PC Meeting Date: September 17, 2026
To: Members of the Planning Commission
From: Mathias Hughey, AICP, Interim City Planner
Title
Staff Updates.
Body
Action Requested:
Staff provide updates to the Planning Commission.
Summary Report:
City Council & Board/Commission Updates
- The upcoming agenda items list is attached for reference.
Zoning Code Update & Redesign
- The Preliminary Recommendations Report on the Zoning Code Update is available on the project website.
Planning Applications & Related Updates
- Staff presented the divergent PC recommendation and staff recommendation on the proposed text amendment related to Data Processing Facilities setbacks for discussion at the September 15 Council work session to seek additional policy direction. Significant deviation from the originally noticed proposal will likely require the process to start over.
- Staff in coordination with St. Olaf College have been working to address neighbor concerns about student parking in the neighborhood. The additional 119 spaces constructed in 2025 did not alleviate the issue.
- Park & Trail Dedication Fees: Staff continue to work on this item as time allows. The Public Works department is assisting with the review of the cash-in-lieu aspect of this code section as well.
- See the hyperlink in the attachments for the City’s Development Map.
- Archer site: The redevelopment process continues for the site. The site plan has been approved.
- Cedar Meadows: site work is underway.
- A site plan review is underway for a 7-Brew drive-through coffee establishment at 1910 Honeylocust Dr.
- Site plan review is complete and work is underway on the Acorn Mini Storage phase two project.
- Harvest Hills final plat and development agreement have been approved and site work has or will begin shortly.
- Highschool site work has begun.
- Cardinal Glass has started work on a planned expansion, for which it received a variance in 2025.
- Ames Mill Dam: Staff continue to work with Post Consumer Brands on transferring ownership of the dam. The dam is part of our Downtown Historic District. A certificate of appropriateness and Section 106 review will be required.
Training Opportunities
- The Maryland Department of Planning has free webinars on a variety of topics. Please see the link in the attachments to view and/or subscribe.
- The National Alliance for Preservation Commissions (NAPC) has webinars related to historic preservation. The city is a member and can share webinar links if there is interest.
- The Ohio Planning chapter has webcast series available for free. The On-Demand Webcasts could be a current and good place to start as there is a webcast on technology, sustainability, equity, law and ethics.
- The University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee School of Architecture and Urban Planning hosts the free Innovative Cities Lecture series. This fall’s topics include Planning with Youth, Community Wayfinding, and Community Land Trusts. A link is provided in the attachments to register.
Alternative Options:
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Financial Impacts:
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Tentative Timeline:
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