Sounds like >> folks 6:30 here. And with that, I will call to order the city of Oronoko's planning and zoning commission meeting for this evening, Thursday, March 5th, 2026. And roll call. I'm Kathy Brandt Rucker.
John Evans >> here. >> Grant Koser >> here. >> Jim Phillips >> here. Scott Sorenson >> here. >> Daniel Spring >> here. >> And we currently have one open position. Uh staff Evan Mson. >> Good evening.
>> Joe Palin. >> No, Evan does it for Joe. >> Okay. And Jason Baker >> here. >> Thank you. Uh next up, approval of the agenda for the evening. Does anybody have any changes to the agenda? >> Make a motion to approve the agenda.
Second. >> Got a first. We've got a second. All in favor of the agenda say I. >> I. >> Any opposed? Okay. Agenda is set for this evening. Uh we don't currently have any me meeting minutes to add. So we will move on to the public hearings or
petition section. And we have a signed petition for 230 Minnesota Avenue North. And with that, Evan, I see since you are on, do you you did submit a letter to us for this and we've got some documentation to go along with that. Is that something you would cover for us?
just the background on that. >> Yeah. So, I'll keep it pretty simple and quick, but as you see, there's a letter uh dated, I believe, February 18th, noting that they are putting up two signs. One of the signs doesn't meet the definition of a sign under our code, so it doesn't need a permit or anything
from the city. The other sign does require permit. And due to the fact that it's along Minnesota Avenue, it's within what's called the historic sign uh zone. And so that means you guys as the plan and zoning commission get to review and technically approve or deny the sign
request. So obviously if you see any issues with the sign, this is the time to speak up. Uh Mel did send the I believe plans on February 18th as well to you guys via email. So if you guys need a graphic, I can definitely pull it up on the screen here as well. >> Why don't you could you pull that up?
>> Yeah, give me 30 seconds here to get that up for you. Um but yeah, there is sign requirements in city code. It's actually in a different code than the zoning code. Um so if you're going through the zoning code wondering why you don't see
sign requirements, that's why. Um but >> and I believe that >> fact that there's that extra sign section has been discussed in the past either >> or put it rewrite it a whole new section of code someplace so it would go to the council instead or
>> correct. >> Yeah. So, I'm going to pull up the plans here in my end, but um yeah, going through the code, the sign meets uh the city's current requirements. Obviously, if there's anything that you guys see designwise, that's really kind of the
purpose of the overlay zone. So, >> I haven't even seen what the sign looks like. >> One of the two signs is the old one that used to be on the corner over there. That's kind of old historic looking. The that one that was the woman that would
go up when there was a road to Misappa that's now closed off. Used to be on that corner. That was one of the two. >> Okay. So, you might be able to see my screen now. >> Yeah. >> Yes. >> Here we go.
>> So, the top here, this is the sign that would go on the front of the building. >> All right. >> It's pretty basic. obviously has the name of the business and everything. And the old sign here is what's being proposed to be on the north side of the
building. So, this is doesn't meet our definition of a sign because it doesn't have the name of the business. It's not advertising, you know, anything in particular. So, this doesn't need a permit, but obviously he included because he was under the presumption it might
>> it's already done. That one is the historic one that used to sit on the corner over there. The Zeppa had a sign painting festival international contest years ago. Okay. >> And they made all these. So that was the one or no ended up with. >> Yeah. So this is technically the sign
that you guys get to approve. And so >> um you see the drawing here in the top. >> Um they have a mock here in the middle and then obviously some other sign details there. So and obviously um in your packet there is a resolution. So if you guys um want to approve the sign,
there is that resolution in the packet and you can just approve approve that resolution because that has findings and conditions in there. So we did all the busy work for you. >> So I do have a question on that. This sign is going to be lit. >> Um is there
>> correct >> through this you know six feet by 3 feet. Okay. Um, a lot of other resolutions or other conditions we put on things are, you know, when can things be illuminated, not illuminated. I know when we did the sign that was out on the
the bus place out there. >> Mhm. >> That was one of the things is, you know, the it shouldn't be back lit or should be lit, but if it is lit, and this one's looks like it's designed to be lit. Mhm. >> Anything that says after a certain time at night it should be shut off or
>> there's not there's nothing in your code, but if you guys want to put some sort of condition that maybe after midnight um they shut off or after 10 um it's up to you guys. Um I don't have any >> issues. The size of this one
>> 3T by six feet >> 18 square feet. >> So six feet wide, three feet tall. >> Yep. Well, I'm sitting over here looking at waterworks right now. Okay. And um
he's got lights that are that are underneath it right now. Was wondering why you want to have it lit if it's going to show up that way with what you have. Or does he turn those lights off? >> No. No. looks like.
