Anoka public meetings in 2022
21 substantive meetings from 2022, with official agendas or minutes and plain-English summaries.
Planning Commission
The Planning Commission recommended approval of a Planned Unit Development (PUD), preliminary plat, and site plan for an 80,000 square foot grocery store at the northwest corner of 7th Avenue and Bunker Lake Boulevard. The recommendations include conditions for increased evergreen screening, additional handicap parking, and a traffic review of 6th Avenue and Parkview Lane.
- Recommended approval of PUD (6-0)
- Recommended approval of preliminary plat (6-0)
- Recommended approval of site plan with 16 conditions, including irrigation for parking lot plantings and increased handicap stalls (6-0)
Anoka City Council
The City Council approved the 2023 budget and tax levy, alongside rate increases for water and sewer utilities. The Council also adopted a new master fee schedule and approved a right-of-way plat for the U.S. Highway 10/169 Improvement Project.
- Adopted 2023 budget of $94,202,536 (4-1)
- Adopted 2022 levy collectible in 2023 of $8,295,505 (4-1)
- Approved 2023 sewer utility rate increase of $0.40 per month for average residential users (5-0)
- Approved 2023 water utility rate increase of $0.64 per month for average residential users (5-0)
- Adopted 2023 Master Fee Schedule (5-0)
- Approved Road Right-of-Way Plat No. 1 for 1125 West Main Street for MnDOT (5-0)
- Approved Delegated Contracting Process Agreement with MnDOT (5-0)
- Approved off-site gambling raffle for Anoka Area Hockey Association (5-0)
Heritage Preservation Commission
The Commission reached a consensus on goals for 2023, including fireplace restoration and public education. The board also approved the minutes from the November 9, 2022, meeting.
- Approved November 9, 2022, minutes (5-0)
- Consensus reached on 2023 goals: fireplace restoration, commission education, annual mission/fundraising event, sandwich board sign replacement, and Agricultural Committee work
Anoka City Council
The Council established consensus for several zoning changes, including moving one area to R-2 Medium Density Residential and another to B-1 Highway Business. The body also discussed a lease extension for The Tavern at Green Haven and a railroad grade separation project.
- Reached consensus to rezone North of North St. (7th to 9th Ave) to B-1 Highway Business
- Reached consensus to rezone North of Madison St. (River Ave to 2nd Ave) to R-2 Medium Density Residential
- Reached consensus to maintain North of Monroe St. (5th to 7th Ave) as R-1 Low Density Residential
- Discussed two-year lease extension for The Tavern at Green Haven LLC through December 31, 2025
Housing & Redevelopment Authority
The Housing and Redevelopment Authority approved the agenda and previous meeting minutes. No substantive actions were taken on new or unfinished business, as the session focused on updates regarding loan programs, grants, and property redevelopment.
- Approved the agenda (Voice vote)
- Approved November 8, 2022 meeting minutes (Voice vote)
Economic Development Commission
The Commission tabled a draft resolution concerning the use of closed sessions for real estate negotiations. Members also received updates on the Highway 10 project and a presentation from the Anoka County Regional Economic Development Authority.
- Approved minutes of November 10, 2022 meeting
- Tabled consideration of resolution regarding real estate discussions
Chairpersons Communication Board
The Planning Commission voted 4-3 to allow event centers in B-6 areas, which will now move to the City Council for a final vote. The board also received a presentation on the proposed 2023 City Budget, including a 6.19% levy increase.
- Approved adding event centers to B-6 areas (4-3)
- Proposed 2023 General Fund Budget of $15,473,226
- Proposed 2023 Levy increase of 6.19%
- Proposed HRA levy increase of 6.07%
- Increased water rate to $1.55 per 100 cu. ft.
- Increased sewer rate to $3.52 per 100 cu. ft.
Planning Commission
The Planning Commission recommended a zoning text amendment to allow event halls or centers as a conditional use within the B-6 Neighborhood Commercial Business District. This recommendation follows a request by Blayee Taye to establish an event hall at 504 East River Road.
