Okay,
turn your mics on.
>> Mics on, please.
>> All right, we got the lower third up
there. We're going to go ahead and call
to order the regular meeting of the
Oakdale City Council, August 25th, 2026.
Sarah, will you please take the role?
>> Council member Moore,
>> here.
>> Council member Morham,
>> here.
>> Council member Severson,
>> here.
>> Council member Rich
>> here. Mayor Zabel
>> here. Please join me for the pledge of
allegiance.
» I pledge allegiance to the flag of the
United States of America and to the
republic for which it stands, one nation
under God, indivisible, with liberty and
justice for all.
» First up in front of us is approval of
the agenda. Council members, uh, no
changes on the agenda in front of us.
Can I get a motion to approve as
presented?
>> There's a motion. Is there a second?
>> Second.
>> Motion and a second. All those in favor
say I.
>> I.
>> Opposed. Agenda is adopted.
>> Uh, next up, approval of minutes. Two
sets in front of us. Workshop um
workshop minutes from August 12th. Any
changes or corrections here, council
members? Seeing none, can I get a
motion?
>> So moved.
>> There's a motion. Is there a second?
>> Second.
>> Motion and a second. Any conversation?
>> No.
>> Thank you for clarifying.
>> Very good.
>> All those in favor say I. I
>> opposed and [snorts] those workshop
minutes are adopted.
>> Next up, regular meeting minutes, August
12th, 2026. Any changes or corrections
here? Seeing none, can I get a motion?
>> So moved.
>> There's a motion. Is there a second?
>> Motion, a second. All those in favor say
I.
>> I. I.
>> Opposed. And those minutes are adopted
as well.
>> Uh, next up on our agenda is public
hearings. We do have one in front of us
tonight. A public hearing for Mr.
Carwash located at 7099 Leven Street
North. We will start with the staff
presentation. Luke,
thank you, Mayor and Council. So, yes,
this request, it's located at 709911
Street North. That's the former Hardy
site. The request here is to enable
development of a car wash at that
property. The request involves two
things. A planned unit development or
PUD amendment, which is essentially a
zoning change, and a conditional use
permit to allow the car wash. So the
zoning of this site and the area is
Tartan Crossing PUD. Uh the PUD
expressly prohibits car washes and motor
fuel station car washes. So the stated
purpose and intent of the Tartan
Crossing PUD is to and I quote provide
for a compact walkable mixeduse
development along a key corridor and
gateway. So staff find that the proposed
amendment is inconsistent with the PUD
and the long-term vision for pedestrian
friendly uses within the Tartan Crossing
area. So in addition, the proposed use
may generate negative external effects
such as increased noise on adjacent
businesses and residential property and
by creating conflicts with the mixeduse
pedestrian supported neighborhood.
I want to acknowledge that while the
Tartan crossing area contains some
businesses with autooriented features,
these are accessory to the primary uses
uh which serve both pedestrians and
automobile users. whereas a car wash
would uh provide services exclusively to
automobile users. So for the conditional
use permit component of this request,
again the subject property being located
within the Tartan Crossing PUD area, uh
car washes are prohibited. As such, the
use is not permitted and the conditional
use permit should be denied. So, at the
planning commission hearing, this was
back on August 6 of this um a few weeks
back and there was an adjacent property
owner who expressed concerns about noise
impacts to the business from the
proposed use. Um [clears throat]
there was also a neighbor who expressed
support for the use. The commission
recommended approval of the planned unit
development amendment and also the
conditional use permit. So just to
conclude here, staff maintains its
recommendation of denial for both the
PUD amendment and the conditional use
permit based on the findings stated in
the resolutions that are in the agenda
packet. So I will jump to the first
resolution. So this is 2026-57.
So three findings here. So the first one
is that the proposed car wash conflicts
with the stated purpose and intent of
the Tartan Crossing PUD which is to
provide for a compact walkable mixeduse
development along a key corridor and
gateway. And number two, the proposed
use conflicts with the
pedestrianfriendly environment
envisioned for the Tartan Crossing PUD.
Number three, the subject property is is
adjacent to residential land use and the
proposed car wash is anticipated to
generate negative externalities and
nuisance conditions. Uh so jumping to
the next resolution. So this is 2026-56
for the conditional use permit. Two
findings there again uh as mentioned
number one there the car wash and motor
fuel station car washes are prohibited
uses in tart the tartan crossing PUD
and number two the car wash conflicts
with the stated purpose and intent of
the PUD area.
Uh so as [clears throat] a reminder this
is a public hearing. I believe the Yep.
the full team for the the applicant is
here. Um staff is happy to answer any
questions as well. And I want to
acknowledge that we received a number of
written comments that have been
forwarded to the city council prior to
this meeting for review and
consideration. We also received um an
email late this evening, you know, about
30 minutes before this meeting started.
