Adjournment.

Adjournment motion made and seconded; meeting adjourned at 9:45 PM.

meeting administration

Approved

PDFp. 8

Motions and votes

8 motions on the record. Split votes are highlighted.

MOT-001Motion by Pearo; 2nd by Schiller to approve tonight's meeting agenda of February 23, 2021.

moved by Pearo, seconded by Schiller

Passed

YDale Ames
YKelly Pearo
YHarold Jorgensen
YRobert Schiller

p. 1p. 1

MOT-002Motion by Ames; 2nd by Jorgensen to approve the Planning & Zoning Meeting Minutes of January 26, 2021.

Exact transcript text

Motion by Ames; 2nd by Jorgensen to approve the Planning & Zoning Meeting Minutes of January 26, 2021.

moved by Ames, seconded by Jorgensen

Passed

YDale Ames
YKelly Pearo
YHarold Jorgensen
YRobert Schiller

p. 1p. 1

MOT-003Ames made the motion to approve the Cote Lot Reconfiguration and Flag Lot Conditional Use Permit, eliminating CUP Condition 1 and changing CUP Condition 5 to be 20 feet on either side of the wetland, and waive the Lot Split/Reconfiguration Park & Trail dedication and paving/curbing requirements.

Exact transcript text

Ames made the motion to approve the Cote Lot Reconfiguration and Flag Lot Conditional Use Permit, eliminating CUP Condition 1 and changing CUP Condition 5 to be 20 feet on either side of the wetland, and waive the Lot Split/Reconfiguration Park & Trail dedication and paving/curbing requirements.

moved by Ames, seconded by Schiller

Passed

YDale Ames
YKelly Pearo
YHarold Jorgensen
YRobert Schiller

p. 3p. 1

MOT-004Pearo made the motion to adopt the Findings of Fact and Recommendations as written.

Exact transcript text

Pearo made the motion to adopt the Findings of Fact and Recommendations as written

moved by Pearo, seconded by Jorgensen

Passed

YDale Ames
YKelly Pearo
YHarold Jorgensen
YRobert Schiller

p. 4p. 1

MOT-005Pearo made a motion to approve all the above recommended changes with the Findings and Recommendations as they are written, provided those changes are added, and it should be brought to the City Council at a new Public Hearing for final approval.

Exact transcript text

Pearo made a motion to approve all the above recommended changes with the Findings and Recommendations as they are written, provided those changes are added, and it should be brought to the City Council at a new Public Hearing for final approval.

moved by Pearo, seconded by Schiller

Passed

YDale Ames
YKelly Pearo
YHarold Jorgensen
YRobert Schiller

p. 5p. 1

MOT-006Motion by Jorgensen to continue this meeting to the March meeting.

Exact transcript text

Motion by Jorgensen to continue this meeting to the March meeting

moved by Jorgensen, seconded by Schiller

Passed

p. 6

MOT-007Jorgensen made a motion to have City Council have staff investigate storage units moratoriums.

Exact transcript text

Jorgensen made a motion to have City Council have staff investigate storage units moratoriums

moved by Jorgensen, seconded by Ames

PassedSplit vote

YJorgensen
YAmes
YSchiller
NPearo

p. 6

MOT-008Motion to adjourn by Pearo.

Exact transcript text

Motion to adjourn by Pearo

moved by Pearo, seconded by Schiller

Passed

Meeting adjourned at 9:45 PM.

p. 8

Prior history on this business

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

*Part of this was continued from the January meeting. Revised plans were not submitted in time for review prior to the February meeting.

What this is about
Brand Name Storage had been continued from the January meeting and lacked revised plans for February review.

p. 6

Related history

The records I searched do not contain a prior discussion or decision matching this recollection about Brand Name Storage being continued from a January meeting or lacking revised plans for February review. The only January 2026 result found was for setting 2026 City Council and Planning and Zoning meeting dates at the January 13, 2026 meeting. The other results relate to unrelated applications or packet materials, including cannabis licensing materials and other property requests.

Apr 14, 2026Describe specific procedures for how your business will ensure proper designation of authorized personnel for protocols
Mar 24, 2026Describe specific procedures for how your business will ensure proper designation of authorized personnel for protocols
Apr 14, 2026# Minnesota Adult-Use Cannabis: Inventory Control, Storage, and Diversion Prevention Standard Operating Procedure (SOP)
Mar 24, 2026### Minnesota Adult-Use Cannabis: Inventory Control, Storage, and Diversion Prevention Standard Operating Procedure (SOP
Apr 28, 20265\. The use of the Property has now been changed to programs for the residential treatment and support for children and

Jorgensen disagreed, as Coon Rapids has a moratorium on storage units. It's all in the legal notices.

