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HomeMy WebLinkAboutFebruary 24, 2026 Workshop PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION WORK SESSION MEETING – FEBRUARY 24, 2026 The Work Session Meeting of the Andover Planning and Zoning Commission was called to order by Chairperson Loehlein on February 24, 2026, at 7:15 p.m., at the Andover City Hall, 1685 Crosstown Boulevard NW, Andover, Minnesota. Commissioners present: Chairperson Nick Loehlein, Scott Hudson, Chuck Naughton, Jonathan Weinhold, Nicole Wicklund, and Ryan Winge. Commissioners absent: Commissioners Roger Grout. Also present: City Planner Peter Hellegers and Associate Planner Aidan Breen. PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSIONER TRAINING. PLANNING AND ZONING PROCEDURES Associate Planner Aidan Breen reviewed the Planning and Zoning Commission Procedures in detail, including: A chart showing the general applications process and where Planning and Zoning Commission meetings fall within that process. General Information  Role of the Planning and Zoning Commission.  Procedures.  Meeting Dates and Times.  Length of Term.  Staff Reports.  Attendance.  Payment.  Public Hearing Notification Process.  Recusal.  60-Day Rule. Summary of Items Reviewed by the Planning and Zoning Commission. Work Session Andover Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting Minutes – February 24, 2026 Page 2 Chair Loehlein noted that there does not need to be 100% agreement among the Commission. He stated that the discussion and reasons for agreeing or disagreeing on an item are important and will be noted in the minutes for the City Council to review. Chair Loehlein discussed the Typical Planning and Zoning Meeting Cadence document that was in the workshop packet and suggested that in 2026, when there are applications before the Commission, the applicant will be invited to address the commission prior to the public hearing being opened. Commissioner Weinhold asked, if there are questions from residents that are not directly related to the application before the commission, is there a way that the Commission can be proactive to head off potential questions before the meeting? Associate Planner Breen noted that with the public hearing notices staff will answer resident questions that they receive prior to the meeting. Planner Hellegers noted commissioners can pose the question back to staff and staff can answer if it is not the right venue. In addition, while some questions may not be able to be addressed during the meeting, after the meeting staff will often direct those questions to where they can be addressed. Commissioner Hudson asked about traffic studies and how much the City has to say with Anoka County regarding roads. Associate Planner Breen discussed how different roads fall under different jurisdictions, and all land use applications adjacent to county roads are reviewed by Anoka County, who make decisions about what improvements or changes are needed on county roads. All improvements or changes to City roads are directed by the City. The City may require a traffic study as a part of a larger land use application, but Anoka County will ultimately use that information to make their own decisions about any county roads. Commissioner Winge asked what the official Code change process is for the City. Proposed Code Amendments are generally brought to staff, who present them for discussion at a City Council Work Session. The Council gives direction to Staff to pursue the change or not. Code Amendment applications are typically initiated by the City of Andover as they benefit the whole city, but individual entities may apply for Code Amendments as well. Commissioners interested in seeing a certain code change are encouraged to speak with staff or provide direction via conditions in their recommendations for approval or denial of land use applications. City Planner Hellegers explained that the land use matters that come before the Planning and Zoning Commission generally fall into categories where the City would be “creating law” and have broader review discretion and there are other items which would be considered “applying law (applying existing law)” and the discretion is more limited. Planner Hellegers discussed the applications that would fall under the first category of “creating law”:  Comprehensive Plan. Work Session Andover Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting Minutes – February 24, 2026 Page 3  Comprehensive Plan Amendment – Commissioner Winge asked who has input on amendments. Planner Hellegers and Associate Planner Breen noted that Met Council sets the standards, and the City needs to determine how to meet those standards. Council approves the plan, and it goes back to the Met Council for review.  Zoning Ordinance.  Zoning (City Code) Amendment.  Rezoning. Associate Planner Breen reviewed the zoning map and the land use map and the following application processes which would be considered “applying (existing) law”:  Sketch Plan. This item also explained something shown on a Sketch Plan and is referred to as a “Ghost Plat”.  Preliminary Plat.  Conditional Use Permit (CUP).  Interim Use Permit (IUP).  Variance – All 4 criteria must be met. Reviewed Making Recommendations Based on Findings of Fact. Noted Processes Which Are Not Part of the Planning Commission Review such as Environmental Reviews, Final Plat, Dedication of Easements, and Vacation of Easements.. OPEN MEETING LAW/REMOTE MEETING PARTICIPATION POLICY City Planner Hellegers reviewed the Minnesota Open Meeting Law document from MN House Research. All Planning and Zoning Commission Meetings are open meetings. The Commission makes recommendations to the City Council. Staff reviewed the use of social media and posting by Commissioners who are representatives of the City. MEETING CADENCE The Typical Planning and Zoning Meeting Cadence document was provided. OTHER TOPICS/QUESTIONS – NONE. ADJOURNMENT. Chair Loehlein adjourned the meeting at 9:00 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, Debbie Wolfe, Recording Secretary Work Session Andover Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting Minutes – February 24, 2026 Page 4 TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc.