2018.12.10 PC Meeting Minutes
Approved Planning Commission Minutes December 10, 2018
CRYSTAL PLANNING COMMISSION
MINUTES
Monday, December 10, 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-Large)
Strand Buck \[Vice Chair\] Daly
Other attendees: City Planner Dan Olson, City Council Liaison John Budziszewski, and City
Council member Nancy LaRoche
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Moved by Sears and seconded by Heigel to approve the minutes of the November 19, 2018
regular meeting. Ayes all.
Motion carried.
3. PUBLIC HEARING
a. Public hearing to receive input on the proposed 2040 Comprehensive Plan.
Planner Olson presented a brief summary of the staff report and noted that staff is
recommending that the Comprehensive Plan be submitted to the Metropolitan Council for
their review.
Commission member Selton asked what changes were made to the housing chapter.
Olson stated that the City Council reviewed some suggested housing policies from the Met
Council and did not make any changes to the plan.
Commission member Sears asked if the city has any private sewer systems that might be
inspected by the Met Council. Olson said that we do not have such systems and this is
noted in the plan. Selton noted that the City Council has done a lot of work in recent years
to reduce Inflow and Infiltration (I & I).
Approved Planning Commission Minutes December 10, 2018
Commission member Maristany
Olson said that yes. The c, with the exception of
Hennepin County where staff pointed out some errors in their plan.
Maristany asked for clarification about what Met Council meant by saying that affordable
housing goals could only be met through multi-family housing. Olson said that an earlier
draft of the plan noted that affordability goals could be met through the creation of
accessory dwelling units (ADU). When Met Council stated that the goals could only be
met through the creation of multi-family housing (i.e. apartments), staff removed the
relevant ADU language from the plan.
Maristany asked if the there is a difference between required comments and advisory
comments from Met Council. Olson explained that advisory comments are things the
Council suggests the city do, but they are not requiring it.
Maristany asked why the Met Council only focused on solar energy and not wind. Olson
not.
household is spending a large percentage of their income on rent or mortgage.
Commission member Strand asked if it was correct that the 30% of residential units were
rentals in 2016. Olson said he thought that was correct but he would verify that
information and let the Commission know. Olson said that most of the rental units are
apartments rather than single-family homes.
Chair Johnson opened the public hearing.
Council member LaRoche said that a resident asked her to convey their desire for a
balance of commercial and multi-family housing land uses and for a balance of market rate
and affordable multi-family housing.
Chair Johnson asked if anyone else from the public wanted to speak. Seeing no one, the
public hearing was closed.
Moved by Einfeldt-Brown and seconded by Daly to recommend that the City Council
submit the 2040 Comprehensive Plan to the Metropolitan Council. Ayes: All
Motion carried.
4. OLD BUSINESS - None
5. NEW BUSINESS - None
6. GENERAL INFORMATION
a. City Council actions on previous Planning Commission items: Planner Olson reported that
the City Council approved the variance for a building addition at 5224 Hanson Court North.
b. Update from Council Liaison: City Council Liaison John Budziszewski further explained
the two housing policies the Council considered at their December 4 meeting: fair housing
Approved Planning Commission Minutes December 10, 2018
policy and inclusionary housing policy. Mr. Budziszewski further explained whatthe
Council has been doing to address I & I issues the past few years.
c. Staff preview of likely agenda items for Monday, January 14, 2019 meeting.
Mr. Olson indicated that no applications have been received, but that the application
deadline is not until next week.
7. OPEN FORUM
Earlier in the meeting, Chair Johnson expressed gratitude to Commission member Daly,
whose last meeting is tonight.
Commission member Heigel discussed the class action lawsuit by three major cities against
scooter companies.
Commission member Strand spoke about a brew-fest fundraiser in March for Becker Park.
Commission member Einfeldt-Brown reported that the annual Crystal Ball will be held on
February 22, 2019.
8. ADJOURNMENT
Moved by Sears and seconded by Buck to adjourn.
Motion carried.
The meeting adjourned at 8:03 p.m.