Signed 120924 PC MinutesCALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order by Chair Holmvig-Johnson at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers.
M/Stursa, S/Kennealy, to approve the minutes of the Regular Planning Commission
meeting of November 25, 2024.
Motion carried: 6-0.
OPEN FORUM
No members of the public spoke.
ITEM #1 APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
M/Stursa, S/Kennealy, to approve the agenda.
Motion carried: 6-0.
PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES
Richfield, Minnesota
Regular Planning Commission Meeting
December 9, 2024
Planning Commissioners Present: Eddie Holmvig-Johnson, Brett Stursa, Benjamin Surma, Matt
Taraldsen, Stephanie Kowalkowski, and Brendan Kennealy
Commissioners Excused: Cole Hooey
Staff Present: Sam Crosby, Planner II and Ruby Villa, Planner I
Others Present: Andrew Davies, Border Foods and Shannon King, Lawrence
Signs
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
ITEM #2 PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER A REQUEST FOR A ZONING CODE TEXT
AMENDMENT REGARDING DRIVE-THROUGH SIGNS.
Planner Villa presented Staff Report No. 19.
Chair Holmvig-Johnson opened the public hearing.
Andrew Davies and Shannon King, representatives for Border Foods (the Applicant), gave
a brief report regarding the request.
M/Kennealy, S/Surma, to close the public hearing.
Motion carried: 6-0.
Commissioner Taraldsen commented that the proposal seemed reasonable.
Commissioner Stursa requested clarity regarding quantity allowances for drive-through
signs. Planner Villa clarified that the proposed ordinance would allow two drive-through signs per
drive-up lane.
Commissioner Stursa asked staff to confirm that a Conditional Use Permit would still be
required for a drive-through. Planner Crosby clarified that while a drive-through use requires, and
will continue to require, a Conditional Use Permit, a drive-through sign itself would not require one
changes in signage typically only require a sign permit.
Commissioner Stursa asked staff why the table within the historical context section of the
staff report did not contain information for all drive-through signs in the city. Planner Villa stated
that the table included only information found within approved sign permits on file.
Planner Villa provided additional information regarding existing drive-through signs and
their proximity to residential properties. Signs that do not meet the separation requirement
between dynamic displays and residential properties cannot convert to dynamic unless a variance
is granted.
In response to Chair Holmvig-Johnson, Planner Villa clarified that existing brightness
standards in the code require dynamic displays to have ambient lighting capabilities. Planner Villa
also mentioned that staff have identified the brightness standards of the sign code as something
to take a closer look at in the future.
M/Surma, S/Taraldsen, to recommend approval of an ordinance amendment regarding
drive-through signs.
Motion carried: 6-0.
LIAISION REPORTS
Community Services Commission: Commissioner Kowalkowski had no report.
City Council: Chair Holmvig-Johnson stated that the City Council has had a few work
sessions and a joint session with the School Board. At the most recent meeting, they
performed routine approvals of election results and considered a proposal to not count
write-in votes unless a candidate has requested that they be counted. The Council also
is beginning to assess the sales tax that was recently approved by voters.
Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA): Commissioner Stursa had no report.
Richfield School Board: Commissioner Kennealy had no report.
Transportation Commission: Commissioner Surma had no report.
Chamber of Commerce: Commissioner Hooey was absent.
Sustainability Commission: Commissioner Taraldsen reported that the city is planning on
putting solar power infrastructure on top of the new public arena – which will save the
city about $72,000.
ITEM #3 CITY PLANNER’S REPORT
Planner Crosby had no report.
ITEM #4 NEXT MEETING TIME AND LOCATION
The next regular meeting is on Monday, January 27, 2025, at 7:00 pm in the Council
Chambers.
ITEM #5 ADJOURNMENT
M/Kennealy, S/Surma, to adjourn the meeting.
Motion carried: 6-0 and the meeting was adjourned at 7:17 p.m.
Submitted by:
Ruby Villa Brett Stursa
Planner I Planning Commission Secretary