Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-08-25 PC MinutesApproved: November 5, 2025 CITY OF ARDEN HILLS, MINNESOTA PLANNING COMMISSION WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2025 6:30 P.M. - ARDEN HILLS CITY HALL CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, Chair Collins called to order the regular Planning Commission meeting at 6:30 p.m. ROLL CALL Present were: Chair Joshua Collins, Commissioners Jessica Birken, Brad Bjorklund, Patrick Burlingame, Stephen Erler, Nancy Jacobson, and Ben Lindau. Also present were: City Administrator Jessica Jagoe, Community Development Director Jacob Reilly, Senior Planner Elena Fransen and Council Liaison Kurt Weber. APPROVAL OF AGENDA – OCTOBER 8, 2025 Commissioner Erler moved, seconded by Commissioner Lindau, to approve the October 8, 2025, agenda as presented. The motion carried unanimously (7-0). APPROVAL OF MINUTES September 3, 2025 – Planning Commission Regular Meeting Commissioner Jacobson moved, seconded by Commissioner Birken, to approve the September 3, 2025, Planning Commission Regular Meeting as presented. The motion carried 6-0-1 (Commissioner Bjorklund abstained). PLANNING CASES A.Planning Case 25-011 – 3254 Hamline Avenue North – Variance – Public Hearing Not Required Senior Planner Fransen stated dREamodel, Inc. (“The Applicant”), on behalf of the property owner, has requested a variance from the required rear yard setback for decks in the R-1 Zoning District to build a new, larger deck in place of an existing deck at 3254 Hamline Avenue North (“Subject Property”). To construct the proposed deck, the Applicant is requesting a reduced rear yard setback of 8.8 feet rather than 24 feet as required by city code. The proposed 568 square foot deck would replace the existing 249 square foot deck attached to the south side of the single-family dwelling. The existing deck extends approximately 18.28 feet south and the ARDEN HILLS PLANNING COMMISSION – October 8, 2025 2 proposed deck would expand the footprint to the south approximately five (5) additional feet to accommodate a ramp. The proposed deck would extend approximately 23.5 feet south and increase the deck footprint but would not encroach beyond the existing nonconforming rear yard setback. Senior Planner Fransen reviewed the Site Data, the Plan Evaluation and provided the Findings of Fact for review: General Findings: 1. City Staff received a land use application for a variance request to the required R-1 Zoning District rear yard setback for decks at the Subject Property 3254 Hamline Avenue North. 2. The principal structure and existing deck on the Subject Property are nonconforming with the required rear yard setback and have a setback of 8.8 feet. 3. The proposed new deck would expand the footprint of the existing deck and therefore a variance is required. 4. The proposed new deck would not extend beyond the existing nonconforming 8.8-foot rear yard setback. 5. The proposed deck would not require variances for front yard, side yard setbacks, impervious surface coverage, or structure coverage. 6. The Subject Property is a riparian lot with frontage on Lake Josephine and is subject to Shoreland Regulations. 7. The proposed deck would be set back 153.78 feet from Ordinary High Water Level and would be located outside of the required structure setback of 50 feet and the shore impact zone of 25 feet as measured from OHW. 8. The Applicant has submitted a shoreland mitigation plan for the proposed deck. 9. The proposed deck on the Subject Property would conform to all other requirements and standards of the R-1 Zoning District and the Shoreland Regulations. Variance Findings: 10. Variances are only permitted when they are in harmony with the general purposes and intent of the ordinance. 11. The proposed deck is a reasonable use of the property that would not be allowed under the rules of the Zoning Code without the requested variance. 12. The proposed deck would not alter the essential character of the neighborhood. 13. The variance request is not based on economic considerations alone. Senior Planner Fransen reviewed the options available to the Planning Commission for Planning Case 25-011 for a variance to construct a new deck with an 8.8-foot rear yard setback at 3254 Hamline Avenue North: 1. Recommend Approval with Conditions 1. A Building Permit shall be issued prior to the commencement of construction. 2. The proposed building shall conform to all other standards and regulations in the City Code. 3. A Grading and Erosion permit shall be obtained from the City’s PW/Engineering Division prior to commencing any grading, land disturbance or utility activities. 4. The Applicant shall be responsible for obtaining any permits necessary from other agencies, including but not limited to, RCWD and DNR, prior to the start of any site activities. ARDEN HILLS PLANNING COMMISSION – October 8, 2025 3 5. Final grading, drainage, and site plans shall be subject to approval by the Public Works Director/City Engineer and Community Development Director prior to the issuance of a grading and erosion control permit or other development permits. 6. The submitted shoreland mitigation plans shall be completed in accordance with City Code Section 1330.03 Subd. 7. E. within one year of the plan's approval unless otherwise approved by the City. 2. Recommend Approval as Submitted 3. Recommend Denial 4. Table Chair Collins opened the floor to Commissioner comments. Commissioner Birken asked if the property owner were to need a new deck at some point in the future would the applicant have to apply for another variance in the future. Senior Planner Fransen stated the variance would be tied to the property and the deck could be replaced with the proposed footprint. Commissioner Burlingame commented he believed this variance request was pretty straight forward and the setback situation was existing. He noted the variance was about adding accessibility improvements to the property. Commissioner Jacobson questioned if the easement down to the lake was driven on or was it a pedestrian path. Senior Planner Fransen reported there was no paving, but rather the easement provided access to the water. Commissioner Jacobson noted there was 30 feet of shoreland adjacent to the lake and this surface was not paved but provided access to the lake. Senior Planner Fransen stated this was the case. Commissioner Jacobson noted if the variance was approved for the deck and there was a change of ownership, the new owner would assume the variance that was in place. Senior Planner Fransen reported this was the case. Commissioner Jacobson inquired whereof the shoreland mitigation work would be done by the applicant. Senior Planner Fransen explained the shore impact zone was a 25-foot area between the ordinary high water level and the 25 feet from there. Commissioner Erler moved, and Commissioner Birken seconded a motion to recommend approval of Planning Case 25-011 for a variance to construct a new deck with an 8.8-foot rear yard setback at 3254 Hamline Avenue North, based on the findings of fact and the submitted plans, as amended by the conditions in October 8, 2025, Report to the Planning Commission. ARDEN HILLS PLANNING COMMISSION – October 8, 2025 4 Commissioner Bjorklund stated he supported the proposed variance. Commissioner Lindau explained he supported the variance as requested as well. The motion carried unanimously (7-0). UNFINISHED AND NEW BUSINESS None. REPORTS A. Report from the City Council Councilmember Weber provided the Commission with an update from the City Council. He reported the Council approved the chicken ordinance with the removal of ducks and setting a limit for chickens to six. He explained that the Council approved a preliminary levy of 18.32% for 2026. B. Planning Commission Comments and Requests Commissioner Bjorklund indicated he would like to better understand if the consultant was addressing affordable housing in the zoning ordinance updates. He noted he also wanted to see ADUs addressed. City Administrator Jagoe reported the Council would be addressing affordable housing at their next work session meeting on October 13 and that the conversation about ADUs would take place at a later work session. ADJOURN Commissioner Bjorklund moved, seconded by Commissioner Lindau, to adjourn the October 8, 2025, Planning Commission Meeting at 7:08 p.m. The motion carried unanimously (7-0).