Just want to acknowledge that that was
received by the city council. I got some
printouts of written correspondence if the council would like. Thank you.
Uh, council members, any questions for
Luke?
Um, I have a clarifying question for our
city attorney, Jim. Uh, public hearing
is for the PUB amendment only, correct?
Because that's what's specified in code
is correct.
>> Okay.
>> Um,
so at this time, I'm going to go ahead
and open the public hearing. This is an
opportunity for anybody in the audience
joining us that would like to speak to
this agenda item only. Please feel free
to step up to the podium, state your
name and address for the record, and
proceed with your comments. Under the
rules of a public hearing here in
Oakdale, comments are limited to three
minutes per person.
» Good evening, mayor, members of the
council. My name is Ed Capables with Mr.
Car Wash. Today, we're asking for two
actions on the vacant former Hardies
Pad. First, an amendment moving car wash
from the prohibited use list to a
conditional use. And then second, a
conditional use permit for our facility.
On August 6th, your planning commission
heard the staff report, recommend
denial, heard our presentation, held the
public hearing, and voted unanimously to
recommend approval of both of our
requests.
The question before you is whether this
use fits Tartan Crossing, and the city's
own record answers it. The stated intent
of the PUD is to provide a compact,
walkable, mixeduse development. However,
through the city's own policy decisions,
what has been built does not reflect
this original vi vision. In 2014, the
council amended this PUD to permit motor
fuel sales and approved the coffee shop
drive-thru. In 2016, the council
approved the drive-through restaurant on
this very pad, further degrading the
intent of the PUD. In 2022, the PUD was
amended again, which removed grocery
pickup kiosk sales from the list of
prohibited uses and raise the
drive-through cap from 5 to 8. Each of
these was a deliberate policy decision,
which now results in over a million
visits to the Tartan Crossing Pud.
The planning commission asked thoughtful
questions. They asked about our traffic.
Our analysis shows 123 fewer daily trips
than a standard fast food restaurant. On
stacking, we hold 22 vehicles in the POS
queuing lanes with the potential for 35
on site.
Projected peak demand is 59 cars an
hour, while the store has the capacity
to process up to 120 an hour. Since
capacity is roughly double demand, the
queueing lane drains faster than it than
it forms.
The city engineer has reviewed our
traffic and stacking analysis and found
it compliant. And this proposal will not
create negative external externalities
and nuance conditions. Noise was also
discussed by the commissioners and was
brought up during the public hearing.
Every vehicle is washed inside the
building with silencers on the blowers
and no outdoor speakers anywhere on the
site.
Obviously, we are still in the design
phase, but we plan to enclose the vacuum
producer and will increase the height of
the retaining walls in the back. Make no
mistake, we will meet the city's noise
requirements and will provide a sound
study at the site plan review to conform
adherence to the code. Finally, we sat
down with the residents at new
perspective, showed them our renderings
and asked for their feedback. No major
objections were raised and they told us
they walked that area and value the
bench near the pond. So, we will
incorporate pedestrian amenities into
our plan which are consistent with the
beauty requirements.
Today, this pad is not producing any
economic activity. What we are proposing
is entirely privately funded. No public
subsidy, no off-site infrastructure.
This proposal activates an underutilized
pad and puts the site back to work. We
respectfully request that the council
approved the PUB amendment and
conditional use permit. Thank you. Glad
to answer any happy to answer any
questions.
>> Thank you. Uh during a public hearing,
there aren't any questions from council
for those speaking. Is there anybody
else that would like to speak under the
public hearing tonight?
Hi, mayor and members of council. My
name is Rowan Oxenfield. I've lived in
Oakdale for about 23 years. I'm here
tonight to speak in support of the
proposed Mr. Car Wash development. I
wanted to speak because I have a unique
perspective on this project. Not only
have I lived in Oakdale most of my life,
but I recently joined Mr. Car Wash
through its management training program.
As someone who's still pretty new to the
company, I've had the chance to see
firsthand how they have invested in
their employees, their customers, and
the communities where they operate.
Before working for Mister, I never
thought much about car washes. But since
joining the company, I've learned a lot
about what's going goes into running a
modern car wash. It's not just about
cleaning cars. It's about creating a
convenient and enjoyable experience that
people use regularly, especially here in
Minnesota where road salt, snow, and
changing weather can be rough on
vehicles. Having that option available
right here in Oakdale would save
residents time and keep more of the
spending in our community.
What has impressed me most as a new
employee is the culture. I've been given
opportunities to learn, develop
leadership skills, and prepare for a
long-term career. For someone just
starting out in management program
that's meaningful. This location would
create jobs and provide opportunities
for others who are looking for training,
growth, and career path like the one I'm
pursuing. As a resident, I want Oakdale
to continue growing in ways that make
sense. This project would bring a useful
service to to the community, create
local jobs, and add to commercial
amenities that residents expect. I
believe this would be a positive
addition addition to Oakdale, and I
respectfully encourage the council to
approve the proposal. Thank you for your
time and consideration.
