2018.04.09 PC Meeting Minutes
Approved Planning Commission Minutes April 9, 2018
CRYSTAL PLANNING COMMISSION
MINUTES
Monday, April 9, 2018 at 7:00 p.m.
Council Chambers, Crystal City Hall
1. CALL TO ORDER
The regular meeting of the Crystal Planning Commission convened at 7 p.m. with the
following members present:
X Commissioner (Ward 1) X Commissioner (Ward 2) X Commissioner (Ward 4)
Sears Selton Einfeldt-Brown \[Secretary\]
X Commissioner (Ward 1) X Commissioner (Ward 3) X Commissioner (Ward 4)
Heigel Maristany Johnson \[Chair\]
X Commissioner (Ward 2) X Commissioner (Ward 3) X Commissioner (At-
Strand Buck \[Vice Chair\] Large) Daly
Other attendees: City Planner Dan Olson, City Council Liaison John Budziszewski,
Community Development Director John Sutter, Larry Emond, Mark Master, George Letendre,
and other interested persons
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Moved by Selton and seconded by Sears to approve the minutes of the March 12, 2018
regular meeting. Ayes all.
Motion carried.
3. PUBLIC HEARINGS
a. Variance request from Novak-Fleck builders for a new single-family home at 5612 Adair
Avenue North (Application Number 2018-03)
Planner Olson presented a summary of the staff report and indicated that staff is
recommending approval of the variance.
Commission member Maristany asked if the home should be moved closer to Adair to
provide more open space on the east side of the property. Olson said that the reason for
pushing it farther back from Adair was to align it with the location of the proposed home at
5618 Adair.
Chair Johnson opened the public hearing. With no one from the public wishing to speak,
Johnson closed the hearing.
Approved Planning Commission Minutes April 9, 2018
Moved by Sears and seconded by Buckto recommend approval of the variance at 5612
Adair Avenue North. Ayes: Sears, Heigel, Strand, Selton, Buck, Einfeldt-Brown, Johnson,
and Daly. Nay: Maristany.
Motion carried.
b. Subdivision request from Larry Emond for the Myrtle Acres Preliminary Plat home at 6511
st
31 Avenue North (Application Number 2018-04)
Planner Olson presented a summary of the staff report and indicated that staff is
recommending approval of the preliminary plat.
Commission member Heigel asked about how drainage will flow on the property. Olson
stated that the low spots on the property are on lot 3, and there is existing stormwater
infrastructure in that lot to provide for the drainage. The watershed has given this
preliminary review and does not see any issues with the drainage. Heigel also asked if
many trees as possible, but he will not be the one building the houses.
Maristany asked why the applicant is creating three lots instead of just the two. Mr. Emond
said the property is big enough for three lots and is a very nice property for two new
homes.
Chair Johnson opened the public hearing.
A resident who lives on Florida across the street from the development had concerns
about the proposal: wildlife on the property would be displaced, the height of the homes
could be tall compared to other homes in the neighborhood, and the potential for drainage
on to her property. Olson addressed the drainage question with the information previously
provided to Commission member Heigel.
With no one else from the public wishing to speak, Johnson closed the hearing.
Commission member Selton asked about drainage improvement projects in Sunnyview
aware of any recent projects.
Moved by Einfeldt-Brown and seconded by Sears to recommend approval to the City
st
Council of the Myrtle Acres preliminary plat at 6511 31 Avenue North, with the
conditions in the staff report. Ayes: all
Motion carried.
c. Conditional use permit request from Master Real Estate for a vehicle impound lot at 5232-
5240 Hanson Court North (Application Number 2018-05)
Planner Olson presented a summary of the staff report and indicated that staff is
recommending approval of the conditional use permit.
Commission member Maristany asked what the difference is between this and a parking
lot. Olson said that impound lots are primarily longer-term storage for vehicles while a
Approved Planning Commission Minutes April 9, 2018
parking lot usually provides short-term parking. Both uses have to meet specific site
development standards.
Selton asked what happens if the applicant does not consolidate the lots. Olson said that
on this
property.
said yes. He has another lot in Brooklyn Park and another off of Winnetka. The Crystal lot
would be open 24 hours a day, but people would not be coming to the site to pick up their
impounded vehicles.
Maristany asked what types of cars are impounded. Mr. Master said these are not junk
vehicles - just regular cars.
Selton asked if the property could be redeveloped in the future. Planner Olson said that
another use would be possible, and that use would have to conform to the zoning
requirements.
Heigel said he thought impound lots have negative impacts on neighborhoods, and there
would be too many in this area if this one is approved. George Letendre, representing the
applicant, said having this property with no buildings will make it easier to redevelop in the
future.
