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2021.10.11 - MinutesApproved Planning Commission Minutes – October 11, 2021 CRYSTAL PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES Monday, October 11, 2021 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 [Vice Chair] X Commissioner (Ward 2) Selton [Chair] X Commissioner (Ward 4) Einfeldt-Brown 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, PJ Disch and Scott and Rita Endres, and other interested persons. 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Moved by Sears and seconded by Heigel to approve the minutes of the September 13, 2021 regular meeting. Ayes: Maristany, Strand, Heigel, Sears, Selton, Johnson, and Seffren. Abstain: Buck and Einfeldt-Brown. Nays: None Motion carried. 3. PUBLIC HEARING a. Site plan and variance request from Scott Endres for a new vision clinic at 5736 Lakeland Avenue North (Application 2021-07). Olson presented a summary of the staff report and stated he is recommending approval of the site plan and variance. Chair Selton opened the public hearing. Commission member Maristany asked why the applicant did not address the Comprehensive Plan designation in their narrative. Olson said they are asked to provide their response to that question, but staff has also addressed that in the staff report. Maristany asked if the parking lot is able to handle delivery vehicles. PJ Disch said yes since the delivery vehicles will be box truck size and not semi-trucks. The parking lot is adequate to handle garbage trucks. Maristany asked if traffic is expected Approved Planning Commission Minutes – October 11, 2021 to increase in the area due to the new clinic. Olson said that the area on the east side of Highway 81 (Bottineau Boulevard) is primarily low density residential and therefore traffic volumes will not notably increase, especially since the clinic’s patients will come and go throughout the day in low numbers (unlike a retail store which has many customers). Maristany asked what the clinic will do if they need additional parking in the future. Olson said that the clinic has determined that the amount of requested parking is sufficient to meet their anticipated needs, but if more parking is needed perhaps a parking share agreement can be established with the Crystal Medical Center at 5700 Bottineau Boulevard. Maristany asked if the new exterior lighting will negatively impact the airport. Olson said that the lighting plan meet’s the city’s requirements for footcandle strength at the property line so the airport will not be negatively impacted. Maristany asked if the applicant can provide a bike rack for patients. PJ Disch said they could add one to the site. Commission member Heigel asked how tall the new exterior light poles will be. PJ Disch said they will be 20’ tall. Commission member Seffren asked if there could be a driveway connection to Airport road to provide another outlet for patients, employees and deliveries. Olson said that the property north of the clinic property is owned by Hennepin County so a driveway connection is not possible from that roadway. Commission member Einfeldt-Brown asked when the applicant will open the clinic. Rita Endres said the construction should take 12-14 months and they hope to open in late 2022. Hearing no one else from the public who wished to speak, Selton closed the public hearing. Moved by Maristany and seconded by Einfeldt-Brown to recommend approval to the City Council of the site plan and variance application for Scott Endres at 5736 Lakeland Avenue North. Ayes: All. Nays: None. Motion carried. 4. OLD BUSINESS - None 5. NEW BUSINESS - None 6. GENERAL INFORMATION • City Council actions on previous Planning Commission items: Olson stated that the Council approved the site plan for the four-unit residential building at 4741 Welcome Avenue North. • Update from Council Liaison: City Council liaison Brendan Banks was not present at the meeting. Approved Planning Commission Minutes – October 11, 2021 • Staff preview of likely agenda items for Monday, November 8, 2021 meeting. Olson said he has not received any applications for the November meeting, but the application deadline is not until tomorrow. 7. OPEN FORUM Commission member Maristany asked about recent proposed changes to the city’s charter. Commission member Heigel, who is on the Charter Commission explained that the amendments haven’t yet been approved by the City Council, but the Council has expressed agreement with most of the changes. 8. ADJOURNMENT Moved by Buck and seconded by Strand to adjourn. Ayes: All. Nays: None Motion carried. The meeting adjourned at 7:35 p.m.