12-20-2022 BA MINOf
ver Meeting of the
Elk River Board of Adjustments
Held at Elk River City Hall
Tuesday, December 20, 2022
Members Present: Chair Jill Larson -Vito, Commissioners Perry Beise, Dennis Booth
(6:36 p.m.), Eric Johnson, Craig Keisling, and Tony Mauren
Members Absent: Commissioner Rob Rydberg
Liaison Absent: Councilmember/Liaison Mike Beyer
Staff Present: Community Development Director 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 Board of
Adjustments was called to order at 6:30 p.m. by Chair Larson -Vito.
2. Pledge of Allegiance
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
3. Consider December 20, 2022, Board of Adjustments Agenda
Moved by Commissioner Beise and seconded by Commissioner Keisling to
approve the December 20, 2022, Board of Adjustments agenda.
Motion carried 5-0.
4. Consider November 22, 2022, Board of Adjustments Minutes
Moved by Commissioner Beise and seconded by Commissioner Keisling to
approve the November 22, 2022, Board of Adjustments minutes.
Motion carried 5-0.
5.1 Elk River Lodge — 17432 Zane St. NW
Parking and Setback Variances supporting additional rental
units, Case No. V 22-14
Mr. Carlton presented the staff report and reviewed the ordinance standards for the
parking ratios, setbacks for parking and drive areas and the bluff. He distributed an
Board of Adjustments Minutes
December 20, 2022
Page 2
updated site plan with parking changes with a unique addition of placing surface
stalls in front of covered stalls, linking to the same unit. He also explained the
updated site plan shows the requirement for the reduced dimensional standard is no
longer needed. He indicated staff supports approving the outlined parking standard
variance, the bluff setback variance, and the trash enclosure setback variance, and
requested to include the following additional conditions:
1: Staff approval of architectural plans for the trash enclosure.
2. The stacked parking and garage stalls shall be clearly marked to ensure access
to garages.
Mr. Carlton noted the conditions 7 and 10 could now be removed with the updated
site plan.
Commissioner Mauren asked about emergency vehicles being able to get around the
garage.
Mr. Carlton stated they can, and he is keeping the condition 4 to address this.
Chair Larson -Vito noted the public hearing was still open.
Jim Knoblauch 6179 45`' Ave SE, St. Cloud, MN — one of the owners and manager
of this property, Crown Residential Housing LLC, he appreciated Mr. Carlton's
working with him and the architect for the multiple iteration of plans. He explained
the stacked parking as an advantage to potential residents, and a hallway would run
behind the garages so residents can access them from inside the building. It would be
a selling point for those who need to store something other than a car, and they
would then have no problem parking in front of their garage. The rest of the tenants
wouldn't have that option. The second item he noted was the swimming pool
remodel to add units and would also like to reserve the right to remodel some other
units in the building. Mr. Knoblauch explained seven units are 1 bedroom with
adjoining units, former hotel rooms. The other units are now what is considered a
studio apartment. He would like to turn those seven units into a studio apartment.
Mr. Knoblauch noted emergency vehicles will have more room turning around the
garage with reconfiguring parked cars allowed closer to the garage, giving more room
for emergency vehicles. He stated he feels this will help to bring more units of
affordable housing to the community.
Mr. Carlton stated the applicant's request to remodel additional units could be
secured by adding an additional condition capping the number of rental units to 39.
There being no one to speak, Chair Larson -Vito closed the public hearing
Moved by Commissioner Johnson and seconded by Commissioner Beise to
approve the request by Elk River Lodge for parking and setback variances
reducing the number of required parking stalls, required setbacks, and
adjustments to the parking stall dimensions because:
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Board of Adjustments Minutes
December 20, 2022
Page 3
1. The general purpose and intent of the ordinance are met.
2. The property has a land use of 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.
and;
with the following conditions:
1. The front yard setback along the future Zane Street cul-de-sac shall
maintain the full 10-foot setback.
2. Two new parking spaces (one covered and one surface) shall be
required for each one new residential unit.
3. The current right-of-way easement shall be vacated and replaced with a
new easement around the cul-de-sac that is consistent with city
standards.
4. Submittal of an updated site plan with turning radii for fire trucks,
garbage trucks, and delivery vehicles.
5. A commercial building permit is required.
6. All interior parking delineations shall be painted — no curbing in the
center of the lot.
7. The proposed eurb along the south lot Hite shall not be eleser than 5 feet
to the let line.
8. Staff approval of the final striping and pavement plans.
9. The current parking agreement on file with the city shall be updated to
require a reduction in the number of units should parking become an
issue in the future, based on city findings.
signed,10. The new ittigled paddag spaee between the gar -age wid these along the
south lot line shall be fimited to and via e tge—,
not posts, for ear- paf-kkng e ly
11. This variance does not exempt the applicant from building codes
related to the proposed remodel.
12. Staff approval of architectural plans for the trash enclosure.
13. The stacked parking and garage stalls shall be clearly marked to ensure
access to garages.
14. The number of residential units is capped at 39.
Motion carried 6-0.
6. Adjournment
There being no further business, Chair Larson -Vito adjourned the meeting of the
Elk River Board of Adjustments at 6:45 p.m.
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Board of Adjustments Minutes
December 20, 2022
Minutes p d
°�
Tina Allard
by Jennifer Green.
City. Clerk
Jill arson -Vito
Planning Commission Chair
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