2022.05.09 - MinutesApproved Planning Commission Minutes – May 9, 2022
CRYSTAL PLANNING COMMISSION
MINUTES
Monday, May 9, 2022 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]
Commissioner (Ward 4)
Johnson
X Commissioner (Ward 2)
Strand
X Commissioner (Ward 3)
Buck
X Commissioner (At-
Large) Scholz
Other attendees: City planner Dan Olson, City Council Liaison Brendan Banks, Jim Butler
(3715 Georgia Ave N), Shirley and Glenn Toby (P & C Learning Center), and Jamarcus
Walker and Jeremy Bratcher (Cornerstone Church).
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Moved by Maristany and seconded by Sears to approve the minutes of the March 14,
2022 regular meeting. Ayes: All Nays: None
Motion carried.
3. PUBLIC HEARINGS
a. Variance request from Jim Butler for two building additions and to bring into
conformance an existing garage setback encroachment at 3715 Georgia Avenue
North (Application 2022-02).
Olson presented a summary of the staff report and stated he is recommending
approval of the variance.
Chair Selton opened the public hearing.
Commission member Maristany asked if any public comments had been received.
Planner Olson said no. She also asked if the addition creates any traffic visibility
issues. Olson said no, that the addition would be located quite far from the traffic
visibility triangle.
Approved Planning Commission Minutes – May 9, 2022
Commission member Strand asked what the size of the existing garage is. Mr. Butler
said it’s technically a 1.5 car width, but the chimney that encroaches within the garage
makes parking in the garage difficult for more than one vehicle.
Commission member Scholz asked if a variance was needed for the previous kitchen
addition. Mr. Butler said that addition conformed to the west side setback requirement.
Commission member Einfeldt-Brown asked if the applicant considered constructing a
second floor addition. Mr. Butler said no because the room addition is for his mother
who has difficulty with stairs.
Commission member Maristany asked if the garden will be removed to make way for
the addition. Mr. Butler said no.
Hearing no one from the public who wished to speak, Selton closed the public hearing.
Moved by Strand and seconded by Einfeldt-Brown to recommend approval to the City
Council of the variance application for Jim Butler at 3715 Georgia Avenue North.
Ayes: All Nays: None
Motion carried.
b. Conditional use permit request from P & C learning center for a child day care at 5000
West Broadway (Application 2022-03).
Olson presented a summary of the staff report and stated he is recommending
approval of the conditional use permit.
Chair Selton opened the public hearing.
Commission member Maristany asked if the day care will have an outdoor play area.
Mr. Walker said no because there are indoor play areas within the building.
Commission member Strand asked what “P & C” stands for. Ms. Toby said they are
the names of her children. Strand asked if the day care is affiliated with the church.
Ms. Toby said no. Strand likes the proposal and said there is a need for day care.
Hearing no one from the public who wished to speak, Selton closed the public hearing.
Moved by Strand and seconded by Maristany to recommend approval to the City
Council of the conditional use permit application for P & C learning center at 5000
West Broadway. Ayes: All Nays: None
Motion carried.
Approved Planning Commission Minutes – May 9, 2022
c. Property rezoning request from City of Crystal EDA at 4824 - 56th Avenue North
(Application 2022-04).
Olson presented a summary of the staff report and stated he is recommending
approval of the rezoning.
Chair Selton opened the public hearing.
Commission member Sears why there is a monitoring well on the property. Planner
Olson went through the history of environmental investigation on the property due to
its proximity to a former gas station at 4800 – 56th Ave N.
Commission member Maristany said the builder of the new two-family dwelling should
make sure that driveway visibility is considered with vehicles coming along the 56th
Avenue curve. Planner Olson said the curb cut locations will stay as they are when the
property had a single-family home. Commission member Selton suggested having a
driveway turnaround on the property due to the curve.
Hearing no one from the public who wished to speak, Selton closed the public hearing.
Moved by Sears and seconded by Buck to recommend approval to the City Council of
the rezoning application from the City of Crystal EDA at 4824 – 56th Avenue North.
Ayes: All Nays: None
Motion carried.
4. OLD BUSINESS - None
5. NEW BUSINESS
a. Update on joint meeting for the Planning Commission/Parks and Recreation
Commission – June 13, 2022.
Planner Olson stated that the joint meeting is planned to be held after the public
hearing items for the June Planning Commission meeting. Three Rivers Park District
would like to meet with both Commissions to discuss planning for the proposed
Canadian Pacific (CP) Regional trail.
6. GENERAL INFORMATION
• City Council actions on previous Planning Commission items: Olson stated that the
Council approved the site plan for the new medical clinic at 6014 Lakeland Avenue
North.
• Update from Council Liaison: City Council liaison Brendan Banks spoke about the
proposed Inclusion and Diversity Commission that the City Council has been working
to create. Mr. Banks and Planning Commission members also discussed whether the
city would have electric vehicle charging stations and provided information about the
completion of the new police station.
Approved Planning Commission Minutes – May 9, 2022
• Staff preview of likely agenda items for Monday, June 13, 2022 meeting.
Planner Olson said he has already received one application for the June meeting, but
the application deadline is not until next week.
7. OPEN FORUM
Commission member Strand discussed the Crystal parks fundraiser (plant sale) to be
held on May 21st at Becker Park.
Planner Olson said that the Planning Commission by-laws are now on the city’s website.
8. ADJOURNMENT
Moved by Buck and seconded by Strand to adjourn. Ayes: All. Nays: None
Motion carried.
The meeting adjourned at 8:08 p.m.