The primary focus of the meeting was a variance request from Timothy Taylor, the owner of a property at 2718 16th Avenue East. Taylor sought permission to construct a six-foot tall fence in the front yard, surpassing the existing four-foot height limit. The rationale presented was the need for better screening from headlights and noise originating from the neighboring Dairy Queen, a legal non-conforming lot due to its longstanding presence. The property, situated in an R1 single-family residential district, is affected by the Dairy Queen’s higher elevation, which exacerbates the impact of light and noise on Taylor’s home.

The planning commission engaged in a discussion about the adequacy of the proposed fence height. While one commissioner doubted whether a six-foot fence would sufficiently mitigate the disturbances, another suggested that an eight-foot fence might be more effective. This suggestion was based on the consideration that if the Dairy Queen were a newer establishment, it would be subject to current zoning regulations that might mandate such screening measures. However, the commission acknowledged that the existing zoning regulations do not allow the city to enforce modifications on the Dairy Queen because of its legal non-conforming status.

The commissioners weighed the needs of the property owner against community safety and zoning compliance, ultimately agreeing to support the variance while noting the complexities involved. Concerns were raised about ensuring that the fence would not obstruct sight lines for drivers, emphasizing the importance of maintaining safe visibility from the curb.

Following the fence variance discussion, the meeting addressed zoning text amendments. These amendments included adding definitions for “bay” and “fenestration,” revising the use districts table to exclude manufactured home parks from the R1 zoning district, and removing hospitals from the zoning code, considering the unlikelihood of their construction in North St. Paul. Another change was the inclusion of electric vehicle charging stations under the motor vehicles category, aligning with contemporary land use trends.

The commission also deliberated on facade material requirements for buildings visible from pedestrian walkways. A proposal was made to adopt a standard of 100% brick or stone veneer, which was initially derived from the downtown design manual. Concerns arose about the potential retroactive application of these regulations to historic structures that might not currently meet the proposed requirements. A flexible approach was suggested, allowing for case-by-case evaluations to preserve the unique characteristics of historic buildings.

Attention then turned to Quick Trip’s proposal to add a second car wash bay to its facility. The proposed addition involved some demolition and landscape modifications. Concerns were expressed regarding the proximity of a transformer pad to an existing tree, prompting recommendations for relocation or replacement to ensure the tree’s health. The addition would narrow an existing landscape island but would not alter site access.

Exterior lighting and increased water usage were noted as considerations with the new car wash bay. Recommendations were made for Quick Trip to update its lighting plan to comply with city standards and account for additional sewer access charges due to increased water usage. The project was subject to Minnesota Department of Transportation review due to its proximity to a right-of-way, though no issues were anticipated.

In the reports section, the resignation of a commission member was announced, with interviews for new members underway. Council members encouraged outreach to local students for participation, emphasizing the importance of engaging younger residents in governance. The meeting concluded with discussions on supporting local businesses and adjustments to the local car show schedule.