Minnetrista City Council — Transcript

Monday, June 22, 2026

Dock Length Variance Policy and Environmental Impact

Expansion of Baseball/Softball Training Facility

Conditional Use Permit Amendment for Used Autos and Storage Shed Sales

Fiber Optic Infrastructure and Utility Installation Practices

Water Quality Improvement for Whale Tail Lake

E-bike and Scooter Safety Concerns

City Budget and Staffing Challenges

Votes (4)

Dock Length Variance at 3900 Kings Point Road

Unanimous Approved

Dissent: None

Moved by Unknown [0:12:00] · Seconded by Unknown [0:12:05]

Applicants seek a variance for a 250-foot dock, exceeding the 100-foot city ordinance. The LMCD had already approved it, citing less environmental disturbance than dredging. The main debate revolved around whether the city should adhere to the LMCD's 4-foot width standard or allow a 6-foot width for wheelchair accessibility, with the consensus being that the width issue should be resolved with the LMCD if the applicants desire a wider dock. The commission recommended approval of the length variance.

Interim Use Permit Amendment & Conditional Use Permit at 6900 County Road 110 West

Approved (implied unanimous)

Dissent: None

Moved by Unknown [0:17:40] · Seconded by Unknown [0:17:44]

The request involves amending an interim use permit for a baseball/softball training facility to include a weight training area and a conditional use permit for the building addition (over 1000 sq ft). The applicant, Jesse Graves, clarified that the weight training facility is supplementary for existing users, not a separate draw, thus not expecting increased traffic or parking demands. The existing use has had no complaints.

Conditional Use Permit Amendment at 8230 Highway 7 (Used Autos / Storage Sheds)

Approved (implied unanimous)

Dissent: None

Moved by Unknown [0:26:00] · Seconded by Unknown [0:28:44]

An amendment was requested to an existing CUP for used auto sales to also allow the sale of preassembled storage sheds. Historically, the permit allowed a maximum of 20 vehicles. The commission agreed this limit should apply to a combined total of cars and sheds. A key discussion point was whether to mandate a porta-potty on site, with Commissioner Mike arguing against changing standards if the overall number of items remained consistent, given the low customer traffic. Ultimately, the motion to recommend approval passed without explicitly adding the porta-potty condition.

Site Plan Review at 9385 County Road 26 (Fiber Optics)

Approved (implied unanimous)

Dissent: None

Moved by Unknown [0:38:00] · Seconded by Unknown [0:38:05]

The commission reviewed a site plan for installing two generators and two equipment shelters for fiber optic signal regeneration. The project, described as a 'fiber highway' for data centers, is located in a leased, fenced area with screening to minimize visibility and noise. While seen as a beneficial public utility for rural connectivity, significant concerns were raised by commissioners about pervasive issues with fiber optic contractors damaging private property during installation in other areas, highlighting the need for vigilance and proper permitting.

Notable Quotes (12)

Um the first public hearing on your agenda this evening is a docked length variance um at 3900 Kings Point Road. Um the the applicants are are looking to install approximately a 250ish foot dock. Um city ordinance allows up to 100 ft.

Nick [0:00:50]
Dock Length Variance at 3900 Kings Point Road

I mean as proven by the the LMCD's review I think this does satisfy the need um for variance rather than going a more disturb um disturbing route in terms of like dredging and things like that this is less invasive to to have a longer dock.

Nick [0:02:18]
Dock Length Variance at 3900 Kings Point Road

I would recommend that we send that back to the LMCD. As much as I hate to hit it back there again, I'm trying to make sure that they are the voice among the 14 cities of what are the standards for box.

Mike [0:07:44]
Dock Length Variance at 3900 Kings Point Road

Um the applicants now are looking at adding on to that existing building. Um that would allow for uh like a weight training area. Um however, due to the size of the building, the size of the addition and the zoning, anything, thousand square feet or greater uh requires a conditional use permit.

Nick [0:13:30]
Interim Use Permit Amendment & Conditional Use Permit at 6900 County Road 110 West

So I don't think basically as I understand talking about the traffic going to stay the same. I'm not anticipating any additional parking needed.

Jesse Graves [0:16:32]
Interim Use Permit Amendment & Conditional Use Permit at 6900 County Road 110 West

They're looking to amend that to include um preassembled like storage sheds... as long as the number remains the same um seems like a pretty reasonable ask.

Nick [0:18:59]
Conditional Use Permit Amendment at 8230 Highway 7 (Used Autos / Storage Sheds)

Do we go beyond 20? Do you foresee more than 20? I mean some lots we have 200 people across the United States some lots can have that many on average my lot in Victoria have approximately 10 once in a while it's had 15 but on average it's 10 so yeah we will be like 10 on average and they range in size 8 by 12 to like 20 by40

Vanessa Strong [0:23:44]
Conditional Use Permit Amendment at 8230 Highway 7 (Used Autos / Storage Sheds)

my experience traffic at these things are very very low very short state I'm like keep walking I'm like oh I want to tell you so since since it was 20 and this debate here we had 20 cars or 20 sheds. Did we have a porta potty before? Right. You see what I'm saying? Like I'm just saying why would we change the standard if we didn't change the number?

Mike [0:26:55]
Conditional Use Permit Amendment at 8230 Highway 7 (Used Autos / Storage Sheds)

They've got a a lease area from the property owner to put in the two generators and the two uh equipment shelters. It'll be in a fenced in area. They put um the I think beige is the color they they've said the slats in the fencing to kind of help with screening.

Nick [0:30:17]
Site Plan Review at 9385 County Road 26 (Fiber Optics)

And I want and just make this clear. I thought this was a good project for the overall area because of fiber optics in the rural community and you know during co um if you didn't have fiber optics then you had internet which was you know by the you know telephone or the it's called

Unknown [0:33:49]
Site Plan Review at 9385 County Road 26 (Fiber Optics)

Um, we are so the fiber will be owned by IIG. Uh we're not currently planning to do fiber to the home in this area, but we have the ability to uh basically offering internet to a provider that might do that. Right. So we don't do fiber at home. We do right now what we're doing is this is part of a larger I'll call it a fiber highway from Seattle to to and what we mean here is the ability to regenerate signal.

Tim Hoger [0:34:53]
Site Plan Review at 9385 County Road 26 (Fiber Optics)

Well, be nice to know if the council and if anybody else hears more of this, let me know. I do know about the city. fiber companies to come in and just start digging they don't have the right to do that but they don't they say they act like they do the way that they present it to you standard grounds to those things I did and you know major major ement your utility every city has a different one that's imported and has different language so

Unknown [0:42:26]
Site Plan Review at 9385 County Road 26 (Fiber Optics)

Ordinances & Resolutions (9)

Dock Length VariancePermit

Variance from city ordinance for dock length at 3900 Kings Point Road.

City OrdinanceOther

City rule allowing up to 100 ft docks, requiring variance for longer.

Staff ReportOther

Document outlining details and criteria for all public hearing items.

Interim Use PermitPermit

Existing permit for baseball/softball training facility at 6900 County Road 110 West; subject to amendment.

Conditional Use PermitPermit

Required for building additions over 1000 sq ft (baseball facility); existing permit for used autos at 8230 Highway 7; subject to amendment for storage sheds.

Comprehensive Plan AmendmentPlan

Mentioned in relation to new townhome/villa development.

Building PermitsPermit

Required for fiber optic equipment installation.

Right-of-way PermitsPermit

Required for fiber optic installation, especially from DOT.

Site Plan ReviewOther

Process for reviewing the layout and design of development, specifically for fiber optic installation at 9385 County Road 26.

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Minnetrista City Council - Minnetrista Recorder