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The City of Howard Lake strives to build upon its good neighbor traditions –
A welcoming community for all, supported by vibrant and engaged businesses and community organizations, involved
citizens, and diverse amenities that provide a well-rounded quality of life.
Parks and Planning Commission
Howard Lake Library
Community Room
TENTATIVE AGENDA
July 9, 2025 – 6:00 pm
A. CALL TO ORDER
B. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Any additions, deletions, modifications to the agenda will be done at this time.
C. CONSIDER APPROVAL OF MINUTES
a. Consider Approval of Parks and Planning Minutes from the meeting on May 14, 2025.
D. PRESENTATIONS, PUBLIC HEARINGS & RELATED APPROVALS
a. Public Hearing for Short Term Rental Application at 5800 County Rd 7.
b. Public Hearing Amending the Standards for signs in the B-1 District
E. NEW BUSINESS
a. Consider Recommending the Short Term Rental Permit for 5800 County Rd. 7.
b. Consider Recommending the Amendments to the sign ordinance in the B-1 District.
F. OLD BUSINESS
G. ADJOURN

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CITY OF HOWARD LAKE
625 8TH Avenue - PO Box 736 - Howard Lake, MN 55349
Phone: 320-543-3670 | cityadmin@howard-lake.mn.us | www.howard-lake.mn.us
HOWARD LAKE PARKS AND PLANNING COMMISSION
Howard Lake City Hall
817 8th Ave
May 14, 2025 – 6:00 pm
MEETING MINUTES
MEMBERS PRESENT MEMEBERS ABSENT
Molly Hibbard April Debner
Jason Deiter Vern Kleve
Gene Gilbert
Barb Guenigsman
Neil Weber
OTHERS PRESENT
Meagan Theisen, Assistant City Administrator
Nate Sparks, City Planner
A. CALL TO ORDER
Vice Chair Deiter called the meeting to order at 6:00 pm.
B. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
The agenda was approved as presented. Commissioner Hibbard moved to approve the agenda. The
motion was seconded by Commissioner Guenigsman and passed unanimously.
C. APPROVAL OF MEETING MINUTES
Commissioner Hibbard moved to approve the Minutes from the Parks and Planning Meeting on March
12, 2025. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Weber and passed unanimously.
D. PRESENTATIONS, PUBLIC HEARINGS & RELATED APPROVALS
a. Public Hearing Related to Considering Preliminary Plat, Rezoning & Variance for 603
13th Avenue
Vice Chair Deiter closed to regular meeting and opened the Public Hearing.
Sparks provided a review of the staff report.
Vice Chair Deiter opened the floor for public comment.
Joe Crawford, 613 13th Ave, is the property owner. Selling and developing this portion of his
property is the only development he plans to do on this site. He thinks the Dollar General
Market would be beneficial to the community of Howard Lake.
“THIS INSTITUTION IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER” TDD #711

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Dan O’Brian, of Abdo Market House, said he is available if anyone has questions specifically for
him.
Neil Wikoff, 128 Dutch Lake Trail, stated that he is against any form of Dollar General coming
to Howard Lake. He shared he has spoken to other businesses in town and they also do not
want Dollar General in Howard Lake. Developing in his location seems disjointed and he
believes it is too far away from other businesses and being on that end of town will not carry foot
traffic into other businesses.
Jeffrey Halti – 5958 Co. Rd 7, shared that he has the same concerns and agrees with Wikoff.
Dollar General’s tend to bring crime and create light pollution.
Kelly Kaiser, 1111 Heritage Square, shared that she lives in a 55+ community and that there are
several residents that don’t drive that she thinks would benefit from a Dollar General in town.
She thinks that people should be able to utilize the Dollar Generals that are in the surrounding
towns and not have one in Howard Lake as well. She stated that historically Dollar General is a
poor employer and she has visited the Dollar General Market in Dassel and there were minimal
customers.
Dan O’Brian stated that construction would hopefully start in August.
Molly Hibbard read comments received to staff from Jerry Smith & two other business owners.
Tiffany Gorton, 701 13th Ave, shared that she is the neighboring property to the South of this
proposed development. She shared concerns about Dollar General not working out and having
an empty building or someone moving in with a less ideal business.
Neil Wikoff, 128 Dutch Lake, addressed the commission again to share that he has always prided
himself on living in a town that didn’t have a Dollar General. He expressed that this is not a
supplement to a grocery store. He would like to see the City partner with Marathon to encourage
more grocery options within their gas station.
Commissioner Weber shared that he has received negative comments from many people and that
generally the community seems to be against this business option in Howard Lake. He believes
Howard Lake is a quaint city, but there is nothing quaint about Dollar General.
Commissioner Hibbard stated that it is not the Parks and Planning Commissions job to regulate
what happens with the sale of private property, the commission just needs to follow the rules and
ordinances.
Vice Chair Deiter stated that he and the City works hard at welcoming businesses to town. He
has to remove his personal thoughts on Dollar General and consider what fits. Business turn
over is normal and has always existed in Howard Lake and in any town.
Commissioner Gilbert shared that her and her husband checked out the DG Market in Dassel
and thought it was a nice store with good offerings.
Tiffany Gorton, 701 13th Ave, stated that the City could consider not changing the zoning to
allow this type of business in that location.
Vice Chair Deiter closed the Public Hearing at 7:24 pm.
Commissioner Guenigsman asked Dan O’Brian how long the lease is with Dollar General.

