HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-23CITY OF LAKEVILLE.
PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES
January 23, 2025
Chair Majorowicz called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall.
The Pledge of Allegiance to the flag was given.
Members Present: Chair Jenna Majorowicz, Vice Chair Christine Zimmer, Scott Einck, Pat
Kaluza, Jason Swenson, Amanda Tinsley, Patty Zuzek, Ex-Officio Jeff Hanson.
Members Absent: None
Staff Present : Tina Goodroad, Community Development Director; Kris Jenson, Planning
Manager; Heather Botten, Senior Planner; Jon Nelson, Assistant City Engineer
3. Approval of the Meeting Minutes
The January 9, 2025 Planning Commission meeting minutes were approved as presented.
4. Announcements
Planning Manager Kris Jenson noted that the Parks, Recreation, and Natural Resources
Committee did not hold their meeting on January 22, 2025 due to the lack of a quorum and
therefore were unable to review and provide a recommendation for the Antlers Ridge 2 nd Addition
preliminary plat. The Committee did review the original Antlers Ridge preliminary plat on July 5,
2023 and recommended approval at that time.
Ms. Jenson stated if the agenda items are not tabled they will move forward to the February 3 City
Council meeting.
5. Antlers Ridge 2 nd Addition
Chair Majorowicz opened the public hearing to consider the application of Tamarack Land Lake
Marion Commons, LLC for the preliminary plat for 26 twinhome lots to be known as Antlers Ridge
2nd Addition and a conditional use permit for a shoreland impact plan within the Shoreland
Overlay District of Lake Marion, located east of Kenrick Avenue and west of Kensfield Trail.
Nate Herman, on behalf of Tamarack Land Lake Marion Commons, LLC presented a brief
overview of the request.
Senior Planner Heather Botten presented the staff report. Ms. Botten stated that the Antlers Ridge
2nd Addition preliminary plat is a revision of the west portion of the original Antlers Ridge
preliminary plat that was approved by the City Council on July 17, 2023. The original preliminary
plat was for 54 twinhome units, 34 of which were included in the Antlers Ridge final plat approved
Planning Commission Meeting Minutes, January 23, 2025 Page 2
by the City Council on July 15, 2024. The remaining portion of the preliminary plat has been
revised and now includes 26 twinhome units and realigned 203rd Street for a future connection
through the Marek Towning property with a future redevelopment of that property.
Ms. Botten noted that Antlers Ridge 2nd Addition is located within the Shoreland Overlay District
of Lake Marion. City Code requires the developer to submit a shoreland impact plan and a
conditional use permit application to allow development within the shoreland overlay district. The
shoreland impact plan includes requirements that the plans address steep slopes, erosion control,
access to public utilities, stormwater management, and site development best management
practices. The request is in compliance with the general CUP criteria. Staff believes that Antlers
Ridge 2nd Addition preliminary plat and conditional use permit is consistent with the land use and
housing policies of the Comprehensive Plan and complies with the requirements of the Zoning
Ordinance and Subdivision Ordinance and recommends approval of the requests with the nine
stipulations listed in the staff report.
Chair Majorowicz opened the hearing to the public for comment.
The were no public comments.
Motion was made by Einck, seconded by Swenson, to close the public hearing at 6:08 p.m.
Voice vote was taken on the motion.
Ayes – unanimous
Chair Majorowicz asked for comments from the Planning Commission. Discussion points
included:
Commissioner Swenson asked about timing for redevelopment of the adjacent Marek property
and whether screening should be added between the westernmost units and adjacent
commercial property. The applicant responded that he did not have any definitive timing on
redevelopment. Swenson asked the applicant to discuss possible screening with staff and
commented that he is supportive of the plan and lot layout.
Commission Kaluza agreed that a stipulation is not needed for the screening but requested that
the applicant work with staff on the issue.
