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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025 03-11 PC PacketCITY OF GEM LAKE Heritage Hall 4200 Otter Lake Road | Gem Lake, MN 55110 651-747-2790/92 | 651-747-2795 (fax) E-mail city@gemlakemn.org Planning Commission Meeting – March 11, 2025 Call to Order of Planning Commission Meeting By Chair Don Cummings at 7:____ p.m. Call of Roll Cummings Farrell Pratt Wippich Amlee Approve and Accept Agenda and Minutes • Accept the Agenda for the March 11, 2025, Planning Commission Meeting • Approve the Minutes from February 11, 2025, Planning Commission Meeting Public Hearings • Conditional Use Permit – 4039 Scheuneman Road – Gem Lake Hills Golf Course Old Business • None New Business • None Open Items for Commission Members to Bring Up Future Meetings • Next City Council Meeting, Tuesday, March 18, 2025 • Next Planning Commission Meeting, April 8, 2025 o Attendance Inquiry Adjournment – The meeting adjourned at _____ City of Gem Lake Planning Commission Meeting Minutes February 11, 2025 1 City of Gem Lake Planning Commission Meeting – February 11, 2025 Meeting Minutes Planning Commission Chair Don Cummings called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Commission Members Art Pratt and Derek Wippich were present with one vacancy. Not present was Commission Member Stephanie Farrell. Also present: City Planner Evan Monson, City Attorney Kevin Beck and Acting City Clerk Melissa Lawrence February 11, 2025 A motion was introduced by Commissioner Pratt to accept the agenda, seconded by Commissioner Wippich. Motion carried 3-0. Minutes A motion was introduced by Commissioner Pratt, seconded by Commissioner Wippich to approve the January 14, 2025, Planning Commission Meeting minutes. Motion carried 3-0. Public Hearings None Old Business Ordinance No. 131 Discussion Next Steps City Planner Evan Monson summarized some of the suggested updates that he recommends to ensure the ordinance is in line with state regulations and consistent with the comprehensive plan. Discussion on the next steps to take and what to tackle first took place. City Planner Evan Monson is going to begin putting some drafts together to present at the next meeting for review. New Business Planning Commission Applications Review Two applications were received for the vacant Planning Commission position from Debra Suhadolnik of the Villas of Gem Lake and Laurel Amlee former City Councilmember and lives and works in the Gateway District. The Commission reviewed the applications and liked the idea of having someone on the Commission that has ties to the Gateway District. The Commission is passing along a recommendation to the City Council for approval. The Commission would like the new member to start for the March 11 meeting. Commission Member Wippich introduced a motion to recommend approval of inviting Laurel Amlee to join the Planning Commission, seconded by Commission Member Pratt. Motion carried 3-0. Ordinance No. 113 – Right-of-Way City Planner Evan Monson summarized the updates suggested to the Right-of-Way Ordinance. The current ordinance (No. 113) was adopted by the city in January of 2010. This version was consistent with the current (at that time) model ordinance available from the League of Minnesota Cities (LMC). Ordinance No. 113 covers: when permits are needed, permitting processes and procedures, permitting fees, patching and restoration when work is conducted in the ROW, emergency vs. non-emergency situations, mapping of items constructed within a ROW, moving above-ground items underground (or undergrounding), and abandonment of facilities within a ROW. Since 2010, State and Federal law related to management and access to ROW has changed, most notably with regards to telecommunications. One of the bigger changes is “small cell wireless facilities”, which is technology that allows for increased usage of wireless networks by cell phones. It is imperative that the city ensures their ordinances are consistent with current State and Federal law. Staff has reviewed the current version of Ordinance No. 113 and proposes the following changes as summarized below. These changes are consistent with the latest model ordinance provided by LMC. City of Gem Lake Planning Commission Meeting Minutes February 11, 2025 2 Section # Comments Throughout • Administration section is added (Section 3), with the City Engineer designated to administer the ordinance (consistent with current city practices). • Replace references to “zoning administrator” with “city engineer.” • New section (Section 7) added regarding small cell wireless facilities. Added references to small cell wireless facilities where needed in other sections. • Move fees to the Fee Schedule. 2 New definitions proposed to be added to Section 2. 5 Updates to payments and permit application language. 10 & 11 New sections regarding Joint Applications for ROW work and obligations, consistent with language from model ordinance. 12 & 13 Revised language regarding permit denial and installation requirements, consistent with language from model ordinance. 18 & 19 Updated language on requirements for mapping data, locating facilities, and undergrounding, consistent with language from model ordinance. 