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Lindstrom planning commission tables shoreline-variance request after staff flags new site work
Summary
The planning commission tabled a variance request for a riparian lot at 12492 Menstru Veil after staff reported newly observed earthwork and possible right‑of‑way encroachment that may change impervious‑surface calculations; staff asked for a survey, revised calculations and landscaping/grading plans.
Lindstrom — The planning commission voted to table a shoreland-variance request for 12492 Menstru Veil on the recommendation of city planning staff after new on‑site work was reported that could change impervious‑surface calculations.
City planner Kendra Ellinger said the property already exceeded the city’s 25% impervious‑surface threshold based on staff estimates (about 29%) and that the applicant proposed additional hardscape and pervious pavers that would raise the estimated total to roughly 32.1%. Ellinger said the application is preliminary, no certified survey is on file and some recently observed street‑side earthwork and a new boulder wall may be located in city right‑of‑way, which would affect calculations and require additional review.
“Any retaining walls or new hardscape will count as impervious surface in addition to what is already being proposed,” Ellinger said, recommending the commission table the request so staff and the applicant can provide a survey, revised impervious calculations and detailed landscaping and grading plans.
During public comment, Anthony Tamble identified himself as a Spade Landscaping crew member representing the contractor and said utility work and a new boulder wall had already been placed near the street, and that a nearby area is being used as a temporary staging location for materials. Tamble described practical needs for staging tens of tons of material and said the team wanted to avoid mud washing into the street.
Commissioners pressed staff and the applicant about whether the recently disturbed areas — described as gravel, dirt and new boulders — should be classified as impervious for the variance calculation. Ellinger and the city engineer said retaining walls and certain hardscapes would be counted as impervious and that staff calculations would need to be updated if the disturbed area remains hard surface rather than being returned to grass.
A committee member urged more natural‑shoreline elements and native vegetation in the restoration plans, citing Department of Natural Resources guidance encouraging buffers, erosion control and habitat enhancement instead of turf right to the water’s edge. Staff said DNR comments were included in the review but that some recommendations are encouraged best practices rather than binding requirements under the city’s shoreland ordinance.
The commission made a motion to table the item so the applicant could provide the requested survey, revised pervious/impervious calculations, documentation about any encroachment or right‑of‑way work, and more detailed plantings and grading plans; the motion carried by voice vote. Staff said the item will return to the commission at the next meeting in May.
Authorities referenced during the hearing included the city’s Shoreland Overlay District regulations and DNR shoreland guidance. The commission did not take a final vote on the variance.
