Oak Park Heights public meetings in 2024

Planning Commission

The Oak Park Heights Planning Commission is meeting to continue a November 14 agenda that was postponed due to lack of quorum. They will hold public hearings on a conditional use permit for Stillwater Area High School improvements, a comprehensive plan amendment and conditional use permits for a 6-unit condominium at 5846 Stagecoach Trail N., and amendments to zoning ordinance Section 401 regarding cannabis and hemp businesses. The meeting is being live-streamed on the city's YouTube channel.

• Conditional Use Permit for Stillwater Area High School addition and stadium/athletic field improvements at 5701 Stillwater Blvd. N.
• Comprehensive Plan Amendment for JACC Capital Holdings LLC at 5846 Stagecoach Trail N. to change land use from Industrial to Residential/Business Transitional
• Conditional Use Permits for building height, parking, and density bonus for proposed 6-unit condominium
• Amendments to Zoning Ordinance Chapter 400, Section 401 related to Cannabis and Hemp Businesses
• Approval of August 8, 2024 Planning Commission meeting minutes

The Oak Park Heights Planning Commission recommended denial of a proposed 6-unit condominium at 5846 Stagecoach Trail N., including a comprehensive plan amendment to change land use from Industrial to Residential/Business Transitional and conditional use permits for height, parking, and density bonus. The recommendation was made after a public hearing with numerous neighborhood objections. The commission also recommended approval of a conditional use permit for Stillwater Area High School improvements and approved zoning ordinance amendments for cannabis businesses, with one commissioner opposed.

• Approved agenda as presented (3-0).
• Approved revised August 8, 2024 meeting minutes (3-0).
• Recommended City Council approval of Stillwater Area High School conditional use permit with conditions (3-0).
• Recommended denial of JACC Capital Holdings' comprehensive plan amendment and conditional use permits for a 6-unit condo (3-0).
• Recommended approval of zoning ordinance amendments for cannabis businesses, without minimum distance requirement and with security requirement (2-1).
• Adjourned at 8:25 p.m. (3-0).

Planning Commission

The Oak Park Heights Planning Commission will hold public hearings on a conditional use permit for a Stillwater Area High School addition and stadium improvements, a comprehensive plan amendment and conditional use permits for a 6-unit condominium at 5846 Stagecoach Trail N., and zoning ordinance amendments for cannabis and hemp businesses. The meeting also includes approval of minutes and public comment.

• Conditional Use Permit for Stillwater Area High School addition and stadium/athletic field improvements at 5701 Stillwater Blvd. N.
• Comprehensive Plan Amendment for 5846 Stagecoach Trail N. from Industrial to Residential/Business Transitional, plus CUP for height, parking, density bonus, and site plan review for 6-unit condo
• Zoning Ordinance Chapter 400, Section 401 amendments related to Cannabis and Hemp Businesses
• Approval of August 8, 2024 meeting minutes
• Public comment period limited to 3 minutes

Planning Commission

The Oak Park Heights Planning Commission will hold public hearings on two conditional use permit requests: one for a short-term rental/Airbnb at 13891 56th St. N. and another for Alchemy Sound & Vision to operate an office/service use in a Residential-Business Transitional district at 5963 O'Dell Ave. N. The commission will also approve minutes from the June 13 meeting and hear public comments.

• Conditional Use Permit for short-term rental/Airbnb at 13891 56th St. N.
• Conditional Use Permit for Alchemy Sound & Vision office/service use at 5963 O'Dell Ave. N. (R-B district)
• Approval of June 13, 2024 meeting minutes
• Public comment period (3-minute limit)

The Oak Park Heights Planning Commission voted 4-0 to recommend City Council approval of a conditional use permit for Kimberly Warner to operate a short-term rental (Airbnb) at 13891 56th St. N., subject to conditions including owner occupancy, a three-guest-per-bedroom limit, and no street parking. The commission also voted 4-0 to recommend approval of a conditional use permit for Alchemy Sound & Vision to operate an office/service use at 5963 O'Dell Ave. N., subject to conditions including a revised lighting plan and landscaping screening. Both recommendations will go to the City Council for final decision.

• Approved the agenda as presented (4-0).
• Approved the revised June 13, 2024 meeting minutes (4-0).
• Recommended City Council approval of the Warner short-term rental conditional use permit with conditions (4-0).
• Recommended City Council approval of the Alchemy Sound & Vision conditional use permit with conditions (4-0).
• Closed the public hearing for the Warner request (5-0).
• Closed the public hearing for the Alchemy Sound & Vision request (4-0).
• Adjourned the meeting at 7:07 p.m. (4-0).

Planning Commission

The Oak Park Heights Planning Commission will hold public hearings on two Comprehensive Plan Amendments: one to change land use at 5676 Oakgreen Ave. N. from Low to Medium Density Residential, and another for a proposed 81-unit apartment building west of Menards at 58th St. N., which also involves rezoning, plat, conditional use permits, and design review. The commission will also approve prior meeting minutes and hear public comments.

