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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPC Minutes 09.26.24 Minutes for the Planning Commission Meeting of Thursday, September 26, 2024 Acting Chair Derr called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm. PRESENT: Andress, Arcand, Derr, Granger, Kelly, Lessard, Petty ABSENT: Kleissler STAFF: Rachel Juba, Community Development Director Max Gort, Associate Planner Pledge of Allegiance. Approval of Minutes for the Planning Commission Meeting of August 8, 2024 Commissioner Petty made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Lessard, to approve the minutes for the Planning Commission meeting of August 8, 2024. All ayes. Motion carried. Public Hearing: Craig Anderson – Minor subdivision request to create two 10-acre parcels from a 20- acre parcel located on Jeffrey Avenue North. Associate Planner Max Gort presented background on the minor subdivision request. The request is to subdivide a 20-acre parcel into two 10-acre parcels. The applicant has provided a survey of the proposed parcels and a letter from Washington County confirming that the proposed parcels have the suitable soils for a primary and secondary septic system location. Staff is of the opinion that the request meets all necessary criteria to approve a minor subdivision, and recommends approval of the request. The applicant, Craig Anderson, introduced himself to the Planning Commission. Acting Chair Derr opened the Public Hearing at 7:05 PM No one spoke. Acting Chair Derr closed the Public Hearing at 7:05 PM Commissioner Petty made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Granger, to approve the minor subdivision request subject to conditions in the resolution. All ayes. Motion carried. September 26, 2024 PC Minutes Page 2 The Minor Subdivision request will be reviewed by the City Council at its October 7 th, 2024 meeting. Public Hearing: Scott and LeAnn Neamy – Conditional Use Permit (CUP) request to construct a 900 square foot building addition to be used as an accessory apartment Gort presented background on the CUP request to construct a 900 square foot accessory apartment as building addition at 17220 Keystone Ave N. The applicant has stated that the purpose of the accessory apartment is to provide care for a family member. When reviewing the application, staff found that the request met the spirit and intent of the ordinance requirement, and the requirements necessary to approve a CUP. Staff recommended approval of the CUP request subject to conditions in the resolution. Commissioner Petty asked if the proposed building addition will be two stories, and if there was a requirement for an accessory apartment to be a single story. Juba responded that this would be two stories, and that accessory apartments are not required to be one story. Commissioner Arcand asked about the need for the accessory apartment to be owner -occupied, what would make the accessory apartment different from a regular building addition, and if there’s an inspection timeline attached to the CUP. Juba said that the intention of the accessory apartment is to prevent the single-family home property from being split through the building, and that there likely wouldn’t be a reason to re-inspect the CUP after the building permit is issued. Commissioner Petty stated that she thinks that Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) should not be limited to the Agricultural (AG) zoning district. Juba stated that this proposal is an accessory apartment, which is allowed in more zoning districts, rather than an ADU. Rebecca Neamy, a representative for the applicant, introduced herself to the Planning Commission. Acting Chair Derr opened the Public Hearing at 7:16 PM No one spoke. Acting Chair Derr closed the Public Hearing at 7:16 PM Commissioner Andress asked if the access was only through the garage, Juba said there would be access through an exterior door and through the garage. Commissioner Petty made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Arcand, to approve the CUP request subject to conditions in the draft CUP and resolution. All ayes. Motion carried. September 26, 2024 PC Minutes Page 3 The CUP request will be reviewed by the City Council at its October 7 th, 2024 meeting. Public Hearing: Ordinance Amendment – amending Sec. 90-103(b) to allow tobacco shops as a permitted use in the Central Business (C-1) zoning district Juba gave background on the request from an individual who purchased the former Premier Banks and Speedway gas station location, and found that tobacco shops are not technically allowed as a permitted use in the C-1 zoning district. Tobacco shops are allowed as a permitted use in the C-2 district, and the C-1 district already permits many comparable uses. Staff is of the opinion that it would be appropriate to amend the permitted uses in the C-1 zoning district to allow tobacco shops as a permitted use. Commissioner Granger asked if the omission of tobacco shops from the C-1 zoning district is considered by staff to be an oversight, Juba says that it likely was an oversight. Commissioner Petty asked if there would be enough parking for a tobacco shop at the proposed location. Juba said that there would be enough parking, and mentioned the shared parking and cross - access easements shared by surrounding businesses. Petty asked if vaping products could be sold at the tobacco shop, Juba said that they are subject to the terms of their tobacco license. Petty asked if the tobacco shop would have video surveillance, Juba said yes. Acting Chair Derr opened the Public Hearing at 7:22 PM Rebecca Neamy, who stated she lives on Skillman Avenue in Maplewood, asked if the tobacco shop would sell CBD products. Juba stated that the owner would be suited to answer that question and that staff can provide contact information. Juba mentioned that there will be a separate discussion on cannabis items coming later. No one else spoke. Acting Chair Derr closed the Public Hearing at 7:24 PM Commissioner Petty stated that she’d be reluctant to approve the text amendment because of the concern that minors could be able to purchase cannabis products at the store. Juba stated that the tobacco shop wouldn’t be permitted to sell cannabis products, and that there’s a separate licensing process coming from the state. Commissioner Lessard made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Arcand, to recommend approval of the text amendment to allow tobacco shops as a permitted use in the C-1 zoning district. All ayes. Motion carried. The text amendment will be considered by the City Council at their October 7, 2024 meeting. September 26, 2024 PC Minutes Page 4 New Business – Citywide Bus Tour Gort briefly reminded the Planning Commission of the citywide bus tour on Saturday, October 5 th, 2024 at 9:30 AM beginning at North Star Elementary, and invited the Planning Commission members to attend. Old Business None. Adjournment Commissioner Arcand made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Lessard, to adjourn at 7:27 PM. All ayes. Motion carried. Respectfully Submitted, Max Gort, Associate Planner