HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-06-16 PC
PLANNING COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING AGENDA
June 16, 2021 - 7:00 P.M.
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1. Call to Order
2. Roll Call
3. Special Order of Business
A. (none)
4. Citizens Requests and Comments Relating to Planning and Zoning Issues
Not Already on the Agenda. (Before speaking, please give your full name and
address for the record.)
5. Planning Cases
A. Resolution 1134-21, Recommending Approval of Ordinance 976, Adopting
the Recodification of the Mounds View Municipal Code and Updating the
City’s 2021 Fee Schedule Other Planning Activity
B. Discussion – Sign Ordinance (verbal)
6. Reports
A. Upcoming Planning Cases & Activity
B. Staff Updates
C. Council Updates
D. Planning Commissioner Reports
7. Approval of Minutes: May 5, 2021
8. Next Planning Commission Meetings:
A. Wednesday, July 7, 2021
B. Wednesday, July 21, 2021
9. Meeting Conclusion
The Mounds View Vision
A Thriving Desirable Community
Item No: 05A
Meeting Date: Jun 16, 2021
Type of Business: Planning Case
Planning Case: (N/A)
City of Mounds View Staff Report
To: Planning Commission
From: Jon Sevald, Community Development Director
Item Title/Subject: Resolution 1134-21, Recommending Approval of Ordinance 976,
Adopting the Recodification of the Mounds View Municipal Code
and Updating the City’s 2021 Fee Schedule
Introduction:
The City is codifying the City Code from a paper format to an online format, including minor
code amendments and re-numbering of sections. Because this includes amendments to the
Zoning Code, the Planning Commission is requested to provide a recommendation for approval.
Discussion:
Currently, the City Code is in PDF form (1,037 pages), plus 68 addendums. The addendums
make it difficult for Staff, and nearly impossible for the general public to find current language
unless they know where to look. For example, the current Rental Ordinance is not in the City
Code, but in Ordinance 971 (addendum), which the general public would not know without
searching through the 68 addendums. The new version is internet based (link), with an easily
searchable format, and ability to print or save as a PDF. Code amendments will be updated
more regularly. The City Attorney has provided a summary of proposed amendments (see
attached). Specific to zoning, the current Code references outdated MN Statutes. This
amendment updates the Code to current Statute numbers.
Analysis:
Amendments to the Zoning Code, requires a recommendation from the Planning Commission.1
Strategic Plan Strategy/Goal:
N/A
Financial Impact:
$22,358 (fee to American Legal for codification)
Recommendation:
Staff recommends approval. The City Council will conduct a Public Hearing on July 12, 2021.
Respectfully,
Jon Sevald, AICP
Community Development Director
ATTACHMENTS
Summary
Resolution 1134-21
1 City Code, Section 112.01, Subd 1(a) (Request for Amendments)
Item 05A; Res 1134-21
Attachment 1
Page 1 of 3
DOCSOPEN-MU210-54-720885.v2-5/24/21
The follow is a general summary of the amendments to the Mounds View Municipal Code (the
“Code”) that are contained in the recodification which has been presented to the City Council
for adoption pursuant to Ordinance 976. These amendments were determined necessary based
on extensive code review and careful consideration by staff and consultants that has taken
numerous months to complete.
1. The Code is proposed to be amended by reorganizing, combining, renaming, and renumbering
titles throughout the Code as recommended by the City’s third-party codifier, American Legal
Publishing. The proposed new title format, which staff agrees with, is as follows:
Title I General Provisions
Title III Administration
Title V Public Works
Title VII Traffic Code
Title IX General Regulations
Title XI Business Regulations
Title XIII General Offenses
Title XV Land Usage
Table of Special Ordinance
2. The Code is proposed to be amended with the language “as they may be amended from time
to time” after various citations to statutes or rules so that future amendments to such laws or
rules will become part of the Code.
