Fred Heinonen
Scandia Area Reporter

The New Scandia Planning Commission and Town Board approved variances favorable to preservation of rural heritage at their combined meeting, Tuesday, Nov. 14.

Dave and Amy Hume won approval of variances to construct a third accessory building, (a 24x40 red garage) on their property on Old Marine Trail without taking down their 1920s barn or chicken coop.

The garage color does not have to match the house because it will match the barn. Dave Hume carefully explained how he plans to put vertical lap siding or old barn boards on his new garage.

He has been renovating their 1856 farm house for many years. Planning commission member Peter Schwarz praised the property and the Humesí renovation efforts and recommended variance approvals.

Swimming pools

Pamela Huberty requested an amendment to the current development code to allow UL approved, keyed covers as an alternative to fencing for pool safety for several reasons.

After a brief discussion, it was decided to review this request at the next planning commission meeting on December 5.

Other actions

The conditional use permit for Keiths landscaping was extended on condition they pave three parking spots by July 31, 2007.

Am-Tech Designís conditional use permit was extended.

The board decided to post permanent ìNo Parkingî signs on the north side of 209th Street between Olinda Trail and Oakhill Road N., per recommendation by Township Engineer Tom Peterson in consideration of emergency vehicle access during community events.

Town Board Supervisor, Mike Harnetty persuaded the board to approve sending notifications of the up coming election of city officials to all township residents to improve voter turnout on December 12.

The board set Dec. 13 at 7 p.m. for a workshop meeting on filling the Maintenance Worker position being vacated by Brian Jemelka, who is retiring on November 30 after over 30 years of service. Several other items will also be addressed at this meeting.

The Tiller Corporation moved toward approval of the Zavoral property mining and reclamation project east of TH-95 and TH-97.

They plan to mine 1.2 million cubic yards of sand and gravel from the existing pit as they reclaim the land, starting from the south end. Bonding is required to assure proper restoration.

The request to add one more lot to the Emerald Acres subdivision because of their financing problems was rejected.

Next meetings

The next planning commission/board meeting will be on December 5.

The next workshop meeting will be on December 13 (open to the public, but not to public comment).

The planning commission meeting for January is set for January 9 because the new city council must establish policies at their initial meeting on January 2.

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Forest Lake Times
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880 SW 15 St.
Forest Lake, MN 55025
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