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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-17-2025 - Minutes - Planning Commission - PC minutes NovMinutes Planning Commission Regular Meeting Monday, November 17, 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. Staff present: Community Development Director Laura Oakden, City Planner Melanie Curtis, and City Planner Matthew Karney. 2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 3. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Ressler moved, Tift seconded, to approve the Agenda. VOTE: Ayes 7, Nays 0. 4. APPROVAL OF PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES OF OCTOBER 20, 2025 Prchal moved, Ressler seconded, to ask staff to amend the minutes of the Orono Planning Commission meeting of October 20, 2025, to include recommended conditions of the retaining wall text amendment change. VOTE: Ayes 7, Nays 0. Prchal moved, Weltzin seconded, to table the approval of the minutes of the Orono Planning Commission meeting of October 20, 2025. VOTE: Ayes 7, Nays 0. 5. PUBLIC HEARINGS 5.1. LA25-000033 Hennepin County, 3700 North Shore Drive, (North Arm Public Boat Launch), Vacation, Variance, Conditional Use Permit, and Interim Use Permit The Planning Commission is requested to review the Staff report, receive a presentation, and discuss a redesign of the North Arm public boat launch. The boat launch pre -dates the City Code and is a legal non- conforming use. The proposed plan would increase hardcover but decrease impermeable hardcover. New fishing docks would be included, and a handicapped dock and lift. Comments were received from the public and other related government agencies. Staff is recommending approval, conditioned on the approval of the other government agencies involved. The Planning Commission discussed the item and asked questions of staff and the applicant, the project architect, and waste management and maintenance staff representing Hennepin County. Chair Bollis opened the public hearing at 7:11 p.m. Matt Herman, 3825 Cherry Ave., expressed concern about the lack of regulation and the commercial and industrial uses they have seen at the site, such as landscaping barges and fishing guide services, noting that this is a neighborhood site. He would like to see the launch dedicated to recreational use. Page 1 of 6 6 Minutes Planning Commission Regular Meeting Monday, November 17, 2025, 6:00 PM City Council Chambers 2780 Kelley Parkway, Orono, MN 55356 Betsy Nusbaum, 3480 North Shore Drive, indicated the neighbor's supported improvement at the site but strongly oppose changes that support industrial use, and sought a requirement that the County be required to adequately manage the site and remove garbage. They are also concerned about parking that impinges on their own property and lakeshore access. She had a letter with 40 signatures. Gabriel Jabbour, 985 Tonkawa Rd., said he believes in public and recreational access as the State Constitution designates water as public. However, he called the proposed plan the vision of one man and over -ambitious and over -reaching. The trees that are proposed to be removed serve as a sound and visual buffer. He also expressed concern about commercial and industrial use, which makes it a dangerous situation for the public who wants to use the access. Jet ski and boat rental also use the site, and boats are being repaired, fueled, and having oil changed at the launch. He said the garbage is not controlled adequately by the County, and he carries a pitchfork in his vehicle to clean up around the dumpster. The County needs to provide another launch site for commercial and industrial uses. Amy Herman, 3825 Cherry Ave., noted this is a big issue for the neighborhood. She said the plan is not ready. She supports recreational use but would want to make sure the ADA lift is maintained and that the other governmental agencies have the opportunity to weigh in. She called the parking lot expansion and lighting excessive. Kristi Anderson, 1408 Baldur Park Rd, is concerned about light pollution in her backyard and traffic entering and exiting, and safety for people putting in canoes and paddleboards. She said the site accesses a narrow and crowded channel. The County's other launch in Spring Park is appropriate for commercial use. Eric Evenson, Executive Director of the Lake Minnetonka Association and a former planner with another city, said the association supports a better recreational and handicapped access at the North Arm launch, but some of the proposed changes have implications lake -wide. He contended that there are DNR, federal