HomeMy WebLinkAboutOctober 09, 2025 - Planning Minutes
Planning Commission
City of Shakopee
Thursday, October 9, 2025
7:00 PM
City Hall, 485 Gorman Street
1. Roll Call
Present: Commissioners Forsythe (chair), Robbins, Weiler, Sepulvado, Forsythe, Ranua
and Sandhu
2. Approval of Agenda
Motion by Robbins seconded by Sandhu
Passed unanimously
3. Recognition by Planning Commission of Interested Citizens
None
4. Consent Agenda
4a. Approval of the Planning Commission Meeting Minutes from September 4, 2025.
Commissioner Robbins noted the BOA should say Planning Commission, with that
change Motion by Robbins, Seconded by Ranua, abstain by Reding, passed
unanimously.
5. Other Business
5.a PUBLIC HEARING: Comprehensive Plan Amendment - Richland Court
Motion by Commissioner Robbins seconded by Commissioner Ranua to open.
Passed unanimously.
Sta? noted that the Commission has seen this project multiple times. The Met
Council is asking that the Comprehensive Plan be changed for the subject property
from Suburban Residential to Suburban Edge Residential since the property does
not meet the minimum density of 3 DUA because of the way the Met Council
calculates density that does not include ROW. This land use matches the
surrounding properties.
Commissioner Sepulvado moved to close seconded by Commissioner Sandhu.
Passed unanimously. Commissioner Robbins moved that the Planning Commission
forward a positive recommendation to the city council to approve the reguiding.
Seconded by Commissioner Ranua. Passed unanimously.
5.b PUBLIC HEARING: Jackson Township Development Area AUAR Update
Commissioner Robbins moved to open Commissioner Sandhu seconded, passed
unanimously.
The Alternative Urban Areawide Review (AUAR) must be updated every five to see
how the area is developing relative to the original planning document. The process
is designed to look at the cumulative impacts of development within the geographic
area.
The 2,890-acre study area was assessed based on the uses identified in the 2040
Comprehensive Plan and regulation existing at the time.
The update to the plan includes new climate adaptation and greenhouse gas
information, updates to the tra?ic analysis and recommended mitigations along
with updated data regarding stormwater management, development and other
environmental items along with additional mitigation updates.
Recommendations include further analysis fo the Sanitary Sewer Master Plan based
on changes to see if it can serve a larger area because of land use changes to the
south and the city’s compliance with the latest rules and regulations regarding
stormwater management, historic properties and other topics.
Commissioner Robbins asked what the status of the document was. Sta? said it
was out for agency comments right now and would be sent to Council after those
comments are collected and responded to sometime in November.
Commissioner Sandhu asked about utility extensions for the area. They are being
brought to the area by the developments as they occur.
Commissioner Ranua expressed concern about the increase in water usage and the
impacts on groundwater in the area by the new densities. Shakopee Public Utilities
has noted that water usage has gone down in the newer homes because of
e?iciencies and less persons per household based on historical usage in the city.
Commissioner Robbins moved to close the public hearings, seconded by
Commissioner Reding.
Commissioner noted that there were 139 pages. Very thorough. Commissioner
Sandhu noted how thorough it was with a lot of good information.
Commissioner Reding moved the AUAR to the city council with a positive
recommendation. Seconded by Commissioner Robbins. Passed unanimously.
5.c PUBLIC HEARING: Modification of Home Occupancies to Allow Dog
Boarding and Daycare
Commissioner Sepulvado moved to open Commissioner Sandhu seconded, passed
unanimously.
Sta? reported that there were two workshops at the city council and there was
feedback from people providing these services (not currently allowed as home
occupations). There are issues with enforcement with these facilities currently
operating illegally and there is now way to stay on top of these users and they
impact the community and how is there a way to regulate these including tracking.
The new regulations would:
Users would have to obtain and annually renew a permit subject to city
inspection
Require a permit even if no compensation is received (like through Rover)
Limit care to a maximum of 4 non-owner dogs at a time
Restrict outdoor activity to fenced rear yards
Notify landlords if the home is rented; HOA rules still apply
No unattended outdoor dogs except via video monitoring or personal
presence
Continuous barfing over 3 minutes is a violation.
