Shakopee board approves conditional use permit for vehicle repair and outdoor truck storage at Merritt Street property

The Shakopee Board of Adjustment and Appeals voted unanimously to approve a conditional use permit (PC2026-19) allowing vehicle repair and outdoor truck storage at a Merritt Street property occupied by Bacall Transportation. The board recorded an aye vote from Commissioners Forsyth, Wyler, Sandhu, Redding, Van der Veen and Robbins and the motion carried.

City staff told the board the site is zoned I-1 (light industrial), measures about 22 acres, and the owner is Merritt Street LLC (Eugene Hansen). Staff said the permit would allow exterior storage of up to 18 trucks and trailers on the north side of the site and up to 16 trucks without trailers on the south side, and that all service work must occur inside the tenant space. Staff listed conditions that vehicles be stored only in designated areas, that unlicensed or inoperable vehicles not be stored on site, and that dead trees on the berm on the south side be replaced by Sept. 30.

During public comment Dan Wall, who identified himself as helping property owner Eugene Hansen, told the board there are three dead trees on the far right corner of the berm and that replacement evergreens are on order and expected to be planted soon. "Oh, I'm Dan Wall and I help Eugene Hansen out down on his properties," Wall said. He added the trucks would be affiliated with the tenant and that repair work would be done inside the building.

A letter from a resident at 8785 Boiling Springs Lane expressing opposition was placed on the table; commissioners and staff discussed whether that writer was confusing neighboring parcels because the complainant's house is some distance from the subject property. Staff said the berm and the construction of a pond previously reduced flooding on the neighboring lot and reiterated the replacement-tree condition.

With conditions addressing storage locations, vehicle operability, interior service work and the berm plantings, Commissioner Robbins moved to adopt the resolution approving the CUP. The board then closed the public hearing and conducted a roll-call vote approving PC2026-19.

The decision includes the stated implementation conditions; next steps are compliance with the permit conditions (including the Sept. 30 tree replacement deadline) and any required permitting processes for onsite operations.