Planning Commission Minutes - 05/05/2026 (Workshop)MINUTES
MONTICELLO PLANNING COMMISSION WORKSHOP
Tuesday, May 5, 2026 — 5:00 p.m.
Academy Room, Monticello Community Center
Commissioners Present
Commissioner Absent:
Council Liaison Present:
Staff Present:
1. General Business
A. Call to Order
Vice -Chair Melissa Robeck, Rick Kothenbeutel
Chair Andrew Tapper, Rob Stark
Councilmember Kip Christianson
Angela Schumann, Bob Ferguson, Tyler Bevier
Acting Chair Melissa Robeck called the workshop of the Monticello Planning
Commission to order.
B. Roll Call
Ms. Robeck did not call the roll and noted the absence of Chair Andrew Tapper,
Commissioner Rob Stark, and of Council liaison Christianson. Council liaison
Christianson joined the workshop later in the session.
C. Discussion on Amendments to 2040 Vision + Plan and Zoning Ordinance for single-
family housing goals
Community Development Director Angela Schumann briefed on the information
from the prior workshops and on -going discussions for housing goals and priorities.
She noted that the current workshop discussion will focus on lot area, width and
design standards.
Ms. Schumann said the April 7 workshop discussion brought forward the
Commission's request to consider gross versus net densities related to single-family
residential designations and how to best align with the components of the
Monticello 2040 Vision + (comprehensive) Plan.
Mr. Grittman further explained the standard for net density is utilized when
considering the result of development, including streets, ponding and other
encumbrances, while gross density is reserved for planning.
The Commissioners discussed the impact of density on lot areas for zoning, focusing
on the R-A and R-1 zoning districts. Following discussion, the Commission agreed
that the lot areas within both zoning districts should increase where needed to align
with the recommended gross densities previously discussed for the 2040 Plan. The
Planning Commission Workshop Minutes — 05/05/2026
Commission feedback was that the Estate Residential gross density in the 2040 Plan
would be preferred in the range of 1-2 units per acre, and 2-4 units per acre for Low
Density Residential. The R-A and R-1 lot areas should then correspond to these
densities, which would require an amendment to increase both the minimum and
average requirements.
Ms. Schumann moved the workshop discussion to the desired amenities
amendments for standards to the base code. She presented on the current code
details for lower residential densities with illustrations and informational indexes for
review. She asked that Commissioners consider what amenities they wanted in
relationship to achieving higher residential density, and which elements should be
required versus negotiated or incentivized.
Members exchanged viewpoints on brick and stonework enhancements, setback
concerns, facade appearance, and other residential development amenities.
Conversation focused emphasized a home -forward design rather than garage
appearance.
Ms. Robeck suggested providing flexibility and options for facade design amenities.
Ms. Lehner suggested that might include some lot size flexibility when amenities are
present for R-A and R-1 zoned development.
Ms. Schumann raised the topic for developments to create a defining feature or
gathering center for the community.
Ms. Lehner suggested better community connections within closer proximity to
publicly shared locations.
Ms. Robeck concurred, noting that sidewalks contribute to connecting communities.
Mr. Ferguson suggested incorporating walking pathways around stormwater
retention ponds for future proposals in lieu development park dedication to allow a
natural walking preserve instead of playground. Board members agreed, suggested
park benches, dog waste stations, and other elements to suit a walkable community
park.
Commissioners spoke about landscaping and how to best maintain standards. Mr.
Grittman said conditions for neighborhood plantings and other landscaping
considerations are factored into the planned unit development (PUD) agreement.
To summarize, Ms. Schumann walked through the amendments for consideration
and a summary of the key points for discussion had this evening and prior.
• 2040 Residential Land Use Designations
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Planning Commission Workshop Minutes — 05/05/2026
o Net versus gross density comprehensive considerations
■ Gross density will be clarified within the 2040 Plan in
Development Form area text
o Review Estate Residential and Low Density Residential use area on the
future land use map, particularly those areas with high amenities
■ Staff will provide analysis for areas currently not guided for estate
residential and low density residential for consideration
o Low -Density Residential (LDR)
■ Guidance toward a lower density threshold of 1-2 units per gross
acre for Estate Residential
■ Guidance toward 2-4 units per gross acre for Low Density
Residential
■ Match lot area minimums in 2040 to correlate with lot area sizing
per zoning designation and land use densities
■ Retain current minimum brick -stone requirements
■ Retain current roof pitch requirements
■ Retain current finished and foundation size requirements
■ Retain current 2 tree standard in front yard
■ Increase minimum standards for front fagade details
• Require at least 40% of front fagade as home or require
that the garage be no more than 6' forward of the home;
but no more than 10'
• Allow a menu of options for other facade detail such as
front porches or 6' x 4' front patios
■ Include neighborhood amenities as condition of PUD
■ Include anti -monotony requirements as a condition of PUD
Staff will prepare amendments to Monticello 2040 Comprehensive Plan, zoning
and subdivision ordinances which correspond to this feedback for future
Planning Commission consideration.
Mr. Grittman provided additional context regarding subdivision proposals, noting
that lot sizing, streetscaping, and spacing between dwellings collectively
influence the overall appearance of a development.
In response to questions about increasing lot square footage, Mr. Grittman
explained that developers are often motivated to maximize the number of units
within a block. He noted that lot width is generally more significant than lot
depth.
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Planning Commission Workshop Minutes — 05/05/2026
2. Adjournment
By consensus, the workshop ended at 5:49 p.m.
Recorder by: Anne Mueller VW
Date Approved: June 2, 2026
Attest:
Angela SchumAq, C%mmunity Development Director
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