3. All monetary figures, e.g. dollar amounts for fees and fines, are proposed to be replaced with the
phrase “as approved by ordinance”, and are proposed to be included in the City’s fee schedule
moving forward. Said fee schedule is adopted annually by the City and so moving forward, changes
to said monetary figures would efficiently occur by amending the fee schedule rather than by
amending various sections of the Code. For that same reason, it is further proposed that those
instances where the phrase “as approved by resolution” appears be replaced with “per the City's
approved fee schedule.”
4. To maintain consistency throughout the City Code, certain titles or departments are proposed to
be renamed to establish consistency with current city titles and departments. Although other
clean-up might have occurred, said amendments include the following:
a) The terms City Administrator, City Clerk and City Clerk-Administrator are proposed to be
replaced with the term City Administrator.
b) The terms Finance Director/Treasurer and Treasurer are proposed to be replaced with Finance
Director.
c) The terms Park and Recreation Department, Parks or Recreation Division are proposed to be
replaced with Parks and Recreation Department.
d) The terms Public Works Director or Public Works Director/City Engineer are proposed to be
replaced with Director of Public Works/Parks and Recreation.
e) All references to zoning district designations are proposed to include a hyphen between the
letter and number (for example, R-1, R-2, etc.).
f) The terms Building Official or Building Inspector are proposed to be replaced with the term
Authority Having Jurisdiction.
g) All references to the Redemption Fund are proposed to be replaced with the term Debt
Service Fund.
h) The term Community Service Officer is proposed to be replaced with Police Officer.
Item 05A; Res 1134-21
Attachment 1
Page 2 of 3
2
i) The term handicapped is proposed to be replaced with disabled.
j) All noted grammatical errors, spelling errors, typos and font size errors are proposed to be
corrected, as needed.
k) All noted references to outdated statutory references are proposed to be replaced with
applicable and current statutory references.
l) All outdated A.S.T.M standard specification numbers are proposed to be replaced with
updated numbers.
m) All references to dates are proposed to be replaced with a standardized format (MM-DD-
YYYY).
n) The terms comprehensive storm drainage plan of the municipality or Local Water
Management Plan are proposed to be replaced with the term Local Surface Water
Management Plan.
o) The references to the International Property Maintenance Code are proposed to be replaced
with reference to the 2018 version of said International Property Maintenance Code.
5. Chapter 406 of the current Code, which established the Mounds View Festivities Commission,
is proposed to be removed and repealed.
6. Requirements for bid advertisements for public improvements are proposed to be amended to
reference the City’s purchasing policy, which follows statutory requirements.
7. The current Code provisions related to City repairs of water service line leaks in section 906.06
are proposed to be amended to specify in more detail when such repairs may be made.
8. A new section 51.011 regarding unsafe water connections is proposed to be added to the Code
to prohibit and prevent backflow and/or contamination of the City’s water system.
9. The sewer construction requirements are proposed to be amended to update said requirements to
current standards.
10. The current Code reference to disorderly conduct, i.e. disturbing the peace, is proposed to be
removed due to recent case law and general inclusion of such violations in state law.
11. The peddlers and solicitors chapter is proposed to be amended to clarify that persons engaging
in door-to-door advocacy are not required to obtain a permit or register with the city as a solicitor.
12. The City’s curfew chapter is proposed to be amended to establish certain bona fide exceptions
to the city’s curfew. It also is proposed to include certain responsibilities on parents and
guardians of minors and on operators of places of amusement, entertainment, or refreshment
related to such curfews.
13. The following amendments are proposed to be made to the city’s zoning regulations: (i) section
1103.10 of the current code related to smoke, dust, and odors is proposed to be revised to only
reference the requirements in Minnesota Rules Chapters 7001 through 7028, as amended; (ii)
section 1103.11 of the current code related to noise is proposed to be revised by replacing the
reference to Minnesota’s NPC 1-4 Regulations with a reference to the requirements in Minnesota
Item 05A; Res 1134-21
Attachment 1
Page 3 of 3
3
Rules Chapter 7030, as amended; (iii) the 120-square-foot threshold in section 1106.03, subd.
