HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026 07-07 PC Packet
www.gemlakemn.org
4200 Otter Lake Road
Gem Lake, MN 55110
(651) 747 -2790
city@gemlakemn.org
Planning Commission Meeting
July 7, 2026
7:00 p.m.
Heritage Hall
I. Call to Order of the Planning Commission Meeting
By Chair Don Cummings at 7:_____ p.m.
II. Call of Roll
Cummings ______ Farrell _____ Pratt _____ Wippich ______ Epelboim_____
III. Approve Agenda and Minutes
A. Accept the Agenda for the July 7, 2026, Planning Commission Meeting
B. Approve the Minutes of April 7, 2026, Planning Commission Meeting
IV. Public Hearings
A. 4180 Otter Lake Road – Conditional Use Permit and Special Home Occupation License
V. Old Business
VI. New Business
VII. Open Items for Commission Members to Bring Up
VIII. Future Council Meetings
Next City Council Meeting, Tuesday, April 21, 2026
Next Planning Commission Meeting, May 5, 2026
o Attendance Inquiry
IX. Adjournment – The meeting adjourned at ________
Planning Commission Meeting
Minutes
April 7, 2026
I. Call to Order of the Planning Commission Meeting
By Chair Don Cummings at 7:00 p.m.
II. Call of Roll
Commission Members Don Cummings, Art Pratt, and Daniel Epelboim were present.
Commissioner Stephanie Farrell, and Derek Wippich were absent. Also present was City Clerk
Barb Suciu.
III. Approve Agenda and Minutes
A. Approve the Agenda for the April 7, 2026, Planning Commission Meeting
A motion was introduced by Commissioner Pratt to approve April 7, 2026, agenda, seconded by
Commissioner Epelboim. Motion carried 3-0.
B. Approve the Minutes of January 6, 2026, Planning Commission Meeting
A motion was introduced by Commissioner Pratt to approve January 6, 2026, Planning Commission
Meeting minutes, seconded by Commissioner Epelboim. Motion carried 3-0.
IV. Public Hearings
V. Old Business
VI. New Business
A. Review Amendments to Ordinance 83 and Provide Feedback for the City Council.
Barb Suciu, City Clerk provided an overview of how these amendments were brought forward.
She indicated the proposed text was from the existing ordinance with additional language from
the City of Willernie.
The consensus of the Planning Commission was favorable to the changes. Commission Pratt
stated that in the proposed ordinance there is a provision in Section 1; subsection 9 stating that
any minimum standard shall not exceed the minimum standard provided for new construction by
the Minnesota Building Code, and in the event any minimum standard herein does exceed said
Building code, the standard of the Minnesota Building Code shall govern. He added this is
important to have that guard rail within the ordinance.
VII. Open Items for Commission Members to Bring Up
VIII. Future Council Meetings
Next City Council Meeting, Tuesday, April 21, 2026
Next Planning Commission Meeting, Tuesday, May 7, 2026
o Attendance Inquiry
IX. Adjournment
Commissioner Pratt introduced a motion to adjourn at 7:37 p.m., seconded by Commissioner Epelboim.
Motion carried 3-0.
4200 Gem Lake Road
Gem Lake, MN 55110
(651) 747-2790
city@gemlakemn.org
MEMORANDUM
To: Gem Lake Planning Commission
From: Barbara Suciu, City Clerk
RE: 4180 Otter Lake Road – Conditional Use Permit and Special Home Occupation License
Date: July 2, 2026
Tonight the Planning Commission was to hold a public hearing regarding the Conditional Use
Permit and Special Home Occupation License for the above referenced property. The item was
published and notices were mailed to all property owners within the required 350 feet radius of
the property.
As the process progressed, it was determined that additional review and information was needed
to be obtained regarding the proposed height before the application could be considered at this
meeting. (see attached letter sent to applicant).
Documents:
• Conditional Use Permit Application
• Special Home Occupation Permit Application
• Letter sent to applicant requesting additional information
Action:
The action for the Planning Commission tonight is to table the public hearing to August 4, 2026,
and to extend the review period for an additional 60-days. It will now expire on October 9,2026.
July 1, 2026
ECM Construction LLC, on behalf of property owner Christopher Marquez Gutierrez
PO Box 10559
White Bear Lake, MN 55110
RE: Application for a Conditional Use Permit for an Accessory Structure Exceeding 1,000 Sq. Ft. and
Special Home Occupation Permit at 4180 Otter Lake Road (Parcel ID: 223022440022)
To whom it may concern,
On June 8, 2026, the City received the applications, materials, and payment for a Conditional Use Permit
and Special Home Occupation License for the property addressed 4180 Otter Lake Road to allow for an
accessory structure exceeding 1,000 sq. ft. with the garage being used for storage of vehicles, trailers,
and equipment related to a construction business operated off-site. On June 11, 2026, the application
was deemed complete to be considered at the July 7, 2026 Planning Commission meeting.
Staff requires additional review and information regarding the proposed height before the application can
be considered at the Planning Commission. The 60-day period for review under Minn. Stat. § 15.99 is set
to expire on August 10, 2026, and since additional review is required, the review period is being extended
an additional 60 days to October 9, 2026.
If you have questions about this schedule or the review process, please reach out by email at
andrew.boucher@tkda.com or phone at 651-295-2267.
Sincerely,
Andrew Boucher
Gem Lake City Planner
cc: Barbara Suciu, City Clerk
Mike Johnson, Building Inspector