2022-08-24 Planning Commission Work Session MinutesCITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS
DAKOTA COUNTY, MINNESOTA
PLANNING COMMISSION WORKSHOP NOTES
AUGUST 24, 2022
A special workshop relating to the Zoning Code Update was held on Wednesday, August 24, 2022
in the Council Chambers at City Hall, 1101 Victoria Curve at 5:30 P.M.
The following Commissioners were present: Chair Litton Field, Commissioners Sally
Lorberbaum, Patrick Corbett, Cindy Johnson, Brian Petschel, Michael Toth and Andrew Katz.
Also present: Community Development Director Tim Benetti; Planning Consultant Jennifer
Haskamp; City Administrator Cheryl Jacobson
Planner Haskamp started the workshop at 5:37 p.m.
Draft Table of Uses and Use Specific Standards
Planner Haskamp presented a summary of the Draft Table of Uses. The Commission discussed
uses that will have to be added to the tables. Planner Haskamp discussed the addition of the new
Public/Semi-Public district.
Planner Haskamp presented a list of Use Specific Standards. The Commission discussed the
addition of THC sales on the Table of Uses and how the City will address the use. Planner
Haskamp presented a list of uses that have specific setbacks when abutting a residential use.
Planner Haskamp and the Commission discussed the option of having a standard setback when
non-residential uses are abutting a residential lot. The Commission discussed the standards around
keeping of animals and the option of having a standard for structures associated with animals and
ones that are not.
Planner Haskamp discussed changing/adding use specific standards for attached residential uses,
drive-through businesses, retail uses, schools, congregating uses and brewery/distillery uses and
what the Commission would like to see in the City. Planner Haskamp will draft standards for
attached townhomes in the code for the Commission to review. The Commission would like to
add standards for drive-through/drive-in businesses.
Planner Haskamp discussed the option of combining retail uses and having standards based on
footprint size. The Commission agreed.
Planner Haskamp and the Commission discussed adding standards of schools and adding
congregating/assembly/cultural event centers on the table. The Commission discussed adding
standards for schools.
Planner Haskamp discussed the difference of a principal use and accessory uses of a property
(example: a principal use of a church with an accessory use of a preschool).
The Commission discussed the addition of brewery/distillery to the Table of Uses. The
Commission discussed the difference between breweries and distilleries and where each would go
in the City. The Commission discussed having breweries allowed in the General Business and
Industrial and limiting distilleries to Industrial due to potential hazards.
The Commission discussed the standards in the Industrial Zone and what is allowed in the
Industrial and General Business Zone.
Character, Design and Building Standards Discussion
Planner Haskamp presented an introduction to the Character, Design and Building Standards. This
section is less about the use and more about the physical characteristics of a site. The discussion
will be continued at the next meeting.
Planner Haskamp ended the work session at 7:32 p.m.