2024.03.11 - MinutesApproved Planning Commission Minutes – March 11, 2024
CRYSTAL PLANNING COMMISSION
MINUTES
Monday, March 11, 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
Commissioner (Ward 4)
Einfeldt-Brown [Sec. Vice
Chair]
Commissioner (Ward 1)
Heigel
X Commissioner (Ward 3)
Sumnicht
X Commissioner (Ward 4)
Johnson [Chair]
X Commissioner (Ward 2)
Strand (attended via Zoom
and is unable to vote)
Commissioner (Ward 3)
Buck
X Commissioner (At-Large)
Scholz
Other attendees: City planner Dan Olson, City Council liaison Taji Onesirosan, and
Community Development Director John Sutter.
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Moved by Selton and seconded by Scholz to approve the minutes of the February 12, 2024
regular meeting.
Ayes: Scholz, Johnson, Selton, Sears and Sumnicht. Nays: None
Motion carried.
3. PUBLIC HEARING
a. Amend official zoning map to add airport zones in the Crystal Airport Zoning Ordinance
(Application number 2024-02)
Planner Olson presented a summary of the staff report and stated he is recommending
approval of the amendment to the city’s zoning map.
Chair Johnson opened the public hearing. Seeing no one who wished to speak, Chair
Johnson closed the hearing.
Commission member Scholz asked what the tree height limits are since that is not
specifically described on the grid maps. Planner Olson said that the height limit on the grid
maps is intended to be for both structures and trees.
Commission member Johnson asked if many trees had been removed by MAC in the past.
Planner Olson said that when the airport was downsized in 2020, MAC indicated that they
removed trees at that time.
Approved Planning Commission Minutes – March 11, 2024
Moved by Sears and seconded by Selton to recommend approval to the City Council of the
amendment to the city’s official zoning map.
Ayes: all. Nays: None.
4. OLD BUSINESS - None
5. NEW BUSINESS - None
6. GENERAL INFORMATION
• City Council actions on previous Planning Commission items: Planner Olson said the
variance request for approval of various home building projects at 6124 Lakeland
Avenue N was approved by the City Council.
• Update from Council Liaison: Council liaison Onesirosan stated that the number of
police officers will increase from 34 to 35 because one Crystal officer will be embedded
with the Violent Crime Reduction Unit led by the state’s Bureau of Criminal
Apprehension. Mr. Onesirosan also stated that the City Council will begin working on its
long-range vision and strategic plan.
• Staff preview of likely agenda items for Monday, April 8, 2024 meeting.
Planner Olson said he has not received any applications yet, but the application
deadline date is not until tomorrow.
7. OPEN FORUM
Commission member Scholz said that the Wine Thief and Ale Jail store has opened and its
very nice.
Mr. Sutter described various construction projects happening in Crystal this year, including
the 34th and Douglas townhomes, the 5240 Apartments, Wells Fargo new branch in the
Town Center shopping center, New Horizon day care on 57th Avenue N, and Dunkin’
restaurant opening in the former Dairy Queen on 56th Avenue N.
Commission member Sumnicht asked if it would be possible to see revenue in the city
budget by property use. Mr. Sutter said he would try to locate that information.
Commission member Sears asked how the percentage of rentals in single-family homes
has changed. Mr. Sutter said the percentage has remained steady for quite a few years.
8. ADJOURNMENT
Moved by Sears and seconded by Sumnicht to adjourn. Ayes: All. Nays: None
Motion carried.
The meeting adjourned at 7:46 p.m.