2023.03.13 - MinutesApproved Planning Commission Minutes – March 13, 2023
CRYSTAL PLANNING COMMISSION
MINUTES
Monday, March 13, 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:
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
X Commissioner (Ward 3)
Maristany
X Commissioner (Ward 4)
Johnson
Commissioner (Ward 2)
Strand
X Commissioner (Ward 3)
Buck
X Commissioner (At-
Large) Scholz
Other attendees: City planner Dan Olson, City Council liaison Therese Kiser, Community
Development Director John Sutter, Jeff Quinn, Bill Becklin, and Frank Brodeen, all three
representing the applicant for 5208-5216 Hanson Ct. N., and other interested persons.
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Moved by Heigel and seconded by Johnson to approve the minutes of the January 9,
2023 regular meeting. Ayes: Johnson, Heigel, Selton, Einfeldt-Brown, Buck, and Scholz.
Abstain: Maristany Nays: None
Motion carried.
3. PUBLIC HEARING
a. Site plan request from Jeff Quinn for a new office warehouse at 5208-5216 Hanson
Court North (Application 2023-02).
Chair Selton opened the public hearing.
Planner Olson presented a summary of the staff report and stated he is
recommending approval of the site plan request.
Commission member Maristany asked questions about the location of public and
private utilities. Mr. Brodeen said each unit will have separate water and sewer service
connections. Mr. Becklin said that private utility locations have not yet been
determined.
Commission member Maristany asked how snow storage will take place. Mr. Brodeen
said that snow will be stored in the northeast corner of the site, and any excess snow
will be plowed over the surmountable curb into the stormwater infiltration basin.
Maristany also asked if the number of parking spaces is sufficient for all potential
Approved Planning Commission Minutes – March 13, 2023
businesses. Mr. Quinn said that the types of businesses that will be in the building do
not typically generate a lot of parking. Parking is available in the street during the day
and in the parking lot at night, and most of his employees take their work vehicle
home.
Commission member Maristany asked what difficulties might occur during
construction. Mr. Brodeen did not anticipate any difficulties and said they will follow all
road restriction weight limits, erosion control requirements, and limits on hours of
construction.
Commission member Buck asked if there is any potential soil contamination from the
previous property use. Planner Olson said that a phase II environmental investigation
was done several years ago and determined there was no soil contamination. Mr.
Becklin said a soils expert will be on site during construction to confirm there are no
soil contamination issues.
Commission member Heigel asked how high the retaining wall will be. Mr. Brodeen
said it will be 4’ at its tallest on the south end of the property and then taper down to 0’
as it nears the building.
An interested person from the public expressed concerns about the proposed building,
such as vehicle parking and snow storage, but did not express opposition to the
development.
Hearing no one else from the public who wished to speak, Selton closed the public
hearing.
Moved by Buck and seconded by Scholz to recommend approval to the City Council
of the site plan application for Jeff Quinn. Ayes: All Nays: None.
Motion carried.
4. OLD BUSINESS - None
5. NEW BUSINESS
a. Blue Line LRT project update. Community Development Director Sutter gave a
presentation on the latest plans for the Blue Line LRT project from Metro Transit.
b. Discuss CCX Media offer to cablecast meeting. Planner Olson gave a presentation on
the difficulties in storing large video files by the city for the Planning Commission
meeting. The city has received a proposal from CCX Media to attend the Commission
meetings, and then store the video on their streaming service which can then be
accessed from the city’s website. Planning Commission members were all in
agreement to have CCX attend and video their meetings.
6. GENERAL INFORMATION
• City Council actions on previous Planning Commission items: Olson stated that the
Council approved the variance at 5020 Welcome Ave N.
Approved Planning Commission Minutes – March 13, 2023
• Update from Council Liaison: Council liaison Kiser said the City Council has had some
meetings to review plans for the Blue Line LRT.
• Staff preview of likely agenda items for Monday, April 10, 2023 meeting.
Planner Olson said he has received one application for the April meeting, and is
expecting one more application for tomorrow’s deadline.
7. OPEN FORUM - None
8. ADJOURNMENT
Moved by Scholz and seconded by Johnson to adjourn. Ayes: All. Nays: None
Motion carried.
The meeting adjourned at 8:25 p.m.