Commissioner Einck asked the applicant to explain the drainage and grading that
Motion was made by Zimmer, seconded by Zuzek to recommend to City Council approval of
the preliminary plat for 26 twinhome lots to be known as Antlers Ridge 2nd Addition and a
conditional use permit for a shoreland impact plan within the Shoreland Overlay District of Lake
Marion, located east of Kenrick Avenue and west of Kensfield Trail, subject to the following
stipulations, and approval of the Findings of Fact dated January 23, 2025:
1. The site shall be developed in accordance with the plans approved by the City Council.
2. Five-foot-wide concrete sidewalks shall be constructed on the south side of 203 rd Street.
3. Park dedication shall be subject to the recommendations of the Parks, Recreation, and Natural
Resources Committee to be satisfied at the time of final plat.
Planning Commission Meeting Minutes, January 23, 2025 Page 3
4. A homeowner’s association must be established for ownership and maintenance of Lot 19,
Block 1 and Lot 9, Block 2.
5. HOA documents must be submitted for review and provide proof of recording of the HOA
documents and deeds conveying the common area lots to the HOA, prior to building permits
issued for the attached townhomes
6. Twinhomes must meet the exterior materials requirements of Section 11-57-19 of the Zoning
Ordinance.
7. The developer must submit dimensioned floor plans for the detached townhome units to verify
compliance with the minimum requirements for above grade floor area established by Section
11-17-13.D of the Zoning Ordinance.
8. The developer shall provide details to verify compliance with the landscape requirements of
Section 11-57-19 of the Zoning Ordinance.
9. Implementation of the recommendations listed in the engineering report dated January 16,
2025 and any subsequent correspondence.
Ayes: Zuzek, Tinsley, Kaluza, Majorowicz, Zimmer, Einck, Swenson
Nays: 0
6. Airlake DEA
Chair Majorowicz opened the public hearing to consider the application of Hat Trick Investments,
LLC and Dakota Electric Association for a preliminary and final plat for a two outlot subdivision
to be known as Airlake DEA, located east of Cedar Avenue (CSAH 23) and north of 225 th Street.
Jeff Schoenecker, Dakota Electric Association presented a brief overview of the request.
Senior Planner Heather Botten presented the staff report. Ms. Botten stated the proposed plat
includes two parcels of land totaling 115.57 acres. The plat consists of two outlots and the
dedication of right-of-way for the extension of 222nd Street. The property is located east of Cedar
Avenue (CSAH 23) and north of 225th Street. The subject property was annexed into the City in
2021. The property is guided Industrial in Comprehensive Land Use Plan and zoned I-2, General
Industrial. The proposed outlots meet the minimum lot size and width requirements for future
development in the I-2 district. The proposed preliminary plat meets the recommended goals and
objectives of the zoning code and comprehensive plan. Staff recommends approval of the
preliminary plat with the three stipulations listed in the staff report.
Chair Majorowicz opened the hearing to the public for comment.
The following public comments were received:
Sean Regan, Hat Trick Investments, expressed his excitement to work with Dakota Electric
Association on this opportunity for their new campus.
Motion was made by Zimmer, seconded by Einck to close the public hearing at 6:18 p.m.
Planning Commission Meeting Minutes, January 23, 2025 Page 4
Voice vote was taken on the motion.
Ayes – unanimous
The Planning Commission had no questions or comments about the preliminary plat.
Motion was made by Kaluza, seconded by Einck to recommend to City Council approval of the
Airlake DEA preliminary plat, subject to the stipulations listed below:
1. Implementation of the recommendations listed in the engineering report dated January 16,
2025 and any subsequent correspondence.
2. The final plat shall be in substantial conformance with the preliminary plans on file with the
Community Development Department except as may be modified by the conditions herein.
3. A development contract and related agreements shall be approved by the City Council with the
approval of the final plat.
