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LINO LAKES CITY COUNCIL <br />WORK SESSION <br />MINUTES <br />DATE: <br />TIME STARTED: <br />TIME ENDED: <br />MEMBERS PRESENT: <br />November 6, 2023 <br />6:00 PM <br />8:25 PM <br />Councilmembers Lyden, Stoesz, Ruhland, Cavegn, Mayor <br />Rafferty <br />Staff members present: City Administrator Sarah Cotton; Finance Director Hannah Lynch, <br />Human Resources and Communications Manager Meg Sawyer; Public Safety Director John <br />Swenson; Community Development Director Michael Grochala; City Planner Katie Larsen. <br />1. Kavan Christmas Tree Farm (1415 Ash Street) CUP for Agritourism <br />City Planner Katie Larsen presented a request for a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) for <br />Agritourism to operate a Christmas Tree Farm at 1415 Ash Street. The full application will be <br />presented for full Council consideration at the next regular meeting. Present with Planner <br />Larsen was the applicant, Steve Kavan. <br />Planner Larsen reviewed the application, the relevant Zoning Ordinances, and confirmed that <br />the Planning and Zoning Board reviewed the application on October 11, 2023 at which time <br />a public hearing was held. During the public hearing, a resident from 1443 Ash Street spoke <br />and provided general support for the project but stated some concerns for traffic impacts, <br />signage, and property taxes. The Planning and Zoning Board unanimously recommended <br />approval of the CUP with recommended changes as provided in Planner Larsen’s staff report. <br />Council held discussion on the application, including signage and traffic flow. Councilmember <br />Stoesz inquired of potential adjustments to time and date. Planner Larsen ad vised if time <br />adjustments are needed in the future, the proposed resolution for this CUP authorizes staff <br />to make those changes at an administrative level rather than brining back the full CUP for <br />formal amendment by Council. <br />Councilmember Cavegn inquired about DNR regulations related to pre-cut Christmas trees <br />which the applicant proposes to sell on site in addition to cut-your-own trees. Mr. Kavan <br />responded to inform Council that precut trees are indeed regulated by the DNR to prevent <br />the spread of any invasive pests; he envisions all trees brought in from areas in Minnesota <br />and Wisconsin but if trees are brought in from other states such as North Carolina, the DNR <br />will conduct testing and will destroy any trees with pests. <br />Councilmember Lyden expressed excitement for the project and encouraged the applicant to <br />think big in regard to other uses including an event venue. <br />40