I will call the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. Please stand for the pledge of >> allegiance to the flag to the United States of America and to the standy. >> Okay. Any changes to the agenda? >> All right. Anyone want to make a motion to approve the agenda as written? I'll make a motion. >> Anyone want a second? >> I'll second it. >> All right. All in favor? >> I >> Okay. And then we have a appointment of chair and vice chair. It's that time of year again. >> Vice chair. Turn it over to you. >> I move status quo. >> Right. That would be >> That would be Nicole and Melissa. >> I second. >> Okay. Okay. All in favor? >> I >> It's weird to vote for yourself. >> We have a Anybody else can have this spot? That's for sure. >> Um, all right. Public comment. Um, none. No one's online. >> Nobody's online. >> No one's online. >> All right. Announcements. Introduction of planning commissioner Benjamin. I'm gonna I don't want to say your last name. How do you pronounce it? >> Don't go by this, but it's Croin. >> Croplin. Okay. >> All right. Well, welcome. >> Thank you. >> Where about do you live? >> What's that? >> Where about do you live? >> Uh, I live in the farm development. So, been here about five years. We're transplants um up here, but we love it. We got three kids in Eagle View. I got twin first graders and a third grader. And yeah, we you know, we looked all over when we moved up here and um I'm from a small town and kind of you know shock everywhere and said this is it. So in the middle of too it'll be five years this fall. >> Where did you live prior? We're down by the Madison Wisconsin area. So I'm a dairy industry guy that's brought me up here brought me up. >> Okay. >> My wife's from down there, but my family's from like Wisconsin. So my sister lives right over the border. So >> it just made a lot of sense. And yeah, sports rivalries, you know. >> Yeah. Um my recollection has been had some um experience in reporting on um maybe a little >> Yeah, a little professional background. I'll maybe start like a reverse chronological. So as I mentioned, I'm a dairy industry guy. I run marketing for a good size um dairy manufacturer up here. I'm in the protein industry. So um hot industry right now. Um um kind of worked around different areas of marketing. I worked in higher ed for spell. I worked in the farm world for a while. And then I'm kind of my second career. I was a journalist before this. Fun fact, I used to be a news anchor once upon a time and a news reporter. So I lived up the west coast and did it for a while. Um once I got out of that, I went to went to grad school as well. So I've got an NBA from Wisconsin as well. So yeah. So um yeah, that's that's kind of the short version of it. Worked all over the place. Probably get pulled to a couple of trade shows here at some point this year. I think I've got one in August, so I'll probably have to miss that meeting, but I don't I try not to travel too much. So, >> um that's a nutshell. And then my wife works at Metronic as well. So, she's she's in I guess called industry or not but um health tech. So, she worked for Epic Systems before this. So, it's like a 5050 chance your health record software my chart if you have my chart that's she used to work for that company. So, >> yeah. So, just found our way up here kind of you know in a sense we decided to move up here on a whim and say, "Want to move states? Sure, let's do it." And said, "We never look back and we really like it up here, you know, planning to raise our girls up here." And um >> cool. >> We had the most adorable daughter at the city council meeting when he was getting sworn in. She was beaming like her dad was the president. It was so cute. >> Don't tell her. my my my twins had to come with me to the interview too because like my wife and I like she said okay to something at the same time I said okay to the time and we talked that night oh boy so they ended up having to come and they did great and so you know but that's to me that's part of it too is you know um you know um I've always you know I kind of said this but always been interested I always felt like it was inevitable at some point and I came in here for something else I saw they're looking for it So filled out the form and see where it goes from there and you know here I am. So um but yeah I mean that's what sense of civic duty and so like it's kind of intentional. I start to drag my girls up to this stuff more too. I drag >> welcome That's okay. All right. Approval of the minutes. Um, so consider approval of the following minutes for March 31st, 2026. I didn't notice anything. Did anybody else? I thought they look good. >> Yep. I thought they look good, too. I'll move to approve. >> Okay. Anyone want a second? >> All right. All in favor? >> I. >> Okay. >> Um, public hearing, consider amendment to title um Is it two or 11? >> 11. