City Council Minutes 02-24-2025MONTICELLO CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
Monday, February 24, 2025 — 6:30 p.m.
Mississippi Room, Monticello Community Center
Present: Lloyd Hilgart, Kip Christianson, Tracy Hinz, Charlotte Gabler, and Lee Martie
Absent: None
1. General Business
A. Call to Order & Pledge of Allegiance
Mayor Hilgart called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.
B. Approval of Agenda
Motion by Council Member Martie to approve the agenda. Council Member Hinz
seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.
C. Approval of Meeting Minutes
• Workshop Minutes from January 31, 2025
• Special Meeting Minutes from February 3, 2025
• Regular Meeting Minutes from February 10, 2025
Motion by Council Member Christianson to approve of the meeting minutes.
Council Member Martie seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.
D. Citizen Comments
None.
E. Public Service Announcements
The following public announcements were noted:
• Fishing licenses are available at DMV.
• Spring tree sale orders are due Thursday, April 24.
• Indoor Farmers Market on March 91, 2025.
F. Council Liaison Updates
• 1-94 Coalition — Council Member Gabler noted that the coalition discussed 2025
dues and State and Federal transportation updates.
G. Department Updates
• Communications Annual Update — Stephanie Trottier, Marketing Specialist,
presenting the Communications annual update. The update included information
City Council Minutes: February 24, 2025 Page 1 1 7
and data on various communication resources such as the website, blog,
newsletter, a -news, social media, and digital signs.
2. Consent Agenda:
Motion by Council Member Hinz to approve the Consent Agenda excluding Item F.
Council Member Christianson seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.
A. Consideration of approving the payment of bills. Action taken: Approved the bill
and purchase card registers for a total of $1,060,090.86.
B. Consideration of approving new hires and departures for City departments.
Action taken: Approved the hire for Monticello Community Center (MCC).
C. Consideration of approving the sale/disposal of surplus city property. Action
taken: No report this cycle.
D. Consideration of authorizing Rights of Entry to LHB, Inc. and WSB onto and into
City owned property located at 119 3rd Street East parcel PID 155010034020 and
155010034040 (Block 34) for the purpose of Tax Increment Financing (TIF)
qualification inspections and environmental investigations in connection with a
potential future TIF District. Action taken: Authorized Rights of Entry to LHB,
Inc. and WSB onto property located at 119 3rd Street East.
E. Consideration of adopting Ordinance 842 amending the Block 52 Planned Unit
Development District for landscaping, lighting and screening conditions of the
PUD approval and adopting Summary Ordinance 842A for publication. Applicant:
Mark Buchholz and City of Monticello. Action taken: Adopted Ordinance 842
and Summary Ordinance 842A (for publication) amending the Block 52 PUD for
landscaping, lighting and screening conditions.
F. Consideration of adopting Resolution 2025-13 approving a Development Stage
Planned Unit Development, Resolution 2025-14 and Ordinance 843 rezoning to
Planned Unit Development, Summary Ordinance 843A for publication, and
Resolution 2025-15 approving a Preliminary Plat for Meadowbrook, a proposed
single=family residential development including attached and detached units in
an R-1 (Single -Family) Residential district. Applicant: JBP Land, LLC. Action taken:
ITEM WAS REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA.
G. Consideration of authorizing the purchase of right-of-way acquisition for five
properties for Golf Course Road trail. Action taken: Authorized the purchase of
permanent and temporary easements from the following parcels:
155500101200,155030001011,155500101203,155030001020,155030001010,
155053001010 for the appraised total amount of $73,100.
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H. Consideration of authorizing a contract with TreeStory Inc. for tree removal in
the amount of $29,850. Action taken: Approved a contract with TreeStory Inc.
for tree removal in the amount of $29,850.
