4.1. DRAFT PC MINUTES (1 SET) 01-25-2022
Meeting of the
Elk River Planning Commission
Held at Elk River City Hall
Tuesday, December 21, 2021
Members Present: Vice-Chair Perry Beise, Commissioners Dennis Booth, Eric Johnson,
Craig Keisling, and Rob Rydberg
Members Absent: Chair Jill Larson-Vito
Also Present: Councilmember/Liaison Mike Beyer
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 Planning
Commission was called to order at 6:30 p.m. by Vice-Chair Beise.
2. Pledge of Allegiance
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
3. Consider December 21, 2021, Planning Commission Agenda
Moved by Commissioner Johnson and seconded by Commissioner Keisling to
approve the December 21, 2021, Planning Commission agenda.
Motion carried 5-0.
4. Consider November 23, 2021, Planning Commission Minutes
Moved by Commissioner Rydberg and seconded by Commissioner Booth to
approve the November 23, 2021, Planning Commission minutes.
Motion carried 5-0.
5.1 Byron Nielson, 19796 Tyler St. NW
Conditional Use Permit for Home Occupations for tractor trailer parking,
Case No. CU 21-18
Mr. Leeseberg presented the staff report.
Vice-Chair Beise opened the public hearing.
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December 21, 2021
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Byron Nielson, the applicant, introduced himself and noted he doesn’t have a trailer
on the property, he’s had the tractor parked on his property for 36 years and asked
why the sudden change.
Mr. Leeseberg stated he thought the code enforcement officer had received a
complaint.
There being no one to speak, Vice-Chair Beise closed the public hearing.
Commissioner Rydberg asked if Mr. Nielson would be adding any additional tractors
to the property.
Mr. Nielson stated he had no intention of adding any.
Moved by Commissioner Johnson and seconded by Commissioner Booth to
recommend approval of the request by Byron Nielson for Conditional Use
Permit for a Home Occupation for tractor trailer parking with the following
conditions to satisfy the standards of Section 30-654:
1. Only one employee and one tractor & trailer are permitted.
2. The tractor & trailer shall be parked on an approved surface per the
ordinance requirements.
3. The idling of a truck tractor in excess of 15 minutes from April 16
through October 31, and 30 minutes from November 1 through April
15, is prohibited.
4. Any future permits, required for the home occupation, shall have full
compliance with all commercial building, electrical, plumbing, and
fire code requirements. This requires plans signed by a registered
architect or register professional engineer.
Motion carried 5-0.
5.2 Emmanuel Christian Center, 18912 Twin Lakes Rd. NW
Conditional Use Permit for expansion of religious institution, Case No. CU
21-19
Mr. Leeseberg presented the staff report. He provided updated information
regarding the structure being hooked up to city water but not to sanitary. It was
brought to the city’s attention the building is hooked up to sanitary sewer and
therefore, condition 1 can be removed.
Vice-Chair Beise opened the public hearing.
Ben Breit, Executive Pastor, Emmanuel Christian Center, explained the need for
expansion due to growth of the church and was happy their church was a part of this
community. He thanked the Planning Commission for their consideration.
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December 21, 2021
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There being no one else to speak, Vice-Chair Beise closed the public hearing.
Moved by Commissioner Johnson and seconded by Commissioner Keisling to
recommend approval of the request by Emmanuel Christian Center for a
Conditional Use Permit for expansion of religious institution as the standards
set forth in Section 30-654 have been satisfied.
Motion carried 5-0.
6. Resolution: TIF District No. 28 Consistency with the Comprehensive
Plan
Mr. Leeseberg presented the staff report.
Moved by Commissioner Booth and seconded by Commissioner Johnson to
approve Resolution #21-04 of the request by the City of Elk River to change
the zoning of Natures Edge Business Center Third Addition from AR
(Agricultural Reserve) to BP (Business Park).
Motion carried 5-0.
7. Council Liaison Update
Councilmember Beyer provided an update to the Planning Commission about recent
City Council activities.
The Planning Commission recessed into work session at 6:44 p.m. They reconvened the
meeting at 6:44 p.m.
8. Ryan Kostreba, 19645 Evans Street
Concept Review for mini-storage, Case No. CR 21-05
Mr. Leeseberg presented the staff report.
Ryan and Russell Kostreba stated they are the owners of Midwest Mini Storage on
Jarvis Street, a 3-acre parcel with 250 rental units. They outlined their concept for
what they call a multi-story Class A storage facility with a foundation of
approximately 30,000 sf to 40,000 sf, using less land to offer more storage availability
of approximately 750 units. They explained the building would be 3 or 4 stories and
have 3-4 full time employees, staffed with daytime weekday office hours.
The Kostrebas stated because of its layout, it’s not referred to as a typical
ministorage, but rather renters will drive into a building at one planned vehicle
entrance to access their unit, in a controlled indoor environment to load and unload
their belongings. They did indicate there will be times users would load and unload
vehicles while parked outside. They stated they felt the location of this parcel helps
visibility of their business to be successful.
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December 21, 2021
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Commissioner Booth asked about the building design and consideration of
neighboring residential properties regarding lighting of the property.
Mr. Kostreba stated exterior lighting would be only on the front and sides of
building, with the entrance on the roadside of the building and no lighting would be
installed on the back of the building as he didn’t feel it would be needed.
Councilmember Beyer clarified with the applicants that they were aware of the
th
Highway 169 Redesign project changing the accessibility of 197 Avenue. The
applicants stated they were aware.
Commissioner Rydberg stated he’s watched this lot remain vacant since 2008 and
understood the need for visibility. He felt the concept was good if the buildings were
climate controlled and built well with a good appearance.
Commissioner Keisling expressed his only concern with the high visibility
requirement the applicants stated they needed.
The Kostrebas felt the building would still be seen even with the highway project
and would increase their visibility along with effective marketing and Google
searches.
It was the consensus of the Planning Commission that they would generally support
this concept, which would require a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) application to
amend the Planned Unit Development (PUD).
9. Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 7:11 p.m.
Minutes prepared by Jennifer Green.
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Tina Allard
City Clerk
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Perry Beise
Planning Commission Vice-Chair