11282022 PC Minutes - SignedCALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order by Chair Rudolph at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers.
M/Stursa, S/Kennealy to approve the minutes of the Regular Planning Commission Meeting of
October 24, 2022.
Motion carried: 6-0
OPEN FORUM
Chair Rudolph reviewed the options to participate in the open forum and there were no open
forum comments provided.
ITEM #1 APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
M/Hooey, S/Kennealy to approve the agenda.
Motion carried: 6-0
ITEM #2
PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER AN ORDINANCE AMENDMENT MODIFYING
THE ZONING CODE IN RELATION TO LANDSCAPING REQUIREMENTS
STAFF REPORT NO. 26)
Planner II Crosby presented Staff Report No. 26.
PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES
Richfield, Minnesota
Regular Planning Commission Meeting
November 28, 2022
Planning Commission
Members Present:
James Rudolph, Chair; Brendan Kennealy; Brett Stursa;
Benjamin Surma; Cole Hooey; and Eddie Holmvig-Johnson
Planning Commission
Members Absent:
None
Staff Present: Sam Crosby, Planner II and Kari Sinning, City Clerk
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Planning Commission Meeting Minutes -2-November 28, 2022
Chair Rudolph asked if there would be any provisions that would be available for maintenance
of trees in City parks. Planner II Crosby stated that it is only for planting new trees, and it could not be
used for maintenance. Chair Rudolph also asked if there would be funds allocated to help replace
trees in residential areas. Planner II Crosby stated that there would not be as the funds are only
available for public boulevards and parks.
Commissioner Hooey asked if there would be a better install rate with the new numbers.
Planner II Crosby shared the proposed would be more reasonable for future projects. Commissioner
Hooey also asked for clarification on where the trees can be planted. Planner II Crosby stated that it
could be both used for public boulevards or parks.
Chair Rudolph asked if it is part of the code that trees planted on the boulevards would not count.
Planner II Crosby stated that with city permission the developers would be allowed to count them.
Commissioner Surma asked if this would be flexible through the PUD process in future projects
and asked about the constraints that make it difficult for developers to adhere to the current
goals. Planner II Crosby stated that site design caused many of the constraints and that this
number is more reasonable to be attained by the developers so there should not be a need for a PUD
process.
Chair Rudolph reopened the public hearing.
M/Kennealy, S/Holmvig-Johnson to close the public hearing.
Motion carried: 6-0
Commissioner Holmvig-Johnson raised concerns about the option to opt out of the requirement
by paying and that the developers should have more justification for doing so.
Chair Rudolph asked if there would be an application process if they would not want to follow
the requirements. Planner II Crosby explained that it would be a part of the development review
and approval process that would go through the Planning Commission and City Council.
Commissioner Hooey asked if there any setbacks per tree. Planner II Crosby stated that
the Sustainability Specialist and Forester would be a part of landscape approval process and the
different types of trees would vary in their needs for setbacks and spacing.
Commissioner Stursa felt comfortable with cash in lieu provision knowing that people with more
knowledge would be making that call. She supported the item without amendment.
Commissioner Holmvig-Johnson felt better about the option since there would be experts
involved but did ask if they do not meet the requirements that it should be noted on the record in the
proposed staff reports. Planner II Crosby stated that she would make a point to state if the
developer does not meet the requirements and used the opt out option.
Chair Rudolph asked if the trees on the No Plant DNR list would be dynamic and if it would
affect trees that are already planted. Planner II Crosby explained that the list would change and
would be referenced in our code, and it would only be for new projects that come in.
M/Stursa, S/Holmvig-Johnson to recommend approval of an ordinance amendment modifying
the Zoning Code in relation to landscaping requirements.
Chair Rudolph shared his approval of the item and the robust discussion had by the members.
Motion carried: 6-0
Planning Commission Meeting Minutes -3-November 28, 2022
ITEM #3 LIAISION REPORTS
Community Services Commission: Chair Rudolph had no report.
City Council: Commissioner Kennealy overviewed the November City Council agendas.
Housing and Development Authority (HRA): Commissioner Stursa overviewed the November
21 HRA agenda that prioritized investment in projects that align with City Goals for housing.
Richfield School Board: Commissioner Holmvig-Johnson shared that the School Board
overviewed an evaluation process for the Superintendent and they are offering more mental
health staff/counselors for secondary schools.
Transportation Commission: Commissioner Surma had no report.
Chamber of Commerce: Commissioner Hooey shared that the Chamber of Commerce met at
the High School and spoke about partnerships with local businesses to further programs for
vocational training.
Sustainability Commission: Commissioner Kennealy had no report.
ITEM #4 CITY PLANNER’S REPORT
Planner II Crosby had no report.
Commissioner Stursa asked about the restaurant going into the Local Roots location. Planner
Crosby stated that she has had some inquiries about the location, but no serious inquiries.
ITEM #5 NEXT MEETING TIME AND LOCATION
The next regular meeting is scheduled for Monday, December 12, 2022, at 7 p.m. in the
Council Chambers at the Richfield Municipal Center.
ITEM #6 ADJOURNMENT
M/Holmvig-Johnson, S/Kennealy to adjourn the meeting.
Motion carried: 6-0
The meeting was adjourned at 7:26 p.m.
Submitted by:
Kari Sinning Brett Stursa
City Clerk Planning Commission Secretary
Brett Stursa (Dec 13, 2022 10:40 CST)
Brett Stursa
11282022 PC Minutes
Final Audit Report 2022-12-13
Created:2022-12-13
By:Nellie Jerome (njerome@richfieldmn.gov)
Status:Signed
Transaction ID:CBJCHBCAABAA5ngnj_rSyYFzhWkUijOq0JF7AHdmJ0yM
11282022 PC Minutes" History
Document created by Nellie Jerome (njerome@richfieldmn.gov)
2022-12-13 - 0:32:36 AM GMT- IP address: 156.142.4.153
Document emailed to Kari Sinning (ksinning@richfieldmn.gov) for signature
2022-12-13 - 0:33:20 AM GMT
Email viewed by Kari Sinning (ksinning@richfieldmn.gov)
2022-12-13 - 3:27:52 PM GMT- IP address: 156.142.185.30
Document e-signed by Kari Sinning (ksinning@richfieldmn.gov)
Signature Date: 2022-12-13 - 3:30:41 PM GMT - Time Source: server- IP address: 156.142.185.30
Document emailed to bstursa@hotmail.com for signature
2022-12-13 - 3:30:42 PM GMT
Email viewed by bstursa@hotmail.com
2022-12-13 - 4:39:06 PM GMT- IP address: 73.164.101.130
Signer bstursa@hotmail.com entered name at signing as Brett Stursa
2022-12-13 - 4:40:35 PM GMT- IP address: 73.164.101.130
Document e-signed by Brett Stursa (bstursa@hotmail.com)
Signature Date: 2022-12-13 - 4:40:37 PM GMT - Time Source: server- IP address: 73.164.101.130
Agreement completed.
2022-12-13 - 4:40:37 PM GMT