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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10/11/2023 P&Z MinutesAPPROVED MINUTES CITY OF LINO LAKES PLANNING & ZONING BOARD MINUTES 1. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL Chair Root called the Lino Lakes Planning & Zoning Board meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. on October 11, 2023. 2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 3. APPROVAL OF AGENDA The agenda was approved as presented. 4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Mr. Kohler moved to approve the September 13, 2023 meeting minutes. Mr. Root wanted to change the verbiage in the last paragraph of Action Item A to read “…did not express support for the ordinance text changes”. Motion seconded by Mr. Wipperfurth. Motion carried 6 – 0. 5. OPEN MIKE Mr. Root declared open mike at 6:32 p.m. There were no public comments. Mr. Evenson moved to close open mike. Motion seconded by Mr. Laden. Open mike was closed at 6:32 p.m. DATE: October 11, 2023 TIME STARTED: 6:30 P.M. TIME ENDED: 7:22 P.M. MEMBERS PRESENT: Isaac Wipperfurth, SaraJo Stewart, Michael Root, Perry Laden, Neil Evenson, Patrick Kohler MEMBERS ABSENT: Nathan Vojtech STAFF PRESENT: Katie Larsen, Diane Hankee and Julie Whitney 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. Planning & Zoning Board October 11, 2023 Page 3 APPROVED MINUTES The applicant, Mr. Kavan, 1415 Ash Street, conveyed it was his intent to only be open during daylight hours. He also mentioned that the traffic study that was completed was based on weekday traffic. Mr. Root opened the public hearing at 7:05 p.m. Eric Wruck, 1443 Ash Street Lino Lakes, MN 55014. Mr. Wruck’s concerns were regarding the increased traffic, any destruction or trespassing to his property and that he maintains ownership of his property. Mr. Wruck was in favor of the tree farm but does not think a sign will help the traffic situation. Mr. Wruck wanted assurance that the area would be closed off during closed business hours so vehicles would not be lingering in the parking lot. Mr. Kavan stated he had a chain there now but would be using something more substantial. Mr. Wipperfurth moved to close the public hearing. Motion seconded by Mr. Laden. The public hearing was closed at 7:11 p.m. Mr. Laden conveyed the location of the gate should not be part of the CUP. Ms. Larsen agreed that it did not need to be a condition of the CUP. She stated depending on the placement of the gate, the permit would need to be applied for by the owner who owns the property where it was placed. Mr. Wipperfurth wanted to know if Anoka County could put in more formal signage on the brown tourist signs from the County stating “tree farm ahead”. Ms. Larsen said the applicant could inquire with the County. In conclusion, the recommendations from the Board are as follows. • Omitting recommendation #5 • Deleting the word “minor” on recommendation #4 • Adding a recommendation of traffic control when warranted. • Requirement of a lighted entrance and a lighted sign if the hours continued past sundown. • Requested clarification of a changeable sign and for it to include “lighted”. Mr. Wipperfurth moved to approve the conditional use permit subject to the conditions listed in the staff report with recommendations from the Board. Motion seconded by Mr. Kohler. Motion carried 6-0. 7. DISCUSSION ITEMS A. Project Updates Planning & Zoning Board October 11, 2023 Page 4 APPROVED MINUTES Staff provided an update on projects. Mr. Evenson moved to adjourn the meeting. Motion seconded by Mr. Wipperfurth. Meeting adjourned at 7:22 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Julie Whitney – Community Development Administrative Assistant