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Nowthen Planning and Zoning Commission meeting, February 22, 2024

Planning & Zoning

Thursday, February 22, 2024 · 7:00 PM

This meeting on the city's website ↗

Agenda

Not on file

What was on the agenda.

Packet

Open PDF ↗

The supporting materials the board reviewed.

Minutes

Open PDF ↗

The official record of what happened.

One-line summary

The Planning and Zoning Commission reelected Chair Ames, selected Commissioner Haapala as vice-chair, approved the agenda and November minutes, and continued the SotaSolar home-occupation IUP public hearing at 8150 Viking Boulevard to March 26, 2024.

What was on the agenda

9 items as recorded in the packet and minutes, each with a short summary of what was at issue.

  1. 1Call to Order and Pledge of Allegiance

    Call to Order and Pledge of Allegiance scheduled for 7:00 p.m.; the meeting was called to order at 7:02 p.m. and the pledge was recited.

    No vote was required.

    • meeting opening
    No action
    p. 1Meeting Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting — Agenda Packet (2024-02-22)1. Call to Order and Pledge of Allegiance: 7:00 p.m.p. 1Meeting Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting — Minutes (2024-02-22)Chair Ames called the meeting to order at 7:02 pm. Those assembled recited the pledge of allegiance.
  2. 2Roll Call

    Roll call was taken; all seven commissioners were present.

    Attendance was recorded; no vote was required.

    • roll call
    No action
    p. 1Meeting Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting — Agenda Packet (2024-02-22)2. Roll Callp. 1Meeting Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting — Minutes (2024-02-22)Present: Chair Ames, Commissioners Haapala, Jorgensen, Carlson, Pearo, Bies and Lewis.
  3. 3Selection of Chair and Vice-Chair

    The commission selected its chair and vice-chair for the year.

    The commission held its annual leadership selections. Commissioner Haapala and Chair Ames were nominated for chair, and the minutes record Chair Ames being reelected. Commissioner Jorgenson and Commissioner Haapala were nominated for vice-chair, and the minutes record Commissioner Haapala being selected as vice-chair.

    Chair Ames was reelected chair and Commissioner Haapala was selected vice-chair.

    • commission leadership
    Approved
    p. 1Meeting Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting — Agenda Packet (2024-02-22)3. Selection of Chair and Vice-Chairp. 1Meeting Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting — Minutes (2024-02-22)MOTION CARRIED FOR CHAIR AMES TO BE RELECTED TO CHAIR.p. 1Meeting Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting — Minutes (2024-02-22)MOTION CARRIED FOR COMMISSIONER HAAPALA TO BE VICE-CHAIR.
  4. 4Approval of Agenda

    The agenda was approved as presented.

    The commission approved the February 22 agenda as presented and approved the minutes from the November 28, 2023 regular meeting, each by seven ayes.

    • routine approvals
    Approved
    p. 1Meeting Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting — Agenda Packet (2024-02-22)4. Approval of Agendap. 1Meeting Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting — Minutes (2024-02-22)MOTION BY PEARO, SECOND BY HAAPALA TO APPROVE THE AGENDA AS PRESENTED. MOTION CARRIED SEVEN (7) AYES.
  5. 5Approval of Minutes from November 28, 2023 Regular Meeting

    The commission approved the minutes from the November 28, 2023 regular meeting.

    The commission approved the February 22 agenda as presented and approved the minutes from the November 28, 2023 regular meeting, each by seven ayes.

    • routine approvals
    Approved
    p. 1Meeting Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting — Agenda Packet (2024-02-22)5. Approval of Minutes from November 28, 2023 Regular Meetingp. 1Meeting Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting — Minutes (2024-02-22)MOTION BY PEARO, SECOND BY BIES TO APPROVE THE MEETING MINUTES OF NOVEMBER 28, 2023. MOTION CARRIED SEVEN (7) AYES.
  6. 6aInterim Use Permit for a Home Occupation - 8150 Viking Boulevard

    The commission opened the public hearing on the SotaSolar interim use permit request at 8150 Viking Boulevard and continued it to the March 26, 2024 Planning and Zoning meeting.

    The commission opened the public hearing on Shawn Himmelberger’s SotaSolar request for an interim use permit for a home occupation at 8150 Viking Boulevard. The discussion focused on the fact that the property is zoned C-1 and the current ordinance does not support the proposed home occupation; Planner Nash said the permit could not be issued under the current ordinance, and Mayor Pilon said the hearing needed to be extended. The commission voted to continue the public hearing to March 26, 2024.

    The public hearing was continued to March 26, 2024.

