Minutes - Council - 02/10/2026 - Laserfiche WebLink

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of July 1, pending weather and construction conditions. The first construction meeting is scheduled for the following day, pending council approval. Councilmember Buscher thanked Mr. Riverblood for the presentation and for all of the hard work. She thought it was beautiful work. Motion by Councilmember Buscher, seconded by Councilmember Specht, to adopt Resolution #26-042, Authorizing a Contract Amendment with H & U Construction for a Guaranteed Maximum Price of $3,624,184 for Improvement Project #25-58, Waterfront Waterplay Park Improvements, together with an owner’s allowance from the Park Trust Fund for a total project allocation of $3,752,684. Motion carried. Voting Yes: Mayor Heineman, Councilmembers Buscher, Olson, Peters, Riley, Specht, and Stewart. Voting No: None. 7.02: Adopt Resolution #26-020 and #26-021 Approving the Preliminary Plat of “Oshaughnessy Third Addition” and Variance to Scenic River Protection Overlay at 17201 St. Francis Blvd. NW. Planning Manager Larson presented a proposed preliminary plat and associated variance request for a 34-acre property located between Highway 47 (St. Francis Boulevard) on the west and Germanium Street Northwest on the east. The property currently consists of two parcels, including an existing house on the western parcel. A small portion of the eastern area lies within the Scenic River Protection Overlay District, which does not change the underlying residential zoning but increases the minimum lot width requirement from 200 feet to 300 feet to limit residential density near the river. Planning Manager Larson explained the proposed plat would retain the existing house on Lot 2 and create three additional buildable single-family residential lots. A variance is required for the portion of Lot 2 that falls within the Scenic River Overlay District. The City Council granted a lot- width variance last fall, and it was noted at that time that an additional variance would be required for the scenic river portion. He explained that the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources was notified as required and has reviewed the proposal. The DNR did not object to the variance because the existing house is outside the scenic river setback area. The variance request is supported by state statutory criteria incorporated into the city code, including findings that the variance is reasonable and that granting it will not alter the locality's essential character. The placement of the house farther back from the river was cited as consistent with the intent of the overlay district. Planning Manager Larson indicated that as the project moves to the final plat, a drainage and utility easement will be required within the scenic river area to clearly restrict future construction, such as garages, in that portion of the property. He also noted existing driveway encroachments on the property, which the owner has acknowledged and agreed to correct. The Planning Commission recommended approval of the preliminary plat and variance at its most recent meeting. Planning Manager Larson stated that the City Council may approve, modify, or deny the request, but that any denial would require specific findings. He concluded that the Planning Commission’s City Council /February 10, 2026 Page 15 of 20