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Dan O’Brian stated that the lease is 15 years and then 5 year increments after that.
E. NEW BUSINESS
a. Consider Approval of the use of Central Park for the 2025 Farmers Market Season
Shawna Moe addressed the Commission and shared that she has helped with taking over
management of the Farmers Market. They received a grant for SNAP & EBT.
Commissioner Deiter shared that he is working with the market to provide music in the park
during their events.
Commissioner Hibbard moved to approve the use of Central Park for the Howard Lake Farmers
Market for the 2025 Season. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Guenigsman and
passed unanimously.
b. Consider Recommendation of Action Related to Pre Plat, Rezoning & Variance for 603
13th Ave
Sparks reviewed the various approvals for the Parks and Planning Commission to consider.
Vice Chair Deiter asked the commission to share their opinions.
Commissioner Weber shared that he had asked his fellow commissioners why the areas is being
considered to be zoned B-1, after reading through all the materials he could find for Parks and
Planning he couldn’t find anywhere that it was noted for this space to be B-1. He also questioned
why a user was being released before the property was annexed into the City. He believes this
will cost the City a lot in terms of businesses, traffic, garbage and land values. He stated he
contact the Wisconsin Dollar General representative and was told they would gladly move into a
vacant available building.
Vice Chair Deiter stated that he had received contradictory statements from a Minnesota Dollar
General representative, that the old grocery store building wouldn’t work.
Commissioner Weber stated he believes this would be a mistake and would like to extend the
public hearing to allow for more public comment.
Vice Chair Deiter stated he had touched base with Dassel to ask about their experience with
Dollar General coming to their community.
Commissioner Weber also shared issues he has with the site plan and the photometrics.
Commissioner Gilbert moved to approve the pre-plat. The motion was seconded by
Commissioner Deiter. Commissioner Hibbard – Yes, Commissioner Weber – No,
Commissioner Guenigsman – Abstained. The motion moved forward.
Commissioner Gilbert moved to approve the rezoning of the property from Urban Reserve to B-
1. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Deiter. Commissioner Hibbard – Yes,
Commissioner Weber – No, Commissioner Guenigsman – Abstained. The motion moved
forward.
Commissioner Gilbert moved to approve the site plan with the following changes – landscaping
improvements to add scrubs to the south side of the parking lot, lighting photometrics, request
updated siding all the way around the building, and screening around the roof top units. The
motion was seconded by Council Member Hibbard. Commissioner Deiter – Yes, Commissioner
Weber – No, Commissioner Guenigsman – Abstained. The motion moved forward.

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F. OLD BUSINESS
None
G. ADJOURN
Commissioner Hibbard moved to adjourn The Parks and Planning Commission meeting at 8:51pm. The
motion was seconded by Commissioner Guenigsman and passed unanimously.
____________________________
Vice Chair, Jason Deiter
_______________________
Secretary, Meagan Theisen

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To: Howard Lake Parks & Planning Commission
Nicholas Haggenmiller, City Administrator
From: Nate Sparks, City Planner
Date: July 3, 2025
Re: Interim Use Permit – Short Term Rental – 5800 County Road 7
BACKGROUND
Molly Hibbard has made an application for an interim use permit to operate a short term rental at
5800 County Road 7. The site has two houses and intends to use both as short term rentals.
Zoning
The property is located in a R-1A, Single Family District and surrounded by single family
housing both in city limits and outside of corporate city limits. For this reason an Interim Use
Permit is required.
Authorized Agent
The ordinance dictates that a responsible manager must be within 30 miles of the unit and be
available 24 hours a day to respond to issues that arise at the property. The applicant states that
she will be the authorized agent and she lives in the vicinity of the property.
Occupancy & Guests
The applicant provided floor plans of the dwellings on the property. In the main house, there are
two bedrooms, which allows for an occupancy of up to six. In the secondary house, there is one
bedroom, which allows for up to four guests.
Parking
The proposed use requires one parking space per bedroom, at minimum. This would require
three parking spaces at this site. The applicant states that the garage will be accommodating the
required parking, as it has three stalls.
Accessory Structures/Uses
Rustic camping (tents) or occupied RVs are prohibited from use for additional guests or sleeping
quarters. The applicant states that the large accessory structure on site will not be available for
use by the guests.
Nuisances
All properties are subject to all city ordinances. However, due to the conflicting uses including
owner occupied housing and short term rental within one property, the IUP will explicitly note
No excessive noise, specifically during quiet hours from 10pm to 8am. Parking of trailers and
other such equipment will need to meet City Code requirements.

