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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05/14/2025 P & Z Minutes CITY OF LINO LAKES PLANNING & ZONING BOARD MINUTES DATE: May 14, 2025 TIME STARTED: 6:30 P.M. TIME ENDED: 9:11 P.M. MEMBERS PRESENT: Isaac Wipperfurth, Nathan Vojtech, Neil Evenson Michael Root, Suzy Guthmueller, Perry Laden, Patrick Kohler MEMBERS ABSENT: None STAFF PRESENT: Michael Grochala, Katie Larsen, Marissa Ertel 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 May 14, 2025. 2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 3. PUBLIC COMMENT Mr. Root declared public comment open at 6:34 p.m. There were no public comments. Mr. Evenson moved to close public comment. Motion seconded by Mr. Vojtech. Public comment was closed at 6:34 p.m. 4. APPROVAL OF AGENDA The agenda was approved as presented. 5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Mr. Vojtech moved to approve the April 9, 2025 meeting minutes. Motion seconded by Mr. Kohler. Motion carried 6 – 0, one abstention. Planning & Zoning Board May 14, 2025 Page 2 6. ACTION ITEMS A. Public Hearing: Wilkinson Waters Comprehensive Plan Amendment, Rezoning, and PUD Preliminary Plan/Preliminary Plat Ms. Larsen presented the staff report. The applicant, Wilkinson Waters LLC, is proposing a master planned development located on North Oaks Company Inc. property south of County Road J/Ash Street/CSAH 32, west of Centerville Road/CSAH 21 and north of Wilkinson Lake Boulevard. The development contains 4 parcels totaling approximately 76 gross acres and consists of mix of 340-unit residential housing types and commercial development. The proposed development is called Wilkinson Waters. The Comprehensive Plan Amendment requires notice to affected jurisdictions. They have 60 days to review and comment. The 60-day deadline is May 17, 2025 so the City Council meeting date for consideration is May 27, 2025. The Planning & Zoning Board held a public hearing on April 9th. Unfortunately, the notice was not mailed to all property owners within 600ft of the development boundary, second hearing will be held tonight. One concern brought up during the April 9th meeting was vehicle headlights entering or exiting the underground parking lot shining into adjacent houses along Ash St. Six (6) ft tall privacy fences will be installed along the Ash Street and Centerville Road drive lanes to screen the headlights. Mr. Laden questioned whether the architectural standards would pass to the future commercial development. Ms. Larsen stated they would consider that standards be set to ensure that future commercial development would match the higher level of architecture. Mr. Evenson had questions about how close the pickleball court would be to residential housing. Ms. Larsen stated it would be close to 200 feet. Mr. Evenson suggested relocating the pickleball court to be centrally located. Chair Root had a comment about the benefits to the open space for the development. Chair Root stated he would like to see the senior residential building held to the same gateway architectural standards. Planning & Zoning Board May 14, 2025 Page 3 Chair Root had questions about why as part of the staff recommendations the parking lot setback was not recommended by staff. Ms. Larsen stated that staff does not agree with the setback and it is not part of the flexibility. Ms. Guthmueller had concerns about the setbacks and how close the buildings are to each other. Ms. Guthmueller agrees with the City Council regarding removing townhomes to meet the setbacks. Ms. Guthmueller stated that the housing does not seem affordable. Mark Houge, North Oaks Company, was present to answer questions. Mr. Houge stated the pickleball court is not part of the plan, merely a suggestion. Mr. Vojtech had questions about the pricing for the apartments. Peter Stalland, partnered with North Oaks, was also available for comments. Mr. Stalland stated that the studio apartments would be around $1,300.00 a month. Mr. Root opened the public hearing at 7:24 p.m. Noelle Roden, 1603 Ash Street, spoke about the impact of the three-story buildings on the residents in her neighborhood. She stated that the buildings will be around 100 feet from her home. Ms. Roden was also concerned about the increase in traffic, the roundabout being added to the area and how construction of a new road would impact the ease of being able to leave the area. Ms. Roden would like to see more consideration and respect for existing residents. Amy Donlin, 6100 Centerville Road, spoke about the importance of roadblocking new developments in the area. Ms. Donlin would like to see the conservation standards upheld and would like the wildlife to remain untouched. Ms. Donlin would like to honor the dark skies and be able to see the sky at night. Ms. Donlin also had concerns about traffic in the area and the speed limit is currently too high. Steve Gallop, 6102 Centerville Road, agreed with the previous speaker about the dark skies and worries that the pickleball court would bring light and disturb this. Mr. Gallop is worried about the lighting on the street side of the development. Mr. Gallup stated that vehicle lights on Ash Street already are coming through and