Loading...
2023.07.10 - MinutesApproved Planning Commission Minutes – July 10, 2023 CRYSTAL PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES Monday, July 10, 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 X Commissioner (Ward 3) Maristany X Commissioner (Ward 4) Johnson X Commissioner (Ward 2) Strand (arrived 7:04 p.m.) 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, and Daniel Pryde. 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Moved by Maristany and seconded by Buck to approve the minutes of the May 8, 2023 regular meeting. Ayes: All. Nays: None Motion carried. 3. PUBLIC HEARING a. Variance request from Daniel Pryde to the lot width and residential density requirements for a proposed two-family dwelling at 4309 Colorado Avenue North (Application Number 2023-05) Planner 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 Maristany asked the applicant several questions: 1. Will he be living at the property (Mr. Pryde said no); 2. Will he be maintaining the property or will that be done by someone else (Mr. Pryde said he would be maintaining the property); 3. Will he rent out the units as affordable or market rate (Mr. Pryde said market rate); 4. Has he had any issues with his other rental properties (Mr. Pryde said no and also discussed improvements he’ll make to the property and how background checks are completed for future tenants). Approved Planning Commission Minutes – July 10, 2023 Commission member Heigel asked where gas meters are located. Mr. Pryde explained where the two meters are located. Hearing no one from the public who wished to provide comments, Chair Selton closed the public hearing. Moved by Scholz and seconded by Strand to recommend approval to the City Council of the variance application for Daniel Pryde for the property at 4309 Colorado Avenue N. Ayes: Heigel, Einfeldt-Brown, Sears, Selton, Johnson, Buck, Strand, and Scholz. Nays: Maristany. Motion carried. 4. OLD BUSINESS a. Recap of June 22 open house for update to LRT station area plan. Planner Olson gave an overview of the attendance at the open house and the kinds of questions that were asked by members of the public. Commission member Strand expressed concerns with the costs of the project, as well as the ability of Metro Transit to manage a large transit project (there have been issues with construction management of the Green Line LRT extension). Mr. Sutter said that Metro Transit is working on finalizing the LRT route in Minneapolis. That has delayed municipal consent until mid-2024. Commission member Sears said he was at the open house and saw Metro Transit address the technical questions about the proposed line, but they didn’t really address questions about project costs. Commission member Heigel asked if there will be more opportunities for community engagement. Mr. Sutter said there will be future public meetings as the LRT project design advances. 5. NEW BUSINESS – None 6. GENERAL INFORMATION • City Council actions on previous Planning Commission items: None • Update from Council Liaison: Council liaison Kiser said she understands the concerns that the Commission has about the Blue Line LRT project, and has raised those concerns to project leaders. Commission member Maristany expressed concerns about crime and safety for the proposed line. Commission member said he would like to see a cost benefit analysis for the project. Mr. Sutter said that cost estimates are difficult to nail down until the final route is Approved Planning Commission Minutes – July 10, 2023 selected, but that there are fewer design challenges with the Blue Line vs the Green Line extension. Commission member Strand said that her main concerns relate to mismanagement in overseeing the construction of the Green Line extension, and that may happen with this LRT line too. Council liaison Kiser said that the city council is considering adoption of a moratorium for a new city cannabis ordinance so that the state can develop their cannabis regulations. Commission member Einfeldt-Brown asked if the city can disallow cannabis shops. Mr. Sutter said no, but the new law allows cities to restrict where they can be located. Commission member Maristany asked if there are any proposed changes to the police department. Ms. Kiser said that she’s not aware of any major changes. Mr. Sutter said that the police department is fully staffed with sworn officers. Commission member Scholz said she’s concerned about the loss of significant amounts of water until the city’s swimming pool can be repaired. Ms. Kiser discussed the process to repair the pool. • Staff preview of likely agenda items for Monday, August 14, 2023 meeting. Planner Olson said he has not received any applications yet, but the application deadline date is not until tomorrow. Staff is proposing to discuss proposed amendments to the unified development code (UDC) at the August meeting. 7. OPEN FORUM Commission member Einfeldt-Brown asked what is being built at 4741 Welcome Ave N. Planner Olson said that the City Council approved a site and building plan for a four-unit residential building in 2021 and construction has now started on that development. Commission member Heigel asked about what will replace the former Pizza Hut restaurant at 36th and Douglas. Mr. Olson and Mr. Sutter stated that Wine Thief & Ale Jail are renovating the building for their new store. Commission member Einfeldt-Brown asked if the liquor store at 4920 West Broadway has closed. Mr. Olson said a new owner has purchased the property and will open a new liquor store in the building. 8. ADJOURNMENT Moved by Buck and seconded by Einfeldt-Brown to adjourn. Ayes: All. Nays: None Motion carried. The meeting adjourned at 8:09 p.m.