HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-11-09 Planning Commission Meeting Minutes CITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS
PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES
Thursday,November 9,2023
Call to Order/Pledge of Allegiance:
Chair Van Denburgh called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Present: Commissioners
Freeman,Husby,Kremer and Van Dyke; City Administrator Rife, City Planner Richards, and
City Councilmember Liaison Representative Liljegren.
II. Approval of Agenda:
Commissioner Van Dyke, seconded by Commissioner Freeman, moved to approve the
Agenda as presented. Carried 5-0.
III. Approval of October 12, 2023 Meeting Minutes:
Commissioner Freeman, seconded by Commissioner Van Dyke, moved to approve the
Minutes with amendment as presented. Carried 5-0.
IV. Department/ Commission Liaison/Other Reports:
City Councilmember Liaison Representative Liljegren noted he had no report. City
Administrator Rife provided an update to the City Council October 24th meeting and the House
Paws CUP being approved.
V. Visitors/Public Comment: None.
VI. Public Hearings:
A. Xcel Energy: Review and consider a Conditional Use Permit request to allow a 10-foot
security fence and screening for Xcel Energy Substation,located at 5789 Stagecoach Trail,
N.
City Planner Richards reviewed the November 2 2023 Planning Report, noting that the
10-foot height of the fence required a conditional use permit. Richards provided an issue
analysis, approval conditions for consideration, and discussed the same.
Chair Van Denburgh opened the public hearing at 6:15 p.m. and invited the applicant to
address the Commission.
Brian Sullivan of Xcel Energy addressed the Commission and provided background to the
request for the fence height and it being due to the need for increased site security,noting
that Nationwide there has been an increase to individuals intruding to facilities. Mr.
Sullivan discussed the criteria of height and visibility to the equipment as part of their plan
to discourage intrusion to the dangerous area within the fend.
Planning Commission Minutes
November 9,2023
Page 2 of 3
Discussion ensued with Mr. Sullivan responding to questions as to the chain link fencing
and its location as proposed, the storage area that has been on site and the small storage
container on site.
There being no other visitors to the public hearing, Commissioner Kremer, seconded by
Commissioner Husby,moved to close the public hearing at 6:15 p.m. Carried 5 —0.
Commission discussion ensued as the site being dangerous, landscaping/screening
requirement to the site and the requirement in general as it relates to the City's ordinance
requirements for such situations.
Commissioner Freeman, seconded by Commissioner Van Dyke, moved to recommend
City Council approval of a Conditional Use Permit to allow a 10-foot security fence for
Xcel Energy, subject to the conditions within the November 2, 2023 Planning Report,
specifically that:
1. Any non-security lighting, if installed, shall be full cut off and comply with Zoning
Ordinance requirements.
2. If Xcel Energy determines a need for a storage area to the south of the substation,
screening and City review shall be required.
3. Xcel Energy shall provide fence construction plans as part of the required building
permit, subject to City Staff review.
Carried 5-0
VII. New Business:
A. 2024 Meeting& Commission Representative Schedule.
The meeting schedule and representation dates were reviewed and discussed. Some
confusion was had as to the representation dates aligning with the dates noted on the
Agenda. Chair Blake did not accept a motion for approval and noted that it should be
brough back to the Commission at their next meeting.
VIII. Old Business: None.
IX. Informational:
A. Upcoming Meetings: Noted and discussed.
Planning Commission Minutes
November 9,2023
Page 3 of 3
B. Council Representative:
• Tuesday,November 28, 2023 —Commissioner Van Dyke
• Tuesday, January 9, 2024—Commissioner Van Denburgh
X. Adjourn: Commissioner Kremer, seconded by Commissioner Freeman,moved
to adjourn at 6:21 p.m. Carried 5-0.
Respectfully submitted,
Julie ltman
Planning& Code Enforcement
Approved by the Planning Commission: 01-11-2024(3-0)