2025-07-28 Planning Commission MinutesPLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES
Richfield, Minnesota
Regular Planning Commission Meeting
July 28, 2025
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order by Chair Holmvig-Johnson at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers.
Planning Commissioners Present: Eddie Holmvig-Johnson, Brendan Kennealy, Cole Hooey,
Benjamin Surma, and Stephanie Kowalkowski
Commissioners Excused: Matt Taraldsen and Brett Stursa
Staff Present: Sam Crosby, City Planner; and Ruby Villa, Planner I
Others Present: Lance Bernard, Director of Planning, TC2
See open forum and item #2 for public speakers
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
M/Kennealy, S/Surma, to approve the minutes of the Regular Planning Commission
Meeting of May 28, 2025.
Motion carried: 5-0
OPEN FORUM
Ruane Onesirosan, 2421 West 65th Street, stated that she does not want to become a
realtor and further expressed her thoughts on capitalism, the role of the city and county on the
free market, and her displeasure with the 2018 Comprehensive Plan.
ITEM #1 APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
M/Surma, S/Kennealy, to a2Qrove the agenda.
Motion carried: 5-0
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PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER VARIOUS ORDINANCE CHANGES
ITEM #2 RELATED TO MULTIFAMILY DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS (MR-2 & MR-3
ZONING DISTRICT UPDATES).
Planner Crosby presented Staff Report No. 9. Consultant Bernard gave a brief overview
of the work that has occurred for the project to date, as well as the projected schedule for adoption.
Planner Crosby read a statement for the record prepared by Commissioner Stursa.
Planner Crosby also noted that it had recently come to staffs attention that an item
concerning the requirement for sidewalks (as previously discussed in Tier III) was mistakenly
omitted in the proposed ordinances. She proposed that an amendment be made to include the
requirement for sidewalks in the motion for recommendation of approval.
In response to Commissioner Kowalkowski, Planner Crosby clarified that no other
comments had been received concerning the amendments, except for an email that had been
previously forwarded to all commissioners.
Chair Holmvig-Johnson opened the public hearing.
Peter Onesirosan claimed that the public had been notified too late in the process and that
a decision seemed to have already been made. He also expressed displeasure at having to
monitor a website to stay up to date on the project.
Commissioner Kennealy and Chair Holmvig-Johnson clarified the multiple ways in which
the public has been notified of the project.
M/Hooey. S/Surma, to close the public hearing -
Motion carried: 5-0.
M/Kennealy, S/Kowalkowski, to recommend approval of the seven ordinance
amendments regarding multifamily development regulations (MR-2 & MR-3 district updates)-
M/Kennealy, S/Surma, to amend the motion to include sidewalks in the ordinances
forwarded to the City Council.
Commissioners and staff discussed the requirement for sidewalks, to ensure
connections where possible.
Motion to amend carried: 5-0.
Commissioners and staff discussed how future changes in bus routes would be handled
in regard to the parking reductions.
Original motion carried: 5-0-
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CONSIDERATION OF A RESOLUTION FINDING THAT THE
ACQUISITION/DISPOSITION OF SINGLE FAMILY AND DUPLEX RESIDENTIAL
ITEM #3 PROPERTY IN AREAS GUIDED FOR LOW DENSITY RESIDENTIAL THROUGH
THE RICHFIELD REDISCOVERED AND NEW HOME PROGRAMS IS
CONSISTENT WITH THE RICHFIELD COMPREHENSIVE PLAN.
Planner Crosby presented Staff Report No. 10.
Commissioners and staff discussed the general purpose of a finding of consistency and
considered the possibility of adopting a blanket resolution that encompasses more uses.
M/Kennealy, S/Kowalkowski, to approve a resolution finding that the
ac uisition/dis osition of single family and duplex residential prope Fly through the Richfield
Rediscovered and New Home Programs is consistent with the 2040 Richfield Com rehensive
Plan.
Motion carried: 5-0
LIAISION REPORTS
Community Services Commission: Commissioner Hooey had no report.
City Council: Chair Holmvig-Johnson stated that in their last few meetings, the City
Council had a closed meeting to complete the City Manager's performance evaluation.
There was also a meeting to discuss updates regarding the pool and Veterans Park.
Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA): Commissioner Stursa was absent.
Richfield School Board: Commissioner Kennealy had no report.
Transportation Commission: Commissioner Surma had no report.
Chamber of Commerce: Commissioner Kowalkowski stated that at the last meeting, the
Chamber provided an update regarding Penn Fest planning. Penn Fest is scheduled for
September 21.
Sustainability Commission: Commissioner Taraldsen was absent.
ITEM #4 CITY PLANNER'S REPORT
Planner Crosby presented the City Planner's Report.
ITEM #5 NEXT MEETING TIME AND LOCATION
The next regular meeting is scheduled for Monday, August 25, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. in the
Richfield Council Chambers.
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ITEM #6 ADJOURNMENT
M/Kennealy, S/Hooey, to adjourn the meeting.
Motion carried: 5-0 and the meeting was adjourned at 7:48 p.m.
Submitted by:
WMI&e
Ruby Villa
Planner I
Matt Taraldsen
Planning Commission Secretary
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