03-26-2024 PC MINMembers Present:
Members Absent:
Council Liaison:
Meeting of the Elk River Planning Commission
Held at the Elk River City Hall
Tuesday, March 26, 2024
Chair Jill Larson -Vito, Commissioners Perry Beise, Eric Johnson, Tony Mauren, and Rob
Rydberg
Commissioner Dennis Booth
Councilmember Matt Westgaard
Staff Present: Community Development Director Zack Carlton, Senior Planner Chris Leeseberg, and Sr.
Administrative 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 6:46 p.m. by Chair Larson -Vito.
2. Consider Agenda
Moved by Commissioner Beise and seconded by Commissioner Mauren to approve the March 26,
2024, Planning Commission agenda as presented.
Motion carried 5-0.
3. Consider Minutes
Moved by Commissioner Johnson seconded by Commissioner Beise to approve the February 27,
2024, Planning Commission minutes as presented.
Motion carried 5-0.
4. Election of Officers
■ Chair
■ Vice Chair
The Planning Commissioner discussed the officer positions.
Moved by Commissioner Johnson seconded by Commissioner Mauren to appoint Perry Beise as
Planning Commission Chair effective April 2024 for a term ending March 2025.
Motion carried 5-0.
Moved by Commissioner Rydberg seconded by Commissioner Beise to appoint Jill Larson -Vito as
Planning Commission Vice -Chair effective April 2024 for a term ending March 2025.
Motion carried 5-0.
Planning Commission Minutes
March 26, 2024
Page 2
5.1 Ken Beaudry
■ Ordinance Amendment — Lot Line Changes and Platting Small Parcels, Case No. OA 23-07
Mr. Carlton presented the staff report.
Commissioner Mauren asked if Mr. Carlton felt this amendment would be an improvement to the process
and good for the city and applicants.
Mr. Carlton stated it's a good solution for the applicant's unique situation and it works with the county's
regulations. He noted with the recent growth in the city, there are some remnant parcels with legal
descriptions containing metes and bounds; as the city grows, these situations may be seen more often. He
stated that by adding this to our ordinance, the city provides an exemption to the platting process for certain
situations. He didn't feel the city would see this happen very often.
Chair Larson -Vito opened the public hearing.
There being no one present to speak on this item, Chair Larson -Vito closed the public hearing.
Moved by Commissioner Rydberg seconded by Commissioner Johnson to recommend approval of
the request by Ken Beaudry for an Ordinance Amendment adding language to Chapter 30-352,
Platting Required; Exceptions, as outlined in the staff report.
Motion carried 5-0.
6.1 City of Elk River
■ Ordinance Amendment — Commercial Signage Along US Highway 169, Case No. OA 23-07
Mr. Carlton presented the staff report.
Mr. Leeseberg presented pictorial slides from the neighborhoods along the Highway 169 corridor to provide
the Commission with examples of the light pollution from various light sources.
Commissioner Mauren asked about the rationale behind the noted exemptions in the ordinance.
Mr. Carlton stated their rationale began with what other cities have done along with the transportation
analysis suggesting a 40' height limit. He stated in this corridor he recognized the residential neighborhoods
nearby and felt this was more appropriate. He stated they also didn't want to create situations where current
signage would be legal non -conforming.
The Planning Commission complimented staff on the work they put into this amendment.
Moved by Commissioner Rydberg and seconded by Commissioner Johnson to recommend
approval of the Ordinance Amendment for Commercial Signage along US Highway 169 as outlined
in the staff report.
Motion carried 5-0.
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Planning Commission Minutes
March 26, 2024
Page 3
Mr. Carlton indicated to the Planning Commission that staff would be rolling out new agenda management
software with the April meeting. He noted packets would be electronic and viewed on Chromebooks with
no delivery of paper copies.
Mr. Carlton indicated they would have a discussion on bylaws next month.
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 Johnson to adjourn the regular
meeting of the Planning Commission.
Motion carried 5-0.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:17 p.m.
Minutes prepared by Jennifer Green.
Jillarson-Vito, Chair
Tina Allard, City Clerk
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