1(b) of the current code related to accessory building separation requirements in the R-1 district
is proposed to be modified to a 200-square-foot threshold; (iv) the one-person threshold for
boarding or renting of rooms as an allowed accessory use in the R-1 district, contained in section
1106.03, subd. 6 of the current code, is proposed to be increased to a two-person threshold; and
(v) the illustrations related to accessory dwelling units in the R-1 district, contained in sections
1106.03 and 1106.04 of the current code, are proposed to be replaced with revised illustrations
to better depict the code requirements.
14. The city’s fire regulations are proposed to be updated to add the following definition for “limiting
access” in regard to ignition devices: “Limiting access means placing ignition devices behind
sales counters out of reach of children or for items used for cooking or work placing on the top
shelf of the display rack.”
15. The city’s sign regulations are proposed to be revised to be consistent with state law and the non-
commercial sign language in Minnesota Statutes, section 211B.045, which apply statewide.
16. The tables contained in the Code are proposed to be updated to include all special ordinances
that are not otherwise codified in their entirety, e.g. house and building number changes, street
name changes and vacation, and rezonings.
Res 1134-21
Page 1 of 5
1
MU210-54-693801.v1
MOUNDS VIEW PLANNING COMMISSION
RESOLUTION 1134.21
CITY OF MOUNDS VIEW
COUNTY OF RAMSEY
STATE OF MINNESOTA
A RESOLUTION RECOMMENDING APPROVAL OF ORDINANCE 976,
AN ORDINANCE ADOPTING THE RECODIFICATION OF THE MOUNDS VIEW
MUNICIPAL CODE AND UPDATING THE CITY’S 2021 FEE SCHEDULE
THE CITY OF MOUNDS VIEW ORDAINS:
ARTICLE I. Authority. Minnesota Statutes, sections 415.02, 415.021, and 599.13 (collectively the
“Act”) and the Mounds View City Charter, section 3.04 et seq. authorize the City of Mounds View
(the “City”) to adopt and codify ordinances. The Act also provides that any ordinance included in a
new city code, but not previously published, is sufficiently published if a substantial quantity of the
code is printed for general distribution to the public.
ARTICLE II. Background. At the direction of the Mounds View City Council, City staff and
consultants undertook an extensive process to review and update the Mounds View City Code with
the understanding that once all the amendments were finalized, they would be incorporated into a new
code book, which would be reformatted and readopted as a single unified Mounds View City Code.
The general purpose of the recodification is not to implement or incorporate substantive revisions
to local laws and policies, but rather to remove outdated and unnecessary code language, reformat
the code, update staff titles, and modernize the code to conform to current City practices and state
law, as necessary. There were, however, a limited number of substantive amendments that were made
due to staff’s determination that such amendments were warranted and it was most efficient to
accomplish said amendments during this process. The updated code has been prepared and it is the
intent of this ordinance to adopt said recodification, which is entitled The Mounds View Municipal
Code (the “Code”). Because it incorporates a small amount of changes to the City’s current zoning
ordinance, the planning commission has reviewed and provided a recommendation, pursuant to state
and local law, and the City Council held a duly noticed public hearing regarding such changes on
June 28, 2021. A complete copy of the Code has been presented to the City Council and the public
together with this ordinance and is further on file with the City Clerk and available on the City’s
website. Additionally, a separate document summarizing the changes that were made to the previous
code has also been made available to the City Council and the public with this ordinance and is further
on file with the City Clerk and the City’s website.
ARTICLE III. Adoption. Pursuant to the City’s authority contained in the Act and in the Mounds
View City Charter, the Code is hereby adopted.
Res 1134-21
Page 2 of 5
2
MU210-54-693801.v1
ARTICLE IV. Copies. The City Clerk is authorized and directed to prepare sufficient copies of the
Code for use by the City Council and City staff and for general distribution to the public in accordance
with any City policies regarding the distribution and availability of City documents. The City Clerk
shall also keep an official copy of the Code in the office of the City Clerk and ensure that a copy is
available online or otherwise through the City’s website.
