[00:00] Mayor Kevin Zabel: Call the regular meeting of the Oakdale City Council to order. Uh March 6, 2025. Roll call, please. [00:05] City Staff: Pearson here. Wilenbring here. Campbell is absent. McCauley here. Data here. Hagen also absent. And Wilson here. [00:20] Mayor Kevin Zabel: Uh, pledge of allegiance, please. [00:22] All: I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. [00:35] Mayor Kevin Zabel: Okay. I call for approval of the agendas. Any changes anybody needs to make or we just approve it? [00:40] Council Member Gary Severson: Make a motion for approval of agenda. [00:41] Council Member Andy Morcomb: Second. [00:42] Mayor Kevin Zabel: All those in favor? [00:43] Council Members: I. [00:44] Mayor Kevin Zabel: Any opposed? Thank you. Approval of the minutes. Anyone have any changes to the minutes uh that they need to make? [00:50] Council Member Kari Moore: Make a motion to approval of minutes. [00:52] Council Member Katie Wrich: Second. [00:53] Mayor Kevin Zabel: All those in favor? [00:54] Council Members: I. [00:55] Mayor Kevin Zabel: Any opposed? Motion passes. Thank you. Call open forum. This is a time chance for anybody who is in the in attendance who wishes to make a comment that's not on the agenda to come forward and speak. But again, it's not on the agenda. Anything that's not on the agenda? Does anyone wish to come forward? Seeing none, I close the open forum. Uh we have no old no old business. So we will start with new business. A public hearing for the Ethiopian Evangelical Church in Minnesota, 7360 33rd Street North, a conditional use permit for a place of worship. [01:25] Luke McClanahan: Thank you, chair. So, I will have the uh presentation slides up here in just a moment. So, the location of the site is 7360 33rd Street. It's the former LA Fitness site. Uh the zoning for this property is planned unit development or PUD. And the purpose of the request is to establish a place of worship or a church. And places of worship are allowed in all zoning districts through the conditional use permit process. I would like to note that there is federal law that also provides some guidance here. It's um RLUIPA or the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act of 2000. It essentially requires that religious assemblies and institutions be treated equally as non-religious assemblies and institutions. for example, um city buildings or school district or school public school district buildings. Uh they all have to be treated um equally. [02:30] Luke McClanahan: Access to the site—there is an existing access off Hemingway. As you probably know, the intersection of Hemingway and 34th Street can be a little bit tricky to navigate because there is no left turn lane off Hemingway to go westbound on 34th Street. So, at the request of both the city and the Washington County Public Works Department, the developer commissioned a traffic study uh for the proposed change in use. And I'll talk a little bit more about the traffic situation in just a moment. [03:05] Luke McClanahan: So, here's a look at the site in question. It's outlined in red. The existing building is approximately 45,000 square ft. I'll show the concept floor plans in just a moment, but the uh the main assembly hall would be able to accommodate up to 915 people. So however the church which is currently located in St. Paul uh it currently has about 700 congregants and that this figure includes not just adults but also children. Uh now for parking requirements which is based on the size of the assembly hall and the office space that's associated with the church. 247 parking spaces are required. This site has 300 existing parking spaces. So there uh the parking requirements aren't met. [04:00] Luke McClanahan: So, here are some photos of the property when it was previously operating as a commercial gym. And the applicant has stated that there will be no exterior building expansions or additions. All renovation work will be limited to the inside of the building only. I would like to note that uh any changes to signage would require a sign permit through the city. [04:25] Luke McClanahan: So, here's a look at the preliminary floor plans for the church. And again, the main assembly hall would is expected to seat up to 915 people. There will be approximately 3,000 square ft of office space, a mom/family room connected to the assembly hall, seven Sunday school classrooms, an infant and toddler room, restrooms, a gym, an entryway, a gathering area, and also a kitchen. So, here's another look at the preliminary floor plans which show the existing uh partitions and rooms which is kind of in the lighter outline. It's very difficult to see on on this screen, so I apologize about that. [05:10] Luke McClanahan: Um, but moving on. So, as a reminder, conditional use permits are subject to certain review criteria that's found in the city's zoning ordinance. And I'll just briefly summarize those review criterias. The first one is compliance with the city's comprehensive plan. Next is uh compatibility compatibility of the use with the zoning district in which it is located. No nuisance effects generated, no traffic congestion or parking issues. And again, I would like to note that again the uh the applicant worked with the traffic engineer to prepare a traffic study. [05:50] Luke McClanahan: Moving