HomeMy WebLinkAbout05/10/2023 P&Z MinutesAPPROVED MINUTES
CITY OF LINO LAKES
PLANNING & ZONING BOARD MINUTES
1. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL
Vice Chair Root called the Lino Lakes Planning & Zoning Board meeting to order at 6:30
p.m. on May 10, 2023.
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
3. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
The agenda was approved as presented.
4. ELECTION OF CHAIR AND VICE CHAIR
Mr. Laden made a motion to nominate Mr. Root for Chair. Motion seconded by Mr.
Evenson. Mr. Vojtech made a motion to nominate Mr. Laden for Vice Chair. Motion
seconded by Mr. Wipperfurth. Mr. Root was elected Chair and Mr. Laden was elected
Vice Chair.
5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Mr. Kohler moved to approve the March 8, 2023 meeting minutes with one correction.
Motion seconded by Mr. Vojtech. Motion carried 5 – 0. Mr. Laden and Mr. Wipperfurth
abstained.
6. OPEN MIKE
DATE: May 10, 2023
TIME STARTED: 6:30 P.M.
TIME ENDED: 7:28 P.M.
MEMBERS PRESENT: Michael Root, Perry Laden,
Isaac Wipperfurth, Nathan Vojtech
Neil Evenson, Patrick Kohler, SaraJo Stewart
MEMBERS ABSENT: None
STAFF PRESENT: Michael Grochala, Katie Larsen, Julie Whitney
Planning & Zoning Board
May 10, 2023
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APPROVED MINUTES
Mr. Root declared open mike at 6:33 p.m.
There were no public comments.
Mr. Vojtech moved to close open mike. Motion seconded by Mr. Laden. Open mike was
closed at 6:33 p.m. Motion carried 7-0.
ACTION ITEMS
A. Public Hearing Milestones Addition Preliminary Plan and Lil Explorers
Childcare Center Conditional Use Permit
Ms. Larsen presented the staff report.
The applicant, MEP Lino Lakes, is preliminary platting one 1.93 acre commercial lot for
the purpose of constructing a 16,941sf commercial day care facility. The name of the
preliminary plat is Milestones Addition. The name of the day care facility is Lil’
Explorers Childcare Academy.
The Board asked several questions and expressed concern for the possible bottlenecking
that may occur at the only entrance and exit. Ms. Larsen stated the Fire Chief also
expressed concerns and said this entrance/exit will need to be reconfigured to
accommodate the fire trucks.
Mr. Laden asked how current our level of service is and if it was from the time during
covid. Ms. Larsen stated the study is from August 2020. Ms. Larsen said it would be
sufficient for this purpose. Mr. Laden stated his concern was for future projects. Ms.
Larsen said it would be part of their analysis.
Mr. Root asked if there was any concern for people cutting through the gas station
parking lot? Ms. Larsen said if there was, not much could be done at a City level. If
Casey’s came to the City and expressed that there was an issue, they may have to close
the access to Lake Drive. Mr. Root stated that should be part of the analysis at the four
way stop.
Mr. Wipperfurth moved to close the public hearing. Motion seconded by Mr. Vojtech.
The public hearing was closed at 6:58 p.m. Motion carried 7-0.
Mr. Michael Thomas, the Architect, was in attendance. Mr. Root opened up questions
for Mr. Thomas. Mr. Evenson asked him how our new architectural standards impacted
this project. Mr. Thomas said it was more expensive than they typically do. Mr. Thomas
estimated it to be about $200,000 more.
Planning & Zoning Board
May 10, 2023
Page 3
APPROVED MINUTES
Mr. Evenson moved to approve the preliminary plat subject to the conditions listed in the
staff report. Motion seconded by Mr. Wipperfurth. Motion carried 7-0.
7. DISCUSSION ITEMS
A. Sign Ordinance-Dynamic Display Sign Size
The amended City Code Chapter 1010: Signs ordinance went into effect May 4, 2023.
The amendment included increasing the size of dynamic display signs from 20 sf to 32 sf
with an 8 second hold.
B. Text Amendment-Backyard Chickens
Planning and Zoning member Mr. Wipperfurth requested a discussion item regarding
backyard chickens be added to the agenda. The current zoning ordinance allows for
farm animals such as chickens in rurally zone properties (R-X, Rural Executive). There
are over 8,000 acres of rurally zoned property in the City that allows for farm animals.
The City adopted a new ordinance on January 5, 2023. During the 24 month update
process, there was no interest by the City Council to revise the zoning ordinance to
allow chickens in other zoning districts.
After discussion and review of the material presented, the Board recommended the
discussion move forward to the City Council to review the allowance of chickens in
residential areas with a 6-1 poll. The Board thinks guidelines to be considered are the
number of chickens one could own and to monitor the ratio of chickens to lot size,
where the chickens are kept and how far away from the property line the coup would
need to be constructed. This would be necessitated to govern and mitigate some of the
issues that may arise.
C. Project Updates
Staff provided an update on projects.
Mr. Evenson moved to adjourn the meeting. Motion seconded by Mr. Vojtech. Meeting
adjourned at 7:28 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Julie Whitney – Community Development Administrative Assistant