>> Thank you,
» Mr. Mayor and council members. My name
is Rick Tim. I'm the owner of the All
Family Dental Professional Building at
1075 Hadley Avenue North. This is just
west of the proposed site. Um, in case
others don't know this, there are
actually eight car washes within 3 miles
of this location. We are not short of
car washes. If you include the ones out
uh six miles, there are six additional
ones. So, there's there's 14 car washes
for people to choose from. We are not
short on car washes.
Having said that, and having a compact
time, I don't see any com compelling
evidence that we need another car wash
that would overrule the planned unit
development that was thoughtfully uh
done in 2011.
the the city bought that
property and it was it turned into quite
a blighted uh property and it was it was
after two years of planning this was was
determined to be the best alternative
and I think we have to give them credit
for perhaps having that right. I did
hear the the car wash agents talk about
the the appropriateness of more
autocentric things in in this
development by saying, "Well, you have a
gas station." Well, we had a gas station
anyways. Gas stations tend to go
together and there's a Circle K. An old
Holiday was right next door and if
you're going to get a if you're going to
get a a fast food restaurant, you're
going to get a uh drive-thru. Having
said that, it's not the same use. Those facilities are not noisy. They
will not produce any unusual noise over
their normal course of business.
However, the vacuum pumps, the vacuum
stations,
7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., 7 days a week,
four weeks a month, 12 months a year, after year after year. I I I sit in
the dental office often times and I I
see residents, young and old, going
around that that uh rain garden. I call
it a rain garden. I know it's a sewer
management thing, but I call it a rain
garden. And uh they're having the quiet
enjoyment of that. And I think that was
what the planned unit development uh
initial was thinking would be the best
use. This is for sure not what they were
thinking about.
Um,
ultimately I think the the rule of city
governance is not to unduly weigh the
benefits of increased property values. I
don't really care that it's producing
taxes or not. The city might um the
benefits to to me as a business owner,
the benefits Mr. car wash as a business
order, but I think it's supposed to
represent the changes that are in the
public good and ultimately in the best
interest of residents.
And I really don't think that this makes
the cut in my opinion. And I have other uh data that I shared with
you by email. Thank you.
>> Thank you.
» Hi there. So, [clears throat] I'm Dean
Wangren at 655015th Street Circle North
in Oakdale. So, I want to speak out in
favor of the car wash. Um, I live about
four blocks away and I think it'd be
really handy to have one of the faster
um conveyor belt style car washes. So,
um I don't know if there's eight car
washes nearby. There's certainly like
three car washes within a reasonable
distance, but they're all kind of the
gas station attached ones. And what I
noticed, especially in the spring,
they're really slow. So, it'd be great
if there was one that uh especially when
it's kind of rainy and mucky out, you
could go quickly and get your car
washed. And I'm hoping this could do
that. Um, also, it'd be really handy
because it's right by Hi, so that's
where we get our gas. We could just run
over and wash a car.
All right. Well, that's it. Thank you.
>> Is there anybody else that would like to
speak under the public hearing tonight?
Hello, my name is Marina Hernandez and I
work for All Family Dental. We have a
lot of residents that come from local
areas and after speaking with a resident
at the new uh perspective. It sounds
like a lot of the residents there are
not necessarily in favor of a car wash.
they would prefer a restaurant. I do
understand the value of having a car
wash. However,
again, I do agree that we're [sighs]
going to have more traffic, which is
good for our community. However,
right now what I notice working
at the off dental office with the
construction, I don't foresee that we
have the correct
traffic meters there to manage if we
add. So, I guess I would want to know
are we going to add additional traffic
meters there, stop signs, stop light to
help with that? And I do have concerns
for the people that do live next door at
New Perspective because is this the best
option for them because some of them
don't travel and it would be nice for
them to have a restaurant next door
again. Thank you.
>> Thank you.
Is there anybody else that would like to
speak under tonight's public hearing?
Seeing none, I'm going to go ahead and
close the public hearing. Bring it back
up for council consideration. Council
members, uh, do we have any additional
questions, uh, for city staff?
Jim, do you have anything for us?
>> Uh, Mr. Mayor, I will after a motion is
made.
>> Okay. Uh, council members, two motions
in front of us. Is there somebody that
would like to make the first motion?
>> Um, I will make the first motion. I
recommend we wave reading and adopt
resolution
2026-57
denying an application for an amendment
to the Tartan Crossing planned unit
development to allow a car wash at 7099
111th Street North.
>> There's a motion. Is there a second?
>> Second.
>> Motion and a second. Comments. Jim.
>> Uh Mr.