grant funding, and Three Rivers policies limiting commercial access and that the City does have a great deal of latitude when a variance is requested. He does not see anything in the plan that would reduce the non -conformity or anything that supports a practical difficulty. Actual problems at the site can be addressed without variances. There are no advantages to the City in vacating the easement. Mixing recreational and commercial/industrial use creates opportunities for conflict and accidents. He discussed the criteria for an attractive nuisance and said mixed use would put the City and the County at risk for liability. Ritchie Anderrson, 3205 Crystal Bay Rd, said the North Arm ramp has turned into a war zone with the amount of traffic and conflicting uses. He also mentioned the garbage problem and the lack of control from the County, along with the expectation that Orono Police control the site. He also said the City should not consider vacating its easement. Chair Bollis closed the public hearing at 8:06 p.m. The commission asked additional questions of the Hennepin County representatives, including an explanation of the lighting plan, community outreach, licensing requirements, and plans to re-establish the tree buffer. Page 2 of 6 Minutes Planning Commission Regular Meeting Monday, November 17, 2025, 6:00 PM City Council Chambers 2780 Kelley Parkway, Orono, NIN 55356 According to the supplicant representatives, the ADA dock and lift is being donated by Wheelchairs and Walleyes and will be maintained by them. The County would want policies about commercial and industrial use to come from the City. If the City puts policies in place, the County would sign off and enforce them. Commissioners pointed out the launch is in disrepair and supported safety and maintenance, but said this plan doesn't improve the situation, benefit the environment, or generate income. Commercial use, trash, and safety are concerns. Positives of the plan include the increase in permeable hardcover and increased recreational uses such as fishing, ADA, and non -motorized accesses. They asked about their ability to put conditions on a variance. Commissioners disagreed on the appropriateness and logistics of charging fees for use. Commissioners called it an expansion of an existing non -conforming use that did not demonstrate practical difficulties. They agreed with concerns about commercial and industrial use and the need to hear from the other governmental agencies involved. Prchal moved, Ressler seconded, to deny LA25-000033, 3700 North Shore Drive, Variances and Interim and Conditional Use Permit as applied. VOTE: Ayes 7, Nays 0. RECESS & RECONVENE Chair Bollis recessed the meeting at 8:52 p.m. The meeting was reconvened at 9:00 p.m. 5.2. LA25-000047 Brian Peters, 1978 Shadywood Road, Lake Setback and Average Lakeshore Setback Variances The Planning Commission is requested to review the Staff report, receive a presentation, and discuss and approve the proposal to add a covered area with retractable screens and a privacy screen to the deck. The small lot size and proximity to the lake were cited as practical difficulties. Neighbors have indicated support. The Planning Commission discussed the item and asked questions of staff and David Burda, 1966 Shadywood Rd, a neighbor speaking on behalf of the applicant, and Nick Kemp, the contractor. Chair Bollis opened the public hearing at 9:08 p.m. There were no public comments. Chair Bollis closed the public hearing at 9:08 p.m. Commissioners called the application pretty straightforward. Bradabur moved, Jarnot seconded, to approve LA25-000047,1978 Shadywood Road, Variances as applied. VOTE: Ayes 7, Nays 0. 5.3. LA25-000048 Hoxie Homes, 755 Tonkawa Rd, Variance The Planning Commission is requested to review the Staff report, receive a presentation, and discuss and approve a variance for a sauna building. Staff have found that practical difficulty has been established, and there would be minimal impact on sight lines. Page 3 of 6 E Minutes Planning Commission Regular Meeting Monday, November 17, 2025, 6:00 PM City Council Chambers 2780 Kelley Parkway, Orono, MN 55356 The Planning Commission discussed the item and asked questions of staff and the applicant, Jeff Hoxie, Hoxiie Homes, Waconia. Chair Bollis opened the public hearing at 9:14 p.m. There were no public comments. Chair Bollis closed the public hearing at 9:14 p.m. Commissioners found the request reasonable, given the size of the lot and location of the existing house and neighboring structures. Ressler moved, Prchal seconded, to approve LA25-000048, 755 Tonkawa Rd., Variance as applied. VOTE: Ayes 7, Nays 0. 