Ayes: Tinsley, Kaluza, Majorowicz, Zimmer, Einck, Swenson, Zuzek,
Nays: 0
7. Midwest ENT
Chair Majorowicz opened the public hearing to consider an application by Midwest ENT for a
variance to exceed the number of wall signs permitted on one elevation in the Freeway Corridor
District, for a building to be located at 11020 161st Street.
Tony Benusa of Midwest ENT summarized the request. He explained Midwest ENT’s business
model and the desire to include the various services that will be available at the clinic.
Planning Manager Kris Jenson presented the staff report. Ms. Jenson stated that Midwest ENT has
requested a variance to allow additional wall signs on their building, currently under construction
at 11020 161st Street. Ms. Jenson summarized the variance review criteria and stated staff’s position
that the request had not met the practical difficulty threshold as outlined in the Zoning Ordinance.
Chair Majorowicz opened the hearing to the public for comment.
There was no public comment.
Motion was made by Kaluza, seconded by Zimmer to close the public hearing at 6:30 p.m.
Voice vote was taken on the motion.
Ayes – unanimous
Chair Majorowicz asked for comments from the Planning Commission. Discussion points
included:
Commissioner Zuzek asked for clarification about the business; Mr. Benusa stated that
Midwest ENT is the sole tenant of the building but the business itself has separate business
Planning Commission Meeting Minutes, January 23, 2025 Page 5
entities multiple LLCs for the separate business units and therefore in his opinion, operates
more like a multi-tenant building. Commissioner Zuzek added that she believes the proposal
is a reasonable request and the signs proposed are tasteful.
Commissioner Zimmer asked about the lighting and design of the signs. Mr. Benusa indicated
the signs are all of a similar design, will be backlit at night, and in scale with the building.
Commission Kaluza noted that the City routinely updates the Zoning ordinance. He expressed
support for staff’s recommendation for denial due to the requirement to demonstrate a
practical difficulty. It may be possible to review this situation in a future amendment. He added
that he is excited about Midwest ENT coming to Lakeville.
Mr. Benusa indicated that their three other metro locations all have the same signage, and that
at least one location was granted a variance for signs.
Commission Swenson clarified the building would be permitted multiple signs if there were
multiple tenants. Ms. Jenson confirmed that to be correct but noted the businesses require an
exclusive exterior entrance.
Mr. O’Keefe asked if all the signs were in one box meeting the 150 square foot maximum size
that would meet the ordinance requirement. Ms. Jenson indicated that is correct. ft that would
work?
Commissioner Zimmer asked about the spa entrance. Mr. Benusa stated that the spa is a
separate entrance and that customers would not see a connection to the rest of the clinic, but
the staff area extends across the back of the building to provide access to all areas. Inside the
main entrance are multiple doors to different specialties.
Commissioner Majorowicz acknowledged that she found the additional signage helpful when
visiting the Eagan location.
Commissioner Zuzek clarified whether the spa could have a separate sign. Ms. Jenson
confirmed they could not due to the shared staff area at the rear of the building.
Commissioner Einck stated that while he was sympathetic to the request, he would prefer to
address the situation with an ordinance amendment.
Commissioner Kaluza added that the Planning Commission and staff have to consider how a
variance such as this, if approved, could impact future requests from other businesses. He
agreed that a variance is not the appropriate method to address this issue.
Commission Swenson echoed that sentiment and added that the Planning Commission has to
follow the variance criteria and he would prefer the applicant look at options to meet the
requirements by amending the sign design or consider an ordinance amendment.
Motion was made by Kaluza, seconded by Swenson to recommend to City Council denial of the
variance to exceed the number of wall signs permitted on one elevation in the Freeway Corridor
District for Midwest ENT and adopt the Findings of Fact dated January 23, 2025, as amended.
Planning Commission Meeting Minutes, January 23, 2025 Page 6
Ayes: Kaluza, Majorowicz, Zimmer, Einck, Swenson, Zuzek, Tinsley
Nays: 0
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 6:58 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Tina Goodroad, Community Development Director