4.1. DRAFT PC MINUTES 02-27-2024
Meeting of the Elk River Planning Commission
Held at the Elk River City Hall
Tuesday, January 23, 2024
Members Present: Chair Jill Larson-Vito, Commissioners Perry Beise, Dennis Booth, Eric Johnson, Tony
Mauren, and Rob Rydberg
Members Absent: Commissioner Craig Keisling
Council Liaison: Councilmember Matt Westgaard
Staff Present: Community Development Director Zack Carlton, Senior Planner Chris Leeseberg, and Sr.
Administrative 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 Chair Larson-Vito.
2. Pledge of Allegiance
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
3. Consider Agenda
Moved by Commissioner Johnson and seconded by Commissioner Booth to approve the January
23, 2024, Planning Commission agenda as presented.
Motion carried 6-0.
4. Consider Minutes
Moved by Commissioner Johnson seconded by Commissioner Rydberg to approve the December
19, 2023, Planning Commission minutes as presented.
Motion carried 6-0.
5.1 Venture Pass partners, LLC – Randall Rauwerdink for Spectrum School
Preliminary Plat of Elk River SBC Addition, Case No. P 23-14
5.2 Spectrum High School – 17796 Industrial Blvd. NW
Zone Change from I-1 and BP to PUD, Case No. ZC 23-08
Conditional Use Permit for a Planned Unit Development (PUD), Case No. CU 23-24
Mr. Carlton presented the staff report for both of these items. He indicated during review of the request;
staff noted the 2021 Comprehensive Plan failed to identify a land use for one of the affected parcels in the
applicant’s request. To act on the request, the parcel is required to have a land use assigned to it. He
requested the public hearings be opened and remain open until the next Planning Commission’s meeting on
Tuesday, February 27, 2024.
Chair Larson-Vito asked about any other parcels that were omitted in the comprehensive plan.
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January 23, 2024
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Mr. Carlton stated he was not aware of any other parcels.
Commissioner Mauren asked about usage of Industrial Court.
Mr. Carlton stated it would be used as an unimproved right-of-way and an agreement will spell out that the
city will not maintain, improve, or use this.
Vice-Chair Johnson opened the public hearing.
There being no one present to speak on this item, Chair Larson-Vito continued the public hearings to
February 27, 2024.
Moved by Commissioner Johnson seconded by Commissioner Beise to continue the public
hearings to the February 27, 2024, Planning Commission meeting.
Motion carried 6-0.
5.3 Josh Clark – 21144 Twin Lakes Rd. NW
Interim Use Permit allowing outdoor storage, Case No. IU 23-01
Mr. Leeseberg presented the staff report.
Commissioner Beise asked questions about the original CUP approval with regard to hours of operation and
employees.
Mr. Leeseberg stated CU 22-19 for a home occupation permitting outdoor storage outlined hours of
operation Monday through Friday 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. He stated it did not indicate anything about
employees.
Commissioner Johnson asked about normal uses in this area and asked if someone could do farming
operations in the R1a zoning without having to come to the city council, such as a hobby farm and farm
implements.
Mr. Leeseberg indicated someone could farm on the property and also operate any allowed home
occupation out of the house.
Commissioner Johnson asked if there had been any complaints reported to the city.
Mr. Leeseberg stated the biggest question the city received was whether or not the applicant resides at the
property. He stated they also received questions regarding logs and debris left on the property when Mr.
Clark purchased it and being moved, and items were dumped across the street on his own property.
Commissioner Johnson asked the distance between the nearest residence and the proposed outdoor storage.
Mr. Johnson indicated it was 700 feet.
Commissioner Mauren asked how the natural vegetation berm screening would be considered complete.
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January 23, 2024
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Mr. Leeseberg stated staff would visit the site to verify in person to determine if the screening meets the
requirements.
Chair Larson-Vito opened the public hearing.
Josh Clark – 21144 Twin Lakes Rd. NW- the applicant, explained how he would prefer to do a natural
landscape berm next to the existing black fence. He stated where the concrete landscape curbing or boulders
were suggested, there already a landscape berm and mature trees in place and stated it was virtually
impossible for the area to creep. He’s willing to add boulders but with what is there now, it’s not going to
make a difference. He stated he does not want to add a fence and gate because with the driveway angle, the
woods offer screening, but if the port-a-potty and gas tanks are a concern, he would relocate them.
Mr. Clark read aloud a letter in support of his request from Jim Kresowak, 21167 Twin Lakes Rd.
Mr. Clark made it clear that he wasn’t turning the large field into a large parking lot for equipment. He
explained his request was a small area for concrete bins to store landscaping mulch, rock, and gravel from
leftover jobs to allow reuse on future projects. He stated he felt the area is 100% out of sight, doesn’t make
noise, and noted he wanted to preserve the rural feeling. He commented on the surrounding parcels with
farming equipment and businesses operating and is a small business owner only continuing to improve his
property and follow the rules.
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Susan Jeddloah, 9830 213 Ave. NW, asked questions about the storage of landscaping items and how it’s
unloaded. Mr. Clark answered her questions. She stated her main concern wasn’t that he was trying to
operate a business but rather losing the peace on her property that she worked hard to acquire. She stated
she can’t sit on her porch in the evening without hearing equipment sounds from the applicant’s property
and this was disheartening to her and her husband.
There being no one else to speak, Chair Larson-Vito closed the public hearing.
Commissioner Ryberg wondered how a property can hold a business without impacting the neighborhood,
and noted he has 16 acres in which the applicant is only using half for his home and outdoor storage. He
complimented the applicant on improving the property and mitigating the neighbor’s concerns. He was in
favor of approving this request.