5.4. LA25-000049 02 Design o/b/o Stephen & Stacey Stenehjem, 1450 Brackets Point Rd, CUP Retaining Wall. The Planning Commission is requested to review the Staff report, receive a presentation, and discuss and approve the variance request for a new section of retaining wall supporting a set of stairs. The new section will be screened by the stairs and the boathouse. The existing boat house and retaining wall will be replaced in kind, and a new home is being constructed on the property. The Planning Commission discussed the item and asked questions of staff and the applicant, Han Zhang of 02 Designs. Chair Bollis opened the public hearing at 9:20 p.m. There were no public comments. Chair Bollis closed the public hearing at 9:20 p.m. Commissioners pointed out that the retaining wall was being replaced in kind and required additional support. Brandabur moved, Weltzin seconded, to approve LA25-000049,1450 Brackets Point Rd., CUP Retaining Wall as applied. VOTE: Ayes 7, Nays 0. 5.5. LA25-000051 Ungerman Inc., 4680 North Shore Drive, Variance. The Planning Commission is requested to review the Staff report, receive a presentation, and discuss the variance request for an oversized accessory building. A bump -out addition would go over an existing driveway, so there would be no increase to the hardcover. Staff noted the property is unique, but recommends denial as it is an expansion of a non -conforming building. Page 4 of 6 10 Minutes Planning Commission Regular Meeting Monday, November 17, 2025, 6:00 PM City Council Chambers 2780 Kelley Parkway, Orono, MN 55356 The Planning Commission discussed the item and asked questions of staff and the applicant, Ron Ungerman, Ungerman, Inc., Plymouth. Chair Bollis opened the public hearing at 9:30 p.m. There were no public comments. Chair Bollis closed the public hearing at 9:30 p.m. Commissioners asked staff to explain why they did not find the practical difficulty criteria to be met. Commissioners noted the practical difficulty of the site and the fact that the building has been there for decades. The bump -out is only six feet and covers part of an existing driveway. Structural hardcover would be increasing but not over the limit. The proposal would provide for the hidden storage of recreational items such as a boat. Commissioners also noted that rules are in place for a reason. The property owner could bump out a portion of the east side rather than the entire length and not need a variance. Commissioners suggested the City should take another look at conditions for accessory buildings and ADUs. Brandabur moved, Jarnot seconded, to approve LA25-000051, 4680 North Shore Drive, Variance, as applied. VOTE: Ayes 3, Nays 4 (Ressler, Tift, Prchal, Weltzin). Weltzin moved, Prchal seconded, to deny LA25-000051, 4680 North Shore Drive, Variance VOTE: Ayes 4, Nays 3 (Brandabur, Bollis, Jarnot). 6. OTHER ITEMS 6.1 LA25-000044, Scott Englund o/b/o Barbara Lupient, 3230 Wayzata Blvd., Sketch Plan. The Planning Commission is requested to review the Staff report, receive a presentation, and discuss and provide feedback. The plan is for 26 detached townhomes on Lake Classen in the Highway 12 corridor. The current zoning is rural residential, and the parcel is outside the area for City services. It would need to have City services to be approved. The Planning Commission asked questions of the staff and the applicants. Planning Commission discussion centered on the proposed density at that location and the desirability of extending the boundary of City services known as the MUSA line. Commissioners also discussed whether a proposed lakeview platform near the lake could be approved. 6.2 Chair Appointment Discussion Staff invited the Commmission to make a recommendation to the City Council for the positions of chair and vice chair for 2026. The City Council typically makes appointments in December. Bollis indicated he would be ready to step down as chair and not serve as vice chair in the coming year. Several new cornmissioners noted they would like to serve on the Commission longer before stepping into either of those roles. Page 5 of 6 11 Minutes Planning Commission Regular Meeting Monday, November 17, 2025, 6:00 PM City Council Chambers 2780 Kelley Parkway, Orono, MN 55356 Jarnot moved, Tift seconded, to recommend the appointment of Ressler as chair and of Prchal as vice chair for 2026. VOTE: Ayes 7, Nays 0 7. ADJOURNMENT Jarnot moved, Prchal seconded, to adjourn the Planning Commission Meeting at 11:34 p.m. to January 20, 2026. VOTE: Ayes 7, Nays 0. ATTEST: 0; , hair J ®,� S/ Page 6 of 6 12