08-19-24 Planning Commission MinutesOTSEGO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
OTSEGO PRAIRIE CENTER
August 19, 2024
7:00 PM
Call to Order:
Chair Alan Offerman called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
Roll Call: Chair Alan Offerman, Vice Chair Aaron Stritesky, Commissioners, Charles Foster, Vern
Heidner, Pam Black, and Laurie Jones.
Absent: Commissioner Tracy Kincanon
Also Present: Mayor Stockamp and Councilmember Ryan Dunlap
Staff: City Planner Daniel Licht and Deputy Clerk Katie Kalland
1.Announcements
City Planner Licht noted the written public comments received for Item 3.2 will be part of the
public record.
2.Consider the Following Minutes
2.1 July 15, 2024 Planning Commission Meeting
Vice Chair Stritesky motioned to approve the July 15, 2024 minutes as written. Commissioner
Heidner seconded. All in favor. Motion carried 6-0.
3.Public Hearing Items:
3.1 Begin Property
City Planner Licht gave the planning report.
Randall Begin, 9227 Napier Ave NE, applicant, was present and agreed with the planning report.
Chair Offerman opened the Public Hearing at 7:07 p.m.
Barb DeMars, 13030 90th Ave NE, had concerns with wetlands, potential flooding, and
construction traffic. Ms. DeMars asked if the HOA will have outdoor storage regulations.
Dale Cook, 9152 Naber Ave NE, stated he loves where he lives, wants to make sure the homes
are nice quality. Mr. Cook asked what happens if the private drive is not maintained.
Kurt Baldry, 12868 90th ST NE, asked about adding fencing to the soccer fields. Mr. Baldry would
prefer no disruption of the water fowl in the nearby pond.
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Jeff Hasslen, 13311 95th ST NE, asked about vacating Mr. Begin’s private drive.
Don Johnson, 13195 95th ST NE, asked if he could still bow hunt in his backyard. Mr. Johnson
also asked if he could subdivide his 10-acre parcel.
Chair Offerman closed the Public Hearing at 7:19 p.m.
City Planner Licht explained the land use policies applicable with Mr. Begin’s property.
City Planner Licht stated the no discharge zone would not be changed and Mr. Johnson’s
property is greater than 500 feet away from the proposed lots.
City Planner Licht stated the wetland is being contained in Lot 6, Block 1 property, there are no
wetland impacts, and site development will follow all state and city regulations.
City Planner Licht stated outdoor storage regulations would be enforced by the Zoning
Ordinance.
City Planner Licht stated that homeowner associations are a contract between homeowners
and the City does not have a role in it.
City Planner Licht noted fencing is something the Planning Commission could add in the
conditions.
City Planner Licht stated the property owner is in charge of maintaining the private Drive not
the City.
Vice Chair Stritesky has concerns of the private drive not being maintained in the future.
Commissioner Jones asked if the City could put a condition in the development contract for the
developer to set up a fund for future expenses of the private drive. City Planner Licht stated the
City would have to look into that.
Mr. Begin noted he has confidence in the City for making the right decisions for the property.
Vice Chair Stritesky asked if there was a plan for future city sewer service on the property. City
Planner Licht stated it they would be available if there was an environmental need in the future
otherwise it would be unlikely.
Chair Offerman stated he does not like the idea of a private drive but understands the
constraints of the lot.
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Commissioner Foster motioned to recommend approval of a preliminary plat and Conditional
Use Permit for Prairie Park Estates, subject to the 10 conditions listed on the planning report
dated August 15, 2024 with 1 additional condition:
11. There shall be a 4-foot fence installed along the east platted line from 90th Street
to the north line of Lot 5, Block 1, subject to review and approval of the Zoning
Administrator.
Motioned seconded by Jones. Voting in favor: Foster, Offerman, Jones, Black and Heidner.
Voting against: Vice Chair Stritesky. Motion carried 5-1.
Vice Chair Stritesky stated he voted against because of use of the private drive.
3.2 Xcel Energy
City Planner Licht gave the planning report.
Brian Sullivan, Xcel Energy, was present and agreed with the planning report. Mr. Sullivan
explained the reasoning behind adding a new substation and choosing a location.
Chair Offerman opened the Public Hearing at 7:57 p.m.
Anna Vollbrecht, 9987 65th ST NE, asked about the noise of the substation, had concerns of
what will this do to her property value.
Michael Vollbrecht, 9987 65th ST NE, asked about the lights on the property.
Chair Offerman closed the Public Hearing at 8:05 p.m.
Colin McCormick, All Tag, 1550 Utica Ave S. St. Louis Park, stated the noise is comparable to a
washer or vacuum, lights will be used as needed in emergency situations. Mr. McCormick noted
this substation will be connected to the east/ west connection.
City Planner Licht stated this property is zoned industrial and a substation is an allowed use.
Commissioner Heidner asked about the landscaping of the substation. Mr. McCormick
answered the surface inside the fence will be crushed limestone and grass outside the fence.
Chair Offerman asked about the Interim Use Permit for the fence and adding a condition to
extend the concrete fence to the east side of the property for future aesthetics.
Vice Chair Stritesky motioned to recommend approval of a Zoning Map amendment,
Conditional Use Permit, and Interim Use Permit for Xcel Energy Knight Substation, subject to
the 7 conditions listed on the August 15, 2024 planning report and 1 additional condition:
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8.The perimeter fence shall be modified to provide for a solid concrete wall with
stone veneer on the side parallel to the east lot line, subject to review and approval of
the Zoning Administrator.
Seconded by Commissioner Heidner. All in favor. Motion carried 6-0.
4 Planning Items
4.1 Michels Expansion
City Planner Licht gave the planning report.
Jason Folger, Gardner Builders, was present and agreed with the planning report.
Chair Offerman asked if Michels is in compliance with their current Conditional Use Permit. City
Planner Licht answered yes.
Commissioner Heidner motioned to recommend approval of site and building plans for Lot 1,
Block 1, Michels Otsego Addition, subject to the 7 conditions listed on the August 14, 2024
planning report. Seconded by Commissioner Jones. All in favor. Motion carried 6-0.
5.Updates
5.1 Updates on City Council actions
Mayor Stockamp updated the Planning Commission on recent City Council actions.
5.2 Updates on future Planning Commission Items
City Planner Licht updated the Planning Commission on upcoming planning items.
6.Adjourn
Vice Chair Stritesky motioned to adjourn. Seconded by Commissioner Heidner. All in favor.
Motion carried 6-0.
Adjourned at 8:32 p.m.
Respectfully submitted by Katie Kalland, Deputy Clerk