Oak Park Heights public meetings in 2021

Parks Trails Commission

The Commission will review a survey regarding Swager Park playground equipment replacement. The meeting also includes setting an interview schedule for the Summer Park Program Coordinator position.

• Swager Park Playground Equipment Replacement Survey review
• Approval of 2022 Parks and Trails Commission meeting dates
• Setting interview date/time for Summer Park Program Coordinator

Planning Commission

The Planning Commission voted 4-0 to recommend City Council approval of a Conditional Use Permit for LCI Landscapes for land reclamation and grading at 5675 Newell Circle N, subject to amended conditions from the October 6, 2021 Planning Report and the City Engineer's November 9, 2021 letter. The conditions include placing the boulder retaining wall no closer than three feet from the rear property line, acknowledging encroachment into public easements, and prohibiting underground stormwater piping below the top grade of the wall. The Commission also approved the agenda, the October 14, 2021 meeting minutes, and the 2022 meeting calendar and representative schedule, all by 4-0 votes.

• Approved the agenda as presented (4-0).
• Approved the October 14, 2021 meeting minutes as presented (4-0).
• Recommended City Council approval of the LCI Landscapes CUP for land reclamation and grading at 5675 Newell Circle N, subject to amended conditions (4-0).
• Approved the 2022 meeting calendar and commission representative schedule as presented (4-0).
• Adjourned the meeting at 6:13 p.m. (4-0).

Parks Trails Commission

The Oak Park Heights Parks and Trails Commission is holding its regular meeting, which includes a park walkthrough and discussion of old and new business. The commission will consider replacing playground equipment at Swager Park and train equipment at Brekke Park, as well as the process for replacing the Summer Park Program Coordinator. No public hearings are scheduled.

• Swager Park Playground Equipment Replacement
• Brekke Park Train Equipment
• Summer Park Program Coordinator Position Replacement Process
• Approval of September 20, 2021 minutes
• Public comment period (3-minute limit)

The Oak Park Heights Parks and Trails Commission met on October 18, 2021, and approved the agenda and prior minutes. No substantive decisions were made; the commission discussed playground equipment replacement at Swager Park, maintenance of the Brekke Park train, and the summer park program coordinator replacement process, but took no action on any of these items.

• Approved agenda (4-0)
• Approved September 20, 2021 minutes (4-0)
• Discussed Swager Park playground equipment replacement; no action taken
• Discussed Brekke Park train maintenance and possible modification; no action taken
• Discussed summer park program coordinator replacement process; no action taken

Planning Commission

The Oak Park Heights Planning Commission voted 4-0 to recommend City Council approval of the preliminary and final plat and site plan for a dental clinic at 13961 60th St. N., subject to 12 conditions. The commission also voted 4-0 to recommend approval of amendments to the 2018 Comprehensive Plan to clarify language about transportation and annexations, which the city says was being misinterpreted. Both recommendations were carried unanimously.

• Approved the agenda as presented (4-0).
• Approved the September 9, 2021 meeting minutes as presented (4-0).
• Recommended City Council approval of the DRF Stillwater Dental LLC preliminary and final plat and site plan, subject to 12 conditions (4-0).
• Recommended City Council approval of the 2018 Comprehensive Plan amendments as presented in the October 6, 2021 Planning Memorandum (4-0).
• Closed the public hearing for the dental clinic request (4-0).
• Closed the public hearing for the comprehensive plan amendment (4-0).
• Adjourned the meeting at 6:50 p.m. (4-0).

Parks Trails Commission

The Oak Park Heights Parks and Trails Commission will discuss replacing playground equipment at Swager Park, review the community garden program, and consider amending bylaws to change the meeting start time. The agenda also includes routine items like approving minutes and receiving liaison reports.

• Swager Park Playground Equipment Replacement
• Community Garden Program Annual Review
• Cover Park Garden and Historical Marker Sign
• Discuss Meeting Start Time – Possible Amendment to the Bylaws
• Zephyr Theater Shakespeare in the Park Event Recap

The Parks and Trails Commission approved a single pedestal sign style for Cover Park and directed staff to obtain cost estimates and schedule a location selection. They also directed staff to seek public input on Swager Park playground equipment replacement via the December newsletter and a site visit. No other substantive decisions were made; other items were informational or required no action.

• Approved single pedestal sign style for Cover Park (4-0)
• Directed staff to obtain cost estimates for Cover Park sign and set location selection at next meeting (4-0)
• Directed staff to publish notice in December newsletter for Swager Park playground planning and schedule park meeting (4-0)

Planning Commission

The Planning Commission voted 5-0 to recommend City Council approval of a Planned Unit Development Amendment and Conditional Use Permit for W.A.T.E. Enterprises to allow an enclosed, outdoor storage area at 5570 Memorial Ave. N. The recommendation is subject to amended conditions from the August 31, 2021 Planning Report, including allowing a Class 5 gravel surface without curb and gutter at this time. The public hearing was opened and closed with no visitors present.