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Yes. >> Consider amendment to title 11 of the zoning ordinance amending residential deck setbacks. >> Sounds good. >> I have a short presentation I'm going to run through quick. And I know we discussed this a little bit at the last meeting, but Ben wasn't here. So, um, for his sake, I just like to go through it a little bit more in depth. So, um, this is a public hearing to, like you said, amend title 11 of the zoning ordinance to resident, uh, amend residential decks and their sideyard setbacks. So, some background with it is, you know, I I do the deck permits here, and I received feedback that it was just the 10 foot side yard setback was just illogical and restrictive. Um, and a setback is uh the minimum distance of an allowable structure from the property line. Um, so we had a discussion between staff and the planning commission last month where you guys directed me to schedule a public hearing to move forward with this potential amendment. Um, to change the setback from 10 feet to match the underlying zoning district. Um, and when I say in these terms match the underlying zoning district, I mean that if a house is allowed to be no closer than seven feet to a property line, then the deck is also allowed to be seven feet to the property line. Uh, so why the change? Um so historically developments in Nar city had you know oftentimes 10-ft side setbacks. Um and due to a variety of factors a main one being the cost of construction materials developers have been proposing and the city has been approving developments with sideyard setbacks less than 10 feet. Oftent times we've been going with at seven. Um so this allows the developer to incorporate more housing units per acre thus providing profit margins that are conducive to taking on the risk that is developing residential subdivisions. Um, so seven yard side setback for a home while having a 10 yard setback for a deck to me is illogical and it doesn't really meet the purpose of the zoning ordinance. Um, so decks are commonly constructed on the back side of the home. Um, and even with the primary structure. So I took this aerial screenshot today of Boulder Heights over on Andrew Avenue just to show you that, you know, they're already doing it other parts of the town. Um, so for this specific example, Ridge View Heights is a good example because we have seven foot side setbacks there. But, you know, as the ordinance is currently written, we're forcing decks to be 3 feet off that edge of the house. So, the planning commission is being asked to hold a public hearing to consider an amendment to the zoning ordinance that would change the sideyard setback for residential decks to match the sideyard setback of the underlying zoning district. >> That's all I got. All right. I will open the public hearing at 7:13 p.m. Again, we don't have anybody online, right? >> Nobody online. >> Okay. Um I have to ask three times. So, anyone want to make a comment or have anything regarding the public hearing um regarding amendment to title 11 of zoning ordinance amending residential deck stocks, please speak up. I'll ask a second time and a third time. Okay. Public hearing close at 7:14 p.m. discussion thoughts. >> I would say that I highly encourage us making this change. Um, the way Lenar is building houses is putting some obstacles for people building decks and they're going to be forced to put their stairs on the side of their houses and they're seven feet I believe >> setbacks >> and they're going to have a difficult time even with that because of the gra. >> So say I'm in favor of it. Okay. >> I think it makes sense. It lines up with the structure. >> The steps are not part of the deck or >> they are steps have to meet the setback requirement currently. >> Yeah. >> Is that what you were thinking too? >> Yep. >> All righty. And LAR is who you're talking about down there or is that >> be something that uh >> probably should be addressed but they got a lot of their venting coming out the back of the house. >> Oh, I see. design. >> I have to worry about that. But >> I see >> people are going about my deck and wondering >> about it. So >> Oh, you could even put it on there, right? >> Yeah. I didn't have any venting on this on the back. >> Didn't have a national builder. You know what I mean? >> Yeah. >> Did they have like a ledger board for a lot of places? I mean, >> no, they're not put boards on unless you're >> are specifically asking for it. And that was part of the issue is they were put doing that in Ridge View and they were putting it up to the side of the house up to the edge. So people were like, "So you're telling me I can't build in my ledger board?" I'm like, "Yeah, that's what I'm telling you." >> So it got kind of yucky >> there. It gets a little confusing. Yeah. If they have a ledger board, it's like, "Oh yeah, >> that's >> Yeah, >> good idea not to have that issue." Yeah, I agree. So right now >> in the subdivisions where >> that's if they built seven feet >> anyway work. >> I also have a 5 foot stair width. So it would have to work. >> Yeah. Let me see. >> So, make a recommendation to the city council to um move forward with amending the title 11 of zoning ordinance amending a residential deck setbacks. All in favor? >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I >> I Okay. >> Um general business. Uh we do not have any general business tonight. >> Okay. And then on to miscellaneous community development updates. >> Um just a couple uh updates on uh developments. You probably are aware that um the Eagle View Meadows development, the 80 acres that was is proposed by Mr. Sullivan that was approved by the city council, the preliminary plat. He's working with a builder to take down uh the development. U