>> I know he just wants to have it look nice. >> Yeah. >> Was I'm not against the other. I'm just trying to figure out if if it's it's going to be back lit that there is behind it. Is it going to be neon or just back lit?
Because if it's back lit, it' be probably be done with vinyl. I'd like to know a little bit more about what it is that way. >> Yeah. So based on what he had submitted is um front lit. So it would be um I believe the actual
electrical would be in the logo itself. So it wouldn't have the light behind it. >> So it's the letters overall. >> Yep. Correct. >> It's either got to be back lit if that's way you're trying to do it or
Okay. Or neon. One of the other. Those are the only two ways you can do it. back later. >> Any other questions, discussions? So that was my only question is if anybody wanted to consider putting because that's something we had talked about with the bus place and we've talked about as other things have come
through is if and you know he can certainly turn it off earlier than he wants but if that's something it's not clearly right there residential right across the street it's city hall here so >> I'm not overly concerned. Do we require um Schaefer to turn their signs off?
>> I don't think there's anything. Yeah. >> Yeah. So, I >> I was ask No, I was just trying to figure, you know, what it is and the way it's going to be. >> Yeah. >> Well, am I against Mike, you know,
advertising his business? No, not at all. Yeah, I just I'm trying to look too and >> and in the packet also posted on the website on the city's website, there is a sample resolution we could use if we so wanted to approve or we could write
one if we wanted to deny as well. So >> I don't have a problem with it at all. >> No. >> So if anybody would want to make a motion to use the sample resolution, I would certainly accept a motion. I would motion for us to do that. >> The approval.
>> Yep. >> Is there a second? >> Second. >> Second. Thank you. >> Any more discussion? >> Any more discussion? All in favor of the resolution as drafted earlier that's included with our packet information and posted out there. Please say I.
>> I. >> Anyone opposed? Same sign. Okay. This would move forward then as passed by the planning and zoning. And I believe does this then go to council or this one just goes right back to the city? >> This is just before you guys. So
obviously since you approved it, uh they can get the permit from the city now. >> All right. Next up, >> do we need to change that to >> Yeah. Instead of as a recommendation, the city, it's going to be just as a
>> motion and we've approved it and passed it. It's a resolution. We'll just update that in minutes if we >> Yep. So, instead of it's a recommendation to city council, this is a resolution from planning and zoning and this goes back to the city as
approved by us. All right. New business. We have Matchbox Farms and there was some information. We don't have a public hearing. I don't know if we will ever have a public hearing from what I'm read on this one, but it sounds like we have
somebody who is looking to create a cannabis business, not open to the public, but a grow business in one of the commercial buildings in town here with the intent to grow, >> but to bring the product that's being
grown to a store in Albertly, >> right, >> is the gist I got out of that. And I don't know if anybody has anything else to add to that other what than what little I was able to read. >> And it's all being controlled by by the
county and also by the state. So all the security everything else that there is and >> what needs to be done is all governed by by >> because there's some pretty stringent security requirements if you're going to grow inside or outside. >> Yeah, because it looked like they were eventually going to be doing outside as
well. That's what I saw too, >> you know. Um, so I mean that's where I think the security is going to be a little bit stronger than what it's going to be on the inside, you know, and and I mean it's it's it's over to the side that I don't think it's going to bother
anybody. And unless you're going along the side over there, you wouldn't even >> if if you're wondering or watching along at home, it's where the old cy boutique was. that section over there on the frontage road on the west side. So I
don't it's just >> Yeah. No, I think it's far enough about I I I think that everything makes sense and again they've done everything right and and that. So as long as it's being regulated by by the county and state
>> seeing with what the code is today because we have not adopted anything new yet either. Um, but as it sits right now and I think what the state has, how it's written, I don't know that we have the ability to say one way or another. >> No, I I just, you know, as long as it it's being >> I just want to make sure everybody's
aware that it's out there. >> Yeah, because I guess that they have like what is it? $60,000, Jason, that they've got or Mel was saying something about that that for them to get this that they had a >> Oh, yeah. I mean, it's a huge down payment for
what they're to be able to do this stuff. So, >> I'm aware of it from the bank side how the regulation runs through the state. So, >> it's it's interesting, but again, just for everybody's awareness because people could hear about this and wonder if there's a security issue. My
understanding is there are some strict security requirements, but I don't have the full story there on the security side and what conversations have been had. And it's not going to be open to the public. It's not going to be a place where people can go and buy anything.