2A. Consideration of items removed from the consent agenda for discussion
F. Consideration of adopting Resolution 2025-13 approving a Development Stage
Planned Unit Development, Resolution 2025-14 and Ordinance 843 for rezoning
to Planned Unit Development, Summary Ordinance 843A for publication, and
Resolution 2025-15 approving a Preliminary Plat for Meadowbrook, a proposed
single-family residential development including attached and detached units in
an R-1 (Single -Family) Residential District. Applicant: JBP Land LLC
Council Member Christianson removed the item and commented on the project
and the need for further discussion. He noted that the developer was not
provided with a chance to speak at the February Planning Commission meeting
in order to provide concerns addressed at the January Planning Commission
meeting.
Council Member Christianson spoke on the project and recognized that the
parcel proposed for the project is complicated and that the parcel conditions
may make it difficult for a developer to meet the City's R-1 standards profitably.
However, other developments in the area met the R-1 standards and residents
of those developments have voiced concern about the proposed project.
Council Member Christianson specifically noted and expressed concern about
the developer's comment that current market prices in Monticello won't support
homes built following the City's single-family standards. He stated how the
proposed project is a significant departure from the City's current standards. He
also expressed frustration about the inconsistencies in the zoning code, where
some standards are rigid, and some are flexible. This inconsistency would also be
frustrating to developers. However, he noted that he wouldn't support lessening
the City's standards without public benefit - the City is shaping the vision of
Monticello for decades and should be concrete on their standards.
Council Member Christianson noted that developments have used the Planned
Unit Development (PUD) process to bypass zoning norms. If the City wanted to
have different zoning standards, he would support revising the zoning code and
looking at possible revisions to the 2040 Comprehensive Plan.
Council Member Gabler had a question about the traffic, specifically the
connection of 87t" Street and traffic calming. Matt Leonard, Public Works
Director/City Engineer, responded that the City requested a second connection
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to the development to assist with the flow of traffic. In regard to traffic calming,
there is nothing specifically recommended as there doesn't seem to be a need.
Council Member Gabler noted the importance of talking about traffic calming.
Angela Schumann, Community Development Director, added that one of the
conditions of approval was the installation of additional trees which should help
with traffic calming.
Lucinda Spanier, Entitlements Manager for JP Brooks and JBP Land Development,
addressed the City Council. She noted that they had a meeting with the City's
Community Development staff and all their concerns were addressed and
everything has been agreed upon. Council Member Christianson questioned the
housing market demand in Monticello regarding lot fit. Ms. Spanier responded
that the market varies by community and that they are currently working on a
lot fit list which determines which homes go on which lots, and there are a
variety of homes for this development. There were other items addressed such
as the 6-foot setback impact.
Mayor Hilgart stated that he is in support of the neighborhood and that to have
a mixed style of homes is a good use of the property. He is also in support of
moving away from the 6-foot setback. He spoke in support of the facade
drawings of the proposed homes.
Council Member Christianson questioned what the City is obtaining from
deviating from the City's zoning standards. Steve Grittman, City Planner,
responded that a PUD is used to answer this exact question for any development
project. For the proposed project, the City is gaining a single-family home
development which may not occur without a PUD. He added that this is
happening in many communities, not just Monticello. Markets change as
communities change.
Council Members Gabler, Lee and Hinz noted their support for the project.
Mayor Hilgart questioned the reduction in parking requirements. Steve Grittman
responded that the decision was based on information that determines the
number of spaces per unit. They were able to reduce the number using the data
to one per three units. The developer initially included one per two units.
Scott Cutsforth, 8634 Fairhill Lane, addressed the City Council regarding a
petition that was submitted. This petition was signed by residents in Hunter
Crossing in opposition to the proposed 87t" Street connection into Hunters
Crossing. He stated that residents area concerned about the increase in traffic,
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traffic speed, and safety. He requested that staff drive the Hunters Crossing
neighborhood before the road connection is approved.
