Brooklyn Park Planning Commission 5/14/2025
Tuesday, May 13, 2025
Approval of agenda
Approval of minutes dated April 9th, 2025
Variance request for drive-thru construction at 7631 Jolly Lane North
Site plan review for Soda Shine car wash
Conditional use permit for Soda Shine car wash
Areas of Interest (4)
- Planning commission debates the proliferation of drive-thrus in transit-oriented development zones.
- Proposed longest car wash tunnel in the world aims for Minnesota market, sparking debate on traffic and zoning.
- Small business struggle: Property owner seeks to keep Chipotle by requesting zoning variance for drive-thru.
- City staff clarifies the legal burden of the three-factor test for granting zoning variances.
Votes (3)
Approval of the agenda
Moved by Not stated · Seconded by Not stated
Approval of consent agenda and April 9th minutes
Moved by Not stated · Seconded by Not stated
Approval of variance for 7631 Jolly Lane North
Moved by Commissioner Bohr · Seconded by Not stated
Notable Quotes (2)
The variance before you tonight is for a drive-thru. That will be wrapping around the exterior of the building.
The indoor facility will be the first of its kind in Minnesota, and will be a record-breaking facility as the longest car wash tunnel in the world.
People (4)
Aaron McDermottSenior PlannerPresented variance request for 7625 Holdings LLC and explained the three-factor variance test.
1 quote
Presented variance request for 7625 Holdings LLC and explained the three-factor variance test.
“The variance before you tonight is for a drive-thru. That will be wrapping around the exterior of the building.”
Explaining the purpose of the variance request.
Matt HayesAssociate PlannerPresented site plan and CUP applications for a new car wash facility.
1 quote
Presented site plan and CUP applications for a new car wash facility.
“The indoor facility will be the first of its kind in Minnesota, and will be a record-breaking facility as the longest car wash tunnel in the world.”
Describing the scale and uniqueness of the proposed Soda Shine project.
Commissioner BohrCommissionerAsked clarifying questions regarding the drive-thru occupancy and made the motion to approve.
1 quote
Asked clarifying questions regarding the drive-thru occupancy and made the motion to approve.
“I can make a motion to adopt findings of fact for the approval of a variance request... for the construction of a drive-thru.”
Formal motion for the Chipotle variance.
Commissioner O’DonnellCommissionerRaised concerns about traffic circulation for the proposed drive-thru site.
1 quote
Raised concerns about traffic circulation for the proposed drive-thru site.
“What consideration is given to how the traffic is going to flow in that area.”
Questioning the impact of the proposed drive-thru on existing multi-tenant site traffic.
Places Mentioned
Events & Meetings (2)
- Meeting of the Planning Commission - Date unspecified (reference to April 9th 2025 minutes)
- City Council Meeting - May 20th
Ordinances & Resolutions (2)
Zoning code regulating the placement of drive-thrus between structures and rights-of-way.
Ordinance rezoning North Park property to Business Park with Planned Development Overlay.