Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025/10/15 - ADMIN - Minutes - Planning Commission - Study Session Official Minutes Planning commission October 15, 2025 6:00 p.m. Planning commission Members present: Jim Beneke, Mia Divecha (arrived 6:02 p.m.), Matt Eckholm, Sylvie Hyman, Tom Weber, John Flanagan, Tess Machalek Members absent: Sarah Strain Staff present: Laura Chamberlain Guests: Betsy Michels, Project Manager, Trellis Co. Andy Swartz, Architect, Blumenthal Architecture Inc. 1. Call to order – roll call. 2. Approval of minutes – Aug. 20, 2025, and Sept. 3, 2025. Commissioner Hyman requested that her written comments submitted for the Sept. 3, 2025 meeting be included in the minutes. It was moved by Commissioner Eckholm, seconded by Commissioner Weber, to approve the Aug. 20 and Sept. 3, 2025, minutes with corrections as noted. The motion passed unanimously. 3. Hearings. 3a. Title: Bickham court planned unit development amendment Location: 2753, 2759, 2760, and 2768 Louisiana Court Applicant: Trellis Co. Case No: 25-02-PUD Ms. Chamberlain presented the report. Ms. Chamberlain stated that Trellis Co. has applied for a planned unit development (PUD) amendment for the Bickham Court apartments on Louisiana Court. The request is to allow a new one-story building to provide resident services and community amenity space at the Bickham Court apartment complex. The new building is proposed to have an area of 2,640 square feet and will be located in the northwest corner of the Bickham Court apartment complex. The project would also allow an office in one of the existing buildings to return to residential use. The proposed project requires an amendment to an existing PUD on the property, which was approved via Resolution No. 01-038, subject to conditions recommended by staff. Commissioner Divecha asked staff for a definition of proof of parking. Ms. Chamberlain stated that proof of parking refers to space that could be for parking, but is not necessarily required to be built at that time. Docusign Envelope ID: 51CF7162-F215-4E08-9007-A2B79A4BEE99 Official minutes Planning commission Oct. 15, 2025 Chair Flanagan opened the public hearing. There were no speakers from the public. Ms. Michels presented Trellis Corporation and their mission related to affordable housing. Ms. Michels stated that Trellis Corporation helped to raise funds to begin the development project to stabilize the garage building, replace the HVAC and bathrooms, as well as build a community building. Commissioner Beneke asked if Trellis is associated with Project for Pride in Living. Ms. Michels stated Trellis is not associated, but stated there may have been a tie between the previous owner of Trellis and Project for Pride in Living. Commissioner Weber asked is when this building was under Perspectives, was it also considered supportive housing. Ms. Michels stated yes, Perspectives did provide services for the residents on site, and added that the conversion of the building will create 2 new units. Commissioner Weber thanked Ms. Michels and noted it was a difficult day in St. Louis Park when Perspectives closed down, adding this was a small step to saving these resources in the city, and he thanked Trellis for their work. Commissioner Hyman stated that the garages on the hill above are collapsing and that this will be addressed during the conversion. Ms. Michels stated yes and noted Trellis has identified a couple of solutions, such as backup storage units. Chair Flanagan closed the public hearing. Chair Flanagan and Commissioners Divecha and Machalek commented that they are all supportive of this project. It was moved by Commissioner Weber, seconded by Commissioner Divecha, to approve the PUD amendment at Bickham Court located at 2753, 2759, 2760, and 2768 Louisiana Court, via Resolution No. 01-038, subject to conditions recommended by staff. The motion passed unanimously. 4. Other Business – none. 5. Communications. Ms. Chamberlain noted the following future scheduled meeting and event dates:  Nov. 5, 2025 – planning commission study session  Nov. 10, 2025 – Chair Flanagan and Ms. Chamberlain will present the Planning Commission workplan to the city council.  Nov. 19, 2025 - planning commission regular meeting  Dec. 3, 2025 - planning commission study session Docusign Envelope ID: 51CF7162-F215-4E08-9007-A2B79A4BEE99 Unofficial minutes Planning commission Oct. 15, 2025  Jan. 7, 2026 - planning commission regular meeting 6. Adjournment – 6:21 p.m. ______________________________________ ______________________________________ Sean Walther, liaison John Flanagan, chair member Docusign Envelope ID: 51CF7162-F215-4E08-9007-A2B79A4BEE99