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Isanti council lifts cease-and-desist, waives fee so detail shop can operate while applying for zoning change
Summary
The Isanti City Council voted unanimously to lift a cease-and-desist order on Precision Window Tint and Detail at 22 Broadway Street and to waive the $375 conditional-use application fee, giving the owner until mid-November to submit paperwork and proceed to Planning Commission.
The Isanti City Council voted unanimously to lift a cease-and-desist order that had prevented Precision Window Tint and Detail from operating at 22 Broadway Street, and also approved waiving the $375 conditional-use application fee so the business can reopen while it pursues a zoning amendment.
The decision came after council members heard from the business owner, Cruz Brubbin, who said he performs detailing and window tinting — including medical tinting for customers with skin conditions — and that he was confused by the steps staff required after receiving a notice. "I take my money, I put food on the table for me and my girlfriend," Brubbin told the council, describing long hours and saying his work uses water-based products and not the harsh chemicals associated with auto body shops.
Zoning staff explained the B1 district does not currently list vehicle-detailing as an allowed use and that similar activities require a conditional-use permit; they also noted the city must follow state statute and public-notice rules for any zoning amendment or conditional-use hearing. The zoning administrator said staff’s role was to enforce the ordinance while helping the business understand the process.
Councilman Lundin moved to lift the cease-and-desist through Nov. 16 to give the applicant time to file, and Councilman Merrill seconded. The motion passed 5-0. Council members and staff agreed the owner should file the application by Nov. 15 to be scheduled for the December Planning Commission meeting. The council then voted to amend the previous motion to waive the $375 application fee; that amendment also passed 5-0.
Council members expressed sympathy for small-business confusion about zoning language and asked staff to add fee policy and small-business guidance to a future Committee of the Whole meeting so the council can consider broader changes rather than single-case waivers. The council advised the owner to submit the formal application and indicated the temporary allowance would remain in effect while the process proceeds.
Next steps: the owner must submit the conditional-use application by Nov. 15 for Planning Commission consideration; the council asked staff to return with a recommendation and to place fee policy on a future agenda.
