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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026 01-20 Planning Commission Minutes January 20, 2026 Planning Commission Meeting Minutes 1 MINUTES MAPLEWOOD PLANNING COMMISSION 7:00 P.M. Tuesday, January 20, 2026 City Hall, Council Chambers 1830 County Road B East A. CALL TO ORDER A meeting of the Commission was held and called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Chairperson Desai B. ROLL CALL Tushar Desai, Chairperson Present Lue Yang, Vice Chairperson Present Paul Arbuckle, Commissioner Present John Eads, Commissioner Present Allan Ige, Commissioner Absent Tom Oszman, Commissioner Present Scott Wullschleger, Commissioner Present Staff Present: Michael Martin, AICP, Assistant Community Development Director Elizabeth Hammond, Planner C. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Commissioner Arbuckle moved to approve the agenda as presented. Seconded by Commissioner Oszman Ayes – All The motion passed. D. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. November 18, 2025 Planning Commission Meeting Minutes Commissioner Wullschleger moved to approve the November 18, 2025 Planning Commission Meeting Minutes as submitted. Seconded by Commissioner Arbuckle Ayes – Chairperson Desai Commissioner Arbuckle Commissioner Eads Commissioner Oszman Commissioner Wullschleger Abstain – Vice Chairperson Yang The motion passed. E. PUBLIC HEARING 1. Home Occupation License Resolution, Innately Designed, 2155 Prosperity Road North January 20, 2026 Planning Commission Meeting Minutes 2 Elizabeth Hammond, Planner, gave the presentation and answered questions from the Commission. Michael Martin, AICP, Assistant Community Development Director, provided additional information. Chairperson Desai opened the public hearing. The following individuals addressed the commission regarding the project: Samantha Joyer, Innately Designed Chairperson Desai closed the public hearing. Commissioner Eads moved to approve a resolution for a home occupation license permitting a chiropractic and birth doula care office at the residential property located at 2155 Prosperity Road North, subject to certain conditions of approval. HOME OCCUPATION LICENSE RESOLUTION BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Maplewood, Minnesota, as follows: Section 1. Background. 1.01 Samantha Joyer is proposing a home-based chiropractic office that serves pregnant and postpartum women, providing doula care in addition to select pediatric services. 1.02 The property is located at 2155 Prosperity Road North and is legally described as: PFLUEGER'S ADDITION TO, GLADSTONE SUBJ TO ST; & VAC ALLEY ADJ LYING ...13 & LOTS 14,15 AND LOT 16 BLK 1 Property Identification Number 152922110051 Section 2. Standards. 2.01 Division 2. Section 14-56 outlines the licensing requirements for home occupations on residential property. Section 3. Findings. 3.01 The proposal meets the specific home occupation license standards. Section 4. City Review Process 4.01 The City conducted the following review when considering this home occupation license request. 1. On January 20, 2026, the Planning Commission held a public hearing. City staff published a hearing notice in the Pioneer Press and sent notices to the surrounding property owners. The Planning Commission gave everyone at the hearing a chance to speak and present written statements. The Planning Commission recommended that the City Council approve this resolution. 2. On February 9, 2026, the City Council discussed this resolution. They considered reports and recommendations from the Planning Commission and city staff. January 20, 2026 Planning Commission Meeting Minutes 3 Section 5. City Council Action. 5.01 The City Council hereby _________ the resolution. Approval is based on the findings outlined in Section 2 of this resolution. Approval is subject to the applicant doing the following: 1. The applicant must apply to the City Clerk for a business license. This license must be renewed annually with the City Clerk. No license granted for a home occupation shall be transferable from one person to another or from one place to another. 2. The applicant is permitted to have one wall sign of not more than two square feet for the home occupation. 3. Hours of operation for the business are limited to Monday through Friday, between 8:00 am and 7:00 pm. 4. The business will be open by appointment only to customers. If the applicant desires to have the business open to the public during hours of operation, the applicant will need to meet the building requirements as a B or business occupancy. This would trigger the requirement for an accessible entrance and an accessible restroom, as well as further review for building code compliance. 5. Other than the home occupation license holder, there shall be no other outside employees. 6. The applicant will adhere to the requirements outlined in the City Code Division 2. Home Occupations. Section 14-56. Seconded by Commissioner Arbuckle Ayes – All The motion passed. This item will go to the city council on February 9, 2026. 2. Conditional Use Permit Amendment Resolution, Unison Restaurant and Banquet LLC, 1800 White Bear Avenue North Michael Martin, AICP, Assistant Community Development Director, gave the presentation and answered questions from the Commission. Chairperson Desai opened the public hearing. The following individuals addressed the commission regarding the project: Touyer Moua, Unison Restaurant and Banquet LLC Torin Gustafson, 1773 White Bear Avenue Dave Hulke, 1831 White Bear Avenue Cynthia Hulke, 1831 White Bear Avenue Raymond Duran, 1849 White Bear Avenue Chairperson Desai closed the public hearing. Commission members shared comments and asked additional questions of staff and the applicant, Touyer Moua. January 20, 2026 Planning Commission Meeting Minutes 4 Commissioner Wullschleger moved to approve the conditional use permit amendment resolution to permit the sports bar, restaurant and banquet hall located at 1800 White Bear Avenue North to operate until 12 a.m. on weeknights and 2 a.m. on weekends. CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT AMENDMENT RESOLUTION Section 1. Background. 1.01 Touyer Moua, on behalf of Unison Restaurant and Banquet LLC, has applied for a conditional use permit amendment to extend the hours for its banquet hall, sports bar and restaurant. 