Brainerd planning commission backs amended design standards, sends ordinance to council

The Brainerd City Planning Commission on Dec. 18 recommended approval of a revised building design-standards ordinance that trims several technical requirements and adjusts the maximum lot size in the city—ode—or the TN1 (traditional neighborhood) district.

Staff told the commission the draft consolidates changes developed over several months, including updates to lot sizes and widths, garage setback rules, a standing-seam metal roof requirement for single-family homes, and revisions to accessory‑structure rules for buildings under 200 square feet. The draft memo noted a typo in the TN1 table: the maximum lot size had been shown as 1,500 square feet; staff corrected that to 10,500 and then accepted a commissioner recommendation to increase the TN1 cap to 11,250 square feet to reflect deeper lots in parts of North Brainerd.

Commissioners asked whether increasing the TN1 maximum would create legal nonconformities. Staff said the change could create a number of legal nonconforming lots, but it would not bar homeowners from getting building permits or making routine improvements; setback standards and other requirements would still apply.

After discussion, the commission moved and voted to recommend the ordinance to City Council with the TN1 maximum lot-size change. Staff said the ordinance will be scheduled for two council readings (Jan. 6 and Jan. 21), published if approved on Jan. 25, and would likely take effect in early February if the council adopts it.

The commission id not report any public testimony on the item at the Dec. 18 public hearing.

Next steps: staff will transmit the amended ordinance and the commission—indings to City Council for formal consideration.