The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink About04 06 2026 PC Minutes 1 PRIOR LAKE PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES Monday, April 6, 2026 1. Call to Order and Pledge of Allegiance: Chair Fleming called the Prior Lake Planning Commission meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Commissioners present: Bryan Fleming, Christian Fenstermacher, Michael Tennison, Sam Rook, Kate Yurko, Shelley Schmokel, and Daniel Nicholson. Absent: None. Also present: Community Development Director McCabe, Planner Paul Moretto, Planner Jacob Skluzacek, and Development Service Assistant Sandra Peppin. 2. Approval of Agenda: MOTION BY TENNISON, SECONDED BY ROOK TO APPROVE THE MONDAY, APRIL 6, 2026, PLANNING COMMISSION AGENDA. VOTE: Ayes by Fenstermacher, Fleming, Rook, Tennison and Yurko. Motion carried 5-0. 3. Approval of Meeting Minutes: MOTION BY YURKO SECONDED BY ROOK TO APPROVE THE MONDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2026, PRIOR LAKE PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES. VOTE: Ayes by Fenstermacher, Fleming, Rook, Tennison and Yurko. Motion carried 5-0. 4. Public Hearing: A. PDEV26-000004 – 17599 Ridgewood Ct SE – Combined Preliminary and Final Plat and Easement Vacation: Mesenbrink Construction & Engineering is requesting approval of a combined preliminary and final plat to be known as Ridgewood Court consisting of two single-family lots. The request also includes vacation of an existing easement adjacent to the property. (PID: 253530030) Planner Skluzacek: Introduced item 4A as a public hearing and summarized the site characteristics, existing conditions, and basis for the request to subdivide two previously platted outlots. Commissioner Comments: Fleming: Thanked staff for the thorough plans and visuals and requested clarification on the tree preservation, grading plan, and timing. He asked when the stormwater management report will be reviewed. Planner Skluzacek: Replied a tree inventory has been submitted showing removal below the City’s 35% threshold, with an emphasis on preserving mature and heritage trees where possible. Director McCabe: Explained that stormwater requirements depend on the final home design and impervious surface area. A formal stormwater management report will be required and reviewed during the building permit process. Schmokel: Asked whether the remaining buildable area would accommodate adequately sized homes and questioned the potential location of a rain garden. Planner Skluzacek: Confirmed that both lots are buildable and able to accommodate large homes. While no specific rain garden location has been proposed yet, it would need to be located outside wetland setback areas. Rook: Asked whether the easement vacation would impact adjacent properties. Planner Skluzacek: Stated it would not, as the easement is located entirely within the subject property. Fenstermacher: Asked about drainage and utility easements on outlots. McCabe: Explained that older plats did not always include the city’s current standard drainage and utility easements; one of the two outlots does currently include the standard easement and the other does not. The new plat will include appropriate drainage and utility easements around the perimeter of the lots. The existing easement is proposed to be vacated because it conflicts with future building pads. Tennison: Asked for clarification regarding a trail connection. 2 Planner Skluzacek: Indicated that the trail will be required to extend to the north property line to ensure connectivity, per engineering comments. Applicant: Jennifer Haskamp: (Swanson-Haskamp Consulting, 550 Vandalia Street, St. Paul), Addressed the Commission and provided additional clarification regarding stormwater management coordination with the City Engineer and tree preservation efforts. She emphasized that the homes will be custom-built, and final layouts will further refine tree preservation and drainage designs. MOTION BY FENSTERMACHER, SECONDED BY TENNISON TO OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING ON ITEM 4A AT 6:18 P.M. VOTE: Ayes by Fenstermacher, Fleming, Rook, Tennison and Yurko. Motion carried 5-0. Public Comment: Mike Hennessey: (4662 Parkwood Drive SE), Expressed