Commissioner Johnson agreed with Commissioner Rydberg and felt along with the conditions outlined in
the IUP, the applicant did a good job explaining how to mitigate noise and sight. He felt by moving the
porta-potty and bins that are visible from the road, there would be no need for a gate and fence in the front.
Mr. Leeseberg stated the outdoor storage section of the city ordinance reads the outdoor storage area
defined as such: shall be completely screened from view within all public rights-of-way in residentially zoned
parcels. He indicated it isn’t the porta-potty that requires screening, but rather the potential for a dump
truck, skid loader, or trailer. If you approve an area, the area is subject to anything being stored there.
Commissioner Rydberg asked about the opaqueness of fencing.
Mr. Leeseberg stated it does not have to be 100% opaque.
Commissioner Beise asked if evergreens would be sufficient down the edge of the right of way.
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Mr. Leeseberg stated the applicant would have to follow the heights and slopes of the berms and would
require a detailed landscape plan.
Commissioner Rydberg asked if a landscaper could submit a plan.
Mr. Leeseberg stated that may not solve the issue of the view to the area from the driveway via the right-of-
way.
Mr. Clark asked if he could shift the location of the outdoor storage.
Commissioner Beise asked if the section being referenced not be included as a storage area.
Mr. Leeseberg stated it would come down to enforcement. He noted in commercial and industrial outdoor
storage, the curb and gutter define the area, as the ordinance dictates.
Commissioner Mauren asked about the hours of operation.
Mr. Leeseberg stated the city council changed the rules regarding home occupations in November 2023. It
was approved to codify the hours of operation to Monday through Saturday, 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., and
Condition 6 was added as a reminder of that change.
Commissioner Mauren asked about any complaints about lighting.
Mr. Leeseberg stated he felt the complaint could have been vehicle lighting but not site lighting.
Commissioner Johnson stated he has no concerns with the number of employees on the site since the work
isn’t taking place on the property itself.
Commissioner Johnson prefers nature landscaping like berms, boulders, and trees versus the commission
adding a condition requiring a fence.
Mr. Clark stated he would add a landscape berm adjacent to the black chain length fence.
It was the consensus of the Planning Commission to add Condition 13 to construct a landscape berm on
south side of garage between the house and building.
Mr. Clark stated he would be open to using boulders or a tree/berm by each corner, open to maybe a tree
or berm by each corner of the garage and building, or trees by road to help block the view, or modify the
storage area that is visible from the road. He would prefer not to use fencing.
Mr. Leeseberg stated he can review with the applicant prior to the City Council meeting the site lines and
possibly reduce the size of the storage area in order to meet the ordinance screening requirements.
The consensus of the Planning Commission was to meet the ordinance screening requirements by using
natural landscaping, berms, and boulders.
Moved by Commissioner Johnson and seconded by Commissioner Beise to recommend approval
of the request by Josh Clark for an Interim Use Permit allowing outdoor storage for the property at
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January 23, 2024
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21144 Twin Lakes Rd. NW with the following conditions to satisfy the standards set forth in Section
30-654:
1. The designated outdoor storage area shall be limited to the area shown on the staff
site plan dated January 23, 2024.
2. The entire approved outdoor storage areas must be paved with an approved surface
in accordance with section 30-900(a).
3. Where screening is not required, barrier style curb B612 or large landscaping
boulders shall be installed to define the limits of the approved outdoor storage area.
4. Business materials, equipment, & vehicles shall not be stored outside of the
approved area.
5. Business materials/equipment (excluding vehicles) shall not be higher than six (6)
feet in the storage area.
6. Hours of operation shall be limited to 7:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. Monday through
Saturday.
7. Company and employee vehicles/equipment shall be limited to idling as Section 46-
34 (a)(29) outlines.
8. Outside of routine maintenance/repair, there shall be no major repair/maintenance
of company vehicles/equipment on site.
9. No structures shall be utilized for the business, including storage and
maintenance/repair of vehicles and equipment.
10. No direct access from the outdoor storage area to the public road shall be allowed.
11. The retaining blocks and concrete pads/footings shall be removed when there is no
longer a viable landscaping business on the property.
12. An amendment to this Interim Use Permit will be required for the use of structures
and for future expansions/additions not shown on the staff site plan dated January
23, 2024.
13. Construct a landscape berm on south side of garage between house and building
along Twin Lakes Road.
14. Additional screening for the storage area to be determined to meet the ordinance
screening requirements.
Motion carried 6-0.
6. General Business
Mr. Carlton indicated Commissioner Craig Keisling chose not to renew his term and thanked him for his
service and unique perspective while serving on the Planning Commission.
7. Council Liaison Updates
Councilmember Westgaard updated the commission on recent council decisions.
8. Motion to Adjourn Regular Meeting
Moved by Commissioner Beise and seconded by Commissioner Booth to adjourn the regular
meeting of the Planning Commission at 7:40 p.m.
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January 23, 2024
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Motion carried 6-0.
The work session opened at 7:42 p.m. in the Council Chambers.
9.1 Concept Review: Draft New Ordinance to Support Platting Small Parcels, Case No. CR
24-01
Mr. Carlton presented the staff report. He asked the commission for feedback if they were comfortable
creating a new process that allows a mechanism to provide a cleaner and simpler way to plat small parcels.
It was the consensus of the Planning Commission to support an ordinance amendment for platting small
parcels.
10. Motion to Adjourn Work Session
Moved by Commissioner Johnson and seconded by Commissioner Booth to adjourn the work
session meeting of the Planning Commission.
Motion carried 6-0.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:46 p.m.
Minutes prepared by Jennifer Green.
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Jill Larson-Vito, Chair
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Tina Allard, City Clerk