2025.01.13 - MinutesApproved Planning Commission Minutes – January 13, 2025
CRYSTAL PLANNING COMMISSION
MINUTES
Monday, January 13, 2025 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
Commissioner (Ward 4)
Einfeldt-Brown [Sec. Vice
Chair]
X Commissioner (Ward 1)
Heigel
X Commissioner (Ward 3)
Sumnicht
X Commissioner (Ward 4)
Johnson [Chair]
X Commissioner (Ward 2)
Strand
X Commissioner (Ward 3)
Buck
Commissioner (At-Large)
Scholz
Other attendees: City planner Dan Olson, Community Development Director John
Sutter, City Council liaison Forest Eidbo, and David Knaeble representing 3120 Douglas
Dr. N.
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Moved by Selton and seconded by Heigel to approve the minutes of the November 12,
2024 regular meeting.
Ayes: All. Nays: None.
Motion carried.
3. PUBLIC HEARING
a. Subdivision and variance request from Terra Development to create new residential
lots at 3120 Douglas Drive North (Application number 2025-01)
Planner Olson presented a summary of the staff report and stated he is recommending
approval of the subdivision and variances.
Commission member Heigel asked if the County has approved driveway curb cuts.
Planner Olson said that the County has stated they will work with the applicant to
approve those cuts.
Commission member Strand asked the applicant if he will rent or sell the homes. Mr.
Knaeble said he will sell the existing home and then sell the vacant lots.
Commission member Heigel asked if the new homes will be single or two story.
Planner Olson said the builders of the lots will determine that. Mr. Sutter added that
Approved Planning Commission Minutes – January 13, 2025
there are typical house footprints on the preliminary plat, but these are for illustrative
purposes and the new homes will be required to meet the required setbacks. Planner
Olson added that the builder could construct single-family homes on the two-family lots.
Mr. Sutter added that the city’s Economic Development Authority (EDA) had looked at
buying this lot many years ago for new residential development, but the expense of
grading and adding fill made it cost prohibitive.
Chair Johnson opened the public hearing. Seeing no one who wished to speak, Chair
Johnson closed the hearing.
Moved by Johnson and seconded by Buck to recommend approval to the City Council
of the subdivision and variance application with the conditions in the staff report.
Ayes: All. Nays: None.
4. OLD BUSINESS - None
5. NEW BUSINESS
a. Election of Officers
Chairperson: Selton nominated Johnson to serve as chairperson. No other
nominations were made. Seconded by Buck to nominate Johnson for chairperson.
Ayes: all.
Vice-Chairperson: Motion by Strand, seconded by Johnson to nominate Sears as
vice-chairperson. No other nominations were made. Ayes: all
Second Vice-Chairperson: Motion by Buck to nominate himself for second vice-chair,
seconded by Heigel. No other nominations were made. Ayes: all
6. GENERAL INFORMATION
• City Council actions on previous Planning Commission items: Planner Olson said
the site plan for the liquor store expansion at 5120 – 56th Avenue N. was approved
by the City Council. In addition, the City Council approved the new cannabis-related
ordinance language in the Unified Development Code (UDC).
• Update from Council Liaison: Council member Eidbo introduced himself as the new
Council liaison. He said that the city has a new mayor and the new Council is
working together well. Mr. Eidbo said they’ve had some discussion about improving
traffic safety. Mr. Eidbo also provided an update on a community visioning process
that the Council is embarking upon.
• Staff preview of likely agenda items for Monday, February 10, 2025 meeting.
Planner Olson said the application deadline is not until tomorrow and he is not
expecting any applications. The Commission may discuss proposed UDC
amendments.
Approved Planning Commission Minutes – January 13, 2025
7. OPEN FORUM
Commission Chair Johnson said he saw that the Walgreens at 6800 – 56th Ave N. is
closing and he wondered what the future of the property might be. Mr. Sutter said that
we’re starting to get redevelopment inquiries, but nothing is definitive yet. The property
has not been listed for sale.
8. ADJOURNMENT
Moved by Selton and seconded by Buck to adjourn. Ayes: All. Nays: None
Motion carried.
The meeting adjourned at 7:39 p.m.