2023.08.14 - MinutesApproved Planning Commission Minutes – August 14, 2023
CRYSTAL PLANNING COMMISSION
MINUTES
Monday, August 14, 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, and Community
Development Director John Sutter
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Moved by Heigel and seconded by Scholz to approve the minutes of the July 10, 2023
regular meeting. Ayes: All. Nays: None
Motion carried.
3. PUBLIC HEARING – None
4. OLD BUSINESS - None
5. NEW BUSINESS
a. Discuss amendments to the Unified Development Code.
Planner Olson discussed each of the proposed amendments in the staff report, affording
an opportunity for each Planning Commission member to provide input. The following are
the changes the Commission requested:
1. Town Center façade glazing (page 52). Clarify that all non-residential floors will require
50% glazing and residential floors will require 30%, regardless of the floor location
within the building.
2. Town Center street/pedestrian locations (page 53 and 72). The last line should be
revised to read “The city will consider alternate street locations or pedestrian
Approved Planning Commission Minutes – August 14, 2023
connections that achieve this intent”. The figure should also be labeled as
“hypothetical” locations.
3. Parking lot screening (page 134). In speaking of driveway visibility, reference the city’s
visibility requirements in chapter 8 of the city code.
4. Tree size requirements (page 128). The Commission requested that staff research
whether reducing the tree size will reduce the likelihood of a tree’s survival.
6. GENERAL INFORMATION
• City Council actions on previous Planning Commission items: Planner Olson said that
the City Council approved the variance for 4309 Colorado Ave N as the Planning
Commission had recommended.
• Update from Council Liaison: Council liaison Kiser said the City Council has been
reviewing proposed cannabis regulations, including banning it’s use on public
property. Ms. Kiser said she had a meeting with Hennepin County commissioner Jeff
Lunde about the proposed Blue Line extension, and she updated the Commission on
the latest plans. Mr. Sutter added that the scale model of the planned Crystal LRT
station is now on display at city hall.
• Staff preview of likely agenda items for Monday, September 11, 2023 meeting.
Planner Olson said he has not received any applications yet, but the application
deadline date is not until tomorrow.
7. OPEN FORUM
1. Commission member Johnson expressed an interest in having Commission
member Lunde at a future meeting to discuss the LRT project. Ms. Kiser said she
would contact Mr. Lunde to see if he’s able to do that. Commission member Scholz
said it would make sense for Mr. Lunde to attend when the LRT project is more
advanced.
2. Commission member Heigel said that on Oct. 11, there will be a community
meeting to ask questions of the Crystal police. Mr. Heigel also asked about dealing
with dead or nuisance trees. Mr. Sutter suggested contacting the city’s public
works department for those issues. Commission member Scholz said she’s seen
success with treating dying trees.
3. Mr. Sutter reported the city has received a favorable decision in the lawsuit at 6613
– 36th Avenue North. The plaintiff has 60 days to appeal the decision.
8. ADJOURNMENT
Moved by Johnson and seconded by Einfeldt-Brown to adjourn. Ayes: All. Nays: None
Motion carried.
The meeting adjourned at 8:27 p.m.