Members of council, uh, I recommend we
add an additional finding to the, uh,
proposed resolution based on, uh,
statements that were made by the
applicant tonight. And my suggested
wording of that for an additional
finding is that, uh, unlike the current
proposed use, previous amendments to the
Taton Crossing PUD uh, referenced by the
applicant did not involve a use that was
exclusively for vehicles.
Okay.
Uh,
council members, is there anybody that
would like to offer an amendment adding
that additional finding to the
underlying resolution?
>> Yeah, I'll make that motion to add that
additional language.
>> There's a motion on the amendment. Is
there a second?
>> Second.
>> Motion to second. All those in favor say
I.
>> I. Opposed. And the amendment is
adopted. Back to uh resolution 2026-57
as amended. Uh any conversation on that,
Jim? Anything else?
>> No.
>> Okay. Uh we've had a motion. We've had a
second. Uh all those in favor say I.
>> I. Opposed. And resolution 2026-57
denying an application is adopted.
>> Uh Jim, since we um are not amending the
PUD, is the CUP action necessary or is
it moot?
>> Mr. Mayor, yes, that that there's still
an action necessary on that because it
is a pending application that's subject
to a time limit and [snorts] uh the
findings in there are based on the fact
that because you did not approve the PD
amendment, the use is not allowed and
therefore you can't grant a CUP for it.
>> Got it. Uh will somebody make that
action?
» Sure. Sure. I'll make that motion that
uh we wave reading and adopt resolution
2026-58 denying denying an application
for a conditional use permit for car
wash at 709911 Street North.
>> There's a motion. Is there a second?
>> Second.
>> Motion and a second. Any final comments?
>> Seeing none, all those in favor say I.
>> I.
>> Opposed? And resolution 2026-58
is adopted. Uh next we'll move into open
forum. Um before we open the floor to
any comments, we have three action or
three items on the agenda in front of us
tonight. First up, uh, the 2025
GreenStep Cities Award presentation.
We have a staff presentation. Oh, hi.
[laughter]
Welcome.
Good evening, mayor, council members,
um, and thank you to Hannah for the
invite this evening. As the Minnesota
Greenep City's co-director at the
Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, um I
am pleased to join you this evening to
recognize the city of Oakdale's
achievement and progress in the
GreenStep program. Oakdale joined the
program in March of 2012, reaching step
one by signing a council resolution.
Since that time, the city has processed
or progressed through all five steps of
the program uh and has achieved steps
four and five. nine years in a row now.
Um you are one of the longest uh tenur
cities reaching step four and five uh in
the program.
Oakdale has reported 55 actions
completing 20 of the 29 sustainability
best practices that range from education
and outreach to um implementation and
infrastructure
planning and policy and more.
Steps four and five are achieved
annually by reporting and annual
analyzing outcomes
that those actions have had on the
community over time and showing
improvement in metrics.
The menu of metrics includes 125 unique
data points of which Oakdale has
reported 90 in this last year. Um, and I
wanted to highlight just a few of those
metrics that um kind of rose to our
attention as as um interesting and
notable. So, between 2016 and 2025 of
all reporting years, Oakdale has seen an
increase in LED lighting used in city
buildings um grow from 2% in 2016 as
reported to 50% in 2025, maybe a little
bit more with some city hall remodeling.
The city added its first city-owned or
leased electric vehicle to the city
fleet in 2025 with the police
department.
100% of Oakdale's housing is located
within one mile of a bicycle route and
96.5% is located within a half mile of a
parkland.
The city planted 347
net new trees in 2025 and gave away an
additional 200 trees um for free to
residents with the Arbor Day tree
giveaway.
Oakdale purchased just under 3,800
megawatt hours per year of renewable
energy for city operations in 2025,
which makes up 97% of total city
operation electricity needs. uh up from
0% in 2018.
And the city f hosted its first eco in
April of 2025 with 18 vendors
representing local watershed district
energy nonprofits, garden clubs, and
more. So with that, just a little
snapshot of what um has been reported
for the city and the program. Um, I'd
like to bring to you today your 2026
recognition blocks for your 2025
reporting. Um, and congratulate you on
reaching step four and five again this
year.
>> Uh, council, let's go down and grab a
photo.
» I wore my green shirt. [laughter]
» Your mom, too.
We're doing all the work [laughter]
here. Come on in the middle.
>> Yep.
» All right.
» [applause]
» a slide here.
>> Yeah.
» Right.
>> Well, before we move on, I just want to
say um a big thank you to our team. Uh
beginning with Hannah Dunn, our senior
community development specialist who
leads all of our
um do absolutely incredible work in this
space. um you you keep our environmental
management commission on track and
focused. Um you know, all of those data
metrics behind the scenes. You know, it
it's easy to just look at two little
blocks of wood and say, "Yay, us." But
there is so much data that goes into
these applications every single year.