worries that this development would make this worse. He would like to see a tall berm added. Debra Gallop, 6102 Centerville Road, had concerns about how close the new development is to their existing home. Ms. Gallop stated that the lights will be an issue, and that the lights will drive out the wildlife. Ms. Gallop did state that North Oaks has Planning & Zoning Board May 14, 2025 Page 4 done a good job with landscaping in other developments. Ms. Gallop has worries about residents in the apartment complexes being able to see into her home. Ms. Gallop would like the tall buildings to be moved to the back, away from the roads. Jaworski Grove, 1605 Ash Street, stated that the proposed development is only 60 feet from their homes, not the 250 feet that has been presented. Ms. Grove stated that the pickleball courts would be very noisy, and the City of Maple Grove has recently banned pickleball courts for the noise. Ms. Grove also stated that there is no way to be able to back into their driveways as suggested by Ramsey County with the roundabout coming in, the speed will only go up. Ms. Grove believes there is zero benefit to this development coming in. Mr. Laden moved to close the public hearing. Motion seconded by Mr. Evenson. The public hearing was closed at 7:39 p.m. Chair Root addressed some of the comments made during the public hearing. Regarding the distance from the development, Ms. Larsen stated that the City setback requirements are met and would be approximately 160 feet from the nearest house. Chair Root addressed the screening that would be present. Ms. Larsen stated that there would be increased coniferous trees, such as evergreens, to help provide screening. Berm would not screen anything. Chair Root wanted to emphasize that the Board is doing their best to consider the existing residents. Chair Root stated that dark skies are being considered with regards to the types of lighting that would be used, and the number of lights on the site. Chair Root wanted to address the traffic concerns for residents. Ms. Larsen stated that the roadwork that is currently being done in the area is not being done because of the development and was put into place well before this development came in. Mr. Wipperfurth had questions about the traffic studies done in the area and around Ash Street, whether it would become a right in right out. Ms. Larsen confirmed it would be right in right out. Mr. Wipperfurth is glad that the headlights are being addressed but still had worries about the headlights going into the houses on Ash Street. Chair Root stated that with the addition of screening, the headlights wouldn’t be as much of an issue. Mr. Kohler moved to approve the comprehensive plan amendment, rezoning and PUD preliminary plan/preliminary plat subject to conditions listed in the staff report and not Planning & Zoning Board May 14, 2025 Page 5 allow for the flexibility with the setbacks presented. Motion seconded by Mr. Evenson. Motion carried 4-3. nd B. Public Hearing: Java Lino Lakes 2 Addition Preliminary Plat Ms. Larsen presented the staff report. The applicant, Java Companies, Inc., submitted a land use application for Java Addition nd 2 Addition preliminary plat. The preliminary plat subdivides Lot 2, Block 1, Java Lino Lakes into two (2) separate lots. On April 14, 2025, the City Council passed Resolution No. 25-45 approving the Java Lino Lakes final plat. The plat created three (3) commercial lots along Lake Drive. Lot 2, Block 1, Java Lino Lakes was proposed to have a 3-unit multi-tenant retail building. The applicant is now proposing 2 to subdivide this lot into 2 lots for the purpose of constructing a standalone Chipotle Restaurant and a standalone Pacific Dental office. Lot 1, Block 1, Java Lino Lakes 2nd Addition will still be an O’Reilly’s Auto Parts retail store as originally planned. Mr. Wipperfurth wanted to confirm that this was seen before the Board, and that the developer is splitting the one lot. Ms. Larsen confirmed that this was correct. Chair Root opened the public hearing at 8:03 p.m. No public comments were made. Mr. Wipperfurth moved to close the public hearing. Motion seconded by Mr. Kohler. The public hearing was closed at 8:03 p.m. Mr. Wipperfurth moved to approve the preliminary plat with one subject to conditions listed in the staff report. Motion seconded by Mr. Laden. Motion carried 7-0. C. Public Hearing: Clearwater Commons Preliminary Plat Ms. Larsen presented the staff report. The applicant, Capital Real Estate, Inc., submitted a land use application for Clearwater Commons preliminary plat and vacation. The preliminary plat is for three (3) commercial lots north of CSAH 14 (Main Street), west of I-35E, east of 21st Avenue North and south of the park and ride. A stand along Chipotle Restaurant is proposed on Lot 1. Planning & Zoning Board May 14, 2025 Page 6 Mr. Evenson wanted to know whether the North part of the lot would be commercial or residential. Ms. Larsen stated it would be commercial. Mr. Laden wanted to confirm that the traffic study considered all three lots and not just the Chipotle. Ms. Larsen confirmed that it was for all three. Chair Root wanted to know what had been evaluated for the north part of the lot regarding