ARTICLE V. Effect. The Code shall be controlling and shall supersede and replace previously
adopted ordinances pertaining to the same subjects contained within the Code, which are hereby
repealed as of the effective date of this ordinance. Such repeal shall not affect: (i) any offense
committed, penalty incurred, or process initiated or understaken under the previous code; (ii) any
rights vested prior to the effective date of this ordinance; or (iii) the provisions of ordinances levying
taxes, appropriating money, annexing or detaching territory, establishing franchises, granting special
rights to certain persons, authorizing public improvements, authorizing the issuance of bonds or
borrowing of money, authorizing the purchase or sale of real or personal property, granting or
accepting easements, plat or dedication of land to public use; or vacating or setting the boundaries
of streets or other public places. Furthermore, nothing in this ordinance or the Code is to be
construed to modify, abrogate or abridge: (i) the rights, duties, liabilities, privileges or immunities of
the City; (ii) the qualifications or terms of office of City officers as they existed prior to adoption; or
(iii) any special ordinance or franchise not embodied in the Code. The Code is declared to be prima
facie evidence of the law of the City and shall be received in evidence as provided by Minnesota
Statutes by the courts of the State of Minnesota.
ARTICLE VI. General Penalty. Unless another penalty is expressly provided in the Code, every
person convicted of a violation of any provision of the Code or any ordinance, rule or regulation
adopted or issued in pursuance thereof may be punished for a misdemeanor violation, as defined
in state law, and with a fine and/or incarceration up to the maximum permitted or required by law.
Each act of violation and each day upon which any such violation shall continue or occur shall
constitute a separate offense. The penalty provided herein, unless another penalty is expressly
provided in the Code, shall apply to the amendment of any Code section, whether or not such
penalty is reenacted in the amendatory ordinance. In addition to the penalty prescribed above, the
City Council may pursue other remedies, including without limitation, abatement of nuisances,
injunctive relief and revocation of licenses or permits.
ARTICLE VII. Amendments. Additions or amendments to the Code when passed in such form
as to indicate the intention of the City Council to make the same part of the Code shall be deemed
to be incorporated in the Code in so that reference to the Mounds View Municipal Code includes
such additions and amendments.
ARTICLE VIII. Corrections. Given the size of this project and refinements made as part of the
Code, the City Council recognizes the Code may contain certain errors, such as cross-references
to changed subsections, typographical errors, and other non-substantive matters that may be
discovered once the Code is placed into use. The City Council hereby authorizes the City Clerk
to work with city consultants, as necessary, to make any non-substantive corrections to the Code
as may be needed upon discovery. Such corrected provisions shall be incorporated in and made
part of the official Mounds View Municipal Code without further action by the City Council.
Res 1134-21
Page 3 of 5
3
MU210-54-693801.v1
ARTICLE IX. Updated Fee Schedule. As part of the recodification contemplated herein, City
staff also reviewed various fees that were previously expressed within the code. References to such
fees were replaced with reference to the City of Mounds View’s Fee Schedule, which shall hereby
be amended by adding the fees contained on the attached Exhibit A.
