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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05 18 2026 PC Minutes 1 PRIOR LAKE PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES Monday, May 18, 2026 1. Call to Order and Pledge of Allegiance: Chair Fleming called the Prior Lake Planning Commission meeting to order at 6:00 pm. Commissioners present: Bryan Fleming, Christian Fenstermacher, Sam Rook, Michael Tennison, Kate Yurko, Shelley Schmokel, and Daniel Nicholson. Absent: None. Also present: Community Development Director Casey McCabe, City Planner Jacob Skluzacek, City Planner Paul Moretto, Project Engineer Stephanie Thulien, and Development Service Assistant Sandra Peppin. 2. Approval of Agenda: MOTION BY FENSTERMACHER, SECONDED BY TENNISON TO APPROVE THE MONDAY, MAY 18, 2026, PLANNING COMMISSION AGENDA. VOTE: Ayes by Fenstermacher, Fleming, Rook, Tennison, and Yurko. Motion carried 5-0. 3. Approval of Meeting Minutes: MOTION BY ROOK SECONDED BY SCHMOKEL TO APPROVE THE MONDAY, MAY 4, 2026, PRIOR LAKE PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES. VOTE: Ayes by Fenstermacher, Fleming, Rook, Tennison, and Yurko. Motion carried 5-0. 4. Public Hearing: A. PDEV26-000012 – 17031 Sunset Avenue NW – Variance – The applicant, Ryan Bigot, is requesting a variance to allow a 3.11% increase over the maximum 30% impervious surface allowance to construct a new single-family home at 17031 Sunset Avenue NW. (PID 254880030) Planner Skluzacek: Planner Skluzacek summarized the request for a 3.11% impervious surface variance due to unique characteristics associated with the lot. Typically, riparian lots on general development lakes, such as Spring Lake, require a minimum lot width of 90 ft. and minimum area of 15,000 sq. ft. Skluzacek explained that the lot was non-conforming both in width (50 ft.) and square footage (6,650 sq. ft.). and recommended approval with conditions. Commissioner Discussion: Discussion focused on stormwater management, impervious surface limits, potential neighboring driveway encroachment to the north, and overall home size relative to the lot. Commissioners expressed concern about exceeding the 30% standard and requested additional clarity on design alternatives. Applicant: Ryan Bigot (5042 Boulder Lane, Chaska): Ryan Bigot stated the home was reduced in size from the original design, but further reduction of impervious area would require significant redesign. He indicated willingness to discuss potential driveway adjustments with the neighbor. MOTION BY ROOK, SECONDED BY YURKO TO OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING ON ITEM 4A AT 6:22 P.M. VOTE: Ayes by Fenstermacher, Fleming, Rook, Tennison, and Yurko. Motion carried 5-0. 2 Public Comment: Matt Wozniczka (17051 Sunset Ave. NW): Asked why the proposed side setbacks differed between the north and south property lines, noting the proposed 5.5 ft. setback adjacent to his shared property line with the subject property and the 9.51 ft. setback on the other side. Planner Skluzacek: Explained that nonconforming lots are permitted reduced combined side setbacks totaling 15 ft., with flexibility in how the setback distribution is arranged, provided no setback is less than 5 ft. and gave common examples of 7.5 ft and 7.5 ft. or 10 ft. and 5 ft. Director McCabe: Added that the home was shifted south to maintain the additional required 15 ft. setback between dwellings on the north side. The proposed plan exceeded the 15 ft. minimum on Wozniczka’s side. Wozniczka: Asked whether there was a height limitation for the exterior wall located near the 5.5 ft. setback. Planner Skluzacek: Stated the maximum building height in the zoning district was 35 ft. unless additional approvals were obtained. Wozniczka: Asked whether the proposed porch and future deck areas were included in impervious surface calculations. Planner Skluzacek: Confirmed the covered porch was included in the impervious surface calculation. He stated no deck was currently being proposed, though a compliant deck could be added in the future if constructed to remain pervious by allowing ¼ in. spacing between boards with no additional hardcover underneath. Additionally, walkways 3 ft. or less with 3 ft. of pervious coverage on both sides may be excluded from the impervious surface calculation. The sidewalk, which is not shown on the proposed plans, would need to meet this requirement to be excluded. Wozniczka: Expressed concern regarding the unequal setbacks and the proximity of a potentially 35 ft. tall wall near the south property line. He requested consideration of more equal spacing between adjacent properties. Planner Skluzacek: Noted additional setback space existed on the north side that could allow