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Public Comment Received
No public comment has been received, as of today.
PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION REQUESTED
The Planning Commission must hold a public hearing and make recommendation to the City
Council on the request.
STAFF COMMENTS
At this time, the application appears to be consistent with Code requirements for zoning
approval.

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625 8th Ave, Howard Lake, MN 55349
320-543-3670
www.howard-lake.mn.us
CityofHowardLake@howard-lake.mn.us
APPLICATION SUBMITTAL DISCLOSURE - STHR
Please check each box to indicate you agree to the following statements:
I understand that all information submitted for this application is subject to the Data Practices Act and that all data is
presumed public data and can be made available to the public.
I understand the City has the ultimate authority to determine what may be considered non-public data.
I hereby state the foregoing statements and all data, information and evidence submitted herewith in, is to the best of my
knowledge and belief, true and correct.
I hereby state I will comply with the permit if it is granted and used.
Minn. Stat. §13.37 allows certain data to be considered non-public data because it contains a formula, pattern, compilation,
program, device, method, technique or process (1) that was supplied by me or an organization contracted by me, (2) that is the
subject of efforts that are reasonable under the circumstances to maintain its secrecy, and (3) that derives independent economic
value, actual or potential, from not being generally known to, and not being readily ascertainable by proper means by, other
persons who can obtain economic value from its disclosure or use.
Please list any materials you believe meet the criteria above and are therefore non-public data.
By signing I agree to the By signing I agree to the statements above.
statements above. Required Required (If other than property owner)
Property Owner
Molly Hibbard dba MC Holdings Lan d Trust
Representative
5703 Imhoff Ave SW
Mailing Address Mailing Address
City - State – Zip Howard Lake, MN 55349 City - State – Zip
Telephone No. 612-719-7709 Telephone No.
Email
mnpremierstr@gmail.com
Email
Signature Signature
(Signature is required) (Signature is required)
September 2022

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Background Check
Property Owners/Operators/Managers:
As part of the Short-Term Home Rental license process, the City of Howard Lake has the
authority to conduct background checks on all property owners, operators and managers.
The form attached is a requirement of the Short-Term Home Rental Licensing process.
Please complete the form for each property owner/operator/ manager, include a $15 check
payable to “City of Howard Lake” for each background check form and submit it along with your
STHR License application to begin the STHR licensing process.
If you have questions, feel free to contact City Hall 320-543-3670

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Background Check Consent Form
Howard Lake Police Department
I authorize this check to be done.
6/5/2025
Signature of Applicant: Date:
The expiration of this authorization shall be one year from the date of my signature.
Last Name of Applicant (please print): Hibbard
First Name (please print): Molly
Middle (full) (please print): Elizabeth
Maiden, Alias or Former (please print):
Date of Birth: 03.03/198 1 Sex (M or F): F
(Month/Day/Year)
Social Security Number (optional):

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Short-Term Home Rental
Guest Disclosure Sample
Please generate a welcome letter containing the required information below, and display it in a prominent
place for your guests. The kitchen counter, or an entry way table are both examples. The welcome letter is
also a great place to list any house rules you wish the guests to follow.
Required information, at a minimum, includes:
• List the name, phone number and address of the owner, operator or representative.
• The maximum number of guests allowed on the property.
• The maximum number of vehicles allowed at the property and where they are to park. Please
mention to your guests that all cars should be parked on-site and not on the street.
• Property rules related to use of outdoor features, such as decks, patios, grills, recreational fires,
saunas and other recreational facilities.
• City noise ordinances will be enforced by the Howard Lake Police Department, including reduced
noise levels between 10 PM and 8 AM.
• Events are not allowed on the premises. That means that no more than three unregistered
guests can gather on the property.
• Useful phone numbers:
Property manager
o
Fire department (non-emergency) 320-299-3771
o
Police department (non-emergency) 763-682-1162
o
-Sample below-
“Welcome to our home in the historic city of Stillwater. We hope you enjoy your stay. As our guests and guests of
the community, here is some helpful information and rules we ask you to follow:
1. The number of guests can be or fewer and there can be no events or parties on the
property.
2. Please park no more than vehicles on the driveway provided. Please no street parking.
3. After 10 pm, please reduce noise especially when outdoors.
4. Etc…..

