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2023.01.09 - MinutesApproved Planning Commission Minutes – January 9, 2023 CRYSTAL PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES Monday, January 9, 2023 at 7:00 p.m. Council Chambers, Crystal City Hall 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 [Sec. Vice Chair] X Commissioner (Ward 1) Heigel  Commissioner (Ward 3) Maristany X 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, Michael Reimann and his business partner Brent Peterson, and other interested persons. 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Moved by Sears and seconded by Strand to approve the minutes of the November 14, 2022 regular meeting with one change: add the words “of denial” after the word recommendation in the sentence that begins “Planner Olson said yes that this amendment and many other UDC amendments, were adopted …” Ayes: Strand, Sears, Selton, Einfeldt-Brown, Buck, and Scholz. Abstain: Heigel and Johnson Nays: None Motion carried. 3. PUBLIC HEARING a. Variance request from Michael Reimann to the lot depth and rear setback requirements for a proposed two-family dwelling at 5020 Welcome Avenue North (Application 2023-01). Olson presented a summary of the staff report and stated he is recommending approval of the variance request. Chair Selton opened the public hearing. Commission member Heigel asked questions on behalf of Commission member Maristany who is not present at tonight’s meeting. Heigel asked for clarification that the existing building is not being demolished, but is merely being reconfigured within the interior. Planner Olson stated that is correct. Heigel asked about utilities. Mr. Reimann said there will be separate electric and gas services. Olson stated that he believes there is is only one water and sewer connection, but the applicant can install Approved Planning Commission Minutes – January 9, 2023 a submeter to distinguish water use for each unit. Heigel asked if the detached garage will remain on the property. Mr. Reimann said yes. Commission member Strand said the only reason for the variance is because the lot is trapezoid shaped which makes it too narrow along the north property line. Strand also asked questions about the interior layout of the building and Mr. Reimann answered those questions. Commission member Sears asked if the applicant had considered splitting the lot. Mr. Reimann said no. Commission member Einfelt-Brown asked if the applicant will make interior improvements. Mr. Reimann said yes and they have cleaned up the yard a lot since then. A Crystal resident said he understood that variances are sometimes necessary, but that for this proposal the existing detached garage does not meet setbacks, residential density would be exceeded with two units, and the city cannot allow a nonconforming use to continue. Planner Olson addressed these three concerns. First the existing garage meets setbacks as the zoning code allows for a 3’ setback for detached garages. Second, the city calculates density by using “gross density”, which allows the street right-of-way measured out to the centerline of the street to be included in the calculation. The calculated gross density for this property is 5 units per acre which is within the 1-6 units per range for the R-1 district. Third the proposed two-family use has never been approved by the city. Since 2005 the building has been a single-family home. Therefore the two-family use is not currently a nonconforming use. If the variance is approved, the two-family use will be legally conforming. Hearing no one from the public who wished to speak, Selton closed the public hearing. Moved by Einfeldt-Brown and seconded by Buck to recommend approval to the City Council of the variance application for Michael Reimann. Ayes: All Nays: None. Motion carried. 4. OLD BUSINESS - None 5. NEW BUSINESS a. Election of Officers: Motion by Heigel and seconded by Scholz to elect the same officers as were elected in 2022: Selton as Chair, Sears as Vice – Chair, and Einfeldt-Brown as Second Vice- Chair. Ayes: All Nays: None. Motion carried. Approved Planning Commission Minutes – January 9, 2023 6. GENERAL INFORMATION • City Council actions on previous Planning Commission items: Olson stated that the Council approved the UDC text amendment relating to vehicle sales. • Update from Council Liaison: Planner Olson said that Therese Kiser will be the new City Council liaison, but she was unable to attend tonight’s meeting. • Staff preview of likely agenda items for Monday, February 13, 2023 meeting. Planner Olson said he has not received any applications for the February meeting, but that the application deadline is not until January 17th. 7. OPEN FORUM Commission member Sears asked what is locating in the former Burger King property on West Broadway. Planner Olson said the property was purchased and is being converted to an office building. Commission member Heigel asked about status of the former Pizza Ranch space in the Crystal Gallery mall. Planner Olson said a restaurant and cigar-bar called the Purple Rose is locating there. Commission member Sears asked about the status of the City Hall remodel. Planner Olson said staff is moving back in later this week. 8. ADJOURNMENT Moved by Strand and seconded by Sears to adjourn. Ayes: All. Nays: None Motion carried. The meeting adjourned at 7:40 p.m.