2025-12-08 Planning Commission MinutesCALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order by Acting Chair Stursa at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers.
OPEN FORUM
There were no speakers.
APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
M/Taraldsen, S/Kowalkowski, to approve the agenda.
Motion carried: 5-0.
M/Hooey, S/Taraldsen, to approve the minutes of the Regular Planning Commission
Meeting of November 24, 2025.
Motion carried: 5-0.
PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES
Richfield, Minnesota
Regular Planning Commission Meeting
December 8, 2025
Planning Commissioners Present: Brett Stursa, Acting Chair; Cole Hooey; Matt Taraldsen;
Benjamin Surma; and Stephanie Kowalkowski
Commissioners Excused: Eddie Holmvig-Johnson and Brendan Kennealy
Staff Present: Sam Crosby, City Planner; and Ruby Villa, Planner I
Others Present: Amy Gudmestad, Minnesota Independence College and
Community (MICC)
See item #7a for public hearing speakers
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
ITEM #7a
PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER A REQUEST BY MINNESOTA
INDEPENDENCE COLLEGE & COMMUNITY FOR A REZONING, CONDITIONAL
USE PERMIT, PRELIMINARY PLAT, AND VARIANCES.
Planner Crosby presented Agenda Item No. 7a and reviewed statements of support sent
by Best Buy and Kathleen Posai (Richfield resident).
Planner Crosby addressed questions presented by Commissioner Hooey regarding the
need for a rezoning and the purpose behind dividing the parcels into two lots now as opposed to
when a project comes forward for the housing portion.
Amy Gudmestad, Chief Executive Officer of MICC, introduced herself to the Commission.
Acting Chair Stursa opened the public hearing.
Elizabeth Sunne-Ojeda, Richfield resident, spoke in opposition to the request.
Jeff Thayer, Richfield resident and member of MICC’s Board of Directors, spoke in favor
of the request.
Mark Otness, partner for Colony Apartment Homes, spoke in favor of the request.
M/Taraldsen, S/Hooey, to close the public hearing.
Motion carried: 5-0.
In response to Commissioner Stursa, Planner Crosby addressed a resident’s concern for
increased traffic: a traffic analysis was provided by the applicant which indicated that there will be
a very low increase in trip generations as part of the proposed project. This is because MICC
already operates in the area and thus a lot of their trips are already accounted for in the existing
conditions.
M/Hooey, S/Surma, to recommend approval of the requested rezoning, conditional use
permit, preliminary plat, and variances for Minnesota Independence College and Community.
Several commissioners expressed their support for the project and for MICC’s mission.
Motion carried: 5-0.
LIAISION REPORTS
Community Services Commission: Commissioner Hooey had no report.
City Council: Chair Holmvig-Johnson was absent.
Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA): Commissioner Stursa had no report.
Richfield School Board: Commissioner Kennealy was absent.