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Nowthen Planning & Zoning - January 27th meeting, January 27, 2026

Planning & Zoning

Tuesday, January 27, 2026

This meeting on the city's website ↗

Agenda

Open PDF ↗

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 & Zoning Commission elected new officers (effective the next meeting), approved prior minutes and the agenda, reviewed 2026 meeting dates, recommended adoption of the annual commission policy with edits, and adjourned early before recognizing Chair Dale Ames for 50 years of service.

What was on the agenda

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

  1. 1Call to Order and Pledge of Allegiance: 7:00 p.m.

    Call to order and pledge were completed; no vote recorded.

    • meeting_procedure
    No action
    p. 1January 27, 2026 AgendaCall to Order and Pledge of Allegiance: 7:00 p.m.p. 1January 27, 2026 Meeting MinutesChair Ames called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Those assembled recited the pledge of allegiance.0:51we'll call you stand to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. The first thing we're doing is roll.

  2. 2Roll Call

    Roll call was taken; attendance recorded in minutes.

    • meeting_procedure
    No action
    p. 1January 27, 2026 AgendaRoll Callp. 1January 27, 2026 Meeting MinutesDeputy Clerk Stadel enacted roll call Present: Commissioners Ames, Jorgensen, Haapala, Bies, Carlson, and Pearo (Lewis arrived 7 minutes late) Also Present: Planner Nash, Liaison Mayor Hybben, Deputy Clerk Stadel Absent: City Clerk Johnson1:25>> Commissioner Ames >> here. >> Commissioner Jorgensson >> here. >> Commissioner Pero >> here. >> Commissioner Beast >> here. >> Commissioner Hippo >> here. >> Commissioner Lewis. >> Commissioner Carlson >> present. >> Mayor Shane Hib >> here. >> Deputy Curtis Stadel is here. Nash >> here. Roll call is complete.

  3. 3Selection of Chair and Vice-Chair

    The commission held its annual officer elections by roll call vote, selecting Commissioner Haapala as Chair and Commissioner Pearo as Vice-Chair, with both changes stated to take effect at the February 23, 2026 meeting after City Council approval.

    Officer selections were decided by roll call vote; minutes state the new Chair and Vice-Chair will begin at the February meeting.

    • officer_elections
    Approved
    p. 1January 27, 2026 AgendaSelection of Chair and Vice-Chairp. 1January 27, 2026 Meeting MinutesChairman Ames opened the floor for nominations for the Chair position. Commissioner Bies nominated Commissioner Pearo. Commissioner Jorgensen nominated Commissioner Haapala. A rollcall vote was conducted. For Commissioner Pearo - Commissioner Bies, Commissioner Pearo. For Commissioner Haapala - Chairman Ames, Commissio…

  4. 4Approve/Amend Meeting Agenda

    • meeting_procedure
    Approved
    p. 1January 27, 2026 AgendaApprove/Amend Meeting Agendap. 2January 27, 2026 Meeting MinutesMOTION BY COMMISIONER PEARO, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER JORGENSEN TO APPROVE THE AGENDA AS PRESENTED. SEVEN (7) AYES. MOTION CARRIED.8:37>> I will make the motion to approve the meeting agenda for today. >> Okay. So number four. >> I'll second the motion. >> Okay. Any discussion? >> All in favor say I. I. Hi. >> Okay.

  5. 52026 Meeting Dates

    Chair noted City Council had already approved the schedule; no commission action recorded in the minutes.

    • meeting_schedule
    Discussion only
    p. 1January 27, 2026 Agenda2026 Meeting Datesp. 2January 27th, 2026 Planning and Zoning PacketThe meeting dates that were approved by the Nowthen City Council for 2026 are as follows: Tuesday, January 27, 2026 Tuesday, February 24, 2026 Tuesday, March 24, 2026 Tuesday, April 28, 2026 Tuesday, May 26, 2026 Tuesday, June 23, 2026 Tuesday, July 28, 2026 Tuesday, August 25, 2026 Tuesday, September 22, 2026 Tuesday,…p. 2January 27, 2026 Meeting MinutesChairman Ames noted that last year was the first year in his 50+ years of service that they had held a meeting in December. He presented the list of meeting dates for the entire year of 2026, noting that the City Council had already approved the schedule.9:00Now, the the 1926 meeting agenda is on the back of our schedule here. This year is the first year we've ever had in my 50ome years that we've ever had a meeting in December. >> Oh, I know. >> So, But I just stating that that here's a list for the whole year and unless there's a special meeting... >> Okay. It's already …

  6. 6Approve/Amend Minutes from December 23, 2025, Regular Meeting

    Approved with an amendment correcting the spelling of Commissioner Jorgensen's name.