    • SotaSolar IUP
    Continued
    p. 1Meeting Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting — Agenda Packet (2024-02-22)6. Public Hearings a. Interim Use Permit for a Home Occupation - 8150 Viking Boulevardp. 1Meeting Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting — Minutes (2024-02-22)ITEM 6A. PUBLIC HEARING - Interim Use Permit for Home Occupation - 8150 Viking Blvd The public hearing was opened by Chair Ames at 7:14 pm.p. 2Meeting Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting — Minutes (2024-02-22)MOTION MADE BY HAAPALA, SECOND BY BIES TO CONTINUE PUBLIC HEARING TO MARCH 26, 2024 THE DATE OF THE NEXT PLANNING AND ZONING MEETING. MOTION CARRIED. SEVEN (7) AYES
  7. 7Unfinished Business

    No unfinished business was recorded in the minutes.

    The minutes do not record any unfinished business item being taken up.

    • unfinished business
    No action
    p. 1Meeting Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting — Agenda Packet (2024-02-22)7. Unfinished Business
  8. 8New Business

    The commission discussed whether to keep a December 2024 meeting date open in case a meeting is needed.

    Under new business, the commission discussed the December 2024 meeting schedule and left the date open so a meeting can be added if needed.

    No motion was recorded for the December meeting discussion.

    • December 2024 meeting
    Discussion only
    p. 1Meeting Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting — Agenda Packet (2024-02-22)8. New Businessp. 2Meeting Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting — Minutes (2024-02-22)NEW BUSINESS Discussion for December 2024 meeting, in the past a meeting was not needed for December, will leave the date open at this time and add a date in December if it is needed.
  9. 9Adjournment

    The commission voted to adjourn, and the meeting adjourned at 7:43 p.m.

    • adjournment
    Approved
    p. 1Meeting Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting — Agenda Packet (2024-02-22)9. Adjournmentp. 2Meeting Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting — Minutes (2024-02-22)MOTION BY HAAPALA, SECOND BY CARLSON TO ADJOURN THE MEETING. MOTION CARRIED. SEVEN (7) AYES. The meeting was adjourned at 7:43 PM.

Motions and votes

8 motions on the record.

  • M1MOTION BY COMMISSIONER BIES TO NOMINATE COMMISSIONER HAAPALA FOR CHAIR.

    moved by BIES

    Failed
    • YBIES
    • YHAAPALA
    • YPEARO
    p. 1Meeting Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting — Minutes (2024-02-22)MOTION BY COMMISSIONER BIES TO NOMINATE COMMISSIONER HAAPALA FOR CHAIR. THREE (3) AYES: BIES, HAAPALA, PEARO.
  • M2MOTION BY COMMISSIONER JORGENSEN TO NOMINATE CHAIR AMES FOR CHAIR.

    moved by JORGENSEN

    Passed
    • YAMES
    • YLEWIS
    • YCARLSON
    • YJORGENSEN
    p. 1Meeting Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting — Minutes (2024-02-22)MOTION BY COMMISSIONER JORGENSEN TO NOMINATE CHAIR AMES FOR CHAIR. FOUR (4) AYES: AMES, LEWIS, CARLSON, JORGENSEN. MOTION CARRIED FOR CHAIR AMES TO BE RELECTED TO CHAIR.
  • M3MOTION BY CHAIR AMES TO NOMINATE COMMISSIONER JORGENSON FOR VICE-CHAIR.

    moved by AMES

    Failed
    • YAMES
    p. 1Meeting Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting — Minutes (2024-02-22)MOTION BY CHAIR AMES TO NOMINATE COMMISSIONER JORGENSON FOR VICE-CHAIR. ONE (1) AYES: AMES
  • M4MOTION BY COMMISSIONER PEARO TO NOMINATE COMMISSIONER HAAPALA FOR VICE- CHAIR.

    Exact transcript text

    MOTION BY COMMISSIONER PEARO TO NOMINATE COMMISSIONER HAAPALA FOR VICE- CHAIR.

    moved by PEARO

    Passed
    • YBRIES
    • YCARLSON
    • YHAAPALA
    • YJORGENSEN
    • YPEARO
    • YLEWIS
    p. 1Meeting Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting — Minutes (2024-02-22)MOTION BY COMMISSIONER PEARO TO NOMINATE COMMISSIONER HAAPALA FOR VICE- CHAIR. SIX (6) AYES: BRIES, CARLSON, HAAPALA, JORGENSEN, PEARO AND LEWIS. MOTION CARRIED FOR COMMISSIONER HAAPALA TO BE VICE-CHAIR.
  • M5MOTION BY PEARO, SECOND BY HAAPALA TO APPROVE THE AGENDA AS PRESENTED.