And it's it's our talented community
development team led by Hannah's efforts
um that bring all of that information to
life. So, a big thank you uh for all of
your great work. Also, a big thank you
to our environmental management
commission. um you know things like the
ecoair um started as a wild brainchild
of that from of theirs at at some point
um and now that we've done it two years
in a row it's getting bigger and better
every single year making a huge impact
um towards the goals of the green
program. So, um, a lot of progress has
been made. Um, whether it's, you know,
the programs that we've brought back
like our community cleanup event in the fall each year, the new events
that we're creating, and all of the good
work that um all of our city staff are
doing every single day to uh support the the GreenStep program. So, a big
thank you to our team. Kelly, please
share that throughout the organization.
Hannah, thank you for everything you do
um to keep us all on track and and keep
us meeting our goals. We do appreciate
it.
» [applause]
» Uh we also have a couple proclamations
um that I'm issuing. Uh first up
recognizing building and code
professional appreciation day. Uh
whereas building and code professionals
ensure that all aspects of building code
administration, code enforcement, rental
housing, licensing, and other duties are
per performed in a timely and
professional manner. And whereas
building and code professionals devote
countless hours keeping up with
regulation changes that affect the
building and code enforcement
industries. And whereas uh building and
code professionals are primarily out in
the field where they can encounter rough
terrain, heights, depths, narrow spaces,
construction equipment and activities,
unfavorable weather, especially in
Minnesota. Uh I rate people hopefully
not canines and other potential hazards.
Uh whereas despite hazards, building and
code professionals are fully dedicated
to ensuring that buildings are built
strong, they're built safe, and they
remain secure um for everybody in our
community. And whereas the city of
Oakdale strongly supports the skilled
work of its building and code
professionals. Therefore, I mayor of
Oakdale, Minnesota, do hereby proclaim
September 1st as building and code
professional appreciation day in the
city of Oakdale. Um we are incredibly
fortunate to have an outstanding team
here in our city. Um, it falls under our
community development department. Um,
you know, Greg Brady, our chief building
official, man, we have thrown a lot at
him the last few years. As you look at
all of the building that's happening in
our community in the east metro, um,
every day is something new. And that
work is done on top of just those daily
duties. You know, enforcing the city
code, doing the rental license
inspections, all of that necessary work
that happens whether a community is is
building and developing or not. um they
cover so much ground and uh we could not
be a city, a safe city, a stable city
without their efforts. So we really do
thank them for everything they
contribute to our community.
Our second proclamation is recognizing
suicide prevention awareness month.
Whereas suicide is a national public
health challenge that causes
immeasurable pain among individuals,
families, and communities across the
country. And whereas more than 800 lives
are lost in Minnesota each year. And
whereas suicide is the second leading
cause of death for people ages 10 to 24.
And whereas on average 132 Americans die
by suicide each day and over two million
attempt suicide each year. And whereas
public awareness of this tragic problem
is key to preventing further suffering
and loss of life. And whereas the risk
for suicide can be reduced through
awareness, education, and treatment.
And whereas everyone in in the community
can play a role in preventing suicide
and are encouraged to know the signs,
find the words, and reach out. And
whereas depression is a treatable
illness and approximately 80% of people
who seek help for depression experience
improvement when treated with therapy
and/or medication.
And whereas support is available by
calling the National Suicide and Crisis
Lifeline at 988 or 1 8002738255.
or you can text home to the crisis text
line at 741741.
Therefore, I Kevin Zel, mayor of
Oakdale, Minnesota, to hereby proclaim
September as suicide prevention
awareness month in the city of Oakdale.
You know, each year it seems like the
stats um related to suicide and
attempted suicide continue to climb off
the charts. You know, we all know that
the the need for mental and behavioral
health supports in every single
community grows um exponentially. Um we
know especially in certain professions
the the rate of suicide and attempt of
suicide is even higher. Um calling on
all of us to provide more support to
those professions uh those individuals
in those professions as well. In Oakdale
we're incredibly proud to be um now
delivering not rolling out. We are
delivering um mental and behavioral
health supports through our police
department uh through a partnership with
Washington County. um if that if those
efforts and those dollars spent on that
work um saves even one life, it is well
worth it. Um and we're just so um
excited to um be able to provide that
new level of support in our community
because the need has been there for so
long. So, we recognize suicide
prevention awareness month in September,
but as I said, it's all it's an all year
um long endeavor that we all need to
play a role in recognizing the science
of it, providing the support for those
individuals um facing those those
challenges in life and getting them to
the resources they need um to help
address that. We're still under open
forum. Um this is a time for anybody
who's joining us here at the Discovery
Center. If you'd like to share anything
with us, um, regardless of the topic,
please feel free to step up to the
podium, state your name and address for
the record, and proceed with your
comments.