traffic. Ms. Larsen stated there had not been any studies done concerning that area since there is currently not any commercial development coming in with this application. Chair Root added that this area is becoming popular, with the developments such as Watermark and now the commercial developments. Mr. Root opened the public hearing at 8:14 p.m. Ryan Salmon, 2172 Heron Court, wanted to speak to the confusion about jurisdictions. Mr. Salmon wanted to make sure that concerns regarding traffic were addressed. The traffic in the area with Amazon has been very high. Mr. Salmon has concerns about safety for the children in the area. Mr. Salmon wanted to understand what the benefit of more commercial development in the area would be. Mr. Salmon would like to see a crosswalk added to the area to address foot traffic safety. Mr. Vojtech moved to close the public hearing. Motion seconded by Mr. Evenson. The public hearing was closed at 8:16 p.m. Chair Root addressed the concerns regarding adding more traffic to the area, and pedestrian safety. Ms. Larsen stated that regarding Lino Lakes we do have a trail, but with Kwik Trip that would be Centerville. Ms. Larsen stated that the traffic studies that have been conducted do meet City standards. City staff would not recommend putting a crosswalk at an uncontrolled intersection, which presents a false sense of security to pedestrians. Mr. Laden wanted a better understanding of how the foot traffic would be able to access the proposed site. Ms. Larsen showed via a map there would be sidewalks and the existing trail that would lead to the Chipotle. Mr. Wipperfurth would like to know who residents can go to regarding traffic lights and how traffic light times could be changed. Mr. Grochala stated it would be with MNDOT and Anoka County. Mr. Evenson moved to approve the preliminary plat subject to conditions listed in the staff report. Motion seconded by Mr. Wipperfurth. Motion carried 7-0. Planning & Zoning Board May 14, 2025 Page 7 D. Nelson Rehbein Property PUD Concept Plan Ms. Larsen presented the staff report. The applicant, Twin Cities Land Holding, LLC, is proposing a residential development in the southwest quadrant of CSAH 54 (20th Ave S) and Cedar Avenue. The development contains three (3) parcels totaling approximately 25 gross acres and 90 housing units. Mr. Evenson stated he does not think there would be a benefit to the City with a PUD. Mr. Wipperfurth agrees and does not think a PUD would be beneficial and should just be zoned. Mr. Wipperfurth asked whether the townhomes could be R2. Ms. Larsen said they would most likely be R3 with some changes to the lot sizes. Mr. Wipperfurth had questions regarding the road stubs and whether they would be able to connect to private drives. Mr. Vojtech also agreed that there was not a benefit to this site being a PUD. Mr. Kohler had concerns about the water use in the proposed development. Mr. Grochala stated that the developer will have to present the water use. Chair Root had questions about the density requirements. Chair Root questioned if it was all zoned R2 if it would not meet the density requirements. Chair Root would like to see this either all zoned R2 single family homes, and if there would need to be townhomes that they be located to the North. Chair Root also stated he had concerns about traffic in the area. Chair Root also agreed that the PUD would not be beneficial. Mr. Wipperfurth agreed with Chair Root about his traffic concerns. Ben Schmidt, Twin Cities Land Development, was present to answer questions. Mr. Schmidt spoke about the process of coming up with the concept plan and meeting density requirements. E. Otter Crossing South Final Plat Ms. Larsen presented the staff report. The applicant, TYME Properties, LLC., submitted a land use application for Otter Crossing South final plat. The plat is for one (1) commercial lot south of CSAH 14 (Main Street), east of I-35E and west of CR 84 (Otter Lake Road). This is the proposed ALDI’s grocery store lot. Planning & Zoning Board May 14, 2025 Page 8 Mr. Evenson moved to approve the final plat subject to conditions listed in the staff report. Motion seconded by Mr. Laden. Motion carried 7-0. F. Linda Avenue Addition Final Plat Ms. Larsen presented the staff report. The applicant, James Christiansen, submitted a land use application for Linda Avenue Addition final plat. The plat is for two (2) residential lots at the southwest quadrant of Hodgson Road and Linda Avenue located at 6217 Hodgson Road. Mr. Laden had questions about whether there would be a required privacy fence. Mr. Laden does not think there should be a required privacy fence. Ms. Larsen stated that per the ordinance, they would have to have a buffer, whether that was a fence or landscaping. Mr. Kohler moved to approve the final plat with one subject to conditions listed in the staff report. Motion seconded by Mr. Vojtech. Motion carried 7-0. 7. DISCUSSION ITEMS A. Project Updates Mr. Grochala provided project updates to the Board. Mr. Vojtech moved to adjourn the meeting. Motion seconded by Mr. Evenson. Meeting adjourned at 9:11 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Marissa Ertel – Community Development Administrative Assistant