HomeMy WebLinkAbout09/13/2023 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 September 13, 2023.
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
3. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
The agenda was approved as presented.
4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Mr. Vojtech moved to approve the August 9, 2023 meeting minutes. Motion seconded
by Mr. Kohler. Motion carried 7 – 0.
5. OPEN MIKE
Mr. Root declared open mike at 6:32 p.m.
There were no public comments.
Mr. Vojtech moved to close open mike. Motion seconded by Mr. Laden. Open mike was
closed at 6:32 p.m.
DATE: September 13, 2023
TIME STARTED: 6:30 P.M.
TIME ENDED: 9:18 P.M.
MEMBERS PRESENT: Isaac Wipperfurth, Nathan Vojtech,
SaraJo Stewart, Michael Root, Perry Laden,
Neil Evenson, Patrick Kohler
MEMBERS ABSENT: None
STAFF PRESENT: Katie Larsen, Diane Hankee, Julie Whitney
Planning & Zoning Board
September 13, 2023
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APPROVED MINUTES
6. ACTION ITEMS
A. PUBLIC HEARING: Zoning Ordinance Text Amendment – Synthetic Grass
Ms. Larsen presented the staff report.
The applicant, Troy Johnson of ForeverLawn Minnesota Inc., submitted a Land Use
Application on behalf of Jon Lipinski, 75 Robinson Drive, for a Zoning Ordinance Text
Amendment to allow synthetic grass/artificial turf as an approved ground cover.
The Board discussed their concerns which were limited use vs. full use, placement of the
synthetic grass in an easement, installation requirements, grass temperature, what kind of
infill is used, maintaining the artificial grass and addressing micro plastics. Mr. Root also
wanted more research on the reduction of the carbon footprint.
Mr. Troy Johnson, who is the owner of ForeverLawn, discussed the company and the
benefits of the product and answered Board questions.
Mr. Jon Lipinski, who resides at 75 Robinson Drive, indicated he was an environmental
engineer and passed out product information.
Mr. Root opened the public hearing at 7:56 p.m.
Mr. Felipe Illescas with the MN Nursery & Landscape Association was in attendance and
was speaking on behalf of the applicant.
Mr. Wipperfurth moved to close the public hearing. Motion seconded by Mr. Evenson.
The public hearing was closed at 7:58 p.m.
In conclusion, the Board was in favor of a limited use of synthetic grass with conditions
but did not express support for the ordinance text changes that were requested by the
homeowner.
Mr. Laden moved to deny the Zoning Ordinance Text Amendment subject to conditions
listed in the staff report. Motion seconded by Mr. Evenson. Motion carried 7-0.
B. PUBLIC HEARING: Conditional Use Permit for Outdoor Storage at 2300 Main
Street (Glamos Wire, Inc.)
Ms. Larsen presented the staff report.
Planning & Zoning Board
September 13, 2023
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APPROVED MINUTES
The applicant, Steve Tomas of Tomas Companies/Glamos Wire, Inc., submitted a Land
Use Application for a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) Amendment for Outdoor Storage at
their facility located at 2300 Main Street.
The Board discussed the height of the fence on each side and the possibility of waiving
the requirement of shrubs and landscaping on the south and east lot lines.
The applicant, Mr. Tomas, was unable to attend and in his place was Mr. Brent Johnson,
who is an Engineer with Bolton and Menk. He received questions from the Board and
also added that they received approval today with Rice Creek Watershed District for a
watershed permit.
Mr. Root opened the public hearing at 8:51 p.m.
There were no public comments.
Mr. Laden moved to close the public hearing. Motion seconded by Mr. Vojtech. The
public hearing was closed at 8:52 p.m.
Mr. Evenson moved to approve the conditional use permit amendment subject to the
conditions listed in the staff report. Motion seconded by Mr. Laden. Motion carried 7-0.
C. PUBLIC HEARING: Zoning Ordinance Text Amendment-General Updates
Ms. Larsen presented the staff report.
Ordinance No. 08-22 amending City Code Chapter 1007: Zoning Code was adopted in
November 2022 and went into effect in January 2023. When administering a new zoning
code, it is not uncommon to find language that needs to be amended or typos that need to
be corrected. Ms. Larsen addressed those changes.
Mr. Laden requested the pitch restriction for residential homes be removed from the
ordinance.
Mr. Root opened the public hearing at 9:15 p.m.
There were no public comments.
Mr. Wipperfurth moved to close the public hearing. Motion seconded by Mr. Vojtech.
The public hearing was closed at 9:15 p.m.
Mr. Vojtech moved to approve the updates to the zoning ordinance subject to the
conditions listed in the staff report. Motion was seconded by Mr. Evenson. Mr. Laden
Planning & Zoning Board
September 13, 2023
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APPROVED MINUTES
commented that he would like the removal of the 4-12 pitch requirement to the motion.
Mr. Vojtech then withdrew his motion to allow this change. Mr. Laden motioned to
approve the zoning ordinance text amendment with the elimination of the 4-12 pitch
requirement for residential homes. Motion was seconded by Mr. Wipperfurth. Motion
carried 7-0.
7. DISCUSSION ITEMS
A. Project Updates
Staff provided an update on projects.
Mr. Evenson moved to adjourn the meeting. Motion seconded by Mr. Laden. Meeting
adjourned at 9:18 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Julie Whitney – Community Development Administrative Assistant