on with the criteria, the use must be adequately served by public services. No excessive costs incurred for public services or infrastructure. and finally minimal impacts to environmental and natural features. So with that said, staff finds that the conditional use permit review criteria of the ordinance has been satisfied as detailed in the staff report on file. Uh staff recommends approval subject to the following condition of approval. And if you're following along on the in the agenda packet, I'm on page 20, last page, and it's uh in the draft resolution. And again, it's just one condition of approval. [06:30] Luke McClanahan: So wayfinding signage shall be added at the intersection of 33rd Street North and Hemingway Avenue North and along 33rd Street North. So the wayfinding signage is intended to help direct drivers who are looking to go westbound on 34th Street and essentially trying to avoid having them um make that turn um at the intersection of Hemingway 34th. they would be redirected further east in that neighborhood so that they could make a proper left turn at the intersection of Marketplace and 34th Street. [07:05] Luke McClanahan: Uh, one final note. So, although there is only one condition of approval, staff is suggesting but is not requiring that the applicant implement the recommendations that's found in the traffic study. And these include adding, excuse me, adding a feature sidewalk connection from the church to Hemingway Avenue, developing a shared parking agreement with the adjacent property, conducting further traffic analysis, adjusting internal driveway alignments, and also working with Washington County on potential future traffic improvements. And as a reminder, this is a public hearing. The applicant is here in attendance, and I'd be happy to answer any questions. Thank you. [07:50] Mayor Kevin Zabel: Okay. Anyone have any questions? I don't one question one one question I have though. So the traffic study is going to be limited to just sort of those two parking lot that you are conditioning to be um shared like a shared parking agreement or we talking maybe highway 14 or that 34. Uh typically it's a right-hand turn on 34 uh going east to loop around to go uh west or you're looking at creating an intersection there at Hemingway and 34. [08:20] Luke McClanahan: So yeah, in terms of u I guess if I'm understanding the the question correctly. So the traffic study, yeah, one of the suggestions was um I'll I'll take the parking first. the the question on the parking uh it's just a suggestion that um the church work with the property immediately to the east. So that's the the multi-tenant building just for the cross parking agreement. And then um the actual condition of approval for that wayfinding signage um it's just a a a couple signs is really all that it would amount to to help direct traffic. Um instead of going taking a a a left turn if you're exiting the church taking a left turn or going north on Hemingway. really trying to prevent that and have them go closer or um take take a right-hand turn, go south on Hemingway and then east towards Target and then uh going to that intersection. [09:30] Mayor Kevin Zabel: Okay. All right. Thank you. It's good. But there wouldn't be any blockage for them to go up Hemingway and turn right to go east along 34th. [09:40] Luke McClanahan: No, you could still make that right turn going north on Hemingway and then east on 34th. [09:45] Mayor Kevin Zabel: Is there any other there's a pylon sign down further by the gas station. Is there a pylon sign near there for pins or anything like that? [09:55] Luke McClanahan: I believe there is a pylon sign. There's several pylon signs in that neighborhood. Um and then there there's the old LA Fitness pylon sign as well that's close on the the west side of the site along the interstate. [10:10] Mayor Kevin Zabel: Go ahead, Michael. [10:11] Commissioner Michael: I was just going to ask, is there an apartment complex that's being built directly to the south of it, or am I thinking of like to the south southeast of it? [10:18] Luke McClanahan: Southeast. [10:20] Commissioner Michael: Okay. I was just thinking of like the adjacent parking workout or traffic uh analysis there, but looks like it's just the gas station that's right next to it. [10:28] Mayor Kevin Zabel: That'd be the only the a doctor's building that was minimally used, but they've got uh some parking facility in there as well. [10:35] Luke McClanahan: Okay. But it's just during the day, not not on the weekends, I believe. And I can bring up the location map here in a moment. Um so where my cursor is, that's the new apartment that just opened back in November. And then the gas station to the to the north. So there is a bit of a separation distance from uh the proposed church to the th those two structures. [11:00] Council Member Kari Moore: Any further questions? Just as a thought, traffic and parking was my only issue with this. And could there be a on a new onramp lane? I don't know how I'm saying this. On the corner of um Hemingway and 34th going east just because, you know, there's going to be a higher traffic there. Adding a little bit larger lane. as traffic turns onto there, it gives a little more of an on-ramp there. [11:25] Luke McClanahan: So, 34th Street is it's also it's a county road, so it's