Laserfiche WebLink
Gem Lake Planning Commission Minutes <br />Page 2 of 6 <br />For tonight's hearing and Planning Commission meeting there are three pending <br />requests for Conditional Use Permits (CUP). The first is for outdoor sales and <br />display as defined by the Gateway Ordinance. The second CUP is to relocate <br />the pole barn and is required because the structure exceeds 1,000 square feet. <br />The final CUP request is for a chain link fence around the sales lot. Full size <br />plans were passed out to everyone in attendance. <br />Public Hearing Opened at 7:10 p.m. <br />Acting Planning Commission Chair Lindner opened the public hearing at 7:10 <br />p.m. Mr. Chuck Whitaker introduced himself to the Planning Commission and <br />stated he has been a White Bear residence his whole life. He has entered into a <br />purchase agreement with the Waldoch's for their Gem Lake property and if <br />approved he would repurpose the former Waldoch showroom into a high end <br />used automobile dealership featuring autos one to three years old in the $10,000 <br />and up price range, including autos still under factory warranty. In the future, Mr. <br />Whitaker would consider improvements to the strip mall, primarily demolishing it <br />for a new structure. He would like to move the existing pole barn to the south <br />end of the property and use it to store automobiles. The pole barn would reuse <br />the existing timber beams but would have new siding and other improvements to <br />make it look like new. The entire site will have less signage than what is there <br />now. Also, plans for landscaping, lighting and green space are in the works. <br />Acting Chair Lindner asked Mr. Whitaker if he was aware what Vadnais Heights <br />wanted to do with the roads going onto Highway 61. Hoffman Road in its current <br />configuration may be re-routed or otherwise modified to meet parcel needs. Mr. <br />Whitaker is open to possible road change. <br />Jim Segermark: Doesn't think a high end dealership should go in that site. <br />There is the possibility that Ramsey County might buy the Vadnais Heights ice <br />rink. If so, traffic may increase as new hockey programs could potentially use the <br />ice. Segermark's point was that Mr. Whitaker's plans may be in conflict with what <br />could happen should the Vadnais Sports Center be sold. <br />Dennis Olson/Owner of Molding, Doors and More: Mr. Olson stated he has a <br />newly extended two year lease which he entered into with Waldoch in March, <br />2013. <br />Mr. Whitaker stated he has a signed purchase agreement with Waldock. The <br />alternative is to leave the property as is. Mr. Whitaker wants the corner to look <br />nice and believes his proposed upgrades will accomplish this. He has flipped <br />houses and stores during his career. This is an investment of up to two million <br />dollars. <br />Look for us on the World Wide Web at gemlakemn.org <br />