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1. Submitted background check authorization form and $15 payment for EACH background check
required. (Owner & Property Manager required)
Paid 6/25/2025 via check
2. Site plan, drawn to scale, showing parking and driveways, all structures and outdoor recreational areas
that guests will be allowed to use, including, but not limited to, deck/patio, barbeque grill, recreational
fire, or sauna.
There are two houses, a 4+ car garage and a pole barn on the property. Guests will not have
access to the pole barn (marked with red X) but will have access to all other structures, the yard
space and lakeshore. There is a U shaped driveway marked off in green and a small firepit (under
3x3 and brick lined) marked by orange x.
Picture below displays the pole barn, driveway and firepit.

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Picture below displays House 1, House 2, the 4 car garage, pole barn, and firepit.
3. Floor plans, drawn to scale, of the home identifying which rooms will be used as transient guest
bedrooms.
1. Main house (brown): Bdrm 1: king bed, Bdrm 2: Queen bed, Living room: sleeper sofas (max
occupancy is 6 which is in accordance with zoning & ordinances)

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2. Second house: 1 bdrm: Bunk bed and sleeper sofa (max occupancy is 4 which is in accordance
with zoning & ordinances)
4. Proof of suitable and sufficient insurance.
Attached
5. Minnesota Sales Tax Account Number (7 digits) OR proof that Minnesota Tax Account Number has
been applied for OR Social Security Number.
I own the property through a land trust and run STR’s through LLC’s, the EIN: 39-2602366
The LLC name is “Fin & Feather LLC”.
6. $150 payment for annual license application and initial inspection.
Paid 6/16/25 via check

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To: Howard Lake Parks & Planning Commission
Nicholas Haggenmiller, City Administrator
From: Nate Sparks, City Planner
Date: July 3, 2025
Re: Commercial & Industrial Signs Ordinance Amendment
BACKGROUND
With the recent inclusion of the A&W at the Pit Stop site, it was noted that the City’s Sign
Ordinance was implemented slightly different than what the text of the code states. Therefore,
Staff is recommending that this section of code be reviewed.
PREVIOUS ZONING STRUCTURE
The City’s Zoning Structure prior to 2004 was that there was a “Highway Business District” and a
“City Center District.” Then there was a “Light Industrial” District. Then there was also a
“Residential-Commercial-Recreation” District. The Light Industrial District was located in areas
intermingled with the Highway Commercial District on the east side of town along Highway 12.
At this time, in the sign ordinance, it stated that non-conforming uses and used with a conditional
use permit that are located in a Residential District could have free standing and wall signs up to 80
square feet in size based on the size of the lot. It also stated that Light Industrial uses could have
free standing signs up to 150 square feet. For regular commercial uses, the maximum free standing
and wall sign size was 40 feet.
CURRENT ZONING STRUCTURE
When the City’s Zoning Ordinance was updated in 2004, much of this structure was altered. The
Highway Commercial District became a “General Commercial” District and was not necessarily
limited to areas fronting on Highway 12. The Light Industrial District became I-1, Warehousing
Industrial and a new I-2 District, General Industrial, which allowed more intense uses came into
being. This District was placed along Highway 12 west of commercial areas.
The sign ordinance section that allowed some commercial businesses to have 80 square foot signs
was moved into a section about the Urban Reserve District. The Industrial Districts still allow up
to 150 square foot signs.
STAFF COMMENT
There are numerous businesses within the commercial districts that have free standing and wall
signs that appear to be greater than 40 square feet. It appears that the performance standards that
were developed for the old version of the zoning ordinance were intended to be applied to the
former City Center District. This was then carried over to the current sign ordinance.
1

