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Home My WebLink About1-16-24 Planning Commission Minutes f Minutes Planning Commission Regular Meeting -' Tuesday,January 16, 2024, 6:00 PM yAt `� City Council Chambers 2780 Kelley Parkway, Orono, MN 55356 1ES O Chair Bollis called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m., followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. 1. ROLL CALL Orono Planning Commission members present: Chair Chris Bollis,Commissioners Mark McCutcheon, Dennis Libby and Bob Erickson. Commissioners Jon Ressler, Gary Kraemer and Ted Schultze were absent. Staff present: Community Development Director Laura Oakden, City Planner Melanie Curtis, and City Planner Natalie Nye. 2. APPROVAL OF AGENDA McCutcheon moved, Libby seconded, to approve the Agenda.VOTE: Ayes 4,Nays 0. 3. APPROVAL OF PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES OF NOVEMBER 20, 2023 Libby moved,McCutcheon seconded,to approve the minutes of the Orono Planning Commission meeting of November 20,2023.VOTE: Ayes 4,Nays 0. 4. PUBLIC HEARINGS 4.1. LA23-000062, Granite Companies LLC o/b/o Travis& Sara Wildenberg, 3838 CherryAvenue, After-the-Fact Conditional Use Permit The Planning Commission is requested to review the Staff report,receive a presentation,and discuss and table the resolution approving the conditional use permit pending the applicant providing missing support materials.Alternately staff said the Planning Commission could deny the request or approve it with conditions and further review by staff and the City Council. The Planning Commission discussed the item and asked questions of staff and the applicant, Travis Wildenberg, 3838 Cherry Ave. The applicant said they misunderstood,thinking they were covered for approvals by planning the improvements with the Watershed district. Chair Bollis opened the public hearing at 6:18 p.m. There were no public comments. Chair Bollis closed the public hearing at 6:18 p.m. The Commission discussed the item,noting that after-the-fact situations are always difficult,but they felt the design would ultimately be approved with some changes to the landscaping plan. The consensus was that the Commission would like the opportunity to review the plan again after the applicant had complied with staff requests and since it is still winter, tabling would not unduly delay the project. Page 1 of 4 3 Planning Commission Regular Meeting Tuesday, JanuaryMi 16nutes, 2024, 6:00 PM W City Council Chambers 2780 Kelley Parkway, Orono, MN 55356 Erickson moved,Libby seconded, to table LA23-000062,3838 Cherry Avenue After-the-Fact Conditional Use Permit pending further review meeting the conditions outlined in the staff report. VOTE: Ayes: 4,Nays 0. 4.2 LA23-000064, Brent Walton, 2405 Dunwoody Ave, Hardcover Variance The Planning Commission is requested to review the Staff report,receive a presentation, and discuss the variance request. Staff recommended approval as the design replaces the existing driveway hardcover with a structural hardcover and reduces the hardcover on the property. The Planning Commission discussed the item and asked questions of staff and the contractor, Jeff Danberry of Tonka Bay Development, representing the applicant who was not present. Chair Bollis opened the public hearing at 6:30 p.m. The were no public comments. Chair Bollis closed the public hearing at 6:30 p.m. Commissioners briefly discussed the item calling it pretty straightforward. McCutcheon moved, Bollis seconded, to approve LA23-000064,2405 Dunwoody Ave.,Hardcover Variance as applied.VOTE: Ayes: 4,Nays 0. 4.3 LA23-000065, Eskuche Design,4423 North Shore Drive,Variances. The Planning Commission is requested to review the Staff report,receive a presentation, and discuss and deny the application for variances,noting staff agrees the building envelope is small but believes the design and location of the new house and other improvements could be modified to avoid encroaching on the bluff. The Planning Commission discussed the item and asked questions of staff and the applicant, Kenneth Schmeling, 5515 Minneapolis Ave.,who is proposing to build a new home on the approximate site of the existing home at the Dunwoody Avenue lot. Peter Eskuche of Eskuche Design also gave comments and answered questions. Chair Bollis opened the public hearing at 7:07 p.m. There were