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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020/04/15 - ADMIN - Minutes - Planning Commission - RegularMeeting: City council Meeting date: June 1, 2020 Consent agenda item: 4f OFFICIAL MINUTES PLANNING COMMISSION ST. LOUIS PARK, MINNESOTA April 15, 2020 – 6:00 p.m. WEBEX VIDEOCONFERENCE MEMBERS PRESENT: Jim Beneke, Lynette Dumalag, Matt Eckholm, Courtney Erwin, Claudia Johnston-Madison, Jessica Kraft, Carl Robertson MEMBERS ABSENT: None STAFF PRESENT: Sean Walther, planning and zoning supervisor; Jennifer Monson, planner; Mara Strand, office assistance; and Clint Pires, Chief Information Officer 1.Call to Order – Roll Call 2.Approval of Minutes of February 19, 2020 and March 4, 2020 Commissioner Robertson made a motion to approve the minutes. Commissioner Johnston-Madison seconded the motion and the motion passed on a vote of 7-0. 3.Hearings A.Union Congregational Church affordable rehousing development Applicant: Project for Pride in Living (PPL) Case Nos: 20-03-CP, 20-04-S, 20-05-PUD Mr. Walther announced that the hearing had been postponed at the applicant’s request and the item would not be discussed at the meeting this evening. 4.Other Business - none 5.Communications A.Practice remote meeting Commissioner Eckholm asked how people will be able to give comment during a public hearing. Mr. Walther explained that the city will promote written comments and that the comments will be included in the planning commission packet. Comments the city receives between the distribution of the packet and the meeting will be given to commissioners prior to the start of the meeting. A call-in option will be available during the meeting. Staff from the information resources department are present at meetings for technical support and to manage the incoming phone calls. Calls are placed on hold and into a queue and are taken in the order that they are received. In the case that a developer or applicant needs to be a part of a meeting, they will be included on the WebEx meeting invite. City council meeting of June 1, 2020 (Item No. 4f) Page 2 Title: Planning commission meeting minutes April 15, 2020 Commissioner Robertson asked about the internal discussions regarding returning to a physical meeting. Mr. Walther explained that there have not been conclusions made regarding procedures or the schedule for returning to in- person meetings. Discussions have taken place about separating seating at the dais, reducing the amount of seating in the audience, and continuing an online option for those who don’t feel comfortable attending. Mr. Pires added that there is a group of staff and department directors that will be looking at what a re-entry looks like. Mr. Pires explained what city council is doing regarding two-way communication. Commissioner Dumalag stated that two-way communication would be a good idea for the applicant. Commissioner Robertson is excited about the options for residents to be able to call in, zoom in, or come into city hall in the future. It is something we have discussed previously to expand participation. Commission Johnston-Madison agrees with Commissioner Robertson and the options to use technology in the future. Mr. Walther would like to have the ability for two-way communication during the public hearing and phone calls as commissioners routinely ask clarifying questions of speakers. Commission Johnston-Madison asked when Union Congregational Church affordable housing redevelopment project will be coming back. Mr. Walther stated that there is not a set date because a revised application has not been received. The applicant’s target date is May 20th. B. Coronavirus COVID-19 information Mr. Walther suggested people visit the city’s website for more information and resources regarding the city’s response to coronavirus. C. 2020 Census Mr. Walther stated that the city has been actively promoting the 2020 census. Nationally, the response rate is 49.1%. In Minnesota, the response rate is 58.8%. In St. Louis Park, the response rate is 64.5%. Residents can response now through a paper form, by phone or online at my2020census.gov. D. Next planning commission meeting Mr. Walther noted that the May 6, 2020 planning commission meeting has been cancelled. City council meeting of June 1, 2020 (Item No. 4f) Page 3 Title: Planning commission meeting minutes April 15, 2020 Chair Kraft asked if there will be any study sessions held via WebEx. Mr. Walther explained that city council has reserved their study sessions for essential business. He suggested that the planning commission follows suit until city council resumes study sessions as normal business. Commissioner Robertson asked how much internal business is happening that normally comes up during study sessions. Mr. Walther stated that staff that supports that planning commission is working from home and making progress on several items that are on the commission’s work plan. Staff will explore providing commissioners with written reports as a means to update the commissioners on staff’s progress. 6. Adjournment The meeting was adjourned at 6:27 p.m.