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3.1. PC DRAFT MINUTES 06-28-2022 Meeting of the Elk River Planning Commission Held at Elk River City Hall Tuesday, May 24, 2022 Members Present: Chair Jill Larson-Vito, Commissioners Perry Beise, Dennis Booth, Eric Johnson, Craig Keisling, Tony Mauren, and Rob Rydberg Members Absent: None Also Present: Councilmember/Liaison Mike Beyer Staff Present: Community Development Director Zack Carlton, 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 7:00 p.m. by Chair Larson-Vito. 2. Consider May 24, 2022, Planning Commission Agenda Moved by Commissioner Johnson and seconded by Commissioner Keisling to approve the May 24, 2022, Planning Commission agenda. Motion carried 7-0. 3. Consider April 26, 2022, Planning Commission Minutes Moved by Commissioner Booth and seconded by Commissioner Mauren to approve the April 26, 2022, Planning Commission minutes. Motion carried 7-0. st 4.1 Lund Recreational Storage – 10688 171 Lane NW  a. Land Use Amendment, Case No. LU 22-02  b. Conditional Use Permit for outdoor storage buildings, Case No. CU 22-12 Mr. Leeseberg presented the staff report. Commissioner Johnson asked what the height difference between a traditional mini- storage and an RV storage. The applicant Mr. Leeseberg stated he was guessing 6-7 feet and the applicant indicated it depends on the pitch of the roof. Planning Commission Page 2 May 24, 2022 ----------------------------- Commissioner Mauren asked about the Neighborhood Commercial land use definition and asked if this was a good fit for this. Mr. Leeseberg stated staff felt this seemed to be the best land use to fit this applicant into. He indicated staff was open to any recommendations from the commission. Chair Larson-Vito opened the public hearing. Commissioner Johnson questioned the look and feel of the storage units in comparison to the previous plans reviewed at a prior work session. He stated he did feel there was a need, especially in that location, but he was more in favor of a regular mini storage. He felt that would be easily screened and buffered by the community rather than an RV storage facility. He asked screening would be accommodated given the surrounding apartments. Jay Albrecht, builder for Josh Lund, stated Mr. Lund designed the site and explained the building positioning of buildings A, C, and D were set to be the least ___. The property buildings will be shrouding the RVs and will include fencing, screening, and landscaping to obstruct views. He indicated there would be minimal traffic in and out and noted the layout was designed to prevent lights shining into windows of adjacent properties. He stated the civil engineer wanted the ponding placed where it is because it is a natural low area. He said they tried a few different layouts and felt this would look the best on the property. He stated the materials will be metal/steel and the interior would be wood framing, like a pole building, with metal on the inside. He stated there would be brick around the office area and an aesthetic overhang with stone to give a nice appeal. Across from the train station, the 25’ setback will be landscaped per city ordinance. Commissioner Mauren asked why there were not any trees or landscaping shown on the landscape plan near the train tracks. Mr. Albrecht indicated no landscaping was placed there because it was along the train tracks. Commissioner Johnson noted that during the prior work session reviewing this site for a mini storage, the Planning Commission agreed on the need for enhanced landscaping in this area as it is a main thoroughfare into the city. Commissioner Booth clarified the commission’s desire for landscaping and buffering th around the south end of buildings A and B as traffic is turning onto 165 Avenue. Scott Dahlke, Professional Engineer with Civil Engineering and Site Design, indicated there is a powerline easement in the area along the property line, which is why they are not proposing any overstory trees. Commissioner Mauren asked the color of the steel and if the steel was corrugated. Planning Commission Page 3 May 24, 2022 ----------------------------- Mr. Albrecht indicated it was corrugated steel and the colors were proposed to be dark grays/neutrals. Commissioner Johnson asked if the final landscaping plan had been submitted. Chair Larson-Vito indicated they had been, and one of the conditions was staff approval of the final site, landscape, and architectural plans. Mr. Albrecht stated the owner of Lund Storage, Josh Lund, owns Beaudry Express gas station and will keep this space as nice and neat as he does Beaudry Express. There being no one else to speak, Chair Larson-Vito closed the public hearing. Commissioner Mauren asked why there were only three parking spots shown on the plans and thought there were supposed to be 4. Mr. Dahlke indicated the plan does only show three parking spaces and they can fit one or two additional stalls; this will be amended with their final site plan submittal. Moved by Commissioner Beise and seconded by Commissioner Keisling to recommend approval of the request by Lund Recreational Storage for a Comprehensive Plan amendment by changing the land use from Mixed Residential to Neighborhood Commercial. Motion carried 7-0. Mr. Carlton stated the ordinance does outline minimum tree sizes and per the proposed landscape plan, the proposed ornamental, overstory, and