Shakopee Planning Commission Regular Meeting – March 5, 2026
Shakopee Planning Commission Regular Meeting – March 5, 2026
The Shakopee Planning Commission met on Thursday, March 5, 2026, at 7:19 p.m. (agenda listed 7:00 p.m.) at City Hall, 485 Gorman Street. The meeting was called to order at 7:19 p.m. and adjourned at 7:35 p.m. All six commissioners present: Weiler, Sandu, Redding, Cheris, Vanderveen, and Robbins. The commission elected new officers, conducted two public hearings, and welcomed two new commissioners.
Election of Commission Officers
- Josh Forsyth was nominated and approved by voice vote as Chair (he was absent).
- Randy Robbins was nominated and approved as Vice Chair.
- Mustafa (Collins) was nominated and approved as Second Vice Chair.
- The gavel was handed to Vice Chair Robbins to preside over the remainder of the meeting.
Public Hearing – Interim Use Permit for Temporary Construction Trailer (1099 Adams St S)
- Proposal: City of Shakopee Fire Department requested an Interim Use Permit (IUP) to place a 14 × 70 ft temporary construction trailer at Lyons Park (1099 Adams St S) to house fire staff during renovation of Fire Station #2. The trailer would be removed on or before November 30, 2026.
- Staff Presentation: Mr. Kirski explained that the use meets all IUP criteria (no conflict with comprehensive plan, not injurious to neighborhood, termination date certain, no additional public cost). A neighborhood meeting on February 23, 2026, had no attendees.
- Commission Discussion: Commissioner asked about an existing trailer on site; staff clarified it is unrelated (for roundabout construction). Questions confirmed the trailer will house firefighters, not serve as a construction office.
- Public Comment: None.
- Vote: Motion to recommend approval (Resolution R2026-037) to the City Council passed unanimously (6-0) via roll call.
Public Hearing – Ordinance O2026-005: Wireless Communication Towers in I-1 and I-2 Districts
- Proposal: Amend City Code Sections 151.002 and 151.007 K to correct discrepancies between tower/co-location language and federal regulations (small cell towers no longer regulated locally); clarify maximum heights (85 ft on public lands, 175 ft in I-1/I-2); allow integration of towers into architectural features (e.g., bell towers, power line structures); require accessory buildings to be ≤199 sq ft; and change the status of towers in I-1/I-2 from accessory use (as-of-right) to conditional use (requiring Board of Adjustment and Appeals approval).
- Staff Presentation: Mr. Kirski characterized it as a minor technical amendment prompted by increasing interest in new tower installation due to network saturation.
- Commission Discussion: Commissioner asked if current towers are grandfathered (yes). Commissioner asked for clarification on accessory vs. conditional use – staff explained accessory is as-of-right with a primary use, while conditional use allows review when tower is the sole use on a site.
- Public Comment: None.
- Vote: Motion to recommend approval to the City Council passed unanimously (6-0) via roll call.
Introduction of New Commissioners
- Commissioner Mustafa (Collins) introduced himself – a 18-year resident of Shakopee, hockey fan, excited to serve.
- Commissioner Sean introduced himself – resident since 2005, involved in the community, wanted to try serving on the commission.
- The commission welcomed both new members.
Key Outcomes
- Election of Officers: Josh Forsyth (Chair), Randy Robbins (Vice Chair), Mustafa (Second Vice Chair).
- Resolution R2026-037 (IUP for fire station trailer) approved unanimously – forwarded to City Council.
- Ordinance O2026-005 (wireless tower amendments) approved unanimously – forwarded to City Council.
- Meeting adjourned at 7:35 p.m.
Meeting Transcript
I would like to call the meeting for Shakapee Planning Commission to order. Today is March 5th, 2026, and the time is 719. I would like to begin with the roll call. Commissioner Weiler. Here. Commissioner Sandu. Here. Commissioner Reading. Here. Commissioner Chairs. Here. Commissioner Vanderveen. Here. Commissioner Robbins. Here. Second item was already entertained. So we'll move to the item number three approval of agenda. Is there any additions or changes in the agenda? No. All right. Can someone have make a motion to approval? I'll move the agenda as printed. All right. Second. All right. All those favor say aye. Aye. Aye. Any opposed? We'll move to the item four. Recognization by Board of Adjustment and Appeals of Entrusted Citizen. Anyone in the audience would like to the planning commission. They've misprinted the topics. Recognized by Planning Commission. Anyone in the audience would like to speak something which is not on the agenda. I see no one. Okay. Item five will be general business. We have two items. Number one, five A will be election of commission or face those. Mr. Chair. I'm going to move that we nominate Josh Forsyth to be chair of the Planning Commission. I'll second. Do we need a roll? No. All those in favor. Oh, sorry. Anyone, anyone else wanna you all good? Okay.
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