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2019.02.11 - MinutesApproved Planning Commission Minutes – February 11, 2019 CRYSTAL PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES Monday, February 11, 2019 at 7:00 p.m. Council Chambers, Crystal City Hall 1. CALL TO ORDER The regular meeting of the Crystal Planning Commission convened at 7:02 p.m. with the following members present:  Commissioner (Ward 1) Sears X Commissioner (Ward 2) Selton [Chair] X Commissioner (Ward 4) Einfeldt-Brown [Vice Chair]  Commissioner (Ward 1) Heigel X Commissioner (Ward 3) Maristany [Sec. Vice Chair]  Commissioner (Ward 4) Johnson X Commissioner (Ward 2) Strand X Commissioner (Ward 3) Buck X Commissioner (At-Large) Seffren Other attendees: City Planner Dan Olson, Community Development Director John Sutter, City Council Liaison John Budziszewski, and Mike Livieri 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Moved by Maristany and seconded by Strand to approve the minutes of the January 14, 2019 regular meeting. Ayes all. Motion carried. 3. PUBLIC HEARING a. Miscellaneous amendments to the Unified Development Code (Application Number 2019-02) Planner Olson presented a brief summary of the staff report and stated he is also recommending that “industrial and commercial businesses with outdoor storage or products, parts and fuel” be a permitted use in the Commercial district with approval of a zoning certificate. Commission member Strand asked why staff was recommending ADUs be allowed in two- family dwellings. Olson stated allowing ADUs in two-family dwellings provides an opportunity for more housing units without placing an undue burden on existing neighborhoods. Strand stated that she has concerns about duplexes becoming in essence triplexes with issues such as parking of vehicles for all of the inhabitants. Other Commission members also expressed concern about allowing three families in a duplex dwelling. Approved Planning Commission Minutes – February 11, 2019 Commission member Selton provided his understanding of why the electronically controlled signs were set at 2 minutes – it was to prevent distracted drivers. Selton questioned if 30 seconds was too short for a sign to remain static. Commission member Seffren also expressed concern about distracted drivers with the change to 30 seconds. He thought we should keep the requirement at 2 minutes. Mr. Sutter explained that the ordinance was originally modeled after Brooklyn Park’s ordinance, which now has a requirement for 60 seconds – maybe Crystal should use that standard? Commission member Maristany suggested the sign could be timed with the stoplight. Olson said that might be difficult to enforce if stoplights have different timing. Sutter stated that in his experience stoplights typically are timed so that the motorist is usually only stopped for one minute. Commission member Strand stated she understands that the ADU is accessory to the principal use, but with so many residents proposed to be allowed in a two-family dwelling, the ADU no longer seems accessory. Olson and Sutter agreed that staff will take a second look at whether allowing ADUs in two-family dwellings is a good idea. Selton also said that with the relative homestead requirement, it may be difficult to track who owns the property, who lives there, etc., if a rental license is not required for an ADU. Maristany asked questions about the changes made for food trucks in chapter 13. Olson responded with the background information about the Council changes. In regard to renewing a zoning certificate for a temporary use, Maristany asked if a zoning certificate could be denied for a temporary use if the use was causing a nuisance. Strand stated she was not against the language allowing for the renewal from year to year, but we should address nuisance complaints. Olson stated there are criteria for approving a zoning certificate and if the proposed use did not meet those criteria, the certificate could be denied. Chair Selton opened the public hearing. A Crystal resident indicated her opposition to allowing ADUs in two-family dwellings. She said she has seen these become a problem for neighborhoods in other cities that she has lived in. She has seen property owners violate such ordinances by increasing the amount of units even more. Chair Selton asked if anyone else from the public wanted to speak. Seeing no one, the public hearing was closed. Seffren agreed with Strand that ADUs for two-family dwellings has the potential to create problems for the neighborhood. The other Commission members agreed. Maristany asked if in-home day care was subject to the home business requirements. Olson stated that they are defined differently and do not have the same use-specific standards. Maristany asked for clarification of how the lot coverage requirements work for low density residential. Olson explained that the back yard is regulated because that is typically where accessory buildings are located. Approved Planning Commission Minutes – February 11, 2019 Moved by Strand and seconded by Buck to recommend approval to the City Council of miscellaneous amendments to the Unified Development Code with the following changes: 1. Accessory dwelling units (ADU) not be allowed in two-family dwellings; 2. The timing for electronically-controlled signs be set at 60 seconds rather than 30 seconds; 3. Industrial or commercial uses with outdoor storage of parts, products, or fuel be a permitted use in the commercial zoning district with approval of a zoning certificate. Ayes: All Motion carried. 4. OLD BUSINESS a. Subdivision request from Mike Livieri for the Livieri Addition Preliminary Plat at 6715 Corvallis Avenue North (Application Number 2019-01) Planner Olson stated that he has provided information that the subdivision density meets the city’s requirements and that the Commission is being asked to make a recommendation to the City Council on the preliminary plat. The public hearing was held last month. Moved by Strand and seconded by Seffren to recommend approval of the subdivision application for the Livieri Addition. Ayes: All Motion carried. 5. NEW BUSINESS a. Presentation on New Hope development site west of Iron Horse Park and potential Crystal surplus land. Mr. John Sutter presented information about a proposed single-family subdivision in New Hope adjacent to Iron Horse park. The City Council is considering declaring the western area of the park as surplus land so that three new single-family home lots could be created and could connect to the infrastructure proposed for the New Hope development. Seffren asked if staff considered having the area in the park west of Kentucky Avenue also be deemed surplus. Sutter stated that would make the park pretty small and reduce the usability of the park. Maristany stated that the park is used by quite a few of the neighbors, but since the western area of the park is not the most usable area of the park, she doesn’t mind that the park is reduced as proposed. It will also be nice to have the funds from the sales contribute to improvements. 6. GENERAL INFORMATION a. City Council actions on previous Planning Commission items: Mr. Olson indicated that the City Council approved the amendments to the Planning Commission bylaws as requested by the Commission. b. Update from Council Liaison: City Council Liaison John Budziszewski spoke about the legislative breakfast held with City Council’s from neighboring cities as well as state Approved Planning Commission Minutes – February 11, 2019 legislators to discuss proposed legislative efforts. These efforts include increasing local government assistance (LGA) for cities and sales tax exemptions. c. Staff preview of likely agenda items for Monday, March 11, 2019 meeting. Mr. Olson indicated that the application deadline is not until tomorrow. He is expecting an application from the Rivertree School for their expansion. 7. OPEN FORUM Commission member Strand spoke about a brew-fest fundraiser on March 15 for Becker Park. Commission member Einfeldt-Brown reported that the annual Crystal Ball is scheduled to be held on February 22, 2019, but the planning committee is meeting one more time to discuss the event. 8. ADJOURNMENT Moved by Strand and seconded by Buck to adjourn. Motion carried. The meeting adjourned at 8:59 p.m.