4.1. DRAFT BA MINUTES 10-22-2019
Meeting of the Elk River Board of Adjustments
Held at the Elk River City Hall
Tuesday, September 24, 2019
Members Present: Chair Eric Johnson, Commissioners Perry Beise, Alexander Feinstein,
John Jordan, Jill Larson-Vito, and Robert Rydberg
Members Absent: Commissioner Brad Thiel
Also Present: City Councilmember Nate Ovall
Staff Present: Senior Planner Chris Leeseberg and Sr. Admin. Assistant/Recording
Secretary Jennifer Green
1. Call Meeting to Order
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the meeting of the Elk River Board of
Adjustments was called to order at 6:30 p.m. by Chair Johnson.
2. Pledge of Allegiance
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
3. Consider September 24, 2019, Board of Adjustments Agenda
Moved by Commissioner Larson-Vito and seconded by Commissioner Jordan
to approve the September 24, 2019, Board of Adjustments agenda.
Motion carried 6-0.
4. Consider August 27, 2019, Board of Adjustments Minutes
Moved by Commissioner Larson-Vito and seconded by Commissioner
Rydberg to approve the August 27, 2019, Board of Adjustments minutes.
Motion carried 6-0.
th
5.1 Elk River Baptist Church – 1800 8 St. NW
Variance to allow two freestanding signs and a total of 120
square feet of freestanding signage, Case No. V 19-10
Mr. Leeseberg presented the staff report.
Commissioner Rydberg asked about the removal of the current sign on the vacant
parcel of land.
Board of Adjustments Minutes Page 2
September 24, 2019
-----------------------------
Mr. Leeseberg stated the current sign would be removed.
Commissioner Beise asked about the sign dimensions and whether or not it’s
considered one sided or two sided.
Mr. Leeseberg stated if a sign is constructed so that the faces are not back to back,
the angles shall not exceed ten degrees. If the angle is greater than ten degrees, the
total areas of both sides are added together.
Commissioner Rydberg asked if the Board of Adjustments denies the applicant’s
request, would the church still be able to update their current sign on the vacant
parcel.
Mr. Leeseberg said the applicant would be allowed to update the sign keeping the
size and dimensions the same as the current sign.
Chair Johnson opened the public hearing.
th
Lea Raduenz, 1837 8 St. NW, stated she isn’t against the applicant’s request for a
new sign but expressed concerns with the church trimming the bushes in the
MnDOT right-of-way that had once shielded her view of the current sign and traffic
lights from US Highway 10.
Matt Daiker, the applicant, stated the bushes Ms. Raduenz was referring to were
trimmed at 8 feet and the church would continue to keep them at 8 feet. He stated
the new sign will not be lit.
Mr. Leeseberg stated Zack Carlton has been in contact with Mark Renn with
MnDOT regarding the trimming of the bushes.
There being no one else to speak, Chair Johnson closed the public hearing.
Moved by Commissioner Beise and seconded by Commissioner Jordan to
approve a variance request by Elk River Baptist Church for two freestanding
signs and a total of 120 square feet of freestanding signage for the following
reasons:
1. The general purpose and intent of the ordinance is met.
2. The property has a land use o residential and the use is consistent
with the Comprehensive Plan.
3. The proposed use is reasonable and is permitted in the zoning
ordinance.
4. The plight of the petitioner is due to circumstances unique to the
property not a consequence of the petitioner’s own action or
inaction.
5. The variance will not alter the essential character of the locality.
Motion carried 6-0.
Board of Adjustments Minutes Page 3
September 24, 2019
-----------------------------
Any appeals to this variance approval need to be turned in by October 4 to be
reviewed at the October 21, 2019, City Council meeting.
6. Adjournment
There being no further business, Chair Johnson adjourned the meeting of the Elk
River Board of Adjustments at 6:39 p.m.
Minutes prepared by Jennifer Green.
___________________
Tina Allard
City Clerk
___________________
Eric Johnson
Planning Commission Chair