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2024.02.12 - MinutesApproved Planning Commission Minutes – February 12, 2024 CRYSTAL PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES Monday, February 12, 2024 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) Sumnicht 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, City Council liaison Taji Onesirosan, Community Development Director John Sutter, and Efrain Cardenas. 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Moved by Johnson and seconded by Heigel to approve the minutes of the November 13, 2023 regular meeting. Ayes: Scholz, Strand, Heigel, Johnson, Selton, Sears, and Buck. Nays: None Abstain: Einfeldt-Brown and Sumnicht Motion carried. 3. PUBLIC HEARING a. Variance request from Efrain Cardenas to the front setback requirement for a room addition at 6124 Lakeland Avenue North (Application Number 2024-01) Chair Selton opened the public hearing. Planner Olson presented a summary of the staff report and stated he is recommending approval of the variance. Commission member Strand asked what will happen to the existing driveway on the north side of the property. Planner Olson stated that the existing curb cut and driveway will be removed and replaced with a new curb cut and driveway leading to the new garage. Seeing no one who wished to speak, Chair Selton closed the hearing. Approved Planning Commission Minutes – February 12, 2024 Moved by Strand and seconded by Johnson to recommend approval to the City Council of the variance application at 6124 Lakeland Avenue N. Ayes: all. Nays: None. 4. OLD BUSINESS - None 5. NEW BUSINESS a. Discuss possible UDC amendments related to cannabis requirements. Mr. Sutter provided an update on the city council discussion on February 6th relating to proposed buffers for cannabis-related licenses. Commission members asked questions about the new cannabis state statutes, the city’s nonconforming use ordinance, and administering the buffers for cannabis, off- sale liquor or tobacco sales. Some members expressed an interest in only having two full cannabis licenses in the city (not limiting low dose edibles), as allowed by the state statute, rather than detailed buffers. b. Election of Officers Chairperson: Johnson nominated himself to serve as chairperson since Chair Selton declined to continue in that role. No other nominations were made. Second by Selton to nominate Johnson for chairperson. Ayes: all. Vice-Chairperson: Motion by Strand, second by Einfeldt-Brown to nominate Sears as vice-chairperson. No other nominations were made. Ayes: all Second Vice Chairperson: Motion by Strand, second by Sumnicht to nominate Einfeldt-Brown as second vice chairperson. No other nominations were made. Ayes: all 6. GENERAL INFORMATION • City Council actions on previous Planning Commission items: Planner Olson said the subdivision request for approval of a Common Interest Community (CIC) plat at 6613 – 36th Avenue N was approved by the City Council. • Update from Council Liaison: Council liaison Onesirosan provided updates on several issues that the Council is working on, including reevaluating their Council priorities, organics recycling, Louisiana Avenue reconstruction, and planning for the future city budget. • Staff preview of likely agenda items for Monday, March 11, 2024 meeting. Planner Olson said he has not received any applications yet, but the application deadline date is not until tomorrow. However there will be a public hearing for an amendment to the city’s official zoning map. Approved Planning Commission Minutes – February 12, 2024 7. OPEN FORUM Commission member Sumnicht asked if the city has considered vacating 55th Avenue N, adjacent to 5500 West Broadway, to allow for redevelopment of the site. Mr. Sutter explained the city has not looked at that idea in detail and 55th Avenue has utilities that may be difficult to relocate. The owner of the Crystal Gallery mall is not interested in redeveloping their property at this time. The Town Center regulations require breaking up large properties, such as the mall property, when those properties are redeveloped. Some sort of corridor (pedestrian or vehicle connection) would most likely occur in the area during the redevelopment approval process to create a connection with Becker Park. Commission member Heigel asked about the status of the townhome development at 34th and Douglas. Planner Olson said that construction should begin in March. Commission member Einfeldt-Brown asked if the former Dairy Queen in the Crystal Shopping Center will be opened with a new business. Mr. Sutter said that a similar use is expected but the city doesn’t know what that is yet. 8. ADJOURNMENT Moved by Buck and seconded by Sears to adjourn. Ayes: All. Nays: None Motion carried. The meeting adjourned at 8:16 p.m.