ARTICLE X. Summary Publication. In accordance with the Mounds View City Charter, section
3.07, the City Council determines that publication of the title and a summary of this ordinance
would clearly inform the public of its intent and effect, and so City staff shall have the following
summary printed in the official City newspaper in lieu of the complete ordinance:
ORDINANCE NO. 976
AN ORDINANCE ADOPTING THE RECODIFICATION OF THE MOUNDS VIEW
MUNICIPAL CODE AND UPDATING THE CITY’S 2021 FEE SCHEDULE
On July 12, 2021, the Mounds View City Council adopted Ordinance No. 976 which
approves and adopts a recodification of the City’s ordinances. City staff and consultants
undertook an extensive process to review and update the Mounds View Municipal Code
so that the City’s ordinances could be incorporated into a new code book, which was
reformatted as a single unified Mounds View Municipal Code. The general purpose of the
recodification was to remove outdated and unnecessary code language, reformat the code,
update staff titles, and modernize the code to conform to current City practices and state
law, as necessary. Additionally, a limited number of substantive revisions were made,
which can be summarized as follows: (i) the previous chapter establishing the Mounds
View Festivities Commission was repealed; (ii) a new subsection establishing a prohibition
on unsafe water connections was added; (iii) the peddlers and solicitors chapter was
amended to clarify that persons engaging in door-to-door advocacy are not required to
obtain a permit or register with the city as a solicitor; (iv) the curfew chapter was amended
to include certain exceptions and impose responsibilities on parents, guardians, and
operators of places of amusement, entertainment, or refreshment; (v) section 1103.10 of
the previous code related to smoke, dust, and odors was revised to reference the
requirements in Minnesota Rules Chapters 7001 through 7028, as amended; (vi) section
1103.11 of the previous code related to noise was revised by replacing the reference to
Minnesota’s NPC 1-4 Regulations with a reference to the requirements in Minnesota Rules
Chapter 7030, as amended; (vii) the 120-square-foot threshold in section 1106.03, subd.
1(b) of the previous code related to accessory building separation requirements in the R-1
district was modified to a 200-square-foot threshold; (viii) the one-person threshold for
boarding or renting of rooms as an allowed accessory use in the R-1 district, contained in
section 1106.03, subd. 6 of the previous code, was increased to a two-person threshold; (x)
the illustrations related to accessory dwelling units in the R-1 district, contained in sections
1106.03 and 1106.04 of the previous code, were replaced with revised illustrations; (xi) a
definition for the term “limiting access” was established in the city’s fire regulations; and
(xii) the city’s special ordinance tables were updated to include all such special ordinances.
Prior to adoption, a complete copy of the new Mounds View Municipal Code and a separate
document summarizing all amendments to the previous code was presented to the City
Council and the public and was further on file with the City Clerk and made available for
Res 1134-21
Page 4 of 5
4
MU210-54-693801.v1
viewing on the City’s website.
Printed copies of the new Mounds View Municipal Code, as adopted by Ordinance No.
976, are available for inspection and general distribution to the public during regular
business hours at Mounds View City Hall. It can also be viewed online through the City’s
website: www.moundsviewmn.org.
ARTICLE XI. Effective Date. This ordinance and the Code, as presented to the City Council
and the public and made available for inspection in accordance with law, shall take effect and be in
force 30 days from and after its passage and publication, in accordance with Section 3.09 of the City
Charter (the “Effective Date”). Ordinances adopted after the Effective Date that amend or refer to
the Code shall be construed as if they amend or refer to like provisions of said Code.
Introduction and First Reading by the Mounds View City Council on June 28, 2021.
Second Reading and Adoption by the Mounds View City Council on July 12, 2021.
Publication Date: __________________, 2021.
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that the Planning and Zoning Commission directs Staff to forward
this Resolution to the City Council prior to approval of the minutes.
Adopted this 16th day of June, 2021
Gary Rundle
Chair
Attest:
______________________________
Jon Sevald
Community Development Director
(SEAL)
Res 1134-21
Page 5 of 5
5
MU210-54-693801.v1
EXHIBIT A
FEES TO BE ADDED TO THE 2021 FEE SCHEDULE
1. Maintenance-related fire service for property owners: $250 per occurrence
2. Appeal of public improvements bond: $250 (MN State Statutes 429.036)
3. Lawful gambling premises permit investigation fee: $100
4. Pawnbrokers – failure to provide daily report to law enforcement: $50/day
5. Adult establishment annual license fee: $2,500
6. Adult establishment investigation fee: $500 per person identified on the application as an
owner, operator or manager. If it appears that the investigative costs will exceed $500,
the City Administrator shall notify the applicant and give the applicant an estimate of
costs. The applicant either shall make an additional deposit equal to the difference
between $500 and the total estimate or may withdraw the application.
