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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025/03/19 - ADMIN - Minutes - Planning Commission - Study Session Planning commission March 19, 2025 6:00 p.m. 1 Planning commission Study Session Members present: Jim Beneke, Mia Divecha, Matt Eckholm, Sylvie Hyman, Jan Youngquist, Tom Weber, John Flanagan, Estella Hughes (youth member) Members absent: none 1. Focused conversation reflecting on zoning code update phase 1 Mr. Walther asked the commissioners a series of questions related to phase 1. He noted the council approved the zoning code update phase 1 with one change in the second reading related to the attached garage setback standard. He added this will come back to the planning commission to work on this with more flexibility. Mr. Walther asked the commissioners what stood out to them the most in the process. Commissioner Eckholm stated in the process the initial idea of starting from scratch was the correct decision as there were so many things layered on top of things, and so many assumptions that could not be explained. He added now there is a fresh base of what was passed in 2025 with nothing hanging on because the planning commission reviewed everything in great detail, and he hopes to see this happen with the next phase also. Commissioner Beneke stated he was surprised about how many said they did not have a chance to give their input, adding with all the city did, he is not sure how much more could be offered by the city related to communications. Commissioner Hyman stated the study that was done was interesting to prove having more density does not damage property values. She stated she was glad to have this information, and it showed more housing does not hurt property values. Chair Divecha stated the importance of conversations like this stood out to her, especially when discussing zoning laws. She stated she appreciated the many discussions and the ability to challenge and hear from staff about how things were done historically. She stated she learned by pushing and she gained confidence on the plans and choices made. She thanked staff and said this was very important to her. Commissioner Youngquist added it was interesting there were so many residential categories to start with. She stated it shows how planning used to happen in the past and the priorities on single-unit lots. She noted the great discussions that took place pointing out the change in paradigm through the process. Docusign Envelope ID: 96AA918D-97DB-46F4-87A1-BF84131D209B Official minutes Planning commission March 19, 2025 2 Commissioner Beneke stated he felt torn, and noted the school board always encourages keeping and adding single-unit homes, but he also supports density and affordability. He stated he feels this tension and he sees merit in both sides of the conversation. Commissioner Flanagan stated he came into the process later but was excited to see the plans and was pleasantly surprised at the meetings with residents and the community’s support and how this all played out. Commissioner Hughes stated never having read the zoning code before she was shocked at how detailed it was. She noted after reading it and discussing it, it was great to be able to make the community just how the commission wanted it. She added her interest was in allowing mixed-use and more density and she learned that was already part of the zoning and she appreciated that. Commissioner Weber stated he appreciated being able to work on tool with a history of being used to exclude people and that had some nefarious beginnings, and for staff, the commission and council, and community working to make this more inclusive, and he appreciated that – and that this became the north star. Mr. Walther asked the commissioners how they felt and how the observed others' felt about the process. Commissioner Eckholm stated the mood seemed positive recognizing there was a group at the end that wanted to delay the ordinance, but as Council Member Rog pointed out, only about 50 of the 350 people who signed the petition actually lived in St. Louis Park. He stated the process worked and those who engaged got their say and influenced the outcome. He added this was a reflection of the community’s priorities and values. Chair Divecha stated she had a great time, enjoys the commission and the conversations they had throughout the process, and she learned a lot. She stated many she talked to in her neighborhood and at the open house said they felt this was inevitable and were not all positive about it, but she noted the learnings she had were that the broad policy direction was set at the comprehensive planning level and not something the planning commission is just doing. She stated she did not understand that before this process and possibly others did not as well, so that could be why some felt this was pushed on them. Commissioner Weber noted the training with the city attorney was very helpful also, and it properly explains the place of the city, commission, comprehensive plan and zoning code in the whole process. Commissioner Hyman added she joined late in the process but prior to that was already working at the state level on improving requirements for housing density state-wide. She stated it was frustrating to see those things not moving at the state level, but it was great to Docusign Envelope ID: 96AA918D-97DB-46F4-87A1-BF84131D209B Official minutes Planning commission March 19, 2025 3 join the planning commission and see all these things being implemented and seeing St. Louis Park be a leader in Minnesota for this and also set an example. Commissioner Youngquist stated she appreciated the conversations that the commission had during the process and even though the commissioners did not always agree, it was done respectfully and everyone learned from each other during the process. Commissioner Flanagan added he was impressed with comments made by commissioners and the community during the process related to development projects such as triplexes and property values. He stated these interactions helped him learn while stepping into the process late. Commissioner Weber stated as the commission moves to the next phase in zoning planning, he requests that staff look at not well-informed comments and share that information with commissioners in advance. Mr. Walther stated the discussions staff had with the commissioners and city council helped staff identify these issues and what others were hearing in the community and led staff to research these issues further and address them appropriately. Commissioner Eckholm noted whether parking is going to be discussed in the next phase, there will need to be data on parking and what can be learned from other cities about parking examples, and what this has done to the