05-03-23 PC Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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ARDEN HILLS PLANNING COMMISSION – May 3, 2023 6 Commissioner Bjorklund reported the applicant would not be allowed to pile dirt in the backyard or to mix dirt outside. Ms. Seemann stated she would not be doing either of these activities, rather she would be using bags of potting soil for her business. Commissioner Bjorklund requested further information regarding the racks being used for plants. Ms. Seemann indicated the benches would take up about 640 square feet. Commissioner Bjorklund stated he would like further information regarding how the property would be screened. He questioned how the three stall car garage was being used. Ms. Seemann explained the two garage stalls were being used for vehicles and the third housed her husband’s wood shop. Commissioner Bjorklund inquired if the 20 square foot area adjacent to the dwelling/garage that would be used for order assembly would also house the racks in the winter months. Ms. Seemann stated the order pickup area would consist of a stand that holds eight flats of plants. Commissioner Bjorklund indicated he was surprised by the fact the home occupation would only be receiving three deliveries per year. Ms. Seemann explained she would only be ordering plants and seeds in the spring of each year. Commissioner Weber asked if the applicant would be growing annuals. Ms. Seemann reported she would be growing native perennials. She stated her aim to grow plants for one year and sell them before they got too big and had to be replanted. Chair Vijums stated if a resident was allowed to have a greenhouse only 33% of the building could be used for a home occupation. Commissioner Wicklund explained he appreciated the innovation of the applicant to try and start a new business. He reviewed the language within the text amendment and commented on how the proposed business would impact the values of the other homes in the neighborhood. For this reason, he would recommend denial of the zoning code amendment or tabling action on this item. Commissioner Weber stated he was inclined to support the small business, but he did not support the zoning code amendment as it stands. He feared this was a big change that had to be looked at more closely. He recommended action on this item be tabled. Commissioner Blilie agreed the language needed more work when addressing an exterior building, along with how to address the exterior nature of this business. Chair Vijums agreed the item should be tabled in order to allow for more work on the language with respect to screening, accessory structures, how to allow an outdoor business, and how the property had to be maintained.