• Comprehensive Plan Amendment for 5676 Oakgreen Ave. N. from Low to Medium Density Residential
• Comprehensive Plan Amendment for property west of Menards at 58th St. N. from Commercial to Residential/Business Transitional
• Rezoning from O-Open Space to B-4 Limited Business District for 81-unit apartment building
• Preliminary and Final Plat, Conditional Use Permits, and Design Guidelines/Site Plan Review for the apartment project
• Approval of May 9, 2024 meeting minutes

The Planning Commission voted 3-2 to recommend the City Council deny a Comprehensive Plan Amendment to change the land use classification of 5676 Oakgreen Ave. N. from Low Density Residential to Medium Density Residential. The Commission also voted 4-0-1 to recommend approval of a Comprehensive Plan Amendment, rezoning, preliminary and final plat, conditional use permits, and design guidelines for an 81-unit apartment building west of Menards at 58th St. N., with conditions from the June 6, 2024 Planning Report.

• Recommended denial of Comprehensive Plan Amendment for 5676 Oakgreen Ave. N. (3-2)
• Recommended approval of Comprehensive Plan Amendment, rezoning to B-4, plat, CUP, and design review for 81-unit apartment building (4-0-1, Kremer abstained)
• Approved agenda as presented (5-0)
• Approved May 9, 2024 meeting minutes with typographical correction (5-0)

Parks Trails Commission

The Oak Park Heights Parks and Trails Commission will hold a ribbon cutting at the Brekke Park ballfield and a Tree City USA ceremonial tree planting before its regular meeting. The meeting includes approval of minutes, liaison reports, public comment, and old business items such as the Purple Loosestrife Harvest Final Report and the 2024 Parks Walkthrough. No public hearings or new business are scheduled.

• Ribbon cutting at Brekke Park ballfield
• Tree City USA ceremonial tree planting
• Purple Loosestrife Harvest Final Report
• 2024 Parks Walkthrough
• Next meeting June 17 at City Hall

The Parks and Trails Commission approved its agenda and April 15 minutes, and set a worksession for 5:30 p.m. on June 17 to discuss the 2024 park walkthrough. No new business or public hearings were held. The meeting adjourned at 5:28 p.m.

• Approved agenda (3-0)
• Approved April 15, 2024 minutes (3-0)
• Set worksession for June 17, 2024 at 5:30 p.m. to discuss park walkthrough (3-0)
• Adjourned at 5:28 p.m. (4-0)

Planning Commission

The Oak Park Heights Planning Commission will hold a public hearing on a conditional use permit (CUP) request for a detached garage at 6320 Lookout Trail N. The applicant seeks to place the garage in the front yard setback and exceed the allowable size by 211 square feet (1,200 square feet allowed). The commission will also make recommendations for commissioner appointments and elect a chair and vice chair.

• CUP request for detached garage at 6320 Lookout Trail N. to allow front yard setback and exceed size by 211 sq ft
• Public hearing on the CUP request
• Recommendation for commissioner appointments
• Election of chair and vice chair for two-year term
• Approval of January 12, 2024 meeting minutes

The Planning Commission voted 4-0 to recommend City Council approval of a conditional use permit for a detached garage at 6320 Lookout Trail N., allowing it in the front yard setback and exceeding the size limit by 211 square feet. The recommendation includes seven conditions, such as City Engineer review of drainage, screening of mechanical equipment, matching siding color, and prohibiting habitable space, kitchens, or bathrooms in the garage. The commission also recommended appointing Brandon Nelson and reappointing Commissioner Husby to the Planning Commission for terms starting June 2024.

• Approved agenda as presented (4-0).
• Approved January 12, 2024 meeting minutes with amendments (4-0).
• Closed public hearing for the CUP request (4-0).
• Recommended City Council approval of the CUP for 6320 Lookout Trail N. with conditions (4-0).
• Recommended City Council appoint Brandon Nelson to the Planning Commission (4-0).
• Recommended City Council reappoint Commissioner Husby to a second term (3-0, Husby abstained).
• No change recommended for Chair and Vice Chair positions until 2025 annual meeting.

Parks Trails Commission

The Oak Park Heights Parks and Trails Commission is meeting to approve minutes, hear public comment, and discuss several park items. Old business includes Oak Park Crossing Park swings and the 2024 parks walkthrough. New business covers scheduling a Brekke Park ballfield ribbon cutting and Arbor Month tree planting, a parks no-smoking policy, and a request to harvest purple loosestrife from city parks.

• Oak Park Crossing Park swings
• 2024 parks walkthrough
• Brekke Park ballfield ribbon cutting and Arbor Month tree planting
• Parks no-smoking policy
• Request to harvest purple loosestrife from city parks

The Parks and Trails Commission voted 4-0 to recommend the city move forward with the Oak Park Crossing Park swings project with St. Croix Recreation. They also set a ribbon cutting and tree planting for Brekke Park on May 20 at 5:00 p.m., and approved adding tobacco-free park signs (3-1, Van Dyke opposed). The commission authorized harvesting Purple Loosestrife from city parks (4-0) and decided to conduct individual park walkthroughs before the next meeting.

