HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023/04/12 - ADMIN - Minutes - Planning Commission - Regular Planning commission
April 12, 2023
6:14 p.m.
If you need special accommodations or have questions about the meeting, please call Sean Walther or the
administration department at 952.924.2525.
Planning commission
Members present: Jim Beneke, Mia Divecha, Matt Eckholm, Michael Salzer, Katie Merten,
Tom Weber, Jan Youngquist
Members absent: none
Staff present: Jacquelyn Kramer, Sean Walther
Guests:
1. Call to order – roll call
2. Approval of minutes – Feb. 15, 2023, and March 1, 2023
Commissioner Youngquist made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Eckholm, to
approve the February 15 and March 1, 2023, minutes as presented.
The motion carried unanimously.
3. Hearings
3a. Conditional use permit for Family Orthodontics, 5804 Excelsior Blvd.
Applicant: Foundation Architects (Bob Schaffer)
Case No: 23-02-CUP
Ms. Kramer presented the report.
Commissioner Divecha asked staff to explain why the city requires a CUP for this vs.
making certain things acceptable or not acceptable.
Ms. Kramer stated in general more intense uses have potential to have higher effects on
the community, adding the CUP process allows staff and the council to make sure there
are no problems with traffic, noise or pollution, and hours of use, among other things .
Mr. Walther added these items that fall within the intensity classification are items that
come up frequently during site plan reviews, adding this approach in the code created
the logic for when additional public notice and public process for city approvals of a
development is warranted.
Planning commission
April 12, 2023
Chair Weber asked if this might include a business that wants t o stay open later also.
Ms. Kramer stated yes, hours of operation are one of the factors considered in
determining the intensity classification.
Commissioner Beneke asked if the impervious surface is what is driving this particular
CUP. Ms. Kramer stated yes. Commissioner Beneke asked if it is unusual to have an
intensity classification of 6 in the C-1 zoning district. Ms. Kramer stated she was not sure
how many properties are intensity class 6, but it is not unique to this property.
Commissioner Youngquist asked if there will be more landscaping added in light of the
additional impervious surface, in order to mitigate this . Ms. Kramer stated the applicant
is improving the landscaping still meets the minimum requirements for tree and shrub
plantings, despite the reduction in green space.
Commissioner Divecha asked what the conditions of approval are. Ms. Kramer explained
the conditions listed in the staff report, which are general conditions that apply to most
planning applications such as allowed construction hours, keeping the construction site
clear of debris, etc.
Commissioner Merten asked if there is a building setback requirement. Ms. Kramer
stated yes a 5-foot yard is required and the site plan meets that.
Chair Weber opened the public hearing.
Mr. Schaffer, the architect, stated they are making a vast improvement to the building,
which was built originally in the mid-80s as a Pizza Hut. He noted the building still
resembles the former use, and they are hoping the new addition will change that and
modernize the building as well. He also noted it only increases the size of the dental
office by one chair, and the landscaping will be enhanced and cleaned up.
Chair Weber closed the public hearing.
Commissioner Merten made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Salzer, to approve
the conditional use permit (CUP) subject to the conditions in the staff report.
The motion passed unanimously.
4. Other Business
5. Communications
5a. Comprehensive plan implementation update – housing activity report
Mr. Walther noted this report lists various housing program updates and city
expenditures of housing activity in the city. It serves as a progress report to
commissioners regarding implementation of some of the comprehensive plan goals and
strategies. He stated the full report is available on the city website also.
Planning commission
April 12, 2023
Mr. Walther added the city is assessing the boards and commissions program and
application process and he asked the commissioners to complete a survey this week,
adding they may be contacted for further follow-up.
Mr. Walther added details about the zoning code update process is now on the website
under the planning studies page and residents can sign up for push notifications from
staff as input opportunities arise. He noted there seems to be strong interest and
community engagement activities will be conducted beginning this summer. He added
the zoning code update will be discussed in next week’s planning commission study
session.
Mr. Walther noted the webpage for the four small area plans related to the
neighborhoods around the three light rail transit stations plus Excelsior Blvd west of
Highway 100 was also updated.
6. Adjournment – 6:30 p.m.
Sean Walther Tom Weber
______________________________________ ______________________________________
Sean Walther, liaison Tom Weber, chair member