we're not certain if that will be constructed this summer or not. Um we're also working on a fi final plat approval of Highlands at E Eagle View second edition. I think the second edition has 37 lots in it. Um that'll be on the next council meeting for approval. So they can move forward anytime um after the plat is filed. Uh I don't have we just emailed today for feedback when they want to get started, but I assume it's like roughly June um that that development will be started and finished this summer. Uh Brandon is working on there is a park in that development now. If you recall, they added a park um 1.2 two acres I think the park land was and Brandon will be working with the parks commission to get that park built by hopefully the end of the summer early fall. >> Yep. It's it's a smaller area but it's going to be a nice park. So >> I saw that on your meeting last month or this month or whenever. I watched the meeting. >> You do? >> Yeah. I watched it today. I was like, "Oh, that was interesting. That was like watching paint dry." But it was fun. >> Yeah. Glad someone watches it. That's good to hear. >> That was a two and a half hour meeting. I was like, "Wow, you guys got really a lot done." Well, it's almost there. So, >> yeah. So, it'll be a playground, um, some trails and sidewalks, a pavilion, and a half court, sport court. >> Um, other updates, um, we are most likely at the next city council meeting on May 14th, uh, will be presenting a moratorum ordinance on data centers to the city council. um just on the off chance that uh a data center could locate in the industrial park before we have really thoroughly looked at uh issues specific to data centers. So, um currently they would be allowed in uh park I35 and wouldn't require any special permits if they if we can provide the water. So, um that will be a city council decision. We don't know if they will enact the ordinance, but we'll pres present it for their consideration. And >> um we're I'm working through the old school police department building where we've been working through it. Most of us on the work group. We're fixing it up to make it a flexible community space. So I'm meeting with the company we hired, the architectural company, ISG. We're meeting with them on Friday for a site visit. And then two weeks after that, we start meeting with our group again and discussing like what the building's going to look like, what the construction costs are going to be, and maybe some programming and stuff that has to do with it. So, it's exciting. >> That's very cool. >> What's it going to be? A flexible community space. So, a place where you can have a birthday party or grad party or just any kind of little small gathering like that, >> which is a big need in the community. >> Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts. Yeah. Just anything. >> That's great. >> It's kind It's Speedway. drive just past it. There's a >> Frederickson Field is >> Oh, yeah. >> Yeah. >> Field. It's that building. >> Y >> we have a food shelf that is a nonprofit operated by volunteers in the community and they operate out of that building right now. >> Just out of the garage mostly. >> Just out of the garage. >> Yeah. Yeah. And this won't impact them at all. We're going to allow them to keep using the garage. >> Yeah. >> But they made a nice turnaround for people and >> they did and they do good work. Yeah, there's >> We weren't going to displace them. >> I know, right? I know. >> Oh, yeah. >> It is by far. >> It's very nice. >> Brandon, do you have any updates on how many single family home permits that we have received or issued this year? >> Um, roughly about received probably 45 to 50. I think I've issued mid30s probably so far. So, >> since the year >> since the year began January, >> I know they're banging them out right behind here. Yeah. >> Yeah. Back here, Dr. Horton by the school and Boulder Heights. They're still filling in some lots back there. Construction's going crazy by Jadeway and >> over on that side of town. So, >> yeah. >> Yeah. I'm sure. Yeah. Know, it's >> bang bang bang. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. I drove through there a couple hours ago and it was like Yeah. Every house is on >> every It seems like every house. And >> are they selling much or >> I think behind city hall is a buy, you know, they buy before they build >> type of situation. I don't think that's true with Dr. Horton, but yeah. >> So last year compared to 69 total last year. So we're going to easily eclipse that. >> So did you see that Lakeville has a putting a moratorum on? Is that because of their school system or >> No, it's not because of the school system. I think it's multiaceted but um the legislature is you know considering a lot of uh amendments that would take control away from cities in terms of zoning and subdivisions and where certain uses are permitted and um I think it it may have something to do with pushing back on some of that stuff >> cuz I saw a starter home like DR or something like 600s starting in the 600s. I'm like what? >> Yeah. >> I was like, whoa. >> And I think they do have a pretty um Tom, our city administrator, met with their city administrator recently and he did explain that they do have a significant lot inventory. So even with the moratorium, you know, they probably have a