Motion by Council Member Martie moved to adopt Resolution 2025-13
approving the Development Stage Planned Unit Development for
Meadowbrook, subject to the conditions in Exhibit Z and based on findings in
said resolution, adopt Resolution 2025-14 and Ordinance 843 rezoning the land
to be platted as Meadowbrook as Meadowbrook Planned Unit Development
District subject to the conditions in Exhibit Z and based on findings in said
resolution, adopt Summary Ordinance 843A for publication, and adopt
Resolution 2025-15 recommending the Preliminary Plat of Meadowbrook
subject to the conditions in Exhibit Z and based on findings in said resolution.
Council Member Hinz seconded the motion. Motion carried 4-1; Council
Member Christianson voted against for reasons listed above in the minutes.
3. Public Hearings
4. Regular Agenda:
A. Consideration of adopting Resolution 2025-16 amending the Monticello 2040
Vision + Plan (Comprehensive Plan), Chapter 3, "Land Use, Growth and Orderly
Annexation" amending the Light Industrial Park, Employment Campus
designations and any other related sections of text necessary to define various
types of technology industry land uses within the City, identify considerations for
their appropriate locations, and maintain consistency with other City land use
goals and policies. Applicant: City of Monticello
Steve Grittman, City Planner, gave an overview of the proposed amendment and
noted that the proposed amendment is to consider whether to incorporate data
centers into the 2040 Plan's Industrial land use designations and determine the
appropriate designation. He reviewed the modifications to the technology park
language in both the Employment Campus and Light Industrial Park designations.
City Staff and the Planning Commission recommended approval of the 2040 Plan
text amendment as the inclusion of data centers as an allowable land use may
have a positive impact on the City's land use goals. Data centers would generate
property tax, diversify property tax, and be a catalyst for potential economic
development.
There was minimal discussion by City council members. This item requires a
super majority vote (4/5).
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Motion by Council Member Christianson to adopt Resolution 2025-16
approving an amendment to the Monticello 2040 Vision + Plan
(Comprehensive Plan), Chapter 3, "Land Use, Growth and Orderly Annexation"
amending the Light Industrial Park, Employment Campus designations and
related sections of text necessary to define various types of technology
industry land uses within the City, identify considerations for their appropriate
locations, and maintain consistency with other City land use goals and policies,
based on findings in said resolution. Councilmember Martie seconded the
motion. Motion carried unanimously.
B. Consideration of adopting Resolution 2025-17 amending the Monticello 2040
Vision + Plan (Comprehensive Plan), Chapter 3, "Land Use, Growth and Orderly
Annexation" re -guiding certain parcels from their existing Development Reserve
designations to alternative Light Industrial Park designation. Applicant:
Monticello Tech LLC
Steve Grittman introduced the request to re -guide approximately 250 acres of
Development Reserve land use to Light Industrial Park to facilitate a data center.
The area proposed currently abuts parcels guided as Light Industrial Park. Mr.
Grittman stated that the Monticello Zoning Ordinance provides the standards for
reviewing Comprehensive Plan amendments. He reviewed the criteria used to
determine that the amendment is consistent with the purpose of the
Comprehensive Plan and that it meets the standards set in the zoning ordinance.
Mr. Grittman noted that City Staff and the Planning Commission recommended
approval of the amendment to the Future Land Use Map.
Nick Frattalone, Monticello Tech LLC, addressed the City Council. Council
Member Christianson questioned whether they had any comment on the
considerations presented regarding high end housing or development ability. Mr.
Frattalone responded that users would most likely not want housing
development at their boundaries, but they would consider a gateway corridor to
development.
There was minimal discussion by City council members. This item requires a
super majority vote (4/5).
Motion by Council Member Hinz to adopt Resolution 2025-17 amending the
Monticello 2040 Vision + Plan (Comprehensive Plan), Chapter 3, "Land Use,
Growth and Orderly Annexation" re -guiding certain parcels as described in the
resolution from their existing Development Reserve designations to alternative
Light Industrial Park designation based on findings in Resolution 2025-17.
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Councilmember Christianson seconded the motion. Motion carried
unanimously.
5. Adjournment:
The meeting was adjourned at 8:10 p.m.
Recorder: Jennifer Schreibeh Af-PI (IYA/
Attest:
City Administrator
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