HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025/11/05 - ADMIN - Agenda Packets - Planning Commission - Regular Planning commission study session meeting
November 5, 2025
6:00 p.m.
If you need special accommodations or have questions about the meeting, please call Laura Chamberlain at 952.924.2573
or the administration department at 952.924.2505.
Planning commission study session
The St. Louis Park planning commission is meeting in person at St. Louis Park City Hall, 5005
Minnetonka Blvd. Members of the public can attend and watch the meeting in person.
Visit bit.ly/slppcagendas to view the agenda and reports.
Agenda
1. Planning commission and BOZA 2026 work plan
Future scheduled meeting/event dates:
November 19, 2025 – planning commission meeting
December 3, 2025 – planning commission study session
January 7, 2026 – planning commission meeting
January 21, 2026 – planning commission meeting
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Planning commission: Study session
Meeting date: November 5, 2025
Agenda item: 1
1 2026 work plan
Executive summary
Title: 2026 work plan
Recommended action: Review the supporting documents.
Summary: The city council has asked that we submit 2026 work plans for their review and
approval. A priority setting meeting with council and the planning commission chair as
representative is planned for November 10, 2025. The commission may receive new council-
initiated items and feedback on draft 2026 work plan at that meeting. Council will formally
approve the work plans at a regular meeting in the new year.
Please see the attached list of draft 2026 work plan items. Staff prepared the list based the
planning commission’s 2025 work plan and discussions we have had throughout the year. The
list is mostly a continuation of the commission’s ambitious work plan and based on budget and
staff capacity to support these efforts. Staff reorganized and consolidated the topics and
updated them to better reflect the progress that has been made. In 2026, staff also intend to
provide periodic updates to the commission regarding the St. Louis Park Vision 4.0 and
Metropolitan Council Imagine 2050 regional development framework and policy plans; so we
have noted that in the work plan, as well.
The commission has limited time between now and the city council’s study session on
November 10 to discuss and make further edits to the work plan. Therefore, staff intend to
submit the above list for council review and consideration. If commissioners want to offer
suggested edits, and most members agree to them, staff will coordinate with the commission
chair to include the changes in their presentation to city council.
Supporting documents: Draft 2026 work plan list
Prepared by: Laura Chamberlain, senior planner
Reviewed by: Sean Walther, planning manager/deputy community development director
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Study session of November 5, 2025 (Item No. 1)
Title: 2026 work plan
Draft 2026 Work Plan List
2025 Accomplishments
1. Planning and zoning application review. The planning commission held public hearings and
made recommendations for the following projects:
Terasă mixed-use development: PUD, SP amendment and CUP
Minnetonka Blvd twin homes: PUD, preliminary plat and final plat
Knollwood Chipotle: comprehensive plan amendment, preliminary plat and final plat
Bickham Court apartments: PUD amendment
2. Zoning code updates.
Phase 1 – Residential zoning districts. Concluded the two-year effort that included a
zoning code audit in 2023, drafting the code in 2024, and reviewing and incorporating
community input through surveys, open houses, and online engagement tools at key
points in the process. In January 2025, the planning commission held the public hearing
and recommended changes to the zoning map and residential district zoning standards.
Phase 2 – Commercial, office, business park and industrial districts and related zoning
map changes and performance standards. Participated in a consensus workshop to kick-
off phase 2. Since then, the planning commission has participated in six study sessions
focused on the zoning code update, providing guidance on the mixed-use district
approach and performance standards.
3. Review the Arrive + Thrive: St. Louis Park Gateways Plan. The planning commission
discussed and approved the final draft of the Arrive + Thrive plans and gave staff direction
on implementation priorities and developing an implementation tracker. The commission
connected the outcomes of Arrive + Thrive with the work they were doing on the zoning
code update and created the MU-3 zoning district to implement transit oriented
development in the gateway areas.
4. Monitor the St. Louis Park Vision 4.0 and Metropolitan Council Imagine 2050 regional
planning processes. The planning commission received regular updates about Vision 4.0
and were encouraged to participate in engagement events.
5. Broaden participation. The planning commission provided feedback to the city council as
they determined the trajectory for boards and commissions throughout the city. The
planning commission also connected with community members during an off-site meeting
at Union Park Flats, a new, all-affordable housing development in the Elmwood
neighborhood.
2026 Work Plan
1. Planning and zoning application review. Review planning and zoning applications
submitted to the city; hold public hearings to help inform commission recommendations,
and BOZA and council decisions.
2. Zoning code update. Review and recommend changes to the zoning code better reflect the
city’s strategic priorities and implement the comprehensive plan goals, policies and
strategies.
Phase 2 – Commercial, office, business park and industrial districts and related zoning
map changes and performance standards. In the first quarter of 2026, the planning
commission will hold the public hearing and recommend changes to the zoning map and
non-residential district zoning standards and performance standards. 4
Study session of November 5, 2025 (Item No. 1)
Title: 2026 work plan
3. Implementation of Arrive + Thrive: St. Louis Park Gateways Plan. Review the online
implementation tracker and get annual updates on progress.
4. 2050 Comprehensive Plan. Identify how the outcomes of Vision 4.0 can be woven
throughout the comprehensive planning process, expected to last from 2026-2028. Review
selected regional planning documents as they apply to the city. Review policies and
strategies amended in the comprehensive plan and review iterations of the comprehensive
plan chapters. Monitor overall progress until adopted.
5. Broaden participation. Identify strategies to broaden, and reduce barriers to, public
participation.
Have a joint meeting with other commission(s) on topic of shared
interest/responsibility.
Hold a planning commission meeting at an off-site location to foster community
relationships. (e.g. study sessions with topics of general interest, development project
tours, etc.)
Help recruit community members with diverse experiences to apply for vacancies on
boards and commissions, task forces, committees, or other volunteer opportunities.
Future ideas:
Water conservation and water recycling. Explore ways to encourage reduced water
use, capture and reuse of storm water, and protect ground water resources.
Housing analysis. Explore setting policy targets for different housing types in the city
based on present inventory and unmet demand and promote homeownership
opportunities as well as inclusionary housing goals.
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