2024.11.12 - MinutesApproved Planning Commission Minutes – November 12, 2024
CRYSTAL PLANNING COMMISSION
MINUTES
Tuesday, November 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]
Commissioner (Ward 2)
Selton
Commissioner (Ward 4)
Einfeldt-Brown [Sec. Vice
Chair]
X Commissioner (Ward 1)
Heigel
Commissioner (Ward 3)
Sumnicht
X Commissioner (Ward 4)
Johnson [Chair]
X Commissioner (Ward 2)
Strand
X Commissioner (Ward 3)
Buck
X Commissioner (At-
Large) Scholz
Other attendees: City planner Dan Olson, Community Development Director John
Sutter, City attorney Rachel Tierney, Klever Sanchez Miranda and Bill McCrum
representing 5120 – 56th Avenue N., and other interested persons.
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Moved by Heigel and seconded by Sears to approve the minutes of the August 12,
2024 regular meeting.
Ayes: All. Abstain: Buck. Nays: None.
Motion carried.
3. PUBLIC HEARINGS
a. Site plan request from Klever Sanchez Miranda for a building addition at 5120 – 56th
Avenue North (Application number 2024-06)
Planner Olson presented a summary of the staff report and stated he is recommending
approval of the site plan application.
Commission member Buck asked if stormwater will drain into the pond across the
street. Bill McCrum, project architect, described the stormwater improvements for the
property. He said stormwater will eventually end up in the city’s stormwater system. He
also described proposed roof drains.
Chair Johnson asked about impact on the airport. Planner Olson said that building
height limits meet the city’s requirements.
Approved Planning Commission Minutes – November 12, 2024
Commission member Strand asked if there is a fence along the airport property. Planner
Olson said there is a chain-link fence around the airport.
Commission member Heigel asked about relocating the utility pole. Mr. McCrum said
they will underground the electric service to the neighbor to the west after the pole is
removed.
Chair Johnson opened the public hearing. Seeing no one who wished to speak, Chair
Johnson closed the hearing.
Moved by Strand and seconded by Buck to recommend approval to the City Council of
the site plan application with the conditions in the staff report.
Ayes: All. Nays: None.
b. Cannabis requirements added to the Unified Development Code (Application number
2024-07)
City attorney Tierney presented a summary of the staff report for the UDC
amendments.
Commission member Sears asked if the UDC amendments approved in June, 2024 are
prompting these recent amendments. Ms. Tierney said that the previous amendments
were to institute buffers, as they are allowed to by state law, but these proposed
amendments are required by state law.
Planner Olson asked if the city is required to allow cannabis or hemp industrial
businesses in the commercial district or can they just be allowed in the industrial district.
The reason is that industrial uses are typically not allowed in the commercial district.
Ms. Tierney said as long as there are available industrially-zoned properties that can
accommodate that use, there is no state law requirement to allow it in the commercial
district. After discussing this proposal, the Commission decided to recommend that use
only be allowed in the industrial district.
Chair Johnson opened the public hearing. Seeing no one who wished to speak, Chair
Johnson closed the hearing.
Moved by Strand and seconded by Sears to recommend approval to the City Council of
the cannabis related amendments in the Unified Development Code with the change to
cannabis or hemp industrial businesses only being allowed in the industrial district.
4. OLD BUSINESS - None
5. NEW BUSINESS – None
6. GENERAL INFORMATION
Approved Planning Commission Minutes – November 12, 2024
• City Council actions on previous Planning Commission items: Planner Olson said
the rezoning for the twin home development at 6205-6219 – 36th Avenue N. was
approved by the City Council.
• Update from Council Liaison: Council liaison Taji Onesirosan was not present at the
meeting.
• Staff preview of likely agenda items for Monday, December 9, 2024 meeting.
Planner Olson said the application deadline was today and he did not receive any
applications, making a December meeting unlikely.
7. OPEN FORUM
Mr. Sutter provided information regarding the construction status of past development
projects reviewed by the Planning Commission.
Commission member Heigel asked who will be enforcing the new cannabis ordinance
being adopted this year. Ms. Tierney said that most of the enforcement will be by the
state, but the city will be doing compliance checks.
8. ADJOURNMENT
Moved by Strand and seconded by Buck to adjourn. Ayes: All. Nays: None
Motion carried.
The meeting adjourned at 7:56 p.m.