    moved by PEARO, seconded by HAAPALA

    Passed
    • YAmes
    • YHaapala
    • YJorgensen
    • YCarlson
    • YPearo
    • YBies
    • YLewis
    p. 1Meeting Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting — Minutes (2024-02-22)Present: Chair Ames, Commissioners Haapala, Jorgensen, Carlson, Pearo, Bies and Lewis.p. 1Meeting Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting — Minutes (2024-02-22)MOTION BY PEARO, SECOND BY HAAPALA TO APPROVE THE AGENDA AS PRESENTED. MOTION CARRIED SEVEN (7) AYES.
  • M6MOTION BY PEARO, SECOND BY BIES TO APPROVE THE MEETING MINUTES OF NOVEMBER 28, 2023.

    Exact transcript text

    MOTION BY PEARO, SECOND BY BIES TO APPROVE THE MEETING MINUTES OF NOVEMBER 28, 2023.

    moved by PEARO, seconded by BIES

    Passed
    • YAmes
    • YHaapala
    • YJorgensen
    • YCarlson
    • YPearo
    • YBies
    • YLewis
    p. 1Meeting Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting — Minutes (2024-02-22)Present: Chair Ames, Commissioners Haapala, Jorgensen, Carlson, Pearo, Bies and Lewis.p. 1Meeting Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting — Minutes (2024-02-22)MOTION BY PEARO, SECOND BY BIES TO APPROVE THE MEETING MINUTES OF NOVEMBER 28, 2023. MOTION CARRIED SEVEN (7) AYES.
  • M7MOTION MADE BY HAAPALA, SECOND BY BIES TO CONTINUE PUBLIC HEARING TO MARCH 26, 2024 THE DATE OF THE NEXT PLANNING AND ZONING MEETING.

    Exact transcript text

    MOTION MADE BY HAAPALA, SECOND BY BIES TO CONTINUE PUBLIC HEARING TO MARCH 26, 2024 THE DATE OF THE NEXT PLANNING AND ZONING MEETING.

    moved by HAAPALA, seconded by BIES

    Passed
    • YAmes
    • YHaapala
    • YJorgensen
    • YCarlson
    • YPearo
    • YBies
    • YLewis
    p. 1Meeting Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting — Minutes (2024-02-22)Present: Chair Ames, Commissioners Haapala, Jorgensen, Carlson, Pearo, Bies and Lewis.p. 2Meeting Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting — Minutes (2024-02-22)MOTION MADE BY HAAPALA, SECOND BY BIES TO CONTINUE PUBLIC HEARING TO MARCH 26, 2024 THE DATE OF THE NEXT PLANNING AND ZONING MEETING. MOTION CARRIED. SEVEN (7) AYES
  • M8MOTION BY HAAPALA, SECOND BY CARLSON TO ADJOURN THE MEETING.

    moved by HAAPALA, seconded by CARLSON

    Passed
    • YAmes
    • YHaapala
    • YJorgensen
    • YCarlson
    • YPearo
    • YBies
    • YLewis
    p. 1Meeting Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting — Minutes (2024-02-22)Present: Chair Ames, Commissioners Haapala, Jorgensen, Carlson, Pearo, Bies and Lewis.p. 2Meeting Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting — Minutes (2024-02-22)MOTION BY HAAPALA, SECOND BY CARLSON TO ADJOURN THE MEETING. MOTION CARRIED. SEVEN (7) AYES.

Prior history on this business

When someone referred back to earlier business, we found the matching prior discussion and tied it in here.

  • Discussion for December 2024 meeting, in the past a meeting was not needed for December, will leave the date open at this time and add a date in December if it is needed.

    What this is about
    Prior December Planning and Zoning meeting practice; this could help locate earlier years when the commission skipped or cancelled December meetings.

    p. 2Meeting Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting — Minutes (2024-02-22)Discussion for December 2024 meeting, in the past a meeting was not needed for December, will leave the date open at this time and add a date in December if it is needed.

    Related history

    The records I searched do not contain a prior Planning and Zoning decision or discussion matching this recollection about skipping or cancelling December meetings. The results returned mostly relate to 2026 Planning and Zoning packets, land use applications, ordinance excerpts, and commission interviews, but they do not show an earlier December meeting being left open, cancelled, or deemed unnecessary.

