03-11-2014 PC MIN tYlkMeeting of the Elk River Planning Commission
River Held at the Elk River City Hall
Tuesday, March 11, 2014
Members Present: Chair Eric Johnson, Commissioners Jeremy Johnson,Mike Keller,Mark
Konietzko and Jill Larson-Vito
Members Absent: Commissioner Mike Keefe
Staff Present: Deputy Director CODD Jeremy Barnhart;Planner/Park Planner Chris
Leeseberg;Planner Zach Carlton and Recording Secretary Debbie Huebner
I. Call Meeting to Order
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the meeting of the Elk River Planning Commission
was called to order at 6:30 p.m. by Acting Chair Eric Johnson.
2. Pledge of Allegiance
• The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
3. Consider 3/11/14 Planning Commission Agenda
Moved by Commissioner Jeremy Johnson and seconded by Mark Konietzko to
approve the March 11,2014 Planning Commission agenda. Motion carried 5-0.
4. Oath of Office—Jill Larson-Vito
Jill Larson-Vito was sworn in as a Planning Commissioner at this time.
5. 2/11/2013 Planning Commission Minutes
Motion by Commissioner Jeremy Johnson and seconded by Commissioner Mark
Konietzko to approve the February 11,2014 Planning Commission minutes. Motion
carried 5-0.
6. Election of Officers
Motion by Commissioner Eric Johnson and seconded by Commissioner Mark
Konietzko to elect Eric Johnson to serve as Planning Commission Chair. Motion
carried 5-0.
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Planning Commission Minutes Page 2
March 11,2014
Motion by Commissioner Mark Konietzko and seconded by Commissioner Jeremy •
Johnson to elect Mark Konietzko to serve as Planning Commission Vice Chair. The
motion carried 5-0.
7.1 Request by Juanita Glenn on Behalf of Wapiti Park for an Interim Use
Permit to utilize existing building for store building, 18746 Troy St NW,
Case No. CU 14-08 — Public Hearing
Chris Leeseberg presented the staff report.
Chair Johnson opened the public hearing. Chair Johnson stated that the public hearing will
be continued to the April 8, 2014 meeting.
7.2 Request by Spectrum Schools for a Conditional Use Permit for Institutional
Use (6th grade school) at 11044 Industrial Circle NW, Case No. Cu 14-07 —
Public Hearing
The staff report was presented by Zack Carlton. Staff recommended approval of the request
with eight conditions.
Chair Johnson asked if anything is being done about the overall traffic issues in the business
park. Mr. Carlton stated that the City Council would need to direct staff to study this issue.
Chair Johnson opened the public hearing. There being no public comment, Chair Johnson
closed the public hearing. •
Motion by Commissioner Mark Konietzko and seconded by Commissioner Jeremy
Johnson to recommend approval of the request by Spectrum Schools,with the
following conditions:
1. The Conditional Use Permit is not a building permit and the applicant must
apply for and receive approval of required building and sign permits before
construction may begin.
2. The building shall meet all building and fire codes.
3. The applicant must apply for and receive approval of all required sign permits
before signage may be installed.
4. Capacity of the school shall not exceed 150 students.
5. Inclusion of grades other than 6th grade will require an amendment to the CUP.
6. No school related parking on the adjacent public streets.
7. All concrete masonry units shall be the same color as the wall color they are
infilling.
8. Due to the industrial nature of the neighborhood, the school recognizes that
noise, odors, truck traffic, and other undesirable effects may be present.
Motion carried 5-0.
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March 11,2014
• 7.3 Request by GRE for Zone Change from R3 to 11, Case No. ZC 14-0I — Public
Hearing
7.4 Request by GRE for a Conditional Use Permit to allow outdoor storage at
17845 Highway 10, Case No. CU 14-09 — Public Hearing
Zack Carlton presented the staff reports for the two items. Staff recommended approval of
the requests,with the three conditions associated with the Conditional Use Permit.
Chair Johnson opened the public hearing for both items. There being no public comment,
Chair Johnson closed the public hearing.
Motion by Commissioner Mark Konietzko and seconded by Commissioner Jeremy
Johnson to recommend approval of the request by GRE for a zone change from R3 to
I-1. Motion carried 5-0.
Motion by Commissioner Jeremy Johnson and seconded by Commissioner Mark
Keller to recommend approval of the request by GRE for a Conditional Use Permit
with the following conditions:
1. The Conditional Use Permit is not a building permit and the applicant must
apply for and receive approval of required building and sign permits before
construction may begin.
• 2. Any structures shall meet all building and fire codes.
3. Security lighting shall not increase the level of illumination on any adjacent
residential property by more than 0.1 foot-candle in or within 25 feet of a dwelling
or by more than 0.5 foot-candle on any part of the property.
4. Subject to the successful rezoning of the property to I-1
Motion carried 5-0.
7.5 Request by City of Elk River for Ordinance Amendment relating to
billboards, Case No. OA 14-01 — Public Hearing
The staff report was presented by Zack Carlton. Staff does not recommend approval of the
proposed ordinance amendment.
Chair Johnson asked if the landowner could still split their property and sell to a potential
billboard sign company. Mr. Carlton stated yes.
Chair Johnson opened the public hearing.
Steve Anderson,representing Franklin Outdoor Signs—stated it was not financially feasible
to plat a small parcel of property for a billboard. He stated that it would be much more
economical to require a Conditional Use Permit instead. He stated that billboards work in
developed areas and can co-exist.
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March 11,2014
Chair Johnson asked if staff had surveyed other cities on the billboard issue. Mr. Carlton •
stated yes, and he found that Rogers does have a 20.5 year limit. Discussion followed
regarding placing a 20-year limit on billboards.
There being no further public comment, Chair Johnson closed the public hearing.
Motion by Commissioner Mark Konietzko and seconded by Commissioner Jeremy
Johnson to recommend approval of the ordinance amendment relating to billboards,
with the inclusion of a 20-year limit on the billboards, and to reassess the billboard at
that time.
Motion by Commissioner Mark Konietzko and seconded by Commissioner Jeremy
Johnson to amend the motion to remove the reference to reassessment of the
billboards. The motion failed 2-3. Chair Eric Johnson, Commissioners Jill Larson-Vito
and Mike Keller opposed.
Motion by Commissioner Mike Keller and seconded by Commissioner Larson-Vito
to recommend denial of the ordinance amendment regarding billboards. The
motion carried 4-1. Commissioner Mark Konietzko opposed.
7.6 Consider Draft Comprehensive Plan, Public Hearing
Kelsey Johnson of WSB, Inc. provided a PowerPoint presentation of the Comprehensive
Plan update. She reviewed the major changes from the 2004 Comprehensive Plan. •
Chair Johnson opened the public hearing. No comments were received. The public hearing
was continued to the April 8,2014 Planning Commission meeting.
8.1 Planning Commission Meeting Date Schedule —Informational item
9.1 City Council Liaison Update —None
I 0. Adjournment
There being no further business, Commissioner Jeremy Johnson moved to adjourn the
meeting.
The meeting of the Elk River Planning Commission adjourned at 7:40 p.m.
Minute prep Debbie Huebner.
Tina Allard
C. Clerk
=ric Johnson, Chair,Planning Commission •