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Home My WebLink About10-20-2025 - Minutes - Planning Commission - PC minutesMinutes Planning Commission Regular Meeting Monday, October 20, 2025, 6:00 PM City Council Chambers 2780 Kelley Parkway, Orono, MN 55356 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 Jon Ressler, Thomas Brandabur, Andrew Jarnot, Kelly Prchal, Sam Tift, and Shane Weltzin. Absent: None. Staff present: Community Development Director Laura Oakden, City Planner Melanie Curtis, and City Planner Matthew Karney. 2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 3. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Bollis moved, Brandabur seconded, to approve the Agenda with Item 6 Other Items moved to before Item 5 Public Hearings. VOTE: Ayes 7, Nays 0. 4. APPROVAL OF PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES OF SEPTEMBER 15, 2025 Prchal moved, Jarnot seconded, to approve the minutes of the Orono Planning Commission meeting of September 15, 2025. VOTE: Ayes 7, Nays 0. 6. OTHER ITEMS Community Development Director Oakden updated the Planning Commission on actions of the City Council on their recommendations, including one not yet concluded. The Planning Commission asked to have Other Items also be used for members of the public to address the Commission on items not on the agenda. Gabriel Jabbor, 985 Tonakawa Rd., provided comments. 5. PUBLIC HEARINGS 5.1. LA25-000041 STONEWOOD LLC O/B/O WYATT & NICOLE PANNHOFF 850 WINDJAMMERLANE ALS VARIANCE The Planning Commission is requested to review the Staff report, receive a presentation, and discuss and approve an Average Lakeshore Setback variance to construct a new home in place of an existing home. The proposed home improves the Lakeshore setbacks while avoiding a steep slope and tree removal. The Planning Commission discussed the item and asked questions of staff and a representative of the applicant, Sven Gustafson, Stonewood LLC. Chair Bollis opened the public hearing at 6:09 p.m. There were no public comments. Page 1 of 4 3 Minutes Planning Commission Regular Meeting Monday, October 20, 2025, 6:00 PM City Council Chambers 2780 Kelley Parkway, Orono, MN 55356 Chair Bollis closed the public hearing at 6:09 p.m. Commissioners noted the improvement in the placement of the home and the attempt to save trees. Bollis said there was enough space beyond the Average Lakeshore Setback, and the slope is not protected, so he is opposed, although he agreed the proposal is an improvement over the existing home location. Brandabur moved, Tift seconded, to approve LA25-000041, 850 Windjammer Lane, Variance. VOTE: Ayes 6, Nays 1 (Bollis). 5.2 LA25-000042 SCOTT + INGRID ERICKSON 1840 SHADYWOOD ROAD HARDCOVER LOT AREA AND LOT WIDTH VARIANCES The Planning Commission is requested to review the Staff report, receive a presentation, and discuss and deny the requested variances to build a new home in place of an existing home. Staff indicated the lot is very long and narrow, which is a practical difficulty, but the City would like to see further reduction of hardcover and suggested reductions in the driveway turnaround and veranda. Staff supported the other requested variances. The Planning Commission discussed the item and asked questions of staff and the applicant, Scott Erickson, 1840 Shadywood Road, as well as the contractor for the project. Chair Bollis opened the public hearing at 6:38 p.m. There were no public comments. Chair Bollis closed the public hearing at 6:38 p.m. Several commissioners pointed out that there would be a lot of work and expense to make a small reduction in hardcover on a substandard lot when neighbors appeared to have as much hardcover. Others did not favor a hardcover variance, noting the property owner was planning to keep a free-standing garage and build a house with an attached garage, and there seemed to be ways to reduce the hardcover. It was noted that reducing hardcover also reduces runoff into the lake. Commissioners debated tabling the item or denying it so it can go to the City Council. Bollis moved, Ressler seconded, to approve LA25-000042,1840 Shadywood Road, lot area and lot width variances, but to deny the hardcover variance as applied. VOTE: Ayes 7, Nays 0. 