24 Revised language regarding abandonment and removal of facilities within the ROW, consistent with language from model ordinance. The Commission should review the draft ordinance and consider any additional amendments. If the Commission desires additional changes, direction regarding ordinance changes should be provided to staff. Commission Member Wippich introduced a motion to recommend approval of the updates to Ordinance No. 113 to the City Council, seconded by Commission Member Pratt. Motion carried 3-0. Fee Schedule Update On top of the changes made to Ordinance No. 113, City Planner Evan Monson suggested to be consistent with other ordinances, and to ensure that fees are all in one location, permit fees previously listed in Ordinance No. 113 are proposed to be added into the city’s Fee Schedule (Ordinance No. 135). These would be placed in Section 13 of the fee schedule. Open Items for Commission Members to Bring Up Commission Member Pratt was asked to bring up the topic of ATV’s on Gem Lake in the winter to ice fish. While the Ramsey County map does show that each property owner around the lake owns a portion of it, City Attorney Kevin Beck shared that those property owners don’t actually own the lake, they own the land beneath the lake. If the lake were to dry up, their land would extend to what is now available. There is no public access to the lake, which means the only people that would be using the lake would be the people who surround it. Future Meetings City Council Meeting, Tuesday, February 18, 2025, at Heritage Hall, and Planning Commission Meeting, Tuesday, March 11, 2025, at Heritage Hall. Attendance Inquiry Commissioner Cummings surveyed the Commission to see if any of the members would have any issues attending the March 11 meeting. At that time Commissioner Wippich will not be in attendance. Adjournment There being no further business, following a motion from Commissioner Pratt, seconded by Commission Wippich, the meeting adjourned at 7:35 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Melissa Lawrence Memorandum To: Gem Lake Planning Commission Project Reference: Conditional Use Permit Amendment Request for 4039 Scheuneman Road Copies To: Melissa Lawrence, Clerk Matt Greer, Applicant TKDA Project No.: 22428.000 From: CJ Sycks, Planner Client No.: Evan Monson, Planner Date: March 3, 2025 SUBJECT: Conditional Use Permit Amendment Request for 4039 Scheuneman Road MEETING DATE: March 11, 2025 LOCATION: 4039 Scheuneman Road (Parcel ID 273022120007) APPLICANT/OWNER: Matt Greer, Gem Lake Hills Golf Course ZONING: Single Family Executive Residential (RX) ITEMS REVIEWED: Application and plans received on 02/10/2025 REVIEW PERIOD: 60-day period ends 04/18/2025 DESCRIPTION OF THE REQUEST The applicant is requesting an amendment to an existing Conditional Use Permit (CUP) for the Gem Lake Hills Golf Course at 4039 Scheuneman Road. The applicant is proposing to add a miniature golf putting course (putting course) and an ambient outdoor speaker system (speaker system) to the property. The proposed putting course will be constructed in the location of the old hitting cages, located on the east side of the property, near the primary building (the clubhouse) and parking lot. The hitting cages were removed in the spring of 2024. The clubhouse includes an open space with a bar, customer seating space, three bathrooms, and an office. There is also a maintenance department with an office, lawn mower and utility vehicle parking, and a large walk -in refrigerator. The active CUP was originally approved on March 14, 1964, and has been amended four (4) times since then. The most recent amendment was approved on February 20, 1989. CUPs were formerly referred to as Special Use Permits (SUPs). CUPs are first reviewed by the Planning Commission at a Public Hearing. The City Council reviews and acts on the request, following a recommendation from the Commission. The criteria for reviewing a CUP are listed later in this report. Conditional Use Permit Amendment Request - 4039 Scheuneman Road Gem Lake Planning Commission 3/11/2025 March 3, 2025 Page 2 PROPERTY INFORMATION Description: The subject property consists of multiple parcels located between the BNSF Railroad and Goose Lake Road/County Road 14, and between Goose Lake Road/County Road 14 and Scheuneman Road in the northeast area of the City. The primary address and entrance to the golf course is 4039 Scheuneman Road. Gem Lake Hills Golf Course is roughly 57.4 acres in size. The properties include two executive 9-hole golf courses, a clubhouse, and a parking lot. Land Use: Golf Course Figure 1: Aerial of the site, from Ramsey County GIS Figure 2: Aerial of the site, from Ramsey County GIS, zoomed to the project area. Conditional Use Permit Amendment Request - 4039 Scheuneman Road Gem Lake Planning Commission 3/11/2025 March 3, 2025 Page 3 EVALUATION OF REQUEST Applicant Narrative Miniature Golf Putting Course (Putting Course) In a narrative provided by the applicant and included in the Meeting Packet, the applicant states that the addition of a putting course will provide a recreational option for all ages and will increase the appeal of their facility. They state that the putting course will be designed to minimize any potential impact on the environment and will adhere to all zoning regulations. The site area is approximately 19,000 square feet in size. In addition, a new deck is planned to be built on the west side of the building, near the putting course. The deck can be permitted with a building permit. The applicants anticipate an additional 30% increase in golf “rounds” played on the property (putting course and golf rounds). They anticipate an increase in visitors for the putting course, however, putting course visitors tend to arrive together in one vehicle compared to golfers arriving alone in individual vehicles, due to the nature of the games and the audiences. Figure 3: Excerpt from Submitted Application Materials, Putting Course Layout Plan Ambient Outdoor Speaker System The proposed speaker system will be used to provide background music and announcements. The applicant states that it will maintain appropriate volume levels and will abide by all noise ordinances. There will be between 12 and 18 speakers installed on the putting course. The speakers will be placed in a way that allows contained volume for patrons to hear music, while maintaining a quiet environment