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ARDEN HILLS PLANNING COMMISSION – January 3, 2024 3 <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />Chair Vijums opened the meeting for public comments. There were no comments from the <br />public. <br /> <br />Chair Vijums opened the floor to Commissioner comments. <br /> <br />Commissioner Mitchell commended the residents for working to take action to address the ice <br />problems on their property. She indicated she supported the proposed request. <br /> <br />Commissioner Bjorklund agreed, stating the proposed changes would not adversely impact the <br />neighborhood, nor would sightlines be impacted. <br /> <br />Commissioner Erler explained he supported the addition and commended the applicant for <br />thinking through the proposed plans. <br /> <br />Commissioner Blilie stated she supported the proposed addition. <br /> <br />Chair Vijums asked why a variance was necessary if the proposed addition met the requirements <br />for a covered front porch according to the City Code. <br /> <br />Senior Planner Fransen stated that because the property is nonconforming, and the addition did <br />not meet the requirements in the code section for the expansion of nonconforming dwellings, a <br />variance was required. The requirements for a covered porch still applied but did not exempt the <br />proposed addition from the requirements that must be met for the permitted expansion of a <br />nonconforming dwelling. <br /> <br />Chair Vijums commented he also supported the proposed variance and addition for the <br />applicant. He asked if the architecture of the addition would match or complement the home. <br /> <br />Senior Planner Fransen stated the homeowner’s intent was to incorporate the addition into the <br />existing façade. <br /> <br />Eric Mann, Plekkenpol Builders, reported it was his intent to use the same exterior building <br />materials that were on the house. He noted the addition would be integrated into the home with <br />the same colors. <br /> <br />Commissioner Mitchell moved and Commissioner Bjorklund seconded a motion to <br />recommend approval of Planning Case 23-023 for a Variance to construct a covered front <br />porch addition at 1666 Oak Avenue based on the findings of fact and the submitted plans, <br />as amended by the conditions in the January 3, 2024, report to the Planning Commission. <br />The motion carried unanimously (6-0). <br /> <br />B. Planning Case 23-024; 3751 Lexington Avenue North – Mister Car Wash - Master <br />Planned Unit Development, Final Planned Unit Development, Conditional Use <br />Permit, and Site Plan Review – Public Hearing <br />