- Recommended approval of zoning text amendment to add event hall or center as a conditional use in B-6 district (4-3)
- Approved October 26, 2022 Work Session minutes (7-0)
- Approved November 1, 2022 Regular Meeting minutes (7-0)
- Approved November 15, 2022 Work Session minutes (6-0-1)
Anoka City Council
The Council approved a new licensing framework for cannabinoid products and rezoned 639 Monroe Street to Main Street Mixed Use. They also passed a resolution supporting county-wide public safety project bonding and held public hearings on the 2023 budget and utility rate increases.
- Adopted ordinance establishing licensing for cannabinoid products (4-0)
- Approved rezoning of 639 Monroe Street to Main Street Mixed Use (4-0)
- Adopted resolution supporting Anoka County JLEC public safety project bonding (4-0)
- Approved first reading of 2023 Master Fee Schedule (4-0)
- Approved renewal of currency exchange license for Al’$ Check Cashing, LLC (4-0)
- Designated election voting precincts for 2023 (4-0)
- Accepted 2022 Aquatic Center Annual Report (4-0)
- Appointed members to Economic Development, Housing and Redevelopment, Park and Recreation, and Waste Reduction boards (4-0)
Anoka City Council
The City Council reached consensus on a 12% increase and a $2 increase to front footage assessments for the 2023 Street Renewal Project. The Council also established a sealed-bid process for the sale of a city-owned restaurant pad, with proposals due March 1.
- Approved 12% increase and $2 front footage assessment increase for 2023 Street Renewal Program
- Established sealed-bid process for restaurant pad north of City Hall with proposals due March 1
- Determined restaurant pad purchase price is negotiable from the $175,000 appraisal
Anoka City Council
The Council authorized the creation of a downtown social district for alcoholic beverages and approved the first reading of a cannabinoid product licensing ordinance. Additionally, the Council supported a forgivable loan application for Professional Plating, Inc. and denied several proposed zoning map amendments.
- Approved resolution for Minnesota Investment Fund forgivable loan for Professional Plating, Inc. (5-0)
- Approved first reading of ordinance establishing cannabinoid product licensing (4-0, 1 abstention)
- Approved resolution to designate a social district and issue special licenses (5-0)
- Denied first reading of rezoning to low density residential for parcels south of Walker Plaza Gardens (4-1)
- Approved first reading of rezoning to Main Street Mixed Use for 639 Monroe Street only (5-0)
- Denied first reading of rezoning to Main Street Mixed Use for parcels south of Jackson Street (5-0)
- Denied first reading of rezoning to B-4 Limited Business for parcels north of North Street (4-0)
- Approved Consent Agenda items 6.1 through 6.6 (5-0)
Anoka City Council
The City Council held a special meeting to officially canvass the returns for the November 8, 2022 Municipal General Election. The council adopted Resolution No. 2020-081 to certify the election results.
- Adopted Resolution No. 2020-081 canvassing the November 8, 2022 Municipal General Election returns (All ayes)
- Certified Phil Rice as Mayor (3,378 votes)
- Certified Sam Scott as City Councilmember (2,658 votes)
- Certified Erik Skogquist as City Councilmember (3,903 votes)
Parking Advisory Board
The board approved the August 2022 minutes and voted to cancel the December meeting. Members discussed potential paid parking in the entertainment district and police procedures for monitoring timed parking.
- Approved August 2022 meeting minutes (unanimous)
- Cancelled December meeting (unanimous)
Planning Commission
The Planning Commission held a worksession to discuss proposed changes to home occupation regulations and a request to allow event centers in the B-6 district. No formal votes were taken; items will be considered at future regular meetings.
- Discussed proposed home occupation text amendments; will move to regular meeting and City Council
- Discussed proposed zoning text amendment for event centers in B-6 district; public hearing scheduled for December 6
- Recapped previous meeting regarding 2040 Comprehensive Plan rezonings
Housing & Redevelopment Authority
The Housing and Redevelopment Authority approved the purchase of a property at 1919 7th Avenue to improve a corner lot for future redevelopment. The board also reviewed quarterly financial reports and the status of the CARE Grant and Commercial Loan programs.