    • minutes_approval
    Approved
    p. 1January 27, 2026 AgendaApprove/Amend Minutes from December 23, 2025, Regular Meetingp. 1January 27, 2026 Meeting MinutesAPPROVAL OF DECEMBER 23, 2025, MEETING MINUTES. MOTION BY COMMISSIONER PEARO, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER CARLSON TO APPROVE THE DECEMBER 23, 2025, MEETING MINUTES WITH AMENDMENTS TO COMMISSIONER JORGENSEN'S NAME. SEVEN (7) AYES. MOTION CARRIED.5:52We have a motion to approve these minutes. >> I'll make the motion to approve the minutes as written. Commissioner Perl made a motion. Do we have a second? I'll second. Commissioner Carlson second it. Is there any discussion? >> Yeah, my name is spelled wrong... it's an E N... on the very first page... Every time it wa…

  7. 7Public Hearings

    No public hearings were held.

    • public_hearings
    No action
    p. 1January 27, 2026 AgendaPublic Hearings9:54The next thing they have on agenda here is no public hearing.

  8. 8Unfinished Business

    No unfinished business items were taken up.

    • unfinished_business
    No action
    p. 1January 27, 2026 AgendaUnfinished Business9:54The next thing they have on agenda here is no public hearing. Is there any other things? Okay.

  9. 9a2026 Draft Policy of Planning and Zoning Commission

    The commission reviewed the annual Planning and Zoning Commission policy and voted to recommend approval to the City Council, with a specific edit to change references from "City Administrator" to "City Clerk" (with no other substantive changes noted beyond updating dates).

    Commission recommended approval with the change of the title "City Administrator" to "City Clerk".

    • pz_policy
    Approved
    p. 1January 27, 2026 Agendaa. 2026 Draft Policy of Planning and Zoning Commissionp. 2January 27, 2026 Meeting MinutesMOTION BY COMMISSIONER PEARO, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER BIES TO RECOMMEND APPROVAL OF THE PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION POLICY WITH CHANGING THE TITLE "CITY ADMINISTRATOR" TO "CITY CLERK". SEVEN (7) AYES. MOTION CARRIED.10:12every year we have you look at these um this policy and and recommend approval of a policy for the current year. We take that to the city council then for adoption for the planning commission. I did not recommend any changes except for updating dates to current year... >> Mr. Chair, I have a commission. There's referen…

  10. 10Adjournment

    Meeting adjourned at 7:18 pm.

    • meeting_procedure
    Approved
    p. 1January 27, 2026 AgendaAdjournmentp. 2January 27, 2026 Meeting MinutesMOTION BY COMMISSIONER CARLSON, SECONDED BY JORGENSEN, TO ADJOURN. SEVEN (7) AYES. MOTION CARRIED. Meeting adjourned at 7:18 pm15:44if there's no other business will last motion can be made for a journment. >> I'll make the motion to journ the motion. Do we have a second? >> I'll second. >> Commissioner Jorg is seconded. All in favor say I. All right.

Other topics discussed

Topics that came up without tying to a specific agenda item.

  • Recognition of Chair Dale Ames retirement and 50 years of service

    After the meeting adjourned, Mayor Hybben recognized Chair Dale Ames for 50 years of service to Burns Township and the City of Nowthen and thanked him on behalf of city staff, followed by applause and refreshments.

    Speakers: Mayor Hybben.

Motions and votes

4 motions on the record.

  • M1MOTION BY COMMISSIONER PEARO, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER CARLSON TO APPROVE THE DECEMBER 23, 2025, MEETING MINUTES WITH AMENDMENTS TO COMMISSIONER JORGENSEN'S NAME.

