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City of Gem Lake Planning Commission Meeting Minutes September 10, 2024 1 | Page <br />City of Gem Lake <br />Planning Commission Meeting – September 10, 2024 <br />Meeting Minutes <br /> <br />Planning Commission Chair Joshua Patrick called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Commission Members Art Pratt <br />and Don Cummings were present. Not present was Commission Member Derek Wippich and Stephanie Farrell. <br />Also present: City Planner Evan Monson, Graduate Community Planner CJ Sycks, City Attorney Kevin Beck, <br />Acting City Clerk Melissa Lawrence, Phillps Architects & Contractors President David Phillips, Barnett Companies <br />General Manager Jack Mayeron, Barnett Kia General Manager Michael Barnett, White Bear Montessori Head of <br />School Marnie McPherson, Civil Site Group Civil Engineer Robbie Latta, Project Manager CoBeck Construction <br />Cletis Levisay <br /> <br />September 10, 2024 <br />A motion was introduced by Commissioner Pratt to accept the agenda, seconded by Commissioner Cummings. <br />Motion carried 3-0. <br /> <br />Minutes <br />A motion was introduced by Commissioner Pratt, seconded by Commissioner Cummings to approve the July 9, <br />2024, Planning Commission Meeting minutes. Motion carried 3-0. <br /> <br />Public Hearings <br /> <br />1201 County Road E East – White Bear Montessori School Variance Request for Shed Setback from <br />Side Yard <br />City Planner Evan Monson summarized the request. The White Bear Montessori School (WBMS) operates <br />at 1201 County Road E East, at the southwest corner of the city. The school is in the midst of an expansion <br />project that started earlier this year. Building permits for the project were issued by the City in April of <br />2024. The project includes an addition onto the existing school and exterior improvements to the site. As <br />part of the project, a 14-foot by 16-foot storage shed was constructed on the south side of the property. The <br />shed was placed at a setback of 33.2 feet from the south lot line, which is within the required side yard <br />setback of 50 feet. Prior to the new construction on the property, a storage shed of similar size was located <br />on the property, just east of the parking lot, at a setback of 62 feet from the south lot line. <br /> <br />The Building Department inspected the site and noted that the shed was within the setback from the side lot <br />line. Building Department staff notified the applicant’s contractor and noted that the two options were to <br />move the shed to a compliant setback or request a variance from the city to keep the shed in the existing <br />location. <br /> <br />The project plans were forwarded to staff and other agencies for comments prior to the Planning <br />Commission meeting. <br />• Ramsey County <br />o County staff is currently reviewing the plans and had not submitted comments at the time <br />of drafting this report. <br />• Vadnais Heights Watershed Management Organization (VLAWMO) <br />o The watershed staff had no comments on this request. <br />• Building Inspector <br />o The Building Inspector confirmed that the site of the proposed shed was included in their <br />plans that were approved for building permits in April of 2024. The as-built shed does not <br />meet setback requirements, but it was noted that other requirements are met. <br />• Engineering <br />o Engineering staff are currently reviewing the submitted plans and had not submitted <br />comments at the time of drafting this report. <br />Commissioner Pratt introduced a motion to open the public hearing on the matter at 7:06 p.m., seconded by <br />Commissioner Cummings. Motion carried 3-0.