also called County Road 14. Um I my understanding is there's no immediate plans for improvements at that intersection, but it's it's it's certainly on the county's radar in terms of making improvements and as this area continues to build out. [11:45] Mayor Kevin Zabel: Anyone else? If not, then I guess I'll proceed to ask if there's anybody in the audience who wishes to come forward to speak to this matter. [11:55] Chuck Blair: My name is Chuck Blair. I've been I'm an attorney. I've been assisting the church on the acquisition of the property and the conditional use permit. Um, and I think some of the the issues with the uh traffic I I I reviewed too. And I think the thing with the county uh what was recommended to us and through the city engineer and also our own engineer was that the the county most likely would start by retiming some of the lights. That hasn't been done for a long time and especially on Sunday. So the church's use by and large is going to be pretty minimal. uh they have one service Sunday morning late in the morning until I think just afternoon and then otherwise uh they have religion classes where like 40 50 students show up and then they have some events here and there. So I think by and large the only traffic uh concern is going to be on that Sunday uh coming and going during those limited times when I I suspect that traffic overall may be lessened because it's a Sunday rather than a weekday. Um, so we'll be working with the the engineers on that. And then as far as the way uh finding signs as a condition is uh perfectly fine. I think the only thing we'd want to do is kind of get some direction on what that means and when that should be done. I think in talking to Luke, the thought was we'd do a bit of a wait and see approach to see what's necessary and what would be best based on some experience. So I'm not sure how that would work into the approval. Um, but other than that, we have the architect here if you had any questions about the internal renovations. Um, but otherwise, I think it's all uh well set out and Luke did a great job of presenting it. [14:05] Mayor Kevin Zabel: So, I don't really have anything to add. The only question I would have for the engineer would would be a off the subject question as to what you going to do with the pool because it's it's marked it's marked. [14:15] Chuck Blair: My understanding it's going to be filled. It's not going to be built in. [14:18] Mayor Kevin Zabel: Yeah, they're not going to use it as a pool. [14:20] Chuck Blair: No, I think they went to just building a floor over it or taking it all out. Basically just infill it saying insulation and then this concrete over the top. [14:30] Mayor Kevin Zabel: Okay. Answers my question. Okay, thank you. Anyone else have any questions for them? [14:35] Council Member Andy Morcomb: One question here. Is the second floor demo too? Also, the mez the mezzanine it's marked. It's actually marked in there for seating as well. [14:42] Chuck Blair: Oh, that's what they call a mezzanine. [14:44] Council Member Andy Morcomb: Yeah, that's what it is. Okay. All right, got it. [14:50] Mayor Kevin Zabel: Anyone else have a question for me? Okay, I'll bring it back here for uh final final questions amongst the commit amongst us. Uh, anybody have any final comments? None. Okay. Then I look for a motion. [15:05] Council Member Gary Severson: Move to recommend the approval of the conditional use permit to establish a place of worship at 7360 33rd Street North. [15:15] Council Member Katie Wrich: Second. [15:16] Mayor Kevin Zabel: Second. All those in favor? [15:18] Council Members: I. [15:19] Mayor Kevin Zabel: Any opposed? Motion passes. Thank you very much. Our staff liaison update. [15:25] Luke McClanahan: Yes. Thank you. So really just one update here. So I expect that we will have an April planning commission meeting. We have two applications or um two requests. So, one is a senior condos proposal by um Fourth and Ideal or the Oak Meadows uh apartment if if you're familiar with that. And then we have another conditional use permit for an oversized garage. That's all I have. Thank you. [15:55] Mayor Kevin Zabel: Thank you. Commissioner updates. So, anyone have any updates that they wish to express? [16:05] Commissioner Michael: No. Since uh you mentioned April, I would actually not be available at that meeting. I'll be on vacation. [16:15] Mayor Kevin Zabel: Okay, thank you. That's all. Council liaison, Miss Wenbring. [16:20] Council Member Wilenbring: Nothing new to report, but happy to answer questions. [16:25] Mayor Kevin Zabel: I have no questions for you. [16:27] Luke McClanahan: No questions. Nice to see you again. [16:30] Council Member Wilenbring: Yeah. Yeah. It's been a long time. [16:32] Luke McClanahan: What's that? [16:33] Council Member Wilenbring: I said it's nice to see you again. [16:35] Luke McClanahan: Oh, yeah. Thank you. Yeah. I was out of the country for a while. [16:40] Council Member Wilenbring: Oh, nice. [16:42] Mayor Kevin Zabel: Yeah. Okay. Thank you very much. Uh move to adjourn. [16:45] Council Member Gary Severson: So moved. [16:46] Mayor Kevin Zabel: All those in favor? [16:47] Council Members: I. [16:48] Mayor Kevin Zabel: All those opposed. We stand adjourned. Quick meeting. [16:55] Council Member Katie Wrich: Quick meeting. 18 minutes.