7. Providing an ignition device to or in the possession of a minor: not less than $50 but no
more than $200
Low High Area Height Area Height Day Night
Arden Hills CR 51 (Lexington)13,700 21,900 100'16'80'prohib.40'8'---
CR 10 19,100 20,400
CR 14 (Main St)13,700 22,100
MN 51 (University Av 4,700 22,800
MN 65 (Central Ave)42,300 58,000
MN 65 (Central Ave)42,300 58,000 180'50'
CR 10 (Coon Rapids B 12,800 31,000 200' static +
64' dynamic
(if less than
15ac lot)
20' - 36',
depending
on sign
area
40 sf or 10%, up
to 200 sf
64'-15W
CR 14 (Main St)11,500 31,500
MN 47 (University Av 23,100 32,500
(47 & 65 w/i retail --80'25'
MN 65 (Central Ave)27,000 31,500 80'25'
Mounds View CR 10 (Mounds View 21,500 26,000 200'16'100'50'7,500 500 8
New Brighton CR 44 (Silver Lake Rd)10,900 22,300 64'20'40% of wall area,
or 200',
whichever is less
100%7,000 500 8
Roseville CR 51 (Snelling)31,500 38,000 200'25'1.5' per 1' of wall
width
100%5,000 500 25
CR 51 (Lexington)13,700 21,900 50' - 150',
depending
on size of
building
10' - 20',
depending
on size of
building
5% - 10% of wall
area, depending
on size of
building (min 40
sf & max 500 sf
50% or 50',
whichever is less
Co Rd 96 20,600 22,900
Spring Lake Park CR 10 19,100 22,300 30% of bldg
width
25'30% of bldg
width
35%--20 min
CR 96 19,900 30,500 80'20'25% of wall area
US 61 17,100 34,000 200'40'10% of wall area
CR 96 15,900 30,500
US 61 17,100 34,000
5 min
8
8
4
Avg Daily Traffic Ground
Menu Board
DynamicWall
Size (SF or % of
total sign area)
-
-
Based on Riverdale master sign plan
5,000 500
0.3 fc above ambiant
ligh level, measured
from √(sign area X 100)
Req Comprehensive Sign Plan, for multi-tennant buildings
Brightness (nits)Min Duration
(seconds)
8
8
0.3 fc above ambiant
ligh level, measured
from √(sign area X 100)
-
10%, or 80',
whichever is less Not specifically
regulated
Single-tennant: 10%
of front wall area +
5% of side wall area,
not to exceed XX sq ft,
based on size of
building. Single-
Tenant: 7% of wall
area, up to 80 sq ft.
-
35'10'70% or 25 sq ft,
whichever is less
32'6'
Owners req to submit sign plan to City by (date?) for approval. Others are
non-conforming, may be replaced but not enlarged.
15X √ of wall
length 100%Not specifically
regulated
140'14'
Not specifically
regulated
Not specifically
regulated
Not specifically
regulated
Based on
Comprehensiv
e Sign Plan
Not specifically
regulated
Not specifically
regulated
10%, or 200 sf,
whchevr smlr
100%50'10'
White Bear Lake
Coon Rapids
StreetCity
Fridley
Shoreview
Vadnais Heights
Blaine
DRAFT
PROCEEDINGS OF THE MOUNDS VIEW PLANNING COMMISSION
CITY OF MOUNDS VIEW
RAMSEY COUNTY, MINNESOTA
Regular Meeting
May 5, 2021
Mounds View City Hall
2401 Mounds View Boulevard, Mounds View, MN 55112
______________________________________________________________________________
1. Call to Order
The meeting was called to order by Chair Rundle at 7:03 p.m. for May 5, 2021. Due to the
COVID-19 pandemic this meeting was held virtually.
2. Roll Call
Members Present: Commissioners Farmer, Monn, Nelson, and Rundle.
Absent and Excused: Commissioners French, Munson and Stevenson.
Also Present: Community Development Director Jon Sevald, City Administrator Nyle
Zikmund and Council Member Gary Meehlhause.