minor adjustments to the building for slightly more central positioning on the lot. Frank Kuechle (16816 Marschall Rd.): Expressed concerns regarding the scale of newer lake homes being constructed on smaller lake lots and questioned compatibility with the surrounding neighborhood character. Director McCabe: Explained that homes meeting zoning standards for height, impervious surface coverage, and setbacks may be approved administratively, while projects requiring deviations from those standards must obtain variance approval from the Planning Commission which is what was being requested in this case. MOTION BY TENNISON, SECONDED BY ROOK TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING ON ITEM 4A AT 6:28 P.M. VOTE: Ayes by Fenstermacher, Fleming, Rook, Tennison, and Yurko. Motion carried 5-0. Commissioner Comments: Commissioners agreed additional refinement was needed to more closely align with the 30% impervious surface maximum. The Commissioners wished to see additional revisions that will further reduce the variance request from 3.11% to something lower. 3 MOTION BY YURKO, SECONDED BY TENNISON TO TABLE THE RESOLUTION APPROVING THE VARIANCE REQUESTED FOR 17031 SUNSET AVENUE NW WITH CONDITIONS. VOTE: Ayes by Fenstermacher, Fleming, Rook, Tennison, and Yurko. Motion carried 5-0. B. PDEV26-000014 – 4646 Lords Street NE – Variance – Detail Homes on behalf of property owners, Todd and Molly Phelps, are requesting approval of a variance from the Ordinary High- Water Level (OHWL) setback of 50 ft. to construct a new single-family home at 36.5 ft. OHWL setback and a variance from the minimum 25 ft. front yard setback to allow the home to be constructed at a 21.67 ft. front yard setback. (PID: 259350140) Planner Moretto: Planner Moretto summarized the request for shoreline and front-yard setback variances and recommended approval with conditions. Commissioner Comments: Commissioners discussed site constraints, grading, home size, and setback tradeoffs. Additionally, there was discussion concerning shoreland impact and low floor elevation above the OHWL. While noting improvements over existing conditions, several members indicated the design could be further refined, particularly regarding shoreline setback and overall scale. A majority of the Commission commented that an increase in rear setback beyond 36.5 ft. would be appropriate. Applicant: Todd Phelps (4646 Lords Street NE): Todd Phelps described the proposal as an improved replacement home responding to lot constraints, with reduced impervious coverage and better shoreline relationship. The applicant discussed their plans for the structure and some of the project iterations that produced the proposed plan. The applicant responded to many of the Commission’s questions. MOTION BY ROOK, SECONDED BY TENNISON TO OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING ON ITEM 4B AT 7:24 P.M. VOTE: Ayes by Fenstermacher, Fleming, Rook, Tennison, and Yurko. Motion carried 5-0. Public Comment: NONE. MOTION BY YURKO, SECONDED BY TENNISON TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING ON ITEM 4B AT 7:25 P.M. VOTE: Ayes by Fenstermacher, Fleming, Rook, Tennison, and Yurko. Motion carried 5-0. Commissioner Comments: There was continued discussion about the size of the home and the need for the requested setbacks. Most of the Commission agreed that further refinement was needed before a decision could be made. They requested the applicant amend their design to reduce the OHWL lakeside setback and make other site improvements where possible. There was a consensus that the proposal was close but required further refinement. MOTION BY FENSTERMACHER, SECONDED BY YURKO TO TABLE THE RESOLUTION APPROVING THE VARIANCES REQUESTED FOR 4646 LORDS STREET NE WITH CONDITIONS. VOTE: Ayes by Fenstermacher, Fleming, Rook, Tennison, and Yurko. 4 Motion carried 5-0. C. PDEV26-000013 – 13810 Shepherds Path NW – Combined Preliminary and Final Plat and Variance – Presbyterian Homes & Services (PHS), in partnership with Senior Housing Partners (SHP), are proposing a Major Amendment to the existing Shepherd’s Path Planned Unit Development (PUD), to provide for an expansion of the existing McKenna Crossing Senior Housing Campus. Specifically, the amendment would allow the construction of an Independent Living building in place of a previously approved Skilled Nursing facility and would adjust certain dimensional standards to accommodate the proposed building design. (PID 254520030) Planner Skluzacek: Planner Skluzacek presented the request to amend the PUD for a 72-unit independent living building. Commissioner Comments: Discussion focused on parking ratios, traffic impacts, site circulation, and consistency with prior