    • Mar 10, 20261\. The City regularly receives inquiries from property owners, real estate professionals, developers and proposed purch
    • Apr 14, 20267\. Pursuant to Section 11-4-2A1 of the City of Nowthen's Zoning Ordinance, accessory structures shall comply with all s
    • Mar 24, 20267\. Pursuant to Section 11-4-2A1 of the City of Nowthen's Zoning Ordinance, accessory structures shall comply with all s
    • Apr 28, 2026APPROVAL OF AGENDA MOTION BY COMMISSIONER CARLSON, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER BIES TO APPROVE THE AGENDA. FIVE (5) AYES. M
    • Apr 28, 2026emphasizing the need to understand each situation thoroughly. Martell affirmed his belief in preserving wetlands and woo
  • It was noted that there are currently a few homes that are zoned C-1 and have both home and businesses on the property with an IUP/CUP.

    What this is about
    Prior approvals or permits for homes on C-1-zoned properties that also have businesses; this could help locate earlier IUP or CUP decisions involving similar C-1 home/business uses.

    p. 2Meeting Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting — Minutes (2024-02-22)It was noted that there are currently a few homes that are zoned C-1 and have both home and businesses on the property with an IUP/CUP.

    Related history

    The records I searched do not contain a clear prior decision matching the recollection of homes on C-1-zoned properties that also had businesses operating under an IUP or CUP. The closest partial match appears in the March 24, 2026 and April 14, 2026 meeting packets, which include proposed Interim Use Permit conditions for an owner-operated cannabis cultivation business on a property that also had residential-type conditions: no employees other than the property owners, use of an existing shed, no outdoor storage, septic compliance, and no sign without staff approval. However, the excerpts available here do not state that the property was zoned C-1, and they do not show a recorded Council vote outcome. The other search results mainly involve subdivisions, new homes, septic requirements, wetland buffers, and developer agreements, not prior IUP/CUP approvals for combined home-and-business uses on C-1 property.

    • Dec 23, 2025DECISION: Based on the foregoing information and applicable ordinances, the Planning and Zoning Commission recommends ap
    • Sep 23, 2025Option A: The cul-de-sac can be installed in substantial compliance with the Approved Plans and an easement acceptable t
    • Apr 14, 20266\. The approved total outdoor cultivation area shall not exceed 7000 square feet that is in a fenced and secured area a
    • Mar 24, 20265\. No extraction, production, or retail endorsements have been issued by the OCM. Even if granted by the OCM in the fut
    • Mar 10, 2026Council to determine that each lot has two available septic sites for the review and approval of the City's Building Off

Where this came up before

  1. Mar 10, 2026
    City Meeting

    1\. The City regularly receives inquiries from property owners, real estate professionals, developers and proposed purchasers ("Requesting Parties" or each a "Requesting Party") in relation to

    Doc1\. The City regularly receives inquiries from property owners, real estate professionals, developers and proposed purchasers ("Requesting Parties" or each a "Requesting Party") in relation to
  2. Apr 14, 2026
    City Meeting

    7\. Pursuant to Section 11-4-2A1 of the City of Nowthen's Zoning Ordinance, accessory structures shall comply with all setback requirements of the principal structure. 8\. Pursuant to Section 1

    Doc7\. Pursuant to Section 11-4-2A1 of the City of Nowthen's Zoning Ordinance, accessory structures shall comply with all setback requirements of the principal structure. 8\. Pursuant to Section 1
  3. Mar 24, 2026
    City Meeting

    7\. Pursuant to Section 11-4-2A1 of the City of Nowthen's Zoning Ordinance, accessory structures shall comply with all setback requirements of the principal structure. 8\. Pursuant to Section 1

    Doc7\. Pursuant to Section 11-4-2A1 of the City of Nowthen's Zoning Ordinance, accessory structures shall comply with all setback requirements of the principal structure. 8\. Pursuant to Section 1
  4. Apr 28, 2026
    City Meeting

    APPROVAL OF AGENDA MOTION BY COMMISSIONER CARLSON, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER BIES TO APPROVE THE AGENDA. FIVE (5) AYES. MOTION CARRIED. CONDUCT INTERVIEWS FOR THE VACANT SEAT ON THE PLANNING AND ZONING

    DocAPPROVAL OF AGENDA MOTION BY COMMISSIONER CARLSON, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER BIES TO APPROVE THE AGENDA. FIVE (5) AYES. MOTION CARRIED. CONDUCT INTERVIEWS FOR THE VACANT SEAT ON THE PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION. The commission conducted
  5. Apr 28, 2026
    City Meeting

    emphasizing the need to understand each situation thoroughly. Martell affirmed his belief in preserving wetlands and wooded areas and supporting the farmer's right to operate when addressing conf

    Docemphasizing the need to understand each situation thoroughly. Martell affirmed his belief in preserving wetlands and wooded areas and supporting the farmer's right to operate when addressing conf

Sources

Documents and recordings archived for this meeting, when available.

The summary on this page is AI-extracted and may need correction. The PDFs and the meeting recording are the official record. What do the trust labels mean?