01-26-2021 PC MIN Elk ,,, Meeting of the
River Elk River Planning Commission
Held at Elk River City Hall
Tuesday,January 26, 2021
Members Present: Acting Chair Brad Thiel, Commissioners Perry Beise,Alexander
Feinstein, Eric Johnson,John Jordan, Robert Rydberg (all via Zoom)
Members Absent: Chair Jill Larson-Vito
Also Present: Councilmember/Liaison Mike Beyer
Staff Present: Planning Manager Zack Carlton, Senior Planner Chris Leeseberg, and
Sr. Admin. Assistant/Recording Secretary Jennifer Green
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 6:42 p.m. by Acting Chair Thiel.
2. Consider January 26, 2021, Planning Commission Agenda
Moved by Commissioner Jordan and seconded by Commissioner Feinstein to
approve the January 26, 2021, Planning Commission agenda.
Motion carried 6-0.
3. Consider December 22, 2020, Planning Commission Minutes
Moved by Commissioner Beise and seconded by Commissioner Rydberg to
approve the December 22, 2020, Planning Commission minutes.
Motion carried 6-0.
4.1 Wold Architects & Engineers for ISD #728 — 948 Proctor Ave. NW,
11970 Highland Rd. NW, and 900 School St. NW
■ Conditional Use Permit for a Commercial Recreation Facility at an approved
Educational Institution, Case No. CU 21-01
Mr. Leeseberg presented the staff report. The applicant was present and were in
agreement with the conditions listed in the memo.
Acting Chair Thiel opened the public hearing.
There being no one to speak,Acting Chair Thiel closed the public hearing.
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January 26,2021
Moved by Commissioner Rydberg and seconded by Commissioner Jordan to
recommend approval of the Conditional Use Permit for a Commercial
Recreation Facility at an approved Educational Institution with the following
conditions to satisfy the standards set forth in Section 30-654:
1. Lighting shall meet the standards of Section 30-937.
2. Satisfaction of all comments in the Comment Letter dated January 8,
2021.
Motion carried 6-0.
5. Council Liaison Update
Councilmember Beyer introduced himself and provided an update to the Planning
Commission about recent city council activities.
6. General Business
Mr. Carlton confirmed Commissioner Thiel would be in attendance for the February
16, City Council meeting in accordance with the rotation schedule. Commissioner
Thiel indicated he would.
The Planning Commission recessed into work session and reconvened at 6:51p.m.
7.1 Pines at Elk River LLC — Roger Derrick, 75-135-3215
■ Concept Review: 18409 Line Avenue, Case No. CR 21-01
Commissioner Jordan recused himself from the discussion.
Mr. Carlton presented the staff report and outlined four different options proposed
by the applicant:
Public storage—currently none in the area and not many options in this part of
town; current ordinance limits to C-3 and I-3 districts outside of the Urban
Service District.
48-unit apartment building of 3-4 stories;he noted spacing could be tight.
Two buildings with 7-8 units of taller townhomes,attached,row style.
12 detached townhomes (an option preferred by the developer). He explained
the orientation would be different than normally seen,positioned more
horizontal,which would require a front yard setback variance.
Mr. Carlton stated any of these proposals would be reviewed internally by various
departments to determine proper traffic movement. He noted the future change to
Line Avenue becoming a cul-de-sac. rIIIE1E1 11
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January 26,2021
�-0.,, The Planning Commission discussed the layout of the area, traffic movement and
what would feel appropriate in the area.
Commissioner Johnson stated he would be more in favor of the modified detached
townhome design to remain consistent with neighboring parcels.
Acting Chair Thiel asked if reduced setbacks would still allow vehicles to park in a
driveway. He felt public storage and an apartment building may seem out of place,
whereas a townhome design would blend in,preferring to have something blend into
what is already in the area.
Mr. Carlton stated there would be a reduced front yard setback of 25'measured from
back of curb. He indicated they also have concerns with both on-street and off-street
parking.
Mr. Carlton also noted a point of consideration for the public storage option was the
demand for storage as with smaller homes being built on smaller lots, storage ability
is limited to homeowner's garages.
Commissioner Johnson felt if the site were screened properly,it could be a benefit
for public storage facility if proper lighting would not affect neighboring parcels.
Commissioner Rydberg noted if they use the correct lighting,the light spill-over will
be minimal.
Commissioner Beise was in support of detached townhouses or public storage could
be supported here and did not feel there would be a lighting problem.
Acting Chair Thiel wondered if there would be less daily traffic movement for public
storage.
Roger Derrick, the applicant, thanked the Commission for their feedback and
indicated his preference for this site would be the modified detached townhome
design.
It was the consensus of the commission to support the modified detached
townhome design with the public storage option a close second. The Planning
Commission felt an apartment building or connected townhome building would look
out of place for the area.
8. Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 7:16 p.m.
Minutes prepared by Jennifer Green.
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January ,2 2
Tina Allard
City Clerk
Brad Thiel
Planning Commission Acting Chair
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