Laserfiche WebLink
Minutes <br />Planning Commission Regular Meeting <br />Monday, November 17, 2025, 6:00 PM <br />City Council Chambers 2780 Kelley Parkway, Orono, MN 55356 <br /> <br /> <br />Page 1 of 6 <br /> <br /> Chair Bollis called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m., followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. <br /> <br />1. ROLL CALL <br />Orono Planning Commission members present: Chair Chris Bollis, Commissioners Jon Ressler, Thomas <br />Brandabur, Andrew Jarnot, Kelly Prchal, Sam Tift, and Shane Weltzin. <br /> <br />Staff present: Community Development Director Laura Oakden, City Planner Melanie Curtis, and City <br />Planner Matthew Karney. <br /> <br />2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE <br /> <br />3. APPROVAL OF AGENDA <br /> <br /> Ressler moved, Tift seconded, to approve the Agenda. VOTE: Ayes 7, Nays 0. <br /> <br />4. APPROVAL OF PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES OF OCTOBER 20, <br />2025 <br /> <br />Prchal moved, Ressler seconded, to ask staff to amend the minutes of the Orono Planning <br />Commission meeting of October 20, 2025, to include recommended conditions of the retaining wall <br />text amendment change. VOTE: Ayes 7, Nays 0. <br /> <br />Prchal moved, Weltzin seconded, to table the approval of the minutes of the Orono Planning <br />Commission meeting of October 20, 2025. VOTE: Ayes 7, Nays 0. <br /> <br />5. PUBLIC HEARINGS <br /> <br />5.1. LA25-000033 Hennepin County, 3700 North Shore Drive, (North Arm Public Boat Launch), <br />Vacation, Variance, Conditional Use Permit, and Interim Use Permit <br /> <br />The Planning Commission is requested to review the Staff report, receive a presentation, and discuss a <br />redesign of the North Arm public boat launch. The boat launch pre-dates the City Code and is a legal non- <br />conforming use. The proposed plan would increase hardcover but decrease impermeable hardcover. New <br />fishing docks would be included, and a handicapped dock and lift. Comments were received from the <br />public and other related government agencies. Staff is recommending approval, conditioned on the <br />approval of the other government agencies involved. <br /> <br />The Planning Commission discussed the item and asked questions of staff and the applicant, the project <br />architect, and waste management and maintenance staff representing Hennepin County. <br /> <br />Chair Bollis opened the public hearing at 7:11 p.m. <br /> <br />Matt Herman, 3825 Cherry Ave., expressed concern about the lack of regulation and the commercial and <br />industrial uses they have seen at the site, such as landscaping barges and fishing guide services, noting <br />that this is a neighborhood site. He would like to see the launch dedicated to recreational use. <br /> <br /> <br />7