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Planning Commission Regular Meeting Minutes March 17, 2026 Page 2 1 Vision Triangle – The proposed text has been modified to reflect Council observations for 2 measurements along streets or alleys without a curb. 3 4 Commissioner Fleming asked if the 30-foot distance was new, and Mr. Grittman stated that it 5 is not. 6 7 Chair Socha referred to Chapter 154 of the Zoning Code and asked if a business could seek a 8 variance, and Mr. Grittman stated they could. There is no process to request an exception. She 9 referred to Section F, the grandfather clause, and other automatic exemptions. She asked what 10 recognized means in this case. Mr. Grittman stated that it was existing language in the existing 11 code. She suggested the committee look at the recognized government entity. 12 13 Commissioner Christu referred to subsection D and asked if there is a reason vision 14 obstruction has been described as this. The language is broader, and Mr. Grittman stated that 15 the purpose is that there can be other elements in the landscape. 16 17 Administrative Penalties – Councilmembers provided extensive input into the process and 18 requirements for the hearing process. Staff notes that the structure of the ordinance is to 19 provide compliance staff with the opportunity to work with property owners and occupants 20 toward compliance as a first option, consistent with current practice. This section intends to 21 provide a remedy – short of a Zoning misdemeanor (criminal) charge – for those situations 22 where cooperative compliance can not be achieved. Much of the material, particularly the 23 Hearing Procedure section, has been imported from other communities that have adopted this 24 process. 25 26 Commissioner Anderson likes that there is an option for property owners to work this out. She 27 asked if the hearing examiner needs to live in St. Anthony, and Mr. Grittman stated that they 28 do not. She asked about Section 4 and asked about its intent. Mr. Grittman stated that the 29 purpose is that there may be violations that justify the City resorting to the misdemeanor 30 process. She asked if the property owner does not speak English, how is that handled? Ms. 31 Morello stated that other staff members who do not speak the language are utilized, or apps 32 are used to help translate. 33 34 Chair Socha does not feel it is fair to go through the misdemeanor process. We do not want 35 the City officials to appear to be discriminating against a particular resident. Code Official 36 Sonterre noted that, to his knowledge, there has never been a prosecution for a Code violation. 37 38 Commissioner Christu asked when that remedy would be pursued. Mr. Grittman stated the 39 default is to pursue the administrative remedy. A civil abatement suit could occur. 40 41 Commissioner Fleming stated that Section 4 seems out of place in this section. She suggested 42 it be moved to the end of the Code. Mr. Grittman will discuss with the staff whether there is a 43 better place to have this language. 44 45 Chair Socha stated it was the consensus of the Commission to revise the language as 46 discussed. Commissioner Fleming noted that it is not clear how a petition for a hearing should 47