02-17-2011 Planning Commission Minutes

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MINUTES PEQUOT LAKES PLANNING COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING FEBRUARY 17,2011 PRESENT: Tom Adams, Deb Brown, John Derksen, Bill Habein, Mark Hallan, Scott Pederson, and Cheri Seils. ABSENT: None. CITY PLANNER: Charles L. Marohn, Jr., PE, AICP ZONING ADMINISTRATOR: Dawn Bittner COUNCIL LIAISON: Jerry Akerson The meeting was called to order by Chairman Pederson at 5:30 p.m. COMPREHENSIVE PLAN DISCUSSION: a. Draft of Comprehensive Plan— b.Discussion on Strategies— Mr. Marohn passed out the strategies he had created and the members went through them, editing them as well as the comments made online. The Grow Zone area was discussed as it may be too far south. Chairman Pederson opened the public hearings. PUBLIC HEARINGS: APPLICANT: Donald Babinski Applicant Requests a Conditional Use Permit for an Animal Shelter, Office Space and Assembly and Packaging Facility Mr. Marohn explained the Staff Report. Applicant was present. The rescue shelter may be expanded to the building to the south if necessary. Staff is recommending approval, based on the eleven Findings of Fact listed in the Staff Report, along with three suggested conditions that the uses be limited to those included in the application,the data requested by Crow Wing County be submitted, although this use is vastly less intense than the Crafters Mall, and that licensing be obtained from the Board of Animal Health. The question was raised whether or not there should be a limit on the number of animals housed at the shelter. Mr. Marohn stated there is a website that represents itself as an information site for people wishing to create a rescue shelter. The site stated they would need 100 sq. ft. per dog, or 240 dogs per building. Mr. Marohn further stated he has no concept of what the demand would be. If the number is an issue,the Planning Commission could set some parameters. They are huge buildings. Minutes 1 Pequot Lakes Planning Commission February 17, 2011