- Approved purchase of 1919 7th Avenue from JD Johnson and Associates for $330,000 (Voice Vote)
- Approved agenda as presented (Voice Vote)
- Approved September 12, 2022 meeting minutes as corrected (Voice Vote)
Economic Development Commission
The Commission recommended that the City Council continue conducting real estate negotiations in closed sessions per state statute. The body also planned the agenda for the December televised meeting and reviewed recent development site tours.
- Approved minutes of September 8, 2022 meeting (carried)
- Approved minutes of October 13, 2022 meeting (carried)
- Recommended City Council continue keeping real estate negotiations private per state statute (carried)
Heritage Preservation Commission
The Commission approved the addition of 2522 Maple Lane as a sandwich board sign recipient. Members also discussed scheduling a Federal HPC Award event for January and the potential to reintroduce the City registry to the City Council.
- Approved October 11, 2022, minutes as corrected (5-0)
- Approved inclusion of 2522 Maple Lane as a sandwich board recipient (4-3)
Anoka City Council
The City Council approved a resolution to extend the power purchase agreement with the Minnesota Municipal Power Association. The council also approved several consent items, including highway project change orders and a tree care license.
- Extended Minnesota Municipal Power Association power sales agreement through 2060 (5-0)
- Approved October 3, October 12, and October 17, 2022 meeting minutes (All ayes)
- Approved U.S. Highway 10/169 Improvement Project Change Order Numbers 19, 30, and 31 (All ayes)
- Approved U.S. Highway 10/169 Improvement Project RALF loan repayment and Cooperative Construction Agreement Amendment #1 (All ayes)
- Issued Tree Care/Arborist License to Zielies Tree Service, Inc. (All ayes)
- Moved December Worksession to December 12, 2022 (All ayes)
- Approved verified bills (All ayes)
- Revised and set Council calendars (All ayes)
Planning Commission
The Planning Commission recommended denying several zoning map amendments intended to align with the 2040 Comprehensive Plan. The commission recommended R-2 zoning for one residential area and approved a specific mixed-use rezoning for 639 Monroe Street. One proposal to rezone industrial land to limited business failed to receive a recommendation.
- Recommended denial of Low Density Residential rezoning for 11 parcels and instead recommended R-2 (6-1)
- Recommended denial of Main Street Mixed Use rezoning for 12 parcels on Monroe Street and 6th Avenue (7-0)
- Recommended approval of Main Street Mixed Use rezoning for 639 Monroe Street (7-0)
- Recommended denial of Main Street Mixed Use rezoning for 9 parcels on Jackson Street (7-0)
- Failed to recommend denial of B-4 Limited Business rezoning for 15 parcels on North, Buchanan, 8th, and 9th streets (3-2-2)
- Approved September 7, 2022 meeting minutes (7-0)
- Approved September 20, 2022 work session minutes (6-0-1)
Planning Commission
The Commission held a worksession to review a proposed 80,000 square foot grocery store and outlots at 7th and Bunker. Members also reviewed existing home occupation regulations for residential zoning districts. No formal votes were taken during the meeting.
- Discussed proposed 80,000 square foot grocery store and outlots at 7th and Bunker
- Reached consensus to maintain current prohibitions on signage for home occupations
- Reached consensus to continue prohibiting home occupations in accessory structures
Anoka City Council
The City Council discussed hiring a consultant to review Green Haven Golf Course operations and extending the food/beverage lease with the Tollettes. Staff was directed to identify consultants for both golf and event center operations, and to delay lease extension talks. The Council also gave direction to draft a cannabinoid products ordinance with licensing for all retail establishments, no distance restrictions, and no license limits. Consensus was reached to support extending the power sales agreement with MMPA through 2060.
- Directed staff to identify consultants for golf operations and event center review
- Delayed contract extension discussions with Tollettes for food/beverage services
- Directed creation of cannabinoid products ordinance: licensing for all retail, no distance restrictions, no license limits
- Consensus to support extending Anoka Power Sales Agreement with MMPA through 2060