    Exact transcript text

    MOTION BY COMMISSIONER PEARO, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER CARLSON TO APPROVE THE DECEMBER 23, 2025, MEETING MINUTES WITH AMENDMENTS TO COMMISSIONER JORGENSEN'S NAME.

    moved by Commissioner Pearo, seconded by Commissioner Carlson

    Passed

    SEVEN (7) AYES.

    p. 1January 27, 2026 Meeting MinutesMOTION BY COMMISSIONER PEARO, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER CARLSON TO APPROVE THE DECEMBER 23, 2025, MEETING MINUTES WITH AMENDMENTS TO COMMISSIONER JORGENSEN'S NAME. SEVEN (7) AYES. MOTION CARRIED.

  • M2MOTION BY COMMISIONER PEARO, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER JORGENSEN TO APPROVE THE AGENDA AS PRESENTED.

    Exact transcript text

    MOTION BY COMMISIONER PEARO, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER JORGENSEN TO APPROVE THE AGENDA AS PRESENTED.

    moved by COMMISIONER PEARO, seconded by COMMISSIONER JORGENSEN

    Passed

    SEVEN (7) AYES.

    p. 2January 27, 2026 Meeting MinutesMOTION BY COMMISIONER PEARO, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER JORGENSEN TO APPROVE THE AGENDA AS PRESENTED. SEVEN (7) AYES. MOTION CARRIED.

  • M3MOTION BY COMMISSIONER PEARO, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER BIES TO RECOMMEND APPROVAL OF THE PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION POLICY WITH CHANGING THE TITLE "CITY ADMINISTRATOR" TO "CITY CLERK".

    Exact transcript text

    MOTION BY COMMISSIONER PEARO, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER BIES TO RECOMMEND APPROVAL OF THE PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION POLICY WITH CHANGING THE TITLE "CITY ADMINISTRATOR" TO "CITY CLERK".

    moved by COMMISSIONER PEARO, seconded by COMMISSIONER BIES

    Passed

    SEVEN (7) AYES.

    p. 2January 27, 2026 Meeting MinutesMOTION BY COMMISSIONER PEARO, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER BIES TO RECOMMEND APPROVAL OF THE PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION POLICY WITH CHANGING THE TITLE "CITY ADMINISTRATOR" TO "CITY CLERK". SEVEN (7) AYES. MOTION CARRIED.

  • M4MOTION BY COMMISSIONER CARLSON, SECONDED BY JORGENSEN, TO ADJOURN.

    moved by COMMISSIONER CARLSON, seconded by JORGENSEN

    Passed

    SEVEN (7) AYES.

    p. 2January 27, 2026 Meeting MinutesMOTION BY COMMISSIONER CARLSON, SECONDED BY JORGENSEN, TO ADJOURN. SEVEN (7) AYES. MOTION CARRIED.

Sources

Documents and recordings archived for this meeting, when available.

Show a sample of the transcript (110 segments, 17:10 total)
  • 0:01 That was only a couple years back though, right? >> Yeah. >> Like 2022, 2021. >> Three or four years. >> I kind of wish
  • 0:10 I' been looking for anybody. >> You're doing all right. >> Usually you're always here sitting down and I'd be like, "Where's my buddy
  • 0:18 Harold?" I can't even with you. >> I love it. >> I love it. All the cocktail people at
  • 0:24 the end of the street knows that you know who knows
  • 0:51 you don't. We'll call you stand to the flag of the United States of
  • 1:03 America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice
  • 1:12 for all. The first thing we're doing is roll.
  • 1:25 >> Commissioner Ames >> here. >> Commissioner Jorgensson >> here. >> Commissioner Pero >> here. >> Commissioner Beast >> here. >> Commissioner Hippo
  • 1:34 >> here. >> Commissioner Lewis. >> Commissioner Carlson >> present. >> Mayor Shane Hib >> here. >> Deputy Curtis Stadel is here. Nash
  • 1:44 >> here. Roll call is complete. >> Thank you. The first thing we're going to do tonight is have our election.
  • 1:53 Every year we have the uh we make a motion for the uh chairman and also for the vice chairman. It goes to the city and the city accepts our
  • 2:02 recommendations. So at this time I'll open it up for uh nominations for the chairman. >> Mr. Chair.
  • Showing first 12 segments. Open the YouTube video for the full transcript.

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