What was on the agenda

15 items as recorded in the agenda, packet, and minutes, each with a plain-English summary of what was at issue.

1. PZ-1Call to Order and Pledge of Allegiance

   Call to Order and Pledge of Allegiance at the regular Planning and Zoning Commission meeting.

   Called to order and pledge recited.

   • meeting administration

   No action
   p. 1↗May 26, 2026 Agenda1. Call to Order and Pledge of Allegiance: 7:00 p.m.p. 1↗May 26, 2026 Packet1. Call to Order and Pledge of Allegiance: 7:00 p.m.0:01↗I call the meeting to order and the pledge allegiance. >> I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the

2. PZ-2Roll Call

   Roll call for the regular Planning and Zoning Commission meeting.

   Roll was taken; the transcript appears to garble several names.

   • meeting administration

   No action
   p. 1↗May 26, 2026 Agenda2. Roll Call0:27↗>> Now we'll have the roll call. >> All right. Chair Havelock? >> Here. >> Vice Chair Carroll? >> Here. >> Commissioner Reese? [0:37–0:48] >> Here. >> Commissioner Carlson? >> Present. >> Commissioner Reese? >> Here. >> Commissioner Jorgenson? >> Here. >> Commissioner Hoyem? >> Here. >> Planner Nash? [snorts] >> Here. …

3. PZ-3Approve/Amend Meeting Agenda

   Approval or amendment of the meeting agenda.

   The Commission amended the agenda to add an Old Business item so it could close a public hearing that had been left open or continued from a prior application that was withdrawn. The transcript is garbled about the application name, but the stated purpose was to formally close the prior hearing after withdrawal.

   The agenda was amended to add item 6B to close the prior public hearing for the withdrawn Fahrner application, then approved.

   • meeting administration
   • Fahrner withdrawn application

   Approved
   p. 1↗May 26, 2026 Agenda3. Approve/Amend Meeting Agenda1:45↗I think we [1:17–1:30] will add an item 6B on old business to officially close the last public hearing we left open or [1:28–1:39] continued >> [snorts] >> from uh Fahrner's application last month that was withdrawn.1:44↗Any other amendments? I'll make a motion to approve the amended uh >> [clears throat] [1:53–2:11] >> agenda. Motion from Commissioner Allen >> [cough] >> Second. Second by Commissioner Allen. Allen favor Say I. [2:10–2:27] >> I. >> Any opposed? Motion passes.

4. PZ-4Approve/Amend Minutes from April 28, 2026 Regular Meeting

   Approval or amendment of the April 28, 2026 regular meeting minutes.

   The Commission approved the April 28, 2026 regular meeting minutes with a correction clarifying that the public hearing had been closed and the decision on the Birchwood Lane variance request, rather than the hearing itself, had been continued to the next meeting.

   Approved with a correction stating the public hearing had been closed and only the variance decision continued.

   • meeting administration
   • April 28 minutes

   Approved
   p. 1↗May 26, 2026 Agenda4. Approve/Amend Minutes from April 28, 2026, Regular Meeting.2:23↗There was a comment about the first public hearing continued, but we actually closed that. And then continued the [2:47–2:59] variance request decision. So I think that line after the motion on page four [2:56–3:11] need to be corrected. It should say the public hearing was closed and the [3:09–3:22] decision for the v…3:47↗>> Oh, sorry. Yes, I will make a new motion to include the change for the motion from the previous meeting. The previous minutes from last [3:59–4:11] >> So moved motion to Commissioner Carroll. >> I'll second that. >> Second to Commissioner Carlson. Any discussion? [4:11–4:28] Seeing none, then we'll vote. It is uh Al…

5. PZ-5Public Hearings

   Public hearings listed on the agenda.

   No public hearings were held under the standing public hearing item.

   • meeting administration

   No action
   p. 1↗May 26, 2026 Agenda5. Public Hearings4:24↗Number five, public hearings. We have [4:24–4:39] none, so we'll move on to item 6A.

6. PZ-6Old Business

   Old Business section of the regular Planning and Zoning agenda.