• Recommended moving forward with Oak Park Crossing Park swings project with St. Croix Recreation (4-0).
• Set Brekke Park ballfield ribbon cutting and Arbor Month tree planting for May 20 at 5:00 p.m. (4-0).
• Approved adding signs for tobacco-free parks (3-1, Van Dyke opposed).
• Authorized request to harvest Purple Loosestrife from city parks (4-0).
• Decided to walk through parks individually prior to the next meeting.
• Approved the agenda and minutes from March 18, 2024 (4-0).

Parks Trails Commission

The Oak Park Heights Parks and Trails Commission will hold a worksession to interview candidates for a commission vacancy, then a regular meeting to approve minutes, receive liaison reports, and take public comment. Old business includes the Swager Park replacement and Oak Park Crossing Park swings, while new business covers the 2024 budget update and a park walkthrough.

• Interview candidates for Parks and Trails Commission vacancy
• Swager Park replacement project update
• Oak Park Crossing Park swings project update
• 2024 Parks and Trails Budget Update
• Park walkthrough scheduled for 2024

The Parks and Trails Commission recommended the City accept Mauer Company LLC's $39,650 quote for the Swager Park fence replacement, which includes cedar tone treated wood posts and cedar planks. The recommendation will go to the City Council for final approval. The commission also recommended Tayor Pass for a commission vacancy and tabled the 2024 park walkthrough to the next meeting.

• Approved the agenda and minutes from February 26, 2024, both carried 2-0.
• Recommended Tayor Pass for the Parks and Trails Commission vacancy, carried 2-0.
• Recommended the City accept Mauer Company LLC's $39,650 quote for Swager Park fence replacement, carried 2-0.
• Tabled the 2024 park walkthrough to the next meeting, carried 2-0.

Parks Trails Commission

The Oak Park Heights Parks and Trails Commission is meeting to approve the previous meeting's minutes, hear liaison reports, and take public comment. Under new business, the commission will review quotes for a fence replacement project and schedule a candidate interview for a commission vacancy. No public hearings or old business items are on the agenda.

• Fence replacement quotes review
• Schedule candidate interview for commission vacancy
• Approve January 22, 2024 meeting minutes
• Public comment period (3-minute limit)

The Parks Trails Commission approved the agenda and January minutes, then directed staff to obtain quotes for the Swager Park fence replacement and recommended a black chain link fence for Cover Park. It also scheduled a candidate interview worksession for March 18 to fill a commission vacancy. Reports noted the City Council approved prairie restoration maintenance and a boulevard tree policy update, and that winter ash tree removals were pending Council approval.

• Approved agenda (4-0)
• Approved January 22, 2024 minutes (4-0)
• Directed staff to obtain quotes for Swager Park fence replacement (4-0)
• Recommended black chain link fence for Cover Park (4-0)
• Scheduled candidate interview worksession for March 18 at 5:00 p.m. (4-0)

Parks Trails Commission

The Oak Park Heights Parks and Trails Commission is meeting to approve minutes, hear liaison reports, and take public comment. The main action is appointing Commissioner Hoeppner to a second term. The commission will also hold its annual meeting and receive an update on Valley View Park mountain bike trails.

• Appoint Commissioner Hoeppner to a second term
• Annual update on Valley View Park MTB Trails
• Approval of November 20, 2023 meeting minutes
• Public comment period (3-minute limit)

The Parks and Trails Commission voted 4-0 to recommend George Hoeppner for a second term and appointed him as Chairperson for the coming year, with Tom Thiets as Vice-Chairperson. The commission also approved its agenda and prior minutes, and heard reports on prairie management, ash tree removal, and the lack of ice rinks due to weather.

• Recommended George Hoeppner for a second term on the commission (4-0).
• Appointed George Hoeppner as Chairperson of the commission (4-0).
• Appointed Tom Thiets as Vice-Chairperson of the commission (4-0).
• Approved the meeting agenda (4-0).
• Approved the November 20, 2023 minutes (4-0).
• Adjourned the meeting at 5:52 p.m. (4-0).

Planning Commission

The Oak Park Heights Planning Commission will hold a public hearing to review a Planned Unit Development, final plat for Brackey Fifth Addition, and conditional use permits for auto repair (minor) for a Take 5 Oil Change at 60th St. N. and Krueger Ave. N. The agenda also includes approval of previous minutes, public comment, and scheduling items.

• Public hearing: Take 5 Oil Change PUD, final plat, and CUP for auto repair at 60th St. N. and Krueger Ave. N.
• Approve November 9, 2023 meeting minutes
• 2024 meeting and commission representative schedule
• Upcoming meetings and council representative assignments

The Planning Commission voted 3-0 to recommend City Council approval of a Planned Unit Development, Final Plat, and Conditional Use Permits for a Take 5 Oil Change at 60th St. N and Kreuger Ave. N. The recommendation includes 16 conditions, such as no building permit before July 1, 2024, and compliance with zoning, lighting, and signage rules. The public hearing had no comments.

• Approved agenda as presented (3-0).
• Approved November 9, 2023 meeting minutes (3-0).
• Recommended City Council approval of Take 5 Oil Change request with 16 conditions (3-0).
• Opened and closed public hearing with no visitor comments (3-0).
• Adjourned at 6:20 p.m. (3-0).