Planning Commission Meeting Minutes - 02/07/2023MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING - MONTICELLO PLANNING COMMISSION
Tuesday, February 7, 2023 - 6:00 p.m.
Mississippi Room, Monticello Community Center
Commissioners Present: Paul Konsor, Teri Lehner, Melissa Robeck
Commissioners Absent: Andrew Tapper, Eric Hagen
Council Liaison Present: Charlotte Gabler
Staff Present: Angela Schumann, Steve Grittman (NAC), Hayden Stensgard, Ron
Hackenmueller
1. General Business
A. Call to Order
Chair Paul Konsor called the regular meeting of the Monticello Planning
Commission to order at 6:05 p.m.
B. Consideration of approving minutes
a. Regular Meeting Minutes —January 3, 2023
MELISSA ROBECK MOVED TO APPROVE THE JANUARY 3, 2023
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES. TERI LEHNER SECONDED THE MOTION.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY, 3-0.
C. Citizen Comments
None
D. Consideration of adding items to the agenda
None
E. Consideration to approve agenda
TERI LEHNER MOVED TO APPROVE THE FEBRUARY 71,2023 REGULAR MEETING
AGENDA. PAUL KONSOR SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED
UNANIMOUSLY, 3-0.
2. Public Hearings
A. Consideration of an Amendment to the Monticello Zoning Ordinance Related
to Electric Vehicle Charging Stations as an Accessory Use
Applicant: City of Monticello
City Planner Steve Grittman provided an overview of the agenda to the Planning
Commission and the public. In response to inquiries towards the City staff on
introducing electric vehicle charging stations to the community, City planning
staff had developed Zoning Ordinance language to recognize these stations as an
accessory use. In terms of previously approved charging stations, such as the Cub
Foods parking lot, were originally recognized as a subset of the Vehicle Fuel Sales
as an Accessory Use. The proposed ordinance amendments clarify and designate
"Electric Vehicle Charging Stations" as its own separate accessory use, with a
respective definition, standards, and zoning regulations. The proposed ordinance
amendments also include language related to alternative fuels beyond electric,
such as hydrogen fuel, natural gas and etc.
Councilmember Charlotte Gabler asked if Home Owner's Associations would be
allowed to place stations in places like common elements. Mr. Grittman clarified
that that specific language related to this ordinance amendment had not been
originally considered. An example like Autumn Ridge Villas, their approved PUD
would have the ability to amend it to include electric charging stations in those
common element parking areas.
Community Development Director Angela Schumann clarified that
Councilmember Gabler's question is related to properties with an existing CUP or
PUD, would be allowed 2 stations as permitted by proposed ordinance, and that
an amendment to said CUP or PUD would be required for more than 2 stations.
Ms. Schumann also clarified that Section 5, Sub -Section C of the proposed
ordinance, that commercial and industrial properties are allowed 2-6 stations,
provided that they are not open to the public. A Conditional Use Permit would be
required if the property requests 7 or more stations to be installed for employee
use only. If a commercial or industrial property is interested in using stations on
site for a public use, the Vehicle Fuel Sales as an accessory use language would
apply.
Mr. Konsor asked if there is a practical difficulty in monitoring whether
residential parcels use their charging stations for revenue. Mr. Grittman
confirmed that there is a difficulty in that situation, at that point it comes down
to a question of enforcement. The intent of the proposed ordinance is to not
allow the use of charging stations in a residential district as a commercial/public
use.
Ms. Schumann clarified that the ordinance does not allow for public availability
of 2 or fewer stations in residential districts. While 2 or fewer station in
commercial or industrial districts may be publicly available. As the number of
stations increases, more standards and regulations apply within this proposed
ordinance amendment.
Councilmember Gabler asked if schools are allowed to utilize charging stations
on site, given the provided ordinance amendments. Mr. Grittman confirmed,
provided they are not for public use and only allowed for staff and students. The
school would not be allowed to utilize stations from a commercial standpoint.
Mr. Konsor asked if there are provisions within the proposed ordinance that does
not allow for charging stations to be the only thing on a given property. Mr.
Grittman confirmed that all charging stations and fuel sales need to be
associated with a building on the property that is accessible to the public, such as
a convenience store or shopping facilities. The exception to this standard is if a
public parking lot is the principal use of a property.
Ms. Schumann further clarified that the proposed ordinance states the stations
must be accessory to the principal use. The stations cannot be a separate
principal use, where a building not routinely accessible to the public is not
allowed to place stations in their parking lot for public use.
Mr. Konsor asked if parks within the City have the ability to place charging
stations in their public lots. Mr. Grittman confirmed that a situation like that
would fall under the language associated with public uses within the proposed
ordinance.
Mr. Grittman made note that the inclusion of electric vehicle charging stations
on a given site does not affect the parking calculations established by the Zoning
Ordinance.
Ms. Schumann reiterated the one amendment to the proposed ordinance that
Planning Commission raised was as follows. Within Section 5, Sub -Section B, of
said ordinance, to include the following language: "If the proposed accessory EV
charging fueling station facility is of more than 2 chargers, and is to be located on
property subject to a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) or Planned Unit Development
(PUD), an amendment to such CUP or PUD shall be processed." If the number of
stations proposed is 2 or fewer, Sub -section A of Section 5 within the proposed
ordinance would apply.
Mr. Konsor opened the public hearing portion of the agenda item.
Mr. Konsor closed the public hearing portion of the agenda item.
PAUL KONSOR MOVED TO ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. PC-2023-061
RECOMMENDING APPROVAL OF THE AMENDMENT RELATED TO VEHICLE FUEL
SALES, WITH AN ADDED AMENDMENT TO THE PROPOSED ORDINANCE WITHIN
SECTION 1151", SUBSECTION "B" OF SAID ORDINANCE, BASED ON THE FINDINGS IN
SAID RESOLUTION. TERI LEHNER SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED
UNANIMOUSLY, 3-0.
3. Regular Agenda
A. Consideration of Community Development Director's Report
Ms. Schumann provided an overview of the agenda item to the Planning
Commission and the public. Included within the Director's Report was an update
on Council action of items the Planning Commission had previously provided
recommendations. The various zoning ordinance amendments that received a
recommendation for approval by the Planning Commission on January 3, 2023
are expected to move forward to Council for final decision on February 27, 2023.
4. Added Items
None
5. Adiournment
TERI LEHNER MOVED TO ADJOURN THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE MONTICELLO
PLANNING COMMISSION. PAUL KONSOR SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED
UNANIMOUSLY, 4-0, MEETING ADJOURNED AT 6:58 P.M.
Recorded by: Hayden Stensgard
!e
Date Approved: March 7, 2023
ATTEST:
Ange a Schu a ommunity Development Director