09-23-2025 PC MIN
Meeting of the Planning Commission
Held at the Elk River City Hall
Tuesday, September 23, 2025
Members Present: Chair Perry Beise, Commissioner Eric Johnson, Commissioner Robert Rydberg,
Commissioner Dennis Booth, Commissioner James Zahler, Commissioner
Dornan Bland, Commissioner Anthony Kaba, Councilmember Jennifer Wagner
Members Absent: None
Staff Present: Community Development Director Zack Carlton, Senior Planner Chris
Leeseberg, and Sr. Administrative Assistant/Recording Secretary Katie Porath
1. CALL MEETING TO ORDER
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the meeting was called to order at 7:17 p.m.
2. CONSIDER AGENDA
Moved by Commissioner Johnson and seconded by Commissioner Booth to approve the
agenda. Motion carried 7-0.
3. CONSIDER MINUTES
Moved by Commissioner Booth and seconded by Commissioner Kaba to approve the
following consent items as outlined in their respective staff reports. Motion carried 7-0.
3.1 DRAFT Minutes - August 26, 2025
4. PUBLIC HEARINGS
There were no public hearings.
5. GENERAL BUSINESS
5.1 Pat Briggs Planned Unit Development (PUD): Two 79-unit Apartment Buildings, Land Use
Amendment, Zone Change, and Ordinance Amendment - 17379 Twin Lakes Rd NW
Mr. Carlton presented the staff report.
Staff noted that the applicant had increased their proposed parking from 1.63 parking spots per unit to
1.75 parking spots per unit. The Commission felt that the ratio was still too far below the standard 2.5
parking spots per residential unit. Commissioner Johnson added that, with the removal of the Northstar
train station, more residents in this proposed development would need a vehicle. Adding a 158 unit
development would also increase traffic in that area.
Commissioner Johnson commented that the newly submitted plan, which flipped the parking on the
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September 23, 2025
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site, would make the parking lot area closer to the residential homes and headlights would shine into
their property.
Commissioner Rydberg commented on the speeds on Twin Lakes Road and shared safety concerns
regarding extra vehicles, which did not fit in the parking lot, parking along that road.
The Commission agreed that changing the land use designation to Multifamily, allowing larger
developments, was not appropriate for the community.
Moved by Commissioner Bland and seconded by Commissioner Johnson to recommend
denial of the proposed land use amendment, changing the Comprehensive Plan guidance
from Mixed Residential to Multifamily, for not meeting the needs of the Comprehensive
Plan. Motion carried 7-0.
Moved by Commissioner Johnson and seconded by Commissioner Kaba to recommend
denial of the proposed zone change, changing the zoning from FAST (D) to Planned Unit
Development (PUD). Motion carried 7-0.
Moved by Commissioner Johnson and seconded by Commissioner Zahler to recommend
denial of an ordinance outlining the development standards for a residential Planned Unit
Development based on the zone change not taking place. Motion carried 7-0.
The item will come to the City Council meeting on October 20, 2025.
5.2 Resolution 25-01: City Purchase of Property for Retail Purposes
Mr. Carlton presented the staff report.
The Commission did not share any concerns.
Moved by Commissioner Johnson and seconded by Commissioner Zahler to adopt
Planning Commission Resolution 25-01 finding the purchase of a portion of Lot 1, Block 2
and all of Lot 2, Block 2, Hillside Crossing to be consistent with the Elk River
Comprehensive Plan. Motion carried 7-0.
5.3 Resolution 25-02: City Purchase of Property for a Future Fire Station
Mr. Carlton presented the staff report.
The Commission did not share any concerns.
Moved by Commissioner Johnson and seconded by Commissioner Booth to adopt
Planning Commission Resolution 25-02 finding the purchase of a portion of PID 75-00134-
2200 (809 Jackson Ave) to be consistent with the Elk River Comprehensive Plan. Motion
carried 7-0.
Commissioner Johnson asked if the remaining parking met the needs of the church. Mr. Carlton stated
that the parking lot would be reorganized once plans were prepared.
6. COUNCIL LIAISON UPDATES
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Councilmember Wagner gave an update on the Variance for Jennifer Belde presented at the September
15, 2025, City Council meeting. The Council continued the discussion to their October 6, 2025,
meeting to review accessibility needs.
7. MOTION TO ADJOURN
Moved by Commissioner Zahler and seconded by Commissioner Booth to adjourn the
meeting. Motion carried 7-0.
The meeting adjourned at 7:52 p.m.
Minutes prepared by Katie Porath.
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Perry Beise, Chair
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Tina Allard, City Clerk