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MINUTES OF THE <br />ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION <br />April 17, 2023 <br />6:00 o'clock p.m. <br />5. LA23-000016 CAROLINA CANO-GARNICA O/B/O KESHAV PROPERTIES LLC, 2160 <br />WAYZATA BOULEVARD WEST, CUP <br />City Planner Nye said the applicant is to open a new Mexican restaurant at 2160 Wayzata Blvd. West in <br />two vacant spaces in a multi -tenant building with a variety of uses including a gas station. The restaurant <br />will serve liquor which would classify it as a Class II restaurant in the City code which requires a <br />conditional use permit in the B 1 zoning district. No exterior modifications are proposed at this time. The <br />business will be able to obtain a sign permit as long as they meet the City sign code. The building has a <br />shared parking lot with 17 parking spaces allocated for the restaurant where 11 parking spaces are <br />required. Six of the parking spaces in the rear are not striped but are intended to be used for overflow or <br />employee parking. Staff recommends that these parking spaces are striped as well. The City code requires <br />that garbage and recycling containers are closed but does not require having a trash enclosure. Staff <br />recommends the planning commission discuss the possibility of adding a condition of a trash enclosure if <br />the garbage area ever becomes a nuisance or an issue. Staff overall finds that the proposed restaurant <br />meets all applicable conditional use permit regulations. The use is compatible with the surrounding area <br />and is appropriate for the district and for the future land use for this site. Ms. Nye said the applicant was <br />present and available for questions. <br />The applicant, Gustavo Cano-Garnica, 985 Old Long Lake Road, said he was also representing his sister, <br />Carolina, who was ill. He said his family of seven has lived in Orono for 20 years. So there is a sense of <br />community as well as that sense of family hospitality. While most restaurants in the community are <br />mainly fast food places, he said, they intend to offer Mexican cuisine and a memorable dining experience. <br />He said they planned a bright and glossy d6cor and added the restaurant's peak time will be in the evening <br />and so will not interfere with the other businesses in the center. They expect to have around 12 employees <br />with the employees carpooling and are looking into having the remaining parking spaces striped. <br />Libby asked about adequate handicapped parking spots. <br />Oakden said that is a review done by the City's building official. If more are needed or desired that can <br />be addressed through the building official at the time of permitting. It would also be possible to make that <br />a condition to ensure that it's addressed as part of the conditional use permit. <br />Chair Bollis opened the public hearing at 7:03 p.m. <br />Richie Anderson said he is a long-time Orono resident and is not part of the application. But he just <br />wanted to talk to the character of these folks that are running this gas station. It's a local gas station, first <br />class, great food already. They're just solid citizens. And if you don't use their place, you should. <br />Chair Bollis closed the public hearing at 7:04 p.m. <br />Bollis said it looks like a good proposal and does not see any issues. But would like to hear from the other <br />Commissioners. <br />Kraemer also said he didn't see any issues. <br />Page 6 of 12 <br />