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City of Gem Lake Planning Commission Meeting Minutes August 12, 2025 1 <br />City of Gem Lake <br />Planning Commission Meeting – August 12, 2025 <br />Meeting Minutes <br /> <br />Planning Commission Chairman Don Cummings called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Commission Members Art <br />Pratt, Derek Wippich and Stephanie Farrell were present. Not present was Commission Member Laurel Amlee. Also <br />present were City Planner CJ Sycks, City Attorney Martin Norder, Commission Member Alternate Brad Naylor, <br />Acting City Clerk Melissa Lawrence and resident Daniel Epelboim. <br /> <br />August 12, 2025 <br />A motion was introduced by Commissioner Pratt to accept the agenda, seconded by Commissioner Wippich. Motion <br />carried 4-0. <br /> <br />Minutes <br />A motion was introduced by Commissioner Pratt to approve the July 8, 2025, Planning Commission Meeting <br />minutes, seconded by Commissioner Wippich. Motion carried 4-0. <br /> <br />Public Hearings <br /> <br />1599 County Road E East – Conditional use Permit for a Wall Mounted Illuminated Sign <br />City Planner CJ Sycks summarized the request. The applicant is requesting a conditional use permit (CUP) for 1599 <br />County Road E East to erect an illuminated sign on the wall of The Lakes Dispensary. Roger Vannelli is the <br />applicant and owner of the business. The sign is proposed to be 24 feet long by 5 feet tall with the text “The Lakes <br />Dispensary” and a logo on the left-hand side of the text. The lighting is to be illuminated internally by LED tubing. <br /> <br />Signage is regulated by Ordinance 131, Consolidated Land Use Ordinance Section 19. Sign permits are required and <br />are typically issued administratively. Section 19.5.2.4 outlines the standards for Illuminated signs and states, <br />“Application for approval of lighting or electronic features shall be made in the manner of a conditional use permit, <br />using the procedure stated at Section 17.5 of this Ordinance.” <br /> <br />1599 County Road E East is located in the Neighborhood Center Sub-Zone of the Gateway District. The property is <br />located at the intersection of Scheuneman Road and County Road E East. The building also includes Al’s Gun Shop. <br />Ryan Podewils Properties LLC owns the property. The parcel is 0.52 acres in size and addressed 1601 County Road <br />E East County GIS, however the southern building is considered 1599 Country Road E East. <br /> <br />Commission Chair Cummings informed those in attendance that the Commission would begin with the public <br />hearing, and that the public would have a chance to provide input on the topic. Commissioner Pratt introduced a <br />motion to open the public hearing at 7:13 p.m., seconded by Commissioner Wippich. Motion carried 4-0. <br /> <br />The public had no comment. <br /> <br />Commissioner Pratt introduced a motion to close the public hearing at 7:14 p.m., seconded by Commissioner <br />Wippich. Motion carried 4-0. <br /> <br />City planner CJ Sycks recommends the Planning Commission to recommend approval to the City Council of the <br />requested Conditional Use Permit for 1599 County Road E East, with the following conditions: <br />1. The applicant is permitted to install an illuminated sign in the size and to the dimensions proposed, <br />consistent with the plans received by the City on July 22, 2025, and reviewed with this request. <br />2. The applicant shall obtain all necessary local permits prior to construction, including but not limited to <br />building, electrical, and sign. <br />3. The applicant shall adhere to all other applicable local, state, and federal requirements. <br />4. The applicant shall pay all fees and escrows associated with this request. <br />Commissioner Pratt introduced a motion to recommend approval to the City Council of the Conditional Use Permit <br />with the conditions listed, seconded by Commissioner Wippich. Motion carried 4-0.