Item 2.1 08-15-22 Planning Commission MinutesOTSEGO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
OTSEGO PRAIRIE CENTER
AUGUST 15, 2022
7:00 PM
Call to Order.
Chair Offerman called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM.
Roll Call: Chair Alan Offerman; Commissioners: Charles Foster, Laurie Jones, Vern
Heidner, Jim Kolles, Aaron Stritesky, Pam Black, and Richard Nichols*; Absent: None;
Present: City Council: CM Tom Darkenwald, Mayor Jessica Stockamp*, CM Tina
Goede*. City Staff: City Planner Daniel Licht and Deputy Clerk Bethany Benting. Those
indicated with a (*) attended via video conference.
1.Announcements:
City Planner Licht noted those members of the City Council and Planning Commission
who were online.
2.Consider the following minutes:
2.1 Planning Commission June 20, 2022.
Commissioner Heidner motioned to approve the minutes as written.
Seconded by Commissioner Jones. All in favor. Motion carried. 7-0.
3.Public Hearing Items:
3.1 Norhart:
A. PUD Concept Plan for development of a multiple family building with
254 apartments.
City Planner Licht presented the Planning Report.
Applicants Mike Salt and MaryBeth Wise were present and agreed to the staff report.
Mr. Salt provided a presentation regarding the concept plan outlining the flexibilities
that would be requested through a PUD District.
Chair Offerman opened the Public Hearing at 7:55 PM.
Michael Yoakam, 15703 93rd Circle NE, said his main concern is the traffic on Parrish
Avenue (CSAH 42) and would like a study done before going further.
Dan Sly, 9501 Parrish Ave NE, voiced his concerns with the flexibilities requested for the
projects stating the existing zoning rules are put in place for a reason.
Item 2.1
Minutes of the Otsego Planning Commission
August 15, 2022
Page 2
Eugene Hively, 15729 93rd Circle NE, is concerned about growth and change and the
City’s ability to provide public services.
Chance Nelson, 9193 Parrish Ave, is concerned about traffic on Parrish Avenue (CSAH
42) that would be made worse by this development.
Steve Brosko, 9686 Parrish Ave NE, voiced his concern about the existing traffic on
Parrish Avenue (CSAH 42) that would be made worse by this development.
Mr. Sly asked for a further explanation of the concept of land use transition.
Mr. Yoakam asked about the timeline for a decision on the development proposal and if
Wright County will be involved.
Chair Offerman closed the Public Hearing at 8:08 PM.
City Planner Licht said that the City is aware of the issue related to traffic on Parrish
Avenue (CSAH 42) and together with Wright County, require a traffic study to be
completed before final approval. City Planner Licht said that such a traffic study would
consider existing and future traffic on Parrish Avenue (CSAH 42) without and with the
development for the length of the corridor from CSAH 39 to Elk River.
City Planner Licht explained the recommendations of the Comprehensive Plan and
Multiple Family Housing Study pertaining to housing, land use transition, and
development standards.
City Planner Licht commented about emergency services provided by Wright County
Sherriff’s Office, partner fire departments, and ambulance services. City Planner Licht
said these are continuous discussions by City Council to ensure necessary services.
City Planner Licht said that the Planning Commission will make a recommendation to
the City Council regarding the PUD Concept Plan. Following City Council discussion of
the Concept Plan, the developer will decide if they want to pursue application for a
Zoning Map amendment, PUD Development Stage Plan, and preliminary plat. City
Planner Licht said that those subsequent applications also require a public hearing to be
held at the Planning Commission prior to final action by the City Council.
Chair Offerman asked the applicant to show their slide with information about the
development standard flexibilities being requested with the PUD concept plan. City
Planner Licht explained how the requested flexibilities all relate to the proposed density
of the development.
Minutes of the Otsego Planning Commission
August 15, 2022
Page 3
Commissioner Heidner asked the applicant if they determined what can be constructed
within the powerline easement. Mr. Salt said no. Commissioner Heidner asked about
the plans for snow storage within the site or if would be removed. Mr. Salt addressed.
Commissioner Black commented that she lives in the Mississippi Shores development
and is concerned about more traffic on Parrish Avenue (CSAH 42). Commissioner Black
also said she is concerned about the transition from the development with a five-story
building to one-acre lots to the west. Commissioner Black said that the building there
will obstruct visibility for the commercial businesses from Parrish Avenue (CSAH 42).
Commissioner Black suggested moving the apartment building to the east side of
Quaday Avenue.
Commissioner Jones said she is concerned about the proposed density and that
following existing City requirements is a good idea. Commissioner Jones agreed with
Commissioner Black’s suggestion to move the apartment to the east side of Quaday
Avenue. Commissioner Jones also asked about electric vehicle charging stations. Mr.
Salt said EV charging would be available within the garage stalls. Commissioner Jones
asked the monthly rate for garage parking. Mr. Salt said $60to $90 per parking space.
City Planner Licht said the multifamily housing study approved by the City Council
guided any apartment buildings for this property west of Quaday Avenue while keeping
the land abutting TH 101 for commercial uses. City Planner Licht said that based on
the comments from Commissioner Black and Commissioner Jones, the Planning
Commission could recommend the apartment use be east of Quaday Avenue abutting
the park property the City would acquire.
Chair Offerman asked about park dedication requirements. City Planner Licht explained
the City by law has a right to require dedication of land for public park purposes, the
land is the area determined by the City, and that the land dedicated is not used for
calculating density in accordance with the Subdivision Ordinance.