• Approved the agenda as presented, 5-0.
• Approved the July 8, 2021 meeting minutes as presented, 5-0.
• Closed the public hearing for the W.A.T.E. Enterprises request with no visitors, 5-0.
• Recommended City Council approval of the W.A.T.E. Enterprises PUD Amendment and CUP, subject to conditions, 5-0.
• Adjourned the meeting at 6:20 p.m., 5-0.

Parks Trails Commission

The Parks and Trails Commission will approve the minutes from July 19, 2021, and receive reports from the Arborist and Public Works Director. The only substantive business involves reviewing quotes for a toddler swing and a garden plaque at Cover Park. There are no new business items or public hearings scheduled.

• Review of quotes for Cover Park Toddler Swing
• Review of Cover Park Garden Plaque

The Parks Trails Commission recommended purchasing a toddler swing for Cover Park from Flagship Recreation, with funds from the Moelter Fund, and directed staff to research ideas for a historical plaque at Cover Park. Both motions carried 3-0. No other substantive decisions were made; the meeting also included reports on the Emerald Ash Borer Management Plan, an Eagle Scout project, and the Sunrise Rotary Bike Rally.

• Recommended purchase of toddler swing from Flagship Recreation for Cover Park (3-0)
• Directed staff to research plaque ideas for Cover Park (3-0)

Parks Trails Commission

The commission will review minutes from previous meetings and hear reports from the Arborist and Public Works Director. The meeting includes a worksession to discuss candidates for a commission vacancy.

• Appointment to Parks and Trails Commission vacancy
• Parks and Trails walkthrough discussion
• Arborist and Public Works Director reports

The Parks and Trails Commission recommended Annie Berres for a commission vacancy, with Jennifer Van Dyke as alternate. They also discussed 2021 park walkthrough findings, requesting cost estimates for an infant swing set at Cover Park and a trail connection at Oak Park Crossing Park, among other maintenance items. No formal decisions were made on park improvements beyond the recommendation.

• Recommended Annie Berres for commission vacancy, Jennifer Van Dyke as alternate (4-0)
• Approved agenda (4-0)
• Approved May 17, 2021 minutes and June 21, 2021 notes (4-0)
• Requested cost estimate for infant swing set at Cover Park
• Requested rough estimate and timeline for bike trail connection at Oak Park Crossing Park
• Agreed to restore horseshoe pit at Valley View Park in-house
• Prioritized switching playground sand to mulch at Swager Park
• Agreed to add snow stops at Autumn Hills Park shelter in-house

Planning Commission

The Planning Commission voted 4-0 to recommend City Council approval of a Planned Unit Development (PUD) amendment for an 18,952 square foot building expansion at 5650 Memorial Ave. N., for STO Prefab Panel operations by Zintl Inc. The recommendation is subject to conditions from the June 30, 2021 Planning Report, including lighting, screening, tree inventory, and fire marshal review. The public hearing was opened and closed with no public comment. The meeting was otherwise routine, with agenda and prior minutes approved.

• Approved the agenda as presented (4-0).
• Approved the May 13, 2021 meeting minutes as presented (4-0).
• Closed the public hearing for the WINN PUD Amendment with no public comment (4-0).
• Recommended City Council approval of the PUD amendment for the 18,952 sq ft expansion, subject to conditions (4-0).
• Adjourned the meeting at 6:28 p.m. (4-0).

Parks Trails Commission

The Oak Park Heights Parks and Trails Commission met on June 21, 2021, but lacked a quorum, so no official action could be taken. The commission discussed candidate interviews for a vacancy and deferred the appointment decision to the next meeting. Staff was directed to send interview recordings to absent members. The meeting was otherwise procedural, with no public comment or hearings.

• No quorum; no action taken
• Vacancy appointment deferred to next meeting
• Prairie maintenance at Swager and Valley View Parks on June 2
• Get to Know the Parks walk/run extended through June 30
• Next meeting July 19 at 6 p.m. at City Hall

Parks Trails Commission

The Oak Park Heights Parks and Trails Commission will hold a walkthrough of city parks followed by a regular Zoom meeting. The agenda includes discussions on the Cover Park Garden Renewal, reestablishing a garden committee, budgeting for shrubs, and community garden concepts. No public hearings are scheduled.

• Cover Park Garden Renewal discussion
• Reestablishment of a Garden Committee
• Budget for shrubs in city parks
• Community Garden Concepts
• Get to Know the Parks Virtual Walk/Run Event June 1-15

The Parks and Trails Commission adopted rules for a community garden concept and appointed Commissioner Randy Thoreson as the contact person. It also recommended moving forward with a low-maintenance renewal plan for the Cover Park garden. No action was taken on reestablishing a garden committee or a shrub budget.

