HomeMy WebLinkAbout01/08/2025 P & Z MinutesDRAFT 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 January 8, 2025.
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
3. PUBLIC COMMENT
Mr. Root declared public comment open at 6:30 p.m.
There were no public comments.
Mr. Root closed public comment.
4. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
The agenda was approved as presented.
5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Mr. Vojtech moved to approve the December 11, 2024 meeting minutes. Motion
seconded by Mr. Evenson. Mr. Kohler abstained. Motion carried 5 – 0.
DATE: January 8, 2025
TIME STARTED: 6:30 P.M.
TIME ENDED: 7:56 P.M.
MEMBERS PRESENT: Nathan Vojtech, Neil Evenson, Patrick Kohler
Michael Root, Suzy Guthmueller, Perry Laden,
MEMBERS ABSENT: Isaac Wipperfurth
STAFF PRESENT: Michael Grochala, Katie Larsen, Diane Hankee
Julie Whitney
Planning & Zoning Board
January 8, 2025
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DRAFT MINUTES
6. ACTION ITEMS
A. Public Hearing: 8196 20th Avenue (Shuda Farms) Interim Use Permit
Ms. Hankee presented the staff report.
The applicant, Shuda Farms, LLC, submitted a Land Use Application for an Interim Use
Permit (IUP) for compost and black dirt stockpiling on their property at 8196 20th Ave
(PID 013122310002). The stockpile operation will be used for black dirt associated with
operating a tree farm at the referenced property. Black dirt will be used to plant bare
root trees, amend soil, pot nursery stock, and fill in areas of transplanted trees as they
are harvested and sold. The stockpile will be maintained and used for onsite use only
and will have no commercial or residential sales.
The owner, Alex Shuda, 8196 20th Avenue, Lino Lakes, MN 55014 was present. Mr.
Shuda is planning on growing landscape trees mostly around 4 feet tall and will plant
around 5000 this spring with the total number of trees reaching 20,000 to 30,000. The
barn space will be used for storing equipment and some planting that will need to occur
inside. Mr. Shuda discussed the topography of the property and the process of planting
the trees.
The Board asked questions regarding bathroom facilities for employees, notification of
neighbors due to the increased traffic on the shared driveway and ground cover for the
trees.
Mr. Root opened the public hearing at 6:46 p.m.
No public comments were made.
Mr. Kohler moved to close the public hearing. Motion seconded by Mr. Evenson. The
public hearing was closed at 6:46 p.m.
Mr. Evenson moved to approve the IUP with the conditions listed in the staff report.
Motion seconded by Laden. Motion carried 6 - 0.
B. Public Hearing: 416 Lilac Street (BRF Enterprises, LLC) Conditional Use Permits
Ms. Larsen presented the staff report.
Planning & Zoning Board
January 8, 2025
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DRAFT MINUTES
The applicant, BRF Enterprises, LLC, is proposing to operate an automotive
collision/repair shop and towing/recovery company at 416 Lilac Street.
Michael Fuhr, 416 Lilac Street, Lino Lakes, MN 55014 was present. Mr. Fuhr requested
an increase to the number of days a vehicle could be in the lot from 30 days to 60 days.
He stated when vehicles are towed, state statute must be followed for disposing of a
vehicle that has not been paid for or claimed. A letter needs to be sent to the owner and
then you must wait a period of 45 days before you can do anything with it. This would
exceed the allotted time frame for parking. He also addressed the drainage pond and
stated they would be working with the City and an engineer to insure the drainage is
adequate. He also said the fence would be moved to the back to accommodate more
parking in the front.
Mr. Root opened the public hearing at 7:07 p.m.
No public comments were made.
Mr. Kohler moved to close the public hearing. Motion seconded by Mr. Vojtech. The
public hearing was closed at 7:08 p.m.
Mr. Laden moved to approve the Conditional Use Permit for major and minor
automobile repair and a Conditional Use Permit for outdoor storage with the conditions
listed in the staff report but changing the 30-day storage limit for vehicles incapable of
movement from 30 days to 90 days. Motion seconded by Mr. Kohler. Motion carried 6-
0.
C. Public Hearing: Zoning Ordinance Text Amendment for Adult Use Cannabis
Mr. Grochala presented the staff report.
The City is considering adoption of requirements related to the regulation of adult use
cannabis as provided for under Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 342. To address the new
regulations, the City is considering two amendments to the City Code Chapter 617,
regulation of cannabis business and Chapter 1007 Zoning Ordinance relating to cannabis
businesses.
Mr. Laden requested clarification if hemp cultivation is covered under cannabis
cultivation. Mr. Grochala said he believes it is but will clarify. Mr. Laden wanted to
know why medical cultivation was not included in a rural area. Mr. Grochala said
assuming it is the same thing it can be added there.
Planning & Zoning Board
January 8, 2025
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DRAFT MINUTES
Mr. Kohler asked if the City was going to require a mezzobusiness to be indoor only. Mr.
Grochala confirmed it was indoor only and said under the original draft ordinance under
section 6, cultivator, including medical, is housed entirely indoors. He will check with
the City attorney to see if we must add that language to our ordinance. Mr. Kohler
added he would like to see the hours shortened for the sale of cannabis to the most
restrictive we can do. Mr. Laden would like the two licenses we are allowed to issue,
not given to the same applicant. Mr. Grochala said it may be set in place that the
applicant can only apply for one license at a time.
Mr. Root was concerned with onsite consumption and thought if it was permitted, it
should be an accessory use on the retail side. Mr. Grochala stated he would speak to the
City attorney about it.
Mr. Root opened the public hearing at 7:48 p.m.
No public comments were made.
Mr. Evenson moved to continue the public hearing. Motion seconded by Mr. Laden.
Motion carried 6 – 0.
7. DISCUSSION ITEMS
A. Project Updates
Mr. Grochala provided project updates.
Mr. Kohler moved to adjourn the meeting. Motion seconded by Mr. Vojtech. Meeting
adjourned at 7:56 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Julie Whitney – Community Development Administrative Assistant