   The Old Business section contained the Birchwood Lane variance and an added item to close a withdrawn application hearing.

   • 19922 Birchwood Lane variance
   • Fahrner withdrawn application

   No action
   p. 1↗May 26, 2026 Agenda6. Old Business1:45↗I think we [1:17–1:30] will add an item 6B on old business to officially close the last public hearing we left open or

7. PZ-6a19922 Birchwood Lane NW - Variance

   Variance request for 19922 Birchwood Lane NW.

   The Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval of Paul Hillukka's variance for an accessory garage on an outlot across Birchwood Lane from his home. The recommendation carried with conditions reflected in the findings, including building in the revised surveyed location, no dwelling or home occupation use, a deed restriction tying the parcels together, septic compliance or remediation before a building permit, demolition of the existing barn before the building permit, expiration language, and reimbursement of city costs.

   The Commission recommended approval of the variance with the conditions in the findings, including location, no dwelling or home occupation, deed restriction, septic compliance, barn demolition, expiration, and reimbursement provisions.

   • 19922 Birchwood Lane variance

   Approved with conditions
   p. 1↗May 26, 2026 Agendaa. 19922 Birchwood Lane NW 1. Variancep. 8↗May 26, 2026 PacketPaul Hillukka has submitted an application for a variance to permit a new accessory structure on an outlot that they own that is across Birchwood Lane from their home.10:14↗If not, I guess I'd make a motion to [10:28–10:52] recommend approval based on the uh the items noted under the recommendations. >> So, motion by Commissioner B's [10:55–11:09] to approve as written.11:37↗Seeing none, I'll call for a vote. All in favor, say "Aye." [11:46–11:58] >> Aye. >> Any opposed? Motion passes.

8. PZ-6bAdded item 6B - Close public hearing for withdrawn application

   Added Old Business item to close a prior public hearing for a withdrawn application.

   The Commission amended the agenda to add an Old Business item so it could close a public hearing that had been left open or continued from a prior application that was withdrawn. The transcript is garbled about the application name, but the stated purpose was to formally close the prior hearing after withdrawal.

   The agenda was amended to close a public hearing left open from a prior withdrawn application; the transcript is garbled about the application name.

   • Fahrner withdrawn application

   Withdrawn
   1:17↗I think we [1:17–1:30] will add an item 6B on old business to officially close the last public hearing we left open or [1:28–1:39] continued >> [snorts] >> from uh Fahrner's application last month that was withdrawn.11:57↗All right, so item 16 was added to the agenda for the Bar None [12:09–12:21] public hearing. They went through the application so we successfully close the public hearing and

9. PZ-7New Business

   New Business section of the regular Planning and Zoning agenda.

   The New Business section contained the Viking Estates final plat.

   • Viking Estates final plat

   No action
   p. 1↗May 26, 2026 Agenda7. New Business12:18↗move on to item seven, new business. Um item A, Viking Estates final plat for

10. PZ-7aViking Estates - Final Plat

    Final plat for Viking Estates.

    The Commission recommended approval of the Viking Estates final plat, a 14-lot residential subdivision with one outlot near Hwy. 47 and CSAH 22. Staff described remaining comments as technical and recommended approval under the draft findings, including that Outlot A is not buildable at this time, trail easements along internal streets are waived, and city engineer, planner, and county comments must be addressed.

    The Commission recommended approval of the final plat as laid out in the findings and recommendations.

    • Viking Estates final plat

    Approved with conditions
    p. 1↗May 26, 2026 Agendaa. Viking Estates 1. Final Platp. 36↗May 26, 2026 PacketGrant Rademacher is requesting approval of their final plat. The property consists of approximately 44.04 acres and is located at the southwest quadrant of the intersection of Hwy. 47 and CSAH 22.20:59↗I'll make a motion. >> Motion by Commissioner Perrault. Second motion. >> I'll make a motion to approve the [21:10–21:24] Viking Estates plat to go for final plat as as laid out here in the findings and recommendations.21:21↗Motion by Commissioner Farrell to approve the Viking Estates final plat as written. Second. Second by Commissioner Beese. [21:35–21:45] Any further discussion? Seeing none, I'll call for a vote. All in favor, say aye. [21:43–21:56] >> Aye. >> Any opposed? Motion passes.

