Blaine Planning Commission approves preliminary plat and two conditional-use permits, forwards them to City Council

The Blaine Planning Commission convened April 14, 2026, administered oaths of office to commissioners, elected a chair and vice chair, and approved three land-use items to forward to the City Council.

City Clerk Kathy Sorensen administered the oath of office for newly appointed or returning commissioners. The commission then elected Chair Greicke to continue as chair and named Commissioner Mayce Olson vice chair for the coming year.

On substantive business, city staff presented a preliminary plat (case file 26-0010) for 2808 93rd Lane in the JJ Graham Addition. Staff said the property is zoned R-1, utilities are available, and the proposal would split an outlot into two lots that meet R-1 lot size and setback requirements; tree preservation and a park dedication payment of $5,800 (if paid in 2026) would be required. Applicant Robin Obrasky said she and her husband want to build a single-family home next to a family residence. Neighbor James ("Jim") Obrowski/Obrasky pointed out an inconsistency in a graphic on the exhibit; staff called the image a location map and confirmed the existing lot configuration. Commissioner Howard moved to approve the preliminary plat with the five conditions in the staff report; Commissioner Jacob Gassalbert seconded. The commission approved the motion by voice vote and will forward the recommendation to the City Council on May 4.

Staff then presented case file 26-0011, a conditional use permit request for outdoor dining at Cava, 12351 Ulysses Street. Staff described a small patio with three tables and 10 seats enclosed by a decorative fence in a B3 zone adjacent to other commercial uses and townhomes; staff recommended approval with eight standard conditions for outdoor dining. The applicant was not present in person but had a representative available; staff and commissioners emphasized that the CUP applies to outdoor seating only, not to the business license or operations. A commissioner moved to approve the CUP as written in the staff report, a second was recorded, and the commission approved the permit by voice vote; it will be considered by the City Council on May 4.

The commission considered case file 26-0013, a conditional use permit for DART Portable Storage at 8600 Rendova Street to allow outdoor storage of portable containers on roughly 1.6 acres in an I2A zoning district. Staff noted site setbacks are met, stacking height and placement were shown on the site plan, and staff recommended approval with four conditions. Attorney Jay Smigelski, representing the applicant, told the commission an existing CUP authorizing a truck terminal remains in place and that his client has the property under contract with a likely September closing; he asked staff to ensure the timing and coexistence of approvals are handled correctly. Staff confirmed the existing truck-terminal CUP remains in effect and said the timing issue was not a barrier. A motion to approve the CUP, with the staff-recommended conditions, passed by voice vote; this item also will go to the City Council on May 4.

The commission completed its agenda, moved to adjourn, and ended the meeting.

Actions at a glance: the commission approved (1) preliminary plat case file 26-0010 with five staff conditions; (2) conditional use permit case file 26-0011 for outdoor dining at 12351 Ulysses Street with eight staff conditions; and (3) conditional use permit case file 26-0013 for outdoor storage at 8600 Rendova Street with four staff conditions. All three recommendations will be forwarded to the City Council for final action on May 4.

The meeting record shows a minor inconsistency in the spelling of one public speaker's last name (appearing as both "Obrasky" and "Obrowski"); the transcript passages are reproduced here as spoken in the meeting.