• Adopted rules for community garden concept (4-0)
• Appointed Randy Thoreson as contact person for community garden (4-0)
• Recommended Cover Park garden renewal plan move forward (4-0)

Planning Commission

The Planning Commission voted 5-0 to recommend City Council approval of a Design Guideline Review and Conditional Use Permit for Vet I.Q. to increase exterior wall signage within Walmart at 5815 Norell Ave. N. The recommendation includes conditions such as no overnight boarding, noise and waste management, and specific sign limits. The public hearing was closed with no public comment.

• Approved agenda as presented (5-0)
• Approved April 8, 2021 meeting minutes (5-0)
• Closed public hearing for Vet I.Q. request (5-0)
• Recommended City Council approval of Vet I.Q. CUP and sign increase with conditions (5-0)

Parks Trails Commission

The Oak Park Heights Parks and Trails Commission will meet remotely via Zoom to approve minutes, receive liaison reports, and discuss old and new business. Key items include an update from the Garden Club and scheduling the annual parks walkthrough and a 'Get to Know Our Parks & Trails' walk/run event. No public hearings are scheduled.

• Approve minutes from March 15, 2021 meeting
• Garden Club update from Councilmember Johnson
• Schedule annual Parks and Trails Walkthrough
• Plan 'Get to Know Our Parks & Trails' Walk/Run Event

The Parks and Trails Commission approved the agenda, minutes, and a May 17 park walkthrough, but took no action on the Cover Park garden or a potential garden committee. Discussion on the garden was deferred to the next meeting, with concerns about volunteer sustainability and city resources. The commission also learned of the City Council's approval of a walk/run event replacing Party in the Park.

• Approved agenda (4-0)
• Approved January 25, 2021 minutes (4-0)
• Scheduled park walkthrough for May 17 at 5:00 p.m. starting at Cover Park (4-0)
• No action on Cover Park garden or garden committee; discussion deferred

Planning Commission

The Oak Park Heights Planning Commission voted 5-0 to recommend City Council approval of a Planned Unit Development (PUD) amendment for Lot 8 at Palmer Station, 5573 Oak Cove N. The amendment allows a front yard setback reduction from 30 feet to 20 feet and changes to the retaining wall. The recommendation is subject to conditions from the March 31, 2021 Planning Report, including city engineer approval of grading, drainage, and the boulder rock retaining wall. No public comment was received during the hearing.

• Approved agenda as presented (4-0)
• Approved March 11, 2021 meeting minutes (4-0)
• Closed public hearing with no public comment (5-0)
• Recommended City Council approval of Palmer Station PUD amendment with conditions (5-0)

Parks Trails Commission

The Oak Park Heights Parks and Trails Commission is meeting remotely to approve minutes, receive liaison reports, and discuss a bylaws amendment. No public hearings are scheduled. The commission will also receive the 2021 summer park program activities schedule.

• Bylaws amendment discussion
• 2021 Summer Park Program Activities Schedule from Coordinator Gina Zeuli
• Approval of January 25, 2021 minutes

The Parks and Trails Commission approved a bylaws amendment and forwarded it to the City Council. They also directed staff to summarize the Valley View Park Family Event for the city newsletter. No other substantive decisions were made; the meeting included reports and discussion of future events.

• Approved the agenda (3-0).
• Approved the January 25, 2021 minutes (3-0).
• Approved the bylaws amendment and forwarded it to the City Council (3-0).
• Directed staff to summarize the Valley View Park event for the newsletter (3-0).

Planning Commission

The Oak Park Heights Planning Commission recommended City Council approval of two conditional use permit requests: a rear yard setback reduction and garage construction at 6188 Beach Rd N, and a front yard setback reduction from 30 to 25 feet at 5613 Oak Cove N. Both recommendations were carried 5-0, subject to conditions. No other substantive decisions were made.

• Recommended approval of CUP for rear yard setback reduction and 1,395 sq ft garage at 6188 Beach Rd N (5-0)
• Recommended approval of PUD amendment for front yard setback reduction to 25 ft at 5613 Oak Cove N (5-0)
• Approved meeting agenda as presented (5-0)
• Approved February 11, 2021 meeting minutes (5-0)

Parks Trails Commission

The Parks and Trails Commission voted to direct staff to draft a bylaw amendment allowing commissioners to serve a third consecutive term if needed to fill the commission, and to bring it to the next meeting. They also authorized staff to advertise a vacancy left by Commissioner Tony Weyer, who declined a third term, and voted to send him a letter of thanks. Officers were re-elected: Judith Chirhart as Chair and Hal Peterson as Vice-Chair. No public comment or hearings were held.

• Directed staff to draft bylaw amendment for third-term extension (4-0)
• Authorized staff to advertise commission vacancy (4-0)
• Directed staff to send letter of thanks to Tony Weyer (4-0)
• Re-elected Judith Chirhart as Chairperson (4-0)
• Re-elected Hal Peterson as Vice-Chairperson (3-0, Peterson abstained)