3.1. PC DRAFT MINUTES 11-28-2017
Meeting of the Elk River Planning Commission
Held at the Elk River City Hall
Tuesday, September 26, 2017
Members Present: Chair Eric Johnson, Commissioners Jill Larson-Vito, Mark Konietzko, Mike
Nicholas, Robert Rydberg and Alexander Feinstein
Members Absent: Commissioner Brad Thiel
Staff Present: Planning Manager Zack Carlton, Senior Planner Chris Leeseberg, and Sr.
Administrative Assistant/Recording Secretary Debbie Huebner
1. Call Meeting to Order
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the meeting of the Elk River Planning Commission
was called to order at 6:39 p.m. by Chair Johnson.
2. Consider September 26, 2017, Planning Commission Agenda
Moved by Commissioner Nicholas and seconded by Commissioner Feinstein to
approve the September 26, 2017, Planning Commission agenda.
Motion carried 6-0.
3.1 August 22, 2017 Planning Commission Minutes
Moved by Commissioner Konietzko and seconded by Commissioner Feinstein to
approve the August 22, 2017, Planning Commission minutes.
Motion carried 6-0.
4.1 Cheryl Freeburg – 12580 192nd Court NW
Land Use Amendment to change land use from Industrial to Highway Business, Case
No. LU 17-02
Zone Change to rezone from I-1 Light Industrial to C-3 Highway Commercial, Case
No. ZC 17-07
The staff report was presented by Mr. Leeseberg. Staff recommended approval of the
requests as presented.
Commissioner Larson-Vito asked if this was the only option to accommodate the use.
Mr. Leeseberg stated that the only other option would be an ordinance amendment to allow
the uses in the I-1 zoning district, which would apply to all I-1 zoned properties.
Planning Commission Minutes Page 2
September 26, 2017
Chair Johnson opened the public hearing. There being no public comment, Chair Johnson
closed the public hearing.
Commissioner Larson-Vito expressed her concern for this being “spot zoning”. She cited
the Spectrum High School case in which institutional uses were allowed in the business park
zoning.
Commissioner Rydberg stated he could see the potential for additional requests for rezoning
industrial land to commercial. He concurred that it was spot zoning.
Cheryl Freeburg, 14567 268th Circle NW, Zimmerman, applicant, asked for clarification on
what spot zoning meant.
Chair Johnson explained that spot zoning is when a single property is rezoned to something
different than the surrounding properties.
Commissioner Nicholas stated he could support the request.
Commissioner Larson-Vito stated that she was not opposed to the request, but was looking
to the future.
Chair Johnson stated he also supported the request.
Motion by Commissioner Konietzko and seconded by Commissioner Nicholas to
recommend approval of the request by Cheryl Freeburg for a land use amendment to
change the land use from Industrial to Highway Business.
Motion carried 6-0.
Motion by Commissioner Konietzko and seconded by Commissioner Nicholas to
recommend approval of the request by Cheryl Freeburg for a zone change to rezone
property from I-1 Light Industrial to C-3 Highway Commercial.
Motion carried 6-0.
4.2 City of Elk River Elk River – Ordinance Amendment
Commercial Kennels in the C-3 Highway Commercial District, Case No. OA 17-11
The staff report was presented by Mr. Leeseberg. Staff recommended approval of the
ordinance amendment as outlined in the staff report.
Chair Johnson opened the public hearing. There being no public comment, Chair Johnson
closed the public hearing.
Motion by Commissioner Konietzko and seconded by Commissioner Feinstein to
recommend approval of the request by the City of Elk River for an Ordinance
Planning Commission Minutes Page 3
September 26, 2017
Amendment to allow commercial kennels in the C-3 Highway Commerial zoning
district.
Motion carried 6-0.
5.1 General Business
There was no General Business.
6.1 City Council Liaison Update
Mr. Carlton provided an update on action taken by the City Council on planning items at
their August 21 meeting.
7. Adjournment
There being nothing further, Chair Johnson adjourned the meeting at 6:55 p.m.
Minutes prepared by Debbie Huebner.
Tina Allard
City Clerk
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Eric Johnson
Planning Commission Chair