Commissioner Foster commented on the site plan and the area taken up by the
powerline easement in relation to the proposed density and site design. City Planner
Licht explained that the developable area of the site is limited by the powerline
easement and required location of Quaday Avenue and 94th Street. City Planner Licht
said the location and height of the proposed building are an effect of these site
constraints.
Commissioner Jones asked about the feasibility of underground parking relative to the
water table. City Planner Licht said that is not an issue at this location.
Minutes of the Otsego Planning Commission
August 15, 2022
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Commissioner Nichols asked regardless of the support or not of any development,
shouldn’t the Planning Commission ask for a traffic study. City Planner Licht explained
the Wright County Transportation Plan and that a traffic study is typically undertaken by
a developer in conjunction with a proposed development. Mr. Salt said they are
undertaking a traffic study, which should be completed by September.
Commissioner Nichols suggested tabling the application.
Commissioner Heidner motioned to table this until the traffic study is
complete. Commissioner Stritesky seconded. All in favor. Motioned carried.
7-0.
3.2 Autumn Woods Commercial LLC (formerly YourGarage LLC):
A. Conditional Use Permit to allow multiple principal buildings on one lot.
City Planner Licht presented the Planning Report.
Applicant, Ron Touchette, was present and agreed to the staff report.
Chair Offerman opened the Public Hearing at 8:59 PM.
No Public Comments were made.
Chair Offerman closed the Public Hearing at 9:00 PM.
Commissioner Stritesky asked about the parking and use of the building if the owner
ever sold. City Planner Licht said there would be adequate off-street parking even with
a change in occupancy.
Commissioner Jones asked about the residential area to the east and if the trees are on
the subject property or the residential property. City Planner Licht stated the trees
were mostly on the residential property. Commissioner Jones asked about lighting on
the back of the building. Mr. Touchette further explained the existing vegetation, site
improvements, and that there would be no lighting on the east elevation of the
warehouse building.
Commissioner Stritesky motioned to recommend approval of a PUD-CUP and
site and building plans for Lot 3, Block 1 Autumn Woods Commercial, subject
to the following conditions as stated in the staff report. Seconded by
Commissioner Foster. All in favor. Motion carried. 7-0.
Minutes of the Otsego Planning Commission
August 15, 2022
Page 5
3.3 Clay Montgomery Properties:
A. Sketch plan for industrial development.
City Planner Licht presented the Planning Report.
Applicant Clay Montgomery, was present and agreed to the staff report.
Chair Offerman opened the Public Hearing at 9:17 PM.
Casey McShane, 7676 Labeaux Avenue, is concerned about the appearance of the
building as viewed from LaBeaux Avenue (CSAH 19). Mr. McShane is also concern
about plans for construction of a potential roundabout at Labeaux Avenue (CSAH 19)
and 77th Street. Mr. McShane said he would like more information about what these
units will be used for.
Chair Offerman closed the Public Hearing at 9:21 PM.
Mr. Montgomery commented addressed that the condition of the property is an ongoing
owner/tenant issue.
Chair Offerman asked about the current available supply of industrial property guided
by the Comprehensive plans says. City Planner Licht explained the areas in the West
Sewer District available for immediate industrial development.
Commissioner Jones said she would like this area to continue to be planned for
commercial land use.
Chair Offerman suggested to table this item so the Commission can take a better look
at the proposal as part of the Comprehensive Plan update.
Commissioner Heidner commented that plans for industrial use and the trends changing
a lot especially in the past 10 years.
Mr. Montgomery agrees with Planning Commission about changes in commercial and
industrial development, but his concern is what could he bring to the area verses what
was the plan 10 years ago.
Commissioner Stritesky table this discussion for review ad part of the
Comprehensive Plan update. Seconded by Commissioner Heidner. All in
favor. Motion carried. 7-0
Minutes of the Otsego Planning Commission
August 15, 2022
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3.4 Wright County Highway Department:
A. Conditional Use Permit amendment for expansion of a Highway
Department satellite station.
City Planner Licht presented the Planning Report.
The applicant was not present.
Chair Offerman opened the Public Hearing at 9:37 PM.
No public comments were made.
Chair Offerman closed the Public Hearing at 9:38 PM.
Commissioner Heidner motioned to recommend approval of a Conditional
Use Permit amendment for the Wright County Highway Department, subject
to the following conditions as stated in the staff report. Seconded by
Commissioner Kolles. All in favor. Motion carried. 7-0.
3.5 Well #10:
A. Zoning Map amendment rezoning to INS, Institutional District
B. Conditional Use Permit for a municipal well.
City Planner Licht presented the Planning Report.
Chair Offerman opened the Public Hearing at 9:41 PM.
No Public Comments were made.
Chair Offerman closed the Public Hearing at 9:42 PM.
Commissioner Stritesky motioned to recommend approval of the Zoning Map
amendment and Conditional Use Permit for Well #10, subject to the
conditions outlined in the staff report. Seconded by Commissioner Black. All
in favor. Motion carried. 7-0.
4. Updates:
4.1 Updates on City Council actions.
CM Darkenwald updated the Planning Commission on recent City Council actions.
4.2 Updates on future Planning Commission items.
City Planner Licht updated the commissioners on possible future agenda items.
Minutes of the Otsego Planning Commission
August 15, 2022
Page 7
5. Adjourn.
Commissioner Stritesky motioned to adjourn. Seconded by Commissioner
Black. All in favor. Motion carried. 7-0.
Adjourned at 9:50 PM.
Respectfully Submitted,
By: ________________________
Bethany Benting, Deputy Clerk