Planning Commission Minutes - 06/02/2026 (Workshop)MINUTES
MONTICELLO PLANNING COMMISSION WORKSHOP
Tuesday, June 2, 2026 — 5:00 p.m.
Academy Room - Monticello Community Center
Commissioners Present: Chair Andrew Tapper, Vice -Chair Melissa Robeck,
Rick Kothenbeutel, Rob Stark (arrived at 5:45)
Commissioner Absent: Teri Lehner
Council Liaison Present: Mayor Lloyd Hilgart
Council Liaison Absent: Councilmember Kip Christianson
Staff Present: Angela Schumann, Steve Grittman, Bob Ferguson, Tyler Bevier
1. General Business
A. Call to Order
Chair Andrew Tapper called the workshop to order at 5:00 p.m.
B. Roll Call
Mr. Tapper said Mr. Stark will be arriving late and Mayor Hilgart is attending in
the absence of Mr. Christianson as Council Liaison.
C. Discussion on Monticello Orderly Annexation Area (MOAA), Agreement,
and Joint Planning Board
Ms. Schumann presented on the Monticello Orderly Annexation Area, which is
established to provide a framework for more orderly and efficient planning and
growth within Monticello Township, aligning with the goals set forth in the
Monticello 2040 Vision + Plan.
Ms. Schumann provided the history of the City and Township annexation
agreement, dating back to the 1980s when studies began for the greater
Monticello area and then the agreement's evolution from 1998, to the adopted
2005 agreement, and the most recent agreement extension to January 1, 2040.
She noted that MN Statutes provide an annexation by ordinance process as the
alternative to orderly annexation agreements.
Ms. Schumann provided an outline of the MOAA agreement and the applicable
components of the agreement should the City annex a property. She explained
that annexation to the City is petitioned for by the property owner under the
agreement, unless separately agreed by the parties.
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Planning Commission Workshop Minutes —June 2, 2026
Ms. Schumann spoke about the recent 2024 amendments to the comprehensive
plan future land use map and their relationship to annexation. Ms. Schumann
stated that the MOAA agreement includes provisions requiring the availability of
utility services to annexed areas and that annexation may not occur outside the
MOAA boundary area.
Ms. Schumann described the agreement's terms which allow the boundary of
the MOAA to be expanded only as land within specific sections of the MOAA is
annexed; the agreement includes a map with the sections for this purpose. She
then described that an annexation is an administrative process by agreement,
requiring a notice to the Township when the City receives a qualifying petition.
Ms. Schumann referred to the MOAA boundary map as described and shown in
the adopted agreement and outlined the terms of the land use authority within
the MOAA. She described the City's ability to guide land use within the MOAA
boundary. She then explained that the Joint Powers Board as provided and
organized in the MOAA agreement has the responsibility for the review and
decision on zoning and subdivision requests within the MOAA area. The City has
planning and zoning authority once a petition for annexation within the MOAA is
received.
Mr. Grittman said the MOAA's zoning authority is intended to be utilized to
preserve the MOAA-designated territory for future urban growth while the
County's preservation perspectives aim to maintain rural agricultural land until it
becomes urbanized.
Mayor Hilgart suggested if the MOAA approved urbanized housing on larger lots,
as Sherburne County does, less land would be available for efficient utility
extensions. He said the sprawl would become too extensive to maintain City
services.
Ms. Schumann referenced that land use guidance and long-term goals set by the
City through the Monticello 2040 Vision + Plan include detailed planning for
growth into the MOAA.
She explained that the MOAA has adopted Wright County's subdivision and
zoning ordinances as the MOAA zoning and subdivision regulations. The JPB for
the MOAA determines whether to hear and adopt any amendments to the
adopted ordinance.
Ms. Schumann explained the MOAA joint powers planning board as outlined in
the agreement, noting that it is a five -member board comprised of
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Planning Commission Workshop Minutes —June 2, 2026
representatives from Monticello Township (2), Monticello City Council (2), and
one Wright County Commissioner.
Ms. Schumann stated that the planning application process for the MOAA is
administered through Wright County Planning and Zoning office. She highlighted
that the MOAA agreement allows for specific comment by the City Council on
rezoning requests in the MOAA.
Mr. Grittman said the MOAA board reviews similarly to a City Council and
Planning Commission, but as a combined board. He clarified that the County
maintains zoning throughout the remainder of Monticello Township, as it does
with the majority of other Townships throughout Wright County.
Ms. Schumann clarified that Township Board members are elected officials by
Monticello Township residents.
Mayor Hilgart said the City of Otsego has the ability to annex some areas of
Monticello Township. Mr. Grittman stated that Otsego is not a part of the MOAA
agreement and is not confined by the MOAA rules.
A brief discussion was held regarding the Bertram Chain of Lakes Regional Park's
annexation status. Ms. Schumann clarified that ownership belongs, in
partnership, to City of Monticello and Wright County jointly. Individualized City
and County functions were cited as reasons for not annexing into the City of
Monticello at this time; also, there is no need for municipal services at this time
at the regional park.
Members indicated that Rob Stark had arrived to the meeting.
Mr. Tapper asked about the hotel project along 1-94 corridor and where the
annexation boundary was located as related to that project.
Ms. Schumann explained that annexation of that subject site would not occur
until the developer met their conditions of approval, including development
contract with all securities.
Mr. Grittman explained the MOAA agreement allows for orderly annexation
within an area versus through individualized agreements, and that it is
progressive in its approach to allowing the City to process development and
zoning approvals once land is petitioned for annexation.
Ms. Schumann concluded by restating the City's goal is to annex land consistent
with the agreement and the Monticello 2040 Vision + Plan.
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Planning Commission Workshop Minutes —June 2, 2026
2. Adjournment
The workshop was adjourned by consensus at 5:55 p.m.
Recorded By: Anne Mueller A%W
Date Approved: July 7, 2026
ATTEST:
Angela Schuntjn�, community Development Director
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