[{"_1":2,"_87":-5,"_88":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6205803,"mediaKeyId","3768475-2969a2da89abbf3f95dc4595fd88a9e5","parentId",3768475,"title","East Bethel council approves site plan, subdivision, variances and labor pact; tables planning appointment","audioSeconds",1432,"startMs",3901000,"endMs",5333000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3768475-2969a2da89abbf3f95dc4595fd88a9e5&start=3901&end=5333","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3768475-2969a2da89abbf3f95dc4595fd88a9e5/thumbnail_3901000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6205803/East-Bethel/Anoka-County/Minnesota/East-Bethel-council-approves-site-plan-subdivision-variances-and-labor-pact-tables-planning-appointment","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6205803-d34161dfbf9b856de0de7178ff3b8625/orig.mp4?Expires=1771063431&Signature=fipjj~qgc7Mq3lMdn1BnYS-I5xMe6FJ0xCSKZMkBhkGr3ZGReRYjBxm3hMQkrpQKxyId4qM0KAhQzOgWSxldS1gA0Ysl2mJh~7yo2S9TBy8UkxD8RBFwCJS0tDrbaOXGtRKH9H7fvB2jWl-7cVhbkjjMm2vj7P54VTnwixRl6ma2LLWI1wah~-XgbXzCPyLUGuDGsW6TKViOfzAWMK4ePEm2uodUzZi5Zo2G~ORXjt73toJlaMP1D3KGMOa7E5F8ozt~bkeQ6MysIvSv6K1IQRezkvEVkbHaWZnZX3jFY3w0QZuRgsvcpjuK-CU9Gfa3oCiDWAoPqtXTlIpMiJKBhw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of East Bethel, MN","date","2025-06-11T16:37:01.47Z","article","The East Bethel City Council on June 9 approved a series of land-use applications, a final plat and a three-year labor agreement with union-represented city employees, while tabling one Planning Commission appointment for additional review.

The council unanimously approved a resolution granting a site plan, a conditional-use permit and four variances to allow exterior storage at 21476 Johnson Street NE (PIN 083323340005). The council also approved a concept plan for a three-lot subdivision named Cliff Anderson Acres (Resolution 2025-34) and later approved the final plat for Hidden Prairie, a 17-lot subdivision off East Bethel Boulevard (Resolution 2025-37).

The council granted variances for two shoreland properties on Laurel Road: the panel voted to approve a package of three variances for 138 Laurel Road NE (including a reduced garage size, a 27.6% impervious-surface coverage and metal-style siding) and approved two variances for an after-the-fact situation at 144 Laurel Road NE allowing a 9.3-foot rear-yard setback and 25.09% impervious coverage. Planning staff and the Planning Commission recommended approval for the requests with mixed commissioner votes on some uniqueness findings.

On labor relations, the council approved a new agreement with the Minnesota Public Employees Association (MPEA) covering nine full-time employees (eight public works maintenance technicians and one building inspector). City staff said the contract runs Jan. 1, 2026, through Dec. 31, 2028, and starts with an 8% wage increase the first year followed by 3% increases in each of the next two years. City staff noted East Bethel's pay rates were about 10% below comparable neighboring cities and described the contract as a combination of a market correction and multi-year steady raises aimed at employee retention.

Appointments and consent agenda: The council adopted an amended consent agenda (six-zero) and approved an EDA resignation (Item E) and a subsequent EDA appointment (Item F). The council discussed Planning Commission appointments (Item G) and, after debate, tabled the appointment until the next council meeting to allow members time to review applications and resumes.

What passed (votes at a glance):
- Resolution approving site plan/CUP and variances for exterior storage at 21476 Johnson St. NE (approved; motion passed unanimous vote).
- Resolution approving concept plan for Cliff Anderson Acres (approved; motion passed unanimous vote).
- Resolution approving variances at 138 Laurel Rd NE (approved; motion passed unanimous vote).
- Resolution approving after-the-fact variances at 144 Laurel Rd NE (approved; motion passed unanimous vote).
- Resolution approving final plat Hidden Prairie (17 buildable lots) (approved; motion passed unanimous vote).
- Labor agreement with Minnesota Public Employees Association, term 01/01/2026' 12/31/2028 (approved; motion passed unanimous vote).
- Planning Commission appointments (Item G) tabled to next meeting for review (motion passed).