______________________________________________________________________________
Index to Minutes Page
Resolution 1133-21, Recommending Approval of Ordinance 976, 2
Amending the Mounds View Municipal Code, Chapters 114 and 115,
Relating to Drive-In and Convenience Food Establishments
Discuss – Sign Ordinance 3
Approval of Minutes 5
3. Special Order of Business
None.
4. Citizens Requests and Comments on Items Not on the Agenda
None.
______________________________________________________________________________
Mounds View Planning Commission May 5, 2021
Regular Meeting Page 2
________________________________________________________________________
5. Planning Cases
A. Resolution 1133-32, Recommending Approval of Ordinance 976 Amending
the Mounds View Municipal Code, Chapters 114 and 115, Relating to Drive-
In and Convenience Food Establishments
Community Development Director Sevald explained El Loro Restaurant, 2535 Mounds View
Boulevard, has been vacant since 2017. The property is zoned B-4 Regional Business, which
prohibits drive-thru restaurants. Paster Properties (owner) has had some interest from fast-food
restaurants. The topic was discussed by the City Council’s Development Committee, which
favored allowing a drive-thru. This was further discussed during the City Council’s April 5th
Work Session regarding Development Opportunities and Constraints. The City’s intent is to
remove zoning constraints (when warranted) that may be prohibiting redevelopment
opportunities. Staff commented further on the request and recommended approval of Ordinance
976.
Commissioner Monn stated she supported the request but noted there was a lot of traffic at this
corner. She discussed how difficult it was to enter and exit the area when visiting Aldi. She
asked if the City had a drive-thru request under consideration. Community Development
Director Sevald reported the City does not have a request at this time, but was planning for a
future use. He commented further on the access points for the property at 2535 Mounds View
Boulevard. He explained staff was recommending drive-thrus be a conditional use.
Commissioner Nelson supported drive-thrus being a conditional use because this would require
Planning Commission and City Council review and approval. He agreed this corner had several
pinch points and he wanted to see safeguards put in place to ensure traffic flowed properly.
Commissioner Farmer requested further information regarding the differences between the B-3
and B-4 zoning districts. Community Development Director Sevald discussed the allowed uses
within the B-3 and B-4 zoning districts.
Commissioner Farmer questioned how the City reviewed traffic concerns for new projects.
Community Development Director Sevald explained the City contracted with Stantec, an
engineering firm, to review and provide comments on these matters.
MOTION/SECOND: Commissioner Nelson/Commissioner Monn. To approve Resolution
1133-21, a Resolution Recommending Approval of Ordinance 976 Amending the Mounds View
Municipal Code, Chapters 1114 and 1115, Relating to Drive-Thru Business and Convenience
Food Establishments requiring drive-thrus to be a conditional use.
A roll call vote was taken.
Ayes – 4 Nays – 0 Motion carried.
_____________________________________________________________________________
Mounds View Planning Commission May 5, 2021
Regular Meeting Page 3
________________________________________________________________________
6. Other Planning Activity
A. Discussion – Sign Ordinance
Community Development Director Sevald stated previously, the Planning Commission asked to
discuss sign regulations. At the March 3rd Commission meeting, the scope was narrowed more
toward the brightness of dynamic (digital) signs. A comparison of sign codes specific to city
corridors similar to Mounds View Boulevard, for Ground, Wall, and Dynamic signs was
reviewed with the Commission. It was noted since the March meeting, information has been
added regarding the maximum brightness of Dynamic Signs. Although Mounds View has
maximum brightness standards, we do not have a tool to enforce this (costs about $2,000).
Rather, the City requires that dynamic displays be installed with a manual override, in the event
the sign’s automated dimmer fails.
Community Development Director Sevald explained staff was not aware of any complaints about
signage (excluding temporary signs), other than complaints generated by other City Staff. The
Commission is encouraged to drive the Boulevard a few times, and provide an opinion as to what
Commission members would change, if anything. For example, if there is a most favored, or
least favored sign characteristics. One thing to note is that older signs which are nonconforming,
can be repaired or replaced, but cannot be expanded. This means that some of the lesser desirable
signs will likely stay until the property is re-developed. Also, a number of variances have been
approved for signs over the years (e.g. McDonalds, BP, & Days Inn, Interactive Playground).