>> It is at this point strictly a growth operation almost more egg >> and for sale in Albertly. >> So moving on, we have old business though and we do have an open position. Justin
is here this evening and we did all receive your application the other last month. So I don't know if you want to give a speech, a word, uh sing, whatever you feel like doing. >> Um >> but feel free to introduce yourself and
>> Okay. Uh I'm Justin Risdorfer. I don't I know some of us have had a chance to meet. Um we live over on the people's co-op side right over there. my wife and I and we have three kids been an oro for
gosh what is it 12 14 years somewhere in there sorry it kind of blends together after a while um we love the community that we live in the small town feeling you know you can still see the stars outside I grew up on a dairy farm so you know the way the lots are set up
everything else a lot of value in it you can tell the people in the neighborhood we take care of each other and one of our other neighbors he used to be on the zoning committee for a while and it just felt like a good time for me to kind of help out especially with my availability right now. It actually works out
surprisingly and so that's why I was asked to see if I was interested and drew my application. >> Appreciate it. >> Y welcome tears. >> Yeah. >> Uh any questions from anybody up front here for Justin?
>> I know we did change officially the meeting date instead of the second Thursday. Now we're at the first Thursday. >> That would be fine. >> So just so you're aware >> Monday. >> Okay. Um with that, I would certainly
entertain a motion if anybody wanted to make a recommendation that we would send an application on to council one way or the other. >> I'll make a motion to approve Justin for PNZ. >> Is there a second? >> Second. Thank you. Uh any discussion? All in favor of approving the
application and sending it on to council for their blessing, please say I. >> I. >> Any opposed? All right. Thank you very much. We do meet again next month. We tend to if we don't have public hearings or things that require a vote or action.
There are months we may not meet, but uh we'll get make sure we get your email and everything else from Jason. I believe he's got all that information, too. Otherwise, >> and I'm go on this council meeting, but you're not required to be there for any
particular reason. If you don't want to be there, so if you want to come, you can. >> But I mean, I don't have to be it. >> There's no require. It'll be probably be halfway through the agenda. So, it'll be an hour or so, I
would imagine. So, >> like, yeah. >> All right. You guys really sold me, St. No concession stands. >> You can watch it online if you want. Thank you. Thank you. That's good. >> All right. Well, with that, uh, we have talked about once we do get up and
running and are fully staffed up here looking to fill some of these officer positions. So, something to continue to think about and potentially next month, we'll see where we sit. Um but with that moving on minutes of the prior meeting any update
there or just continue on and we'll see where we are next month trying to get that backlog out of the way. >> Yep. >> We do have a permit report was also posted on the website. Was there any questions that we can send on Jason's way or anybody may be able to answer
questions. I appreciate getting that report. So thanks Jason and thanks staff. Yeah, and I suspect here in the coming months those numbers will start to pick up again. I do know that the uh Dragon development that's still on point um to break ground this summer.
>> Okay. >> Spring whenever they're going to start breaking ground. So hopefully we can get the zoning codes approved soon and get that going and so we'll start to see those ones at least. Do we get any more information from across from Casey's from yet?
>> People's just it's untitled future development sitting there and >> and they're just waiting for the zoning votes. >> Everybody's kind of >> limbo. >> Yep. Um and there have been some workshops with that and there's a workshop set up for a future RFP draft.
So, it's some discussion on that. I don't know if anybody's had a chance to attend or seen the minutes that are posted out there. I have unfortunately been unable to attend some of those, but they are out there and available and our job. So, thank you all for working on it
here and giving them something that they can actually discuss and take action on one way or the other. So, >> there is another um workshop for the zoning >> next Thursday. >> Yep. >> 6:30. >> 6:30.
>> Okay. >> That one is 6:30, right? >> 5:30. >> 5:30. Okay. >> Next Thursday at 5:30. >> So, anybody that wants to come from PNZ is welcome to attend as well. >> Excellent.
>> Grant's been been the rep for PNZ for the last two meetings. So, it's been good to have >> good person on there. >> And then RFP stuff will start. That's probably more um where we'll need more
input for that. Yep. No, I just it's a good just good business to from time to time take a look at contracts, especially ones that just flip over from year to year without having a deep dive into what you're getting for what you're
paying. So, just since it's all our taxpayer dollars, I think it's okay to look at it now and then. It's been, I believe, 15 years, >> 20 >> 20 years since that one's been looked at. So, it's it's time. >> Yep. Just the the input that I'm just >> Yeah. like what what we're looking for.
>> Yeah, >> that'll be it that'll help to steer the conversation. >> And that one is set for what day do you have that date to be? >> The Thursday afterwards workshop the >> next two Thursdays in a row. >> Yeah, the next this Thursday next two Thursdays we've got meetings. So
>> maybe we can get the Girl Scouts in to sell cookies and that be our concession stand for the rest of the meetings. Anyway, sorry. Um >> the Boy Scouts set up popcorn. All right. Anything else that we need to have here for discussion this evening? >> No. Motion to adjurnn.
>> Motion to adjourn. >> Second. >> I've got a second. All in favor of adjourning say I. >> I. >> Anyone opposed? Same sign. >> Meeting is adjourned. Thank you very much for coming. >> Have those three hour meeting
when you show up your eyes. >> Oh yeah. Coats are