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2026.05.11 - MinutesApproved Planning Commission Minutes – May 11, 2026 CRYSTAL PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES Monday, May 11, 2026 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 X Commissioner (Ward 4) McNutt X Commissioner (Ward 1) Heigel X Commissioner (Ward 3) Sumnicht X Commissioner (Ward 4) Johnson [Chair]  Commissioner (Ward 2) Strand X Commissioner (Ward 3) Buck [Sec. Vice Chair]  Commissioner (At-Large) Scholz Other attendees: City Planner Dan Olson, Community Development Director John Sutter, City Council Liaison David Cummings, and Jim Mackey, David Earley, Wuyeh Sanneh, Alkali Yaffa, and David Habimana all five representing Islamic Education and Cultural Center, and other interested persons. 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Moved by Sumnicht and seconded by Selton to approve the minutes of the April 13, 2026 regular meeting. Ayes: Selton, Sumnicht, Buck, McNutt, and Johnson. Nays: None. Abstain: Sears and Heigel. Motion carried. 3. PUBLIC HEARING a. Conditional use permit request for Islamic Education and Cultural Center (IECC) for a religious institution at 4801 Welcome Avenue North (Application Number 2026-04) Mr. Olson presented a summary of the staff report, recommended approval of the CUP, and answered questions from the Commission. Commission member Sumnicht asked if a separate permit is required for any new signs. Mr. Olson said yes, and those applications are approved administratively by city staff. Commission member Sears asked about details of the interior remodel. Architect Jim Mackey said that the building will have new bathrooms and a fire sprinkler system. Approved Planning Commission Minutes – May 11, 2026 Chair Johnson opened the public hearing. A Crystal resident said that with driveway entrances on 48th Ave. N., he’s concerned about increased traffic on Xenia Ave. N. and in the neighborhood. A Crystal resident asked how vehicles will move within the parking lot. Mr. Sutter described that movement. The resident is concerned about increased traffic and overnight on-street parking in the neighborhood, as was done by the previous user of the building. At that time there was insufficient enforcement of parking violations. A Crystal resident said that this proposed use will produce more litter in the neighborhood, bring more traffic and will not pay taxes. He believes the city will not enforce code enforcement regulations when they are not followed and is against the proposed CUP. A Crystal resident said that she’s concerned about children from the religious institution being close to a bar and liquor store and asked if there are any required buffers. Mr. Sutter said there are buffers in the liquor licensing ordinances for bars and liquor stores for schools, but the city’s zoning regulations do not have a buffer requirement for religious institutions. A Crystal resident said that the unlawful nightclub that was previously on this property created a lot of noise, parking, and traffic. The proposed religious institution will not have enough parking, repeating the same negative impacts as the nightclub. Mr. Sutter described the previous uses on the property. Mr. David Early, representing the applicant, vouched for the character of the IECC organization, and said they will not be having loud parties. Mr. Early will be working on the interior building renovation. There being no one else from the public to testify, Chair Johnson closed the public hearing. Chair Johnson asked about current and proposed parking limitations. Mr. Olson went over current parking restrictions in the neighborhood and the proposed installation of no parking signs near the proposed religious institution. Mr. Olson said that the 75-person limit will do much to limit parking and traffic. Mr. Sutter added that the city cannot prohibit legal on-street parking but will enforce the 75-person limit. Commission member Sears suggested that the city council create a plan for resident-only parking in this neighborhood and that the applicant should install a fence to protect the children. Mr. Olson said that the city doesn’t have a resident-only parking program and it would require creating and administering such a permit system. The city engineer is not recommending such a system. Mr. Sutter said that the commission could recommend a permit system as a condition of CUP approval. Mr. Olson said that new landscaping will be installed to assist in protecting the children. Commission member Sears also suggested that if more than one service is held in a day, that there be at least 30 minutes between services to alleviate traffic. Mr. Sanneh, Mr. Yaffa, and Mr. Habimana addressed the commission to describe how the center will operate and how they will work at being a good neighbor. Approved Planning Commission Minutes – May 11, 2026 Moved by Selton and seconded by Sears to recommend approval to the City Council of the CUP with the conditions in the staff report and the addition of two new conditions: 1. Based on a finding that it is necessary to protect on-street parking for the adjacent residential neighborhood, the commission recommends that the city council explore creation of a resident parking permit in the area. 2. To ensure adequate separation between the departure of the previous attendees and the arrival of the subsequent attendees, there shall be at least a 30-minute gap between the end of the previous worship service and the beginning of the subsequent worship service. Ayes: All. Nays: None. Motion carried. 4. OLD BUSINESS - None. 5. NEW BUSINESS a. Discuss revisions to the Planning Commission bylaws. Commission members reviewed the proposed revisions to the bylaws. Commission member Heigel asked that city staff also review two requirements in city code section 510.03, subd. 5 and 6. Mr. Heigel wondered why the minimum age is 15 and why the city council can remove a member without cause. Mr. Olson said he would research these requirements and include any revisions in UDC amendments later this year. Commission member Sumnicht said he was aware of a new state law governing remote attendance of planning commission members and would like that referenced in Article 3 of the bylaws. Mr. Olson said he will research the new law and bring the bylaw amendments back to the commission. 6. GENERAL INFORMATION a. City Council actions on previous Planning Commission items. Mr. Olson said that City Council approved the conditional use permit for Robbinsdale Area Schools at FAIR School, 3915 Adair Avenue North. 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. • Wells Fargo site at 7000 - 56th Ave. N. c. Update from Council Liaison: Council Liaison Cummings gave an update on the council’s recent work on the Crystal Frolics, flavored tobacco products, traffic enforcement, and the neighbors recognizing neighbors program. Approved Planning Commission Minutes – May 11, 2026 d. Staff preview of likely agenda items for June 8, 2026. Mr. Olson said that he has not received any applications yet, but the deadline is not until tomorrow. 7. OPEN FORUM 8. ADJOURNMENT Moved by Sears and seconded by Buck to adjourn. Ayes: All. Nays: None Motion carried. The meeting adjourned at 8:55 p.m.