evergreen trees will meet the ordinance requirements. Commissioner Johnson stated he understands now why the landscaping plan is proposed with the utility easement. He indicated he likes the garage doors facing the interior of the lot to give the exterior a finished look. He was still thinking through the additional building heights and visibility but is not opposed to the project as he sees the need for it. Moved by Commissioner Keisling and seconded by Commissioner Beise to recommend approval of the request by Lund Recreational Storage for a st Conditional Use Permit for outdoor storage buildings at 10688 171 Lane NW with the following conditions: 1. A Planned Unit Development Agreement be prepared and executed prior to releasing the plat for recording and before the Conditional Use Permit is recorded. 2. The Land Use Amendment (LU 22-02) shall be approved and then recorder prior to the Conditional Use Permit being recorded. 3. The property must be platted prior to issuance of any building permits. 4. The final site plan, landscape plan, and architectural materials shall be approved by city staff as a permitted use within the PUD. Planning Commission Page 4 May 24, 2022 ----------------------------- Motion carried 7-0. 4.2 Elk River Winlectric – Troy Tamm, 12777 Meadowvale Rd. NW  Conditional Use Permit to allow outdoor storage, Case No. CUP 22-11 Mr. Leeseberg presented the staff report. Chair Larson-Vito opened the public hearing. There being no one to speak, Chair Larson-Vito continued the public hearing June 28, 2022. 4.3. City of Elk River  Ordinance Amendment – Section 30-793, Accessory Buildings, Case No. OA 22-04 Mr. Leeseberg presented the staff report. Chair Larson-Vito opened the public hearing. There being no one to speak, Chair Larson-Vito closed the public hearing. Moved by Commissioner Beise and seconded by Commissioner Keisling to recommend approval of the ordinance amendment by the City of Elk River for Section 30-793, Accessory Buildings, as outlined in the staff report. Motion carried 7-0. 5. General Business Mr. Carlton noted Commissioner Booth will be on the City Council rotation for June 20, 2022. 6. Council Liaison Update Councilmember Beyer provided an update to the Planning Commission about recent City Council activities. The Planning Commission recessed at 7:26 p.m. to go into work session. They reopened the meeting at 7:26 p.m. 7.1. Stefan Georgiev – 13211, 13241, 13161 US Highway 10  Concept Review to build 4 condo units, Case No. CR 22-04 Mr. Carlton presented the staff report and asked for feedback from the commission on the proposed request by Mr. Georgiev, who was present along Planning Commission Page 5 May 24, 2022 ----------------------------- with property owners Donavan and Sherron Goossen. The commission discussed the Highway 10 ingress and egress restrictions and future improvements to the highway, which will affect access to the properties proposed for this application. The commission felt the proposed concept of residential units would be supported but had concerns with traffic and felt the site could not support the proposed sixty units due to setbacks and parking. The city-owned property provided access to Scout Island. Mr. Carlton explained the stormwater pond was constructed recently as part of improvements along Highway 10. MnDOT owns the east half of an area of where the applicant proposed placing a structure. Conversations could continue with MnDOT to acquire a portion of the area and placement of multi-family units could be reconfigured. The applicant would need a rezoning to R-4 Multiple Family Residential or PUD, which would fit the surrounding multifamily housing, and a Comprehensive Plan amendment to multi-family. It would also require guidance from MnDOT prior to any city approval to determine if the current access point from Highway 10 would be allowed. Donovan Goossen, 18034 Sunrise Ct. NW, stated the highway curve seemed to be a great spot to turn into the property but getting out would be troublesome. and the use of the private road is already in place. He explained how he felt the six acres could support sixty residential units based upon a prior presentation to the City Council years ago and the council offered up ten units per acre. Stefan Georgiev, 12343 Ridgewood Dr. NW, indicated he would want to acquire the city-owned property to allow for recreational use of the beach and island. He was also concerned with traffic. It was the consensus of the Planning Commission that the proposed amendment changes made sense to allow property owners more opportunities for multi- family use (townhomes or apartments) on this site and less than 60 units. The applicant would have to work with MnDOT to determine authorization of ingress/egress to support their goal to construct multi-tenant housing. This application for concept review will be heard at the June 20 City Council meeting. Mr. Carlton will reach out to MnDOT for their thoughts regarding highway access of commercial versus residential. He will also figure out parking traffic counts to understand what may be required if this were a different use. 8. Adjournment The meeting was adjourned at 7:43 p.m. Planning Commission Page 6 May 24, 2022 ----------------------------- Minutes prepared by Jennifer Green. ___________________ Tina Allard City Clerk __________________ Jill Larson-Vito Planning Commission Chair