Before we move on from open forum, that
stat 96.5% of all homes in Oakdale are
within one mile, I think it was one mile
or half mile of parkland. I want to know
where that three and a half% are. We got
a problem to fix. [laughter]
>> We're having what 31 parks now. I I
cannot picture in my head where those
homes would be, but we have some work in
front of us. So, all right, let's move
into consensus motions. Council members,
we have A through E in front of us. Are
there any that we need to pull for
individual consideration?
>> All right. Uh, hearing none. Can I get a
motion to approve consensus motions as
presented?
Make a motion to approve consensus
motions as presented.
>> Motion. Is there a second?
>> Second.
>> Motion in a second. All those in favor
say I.
>> I. I.
>> Opposed. And A through E are adopted. Uh
let's check in with our advisory boards
and commissions. The only one that met
was parks and wreck. They met on last
Tuesday. Yeah.
>> Mhm.
>> A week ago. Council member Morham, what
are they working on?
>> Yeah, I know. We talked about the
excitement around the new parks. Excuse
me. Here.
uh the new parks that are going to be
worked on Tower and Golf View. Also, the
engagement coming up for Tanners and
there's been a lot of engagement.
There's more coming this week about up
upgrades there. And also next month
they're going to be holding their
walking tour at uh Everly Park. So,
their meeting for parks and wreck will
be there and that'll be shared out
publicly soon.
>> Fantastic.
Once we get that date set and out there,
we hope everybody can join us in Everly.
Uh we'll move on to award bids. Nothing
under there. So, we'll go into staff
reports. Uh we have a presentation from
community development. We got a few
items.
Thank you again, Mayor Council. So,
uh this next request is from Les Schwab.
The property is located at the southeast
quadrant of 34th Street and Marketplace
just uh it's located west of the
McDonald's there by Target. Uh the
purpose of the request is that Lehwab
Tire Center, they're seeking approval to
build an automotive service and repair
business. The request involves a
preliminary plat to create three lots
and a site plan. So the property in
total is about 7 and a half acres. It's
vacant land. The zoning of the site is
Oakdale Marketplace uh planned unit
development or PUD. So if you recall
that in response to a court order, the
city recently approved an ordinance
amendment and a resolution to allow the
proposed use at the site. So the
preliminary plat involves proposed lot
one, which is about 1 acre, and that
would contain the tire store. Uh the
other two outlots consisting of about 1
acre and 5 acres would be reserved for
future development. The proposed access
to the Le Schwab site is off of 33rd
Street. That's a private street. for
park dedication that has to be satisfied
as part of the platting and development
agreement process. A credit will be
given for the park dedication that was
collected for the overall plat of
Oakdale Marketplace back in the year
2005.
In terms of the site plan, certain
elements uh including building height,
setbacks, lot coverage, parking,
landscaping, exterior building
materials, and site lighting. Those have
been met. I would like to note that the
developer made a slight update to their
site plan to include six extra parking
spaces and a larger trash enclosure which complies with the site
plan requirements for storm water
management. The developer will need to
work with the wershed district and the
city engineer to ensure that proper
provisions are installed accordingly.
And due to the property being located
next to county highway 14, Washington
County Public Works reviewed the request
and they did not have any comments on
it. The planning commission held the
required public hearing for this request
on August 6th and they recommended
approval. So staff recommends approval
of the plat and site plan subject to
conditions in the resolutions. Uh so
first is resolution 2026-53
in the agenda packet. So five conditions
of approval that I will summarize here.
The number one is execution of a
development agreement. Number two is
appro uh seek approval of the site civil
construction plans. Number three
satisfaction of park dedication
requirements. Number four, obtain
approval from the fire department for
the location of fire department
connections and hydrants. And number
five, the developer must obtain outside
government agency approvals that apply
to the proposal.
Uh the other resolution for the site
plan, that's 2026-54.
I will forgo reading those conditions
because they are redundant from the
other resolution that I just mentioned.
But happy to answer any questions. Thank
you.
>> Council members, any questions for Luke?
Seeing none, who would like to make the
resolutions?
>> I recommend we wave reading and adopt
resolution 2026-53
approving the preliminary plat for
Oakdale Marketplace 7th edition subject
to conditions.
>> There's a motion. Is there a second?
>> Second.
>> Motion a second. In conversation,
>> all those in favor say I.
>> I.
>> Opposed. Resolution 2026-53 is adopted.
How about the next action?
>> I recommend we wave reading and adopt
resolution 2026-54
approving the site plan for Lewab
subject to conditions.
>> There's a motion. Is there a second?
>> Second.
>> Motion a second. Any final comments?
>> All those in favor say I.
>> I. Opposed. Resolution 2026-54 is
adopted.
Uh next up on the agenda, Luke, are you
do you have a presentation for this one?
