06-07-23-PC Agenda - Laserfiche WebLink

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ARDEN HILLS PLANNING COMMISSION – May 3, 2023 5 Chair Vijums opened the public hearing at 7:13 p.m. Chair Vijums invited anyone for or against the application to come forward and make comment. Community Development Director Jagoe reported staff received a comment from Catherine Nohr at 1940 County Road D in advance to the meeting and she opposed the home occupation due to the exterior evidence of the business activity. Rebecca Tabor, 1966 Edgewater Avenue, stated she has lived in her home for the past 25 years. She explained she does not know Kerri Seemann, but she understood they both loved plants. She reported she has had multiple business ventures over the years and not all have been successful. She noted she learned about Ms. Seemann’s request last week when she received a letter from the City. She shared a written statement with the Planning Commission stating she was concerned with the fact the applicant was proposing to open a business on a major artery (County Road D) into her neighborhood. She discussed the level of traffic surrounding her neighborhood. She explained she has nothing against the applicant, but she believed the applicant’s property was poorly maintained, which was a concern if she was going to be operating a business from this property. She feared the business would be a reflection on the neighborhood and for this reason, the business should not be allowed. There being no additional comment Chair Vijums closed the public hearing at 7:23 p.m. Chair Vijums questioned how the business would be shielded from the adjacent properties. Kerri Seemann, the applicant, explained if she had to put in a fence, she would have to rip out the hedge. Chair Vijums asked if the applicant had sufficient screening in place at this time. Ms. Seemann reported she did not and that was why she was proposing to install six-foot shrubs on the east side of the house, along Prior Avenue. Chair Vijums inquired if the applicant would be willing to make a change in order to properly screen the business from adjacent properties. Ms. Seemann stated if a six-foot fence was required, she would likely choose not to have a business. Commissioner Bjorklund commented he has visited many of the local greenhouses in the area. He questioned how Ms. Seeman would be getting her dirt. Ms. Seemann reported he husband’s uncle owns a greenhouse in Brooklyn Center where she helps out, and her uncle was willing to purchase extra soil for her. This soil would be transported from the greenhouse to her car. Commissioner Bjorklund inquired if Ms. Seeman would be mixing and making her own dirt. Ms. Seemann explained she has not done this yet.