HomeMy WebLinkAboutPC 04.23.20Minutes for the Planning Commission Meeting of Thursday. April 23. 2020
Meeting held remotely pursuant Minn. Stat. Sec. 13D.021
Chair Kleissler called the meeting to order at 7:22 pm.
PRESENT: Arcand, Derr, Fry, Kleissler, Lessard, Mulvihill.
ABSENT: Luchsinger, Tjernlund.
STAFF: Rachel Juba, Community Development Director
Emily Weber, Community Development Assistant
Pledge of Allegiance.
Approval of Minutes for the Planning Commission Meeting of April 9, 2020
Commissioner Arcand made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Derr to approve minutes for the
meeting of April 9, 2020.
Ayes: Arcand, Derr, Fry, Kleissler, Lessard, Mulvihill.
Nay: None. Motion carried.
Public Hearing: Tonv Harmening — PUD and site plan application for a restaurant.
Staff provided a background on the applications submitted by Tony Harmening. The applicant is
requesting approval of a preliminary plat and PUD for a development to be known as the Shores of Egg
Lake and site plan approval for Cattle House Restaurant. The property in question is owned by the City
and is located along Highway 61 and across from City Hall. The property is zoned Central Business and
is guided as Mixed Use in the 2040 Comprehensive Plan. The property is also located in the downtown
area of Hugo.
The PUD general plan will be for all 4.2 acres of the property and is proposed to be rezoned from
Central Business to PUD. The site plan request is for the construction of an approximately 5,700 square
foot restaurant building for Cattle House Restaurant. The PUD general plan includes the restaurant for
Phase I and for Phase II a 4,000 square foot event center and three retail/office buildings totaling
10,100 square feet. Phase I is only being approved at the time.
Over the last several months the applicant has met with the EDA on their concepts for the site and
purchase agreement and in December 2019, the City Council approved the purchase agreement. In
February 2020, the EDA reviewed the site plan and generally agreed that the site plan and architecture
were consistent with downtown design guidelines.
Staff provided background on the requests and the proposed setbacks, parking, streets, and accesses
for the site. The applicant is requesting PUD flexibility to allow a minimum shoreland setback of 49
April 23, 2020 PC Minutes
Page 2
feet, where 125 feet is allowed by ordinance, flexibility to allow reduces parking space requirements,
and flexibility to allow parking side yard setback be 4.3 feet, where 5 feet is required by ordinance. In
exchange for this flexibility, the developer is exceeding the landscape requirements, preserving large,
existing trees on site, and constructing public trails along Egg Lake.
Staff stated that the redevelopment project is consistent with the downtown plan and design
guidelines, however, recommended that the applicant continue working with staff to ensure materials
and architecture is cohesive with the entire site. Staff also recommended the Planning Commissioners
discuss the trash enclosure location. The requests meet the criteria for approval for a PUD, preliminary
plat, and site plan subject to the conditions listed by staff in the resolution. Staff recommended the
Planning Commission approve the applications and open the public hearing.
The applicant, Tony Harmening, and Kathy Anderson from Architectural Consortium were available to
answer any questions.
Chair Kleissler opened the public hearing at 7:54 pm.
Staff Juba provided the comments from the neighboring property owner, Gary Holmgren, 14663 Forest
Blvd N, who stated on the phone that he is against a restaurant on the subject property.
No one else from the public provided comments and Chair Kleissler brought the discussion to the
Planning Commission.
The Planning Commissioners discussed the project and asked the applicant to provide more insight on
the materials of the restaurant. Anderson stated that the materials are meant to bring out the
steakhouse branding as well as incorporate the downtown design guidelines. The Commissioners also
discussed the trash enclosure location and generally agreed that although it's not an ideal location,
there does not seem to be a better option. The proposed landscaping should provide adequate
screening around the enclosure.
Chair Kleissler closed the public hearing at 8:10 pm.
The Planning Commissioners generally liked the project as a whole, and is confident with staff's ability
to finalize the building materials. The restaurant and event center will be a good fit for the community
and it utilizes the property well.
Commissioner Lessard made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Derr, to approve the PUD,
preliminary plat, and site plan submitted by Tony Harmening, subject to the conditions listed in the
resolution.
April 23, 2020 PC Minutes
Page 3
Adjournment
Commissioner Derr made a motion, Commissioner Fry seconded, to adjourn at 8:17 pm.
Ayes: Arcand, Derr, Fry, Kleissler, Lessard, Mulvihill.
Nay: None. Motion carried.
Respectfully Submitted,
Emily Weber, Community Development Assistant