>> Yes. Thank you. So, Josiah Center is
requesting a conditional use permit to
allow a church at 533 Hayward Avenue
North, unit 100. The property is zoned
B3. That's our light industrial
district. Places of worship are
permitted through the conditional use
permit process for all zoning districts
in Oakdale. [clears throat] Uh after
review, the proposed church meets the
criteria for granting a conditional use
permit and the zoning ordinance and
staff's analysis of the request.
>> [clears throat]
>> The planning commission held the public
hearing for this application on August 6
and they recommended approval. Staff
recommends approval of this CUP subject
to just one condition and this is in
resolution 2026-56.
So no parking signage shall be installed
along the east drive aisle and along the
north side of the building and that's
just to ensure that we can adequately
have our emergency vehicles navigate the
site for the church. Yeah, happy to
answer questions. Thank you. Council
members, any questions for Luke on this
item? [clears throat]
>> All right. Who wants to dive right in?
>> I move we wave reading and adopt
resolution 2026-56
approving a conditional use permit for a
place of worship church at 533 Hayward
Avenue North with conditions included in
the attached resolution.
>> There's a motion. Is there a second?
>> Second.
>> Motion and a second. Final comments. All
those in favor say I.
>> I.
>> Opposed. Resolution 2026-56 is adopted.
Last item. Luke.
Thank you. So, this final request uh for
a conditional use permit, it's from True
Line Sign Company and MC Geneva
Properties LLC. They're requesting a
conditional use permit amendment to
allow for a 24 square ft electronic
dynamic business sign at 1267 Geneva. So
there was previously an 11 square foot
electronic sign on that property that
was approved back in 2010, but this
amendment is to of course enlarge or
allow a much larger electronic sign
there. Property is zone B1 commercial
and it contains an existing multi-tenant
commercial building. The proposed
electronic dynamic business sign meets
the general and specific criteria of the
zoning ordinance. and staff's analysis
of the request. The planning commission
held the required public hearing for
this application on August 6th and they
recommended approval. So, as such, staff
is recommending approval of this request
subject to eight conditions in the
resolution 2026-55
in the agenda packet. So, do my best to
summarize these conditions here. So,
number one is that the sign shall be
installed on the existing sign, pylon
sign or a replacement pylon sign if the
existing pylon sign is removed. Number
two, the sign shall have a minimum
display duration of 30 seconds. Number
three, um only static messages on the
sign. Number four, the sign cannot
exceed 24 square ft in size. And number
five, uh the sign shall not exceed 2500
knits between the hours of civil sunrise
and sunset. Um actually, so number six
is a modification or a modified
condition from the planning commission
when uh we brought that to them. Uh, so
the sign because it's next to
residential property, it's subject to
having more restrictive illumination
standards at at night time from 10 p.m.
to 6:00 a.m. It cannot exceed uh 250
nits. Number seven, the sign shall have
a functional off switch that uh
automatically turns the display off if
the display deteriorates by 10% or more.
And finally, number eight, the applicant
must obtain a signed permit through the
city. Happy to answer questions. Thank
you.
>> Council members, any questions for Luke
on this cup? Seeing none, who wants to
dive in?
>> I move we wave reading and adopt
resolution 2026-55
approving a conditional use permit
amendment for an electronic message sign
at 1267 Geneva Avenue North with
conditions included in the attached
resolution.
>> There's a motion. Is there a second?
>> Second.
>> Motion a second. Any final comments? All
those in favor say I.
>> I oppose. Resolution 2026-55
is adopted. Thank you, Luke.
>> Uh, busy night for Luke. He got a lot.
[laughter]
>> Uh, let's move on to checking with our
city attorney, Jim. Anything for us
tonight?
>> Uh, Mr. Mayor and Council, nothing.
further. Happy to answer
questions.
>> Anything for Jim?
>> All right, let's check in with our city
administrator, Kelly. What do you have
for us tonight?
>> I do not have anything for you tonight.
Thank you, mayor.
>> All right, anybody have any questions
for Kelly?
Uh, let's move on to council
presentations.
I'm already looking this way. Anything
down here?
>> I do.
>> All right, Council Member Moore, take it
away.
>> All right. Um, well, we had last week
the employee appreciation event for the
city and I just wanted to um thank the
committee that planned it and um it just
thank all the city staff. I mean, what
an incredible event. Um, my favorite was
seeing the animals paired with their
owners. Um, that that was fun. It was
fun.
>> Pictures, right?
>> Pictures. Yeah. Yeah. [laughter] Um, who
owned which animal? Maybe that's a
better way to say it. But just really
huge thank you to our city staff for
everything they do and to the committee
that plans so much for them.
>> Does anybody have a llama or a peacock
or anything funny?
>> There was no llama, but there was a
cockatil. Cockatil.
>> Oh,
>> belonging to
>> Yeah. I wish I could remember. We made a
like there were jokes. There were jokes.
