HomeMy WebLinkAboutPZ MINUTES 11-22-21/
City of Lake Elmo Planning Commission Meeting
Minutes of November 22, 2021
Commission Chair Risner called to order the meeting of the Lake Elmo Planning Commission at 7:00 p.m.
COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Risner, Graen, Mueller, Rehkamp, Steil, Vrieze
COMMISSIONERS ABSENT: Weeks
STAFF PRESENT: Planning Director Just
Pledge of Allegiance at 7:00 PM
Introduction of new Planning Commissioner Thomas Rehkamp
Approve Agenda:
M/S/P: Steil/Vrieze moved to approve the agenda. Vote: 6-0, motion carried unanimously.
Approve Minutes:
M/S/P: Graen/Mueller moved to approve the Planning Commission minutes of October 25th, 2021. Vote: 6-0, motion carried unanimously.
Public Hearings:
Conditional Use Permit- 10755 50th Street N
CEF Lake Elmo Community Solar has applied for a Conditional Use Permit for the construction and operation of a solar farm on the property located at 10755 50th Street N (PID#1102921110003).
The proposed solar photovoltaic (“PV”) project has a maximum size of 1,000 kilowatts (“KW”) alternating current (“AC”). The Applicant has a Solar Energy Option Agreement to lease up
to 10 acres with the Manzara family to enable construction and operations of the project.
Director Just gave staff report and presentation.
Staff is recommending approval of the request subject to meeting the conditions of approval listed in this report.
Applicant Katelyn Larkin gave presentation: This Application is for a Conditional Use Permit to construct a 1 megawatt solar PV project on approximately 7 acres of land. The Project
will be constructed on land currently used for agriculture. No wetlands, forests, or biologically sensitive areas will be impacted by the Project. The Project will not produce any adverse
impacts on surrounding properties, as it has been designed to avoid perceptible glare and noise, will not generate traffic or emissions once built. Additionally, the Project will not
place any new burdens on City infrastructure, as no new water or sewer utilities are required. Conversely, the Project will support healthier air and soils through local renewable energy
generation and use of pollinator habitat in site stabilization.
Public hearing opened at 7:23 PM
Chris Boylan, 10711 50th Street N, has concerns regarding impact of sound issues and asked for a noise study.
Lake Elmo Planning Commission Minutes;11-22-21
George Crocker, 5093 Keats Ave N, is in support of the solar garden.
Tony Manzara, 5050 Kirkwood Ave N, is in support of the solar garden
Colleen Walsh, 10830 50th Street N, is not in support of the solar garden, as it impacts her parcel. Julie Andrich, on behalf of Bev Rieks, 4564 Kimbro Ave N, is not in support of the
solar garden, as it impacts this parcel.
Applicant, Dan Grantier, 5027 36th Avenue South, Minneapolis, with Cooperative Energy Futures, spoke in response to the concerns of the residents.
Richard Day, 11049 50th Street N, is not in support of the solar garden, as it impacts his parcel.
Public hearing closed at 7:46 PM
There was a discussion regarding the conditions of approval.
M/S/P: Graen/Mueller moved to recommend approval of the CUP for a solar farm with the listed conditions base on the finings listed in the presentation. Vote: 6-0, motion carried unanimously.
New/Unfinished Business
a. Royal Golf 4th Addition Final Plat – South of 20th Street N and east of Lake Elmo Avenue N
US Home Corporation (Lennar) has submitted an application for a final plat to be known as Royal Golf 4th Addition. The final plat includes approximately 88 acres to be subdivided into
5 outlots for future development.
Director Just gave staff report and presentation.
M/S/P: Steil/Graen moved to recommend approval of the Royal Golf Club at Lake Elmo 4th Addition Final Plat based on the findings of fact and conditions outlined in the staff report.
Vote: 6-0, motion carried unanimously.
Communications/Updates
City Council Update
11-03-2021 Meeting –Crossroads East Final Plat and PUD - Approved
11-16-2021 Meeting – Krueger Tree Farm IUP – interim use for photography was approved, expansion IUP building has been postponed.
Staff Updates
Upcoming PC Meetings:
December 13, 2021 - No public hearings, review the Work Plan
December 27, 2021 - (Cancelled)
January 10, 2022
Meeting adjourned at 8:26 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Diane Wendt
Permit Technician
Lake Elmo Planning Commission Minutes;11-22-21