no public comments. - Chair Bollis closed the public hearing at 7:07 p.m. Commissioners discussed the request and said that the uniqueness of the site contributes to the practical difficulty there and noted the applicant seems to have worked hard to meet the setback and other requirements and seemed to be making the plan less impactful on the bluff than what is there today. Discussion centered on the new patio and retaining wall and its proximity to the bluff. Commissioners Page 2 of 4 4 ,otv, Minutes Planning Commission Regular Meeting Tuesday, January 16, 2024,6:00 PM c` City Council Chambers 2780 Kelley Parkway, Orono, MN 55356 kESHO� supported the redesign of the driveway and the existing structures in the bluff but not new encroachment in the bluff. Bollis moved,Libby seconded,to deny LA23-000065, 4423 North Shore Drive,Variances as applied but noted that there is support for the driveway changes,the house and the existing bluff encroachments.VOTE: Ayes:3,Nays 1 (Erickson). 4.4 LA23-000066, Hendel Homes,2605 Mapleridge Lane,Variance The Planning Commission is requested to review the Staff report,receive a presentation,and discuss and approve the application as applied. The Planning Commission discussed the item and asked questions of staff and the applicant, Rick Hendel of Hendel Homes. Chair Bollis opened the public hearing at 7:24 p.m. There were no public comments. Chair Bollis closed the public hearing at 7:24 p.m. Commissioners agreed with the staff recommendation, calling it a minimal increase that does not change the location of the house. McCutcheon moved,Erickson seconded,to approve LA23-000066, 2605 Mapleridge Lane, Variance as applied.VOTE: Ayes: 4,Nays 0. 4.5 LA23-000068, Murphy&Co. Design o/b/o 3400 Fox Street Trust, 3400 Fox Street, Average Lakeshore Setback Variances The Planning Commission is requested to review the Staff report,receive a presentation, and discuss and approve the application for variances. Staff said the applicant had made a small change to the garage orientation and plans should be amended prior to City Council consideration. The Planning Commission discussed the item and asked questions of staff and the applicant, TJ Majdecki of Murphy&Co Design. Chair Bollis opened the public hearing at 7:31 p.m. There were no public comments. Chair Bollis closed the public hearing at 7:31 p.m. Commissioners concurred with the staff recommendation. Page 3 of 4 5 Planning Commission Regular Meeting 104 Tuesday, JanuaryMinutes16, 2024, 6:00 PM City Council Chambers 2780 Kelley Parkway, Orono, MN 55356 krsH0 McCutcheon moved, Libby seconded, to approve LA23-000068,3400 Fox Street,Average Lakeshore Setback Variances as applied with the staff direction to update the plans.VOTE: Ayes: 4,Nays 0. 5. NEW BUSINESS 5.1. LA23-000067, Lakewest, LLC, 3245 Wayzata Blvd W, Concept Plan The Planning Commission is requested to review the Staff report,receive a presentation, and discuss and provide non-binding feedback on a proposed condo development for 156 units in seven buildings with underground parking. Staff said the proposal will need a comprehensive plan amendment and rezoning, blending two levels of density on the site. The Planning Commission discussed the item and asked questions of staff and the applicants, Curt Fretham and Kelsey Thompson of Lake West Development. Commissioners said the plan is unique, fills a need for single-level housing for seniors and is an improvement over some of the plans for the site that have been seen in the past. The developer should consider the width of cul-de-sacs to accommodate fire vehicles. It is a good spot for a multi-family development, but it might be necessary to consider a lower speed limit at that point on Wayzata Blvd. Commissioners liked the underground parking. 6. COUNCIL UPDATE Community Development Director Laura Oakden updated the Commissioners noting the City Council reviewed a retaining wall variance, a new home on Casco, and the Spruce Place right-of-way vacation. The City Council approved all but took the recommendation of the Planning Commission to maintain a drainage easement on the Spruce Place vacation. 7. ADJOURNMENT Libby moved,McCutcheon seconded,to adjourn the Planning Commission Meeting at 8:25 p.m. to February 20,2024.VOTE: Ayes 4,Nays 0. ATTEST: .--�--•. Christgpher'Bollis, Chair On t5 /6-j Page 4 of 4 6