HomeMy WebLinkAboutPZ MINUTES 07-11-22 Lake Elmo Planning Commission Minutes: 7-11-2022
City of Lake Elmo Planning Commission
Meeting
City Council Chambers – 3800 Laverne
Avenue North
Minutes of Regular Meeting of July
11, 2022
CALL TO ORDER: Commission Chair Risner called to order the meeting of the Lake Elmo Planning Commission at
7:00 p.m.
COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Risner, Mueller, Graen, Rehkamp, Vrieze
COMMISSIONERS ABSENT: Steil
STAFF PRESENT: Planning Director Just & City Planner Hetzel
Pledge of Allegiance at 7:00 PM
Approve Agenda:
M/S/P: Graen / Vrieze made a motion to approve the agenda. Vote: 5-0, motion carried unanimously.
(Steil not in attendance).
Approve Minutes:
M/S/P: Vrieze / Rehkamp made a motion to approve 6-13-22 minutes. Vote: 5-0, motion carried
unanimously. (Steil not in attendance)
M/S/P: Risner / Rehkamp made a motion to approve 6-27-22 minutes. Vote: 5-0, motion carried
unanimously. (Steil not in attendance)
Public Hearings:
1. CONIDTIONAL USE PERMIT FOR CHAPEL– 8249 Demontreville Trail Carmelite Hermitage of the Blessed Virgin
Mary
Director Just gave presentations and answered questions.
Carmelite Hermitage of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Applicant) has applied for a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) for
construction of a chapel on the property located at 8249 Demontreville Trail N (PID# 09.029.21.12.0002). The
proposed 5,778 square foot chapel and a detached 978 square foot bathroom and mechanical room would be for
use by members and outside visitors. The use is allowed by CUP in the Public Facilities (PF) zoning district.
RECOMMENDED FINDINGS
Conditional use means a land use or development as defined by ordinance that would not be appropriate generally
but may be allowed with appropriate restrictions as provided by official controls only upon a finding that all of the
following provisions are met. Staff recommends the following findings:
Lake Elmo Planning Commission Minutes: 7-11-2022
1. The proposed use will not be detrimental to or endanger the public health, safety, comfort, convenience or general welfare of the neighborhood or the city. The proposed use should not be detrimental or in
any way endanger the public health, safety, comfort.
2. The use or development conforms to the City of Lake Elmo Comprehensive Plan. The proposed use
conforms to the Comprehensive Plan.
3. The use or development is compatible with the existing neighborhood. The proposed use is permitted in Public Facilities zoning district subject to a CUP.
4. The proposed use meets all specific development standards for such use listed in the Zoning Code. The
proposed use must meet the provisions of Article XVI – Public and Semi-Public Districts.
5. If the proposed use is in a flood plain management or shoreland area, the proposed use meets all the specific standards for such use listed in Article XIX (Shoreland Management) and Title 100 (Flood Plain Management). The proposed use must meet the Shoreland Regulations.
6. The proposed use will be designed, constructed, operated and maintained so as to be compatible in appearance with the existing or intended character of the general vicinity and will not change the essential character of that area. The proposed use will be compatible in appearance with the existing character of the general vicinity and will not change the essential character of the area.
7. The proposed use will not be hazardous or create a nuisance as defined under this Chapter to existing or
future neighboring structures. The proposed chapel is to be set back form the public right of way and
from adjacent land owners and so should not create a nuisance to existing or future neighboring
structures.
8. The proposed use will be served adequately by essential public facilities and services, including streets, police
and fire protection, drainage structures, refuse disposal, water and sewer systems and schools or will be served
adequately by such facilities and services provided by the persons or agencies responsible for the
establishment of the proposed use.
The proposed chapel will be adequately served by public services or facilities.
9. The proposed use will not create excessive additional requirements at public cost for public facilities and services and will not be detrimental to the economic welfare of the community. The proposed use will not create excessive additional requirements at public cost.
10. The proposed use will not involve uses, activities, processes, materials, equipment and conditions of
operation that will be detrimental to any persons, property or the general welfare because of excessive production of traffic, noise, smoke, fumes, glare or odors. The proposed use should not be detrimental to persons, property, or the general public welfare.
11. Vehicular approaches to the property, where present, will not create traffic congestion or interfere with
traffic on surrounding public thoroughfares. With the new direct access (Res. 2021-092) the proposed
use should not create traffic congestion. The chapel will mainly be used by members and intermittent
guests.
12. The proposed use will not result in the destruction, loss or damage of a natural or scenic feature of major importance. The proposed use should not impact natural or scenic features.
Applicant Reverend John Burns (8249 Mound Carmel Road) spoke regarding the project offered to answer
questions.
Lake Elmo Planning Commission Minutes: 7-11-2022
Public hearing opened at 7:15 PM.
Father Patrick McCorkell (8243 Demontreville Trail) asked for clarification of how much traffic and activity will be
generated by the new chapel, compared to the existing chapel.
An email in support was received.
Public hearing closed at 7:18 PM.
M/S/P: Risner / Mueller made a motion to recommend approval of a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) for the
construction of a chapel with the listed conditions based on the findings listed in the staff report as well
as additional conditional approval defining business hours of 7 AM and 5 PM except where hours may be
extended for all defined Holidays and Feasts. Vote: 5-0, motion carried unanimously. (Steil not in
attendance)
Meeting adjourned at 7:26 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Diane Wendt
Permit Technician