2020.06.08 - MinutesApproved Planning Commission Minutes – June 8, 2020
CRYSTAL PLANNING COMMISSION
MINUTES
Monday, June 8, 2020 at 7:00 p.m.
Council Chambers, Crystal City Hall and Zoom Video
Conference
1. CALL TO ORDER
The regular meeting of the Crystal Planning Commission convened at 7:00 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]
X Commissioner (Ward 1)
Heigel
X Commissioner (Ward 3)
Maristany [Sec. Vice Chair]
X 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, rental licensing specialist Chee Yang, City’s IT
Systems Administrator Matt Haga, and Ed Pharr representing Water Sports Investments LLC.
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Moved by Heigel and seconded by Einfeldt-Brown to approve the minutes of the January 13,
2020 regular meeting. Ayes: Heigel, Strand, Selton, Einfeldt-Brown, Johnson, Maristany,
Buck, and Seffren. Nays: None
Motion carried.
3. PUBLIC HEARINGS
a. Site plan review request from Water Sports Investments LLC for a proposed building
addition at 5160 West Broadway (Application Number 2020-03):
Chair Selton opened the public hearing.
Planner Olson presented a summary of the staff report and stated he is recommending
approval of the site plan. Olson stated that condition 2b has now been satisfied since the
applicant provided the FAA letter after the staff report was submitted to the Planning
Commission.
Commission member Heigel asked where maintenance is done on the boats they provide
storage for. Mr. Farr said that this is done in the existing building and will continue to do so.
Commission member Maristany asked if West Broadway will be blocked at certain times of
the year when boats are brought in and out of the property. Mr. Pharr said the boats are
Approved Planning Commission Minutes – June 8, 2020
brought in a staggered manner, not all at one time. Delivery trucks will not block traffic in
the road.
Hearing no one else who wished to speak, Selton closed the public hearing.
Moved by Einfeldt-Brown and seconded by Heigel to recommend approval to the City
Council of the site plan review application for the proposed building addition at 5160 West
Broadway, with the conditions in the staff report (except for the FAA letter requirement).
Ayes: Heigel, Strand, Selton, Einfeldt-Brown, Johnson, Maristany, Buck, and Seffren.
Nays: None
Motion carried.
b. Miscellaneous amendments to the Unified Development Code (Application Number
2020-04):
Chair Selton opened the public hearing.
Planner Olson presented a summary of the staff report and stated he is recommending
approval of the amendments.
Commission member Heigel said that allowing two-family dwellings on smaller lots may
lead to developers tearing down existing homes in order to construct two-family dwellings
that are more dense and out of character with the rest of the neighborhood. Heigel also felt
that with more units, there will be more cars parking in the driveway and on the street.
Commission member Maristany asked how allowing a two-family dwelling on a smaller lot
differs from having a single-family home with an accessory dwelling unit (ADU). Olson
stated that the main difference is that an ADU is a smaller living unit while a two-family
dwelling has two units of equal size.
Commission member Strand said she agrees with Commission member Heigel regarding
smaller lot sizes for two-family dwellings. She is not sure why Crystal is the only city in the
area that allows two-family dwellings in the R-1 district. Olson said that Crystal has
allowed this dwelling type in the R-1 for many years, it’s just that now we are proposing to
reduce the minimum lot area requirement. Strand said that for the example provided in the
staff report at 3401-3415 Douglas, she is uncertain that 16 units on that property would be
appropriate. She is therefore against amending the per unit requirement.
Commission member Strand asked why staff believes that preschools have the same
parking requirements as elementary schools, especially considering that there can be
challenges with many parents dropping off their children. Olson stated that the number of
non-driving students is approximately the same. Pick-up and drop-off areas are typically
regulated in the conditional use permit (CUP) process to ensure that this is not a problem.
Commission member Maristany stated that preschools often have special events requiring
parking so she is comfortable with the proposed parking standard
Hearing no one else who wished to speak, Selton closed the public hearing.
Approved Planning Commission Minutes – June 8, 2020
Moved by Buck and seconded by Johnson to recommend approval to the City Council of
the miscellaneous amendments to the Unified Development Code.
Ayes: Ayes: Selton, Einfeldt-Brown, Johnson, Buck, and Seffren. Nays: Heigel, Strand,
Maristany
Motion carried.
4. OLD BUSINESS - None
5. NEW BUSINESS - None
6. GENERAL INFORMATION
City Council actions on previous Planning Commission items: Planner Olson stated that
the City Council approved these three application as recommended by the Commission:
– CUP and variance for telecommunication tower at 3200 Vera Cruz Ave N
– Site plan for Tumble Fresh laundry at 6023 - 42nd Ave N
– Rezoning to PD for specialized care facility at 3501 Douglas Dr N
Update from Council Liaison: Mr. Brendan Banks was not present at the meeting.
Staff preview of likely agenda items for Monday, July 13, 2020 meeting.
Mr. Olson said he has not received any applications for the meeting, but the deadline is not
until next week.
7. OPEN FORUM - None
8. ADJOURNMENT
Moved by Buck and seconded by Johnson to adjourn. Ayes: Heigel, Strand, Selton, Einfeldt-
Brown, Johnson, Maristany, Buck, and Seffren. Nays: None
Motion carried.
The meeting adjourned at 7:53 p.m.