082823 PC Minutes SignedPLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES
Richfield, Minnesota
Regular Planning Commission Meeting
August 28, 2023
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:
Commissioners Excused
Staff Present:
Others Present:
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Brendan Kennealy, Cole Hooey, Eddie Holmvig-Johnson,
Benjamin Surma, and James Rudolph
Matt Taraldsen, and Brett Stursa
Sam Crosby, Planner II; Ruby Villa, Assistant Planner; Kumud
Verma, Finance Director; and Katie Rodriguez, City Manager.
M/Kennealy, S/Hooey, to approve the minutes of the Regular Planning Commission
meeting of July 25, 2023.
Motion carried: 5-0.
OPEN FORUM
Chair Holmvig-Johnson reviewed the options to participate in the open forum. There were
no callers or speakers.
ITEM #1 APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
M/Kennealy, S/Surma, to approve the agenda.
Motion carried: 5-0.
CONSIDERATION OF THE 2025-2028 CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM
ITEM #2 AND A FINDING OF CONSISTENCY WITH THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN OF
THE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM AND THE 2024 CAPITAL
IMPROVEMENT BUDGET. (STAFF REPORT NO. 12)
Finance Director Verma gave a brief presentation and overview of the 2024 Capital
Improvement Budget and the 20225-2028 Capital Improvement Plan.
City Manager Rodriguez addressed multiple questions from the commission regarding
funding of infrastructure improvements.
M/Kennealy, S/Surma, to (1) recommend approval of the 2025-2028 Capital improvement
Program; and (2) adopt a resolution finding that the 2024 Capital Improvement Budget and2025-
2028 Capital Improvement Program are consistent with the Comprehensive Plan.
Motion carried: 5-0.
CONSIDERATION OF A RESOLUTION FINDING THAT THE DISPOSITION OF
ITEM #3
6600 NEWTON AVENUE SOUTH AND 6326 14TH AVENUE SOUTH BY THE
HOUSING AND REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY IS CONSISTENT WITH THE
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN. (STAFF REPORT NO. 13)
Planner Crosby presented Staff Report No.13.
Commissioner Surma inquired about the history of the properties. Chair Holmvig-Johnson
inquired about a resolution for a standing approval finding that any time the Housing and
Redevelopment Authority purchases a single-family property for reuse as a two-family dwelling it
is consistent with the Comprehensive Plan. Planner Crosby reported that it had been discussed
and is currently being researched.
M/Kennealy, S/Hooey, to adopt the resolution as recommended by staff.
Motion carried: 5-0.
ITEM #4 LIAISION REPORTS
Community Services Commission: Commissioner Rudolph had no report.
City Council: Commissioner Kennealy reported that the Council held a work session on
July 25th in which they discussed upcoming road construction projects on Nicollet
Avenue for inclusion in the 2024 bonding bill and possible regulations regarding the use
of cannabis in public places, with a consensus to regulate it like tobacco. During the
regular meeting on July 25th the Council voted to repeal the moratorium on retail sales of
cannabis edibles in the City and then passed a moratorium disallowing cannabis
businesses in Richfield until 2025, unless the state board grants licenses before then.
During the same meeting, the Council voted to cap tobacco licenses and eliminate
flavored tobacco sales in Richfield. There was also discussion to approve state
legislation for a local sales tax option. On August 2"d, the Council held a work session to
preview the 2024 Capital Improvement Budget and provide a long-term financial
planning update. Finally, on August 8th the Council held another work session to discuss
the Velodrome project proposal near 77th and 1-494.
Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA): Commissioner Stursa was absent.
Richfield School Board: Holmvig-Johnson reported that on August 7th, in addition to
routine business, the Board went into closed session to conduct labor negotiations for
bargaining units. On August 215t the Board held a regular meeting to discuss the general
election for the open director seats on the board. During this meeting the Board also
voted to increase the operating levy, and to increase the Capital Improvement levy.
Transportation Commission: Surma had no report.
Chamber of Commerce: Commissioner Hooey stated that the Chamber discussed the
success of the Toast to Richfield fundraising event that was held earlier this year.
Sustainability Commission: Commissioner Taraldsen was absent.
ITEM #5 CITY PLANNER'S REPORT
At their August 8ch meeting, the City Council approved the Tierra Encantada Conditional
Use Permit Amendment to increase the capacity of a daycare at Hope Church on Portland
Avenue. During the same meeting, the Council also approved a moratorium on the operation of
cannabis businesses within the city to allow staff time to study the issue of regulation. The
regulation of cannabis businesses may need to be addressed through the zoning ordinance,
which would require a text amendment. Staff awaits the availability of a state model ordinance
to move forward.
ITEM #6 NEXT MEETING TIME AND LOCATION
The next regular meeting is on Monday, September 25, 2023, at 7:00 pm in the Council
Chambers.
ITEM #7 ADJOURNMENT
M/Hooey, S/Kennealy to adjourn the meeting_
Motion carried: 5-0 and the meeting was adjourned at 7:26 p.m.
Submitted by:
AA
uby Viliff
Assistant Planner
Brett Stursa
Planning Commission Secretary