HomeMy WebLinkAbout2 - MinutesHastings Planning Commission
April 28, 2025 - Regular Meeting Agenda
Hastings City Hall - Council Chambers
7:00 p.m.
The Planning Commission of the City of Hastings, Minnesota met in a regular
meeting on Monday, April 28, 2025 at 7:00 p.m. in the Hastings City Council
Chambers.
1. Call Meeting to Order
Planning Commissioners Present: Messina, Halberg, Moes, Peters, and
Swedin
Planning Commissioners Absent: LeBrun and McGrath
Staff Present:
Community Development Director John Hinzman
City Planner Justin Fortney
2. Oath of Office – Director Hinzman administered the Oath of Office for
Commissioner Moes.
3. Approval of Minutes – March 10, 2025 – Regular Meeting.
Chair Messina asked if there were any additions or corrections to the minutes.
Minutes were approved as presented.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
4. Steve Benowitz – Special Use Permit #2025-05 – Cannabis – 2103 Vermillion St.
Hinzman provided a summary of the request to hold a public hearing and consider
a Special Use Permit for Cannabis Retail Sales by Steve Benowitz at 2103
Vermillion Street. On December 2, 2024 the City Council adopted an ordinance
amendment for cannabis and lower-potency hemp edible uses. The ordinance
established parameters for retail sales, manufacturing, and wholesales of cannabis
products along with additional clarification for lower-potency hemp edible uses.
Hinzman clarified that granting approval of the Special Use Permit does not
guarantee right to operate. Hinzman indicated obtaining a Special Use Permit is
necessary to demonstrate compatibility with the City’s Zoning Code on the general
licensing application through the Minnesota Office of Cannabis Management.
Notification of the request was mailed to property owners within 350 feet, staff has
not received any comments at this time.
Chair Messina opened the public hearing at: 7:11 p.m.
Steve Benowitz, 2103 Vermillion Street, shared history of his business endeavors
within the City and their intentions with obtaining a Special Use Permit for
Cannabis Retail Sales.
Joshua Bruns, 3337 47th Ave South, Minneapolis, stated the City’s Zoning Code
distance requirements stated in Chapter 155.07, Subd. J.5.d.(2).(c).
Chair Messina closed the public hearing at: 7:16 p.m.
Commissioners clarified the intent of the request before the Planning Commission
at this time. Commissioners posed questions regarding distance requirements in
City Code. Hinzman shared discussions with the City Attorney determined facilities
within the park are outside of the 500-foot requirement.
Commissioner Swedin motioned to approve Special Use Permit #2025-05 –
Cannabis – 2103 Vermillion St. Seconded by Commissioner Peters. Vote: Ayes 5;
Nays: 0. Motion approved as presented.
5. Joshua Bruns, Minneapolis Kombucha – Special Use Permit #2025-07 –
Cannabis – 215 Ramsey St.
Hinzman provided a summary of the request to hold a public hearing and consider
a Special Use Permit for Cannabis Retail Sales by Joshua Bruns, Minneapolis
Kombucha, at 215 Ramsey Street. On December 2, 2024 the City Council adopted
an ordinance amendment for cannabis and lower-potency hemp edible uses. The
ordinance established parameters for retail sales, manufacturing, and wholesales
of cannabis products along with additional clarification for lower-potency hemp
edible uses. Hinzman clarified that granting approval of the Special Use Permit
does not guarantee right to operate. Hinzman indicated obtaining a Special Use
Permit is necessary to demonstrate compatibility with the City’s Zoning Code on
the general licensing application through the Minnesota Office of Cannabis
Management. Notification of the request was mailed to property owners within 350
feet. Staff received comments from Scott Sinclair, National Facilities Solutions,
expressing concern regarding the location of the operation with the proximity to
space leased by the Hastings Prescott Arts Council directly to the North. Hinzman
clarified Cannabis Retail businesses in the Downtown Core (DC) are exempt from
setback requirements.
Chair Messina opened the public hearing at: 7:25 p.m.
Scott Northard, 716 2nd Street W., Hastings Prescott Arts Council, stated the space
will partially be used for art lessons and by various other minor student groups. Mr.
Northard expressed concern regarding the location of the operation.
Barb Hollenbeck, 212 2nd Street E., expressed concern regarding the location of
the operation because of frequent traffic patterns of minors in the Downtown area,
the number of residential units and senior housing, and proximity to locations of
addiction support groups.
Kathy O’Keefe, 1560 Tierney Dr., Hastings Prescott Arts Council, reiterated Mr.
Northard’s statements and concerns.
Joshua Bruns, 3337 47th Ave South, Minneapolis, Minneapolis Kombucha,
expressed appreciation for comments and suggested review of the security plan
within the application. Mr. Bruns provided additional responses to concerns
expressed.
Chair Messina closed the public hearing at: 7:36 p.m.
Commissioners posed questions regarding parks in the Downtown Core. Hinzman
indicated the properties are owned by the City and within 500’ of the property.
Hinzman stated the Downtown area is exempt from those distance requirements.
Commissioners expressed concern regarding the requested location and posed
questions regarding the reasoning for exemptions for this type of business.
Hinzman shared City Council discussions related to the setback requirements.
Commissioner Halberg motioned to deny the Special Use Permit #2025-07 –
Cannabis – 215 Ramsey St. Seconded by Commissioner Swedin. Vote: Ayes 4;
Nays: 1 (Messina). Motion fails.
OTHER ACTIONS
6. Fred Weiland – Structure Move and Variance #2025-08 – Move in a Structure
and Side Yard Setback – 413 2nd Street W.
Fortney provided a summary of a request for moving a structure and a request for
a five-foot variance to the ten-foot streetside setback of an accessory structure.
The property is listed as a local Heritage Preservation site within the City. This
requires all exterior changes to be approved by the Heritage Preservation
Commission (HPC). The applicant originally applied for the structure move in June
2024, but did not complete the move. The applicant recently applied for the same
request to use the structure as a garage with some modifications. The Heritage
Preservation Commission approved the request with either a five-foot or a ten-foot
streetside setback. The applicant is proposing to repair and paint the siding and
convert a portion into an open porch as well as installation of garage doors with a
project timeframe of two years.
Commission discussion on the proposed timeframe for the project. Staff
suggested the Commission consider adding a sunset clause to the conditions of
approval. The applicant, Fred Weiland, indicated the proposed timeframe is due to
the large amount of coordination for all of the components of the move.
Commissioners discussed specifics of a potential sunset clause. The applicant
proposed a sunset clause of September 30, 2026.
Commissioner Peters motioned to approve Variance #2025-08 – Side Yard
Setback – 413 2nd Street W. Seconded by Commissioner Swedin. Vote: Ayes 5;
Nays: 0. Motion approved as presented.
Commissioner Swedin motioned to approve Structure Move #2025-08 – 413 2nd
Street W. with an additional condition that all exterior work must be completed by
September 30, 2026. Seconded by Commissioner Moes. Vote: Ayes 5; Nays: 0.
Motion approved as presented.
7. Other Business
Hinzman provided a summary of recent City Council actions and future items for
the Planning Commission’s review.
8. Adjourn
Commissioner Swedin motioned to adjourn the meeting at 8:23 PM. Seconded
by Commissioner Halberg. Vote: Ayes 5; Nays: 0. Motion approved as presented.
Next Meeting – May 12, 2025
Respectively submitted:
Emily King
Deputy City Clerk