HomeMy WebLinkAbout#05 - Animal Inn CUP and Variance Extension1
STAFF REPORT
DATE: April 1st, 2025
CONSENT
TO: Mayor and Councilmembers
FROM: Sophia Jensen, Senior City Planner
AGENDA ITEM: Animal Inn Conditional Use Permit and Variance Extension
CORE STRATEGIES:
☐ Vibrant, inclusive, connected community ☐ Efficient, reliable, innovative services
☐ Responsive, transparent, adaptive governance ☐ Balanced Finances now and future
☒ Managed Growth ☒ Resilient Infrastructure
BACKGROUND:
The City Council adopted Resolution 2014-044 and Resolution 2024-043 on April 16th, 2024,
approving a structure setback variance and conditional use permit amendment for the expansion
of the Animal Inn facilities. The ordinance requires substantial construction within 12 months of
the date on which the conditional use permit and variance was granted. Otherwise, the council,
after receiving recommendation from the planning commission, may extend the permit for such
additional period, as it deems appropriate. The current conditional use permit deadline is April
16th, 2025.
Katie and Corwin Cheng of Animal Inn (the “Applicants”) are making progress on the conditions
of approval but will require additional time to achieve the substantial construction requirement.
The applicants submitted a 24-month extension request to the City on February 26th, 2025. The
applicants have had to delay their project implementation due to construction costs. The logistics
of connecting new and existing buildings has also proven to be time consuming. The extension
will allow the small business additional time to prepare for project expenses and to create water
connection plans with contractors.
ISSUE BEFORE THE CITY COUNCIL
The City Council is being asked to make a determination on the extension for the conditional use
permit deadline to April 16th 2027?
PROPOSAL DETAILS/ANALYSIS:
The applicants are requesting a 24-month extension of their conditional use permit to work
through the conditional use permit conditions. As part of the conditional use permit extension the
variance must also be extended.
PLANNING COMMISSION
The Planning Commission reviewed this request at their March 24th 2025 meeting. The
Commission voted to recommend approval of the extension (Vote 4-0).
2
FISCAL IMPACT
None.
OPTIONS
1) Approve the conditional use permit extension deadline to April 16th 2027
2) Deny the extension request.
RECOMMENDATION:
As part of the consent agenda Staff is recommending the City Council approve the request to
extend the Conditional Use Permit and Variance Deadline. If removed from the consent agenda
Staff recommends the following motion:
“Move to approve Resolution 2025-032 approving an extension of the conditional use permit
and variance deadline for the Animal Inn project to April 16th 2027.”
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Draft Resolution 2025-032
2. Original Approvals - Resolutions 2014-044 and Resolution 2024-043
3. Extension Letter Request
CITY OF LAKE ELMO
WASHINGTON COUNTY
STATE OF MINNESOTA
RESOLUTION NO. 2025-032
A RESOLUTION APPROVING AN EXTENSION OF THE CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT AND
VARIANCE FOR ANIMAL INN
WHEREAS, the City of Lake Elmo is a municipal corporation organized and existing
under the laws of the State of Minnesota; and
WHEREAS, Corwin and Katie Cheng of Animal Inn Pet Resort and Spa Inc 8633 34th St
Lake Elmo MN 55042 (the “Applicant”), submitted an application to the City of Lake Elmo (the
“City”) for an amendment to their existing conditional use permit and variance to expand their
facility capacity on the property located at 8611 24th St (PID 16.209.21.43.0013,
16.029.21.43.0001, and 16.029.21.42.0011) (the “Property), a copy of which is on file in the City
of Lake Elmo Community Development Department; and
WHEREAS, on April 16th 2024, the Lake Elmo City Council adopted Resolution 2014-
044 approving the conditional use permit and Resolution 2024-043 for a variance; and
WHEREAS, City Code also requires substantial completion of the project within twelve
months of approval to remain valid; and
WHEREAS, the Applicant has submitted a request for an extension to the conditional
use permit and variance deadline to allow for additional time to address remaining conditions of
the conditional use permit;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT the City Council does hereby
approve an extension for the substantial construction deadline for the conditional use permit and
variance deadline to April 16th 2027
Passed and duly adopted this 1st day of April 2025, by the City Council of the City of Lake
Elmo, Minnesota.
______________________________
Charles Cadenhead, Mayor
ATTEST:
______________________________
Julie Johnson, City Clerk
From:Katie Cheng
To:Sophia Jensen
Cc:Corwin Cheng; Ashley Monterusso
Subject:Re: Animal Inn CUP and Variance Progress
Date:Wednesday, February 26, 2025 11:33:34 AM
Attachments:image001.png
Caution: This email originated outside our organization; please use caution.
Hi Sophia,
Sorry, trying again!
With the current building materials pricing increase and with having to figure out the logistics of
how to connect the entire facility to city water and not just the new build we would like to ask
for a two year extension on our CUP and variance.
If you need anything else from me let me know! Thank you again for your help!
Katie