HomeMy WebLinkAboutPC 08.13.20Minutes for the Planning Commission Meeting of Thursday, August 13, 2020
Meeting held remotely pursuant Minn. Stat. Sec. 1313.021
Chair Kleissler called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm.
PRESENT: Arcand, Derr, Fry, Kleissler, Lessard, Mulvihill, Tjernlund.
ABSENT: Luchsinger.
STAFF: Rachel Juba, Community Development Director
Emily Weber, Community Development Assistant
Pledge of Allegiance.
Approval of Minutes for the Planning Commission Meeting of June 25, 2020
Commissioner Arcand made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Fry to approve minutes for the
meeting of June 25, 2020.
Ayes: Arcand, Derr, Fry, Kleissler, Lessard, Mulvihill, Tjernlund.
Nay: None. Motion carried.
Public Hearing: Katherine and Benjamin Robinson, 4444 129th Street North — Conditional use permit
amendment request to continue the boat rental operations on the property.
Staff provided background on the conditional use permit amendment request for 4444 129th Street
North to continue their boat rental business on Bald Eagle Lake. The previous approval is from 1993
and outlines the conditions is shall operate under. In general the property and use has been in
compliance with the permit and staff has not received any complaints on the property for several
years.
The applicant has a contract with the existing owner to purchase the property and will continue to
operate the business. The Robinsons are looking to revise the number of boats they are allowed to rent
and revise the types of boats. They are also looking to revise the length of the dock. Staff outlined all of
the proposed revisions and recommended approval of the revisions. Staff also recommended that the
Planning Commission open up the public hearing and take all comments.
The applicants, Katy and Ben Robinson, addressed the Planning Commission and stated they are
excited to continue operating the boat rental property as a family business. The current owner Marty
Weber also addressed the Planning Commission and stated his support.
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Commissioner Arcand made a comment that the signs along Highway 61 are faded and recommended
they be replaced.
Chair Kleissler opened the public hearing at 7:15 pm. No one spoke. Chair Kleissler closed the public
hearing at 7:18 pm and brought the discussion back to the Planning Commission.
Commissioner Fry asked staff if they knew why the dock was at 200 feet instead of 250 feet if that is
the length permitted by ordinance. Staff said there was no background on the reason for the length of
the dock.
Commissioner Fry made a motion to approve the conditional use permit amendment request to
continue the boat rental operations located at 4444 129t" Street North, seconded by Lessard.
Aye: Arcand, Derr, Fry, Kleissler, Lessard, Mulvihill, Tjernlund.
Nay: None. Motion carried.
Public Hearing: Victor Land Holding, LLC, 13925 Fenway Blvd N — Preliminary plat, site plan, and
conditional use hermit amendment for Rov Molitor 4t" Addition.
Staff provided background on the application submitted by Victor Land Holding, LLC. The applications
are for preliminary plat, site plan, and conditional use permit amendment approval the Roy Molitor 4tn
Addition. The applicant is proposing a 27,100 square foot manufacturing/warehouse building with
access from 140t" Street North within the Schwieters campus development.
Staff gave an overview of the submitted site plan, which provided details on parking, access,
landscaping, and building architecture. The site plan complies with the building setback and impervious
surface requirements for the Business Park Zoning District. The proposed landscaping plan does not
meet the code requirements, but staff will continue to work with the applicant prior to final plat
approval. Staff stated that the stormwater management facilities will be located on outlot A and
shared with the other buildings from the campus development.
Staff made record of the comments that have been received from the surrounding residents by phone
and email prior to the meeting. The main concerns were addressing the traffic along Fenway
Boulevard, noise from existing operations, lack of landscaping, and access from 140t" Street. These
comments were provided to the Planning Commission. Comments were provided from:
Bill Mahre, 5231 141St Street North
Donald and Chrisann Jones, 5249 1415t Street Circle North
Denise and Howard Johnson, 5239 141St Street Circle North
Roy and Sandy Ware, 5247 1415t Street Circle North
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Staff concluded that the proposal meets all the requirements necessary for the City to approve the
preliminary plat, easement vacation, CUP amendment, and site plan as outlined in the City Code if the
appropriate conditions are met in the corresponding resolutions and conditional use permit.
Staff recommended that the Planning Commission take public comment and approve the applications
subject to the conditions in the draft resolutions and conditional use permit.
Mark Guenther, representative of Victor Land Holding, LLC, addressed the Planning Commission and
added additional comments to staff's presentation. The applicant will be replacing the landscaping
from the previous additions that hasn't survived. Guenther stated that the site design was intended to
shield away operations from the residential neighborhood.
Chair Kleissler asked if there will be any lighting on the side that faces the residential neighborhood.
Guenther stated that the proposed plans show downcast lights along the north side of the building.
Kleissler asked if these lights could be removed and the applicant stated that he will work with staff
moving forward.
Commissioner Fry asked the applicant to clarify the daily traffic activity. Guenther provided details on
expected deliveries and their respective locations
Chair Kleissler opened the public hearing at 7:15 pm.
Bob Meyers, 5225 1415t Street — Is on the Fenway Association Board and stated that many of the
neighbors can continuously hear the noise from the site operations. He also stated that the stop sign
near the intersection is often ignored. Asked the Planning Commission to really consider the comments
from the public.
Guenther stated that he is not part of the current operations. Staff stated that they will make contact
with the current site managers and stated that it may be appropriate to add additional landscaping to
the conditions in the resolutions.
Donald Jones 5249 141St Street Circle North — Stated that the neighborhood was previously told that
there would be no traffic coming in from 140t" Street North and that there would be no exterior
storage. They would like to see Schweiters be a good neighbor and they are exceeding the light
industrial usage of the property.
Jason Jones, general manager for Schweiters Company, state that the proposed building is for wood
storage and it will be necessary to keep the garage doors closed for climate control. Mark Guenther
added that the access from 140t" Street will be for one-way semi -truck traffic.
Juba provided more details and history on previously approved plans.
Chair Kleissler closed the public hearing at 7:59pm.
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Commissioner Arcand stated that it is an unreasonable request to ask the applicant to refrain from
using 140th Street.
Commissioner Derr stated that it is evident the developer has accommodated for the residential
properties when planning the site layout and it provides for limited disruptions from the north.
Commissioner Fry addressed that there should be more consideration into landscaping on the site to
accommodate for today, not just fully grown landscaping. Juba suggested that additional landscaping
can be required if the Planning Commission desires.
Commissioner Arcand made a motion to approve the preliminary plat, site plan, and conditional use
permit amendment for Roy Molitor 4th Addition located at 13925 Fenway Boulevard North, seconded
by Commissioner Tjernlund.
Adjournment
Commissioner Tjernlund made a motion, Commissioner Derr seconded, to adjourn at 8:13 pm.
Ayes: Arcand, Derr, Lessard, Mulvihill, Tjernlund.
Nay: Fry, Kleissler.
Motion carried.
Respectfully Submitted,
Emily Weber, Community Development Assistant