Afton City Hall — Transcript
Monday, August 3, 2026
Fire District Budget and Operations
Land Use and Development Applications
Ordinance Amendments
City Infrastructure and Mapping
Afton Creek Preserve Development Agreement
Deer Management and Hunting Task Force
Cellular Coverage in Afton
Manning Avenue Corridor Study
FLOCK's Cameras Update
Votes (12)
Approval of the Agenda (with Addition of Flock Cameras)
Moved by Council Member Ross [00:00:27] · Seconded by Council Member Nelson [00:00:30]
The regular agenda was proposed for approval. Council Member Nelson requested adding a discussion about 'flock cameras' as a new item (9C6) to the agenda. This addition was accepted by the motioner and seconder, signifying the Council's willingness to address new topics during the meeting.
Approval of Previous Meeting Minutes
Moved by Mayor [00:02:18] · Seconded by Council Member Ross [00:02:22]
Several substantive edits were proposed for the minutes of July 21st and July 27th, 2026. These included correcting a typo, clarifying text regarding 'the guest' vs. 'to guest,' adding discussion about the 60-day rule for starting a clock, and explicitly identifying the 'old Lurks bar' in discussions about a dangerous vacant building.
Lower St. Croix Fire District 2027 Operating Budget
Moved by Council Member Nelson [00:21:49] · Seconded by Council Member Robleski [00:22:04]
The Fire District presented its 2027 budget, showing a 6.4% increase overall and a 15.46% increase for Afton. Key drivers included the 'paid on call' model to retain volunteers and avoid more expensive full-time staffing. Council members expressed concerns about the sustainability of such increases, the equity of the Joint Powers Agreement (JPA) for Afton given its lack of LGA, and the need for stronger state-level advocacy for rural-like communities in a metro county. A call for inter-city workshops to compare service costs was also made.
Minor Subdivision Application: 2005 Oak Green Avenue South
Moved by Mayor Palmquist [00:24:43] · Seconded by Council Member Ross [00:24:59]
A straightforward application for a minor subdivision to create one additional six-acre lot from a 39-acre parcel was presented. The Planning Commission recommended unanimous approval, noting no significant issues and compliance with all requirements.
Minor Subdivision Application: Oak Green Avenue South (PID 0902820330001)
Moved by Mayor Palmquist [00:27:08] · Seconded by Council Member Nelson [00:27:38]
This application involved dividing a larger lot into three separate lots for development. Public comments included concerns about vegetation buffers and house placement, though the Planning Commission recommended approval. A council member noted that the developer had put up signs before final approval, which was mildly annoying.
Variance Application: Front Yard Setback at 14265 50th Street South
Moved by Council Member Ross [00:30:54] · Seconded by Council Member Nelson [00:31:14]
A variance was requested for a very old, small (440 sq ft) house built in the 19th century that currently sits 65 feet from the road, violating the current 90-foot setback requirement. The owners propose to preserve the old structure and extend a larger new structure behind it, moving further back from the road. The Planning Commission unanimously recommended approval, citing preservation and the non-conforming nature of the original building.
Ordinance Amendment: Sports Training Centers in Industrial Zone
Moved by Council Member Nelson [00:51:30] · Seconded by Council Member Ross [00:51:49]
An ordinance amendment was discussed to include 'sports training centers' as an allowed use in the industrial zone, prompted by developer interest. Key discussions revolved around distinguishing these from general fitness centers (requiring structured instruction, no drop-in), allowing incidental retail (limited to 5% of gross revenue), and managing potential traffic impacts. The Council ultimately approved the amendment with a condition limiting sports training centers to a maximum of 30,000 square feet.
Ordinance Amendment: Accessory Building Size
Moved by Mayor Palmquist [00:56:06] · Seconded by Council Member Ross [00:56:22]
An amendment to increase the standard accessory building size from 160 to 300 square feet was considered. The Planning Commission had recommended approval, also discussing height limits (12 feet) and how they restrict certain shed designs (e.g., gambrel roofs, lofts). A key point of discussion for the Council was whether this increased size and height should apply to historic zoning districts (VHSR and VHSC), with a motion to maintain current, smaller limits in those specific zones.
