Independence council approves two variances, a mower purchase and hears update on drone cattail treatment

The Independence City Council on Sept. 3 approved a set of routine land-use requests and a Public Works equipment purchase, and heard an update on a planned drone treatment for cattails on Lake Independence.

Variants approved: Council approved RESOLUTION No. 24-0903-01 for property at 5845 Lake Sarah Heights Drive (applicant Robert Berens, owner Andrea Berens) to allow a 15-foot reduction in the front-yard setback and a 6-foot reduction in a side-yard setback so the property owner may build a detached carport and a future garage. The property is zoned RR and lies in a shoreland overlay on a 0.88-acre lot; Planning Commission had recommended approval. Councilor Spencer said the addition appeared consistent with surrounding properties. Motion by Councilor Betts, seconded by Mayor Johnson; vote 4-0.

The council also approved RESOLUTION No. 24-0903-02 for 3010 Lindgren Lane (applicant Ethan Kindseth, owner Chris Dahlberg) to reconstruct a legal nonconforming home on its existing foundation with roofline and upward expansion. Staff said the proposal would add roughly 500 square feet of living area; owner Chris Dahlberg stated a finished area of about 3,457 square feet. The structure would remain about 39.7 feet from the public high-water level; the street setback was reported as 49.7 feet where 51 feet is required. Planning Commission recommended approval and the council adopted the resolution on a 4-0 vote (motion by Councilor Spencer, seconded by Councilor McCoy).

Public Works equipment: Staff presented a plan to trade in a Kubota mower and purchase a Toro Zmaster, citing mechanical issues with the current machine and operational preferences of the current Public Works director. The net cost difference reported was $8,200 with a proposed $7,000 trade-in. Council approved the purchase by motion of Mayor Johnson, seconded by Councilor Betts; vote 4-0.

Open/misc: Councilor Spencer reported that he had helped obtain signatures for a multi-year, drone-applied cattail treatment in a channel on Lake Independence. Spencer described the application as "zero toxicity," said timing is critical and noted he had consulted the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources to streamline future permitting. There was no formal action taken on the cattail program during the meeting.

All motions recorded in the meeting passed unanimously (4-0) with Councilor Grotting absent; no motions at this meeting failed or were tabled.