5.3. LA25-000043 TAKKA DAY DESIGN O/B/O JOHN ERICKSON 865 PARTENWOOD RD VARIANCES & CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT The Planning Commission is requested to review the Staff report, receive a presentation, and discuss and approve the request for variances and a conditional use permit to remodel an existing home and a retaining wall. The plan includes a reduction of more than 1,000 square feet of hardcover in the Lakeshore setback. The Planning Commission discussed the item and asked questions of staff and the applicant, Mark Vincent. Takka Day Design. Page 2 of 4 4 Minutes Planning Commission Regular Meeting Monday, October 20, 2025, 6:00 PM City Council Chambers 2780 Kelley Parkway, Orono, MN 55356 Chair Bollis opened the public hearing at 7:20 p.m. Ann Theisen, 815 Partenwood Road, asked about an easement they have over the driveway and any impact on their hardcover. Scott Mayer, contractor, spoke about the easement. Chair Bollis closed the public hearing at 7:27 p.m. Commissioners appreciated the reduction in hardcover and the thoughtfulness of the plan. Ressler moved, Tift seconded, to approve LA25-000043, 865 Partenwood Road, Variances and Conditional Use Permit as applied. VOTE: Ayes 7, Nays 0. 5.4. LA25-000045 KEEP THE FAITH CONTRACTING O/B/O WAYZATA COUNTRY CLUB 200WAYZATA BOULEVARD WEST CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT The Planning Commission is requested to review the Staff report, receive a presentation, and discuss and approve the request for a conditional use permit to build a new pavilion for events and service access from the putting green. The structure would be significantly farther from the nearest residence than required. The Planning Commission discussed the item and asked questions of staff and the applicant, Sam Lemke of Keep the Faith Contracting, and Chris Gerardi, the CEO of the Country Club, Chair Bollis opened the public hearing at 7:38 p.m. There were no public comments. Chair Bollis closed the public hearing at 7:38 p.m. Commissioners noted the proposed structure would be well inside the property site and far from any neighbors. Ressler moved, Jarnot seconded, to approve LA25-000045, Wayzata County Club, 200 Wayzata Blvd, Conditional Use Permit. VOTE: Ayes 7, Nays 0. 5.5. LA25-000039 A TEXT AMENDMENTS REGARDING RETAINING WALLS The Planning Commission reviewed the proposed text amendment presented in the packet as well as the staff report. A public hearing was held; no comments from the public were made. The Planning Commission reviewed the proposed changes and overall supported the text amendment. The Commission discussed the proposed landscaping replacement regulations. As proposed, vegetative landscaping requirements would be triggered for all areas disturbed or impacted by the construction of the walls. The new language specifies that impacted areas would be required to be revegetated with deep - Page 3 of 4 4 Minutes Planning Commission Regular Meeting Monday, October 20, 2025, 6:00 PM City Council Chambers 2780 Kelley Parkway, Orono, MN 55356 rooted native plants. This standard could prohibit installing replacement sod or lawn grass in the construction areas around retaining walls. The Commission noted that the replacement landscaping requirement for retaining walls in the lakeshore setback seemed excessive and may prove to be a difficult or unreasonable standard for homeowners to meet. The Commission suggested that the code should require a site plan to identify the disrupted area and keep the disturbance to the minimum necessary. The Commission also discussed the proposed requirement for replacement plantings to be native, deep-rooted plants and suggested the following alternative language calling for the replacement plantings to be "the same or similar plant materials to address erosion, including native plantings". Weltzin moved, Prchal seconded, to approve LA25-000039, Text Amendments Regarding Retaining Walls with recommended language revisions regarding landscaping. VOTE: Ayes 6, Nays 1 (Bollis). 6. OTHER ITEMS This item was moved ahead on the agenda. 7. ADJOURNMENT Tift moved, Weltzin seconded, to adjourn the Planning Commission Meeting at 8:58 p.m. to November 17, 2025. VOTE: Ayes 7, Nays 0. ATTEST: Chr�•��c��an� t t,� ' �, �",�air Page 4 of 4 E.