HomeMy WebLinkAbout3 - PZ MINUTES 1-27-25Lake Elmo Planning Commission Meeting Minutes: 1-27-25
City of Lake Elmo Planning Commission Meeting
City Council Chambers – 3880 Laverne Avenue North
Minutes of Regular Meeting of
January 27, 2025
CALL TO ORDER: Commission Chair Rehkamp called to order the meeting of the Lake Elmo Planning Commission at 6:30 p.m.
COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Bohlig, Chars, Dunn, Rehkamp
COMMISSIONERS ABSENT: Amed, Vrieze
STAFF PRESENT: Community Development Director, Jason Stopa, Senior City Planner Sophia Jensen, City Planner Ashley
Monterusso, Communications Coordinator Kathie Smith
Pledge of Allegiance at 6:30 PM
Approve Agenda:
M/S/P: Dunn / Chars made a motion to approve the agenda. Vote: 4-0, motion carried unanimously
Approve Minutes:
M/S/P: Dunn/Chars made a motion to approve the 1-13-25 meeting minutes with spelling corrections. Vote: 4-0, motion
carried unanimously.
Public Hearing:
a) Chavez Property Variances. Joe and Joan Chavez have submitted a variance application for seven (7) deviations from the
City’s Shoreland Overlay District (LEC 105.12.1260) for the property located at PID 14.029.21.24.0004. The variances are
for the construction of a new single-family home on a bluff near Sunfish Lake. (Formal Public Hearing to be held at City
Council Meeting 1/21/2025)
Senior City planner Jensen gave presentation and answered questions.
Applicant Joe Chavez spoke and answered questions.
M/S/P: Bohlig / Dunn moved to open the public hearing at 6:57 PM. Vote: 4-0, motion carried unanimously.
Emailed Comments:
Craig Allen with Gonyea Companies, provided written public comment that, while he signed off on the variance application as
the owner of Northstar Outlot B and has provided access to the lot with the development of the Northstar subdivision to help
Mr. Chavez, he would like to put on the record he is not supporting the current design and encroachment onto his property. It is
his position that any drainage structures should be fully contained within Northstar Outlot B. He is indifferent to the outlot
design.
Public Comments:
Bill Fredricks, 3691 Kevlin Ave N, spoke in favor of passing the variance.
M/S/P: Dunn/Chars moved to close the public hearing at 7:04 PM. Vote: 4-0, motion carried unanimously.
M/S/P: Bohlig/Dunn moved to recommend denial of all of the seven shoreland variance request from Joe and Joan Chavez
for the property located at 14.029.21.24.0004 and Outlot B of Northstar 1st Addition based on the findings listed in the staff
report. Vote: 4-0, motion carried unanimously.
Discussions and comments by Planning Commissioners.
Applicant gave rebuttal.
Lake Elmo Planning Commission Meeting Minutes: 1-27-25
Public Hearing:
b) Zoning Text Amendment. The City of Lake Elmo has initiated a housekeeping zoning text amendment. These are
typically done annually to clean up and clarify code. This amendment includes section: 105.12.110, 1.08.010, 105.12.410,
105.12.440, 105.12.200, 103.00.060, and 105.12.190.
Senior City planner Jensen gave presentation and answered questions.
M/S/P: Bohlig / Dunn moved to open the public hearing at 7:19 PM. Vote: 4-0, motion carried unanimously.
Public Comments:
Mel Eder, 4890 Keats Ave, asked what the number of the populace get the Stillwater Gazette, and wants more information in
the public hearing notices. Is not in favor of short term rentals.
Joan Ziertman, emailed comments were read by Commissioner Chars, is not in favor of adding short term rentals non-owner
occupied as an allowed use to the code.
Joyce Kelch, emailed comments read by Commissioner Dunn. “B&B; residence should be classified as HOMESTEADED. Most
current listings are short term rentals. 6 foot distance from Agricultural buildings. This is too close
to a house. Recommend distance of 40 foot.”
M/S/P: Dunn/Bohlig moved to close the public hearing at 7:29 PM. Vote: 4-0, motion carried unanimously.
M/S/P: Bohlig/Chars moved to recommend approval of the proposed text amendments as presented by staff. Vote: 0-4,
motion failed unanimously.
M/S/P: Bohlig/Dunn moved to recommend approval of the proposed text amendments as presented by staff with the change
of the Bed and Breakfast leaving it as originally worded. Vote: 4-0, motion carried unanimously.
New/Unfinished Business
N/A
Communications/Updates
N/A
Upcoming Meetings
• February 10th, 2025
• February 11th, 2025 – Joint Workshop at 6:30 PM
• March 24th, 2025
Meeting adjourned at 7:41 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Diane Wendt
Permit Technician