for the nearby neighborhoods. While the Conditional Use Permit Amendment Request - 4039 Scheuneman Road Gem Lake Planning Commission 3/11/2025 March 3, 2025 Page 4 applicant is uncertain of the exact decibel levels at this time, they anticipate that it could reach 60-70 decibels. The system will allow the operators to set a maximum volume that cannot be exceeded. Project Schedule The applicant provided a potential project schedule: • Deck construction will be completed within the next two weeks. • Putting course construction and speaker system installation will begin in March, contingent on weather. Ordinance Criteria Ordinance No. 131, Consolidated Land Use Ordinance, regulates Conditional Use Permits in Section 17.5. When reviewing a Conditional Use Permit application, the following criteria shall be reviewed and measured by the Planning Commission and City Council (17.5.2.1): 1. Adjacent Uses 2. Air and Water Quality 3. Traffic Generations 4. Public Safety and Health 5. Area Aesthetics 6. Economic Impact on the Entire Area 7. Consistency with the Comprehensive Municipal Plan 8. Anticipated Duration of the Conditional or Interim Use Criteria are shown below in italics, with staff evaluation following: 1. Adjacent Uses Based on the submittal, this criterion can be met with proper limits on speaker volume. The adjacent uses to Gem Lake Hills Golf Course are One Family Detached Dwellings. Adding a putting course within the boundary of the existing golf course property does not appear to impact the adjacent uses. Ordinance No. 86, Nuisance, defines a nuisance as, “all noises and vibrations that exceed the noise pollution standards found in Minnesota [Administrative Rule] Chapter 7030.” Based on Minnesota Administrative Rule Chapter 7030, in a residential housing area during daytime hours (7am- 10pm), noise levels cannot exceed 65 decibels for more than 10 percent of the time or 60 decibels for more than 50 percent of the time. During nighttime hours (10pm-7am) noise levels cannot exceed 55 decibels and 50 decibels, respectively. The proposed speaker system must adhere to these standards to prevent the creation of nuisance. 2. Air and Water Quality Based on the submittal, this criterion is met. Surrounding air and water quality do not appear to be impacted by the proposed amendment. The Vadnais Lake Area Water Management Organization (VLAWMO) was contacted and had no comments regarding this request. 3. Traffic Generations Based on the submittal, this criterion is met. The applicants state a 30% expected increase in golf rounds played, with the increase in rounds coming from visitors arriving on one vehicle together. 4. Public Safety and Health Based on the submittal, this criterion is met. The proposed amendment does not appear to impact the health and safety of the public. 5. Area Aesthetics Based on the submittal, this criterion is met. The proposed amendment to the CUP would not impact the aesthetics of the area negatively. Conditional Use Permit Amendment Request - 4039 Scheuneman Road Gem Lake Planning Commission 3/11/2025 March 3, 2025 Page 5 6. Economic Impact on the Entire Area Based on the submittal, this criterion is met. The applicant states that the addition of a putting course would create an attraction for all ages in Gem Lake. The proposed amendment would allow for a positive economic impact on the area. 7. Consistency with the Comprehensive Municipal Plan Based on the submittal, this criterion is met. The Gem Lake 2040 Comprehensive Plan identifies this property as “Recreational Open Space Land Use”. Section 5.4 designates 60 acres for the golf course, reducing the ability for expansion of the golf course beyond the existing footprint. Section 5.5.7 states, “By all accounts, the course is economically viable and is not projected to develop as a different use during this planning period. The City of Gem Lake desires that this golf course /recreational space use continue in the future.” The proposed amendment, allowing a putting course, would not change the use nor would it expand the footprint of the property. 8. Anticipated Duration of the Conditional or Interim Use There is no anticipated date of dissolution of this use at this time. Staff Comments The submitted materials were forwarded to staff and other agencies for comments: • VLAWMO (Watershed District) o There are no wetlands located within or near the proposed project area, so VLAWMO has no comments. • Building Inspector o The Metropolitan council SAC review included the putting green expansion only. The new outdoor seating area shall also be submitted for SAC review to the Met Council prior to permit issuance. • Engineer o No comments from Engineering. ACTION The Planning Commission has the following options: 1. Recommend approval of the request by the City Council, with or without conditions. 2. Recommend denial of the request by the City Council, with findings for denial. 3. Table the request for further review/study. RECOMMENDATION Staff recommends the commissioners recommend approval of the requested Conditional Use Permit Amendment for 4039 Scheuneman Road, with the following conditions: 1. The applicant is permitted to add a miniature golf putting course onto the site, consistent with the plans received by the City on February 10, 2025. 2. The applicant shall adhere to Gem Lake City Ordinance Number 86, Nuisance, and Minnesota Administrative Rule Chapter 7030 regarding noise pollution control. 3. All plans must be submitted to the Metropolitan Council for SAC review prior to the issuance of any building permits. 4. The applicant shall obtain all necessary local permits prior to construction. 5. The applicant shall adhere to all other applicable local, state, and federal requirements. 6. The applicant shall pay all fees and escrows associated with this request. CIS:epm:lmf