1.02 The property is located at 1800 White Bear Avenue North and is legally described as: PIN: 14-29-22-33-0026. Real property in the City of Maplewood, County of Ramsey, State of Minnesota, described as follows: Tract B, Registered Land Survey Number 587, Ramsey County, Minnesota. Section 2. Standards. 2.01 City Ordinance Section 44-1092 requires a Conditional Use Permit for community center facilities. 2.02 General Conditional Use Permit Standards. City Ordinance Section 44-1097(a) states that the City Council must base approval of a Conditional Use Permit on the following nine standards for approval. 1. The use would be located, designed, maintained, constructed, and operated in conformity with the City's Comprehensive Plan and Code of Ordinances. 2. The use would not change the existing or planned character of the surrounding area. 3. The use would not depreciate property values. 4. The use would not involve any activity, process, materials, equipment or methods of operation that would be dangerous, hazardous, detrimental, disturbing or cause a nuisance to any person or property, because of excessive noise, glare, smoke, dust, odor, fumes, water or air pollution, drainage, water run-off, vibration, general unsightliness, electrical interference or other nuisances. 5. The use would not exceed the design standards of any affected street. 6. The use would be served by adequate public facilities and services, including streets, police and fire protection, drainage structures, water and sewer systems, schools and parks. 7. The use would not create excessive additional costs for public facilities or services. 8. The use would maximize the preservation of and incorporate the site's natural and scenic features into the development design. 9. The use would cause minimal adverse environmental effects. Section 3. Findings. January 20, 2026 Planning Commission Meeting Minutes 5 3.01 The proposal meets the specific conditional use permit standards. Section 4. City Review Process 4.01 The City conducted the following review when considering this conditional use permit request. 3. On January 20, 2026, the planning commission held a public hearing. The city staff published a hearing notice in the Pioneer Press and sent notices to the surrounding property owners. The planning commission gave everyone at the hearing a chance to speak and present written statements. The planning commission recommended that the city council approve this resolution. 4. On February 9, 2026, the city council discussed this resolution. They considered reports and recommendations from the planning commission and city staff. Section 5. City Council 5.01 The city council hereby _______ the resolution. Approval is based on the findings outlined in section 3 of this resolution. Approval is subject to the following conditions (additions are underlined and deletions are crossed out): 1. The applicant must review the previously submitted plan and submit for staff approval a an updated plan for traffic control during large banquet events. 2. The applicant must submit to staff a the most recent copy of the executed parking lease agreement between 1800 White Bear Avenue and 1762 White Bear Avenue. 3. Prior to issuance of a building permit the applicant must: a. Submit a landscape plan which shows three additional trees and a shrub planting bed on the intersection of White Bear Avenue and Ripley Avenue. b. Submit trash and recycling dumpster screening plan. c. The applicant shall comply with all the requirements set forth in the engineering report dated September 18, 2018 by Tyler Strong, Civil Engineer I. d. The applicant shall comply with all requirements set forth in the building report dated September 19, 2018 by Jason Brash, Building Official. 4. Prior to issuance of a certificate of occupancy the applicant must: a. Restripe the parking lot. b. Clear the site of all debris. c. Construct trash and dumpster enclosure d. Comply with conditions outlined by Molly Wellens, Environmental Health Officer as follows: 1) The applicant must go through the plan review process and pay all associated fees. 2) The applicant must obtain a food license to open, and must maintain the license annually. January 20, 2026 Planning Commission Meeting Minutes 6 3. The applicant is required to obtain all applicable licenses for alcohol and food from the city and must maintain these licenses annually. 4. Any exterior site improvements in the future would be subject to the city’s design review process. This site is regulated under the mixed-use zoning district which has specific design standards and landscaping requirements. 5. This permit only allows for a banquet hall, sports bar, restaurant, fitness gym, and office space at the site. Any additional uses would require city review and approval. 6. All signs require a separate sign permit and must meet city code requirements. 7. The city council shall review this permit in one year. 8. All uses within the building shall be closed for operation no later than 11 p.m. on Sunday through Thursday and 12 a.m. on Friday and Saturday. 8. The restaurant, bar, and banquet hall shall be closed for operation no later than 12 a.m. on Sunday through Thursday and 2 a.m. on Friday and Saturday. Seconded by Vice Chairperson Yang Ayes – All The motion passed. This item will go to the city council on February 9, 2026. F. NEW BUSINESS None G. UNFINISHED BUSINESS None H. COMMISSION PRESENTATIONS 1. City Council Action on Planning Commission Projects Commissioner Arbuckle and Commissioner Wullschleger requested that staff explore options for providing updates to the Commission regarding City Council decisions on items reviewed by the Planning Commission and later considered by the City Council. I. STAFF PRESENTATIONS 1. Commission Updates Michael Martin, AICP, Assistant Community Development Director, addressed the Commission on the following items:  Reminded Commission members to RSVP to the Board and Commission Appreciation Dinner being held in their honor on Thursday, February 5, 2026, at 5:00 p.m.  Informed Commission members that, in the near future, staff and members will participate in an education and training session for boards and commissions to outline and/or refresh expectations and responsibilities associated with their roles. J. VISITOR PRESENTATIONS None January 20, 2026 Planning Commission Meeting Minutes 7 K. ADJOURNMENT Chairperson Desai adjourned the meeting at 7:52 p.m.