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2025.12.08 - MinutesApproved Planning Commission Minutes – December 8, 2025 CRYSTAL PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES Monday, December 8, 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: X Commissioner (Ward 1) Sears [Vice Chair] X Commissioner (Ward 2) Selton  Commissioner (Ward 4) vacant 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 [Sec. Vice Chair] X Commissioner (At-Large) Scholz Other attendees: Community Development Director John Sutter, City Council Liaison Forest Eidbo, and Robb Ludenow, Vishal Dutt and Sheldon Berg, all three representing Yellow Tree corporation. 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Moved by Selton and seconded by Sears to approve the minutes of the September 8, 2025 regular meeting. Ayes: Sears, Strand, Selton, Buck, Johnson and Scholz. Abstain: Heigel. Nays: None. Motion carried. 3. PUBLIC HEARING a. Rezoning to Town Cetner – Planned Development (TC-PD) for the construction of an apartment building at 7000 – 56th Avenue North (Application Number 2025-07) Mr. Olson presented a summary of the staff report, recommended approval of the rezoning, and answered questions from the Commission. Commission member Heigel asked if we base our parking requirements on number of bedrooms. Mr. Olson said no, Crystal bases it on the number of apartment units in the building. However, the applicant is requesting a reduction in the number of spaces, as allowed in the TC- PD district, and is basing that request on the number of bedrooms rather than the number of units. Mr. Sutter said that the apartment building at 5240 West Broadway has 2 spaces per unit and seems to be overparked. Many cities are starting to base their requirements on bedrooms Approved Planning Commission Minutes – December 8, 2025 not units. Heigel also asked where visitor parking will be located. Mr. Lubenow said there will be parking spaces set aside for staff and for visitors (most likely six visitor spaces). Commission member Sears agreed that the apartment building at 5240 West Broadway has too many spaces. Commission member Scholz asked if on-street parking was allowed on 57th. Mr. Sutter said parking is allowed on both sides of 57th and also on Jersey Ave. N. Commission member Buck asked where snow storage will take place. Mr. Lubenow said when they have heavy snowfall, they haul it away from the property. There may be areas on the property that could handle some snow storage. Chair Johnson opened the public hearing. There being no one from the public to testify, Chair Johnson closed the public hearing. Moved by Johnson and seconded by Sears to recommend approval to the City Council of the rezoning application with the conditions in the staff report. Ayes: All. Nays: None. Motion carried. 4. OLD BUSINESS - None. 5. NEW BUSINESS - None. 6. GENERAL INFORMATION a. City Council actions on previous Planning Commission items. Mr. Olson described the following City Council actions and answered questions from the Commission: • CUP amendment for a child day care facility at 6122 – 42nd Avenue N. b. Development and construction update. Mr. Sutter provided updates on the following items and answered questions from the Commission: • Lotus Pointe at 6000 - 56th Ave. N. • 4801 Welcome Ave. N. • Verizon cell tower at 3200 Vera Cruz Ave. N. • 5500 West Broadway • Walgreens site at 6800 56th Ave. N. • Town Center Vision Plan process and zoning moratorium • Blue Line Extension LRT. • 3517 Douglas Dr. N. c. Update from Council Liaison: Council Liaison Eidbo discussed the Town Center Vision Plan, climate action plan, the 2026 budget and tax levy, Winter Fest, and the work being done by the sustainability commission. Approved Planning Commission Minutes – December 8, 2025 d. Staff preview of likely agenda items for the January 12, 2026 meeting. Mr. Olson said that no applications have been received for the January meeting, but the application deadline is not until next week. 7. OPEN FORUM Commission member Heigel asked about public works projects in his neighborhood in 2026. Mr. Sutter said staff can put him in touch with the appropriate public works staff person. Commission member Strand said she has some oak trees that have been killed by a beetle. Commission member Scholz said some oaks can be treated. City Council liaison Eidbo said that the city will be hiring a city forester in 2026, shared with Brooklyn Center. 8. ADJOURNMENT Moved by Sears and seconded by Buck to adjourn. Ayes: All. Nays: None Motion carried. The meeting adjourned at 8:24 p.m.