11. PZ-8Adjournment

    Adjournment of the regular Planning and Zoning Commission meeting.

    The regular Planning and Zoning meeting was adjourned by motion.

    • meeting administration

    Approved
    p. 1↗May 26, 2026 Agenda8. Adjournment22:07↗Motion to adjourn. This is record of the meeting. Motion to adjourn by Commissioner Carlson. >> I'll second that. >> Second by Commissioner Farrell. [22:19–22:31] All in favor? Aye. We're adjourned.

12. JOINT-1Call to Order

    Call to order for the joint meeting following the regular Planning and Zoning Commission meeting.

    The joint meeting was called to order after the regular Planning and Zoning meeting.

    • joint planning education

    No action
    p. 1↗May 26, 2026 Agenda1. Call to Order: Immediately following regular Planning and Zoning Commission meetingp. 1↗May 26, 2026 Special Meeting MinutesMayor Hybben called the session to order at 7:24 p.m. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by all in attendance.22:30↗All right, so we'll go right back in [22:30–22:45] immediately opening the next meeting, guys. So, welcome. Here's the gavel. Good. We are opening our meeting. We've already done the pledge of allegiance, so we will pass on that at this point.

13. JOINT-2Roll Call

    Roll call for the joint meeting.

    Roll call was taken; no council members were absent.

    • joint planning education

    No action
    p. 1↗May 26, 2026 Agenda2. Roll Callp. 1↗May 26, 2026 Special Meeting MinutesPresent: Mayor Hybben, Council Member Breyen, Council Member Glaser, Council Member Swenson, and Council Member Rainville. Absent: None. Also present: City Clerk Johnson, Attorney Ruppe, Planner Nash, Planning and Zoning Commissioners Haapala, Hoium, Pearo, Lewis, Carlson, Jorgensen, and Bies.

14. JOINT-3Education presented by City Attorney and City Planner

    Education presented by the City Attorney and City Planner.

    After the regular Planning and Zoning meeting, the City Council and Planning and Zoning Commission held a joint education session led by the city attorney and city planner. The training reviewed comprehensive planning, zoning and subdivision ordinances, quasi-judicial decision-making, bias, the 60-day rule, open meeting law, due process, findings and records, conflicts of interest, subdivisions, variances, conditional use permits, and interim use permits.

    The joint body received training on planning law, records, hearings, variances, CUPs, IUPs, subdivisions, open meeting law, conflicts, and related topics.

    • joint planning education

    Discussion only
    p. 1↗May 26, 2026 Agenda3. Education presented by City Attorney and City Plannerp. 1↗May 26, 2026 Special Meeting MinutesCity Attorney Robert Ruppe and City Planner Cindy Nash jointly presented an educational session for the Planning and Zoning Commission and City Council members. The session covered the legal and procedural framework governing land use decision-making in Nowthen.p. 1↗Basics of Planning PresentationBOB RUPPE, CITY ATTORNEY CINDY NASH, CITY PLANNER BASICS OF PLANNING23:51↗So To start out Cindy and I divided up the slides just to so you have a little bit of a break between one [24:00–24:11] of us and the other. But we'd like this is very informal.

15. JOINT-4Adjournment

    Adjournment of the joint meeting.

    The joint meeting was adjourned by motion at 9:02 p.m.

    • joint planning education
    • meeting administration

    Approved
    p. 1↗May 26, 2026 Agenda4. Adjournmentp. 4↗May 26, 2026 Special Meeting MinutesMOTION TO BY COUNCIL MEMBER RAINVILLE, SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER GLASER TO ADJOURN. The meeting was adjourned at 9:02 p.m.

Motions and votes

6 motions on the record. Split votes are highlighted.

• MOTION-1Approve the amended agenda.