[laughter]
>> Michaela Wagy from finance.
>> Who? Who did?
>> Michaela Wagy from finance.
>> Okay. [laughter]
Um, but yeah, that was fun.
>> Very cool. Very cool. Uh, Council Member
Rich, anything?
>> No.
>> All right. How about down here? Nothing
for me.
>> Nothing here.
>> All right. I have a few announcements um
to share about upcoming happenings in
the city. Uh tomorrow night we h Yeah,
tomorrow uh tomorrow night we have
another community engagement um taking
place down at Tenner Lake Park uh from
6:00 to 8:00 p.m. We are looking for
community feedback on design details
related to the playground design. Um
this event will be an open house style.
Attendees can meet at the park building,
the the beach house. Um I'm not even
going to mention the inclement weather
because it's not going to rain tomorrow,
I don't think. So we'll be fine. The
event will be tomorrow, Wednesday,
August 26, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Um, we
have some pretty cool designs of what
that playground could look like and so
we would love the community's feedback
on that. Uh, a reminder, city offices
will be closed on Monday, September 7th
in observance of Labor Day. City
facilities will reopen the following
day. As always, emergency services are
available. Uh, a big reminder, save the
date, our third annual, third, second
city cleanup event. Is this our third?
>> Third.
Yeah, let's go with that. Um the
city the citywide cleanup event is back
on Saturday, September 19th from 9:00 am
to 1 pm at our brand new public works
campus. First time it is there, 3200
Granada Avenue. Um this is a great
opportunity for residents to
conveniently and safely dispose of
furniture, electronics, hard to recycle
items. Uh this event is for Oakdale
residents only. I will be standing out
there checking IDs. Don't try it all you
Lake Elmo people. Um and proof of
residency is required. There we go.
Also, if you're driving, you're supposed
to have your driver's license on you
anyways. So check uh business items will
not be accepted. Please see the city
website oakdalem.gov for full
information on what is accepted, what's
not accepted, and any fees associated
with accepted items. Um so glad we
brought this event back uh 3 years ago.
Um always a resident uh favorite. Very
popular event. Stuff naturally
accumulates in our homes. This is a
great way to get rid of it at a very
cost-effective um way. Um, also a big
thank you to all of our partners um that uh contribute to this event. Um, we
don't do it alone. So, um, yeah, check
out the city website for all of those
items, and we hope to see you out there
on September 19th from 9:00 a.m. to 1
p.m. Uh, a reminder, Oakdale's annual
photo contest is back. We want to see
all of your snapshots from every corner
of our city. Photographers of all skill
levels can submit photos by September
30th. Um, they don't have to be photos
that you take like on the spot. if you
have them from earlier in the year, any
point since the last time we ran this
contest last fall, we want those photos.
So, go through your iPhones. Um, do
people actually print photos anymore?
No, they don't do that. Um, go through
your digital cameras. If you have a
great snapshot of something that
happened in our city, we want to see it.
Um, the only rule really is that uh
photos must be taken in Oakdale. Visit
the city website, oakdale.gov, for all
contest rules, um, and to learn how you
can submit those photos. Uh, another
reminder, Oakdale, the the city farmers
market continues every Wednesday from
2:00 to 6:00 p.m. at the Walton Park
West parking lot off of 15th Street. Um,
we only have eight markets left for the
season. Cue ominous music. Um, still
lots of great produce, baked goods. Um,
you can get your knives sharpened out
there most weeks. Um, lot of great stuff
happening out there. Um, there's only
eight left. That one hurts a little bit
>> because we know what comes next. Um,
well, what comes next is the indoor
market here at the Discovery Center
during the winter, so we'll be fine. Uh,
but we hope you can join us at the
farmers market. Always a lot of great
shopping can be done there. Uh, finally,
uh, good luck to our local students,
teachers, and support staff. They head
back to school. Um, always a very
exciting time for the parents. Um, kids,
hit or miss. Um, but, uh, good luck to
all of them. Uh, good luck to all of the
teachers support staff. Good luck to our
SRO, Officer Brun, um, at Tartan. Um,
always very exciting when they head back
to school. So, let's pay some bills.
Claims roster. Uh, August 13th through
August 25th. Woo! 4.2 million. Must be
some construction bills in there. Uh,
council, do we need to pull any out for
additional information?
>> Nope. Let's pay it. All right. Who wants
to make the motion? I move to approve
claims for the period of August 13, 2026
to August 25th, 2026 in the amount of
4,213,1412.
» There's a motion. Is there a second?
>> Second.
>> Motion and a second. All those in favor
say I.
>> I.
>> Opposed. Bills are paid. Can I get a
motion to adjurnn?
>> So moved.
>> There's a motion. Is there a second?
>> Second.
>> Motion and a second. All those in favor
say I. I. Opposed. We're adjourned.
Thank you and good night.