cost of building structured parking, such as reducing rent costs. Commissioner Hughes stated she was not aware of any petitions that circulated. Mr. Walther stated the petition effort started after the public hearing and planning commission's recommendation had been made and the petition was submitted directly to city council. Commissioner Hyman added that with the constituents she talks to, they get information from her rather than through the city's channels. She updates her social media with information as well, but also noted the city’s social media tends to cover “fluff” topics vs. zoning updates, road construction updates, and things that have a real impact on the community. Chair Divecha agreed to some degree and it would have been good to have this in the city newsletter. Mr. Walther stated there were three Park Perspective articles, email blasts, and articles in the Sun Sailor and Star Tribune a various points in the process. Commissioner Eckholm noted social media is typically run by folks who do not have the best interests of the city in mind, and the only way you can guarantee information gets out is to pay for it. He stated he does not fault the city for promoting events on social media because that is what folks want on these platforms. He noted creating engagement is most likely done on other platforms. Docusign Envelope ID: 96AA918D-97DB-46F4-87A1-BF84131D209B Official minutes Planning commission March 19, 2025 4 Commissioner Divecha stated she shares that perspective, but stated she did not remember the articles in Park Perspective, while adding that she does read it. She stated this may be a fundamental problem that cannot be resolved. Commissioner Eckholm added the article headlines seemed to highlight more housing types in more locations and maybe should have included Zoning Code Update in the title. Commissioner Weber stated the Park Perspective article opened with stated there has been no zoning code update since 1992 and he appreciated that information, noting it is important information and can help frame the project and point out changes and the messaging. Commissioner Beneke added the city website could also be rearranged and the front page should maybe be redesigned. Commissioner Eckholm asked how the city gets people to go to the website to look at these articles, adding that is the real challenge. He noted that most people go to social media sites on their phones. Commissioner Hyman noted the Hennepin County Minnetonka Boulevard engagement meeting was poorly attended and communications about the meeting arrived late. She did note there was a good number of people there, but added those in charge of the meeting did admit it had not been publicized well. Chair Divecha stated the city can send multiple postcards, but people will not read them, adding the best communication comes within the community and discussion. She stated the facilitator training for Vision 4.0 is a great idea to get the word out through their own trusted networks. Mr. Walther asked what do these insights mean for the next phase of the zoning code. Commissioner Eckholm stated while there have been lessons learned on engagement through the first phase, there will most likely be less of an emotional reaction to development issues in commercial properties vs. residential. He added this will be a good time to test more ideas on outreach. Commissioner Youngquist agreed and added parking code changes will be the challenge. Commissioner Weber added changing the rules does not cause any immediate changes to the city and is simply presenting options for what happens in the future and the more that can be said by the planning commission the better. Chair Divecha stated the process is very appropriate, but at times it has felt like the scope is set for the commission. She stated at times she wanted to talk about other phases, but was told that is Phase 2, and she recognized that, but that was not entirely clear at the Docusign Envelope ID: 96AA918D-97DB-46F4-87A1-BF84131D209B Official minutes Planning commission March 19, 2025 5 beginning. She stated she fears with commercial zoning, will there be new developments created where residential is today and those types of conversations will not ever happen, and to her, this was the whole point of those conversations. Chair Divecha stated her neighborhood is completed residential today, but she would like to discuss small businesses moving into her area but that was never able to be discussed. She stated having conversations like this were missed. She stated she is excited to work on this next phase, but she would like opportunities to zoom out and look at the bigger picture also or ask wild questions and have an opportunity to discuss. Commissioner Weber agreed and added there are no coffee shops to meet at in his neighborhood, or public gathering spaces except for a park. He agreed that discussing these bigger picture items would be helpful. Commissioner Youngquist noted however these bigger discussions will come with the comprehensive plan discussions, such as residential and commercial zoning issues. Mr. Walther agreed and noted resources will be put toward these discussions related to the comprehensive plan. He noted the visioning process is the kickoff to these discussions, and helps inform strategic goals for the city. Commissioner Hyman added she will want to do a deep dive of the comprehensive plan to understand it better. Mr. Walther thanked the commissioners for sharing their reflections on the process. Mr. Walther shared additional updates regarding city council's approaches to boards and commissions, including an optional stipend and consecutive term limits. He noted this will begin on June 1, 2025, and more information will come from city administration staff. Mr. Walther added the planning commission and BOZA is scheduled to touch base with the council in November 2025, and council members will be attending some planning commission meetings as well. Mr. Walther noted the application process for board and commissions ends on March 31, and then reviews and interviews will be scheduled. He added commission members will be included in this process. Mr. Walther added the new planning commission chair and vice chair will be elected by commissioners in June per the bylaws. Future scheduled meeting/event dates: April 16, 2025 - planning commission regular meeting May 7, 2025 - planning commission regular meeting May 21, 2025 - planning commission regular meeting Docusign Envelope ID: 96AA918D-97DB-46F4-87A1-BF84131D209B Official minutes Planning commission March 19, 2025 6 2. Adjournment – 7:00 p.m. ______________________________________ ______________________________________ Sean Walther, liaison Mia Divecha, chair member Docusign Envelope ID: 96AA918D-97DB-46F4-87A1-BF84131D209B