  Exact transcript text

  approve the amended uh agenda

  moved by Commissioner Allen, seconded by Commissioner Allen

  Passed

  All in favor; no opposed recorded.

  1:44↗Any other amendments? I'll make a motion to approve the amended uh >> [clears throat] [1:53–2:11] >> agenda. Motion from Commissioner Allen >> [cough] >> Second. Second by Commissioner Allen. Allen favor Say I. [2:10–2:27] >> I. >> Any opposed? Motion passes.

• MOTION-2Include the change for the motion from the previous meeting. The previous minutes from last.

  Exact transcript text

  include the change for the motion from the previous meeting. The previous minutes from last

  moved by Commissioner Carroll, seconded by Commissioner Carlson

  Passed

  All in favor; no opposed recorded.

  3:47↗>> Oh, sorry. Yes, I will make a new motion to include the change for the motion from the previous meeting. The previous minutes from last [3:59–4:11] >> So moved motion to Commissioner Carroll. >> I'll second that. >> Second to Commissioner Carlson. Any discussion? [4:11–4:28] Seeing none, then we'll vote. It is uh Al…

• MOTION-3Recommend approval based on the items noted under the recommendations.

  Exact transcript text

  recommend approval based on the uh the items noted under the recommendations

  moved by Commissioner B's, seconded by Commissioner Hoyle

  Passed

  All in favor; no opposed recorded.

  10:14↗If not, I guess I'd make a motion to [10:28–10:52] recommend approval based on the uh the items noted under the recommendations. >> So, motion by Commissioner B's [10:55–11:09] to approve as written.11:37↗Seeing none, I'll call for a vote. All in favor, say "Aye." [11:46–11:58] >> Aye. >> Any opposed? Motion passes.

• MOTION-4Approve the Viking Estates final plat as written.

  Exact transcript text

  approve the Viking Estates final plat as written

  moved by Commissioner Farrell, seconded by Commissioner Beese

  Passed

  All in favor; no opposed recorded.

  21:10↗I'll make a motion to approve the [21:10–21:24] Viking Estates plat to go for final plat as as laid out here in the findings and recommendations. [21:21–21:34] Motion by Commissioner Farrell to approve the Viking Estates final plat as written. Second. Second by Commissioner Beese.21:35↗Any further discussion? Seeing none, I'll call for a vote. All in favor, say aye. [21:43–21:56] >> Aye. >> Any opposed? Motion passes.

• MOTION-5Motion to adjourn.

  Exact transcript text

  Motion to adjourn

  moved by Commissioner Carlson, seconded by Commissioner Farrell

  Passed

  All in favor; no opposed recorded.

  22:07↗Motion to adjourn. This is record of the meeting. Motion to adjourn by Commissioner Carlson. >> I'll second that. >> Second by Commissioner Farrell. [22:19–22:31] All in favor? Aye. We're adjourned.

• MOTION-6MOTION TO BY COUNCIL MEMBER RAINVILLE, SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER GLASER TO ADJOURN.

  Exact transcript text

  MOTION TO BY COUNCIL MEMBER RAINVILLE, SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER GLASER TO ADJOURN.

  moved by Rainville, seconded by Glaser

  Passed

  p. 4↗May 26, 2026 Special Meeting MinutesMOTION TO BY COUNCIL MEMBER RAINVILLE, SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER GLASER TO ADJOURN. The meeting was adjourned at 9:02 p.m.

Sources

Documents and recordings archived for this meeting, when available.

• Document

  May 26, 2026 Special Meeting Minutes

  Minutes · Tuesday, May 26, 2026

  10 pages

  ↗
• Document

  May 26, 2026 Packet

  Packet · Tuesday, May 26, 2026

  76 pages

  ↗
• Document

  Basics of Planning Presentation

  Document · Tuesday, May 26, 2026

  24 pages

  ↗
• Document

  May 26, 2026 Agenda

  Agenda · Tuesday, May 26, 2026

  1 pages

  ↗
• Video

  Meeting recording

  YouTube

  Transcript · 720 segments · 2:03:54

  ↗