approvals. Staff noted infrastructure was designed for higher density development than what was being proposed. Applicant: Marissa Geiser (Representing PHS, 2845 Hamline Ave N. Roseville): Marissa Geiser described the proposal as a continuation of the campus with updated housing options and amenities. The applicant stressed that the proposal was influenced by a changing market and desire for lifecycle housing within the existing McKenna Crossing Senior Housing Campus. Geiser shared more information with the Commission in response to the questions received on parking and overall site circulation. Commissioner Comments: Commissioners expressed support, noting the project’s alignment with community needs and housing goals. MOTION BY TENNISON, SECONDED BY FENSTERMACHER TO OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING ON ITEM 4A AT 8:12 P.M. VOTE: Ayes by Fenstermacher, Fleming, Rook, Tennison, and Yurko. Motion carried 5-0. Public Comment: NONE. MOTION BY FENSTERMACHER, SECONDED BY ROOK TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING ON ITEM 4A AT 8:16 P.M. VOTE: Ayes by Fenstermacher, Fleming, Rook, Tennison, and Yurko. Motion carried 5-0. MOTION BY FENSTERMACHER, SECONDED BY YURKO TO RECOMMEND THE CITY COUNCIL APPROVE THE MAJOR AMENDMENTS TO THE MCKENNA CROSSING PUD. VOTE: Ayes by Fenstermacher, Fleming, Rook, Yurko, and Schmokel. Motion carried 5-0. D. PDEV26-000008 – 1390 170th Street E – Preliminary Plat with Preliminary Planned Unit Development and Variance – Pinnacle Family Homes LLC is requesting approval of a Preliminary Plat and a Preliminary Planned Unit Development (PUD) for a 62-lot single family residential development to be known as Campbell Shores. The public hearing will also include 5 consideration of a requested variance from the minimum 50% open space requirement in each tier of a shoreland PUD overlay district. (PID 259050250) Planner Moretto: Planner Moretto presented the preliminary plat, PUD, and variance request for a 62-lot subdivision and recommended approval. Moretto also reviewed staff’s discussion with the DNR and the DNR’s recommendations for this process. Commissioner Comments: Discussion included open space calculations, conservation easements, density, and precedent developments. There were additional questions concerning the location of open space relative to the placement of public infrastructure and placement of lots throughout the subdivision. The Commission discussed trails and transportation safety and the need for improvements near the site. Applicant: John Anderson (Representing Pinnacle Family Homes, 16154 Main Ave SE #110 E): John Anderson presented the proposal, noting coordination with city and Scott County partners on the intersection of 170th Street E and Marschall Road. He explained design constraints tied to a future roundabout, trail underpass, and stormwater infrastructure, which support the variance request. The project includes a trail system, conservation easements, and custom homes. Anderson presented examples of similar developments throughout Prior Lake that provide context for this development. Commissioner Comments: Questions focused on the trail connectivity and pedestrian crossings in addition to total site open space, which is 50%. Anderson confirmed a planned underpass at Marshall Road. Staff noted future parks west of the site will serve the development. A right-turn lane on 170th Street will be included in future construction. MOTION BY TENNISON, SECONDED BY ROOK TO OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING ON ITEM 4B AT 8:51 P.M. VOTE: Ayes by Fenstermacher, Fleming, Rook, Tennison, and Yurko. Motion carried 5-0. Public Comment: NONE. MOTION BY FENSTERMACHER, SECONDED BY YURKO TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING ON ITEM 4B AT 8:51 P.M. VOTE: Ayes by Fenstermacher, Fleming, Rook, Tennison, and Yurko. Motion carried 5-0. Commissioner Comments: All commissioners expressed support, highlighting design quality and open space. MOTION BY TENNISON, SECONDED BY FENSTERMACHER TO APPROVE THE REQUESTED VARIANCE AND RECOMMEND APPROVAL OF THE PRELIMINARY PLAT AND PRELIMINARY PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENT PLAN FOR CAMPBELL SHORES SUBJECT TO THE LISTED CONDITIONS. VOTE: Ayes by Fenstermacher, Fleming, Rook, Tennison, and Yurko. Motion carried 5-0. 6 5. Old Business: NONE. 6. New Business: NONE. 7. Announcements & Adjournment: Announcements: NONE. MOTION BY FENSTERMACHER, SECONDED BY ROOK TO ADJOURN THE MAY 18, 2026, PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING AT 8:53 PM. VOTE: Ayes by Fenstermacher, Fleming, Rook, Tennison, and Yurko. Motion carried 5-0. Respectfully submitted, Sandra Peppin, Development Services Assistant