couple years supply of lots with stuff that's in the pipeline. So anything that's in the pipeline, they're allowing to finish out. And >> those permits of building But the lots could sit there, right? I mean, it was just permanent. >> I thought it was developments, but >> I I can't speak. >> Are developers taking ownership of the buildings or the houses and like renting them out? Because I know that's a thing too where they will do that for so much inventory and then up the prices too. >> Yeah, I haven't heard that. >> That's good. doesn't mean it doesn't mean it's not happening but I don't know that >> that might put some more >> push this way then something >> well I kind of wondered wondered about that um but I think even before the moratorum that's the other thing to note is we are getting so many more inquiries than I mean we've gotten a lot of calls over the last 10 years since I've been here people just kind of speculating and watching and keeping an eye on our market um but it's changed this year and the level and the amount and the new developers that are contacting us multiple times a week. Um, we're meeting with new people that are speculating on how to market. >> It's always that same story. We've been keeping an eye on you for the last few years and we'd like to come and meet with you and learn more about the area around your town. >> So, do you foresee that we may be or hope I know we hope for it. um like more industrial coming and more to increase the labor market like we kind of we were talking about um so we don't completely develop out for houses and have >> I don't know it's >> you know I know it's a tough balance but >> yeah it's hard to say when you're going to land one of those big industrial projects and will the houses improve the labor market or is it a broader risk thing than just building 200 new homes here. >> But um we we speculate that we'll at least improve the retail and maybe we'll have some more service based. >> I heard Park said Taco Bell and Subway is what they would like. >> Yeah, >> everybody has special requests. >> They talk about food almost every meeting. It changes on the month. Who sits in this spot? Who is that? >> Dan. Dan West. >> Okay. >> And then they were bought out by Circle K. Didn't they have a purchase agreement? >> They thought so. That driveway. >> It was out at the Adelman property on in the north side of two of across from where the traders market is. Um and they uh just pulled out the uh development company or the developer just said they needed a few more businesses to go in to make the finances work. So um they didn't have other other businesses at the time. >> And we re I'm going to add on to that. We reviewed a site a couple concept plans at a staff level. And the way the concept plans laid out, it looked a little bit like it was leaning towards a truck stop rather than um a convenience store or gas station. And our we do allow truck stops, but they're on the other side of the interstate in the more in the industrial area, >> right? Oh, >> yeah. >> Yeah. Before you go come into the cities. >> I think that's it. >> Okay. Anybody else have anything? >> I do have a couple questions. >> Yeah. um was made aware to me by my neighbors >> that uh there are in sequence of different the same color houses in a general area of a neighborhood. Is there an ordinance on that? >> Only in Boulder Heights and that was one of the uh Boulder Heights is done by PUB. So, it's special uh there special conditions in Boulder Heights that don't apply anywhere else in the city and that is one of the um criteria and we were made aware of that and um we are working with the builder to remedy that and we will not allow a certificate of occupancy on the house if it don't fix it. talk to the builder before they put up the rest of the sighting. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> I mean, this is happening in all directions of Boulder Heights in the new >> there was one um that I noticed in >> it's fourth and fifth. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> It's it apply the the regulation applies to all phases of Boulder Heights and I did see another house that I know actually had been resided. So that that actually raises an issue when a homeowner resides a house like >> So Jawway would be all new houses. >> Yeah, those are all new. Yeah. >> And then there's similar models. I mean, I get it. I'm not >> complain. Every time we every time we issue a building permit, we specifically the cover letter states that it h has to comply with these conditions. So must have just gotten missed by the builder. Um we're working with LAR on that particular home and they >> couple of them both. Yeah. But then there's uh should know my streets up there, but the one that's just north of Boulder, there's two I'd call them. There's actually three black houses in a row. >> There's one at the corner. >> Mhm. >> There's two at the corners. >> Okay. >> And there's one on the coming the second house. >> The corner. Okay. >> Very dark. >> Yeah. If they're not if they're not identical, it would be difficult for us to enforce. And if the homes are occupied, it'd be difficult for us at this point to go back if we've issued the final cos. But >> doesn't inspector come out and take a look at that kind of stuff? >> Yeah, he should be