Minutes - Council - 09/23/2025 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home

Councilmember Specht shared his appreciation for the work that the EDA does and for keeping its budget flat this year. Motion carried. Voting Yes: Mayor Heineman, Councilmembers Specht, Peters, Buscher, Olson, Riley, and Stewart. Voting No: None. 7.02: Appeal of the Planning Commission's denial of a variance for lot width for the proposed plat of "O’Shaughnessy 3rd Addition" at 17201 St. Francis Blvd. NW. Planning Manager Larson reviewed the Staff report in regard to an appeal of the Planning Commission’s denial of a variance for lot width on the proposed plat of “O’Shaughnessy 3rd Addition” at 17201 St. Francis Boulevard NW. Tim O'Shaughnessy, 17201 St. Francis Boulevard NW, came forward and thanked Staff and the Planning Commission for all of their work on this item. He shared that the southern lot of this plat needs over 60% non-easement property, while the proposal from the City would leave this lot at less than 50% buildable. He said they comply with the spirit of the ordinance. He noted that MnDOT has approved this request. He stated that he wants the southern lot to be as nice as possible. Councilmember Riley asked if the applicant would still be able to meet his goals by moving the lot lines. Mr. O'Shaughnessy said no, as it would turn the northern lot into a skinny lot. Mayor Heineman explained that when the Planning Commission decides on a variance, the Council can overrule this if the findings were inaccurate. He noted that there are seven conditions for approving a variance. He asked if all seven conditions were addressed in these findings from the Planning Commission. Planning Manager Larson explained that they only need to meet one of the conditions to approve a variance. Mayor Heineman shared that he sees errors in the findings of the Planning Commission, as they are only addressing two of the conditions. Planning Manager Larson explained that the application did not include any direct answers to the seven conditions to see if any of them worked. He noted that this burden is on the applicant to provide, and it was not provided. He said Staff looked at this and figured out a way to make it work, and the applicant did not like this solution. Councilmember Buscher shared that other properties throughout the City have been given this variance, and it would not alter the character of the locality, as this would still be a large plot of land. City Council / September 23, 2025 Page 8 of 11