Ordinance Amendment: Airplane Takeoffs and Landings
Moved by Council Member Robleski [01:01:54] · Seconded by Council Member Ross [01:02:18]
The Council considered an ordinance amendment to restrict airplane takeoffs and landings within the city, following public input regarding unpermitted flights and noise nuisances. The Planning Commission had recommended approval (5-1), with one member dissenting due to ongoing FAA redefinitions of small engines and ultralights. The Council specifically amended the language to clarify 'emergency landings and emergency takeoffs' in the ordinance.
Variance Application: 3403 Pennington
Moved by Council Member Nelson [01:03:09] · Seconded by Council Member Ross [01:03:19]
The discussion for the Subdivision application at 3403 Pennington was brief, with a motion to continue the item to the next City Council meeting.
Afton Creek Preserve Amended Development Agreement
Moved by Mayor Palmquist [01:16:51] · Seconded by Council Member Nelson [01:17:01]
The Council reviewed and approved an amendment to the Afton Creek Preserve Private Improvement Development Agreement. This amendment updated the definition of 'completion of development' due to a lot held in trust, acknowledged completed developer improvements, and detailed the terms for a $450,000 letter of credit and the expiring road warranty. The city engineer will conduct a final road inspection before the October 31st warranty deadline.
Appointments to the Deer Management, Deer and Hunting Task Force
Moved by Council Member Nelson [01:25:56] · Seconded by Council Member Ross [01:26:59]
The Council received 12 applications for the new Deer Management, Deer and Hunting Task Force. Discussion included the proposed scope (deer population, firearm use, hunting-related issues, neighbor policies), organizational structure (chair, staff support for minutes/packets), and the importance of educating members on open meeting laws. Concerns were raised about the productivity of a 12-member group, but the Council decided to appoint all applicants, trusting the group to manage its dynamics.
Notable Quotes (22)
Can we add anything about flock cameras or do we- We sure could. Just a discussion, please. How about if we add that as 9C6?
I think there was a discussion, and I'd like to add that you, Mr. Morris, or somebody confirm that this does not start the clock on the 60-day rule, just as a technicality, because I know we talked about that.
I think we should note that we were talking about the old Lurks bar. There's no identification of the building that we were discussing.
I just want to make sure I understand this correctly. If we approve this percentage, and we're going to have another, I just want everybody to understand that this is just one year of it. We're going to have to go over 5%. Next year, we're probably going to be looking at this same kind of increase.
The formula's kind of weird to me. We haven't had a joint powers agreement discussion in a long time, and Anyway, there are tax capacities involved in this. There's absolutely no talk about service use or anything like that, and I'm all for we probably have the wealthiest city of the five cities, and I'm fine with us paying a little bit more. But I think we should really be examining what's fair and equitable in terms of service too, that everybody pays their fair share.
The other thing that we really desperately need in the Lower St. Croix Valley with our five cities is to have representation at the state. I can't emphasize that enough. These formulas for us, and what the state does, and it's not their fault, they have no idea what Affton and the other four cities are about here. They treat us like we're the metro area, like we're Woodbury.
We look forward and we hope that this is the first step to a long life in Affton. And we believe that this structure, as well as the life we live out here, will be very well in line with what Affton stands for.
It's because of the age of the structure when it was built. Otherwise, there wouldn't be an issue because it's a non-conforming structure. It's just this weird glitch. We are really strict on variances and this totally meets with our tough standards.
My biggest concern is that there doesn't seem to be very much difference between what we're now calling the training facility, sports training facility, and though, but fitness centers are not allowed. And I was reading those definitions, and I just feel like there's not a lot difference...
We hinged it on the idea of that drop-in, first of all, you can't have drop-in, so unlike Lifetime Fitness, you just drop in wherever you want. So there's this idea that the service they're providing is there's an instructor on site and there's scheduled activities.