— Jorgensen

What this is about
Jorgensen referred to Coon Rapids having a storage-unit moratorium while urging Nowthen to look into the same issue.

p. 6

Related history

The records I searched do not contain a prior Nowthen discussion or decision confirming Jorgensen’s recollection that Coon Rapids had adopted a moratorium on storage units, nor do they include the referenced Coon Rapids legal notice. The search results returned unrelated Nowthen packet materials from March–May 2026, such as public safety reports and resolutions on prosecution services, hazard mitigation, personnel policy, and the farmers market, but nothing about storage-unit moratoriums.

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
May 12, 2026CITY OF NOWTHEN </figure> Council Meeting Location: Historic Townhall 19800 Nowthen Blvd NW Nowthen MN, 55330 ## RESOLUT
Mar 10, 2026## BACKGROUND AND SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION: Dear Nowthen City Council, On behalf of the Nowthen Heritage Festival Commit

Ames pointed out that the Council voted in December, 2020, to change the Commission from a seven (7) member body to a five (5) member body. In January, 2021, the Council voted to go back to what it was previously, a seven (7) member body.

— Ames

What this is about
Ames recalled recent City Council votes changing the size of the Planning Commission and then changing it back.

p. 7

Related history

The records I searched do not contain the December 2020 or January 2021 City Council votes Ames recalled changing the Planning Commission from seven members to five and then back to seven. The available search results do not include minutes or an ordinance from those dates confirming either action or the vote outcomes. The closest related record is later: at the March 10, 2026 meeting, the Council packet included an ordinance amendment related to the Planning Commission’s composition, eligibility, terms, and interview process. The packet language states the Planning Commission “shall consist of seven members,” and the ordinance summary says the Council adopted the amendment on March 10, 2026, but the search result does not show a roll-call vote.

Mar 10, 2026<figure> CITY OF NOWTHEN </figure> # REQUEST FOR COUNCIL ACTION <table> <tr> <th>Agenda Item:</th> <th>Department:</th>
Feb 24, 2026#### RECOMMENDATION ON PLANNING COMMISSION MEMBER SELECTION PROCESS. The commission discussed establishing a
Mar 10, 2026##### Viking Estates - Grant Rademacher · An application for a comprehensive plan amendment, rezoning, preliminary plat,
Mar 10, 2026# CITY OF NOWTHEN ANOKA COUNTY STATE OF MINNESOTA # AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE CITY OF NOWTHEN CITY CODE RELATED TO THE P
Apr 14, 2026### Development Applications in Review Palomino Estates -- Kyle Roessler - 20930 St. Francis Blvd. · An application for

DHS (Heather & Paula), said they won't have anything public until mid to late March. The CUP is on hold until possibly April.

What this is about
Volunteers of America was described as on hold for a possible April CUP after recent meetings and pending DHS information.

p. 8

Related history

The records show a partial match to this recollection. Volunteers of America’s Bar None campus CUP matter appears in the April 28, 2026 Planning and Zoning Commission packet. The packet included proposed findings for an Amended Conditional Use Permit for a state-licensed residential treatment facility and on-site education services, noting that VOA said it had operated on the property for more than 70 years, but that no original CUP or land-use approval had been located in City or Anoka County records. The April 28, 2026 materials also state that the Planning Commission held a public hearing on the Amended CUP and included draft approval conditions for a 9-building campus serving up to 40 children/adolescents. The searched records do not show the earlier “Heather & Paula” DHS update, the mid-to-late March timing, or a recorded decision to place the CUP “on hold,” but they do support that the VOA CUP matter came forward in late April.

Apr 28, 2026CASWELL ENGINEERING CO. ENGINEERS & LAND SURVEYORS ## BIRCHWOOD ANOKA COUNTY, MINNESOTA KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS:
Apr 28, 2026PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION MEETING: April 28, 2026 FINDINGS: Based upon review of the Application and evidence recei
May 12, 2026<figure> ® berganKDV ® </figure> # Minnesota Legal Compliance Independent Auditor's Report Honorable Mayor and Members o
Apr 28, 2026## EXHIBIT B TO CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT APPLICATION ### Narrative for Conditional Use Permit Application Volunteers of Am
Apr 14, 2026<figure> CITY OF NOWTHEN </figure> # REQUEST FOR COUNCIL ACTION <table> <tr> <th>Agenda Item:</th> <th>Department:</th>

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

Where this came up before

Sources