2025.04.14 - MinutesApproved Planning Commission Minutes – April 14, 2025
CRYSTAL PLANNING COMMISSION
MINUTES
Monday, April 14, 2025 at 7:00 p.m.
Upper Community Room, 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
X Commissioner (Ward 1)
Heigel
X Commissioner (Ward 3)
Sumnicht
X Commissioner (Ward 4)
Johnson [Chair]
X Commissioner (Ward 2)
Strand (arrived 7:02)
X Commissioner (Ward 3)
Buck [Sec. Vice Chair]
X Commissioner (At-
Large) Scholz
Other attendees: City planner Dan Olson, Community Development Director John
Sutter, and other interested persons.
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Moved by Scholz and seconded by Sears to approve the minutes of the March 10, 2025
regular meeting.
Ayes: Sumnicht, Sears, Scholz, Heigel and Johnson. Abstain: Buck and Selton. Nays:
None.
Motion carried.
3. PUBLIC HEARING - None
4. OLD BUSINESS
a. Continue discussion of proposed amendments to the Unified Development Code
(UDC).
Planner Olson gave a presentation on the proposed UDC amendments, including the
remaining four policy issues. The following are the Commission’s recommendations.
• For the proposed Neighborhood Commercial (NC) district, Commission
recommends also requiring hours of operation for non-residential uses in the R-1
and R-2 districts. The exception may be religious institutions which might be
required by law to have a different standard. Staff might also define what hours of
operation means.
Approved Planning Commission Minutes – April 14, 2025
• For the issue of reducing lot width and area to create more opportunities for two-
family dwellings, the Commission recommends reducing the area to 9,000 sq. ft.
for both the R-1 and R-2 districts but leaving lot width at 80’ for those two districts.
• For the issue of auto-dependent uses, the Commission recommends allowing
vehicle fuel stations to remain an allowed use.
• For the issue of modifying parking, the Commission agrees that there is too much
minimum parking required but would like staff to make specific recommendations
of which uses could have reduced parking. One member said that they liked
Fridley’s requirement for multiple family dwellings being based on the number of
bedrooms. The Commission was split on whether to delete the requirement for a
covered space for one and two-family dwellings, with some members thinking that
eliminating a garage would cause issues with outdoor storage of various items.
• Hours of operation for weekend seasonal agricultural sales should extend to 9 p.m.
instead of 7 p.m.
• Screening to reduce parking lot setbacks should be 6.5 feet in height and be
opaque.
5. NEW BUSINESS - None
6. GENERAL INFORMATION
• City Council actions on previous Planning Commission items: None.
• Development and construction update: Mr. Sutter spoke about the impending
applications for approval of two multiple-family developments on 56th Avenue N. The
DAISO store opened in the Town Center shopping center. The rental twin homes
just east of 36th and Douglas Drive N are almost complete.
• Update from Council Liaison: Council liaison Eidbo was not present at the meeting.
• Staff preview of likely agenda items for Monday, May 12, 2025 meeting.
Planner Olson said he is expecting a rezoning application for a proposed
development. The public hearing for the UDC amendments may also be held.
7. OPEN FORUM
8. ADJOURNMENT
Moved by Sears and seconded by Buck to adjourn. Ayes: All. Nays: None
Motion carried.
The meeting adjourned at 9:03 p.m.