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It also appears that perhaps the original intent, due to the intermingling of Highway Commercial
and Industrial areas that the standards for the Highway Commercial area were intended to be the
same as the Light Industrial District. Otherwise, properties immediately adjacent to one another
that would both be business uses would have wildly different sign sizes. One property could have
a 150 square foot sign while the next could only have 40.
Staff notes that there are also businesses along Highway 12 that are currently zoned Downtown
Business that were not in the former code. The former code was focused on the traditional
Downtown area while the current ordinance includes areas further to the west in the Downtown
that were not developed in a traditional “downtown” style.
RECOMMENDED ACTION
A simple fix for this issue would be that the “General Business” uses could use the same sign
regulations as the Industrial Districts while the “Downtown Commercial” areas use the existing
“Business District” standards.
It should be noted that the 150 square feet size for free standing signs is on the higher side of the
typical range of sign sizes for communities without a divided highway. However, this is what was
traditionally permitted in these areas of the City. There are some cities that allow 150 square foot
signs (such as Lakeville along the freeway), but there are others that limit these types of signs to
sizes like 100 square feet (Delano), 125 square feet (Eagan), 128 square feet (Cokato). Since this
size has been traditionally used in the City, it may make sense to utilize this standard for now and
do a more comprehensive revision in the future.
PLANNING COMMISSION DISCUSSION
The Planning Commission should hold a public hearing and discuss amending the standards for
signs in the B-1 District to be the same as sizes in the Industrial Districts.

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01-24-5 . : SIGNS IN THE B-2, DOWNTOWN BUSINESS DISTRICTS:
A. Development Complexes: All development complexes shall require a master
signage plan pursuant to the requirements of this section, prior to the installation
of any signage.
B. Business Signs: Each enterprise, institution or business shall be permitted
wall signs, one (1) under canopy sign per street frontage and one (1)
freestanding sign each, subject to the following maximum size requirements.
(Note: Multiple businesses in the same building shall apportion facade length,
building wall and street frontage such that any maximum is not exceeded for a
particular property.)
1. Maximum Wall Sign Area: Total area of wall signage shall not exceed
two (2) square feet for each lineal foot of the building wall from which the
signage is attached, not to exceed forty (40) square feet.
2. Maximum Freestanding Sign Area: One (1) square foot for each five (5)
lineal feet of street frontage, not to exceed forty (40) square feet.
3. Under Canopy Sign Area and Dimensions:
a. The maximum allowable sign area shall be one (1) square foot for
each lineal foot of width of the canopy, awning, marquee or similar
structure from which the sign is suspended, as measured
perpendicular to the building wall.
b. The maximum allowable horizontal length of an under canopy sign
shall be equal to the width of the canopy, awning, marquee or
similar structure from which the sign is suspended, as measured
perpendicular to the building wall.

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c. The minimum vertical clearance between the lower edge of an
under canopy sign and the ground shall be eight feet (8’).
01-24-6 : SIGNS IN THE B-1, GENERAL BUSINESS & INDUSTRIAL DISTRICTS:
A. Development Complexes: All development complexes shall require a master
signage plan pursuant to the requirements of this section prior to the installation
of any signage.
B. Building Identification Signs: One (1) building identification sign for each
building shall be permitted provided that no such sign shall exceed twenty-five
(25) square feet in area.
C. Business Signs: Each enterprise, institution, franchise or business shall be
permitted walls signs, one (1) under canopy sign per street frontage, and one (1)
projecting or freestanding sign per street frontage each subject to the following
maximum size requirements. (Note: Multiple businesses in the same building
shall apportion facade length, building wall, and street frontage such that any
maximum is not exceed for a particular property.)
1. Maximum Wall Sign Area: The total area of facade signage shall not
exceed three (3) square feet for each lineal foot of the building wall from
which the sign is attached.
2. Maximum Projecting Sign Area: One (1) square foot for each two (2)
lineal feet of the building wall from which the sign projects, not to exceed
sixty-four (64) square feet. The total area of projecting signs shall be
subtracted from the permitted total area of facade signs.
3. Maximum Freestanding Sign Area: One (1) square foot for each lineal
foot of street frontage, not to exceed one hundred fifty (150) square feet
per sign.
4. Under Canopy Sign Area and Dimensions:
a. The maximum allowable sign area shall be one (1) square foot for
each lineal foot of width of the canopy, awning, marquee or similar
structure from which the sign is suspended, as measured
perpendicular to the building wall.
b. The maximum allowable horizontal length of an under canopy sign
shall be equal to the width of the canopy, awning, marquee or
similar structure from which the sign is suspended, as measured
perpendicular to the building wall.
c. The minimum vertical clearance between the lower edge of

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an under canopy sign and the ground shall be eight feet (8’).
D. Off-Premises Signs: Off-premises signs shall be permitted pursuant to the requirements of
this section.

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CITY SIGN EXAMPLES
Sign appears to be about 80 square feet.
Sign appears to be about 90 square
feet.
Sign appears to be about 50 square feet.
(off premise sign)

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Sign appears to be about 50 square
feet.
Sign appears to be about 60 square feet.
Sign appears to be about 120 square feet