Applicant withdraws interim-use permit after contested Minnetrista hearing over boat storage

Minnetrista — An interim use permit application to operate an outdoor boat repair and storage business on two Sunnyfield Road North parcels drew more than an hour of public testimony at the Minnetrista City Council meeting on Dec. 2 before the applicant withdrew the request.

Community Development Director David Abel told the council the application asked the city to allow storage of boats, jet skis and trailers on agriculturally zoned property. Abel summarized staff’s recommendation to deny the IUP, citing five findings included in the staff report: inconsistency with the city’s comprehensive plan, incompatibility with existing zoning and neighborhood character, visual and environmental impacts (including wetlands), and traffic and infrastructure concerns.

Opponents who spoke at the public hearing described what they said were new and continuing impacts: loss of forested views because of rows of shrink‑wrapped boats; worries about removal of trees and placement of fill near wetlands; unpermitted auto-repair activities and unknown chemicals used in cleaning; and potential effects on property values. As resident Pete Wiley said, “For me and the other eight people who are against it, our views have been eviscerated.”

Supporters — including customers, employees and nearby property owners — urged the council to allow the business to operate. Bob Christians, a long-time resident, told the council the business provides storage and servicing that local boat owners need and described the operators’ community involvement. Applicant Kelly Gillespie Cohen said the current operation had cleaned up the site after prior waste-hauling uses and described steps already taken to screen and mitigate noise, and she disputed some staff characterizations of the parcel’s prior and current use.

Abel noted the planning commission had recommended approval by a 4–3 vote at its October meeting; he also pointed to the staff resolution that listed the five findings supporting denial.

Near the end of the public record, applicant Kelly Gillespie Cohen stated she would withdraw the IUP application “at this time” and also made a public-data request under Minnesota Statute 13.03 for city records related to the IUP process and communications. City staff asked her to provide a written withdrawal for the record and confirmed the council should not act on the item while the application is withdrawn.

Mayor Lisa Whalen closed the public comment period and moved the meeting on to other business. No vote on the IUP was taken because the applicant withdrew the application.

What’s next: The applicant has been asked to submit a written withdrawal. If she re-applies in the future, the city would reopen public review and the council would consider the application against the staff findings and the city’s ordinance criteria.