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Lindstrom City Council met November 20 for a regular meeting.  

The meeting began with Almelund resident Doug Johnson presenting a check for $3,000 to the council.  The check is in memory of his sister Marlene Smith (Plastic Products) and is to be used towards installing a steam machine in the Lindstrom coffee pot water tower.  

The council then voted in favor of leasing a bay in the old firehouse on Highway 8.  Rosenbauer Fire inquired about storing a truck that is still being worked on for the next 3-6 months.  Rosenbauer is offering $400 a month for the rental of a bay in the old fire hall.

The council heard from City Planner Jason Zimmerman on cannabis retail zoning.  Zimmerman reminded the council the state rule is one retail business per 12,500 residents meaning Lindstrom would only need to allow one business to operate.  Zimmerman noted the planning commission passed the proposed possible retail sites as  B-1 (general business district) and I1 (industrial) for cannabis sales and B-1 and CBD (central business district) for low dose hemp sales.    Zimmerman again reminded the council they need to have zoning in place before January of 2025 or the city could be wide open for any and all cannabis sales,  

Council member Brian Norelius told the council he would like to see homes along Newell Avenue south of the Dairy Queen be zoned R-1 instead of B-1 to eliminate a home based cannabis retail store.  Council passed the zoning ordinances with a vote of 4-1 with council member Linda Merkel voting against, with no explanation.

Zimmerman then discussed building height regulations for new homes in Lindstrom.  The planning commission had put together options for the council to decide on.  The first option would limit the height of a home to 35 feet from the grade of the street side of a home.  Option two would be if a home’s landscape drops more than 10 feet, a mean would measure up 10 feet from the lowest part and 35 feet would be allowed from that point.  The third option would take into account lake levels and an average would have to be determined and the fourth option would allow 35 feet from the lowest part of a home. The last option would require a survey.

The council voted for options one and two combined 4-1 with council member David Waldoch voting against. “I would like all lots to be treated equal whether a lake is present or not” Waldoch said.

Zimmerman then discussed allowable exterior building materials in the Central Business District.  This suggestion from the planning commission would require new businesses or additions to existing businesses, to abide by building material constraints,  in an effort to have some uniformity downtown in the future.

Fifty percent of front or public-facing facades would be composed of Class I materials and not more than 10 percent of Class III materials. For side and rear facades, the percentage of Class I materials drops to 40 percent and the allowance for Class III materials increases to 20 percent.

Each facade must incorporate two types of Class I material (glass and brick, for example), and painted brick or stone is not permitted. Single-family homes in the CBD would be exempt from these standards.

Council voted in favor of the ordinance amendment by a 4-1 vote with Waldoch voting against.

Council then amended the city’s appointment policy.  The new language will state an appointee with have to re-apply for appointment after two successful terms or for every third term.

Liquor store manager Matt Olson sought council permission to allow CBD beverages and low dose hemp products at the liquor store.  Olson noted that surrounding liquor stores are currently selling those products and he feels Lindstrom is missing out on those sales.  “People are drinking less alcohol -that’s a fact” Olson said.  “People are trending towards these products for health reasons and we have had many requests for these products” he added.  Olson presented a petition for sales signed by 200 residents. Council agreed selling the product is legal and most likely a good idea.

Council then shifted the liquor store talk to finances.  Mayor Chartrand pointed out the liquor store used to transfer around $160,000 annually from sales and those numbers have dropped dramatically  the last four or five years.  Olson gave an example of Farmington which oly transfers between $20,000 and $75,000 per year.  Mayor Chartrand countered with “I can point out Fergus Falls that transfers one million annually”.  Olson said the store’s transfers should be based off its sales and not expectations.  When asked how he was actively trying to bring in more customers, Olson said he has focussed on digital outreach mainly.  He noted when MGM in Chisago City opened it hurt sales. Council told Olson they would like more contact and updates on the store in the future.

City engineer Brian Bachmeier gave an update on the Park Street parking lot plan.  Bachmeier showed slides of  the proposed parking lot which includes paving the remaining gravel portion, moving the entrance and exit closer to the bakery, and adding a seasonal gathering place between the bakery and the salon (see photo).  Council member Brian Norelius said he would like to see some type of fence between the north side along Highway 8 for visual appeal.  Mayor Chartrand asked if the park will be completed by June and Bachmeier said he was confident it could be.

City administrator Dan Undem was asked when the council will get an update from the usability study on city hall for a potential police department.  Undem told the council there were some small adjustments and consulting firm Leo Daly should have it back soon.  

Council adjourned at 10:10 p.m.

 

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