Council comments and staff notes: City Planner presented each land-use item and noted Planning Commission recommendations and where staff differed (for example, on one variance the Planning Commission did not forward a recommendation). City Administrator Matt Look and other staff described the labor negotiations and underlying payroll comparisons; staff reported a roughly 20% turnover across small teams in the past 18 months and emphasized recruitment and retention concerns. The development applications include required follow-up steps: a development agreement for Hidden Prairie and administrative steps prior to final plat recording with Anoka County.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Council MTG 060925","oneSentenceSummary","At its June 9 meeting the East Bethel City Council approved a site plan and conditional-use permit for exterior storage, concept and final plats for subdivisions, multiple variances, and a three-year labor agreement with the Minnesota Public Employees Association; one planning commission appointment was tabled for more information.","taxTitle","East Bethel, Anoka County, Minnesota","taxId",71001,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6205809,"Residents press East Bethel council for records, IUP clarity after debate over BDM and Menard Lake Estates",821,82000,903000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3768475-2969a2da89abbf3f95dc4595fd88a9e5&start=82&end=903","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3768475-2969a2da89abbf3f95dc4595fd88a9e5/thumbnail_82000.jpg","/articles/6205809/East-Bethel/Anoka-County/Minnesota/Residents-press-East-Bethel-council-for-records-IUP-clarity-after-debate-over-BDM-and-Menard-Lake-Estates","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6205809-d6dca2aba5489176b1be6b379a6b980b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771063431&Signature=f1sMu48S7w5xgzfG8lLcc6ETycjCG8QCVPuQPucEWbQBSqi7Kl8Vm~tCC4dBTUeaFWewFmJNd881iB3n8pFS8T-tTFLyI-Jnp1IcL8Q27tdljWOKIZJJRAXo~g3f9ZQAPgBZKr0G~7mhK9l2LMKrZWwA62StGbVt7IAEdjIhdxDcj6IQ1iI3-QLlAbptC-UDmBuf-fppo7YEl0UONJQ5TxlLNiC2d0yrJe~R7gkNvGDIkjT4CS8ePRzWjg7xVgYQq~po0DNX~6goX~TTtuxeqLt29IxydUDRl56SijQ0P5wIwyR~ELOUKwi3SuzWc~UbFpsOnfgmOtnyiR223m0qfQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Dozens of residents used the public forum at the June 9 East Bethel City Council meeting to press the council for more records and a formal agenda item on a long-running dispute involving BDM (and related companies) and property at Menard Lake Estates.

The speakers raised allegations about past development agreements, bond payments, deed taxes and whether the city had paid utility and other bills tied to a business operating in a residential zoning district. Several asked for the matter to be put on a future council agenda for a full review.

Why it matters: Speakers said the issue affects city transparency, taxpayer dollars and land-use enforcement. Council members and the city attorney responded that the city's decisions had been vetted legally, and that residents who hold or seek interim-use permits must follow the procedural process for review.

Several residents who identified themselves at the podium described local history and legal questions. \"I was appalled at the attack on BDM,\" said Bridal, who gave a street address and said she has been a longtime East Bethel resident and a past council member. Bridal described Menard Lake Estates's complex history and told the council she believed the city would lose in court if it pursued litigation without proper preparation.

Matt Dwyer, who identified himself as a Polk Street resident, said the group was being rushed at public comment and \"I would request that we put this on an agenda, have a specific meeting set aside where everybody can bring that information, be as transparent as they're claiming to be and everything can be put in the open.\" Ram, another resident who ran for council recently, also urged the city to \"open up the books\" and produce accounting showing what BDM paid and where funds are held.

Mark Gimple gave two complaint forms to be read into the record; an attorney read the forms aloud during the forum and said they concerned information presented by City Administrator Matt Look at the May 12 work meeting and the May 28 council meeting. The attorney read that one complaint cited a potential violation of Robert's Rules of Order by the mayor. The documents were recorded as part of the public forum record.

Other commenters disputed factual claims in the council's review of BDM. Baron Wells and Larry Belice, the latter identifying himself as a long-time subcontractor on BDM homes, challenged assertions that deed taxes or other matters reflected concealment. Wells pointed listeners to Minnesota statute 287.21 to explain deed tax treatment for gift transactions; Belice described BDM's construction quality and said the public discussion looked political.

Council and staff responses: Council members and the city attorney said the IUP process is interim and conditional. The city attorney told the council that an earlier IUP for six horses was superseded when an IUP for two horses was later issued for the same property and that property use had in effect changed the legal status. \"This is an interim use permit. It is not permanent,\" the city attorney said, and added that the Gimples (the property owners discussed) could resubmit an IUP for council review.

A council member asked that the matter be put on a formal agenda for fuller consideration. During the meeting a motion to table further public-record action on the item until the requestor provided the verbatim materials and supporting bills was made and approved by the council (motion to table: passed). The council also urged residents to submit records and said staff would provide the legal and factual background at a later public meeting.

What's next: Several speakers said they will press for a dedicated agenda item. Council members suggested any resubmission of an IUP or formal complaint be processed through the established staff and legal review so the governing body can make a decision with full documentation.

","Multiple residents used the council's public forum to challenge the council's handling of BDM/BDM Jr. and related property and tax issues, asked that the matter be placed on a future agenda, and presented complaint forms. Council and staff said the interim-use permit (IUP) issue can be re-submitted and reviewed.","actionData","errors"]

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East Bethel council approves site plan, subdivision, variances and labor pact; tables planning appointment

Residents press East Bethel council for records, IUP clarity after debate over BDM and Menard Lake Estates