This would be by appointment only, training only. And I think it's going to be limited for us in our portfolio to probably certainly less than 30% of the building, probably closer to less than 10 or 15% of the building because for that exact reason. We don't want 126,000 feet and have 10 different sports-related uses with traffic coming in and out.
In the course of reviewing a conditional use permit, you can consider traffic. So if on a particular basis for a particular use of this building, you could take that into consideration and say, 'That is too big for that building. It exceeds 30%, and it generates too much traffic.'
Right now your industrial district has quite a few uses that have specific square footage limits, and they don't use percentage, but putting some sort of cap on that wouldn't be irregular within some of your industrial Definitions.
I did just point out that we talked about the 12 foot limit. And generally, I think we had the idea, whatever limit, whatever number you pick, somebody's going to try to build up to it. After the meeting, I did go take a look at some shed designs and stuff. And I just want to point out, you are de facto, and this is fine, but limiting some of the designs that you can get for a stock one.
I talked around a little tiny bit about, as this is written, it covers every district. And kind of like what I said, that's where I live in the historic district, but I don't know that we want... This is the extra building, right? We always have to keep remembering that. It's not the accessory building, it's the extra building. I don't know that we want to do this in the historic district.
I thought basically that since the FAA is in the process of redefining, especially this area with small engines, drones, ultralights. The ultralight definition is from the '80s. Since that's ongoing, I think it's kind of premature to actually go through and change our ordinance.
I was at the Planning Commission meeting, and I thought it was discussed that 16402 emergency, and this is really picky, but number one, emergency landings and takeoffs of aircraft. I know it sounds super picky, but I thought we added emergency landings and emergency takeoffs- That's true ... to put emergency before takeoffs. You did recommend that.
This really was initially done, if you'll remember, when the developer's agreement has a definition of completion of development, and that says when every lot is developed, and every driveway has been built and all that stuff. Well, there were going to be two lots that were going to be held in trust for who knows how long.
We should require a touch base or something from those HOAs annually, just so that we know they're doing what they're meant to be doing, and they're keeping us kind of updated on it.
It's deer hunting, deer population management, it's firearm use, types of firearms, and I would like this committee to also take a look at some of the stuff that we've heard in the last few months from some of our neighbors about who have maps. If you have a very small lot. We're just going to get a recommendation from this group, but it's something that I think we should consider, which is Cottage Grove has small lots where it's archery only.
I think we should give guidelines to this task force and say that it's open meetings, you're a public entity, you're subject to the open meeting law, which means if a majority of the group is together, seven, that's an open meeting.
I would very much agree with some of the comments on size of group. I'm happy that we got 12 people to volunteer. I think it's great there's that much interest, but if you want the group to be productive, 12 people won't be productive. So I think that's just a challenge, like with any group.
Ordinances & Resolutions (15)
Agenda for the current meeting, approved with an addition of flock cameras.
Previous meeting minutes, approved with several edits for accuracy and clarification.
Proposed amendment regarding auxiliary buildings and building size.
Approving the proposed 2027 operating budget of the Lower St. Croix Fire District.
Approving the application for a minor subdivision to create one additional lot at 2005 Oak Green Avenue South.
Parcel ID for the Oak Green Avenue South minor subdivision to create three lots.
Approving the application for the minor subdivision to create three lots on Oak Green Avenue South.
Approving the application for a variance to the front yard setback at 14265 50th Street South.
Amendment to revise the definition of training facility to include sports training centers.
Amendment restricting takeoffs and landings within the city, specifically 16402 A1 related to emergency landings and takeoffs.
Amendment to clarify completion of development, acknowledge developer improvements, extend letter of credit, and address road warranty.
Future city plan that could be influenced by or run concurrently with the Manning Avenue study.
Survey conducted by the Natural Resources Committee, now closed, with over 200 responses.
Existing ordinance that the Natural Resources Committee inquired about.
Letter sent to the DNR commissioner regarding deer management.