Staff commented further regarding the Sign Ordinance and requested feedback from the
Commission.
Commissioner Nelson discussed how there was a need for the City to control or set regulations
for digital signs. He supported the City having requirements in place to ensure digital billboards
were not a distraction for drivers.
Councilmember Meehlhause commented on the changes that were made to the Sign Ordinance
when Messiah Lutheran Church requested an electronic message board.
Commissioner Monn recommended the Sign Ordinance be reviewed to ensure all ADA
requirements were being met. She expressed concern with the frequency of sign changes and
colors that were being used at the Mermaid sign. She questioned if digital menu boards would be
addressed under this Ordinance. Community Development Director Sevald reported this would
be the case.
Chair Rundle stated he believed the digital signs were great for local businesses because they
allowed for frequent changes. He indicated he supported businesses being allowed to have
digital signs, so long as the changes were made within a reasonable amount of time so as not to
be a distraction.
Further discussion ensued regarding temporary signs and banners in Mounds View.
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Commissioner Nelson recommended staff begin enforcing the City’s sign code with respect to
temporary signs and banners. Community Development Director Sevald recommended the City
be allowed to be lenient through the end of summer due to COVID-19.
Community Development Director Sevald thanked the Commission for their feedback and stated
he would bring this item back to the Commission at a future meeting.
7. Reports
A. Upcoming Planning Cases & Activity
Community Development Director Sevald discussed upcoming planning cases with the
Commission, which included a Caribou Cabin, and Beldon River View subdivision.
B. Staff Updates
Community Development Director Sevald provided the Commission with an update from staff.
He reported the City would have an intern this summer working two days a week to address code
enforcement matters. He explained the Community Development counter would be open at City
Hall beginning on Monday, May 10, 2021. It was noted Earth Day was held on April 22, 2021.
He thanked Commissioner Monn for her clean up efforts at Greenfield Park. He explained Arbor
Day was observed on Monday, April 26, 2021.
C. Council Updates
Council Member Meehlhause provided the Planning Commission with an update from the City
Council. He commented on the topics that were discussed by the Council at the April and May
worksession meetings. He described how staff was working to create a Parks Department. He
stated the EDA held a closed session to direct staff to sell a portion of the Skyline Motel
property. He noted the EDA then approved the sale of this land at a public meeting to BioClean.
He reported a preliminary development agreement has been approved with MWF for senior
housing and workforce housing on the Skyline Motel/Bauer property. He indicated the Council
recently updated City Code regarding home occupations. He stated the City received a clean
report on its 2020 audit from MMKR. The work on the City’s Water Treatment Plant was
discussed.
D. Planning Commissioner Reports
Chair Rundle reported the Mounds View Lions would be holding their annual garage sale at
Hillview Park on Wednesday, May 19 through Friday, May 21. He encouraged the community to
come out and show their support. Councilmember Meehlhause reported the Mounds View
Police Foundation would be serving brats and hot dogs at the garage sale on Wednesday and
Thursday for an in kind donation.
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Councilmember Meehlhause explained there would be a dog walk with the Mounds View Police
Department’s K-9s on Saturday, May 22. It was noted this event was being hosted by the
Mounds View Police Foundation and the cost to participate is $20.
8. Approval of Minutes
March 17, 2021.
MOTION/SECOND: Commissioner Farmer/Chair Rundle. To approve the Minutes of the
March 17, 2021 regular Planning Commission meetings as presented.
A roll call vote was taken.
Ayes – 4 Nays – 0 Motion carried.
9. Next Planning Commission Meeting:
A. Wednesday, May 19, 2021
B. Wednesday, June 2, 2021
10. Adjournment
There being no further business before the Planning Commission, Chair Rundle adjourned the
meeting at 8:04 p.m.
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Respectfully submitted,
Jon Sevald
Community Development Director
Transcribed by:
Heidi Guenther
Minute Maker Secretarial