HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 2025/02/05
PROCEEDINGS OF THE MOUNDS VIEW PLANNING COMMISSION
CITY OF MOUNDS VIEW
RAMSEY COUNTY, MINNESOTA
APPROVED
Regular Meeting
February 5, 2025
Mounds View City Hall
2401 Mounds View Boulevard, Mounds View, MN 55112
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1. Call to Order
The meeting was called to order by Chair Farmer at 6:00 p.m. for February 5, 2025.
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2. Roll Call
Members Present: Commissioners Farmer, Larson, Nelson, Rundle, Stevenson and Urlacher.
Absent and Excused: Commissioner Munson.
Also Present: Assistant City Administrator Brian Beeman, Phil Carlson (Stantec), Joe
Sappi (Kennedy & Graven) and Council Member Sherry Gunn.
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3. Approval of Agenda
MOTION/SECOND: Commissioner Rundle/Commissioner Nelson. To approve the agenda as
presented.
Ayes – 6 Nays – 0 Motion carried.
4. Consent Agenda
A. Approval of Minutes: January 15, 2025
Chair Farmer reported the minutes should be amended to show the Oath of Office was
administered to Commissioners Larson and Nelson. He reported Commissioner Urlacher was not
in attendance and noted she still needs to receive the oath of office.
MOTION/SECOND: Commissioner Nelson/Commissioner Rundle. To approve the Minutes of
the January 15, 2025 regular Planning Commission meetings as amended.
Ayes – 6 Nays – 0 Motion carried.
Mounds View Planning Commission February 5, 2025
Regular Meeting Page 2
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5. Special Order of Business
A. Oath of Office
Assistant City Administrator Beeman administered the Oath of Office to Commissioner Amber
Urlacher. A round of applause was offered by all in attendance.
6. Public Comment
None.
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7. Planning Cases
A. Review Regulations Related to Cannabis
Joe Sappi, Kennedy & Graven, stated the City of Mounds View is currently reviewing
regulations related to cannabis and discussed these regulations in further detail. He asked that the
Planning Commission review the zoning aspect of these regulations. He requested the Planning
Commission review the information and provide staff with any recommended changes or
additions to the proposed ordinance. It was noted any input from the Planning Commission must
be provided at this meeting as the Second Reading of the Ordinance will be conducted on
February 10, 2025 City Council meeting.
Chair Farmer asked if the buffering for schools and parks should be from the property line or the
center of the property. Mr. Sappi explained the door the cannabis retailer would have to be over
300 feet from a park or school. Phil Carlson, Stantec, explained dots were placed on school or
park properties and noted a buffer would be drawn out from a significant feature within a park
and from a wall of the schools. Mr. Sappi recommended each City maintain a map of the buffers
with the understanding it would be updated when business requests are made.
Commissioner Stevenson inquired if Mounds View would have to allow for two cannabis
retailers if the population reached 12,600. Mr. Sappi reported this was the case. He explained the
proposed Ordinance does set a limit.
Chair Farmer reported he visited the State demographer’s website and noted the City’s
population was currently just over 13,000. Mr. Sappi indicated this would mean the City would
have to allow for two cannabis retailers plus the municipal cannabis retail shop.
Commissioner Larson questioned if Mr. Sappi drafted this ordinance from scratch or was another
cities ordinances used as a model. Mr. Sappi reported he drafted this ordinance from the Office
of Cannabis Management model ordinance and made changes to more closely align with the
City.
Mounds View Planning Commission February 5, 2025
Regular Meeting Page 3
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Commissioner Nelson asked if there were any residential treatment facilities in Mounds View.
Council Member Gunn stated the City was not privy to information on if there were any
residential treatment facilities in the community.
Commissioner Larson inquired when a public hearing would be held. Mr. Sappi explained a
public hearing would be held at the City Council meeting and any time this ordinance would be
amended in the future.
Assistant City Administrator Beeman questioned if other cities were putting similar ordinances
in place. Mr. Sappi explained other cities were putting ordinances in place and were taking a
similar approach. He indicated this ordinance designates zones for the specific cannabis uses.
Commissioner Nelson stated he believed the proposed ordinance was easily defendable.
Further discussion ensued regarding the permitted and conditional cannabis uses.
Commissioner Larson asked how often the licensing map would be updated. Mr. Carlson
explained he would be discussing this with City staff tomorrow morning. He reported the City’s
zoning administrator would have official say over if a property was within a buffer zone.
Chair Farmer inquired if the Commission had any recommendations for the City Council.
Commissioner Nelson questioned if the City would be using a lottery system for issuing licenses.
Mr. Carlson reported licenses would be issued by the State. Mr. Sappi indicated the City would
have a registration process and applicants would be served on a first come, first served basis.
MOTION/SECOND: Commissioner Stevenson/Commissioner Rundle. To recommend the City
Council approve Ordinance 1025, the regulations related to Cannabis as written.
Chair Farmer indicated he would be voting against this item because he had concerns with how
residential treatment facilities were addressed within the ordinance.
Ayes – 5 Nays – 1 (Farmer) Motion carried.
8. Reports
A. Reports of Staff
Mr. Carlson discussed upcoming planning cases with the Commission, noting the Hidden
Hollow easement vacation would be coming forward along with a potential sidewalk easement
on Pinewood Drive.
Mounds View Planning Commission February 5, 2025
Regular Meeting Page 4
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B. Reports of Council
Council Member Gunn provided the Planning Commission with an update from the City
Council. She reviewed photos of the mermaid, which was being refurbished with the
Commission. She explained the Council has discussed the return of the mermaid to Mounds
View, noting she would not be placed back on The Mermaid building. She commented further
on the discussions the Council has had regarding Community Center improvements. She
discussed the work that was being done at Ardan Park noting dredging continues on the ponds
and invasive growth has been removed. She noted the City Council would be holding a Town
Hall meeting on Monday, October 20. She reported the first half of the Tribute Park would have
its grand opening ceremony on Saturday, September 13.
C. Reports of Planning Commissioners
None.
9. Next Planning Commission Meeting:
A. Wednesday, February 19, 2025 at 6:00 p.m.
B. Wednesday, March 5, 2025 at 6:00 p.m.
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10. Adjournment
There being no further business before the Planning Commission, Chair Farmer adjourned the
meeting at 7:20 p.m.
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Respectfully submitted,
Brian Beeman
Assistant City Administrator
Transcribed by:
Heidi Guenther
Minute Maker Secretarial