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The Chisago City Council on June 24 approved variances and a design review for a 9,000 sq. ft. building addition to Brink’s Market to be constructed this summer. The addition will accommodate new frozen food and dairy sections, a sushi station and a break room for the store’s staff.

Brink’s Market is the only grocery store in south-central Chisago County and has a long history. The Council considered requested variances for building setback, impervious surface and parking as well as a design plan, all of which were unanimously approved.

City code requires a 50-foot setback from street right of way. The council approved variances allowing for a 48-foot setback from Lake Lane on the north and a 36-foot setback from Habel Lane on the west. Zoning code requires impervious surface not to exceed 70 percent. The Brinks property is currently at 75 percent impervious surface and will be at 82 percent after the new addition. 

A variance for parking was also approved. Chisago City’s zoning code required 130 parking stalls based on the size and use of the building; however, Brinks currently has 78 parking stalls and is proposing no additional parking.  

City Administrator John Pechman explained that Chisago City’s parking requirements for businesses like Brinks have not been updated since 1990. The subsequent advent of online shipping, home grocery delivery and curbside customer pickup, all of which Brinks’ offers, impacting the number of parking spaces needed.  Also, an additional 84 parking spaces are readily available at immediately adjoining lots.

The city planning commission received no comment from the public at its June 5 hearing on the project and had recommended approval of the variances stating the store was essential and “a great asset to the community.” The city council agreed.

In other business, the council:

- with Mayor Jeremy Dresel abstaining, approved payment of $272,409 to Dresel Contracting Inc. for work performed on the Old Towne Road Trail Extension Project. The payment covered installation of traffic and erosion control, completion of stormwater improvements, placing a new aggregate base, bituminous pavement, concrete curb and gutter and restoration.  Five percent was withheld as retainage.

-  postponed holding a workshop session on a new city logo while a graphic designer recently retained by the park board starts work on the project. Park Superintendent Doris Zacho told the council the designer has gathered input from the park board members and has started a Pinterest design board where council members can submit comments and suggestions for a new logo concept. 

The park board had proposed a new city logo to the council in May. The council had concerns about that design and wanted to discuss it further at a workshop session, which will now be pushed back.

- received a petition for annexation from Kathleen Iverson, 27800 Kent Court in Chisago Lake Township. Iverson wants her residential property annexed to Chisago City in order to gain access to city sewer and water services. Explaining the next steps, Administrator Pechman said he will contact Chisago Lake Township and city staff will prepare orderly annexation agreements, which will then be acted on by the township and the council. 

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