HomeMy WebLinkAbout11.06.2024 Planning Commission MeetingMINUTES
CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS
PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 06, 2024
The meeting was called to order at 6:01 pm by Chair Wolfe.
CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL
Commissioners present: Eric Sahnow, Tom Kaiser, Paul Moses, Laurel Deneen, Clara Wolfe, and John
Gianoulis
Also present: Andrew Boucher, City Planner; Sarah LaVoi, Administrative Assistant; Mitch Forney,
Community Development Director; Connie Buesgens, Council Liaison.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
1. Approval of October 01, 2024 Planning Commission Meeting Minutes
Motion by Sahnow, seconded by Deneen, to approve the minutes from the meeting of October 01,
2024. All ayes. MOTION PASSED.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
2. Zoning Ordinance Amendment to amend Chapter 9 – Land Use: 9.104 Administration and
Enforcement
Introduction: Boucher stated at the August Work Session, City Council discussed code
enforcements and updates to City Code to allow for administrative code enforcement. This is based
on observations, feedback, and recommendations from staff and community members to provide a
more timely and informal resolution to code enforcement violations of the Zoning Code. Minnesota
Statute 462.362 – Enforcement and Penalty enables a municipality to, by ordinance, provide for the
enforcement of ordinances or regulations adopted; Chapter 6 – Administration of City Affairs in the
City Charter explicitly states that the City Manager has the authority to prepare and submit to the
Council for adoption an administrative code incorporating the details of administrative procedure
and suggest amendments to the same.
Boucher added at the first and second meetings in September 2024, the City Council approved the
readings of an amendment to Chapter 3: Administrative Code to allow for administrative citations
and at the first meeting in October 2024, the City Council approved an amendme nt to the fee
schedule setting the fees for the levels of citation and Hearing Examiner compensation.
Recommendation: Boucher noted Staff proposes updating the existing ordinance, Chapter 9 – Land
Use: 9.104 Administration and Enforcement (P)(3) Violations and penalties with the following
amendment:
1. Amend (P)(3) to allow for the use of administrative citations as an alternative to
enforcement of a misdemeanor processed through the Anoka County Criminal Court System
City of Columbia Heights MINUTES November 6, 2024
Planning Commission Meeting Page 2
Public Hearing Opened.
There were no public comments.
Public Hearing Closed.
Wolfe closed the public hearing.
Motion by Deneen, seconded by Gianoulis, to waive the reading of the Ordinance amendment No.
1708, there being ample copies available to the public. All ayes. MOTION PASSED.
Motion by Wolfe, seconded by Moses, to recommend to the City Council to approve draft Zoning
Ordinance Amendment No. 1708 as presented. All ayes. MOTION PASSED.
3. Site Plan Review for 999 50th Avenue NE
4. Conditional Use Permit for Over-Height Sound Barrier (Fence) at 999 50th Avenue NE
Boucher stated items 3 and 4 were removed from the Agenda because the applicant decided to
withdraw the application as they are not moving forward with the project.
OTHER BUSINESS
Forney mentioned that there would be a workshop for auto uses, and similar uses in commercial
districts in December. In addition, Staff will bring up some Code amendments that they are looking to
add.
ADJOURNMENT
Wolfe adjourned the meeting at 6:06 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
__________________________________________
Sarah LaVoie, Administrative Assistant