10/11/2023 P&Z Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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Planning & Zoning Board October 11, 2023 Page 2 APPROVED MINUTES 6. ACTION ITEMS A. Public Hearing: Conditional Use Permit for Agritourism at 1415 Ash Street (Kavan Christmas Tree Farm) Ms. Larsen presented the staff report. The applicant, Stephen Kavan, submitted a Land Use Application for a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) for Agritourism to operate Kavan Christmas Tree Farm on their property located at 1415 Ash Street. Opening the discussion, Mr. Wipperfurth asked if other people currently doing agritourism were grandfathered in? Ms. Larsen confirmed they were and if they wanted a change to the existing CUP, they would need to complete a CUP amendment. Mr. Wipperfurth questioned if other agritourism businesses were using a sign for traffic. Ms. Larsen said it was due to this site being on the “s” curve. Ms. Larsen said she does believe Waldoch Farms, during their peak season, use signage and traffic control. She said it would be case dependent on location. Mr. Wipperfurth questioned the requirement for the room to be open on three sides. Ms. Larsen indicated if it was enclosed it would be a violation of the building code and would cause more work and expense for the applicant. Mr. Wipperfurth disagreed with it being in the CUP. Mr. Laden agreed they would need to change the CUP and obtain a building code permit. Ms. Larsen suggested if the Board wanted the verbiage removed, they could do that. Mr. Laden questioned recommendation #4 and thought the “minor changes” should be removed so that applicant does not have to bring it before the Board and that it could be done administratively. Mr. Kohler expressed concern for traffic and thought it should be addressed if traffic indicated the need for additional control. It should also be added the cost would be absorbed by the tree farm. Ms. Larsen stated this could be added to the CUP. Ms. Hankee suggested that if the traffic gets too much that they be required to put in a turn lane would also be a recommendation. Ms. Larsen believed it was possible to add these recommendations. Mr. Root addressed recommendation #3 and thought there should be a lighted sign to identify the tree farm and lighting at the entrance. Ms. Larsen said the applicant can change the hours of operation so lighting is not needed. Mr. Root would like it added that a lighted sign is required. Ms. Larsen stated it has already been addressed with Anoka County as a requirement. Ms. Hankee said she would explore it further and follow up with Ms. Larsen.