Maristany asked about what kind of security will there be. Mr. Master said that the gate
Chair Johnson opened the public hearing. Steve Schmit, owner of an impound lot in the
area, said his operation is open from 9 am to 4 pm. He asked if this applicant will adhere
to the requirements he had to adhere to. Olson said this applicant will have to pave the lot
and provide stormwater management.
With no one else from the public wishing to speak, Johnson closed the hearing.
Moved by Maristany and seconded by Buck to recommend approval of the conditional use
permit for a vehicle impound lot at 5232-5240 Hanson Court North with the conditions in
the staff report. Ayes: Sears, Maristany, Strand, Selton, Buck, Einfeldt-Brown, Johnson,
and Daly. Nay: Heigel.
Motion carried.
d. Miscellaneous amendments to the Unified Development Code (Application Number 2018-
06)
Planner Olson presented a summary of the staff report and indicated that staff is
recommending approval of the amendments to chapter 5 of the city code.
reside on
the property for an accessory dwelling unit (ADU)
rationale for removing that r
that requirement.
Approved Planning Commission Minutes April 9, 2018
Heigel asked if emergency vehicles will be able to access the detached ADU. Olson said
that he has spoken with police and fire personnel and they did not express concern about
being able to access these dwelling units.
Selton asked about how the rental code affects ADUs. John Sutter explained how the
rental code will be administered for these units.
In response to the policy question of whether to allow vehicle sales and leasing on West
Broadway north of Bass Lake Road, Selton asked why the previous City Council set the
boundaries for vehicle sales and rental. Sutter explained the history of why the boundaries
were set as they are now. Several commission members expressed a desire not to
Chair Johnson opened the public hearing.
Randy Bickmann, property owner in Crystal, asked if the green space requirements would
be applied to ADUs. Olson said yes. He would like to see more higher density housing in
Crystal.
Candy Outhout, said that detached ADUs should be accessible to emergency services for
vulnerable residents.
With no one else from the public wishing to speak, Johnson closed the hearing.
Maristany asked if trees would be required for new single-family homes. Olson said that
requirement would be in effect for new subdivisions.
Moved by Strand and seconded by Sears to recommend approval to the City Council of
the amendments to the Unified Development Code with the exception that the owner be
required to live on the property for an ADU and that the City Council not amend the
boundary for vehicle sales and lease. Ayes all.
Motion carried.
4. OLD BUSINESS
a. Public meeting to receive input on the proposed 2040 Comprehensive Plan and continue
review of proposed plan amendments
Planner Olson presented a summary of the proposed amendment to the Comprehensive
Plan and discussed the changes to the 2040 land use map and table.
concerned that th
also wants to see housing that is accessible to those persons with physical limitations.
Maristany asked what land intensification means. Olson said it could mean higher
densities, buildings that cover more of a lot, and buildings that are taller than what we
have now.
Approved Planning Commission Minutes April 9, 2018
Commission member Strand asked how redevelopment area D could be done with the
sensitive environmental resources in the area. Sutter gave a history of how that area
was envisioned in the 2030 plan and how it could be redeveloped in the future.
5. NEW BUSINESS
a. Conformance to Comprehensive Plan - Sale of 5612 Adair Avenue North
Planner Olson presented a summary of the staff report and indicated that staff is
recommending that the sale of the property is in conformance with the Comprehensive
Plan.
Moved by Strand and seconded by Heigel to determine that the sale of the property at
5612 Adair is in conformance with the Comprehensive Plan. Ayes all.
Motion carried.
b. Conformance to Comprehensive Plan - Sale of 5618 Adair Avenue North
Planner Olson presented a summary of the staff report and indicated that staff is
recommending that the sale of the property is in conformance with the Comprehensive
Plan.
Moved by Einfeldt-Brown and seconded by Sears to determine that the sale of the property
at 5618 Adair is in conformance with the Comprehensive Plan. Ayes all.
Motion carried.
c. Reminder: April 19, 2018 joint City Council/ Planning Commission meeting
6. GENERAL INFORMATION
a. City Council actions on previous Planning Commission items: None
b. Update from Council Liaison:
City Council liaison Budziszewski provided updates on recent City Council business:
Hennepin County gave a presentation on changing the trees in Highway 81 median; the
Crystal historical society gave an update on their progress in establishing their
organization, the bid for the Bass Lake Road streetscape project was approved; and
Hennepin County gave an update on their recycling program.
c. Staff preview of likely agenda items for Monday, May 14, 2018 meeting.
Planner Olson indicated that he has not received any applications yet, but the application
deadline is not until next week.
7. OPEN FORUM
8. ADJOURNMENT
Moved by Buck and seconded by Sears to adjourn.
Motion carried.
The meeting adjourned at 10:08 p.m.