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2020.10.12 - MinutesApproved Planning Commission Minutes – October 12, 2020 CRYSTAL PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES Monday, October 12, 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: X 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  Commissioner (At-Large) Seffren Other attendees: City planner Dan Olson, rental licensing specialist Chee Yang, City’s IT Systems Administrator Matt Haga, City Council liaison Brendan Banks, Police Chief Stephanie Revering, City Manager Anne Norris, Community Development Director John Sutter, Melissa Stein from Wold Architects and Engineers, Kevin Bohl, BKBM Engineers, and other interested persons. 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Moved by Strand and seconded by Einfeldt-Brown to approve the minutes of the July 13, 2020 regular meeting. Ayes: Selton, Strand, Maristany, Einfeldt-Brown, and Johnson. Abstain: Heigel, Sears, and Buck. Nays: None Motion carried. 3. PUBLIC HEARING a. Rezoning to Planned Development from City of Crystal for proposed police building addition at 4141 Douglas Drive North (Application 2020-05). Planner Olson presented a summary of the staff report and stated he is recommending approval of the rezoning to Planned Development. Commission member Sears asked why the exterior building colors were chosen, what the easement width will be along the west property line, and what the sewer availability charge (SAC) will be for this expansion. Ms. Stein said they wanted the addition to mimic the city hall by using granite and stucco, but also use other materials to show that the police station is its own entity. The SAC fee has not yet been determined but its based on the Approved Planning Commission Minutes – October 12, 2020 additional square footage. Planner Olson said the easement will be 5’ wide and there will be no building encroachments within that easement. Commission member Maristany asked if the police department will operate on this site during construction. Chief Revering said that most of their operations will be relocated during the construction, including the police vehicles. Maristany asked if the stop sign between the city hall and fire station will remain. Mr. Bohl said the sign will be removed. Maristany asked how the exterior lighting meets city requirements. Planner Olson state the number of poles has been reduced and he showed how the footcandle requirement is met. Commission member Einfeldt-Brown asked if the existing raingarden will be removed. Mr. Bohl said yes, and its replaced by an enlarged underground stormwater storage tank. Commission member Selton asked what the status is of the existing rooftop solar panels. Ms. Norris said the original installer has to approve the reinstallation of the panels and she’s looking into whether or not it makes sense to reinstall the original panels or install new panels. Chair Selton opened the public hearing. A Crystal resident said he likes the new police building addition and the reconfigured accesses off of 42nd. He said it was too bad that some trees have to be removed. A Crystal resident asked several questions about how the new building would impact climate change. Commission members Maristany and Sears said that the new building will be much more energy efficient that the original building constructed in 1965. Ms. Stein said that building codes in effect now create efficient buildings that do not contribute much, or any, carbon emissions. The resident also said she would like to see the building downsized so that more trees can be saved and that a wider variety of trees could be planted. Commission member Strand said that during construction it’s very difficult for trees near the construction to survive. Planner Olson said that the city recently adopted new regulations that required tree species diversity for new developments. This project adds four species. Hearing that no one from the public wished to speak, Selton closed the public hearing. Moved by Sears and seconded by Strand to recommend approval to the City Council of the rezoning to Planned Development of 4141 Douglas Dr N for the police building addition with the conditions in the staff report. Ayes: Selton, Strand, Maristany, Einfeldt-Brown, Johnson, Heigel, Sears, and Buck. Nays: None Motion carried. 4. OLD BUSINESS - None 5. NEW BUSINESS – None Approved Planning Commission Minutes – October 12, 2020 6. GENERAL INFORMATION • City Council actions on previous Planning Commission items: None • Update from Council Liaison: Council liaison Banks answered miscellaneous questions from Commission members on the proposed new police station building addition, including the timing of construction. • Staff preview of likely agenda items for Monday, November 9, 2020 meeting. Planner Olson said he has not received any applications for the meeting, but the deadline is not until tomorrow. 7. OPEN FORUM Planner Olson updated the Commission on the status of various building projects happening in Crystal. 8. ADJOURNMENT Moved by Einfeldt- Brown and seconded by Maristany to adjourn. Ayes: Johnson, Heigel, Strand, Selton, Einfeldt-Brown, Maristany, Buck, and Sears. Nays: None Motion carried. The meeting adjourned at 8:01 p.m.