Fred Heinonen
Scandia Area Reporter

On Tuesday, March 6 the Scandia planning commission and city council rejected substituting a swimming pool cover for a fence to provide safety.

Ken Huberty argued that he has more safety control by having the cover key in his possession. The development code has now been changed to require a minimum four-foot fence around pools and must also have a self-closing, latching gate.

The Hubertys must now build a fence around their pool, even though they have a UL approved cover on it.

Willowbrook Church

The request to amend shoreland regulations to allow places of worship in the shoreland overlay district was extended to April 3 by the planning commission.

It was decided that the new Scandia Business and Commercial Development Committee should be allowed to review this change to the comprehensive plan.

Pastor Brad Reis wants to build Willowbrook Church on German Lake, but the amendment will affect all lakes. The discussion centered on; “What is the public benefit of making this change?”

A minimum lot size, a 200 foot high water setback, parking, traffic, and the tax exempt status were also discussed.

White Rock Ranch

The preliminary plat for White Rock Ranch was tabled by the city council to reconsider/clarify animals and forestation on lake lots and limit drainage into the lake. White Rock Ranch is a 14-lot development on the east side of White Rock Lake, most of which extends into the Forest Lake to the west.

Tii Gavo plat

Communications between representatives for the Tii Gavo Development on Big Marine Lake and Scandia indicate the final plat recently submitted was incomplete. A list of 14 items must be addressed before the final plat can be considered. This list includes the development agreement, which contains 12 more items of concern to meet city standards.

A major discrepancy in the final plat (which constitutes a material change) is that it does not include the promised community water system. The community wastewater system needs documented county approval and must have maintenance and management practices spelled out in the covenants.

General business

The city council took action on the following items:

•Adopted Ordinance 100 regulating gambling

•Approved a gambling permit for the women’s softball team (ham and turkey bingo)

•Adopted a resolution for a public hearing on April 3 to consider vacating streets in Old Lions Park

•Adopted a resolution establishing policies for employee health insurance benefits

•Adopted a resolution approving Blue Cross Blue Shield employee health insurance policy

Old business

The planning commission approved septic system variances for Jon Rodgers on Lofton Ave at Bone Lake because of proven hardships. He is now allowed to build a two-bedroom house on the existing foundation, with a new septic system 33.5 feet (instead of 75) from the high water mark.

Next meetings

The next Scandia City Council meeting is slated for 7 p.m., Tuesday, March 20. The next city council and planning commission meeting will be Tuesday, April 3, at 7 and 7:30 p.m., respectively.

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