concerns regarding sound abatement and suggested developing the property as a single lot. He stated that a garage placement could serve as a sound barrier. Jim Barker: (4665 Parkwood Drive SE), Noted the property has remained vacant for approximately 29 years and felt the proposal was moving too quickly. He requested consideration of a single-lot option and further evaluation of wetland impacts. Fleming: Acknowledged concerns regarding project timing and community impact. Director McCabe: Explained the ownership history and noted that the size and buildable area of the property reasonably supports two lots that exceed City standards. He also discussed potential noise mitigation options available to property owners buyers if they were desired, including fencing and berms, subject to drainage constraints. Yurko: Asked whether future noise mitigation would require updated drainage review. McCabe: Confirmed that any berms would likely require a grading permit which would trigger a review. Dan Rodgers: (17588 Jett Cir NE), Raised concerns about traffic and pedestrian safety along Ponds Parkway and proposed driveway locations over the trail. Anastasiya Riddering: (17620 Jett Cir NE), Echoed safety concerns related to increased driveway access near the trail. Director McCabe: Explained that similar driveway access points over trails and sidewalks exist throughout the city and that the anticipated traffic generation from two homes would be minimal. He also noted planned trail relocation to provide greater separation distance between the trail and street. Fenstermacher: Added that parking restrictions along Ponds Parkway could improve sightlines and safety. MOTION BY ROOK, SECONDED BY YURKO TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING ON ITEM 4A AT 6:35 P.M. VOTE: Ayes by Fenstermacher, Fleming, Rook, Tennison and Yurko. Motion carried 5-0. MOTION BY YURKO, SECONDED BY TENNISON TO RECOMMEND THE CITY COUNCIL APPROVE THE EASEMENT VACATION AND COMBINED PRELIMINARY AND FINAL PLAT FOR RIDGEWOOD COURT SUBJECT TO THE COMMENTS LISTED IN THE REPORT AND THE RIDGEWOOD COURT REVIEW MEMORANDUM DATED 03/26/26. VOTE: Ayes by Fenstermacher, Fleming, Rook, Tennison and Yurko. Motion carried 5-0. B. Amendments – Consider amendments to the Prior Lake City Code Section 10-268, related to motor vehicle sales uses, allowing motor sales without inventory as a Permitted Use with Conditions and 10-185 Land Use Table. 3 Planner Moretto: Introduced item 4B as a public hearing to consider changes to the Prior Lake Code Section 10- 268, related to motor vehicle sales uses. Moretto explained the history, current circumstances, and the conclusion for this request. City Staff recommend approval of the proposed amendments to Section 10-268 and Section 10- 185 of the Prior Lake Zoning Code. Commissioners’ Questions and Comments: Commissioners discussed scope, clarity of language, zoning implications, and evolving business models. Staff acknowledged wording refinements and future zoning considerations. MOTION BY TENNISON, SECONDED BY FENSTERMACHER TO OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING ON ITEM 4B AT 6:51 P.M. VOTE: Ayes by Fenstermacher, Fleming, Rook, Tennison and Yurko. Motion carried 5-0. Public Comment: None. MOTION BY TENNISON, SECONDED BY YURKO TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING ON ITEM 4B AT 6.52 P.M. VOTE: Ayes by Fenstermacher, Fleming, Rook, Tennison and Yurko. Motion carried 5-0. MOTION BY TENNISON, SECONDED BY ROOK TO RECOMMEND APPROVAL OF THE PROPOSED AMENDMENTS ASSOCIATED WITH SECTION 10-268 AND SECTION 10-185 OF THE PRIOR LAKE ZONING CODE. VOTE: Ayes by Fenstermacher, Fleming, Rook, Tennison and Yurko. Motion carried 5-0. 5. Old Business: Director McCabe provided an update on a residential subdivision development application received from Pulte Homes that will be presented and reviewed at a future meeting. 6. New Business: None. 7. Announcements & Adjournment: Announcements: None. MOTION BY TENNISON, SECONDED BY ROOK TO ADJOURN THE APRIL 6, 2026, PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING AT 6:55 P.M. VOTE: Ayes by Fenstermacher, Fleming, Rook, Tennison and Yurko. Motion carried 5-0. Respectfully submitted, Sandra Peppin, Development Services Assistant