Drop o?/pick up hours are 7AM until 9 PM
Overnight boarding allowed up to 180 days per year
Provide o?-street parking for clients. No street stacking allowed
Keep proof of vaccinations for all boarded dogs
Maintain records of all non-owner dogs available for city review.
No boarding of sick or aggressive dogs.
Commercial kennels or large scape operations are prohibited in single family
zones.
Breeding or selling dogs as part of the business is prohibited.
Chair Forsythe asked if they were breaking city code now. Sta? replied it is not
allowed use today. You can have as many personal dogs that you own but can’t
have others at your house as a business.
Commissioner Sepulvado asked does it only apply to those using the app and sta?
responded it would apply to anyone doing this as a home occupation. Sta? also
noted there was a lengthy discussion at council on what the maximum number of
dogs allowed should be and they settled on four. Sta? noted that there were
suggestions to use square footage or lot size and sta? noted that would almost be
impossible to enforce and regulate. Commissioner Sepulvado asked how much the
permit will be and not defined at this time. Commissioner Robbins asked if there
were complaints. Sta? reported that many neighbors were complaining about large
businesses operating out of their homes. There are already two large-scale boarding
facilities in the city that have Conditional Use Permits and also licenses from the
State. Council felt that for a home occupation this was reasonable to have rules
and limits.
Commissioner Ranua asked about Rural Residential area and was there
consideration to allow more flexibility. Sta? said no. Commissioner Weiler said now
they are breaking code and what we are setting up are guidelines. Sta? noted if
there are no rules it is hard to enforce anything. Commissioner Forsythe asked
about the ability for those people to walk them, for instance if they only have one
dog staying with them. Sta? said that was reasonable.
John Arco found out about the meeting when he made a complaint. He said that he
has one of these next door and dogs are barking and running around all the time.
Why do we need an ordinance if it is already illegal and why are we not fining people
and enforcing the law. How many violations does it take. No consequences.
Already had dogs on his property and in his garage.
Chair Forsythe said if there were violations, how many would it take. If there are
violations, they would lose their license and ability to do their business.
Commissioner Sepulvado said people will register and pay the fee, who are we to
say no. Commissioner Robbins asked what the resident wanted. The resident said
it was too vague and not every issue was not covered. Commissioner Robbins
asked if he agreed. Are we making changes to now convert this to a business zone.
Chair Forsythe asked to that point, are there other businesses allowed under code
today? Sta? said there are hundreds of small businesses. Home based businesses
are allowed today that allow you to do many things from baking to dog grooming.
The issues arose when groomers became daycare and boarding businesses.
Commissioner Robbins noted we are trying to create a framework. Dogs are always
emotional issues. It is a start. What do we need to do to make it better?
Commissioner Sepulvado said if they break the rules they will get fined and lose
their license.
Chair Forsythe said thank you for your comments and input.
Commissioner Weiler said now we are setting rules and there should be
consequences. Unleashed dogs are another issue. Maybe there should be
something added about leashing dogs for drop o? and pick up. Commissioner
Sepulvado added things can be changed over time based on feedback.
Motion to close by Commissioner Robbin and seconded by Commissioner Weiler.
Passed unanimously.
Chair Forsythe suggested the leashing requirement be added to the ordinance.
Motion made by Robbins to recommend to city council approval of the ordinance.
Chair Forsythe asked if he could make a friendly amendment to add the leasing
requirement and Commissioner Robbins agreed. Seconded by Commissioner
Weiler. Approved unanimously.
6. Other Business
City council did dissolve the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board and moved the approval
of new parks to the Planning Commission as one of its duties. Will be added to the normal
agenda items.
7. Adjournment
Motion to Adjourn to November 6th at 7PM by Commissioner Robbins
and seconded by Commissioner Sandhu. Passed unanimously. 7:56 PM