Jodi Donnay

The meeting commenced with an organizational session for 2026, resulting in the unanimous election of Jeremiah Sedler as Chairperson, Bruce Mickelson as Vice Chairperson, and the Zoning Office as Secretary. Kathy Skiba was appointed as the Planning Commission Representative on the Board of Adjustment. The commission agreed to move the July Planning Commission meeting from July 9, 2026, to July 8, 2026, due to a conflict with the Isanti Rodeo parade. The board approved the preliminary plat for Tiegs Addition, contingent on a potential wetland permit requirement for Lot 2 access upgrades. The preliminary plat for Rhoades Acres was approved without conditions. The preliminary plat for Stanford Meadows West was approved subject to several conditions related to Highway Right of Way Dedication and access controls along County Road 68 and Nightengale Street NW, addressing a neighbor's safety concerns. The final agenda item, a request for a conditional use permit for a rural tourism event center by Thomas Wolcyn Trustee / Evergreen Acres, was tabled until the February 12, 2026 meeting to allow the applicants to complete a noise abatement study, following extensive discussion regarding noise concerns and amplified music.

The subcommittee held a working session to discuss an amendment to the Isanti County Zoning Ordinance concerning Contractor's Yards in the Agriculture/Residential District. Discussions focused on using the existing Isanti County definition for Contractor's Yards and whether to permit such operations as an Interim Use Permit or a Conditional Use Permit. Key restrictions considered included minimum lot size, maximum yard area, setbacks, screening, and hours of operation. The implications of homestead status on properties with Contractor's Yards were examined, noting that businesses or LLCs cannot homestead property. The group decided to invite the County Highway Engineer to the next meeting to discuss road requirements and infrastructure related to these yards. The agenda for the next meeting will also include a discussion on an amendment regarding cul-de-sac lengths and driveway accesses.

The meeting included an organizational session where Valerie Marty-Anderson was nominated and named Chairperson, and Jim Fridstrom was nominated and named Vice Chairperson. The primary discussion item concerned a request from Reliable Land & Trust to vary the maximum length for a cul-de-sac in a proposed subdivision in Stanford Township to 900 feet. The request was reviewed along with comments and conditions provided by Stanford Township regarding the preliminary plat, including stipulations on development adherence, right-of-way dedication, stormwater management, and required financial security. Concerns were raised regarding potential traffic impacts and safety due to the proposed cul-de-sac length, but the Board ultimately approved the variance request based on findings related to lot access, practical difficulties presented by the land lay, and consistency with Isanti County policies. The meeting adjourned shortly thereafter.

The agenda for the upcoming meeting includes calling the meeting to order, public comment, approval of the agenda, consideration of the up-to-date budget report through January 2026, review of bills and invoices, and the Director's Report covering programs, events, the spring burn schedule, a park bench donation, a grant application, a special use permit request, and park visitor counts. Other business items involve the Becklin Park paved access agreement and per diems.

The meeting agenda included review of claims and warrants, approval of the current agenda, and approval of the consent agenda. Key items approved in the consent agenda included personnel action items, acceptance of donations to Isanti County, renewal of a Consumption and Display Permit for Cambridge Curling Club, approval of a Final Plat for Stanford Meadows West, and approval of various utility permits and claims/warrants. Health and Human Services matters included a discussion on fraud prevention and approval of opioid settlement fund reimbursements for public health staff time. The County Administrator sought approval for Planning Commission items. The County Assessor proposed setting the 2026 County Board of Appeal and Equalization Date. The Highway Engineer addressed several items, including the purchase of a tandem snowplow truck, 2026 annual town road allotments, final payments for Contract No. 2501 and No. 2502, a resolution regarding parking on CSAH 5, and an overview of the 2026 Construction Program.