2020.07.13 - MinutesApproved Planning Commission Minutes – July 13, 2020
CRYSTAL PLANNING COMMISSION
MINUTES
Monday, July 13, 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]
Commissioner (Ward 1)
Heigel
X Commissioner (Ward 3)
Maristany [Sec. Vice Chair]
X Commissioner (Ward 4)
Johnson
X Commissioner (Ward 2)
Strand
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 City Council liaison Brendan Banks.
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Moved by Maristany and seconded by Seffren to approve the minutes of the June 8, 2020
regular meeting. Ayes: Strand, Selton, Einfeldt-Brown, Johnson, Maristany, and Seffren.
Nays: None
Motion carried.
3. PUBLIC HEARINGS – None
4. OLD BUSINESS - None
5. NEW BUSINESS
a. Conformance to Comp Plan – sale of 3240 Hampshire Ave N
Planner Olson presented a summary of the staff report and stated staff is recommending
that the Commission determine the sale of the lot is in conformance to the Comprehensive
Plan.
Einfeldt-Brown asked if the Environmental Quality Commission (EQC) should see this in
case they recommended that the property be preserved due to the soil and wetland issues.
Approved Planning Commission Minutes – July 13, 2020
Olson said typically the EQC does not review EDA lot sales, but he’s not sure what the
purpose of such a review would be. There is a large park across the street so the city does
not have a need for more park land in this area.
Moved by Maristany and seconded by Seffren to determine that the sale of the lot is in
conformance to the Comprehensive Plan.
Ayes: Strand, Selton, Einfeldt-Brown, Johnson, Maristany, and Seffren. Nays: None
b. Conformance to Comp Plan – sale of 4741 Welcome Ave N
Planner Olson presented a summary of the staff report and stated staff is recommending
that the Commission determine the sale of the lot is in conformance to the Comprehensive
Plan.
Moved by Johnson and seconded by Seffren to determine that the sale of the lot is in
conformance to the Comprehensive Plan.
Ayes: Strand, Selton, Einfeldt-Brown, Johnson, Maristany, and Seffren. Nays: None
c. Woda Cooper Companies proposal to develop an apartment building at 5240 West
Broadway.
Planner Olson summarized the information in the staff report about the proposed
development.
Johnson asked if the Comp plan population projections would need to be changed if this
building is constructed. Olson stated that this is just one building and since the area is
designed as “mixed use”, it is understood that redevelopment would bring more residents
to the town center district.
Maristany asked if a shadow study would be done. Olson said it could be, but since there
is very little residential in this area, it may not be likely. Maristany asked if the city should
amend its exterior lighting requirements if a lot of town center properties are redeveloped.
Olson said those requirements could be amended, but it would be important to first identify
what issue you are trying to address. It’s possible that if there are negative lighting
impacts, code enforcement could be stepped up rather than amending the UDC.
6. GENERAL INFORMATION
• City Council actions on previous Planning Commission items: Planner Olson stated that
the City Council approved these two applications as recommended by the Commission:
– Site plan review request at 5160 West Broadway
– Miscellaneous amendments to the Unified Development Code
• Update from Council Liaison: Council liaison Banks answered miscellaneous questions
from Commission members, including the Council’s thoughts on the Woda Cooper
development and the proposed new police station building.
• Staff preview of likely agenda items for Monday, August 10, 2020 meeting.
Mr. Olson said he has not received any applications for the meeting, but the deadline is not
until tomorrow.
Approved Planning Commission Minutes – July 13, 2020
7. OPEN FORUM
Commission member Maristany asked if staff had any idea when the Iron Horse park
improvements are to be completed. Olson said he was not exactly sure, but he believes those
improvements should be done this year.
8. ADJOURNMENT
Moved by Johnson and seconded by Seffren to adjourn. Ayes: Strand, Selton, Einfeldt-
Brown, Johnson, Maristany, and Seffren. Nays: None
Motion carried.
The meeting adjourned at 7:49 p.m.