Eagan Advisory Planning Commission Meeting - May 27, 2025
STREAMING COPY IN PREPARATION — RECORDING AVAILABLE FROM THE ORIGINAL SOURCE
Eagan Advisory Planning Commission Meeting - May 27, 2025
The Eagan Advisory Planning Commission met on May 27, 2025, at 6:30 PM at the Eagan Municipal Center. The commission considered two public hearing items: a conditional use permit for outdoor storage at Champion Plumbing and a planned development amendment for a monument sign at The Haven. Both items were approved unanimously (6-0) and will appear on the June 3, 2025 City Council agenda.
Consent Calendar
- Agenda approved 6-0.
- Minutes from the previous meeting approved 6-0.
Public Comments & Testimony
- No members of the public spoke during the visitor portion or during the public hearings for either agenda item.
Discussion Items
Champion Plumbing – Conditional Use Permit for Outdoor Storage
- Applicant: Richard McGarrin, President of Champion Plumbing, representing owner Jack Hurley. Location: 3670 Dodd Road (Lot 2, Block 1, Yorkton Industrial Park South).
- Request: A conditional use permit to allow outdoor storage of seven box trucks and eight service vans in the front yard parking lot, which is within the front yard setback. The property is a 2.23-acre site with a 21,000 sq ft multi-tenant office/warehouse building.
- Staff Presentation (Ms. Thomas): The proposal meets only 2 of 6 performance standards for outdoor storage. Deficiencies include: no enclosure, storage in front yard (not side/rear), not screened from public view, and vehicles larger than parking spaces causing drive aisle width to fall below 24 feet. The other two standards met are minimum off-street parking and asphalt surface maintenance.
- Applicant’s Position: The business moved vehicles to the front after repeated thefts (catalytic converters, break-ins) in the rear. Police recommended parking in front and adding lighting and cameras. Since moving, thefts have stopped. The applicant argued that fencing the rear would be expensive and conflict with shared access for deliveries. The storage is temporary (overnight and weekends) and does not create congestion because most employees park in the rear during the day.
- Commission Discussion: Secretary Wegener expressed sympathy for the security issue and noted that the same criteria (screening, lighting) that would meet the standards could undermine the security benefit. Vice Chair Schwanke acknowledged the business’s value. The commission considered restriping or other solutions but noted that the fire department could still access the site via the rear drive lane. The motion included staff’s nine conditions.
- Vote: Motion to recommend approval passed 6-0.
The Haven – Planned Development Amendment for Monument Sign
- Applicant: Cindy Johnson, representing owner Asaf Fligelman (CWP Eagan One LLC). Location: 3040 Eagandale Place (Lot 1, Block 1, Eagandale Lemay Lake 2nd Addition).
- Request: A planned development amendment to allow a zero-foot setback for a monument sign currently located within a 20-foot public utility easement, instead of the required 10-foot setback. The property is a 120-unit apartment complex (The Haven at Eagandale).
- Staff Presentation (Mr. Schultz): In 2023, a sign permit was approved to reface the existing monument sign. However, the applicant removed the old sign and replaced it with a new sign that did not comply with the permit. The new sign encroaches on the easement, is near a fire hydrant, and may create line-of-sight issues. The applicant proposes to modify the sign by removing a wing and recentering the nameplate, resulting in a sign approximately 5.5 ft wide by 2 ft tall by 7 ft high. Fire and engineering reviewed and had no concerns after modifications. Staff recommends approval with an encroachment agreement that indemnifies the city.
- Commission Discussion: Secretary Wegener asked for clarification on the encroachment agreement. Staff explained it allows the sign in the easement at the owner’s risk. No further questions.
- Vote: Motion to recommend approval with three conditions passed 6-0.
Key Outcomes
- Champion Plumbing CUP: Recommended approval (6-0) to the City Council, subject to nine conditions including revised landscaping and compliance with fire access.
- The Haven PD Amendment: Recommended approval (6-0) to the City Council, subject to three conditions including an encroachment agreement.
- Both items are scheduled for the June 3, 2025 City Council meeting.
- Staff noted a follow-up workshop memo for commission members.
Meeting Transcript
Okay, we'll call the order of the Union Advisory Planning Commission for May 27, 2025. At this point, we do the Pledge of Allegiance. All right, Pledge Allegiance to the United States of America. And we're all mission undergoing into the school. And Mr. Schultz is there are there any changes to the agenda tonight or any updates for the commission? Mr. Chair, there are no changes to the agenda. Okay. Um with that, then I will entertain a motion to approve the agenda tonight. So moved. Okay. All right. So I have a motion by Vice Chair Schwanke. I have a second by member Woodfield. Um all in favor, please say aye and raise your hand. And I see that that has passed six to zero. Um, there any changes to the minutes or updates to the minutes um from staff, Mr. Schultz? Uh none of that, Mr. Chair. Okay. Um I will then also entertain a motion to approve the minutes from the last session. Motion to approve the minutes. Okay. I have a motion from Member Bultima. Is there a second? Second. Okay, a second from Secretary Wagner. Um just getting these titles down. Um with that, all in favor, please raise your hand and say aye. Um, thank you. That is also passed as I count six to zero. Um, at this point of the meeting, we open up um the agenda to any items from the public that they'd like to add to the meeting that are not already included on the agenda. All right, not seeing anybody from the public um come forward, we'll move into the first new business. Um, and this is applicant champion plumbing. Um Jack Hurley for approval of a conditional use permit. Um, I understand uh Miss Thomas, you'll be presenting on this. Thank you, Mr. Chair, Planning Commission members. Before you this evening is a conditional use permit request from Champion Plumbing to allow outdoor storage within a front yard setback upon the property located at 3670 Dodd Road. Specifically, the request includes seven box trucks and eight service vans to be located in the front yard. The property is located on Dodd Road with access to the site shared with 3680 Dodd Road to the south. The property was platted in 1986 and an office where house building was constructed in 1987. The two point two three acre site is developed with a roughly 21,000 square foot multi-tenant office where house building with champion plumbing being the main uh tenant. They serve clients in the community and uh provide repairs and installations of plumbing fixtures. Off street parking is satisfied with um with a parking lot on the property. It is located between the front of the building and Dodd Road. Landscaping trees are planted along the boulevard. A dumpster and trash compactor are located behind the building, and the dock doors for delivery are also located in the rear of the building.
openpublica.com