looking at that. We'll talk we've talked to him about that recently too when we got this other recent recent concern was placed. >> Okay. >> We've been working to remedy it, but it'll we'll get there. It'll it'll they will comply at the end of the day. >> Perfect. >> This is a random thought. Is there a way? Probably not. Um to have diversity and how the houses look. Um because all the houses typically look the same. >> They're not. >> Like I'm like going I know, but like the fronts are all the same. I'm like this is so boring. It's really common for >> not to be >> It's really common for a builder to, you know, have five or whatever in a development. >> That would be more of a policy decision of the city council, I think, if they really want to >> more aesthetically pleasing and I don't know >> different. >> Next time a PUD comes through the planning commission, it's, you know, state we can make that a condition. >> That's where I built >> I'm the only house like me. >> Yeah. like like I'm appreciative of like >> you're probably a custom home. >> Um no I bought over I picked from a Boulder golf course that I built up there. I was the only one with a key land up there. >> Sure. >> Casey the it's on your screen right now is letter A is on this ordinance. That's the one that is in question. So that's one of the regulations of the >> PUD. Yeah, I remember reading this and >> I do remember >> talks about the style too >> because we talked about that probably 22. >> Yeah. Before me. Yep. And I was 23. >> But uh that ordinance actually was developed in 2015 2016 under the pre Did you work with Bob >> Kermas? >> Yeah. I work with Jeff Fre. >> I mean, for the record, it doesn't bother me. Obviously, I'm the only house that's not LAR in that area. So, >> who built your house yet? >> One story, two pulled up. Two houses next to each other can't have identical color. Just the look of the front of the house is it's called the front elevation. >> Oh, I think LAR probably >> could since it's on a grade the elevations change. >> Yeah, I just I just learned that today too. I thought it was based on how >> the front view. >> This is called the front elevation. Okay. It's just a picture of the front of the house. >> Gotcha. >> It's the front elevation. But they could just change by adding a a a different pole here or a different like siding texture there or you know that's how they break it up. >> Different types of stone different color shakes on one another. >> If we look at Dr. or whatever is that Dr. >> Yeah. >> talked about this many times. >> Yeah. But it's all in little tweaks. Ultimately, they have to sell them, >> right? I get that. >> If they make something that no one wants, then they aren't going to sell. But I think they're selling, I guess. So, >> we've been getting good feedback. Um, it's usually the building inspector that's out in the field talking to the job soups and, you know, are they selling houses in this neighborhood? I think we've been getting good feedback on the house sales. >> Okay. >> I know I saw a few went pending out by the school and that new development where dear horn is. >> I didn't even I didn't tour those. I toured a couple of these. I My wife liked the white. I'm like it's white parchment. It's she call origami. Origami white. The lady said, "Oh, it's origami white." I'm like, "Okay, >> that's what I >> Builder Beige used to be the thing. Now it's white." >> Grayable gray. >> Don't you want a griable gray? Everybody has >> Oh, inside. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. I get My son has gray because that was something about four years ago. Grayge. It's a beige with a slight gray hinged or gray with a beige. Yeah. Grayge. That's funny. >> That's funny. >> I paint water towers. I don't paint houses. I only do it once, but my wife does it every five years. >> Good. Um, yeah. Just I mean, super quick made me think. Um, for Ben's sake, do you have a Ben or Benjamin? >> I'll answer to either, but most people call me Ben. >> Okay. Um, Melissa's in the housing industry. Housing works for a city county >> I work for National Water Tower Painting Company. So we work all over the country. >> I didn't know that. That's interesting. Are you in the sales or contract part? >> Estimating and managing. Yeah. >> Okay. Okay. >> You don't you don't scale them and start. >> I I have client them, but not for a few years. >> Okay. >> If I can avoid it, I learned that long ago. If I don't have to, I've seen enough. I don't need the picture means a lot more to me. >> Thanks. Um I work for the state of Minnesota. I worked down at St. Peter at the state security hospital. I'm a new product development for on powersports >> in manufacturing >> Rene is going to retire some year. >> Yeah, we're trying to um we're kind of succession planning now. So, um, we're working to have somebody else in probably this chair, uh, over the next several months and then I'll stay on for a while, but just maybe in a little bit different role. >> Do you ever take so? >> Nope. >> Not until her replacement is determined. >> She has a love for the game. I don't I don't think she can walk away, honestly. She wants to. I might feel useless after just >> All right, I'll make a motion to adjurnn. Anyone want a second? >> All right, all in favor? Meeting adjourned at 7:36 p.m. Thanks.