04-14-2021 Workshop Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

MINUTES OF THE WORKSHOP MEETING CITY COUNCIL LITTLE CANADA, MINNESOTA APRIL 14, 2021 Pursuant to due call and notice thereof a Workshop meeting of the City Council of Little Canada, Minnesota was convened on the 14th day of April, 2021 in the Conference Room of the City Center located at 515 Little Canada Road in said City. In accordance with the requirements of Minn. Stat. Section 13D. 021, the City Administrator has determined that an in person meeting is not practical or prudent because of a health pandemic or an emergency declared under Chapter 12 of the Minnesota Statutes. Because of the health pandemic and emergency declaration, it has been determined that attendance at the regular meeting location by elected officials and members of the public is not feasible. Therefore, some or all of the City Council members may be participating by telephone or other electronic means. This meeting will be recorded in its entirety. Members of the public may monitor the meeting on the CTV North Suburbs website (live stream) or use the meeting link provided on the city website prior to the meeting. Mayor John Keis called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m. and the following members of the City Council were present at roll call: CITY COUNCIL: Mayor Keis, Council Members Fischer, Torkelson, McGraw & Miller. Absent: None. ALSO PRESENT: City Administrator Chris Heineman, Parks & Rec/Community Services Manager Bryce Shearen, Public Works Director Bill Dircks, Community Development Director Corrin Wendell, Finance Director Brenda Malinowski, City Clerk/HR Manager Heidi Heller, Bill Weber with Weber Community Planning and Mark Kasma with Bolton & Menk DISCUSS ZONING CODE UPDATE The Community Development Director provided a summary of the progress so far, the objectives of the update and the proposed major changes to the zoning code. She reported that she has talked to several business owners in the city, and reviewed the comments that she has received. Torkelson stated that he would like to see a shaded map or a parcel count to see how many properties the zoning changes would actually affect. Mr. Weber stated he should be able to do that. Fischer asked why there is a proposal to not allow the garages to be in front of the house since at least half of the existing homes in the city are set up that way now and there is very little opportunity for new development. Miller asked if this was only for aesthetic design. Mr. Weber stated it is aesthetic and helps soften the street views, but noted that it would only affect a small number of properties. He stated that front porches are also encouraged and an added front porch could encroach into the front setback with the updated zoning code.