092324 PC Minutes SignedCALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order by Chair Holmvig-Johnson at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers.
M/Stursa, S/Surma, to approve the minutes of the Regular Planning Commission
meeting of August 26, 2024.
Motion carried: 6-0.
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/Taraldsen, to approve the agenda.
Motion carried: 6-0.
PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES
Richfield, Minnesota
Regular Planning Commission Meeting
September 23, 2024
Planning Commissioners Present: Eddie Holmvig-Johnson, Brett Stursa, Benjamin Surma, Brendan
Kennealy, Cole Hooey, Matt Taraldsen
Commissioners Excused: Stephanie Kowalkowski
Staff Present: Sam Crosby, Planner II; Ruby Villa, Planner I; Karl Huemiller,
Recreation Services Director; Kate Aitchison, Communications
and Engagement Manager; and Jennifer Anderson, Support
Services Manager
Others Present: Greg Ehrich, Premier Lighting
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
ITEM #2 LOCAL SALES TAX PRESENTATION
Recreation Services Director Huemiller and Communications Manager Aitchison gave a
brief presentation regarding the proposed local sales tax.
Commissioner Stursa inquired about upcoming tours of recreation facilities. Director
Huemiller provided information regarding upcoming tours and mentioned that all information can
be found on the City’s website.
Commissioner Hooey questioned whether approval of projects is dependent on each other
and why the sales tax ballot is being requested through three different ballot questions (one for
each project). Director Huemiller stated that the projects are separate, and voters will need to
provide their vote for each individual project.
Commissioner Stursa asked if the 0.5% sales tax “stacks” per approved project.
Communications Manager Aitchison stated that there will be no “stacking” of the 0.5% sales tax;
it will be a singular 0.5% regardless of how many projects are approved. The only variable that
changes if multiple projects are approved is the length of time that the sales tax runs; longer if
multiple projects are approved and shorter if less.
Commissioner Kennealy expressed his approval for all three recreation projects.
ITEM #3
A PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER A REQUEST FOR TWO VARIANCES
FROM THE LIGHTING CODE REQUIREMENTS AT 7001 HARRIET AVE SOUTH
RICHFIELD HIGH SCHOOL PARKING LOT).
Planner Crosby presented Staff Report No. 16.
Chair Holmvig-Johnson opened the public hearing.
Greg Ehrich, representative for Premier Lighting on behalf of the Richfield Public School
District, gave a brief statement regarding the request.
Chair Holmvig-Johnson asked the applicant to confirm that an increase of 0.7 footcandles
above the maximum is insignificant, in terms of light pollution. The applicant confirmed and stated
that the difference between 4.0 and 4.7 footcandles is not noticeable.
Commissioner Kennealy asked the applicant if the effect on the neighborhood would also
be minimal. The applicant confirmed that there would be no overflow of lighting into the
neighborhood.
M/Surma, S/Taraldsen, to close the public hearing.
Motion carried: 6-0.
Commissioner Surma stated that he believed approval of a variance would not be
detrimental to the neighborhood.
Commissioner Taraldsen stated that he was in agreement.
M/Taraldsen, S/Surma, to approve a request for two variances from the lighting code
requirements at 7001 Harriet Avenue South.
Motion carried: 6-0.
ITEM #4 A PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER AN ORDINANCE AMENDMENT
ESTABLISHING ZONING REGULATIONS FOR CANNABIS BUSINESSES.
Planner Crosby presented Staff Report No. 17.
Chair Holmvig-Johnson asked staff to explain the regulatory differences between cannabis
businesses and bars or tobacco businesses. Support Services Manager Anderson stated that
there are not buffer requirements for liquor stores or for tobacco establishments.
Chair Holmvig-Johnson asked staff if there was policy direction from the City Council, or
others, to treat cannabis businesses differently than alcohol or tobacco businesses. Planner
Crosby confirmed and stated that there had been consensus at previous work sessions to use
half buffers for cannabis businesses.
Commissioner Surma asked staff to explain how many cannabis business licenses the
City is required to provide based on population. Support Services Manager Anderson stated that
the City is required to provide three retail licenses. State statute gives the Council the right to
increase it in the future if they desire.
Chair Holmvig-Johnson opened the public hearing. There were no callers or speakers.
M/Hooey, S/Kennealy, to close the public hearing.
Motion carried: 6-0.
Commissioner Stursa stated that the proposal accurately reflected work session
discussions and that she was in support.
Commissioner Kennealy agreed with Commissioner Stursa and stated that, even with the
buffers, he believes there would be sufficient commercial space available to accommodate three
cannabis businesses.
Commissioner Hooey stated that he is unsure why cannabis and alcohol businesses are
being treated differently and that it feels as though having buffers for cannabis businesses and
not alcohol businesses “demonizes” the substance. He also stated that he does not agree that
there is sufficient commercial space available with the buffers.
In response to Commissioner Hooey, Commissioner Taraldsen stated that his takeaway
from the work sessions was that eliminating buffers would only create a few more eligible parcels.
Commissioner Surma recalled the work session discussions regarding full vs half buffers.
Chair Holmvig-Johnson stated his appreciation for the well written staff report. He also
stated that he continues to disagree with treating cannabis businesses differently than edible and
tobacco businesses.
M/Stursa, S/Surma, to recommend approval of an ordinance amendment establishing
zoning regulations for cannabis businesses.
Motion carried: 5-0 (Holmvig-Johnson abstaining).
LIAISION REPORTS
Community Services Commission: Commissioner Kowalkowski was absent.
City Council: Chair Holmvig-Johnson stated that, in its past few meetings, the Council
approved several collective bargaining agreements with City unions, held a work session
to review the community survey results, and passed a resolution recognizing Hispanic
heritage month. The Council also went over the City audit process and approved the
amendment of Planning and Zoning fees.
Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA): Commissioner Stursa stated that, at their
last meeting, the HRA approved the five-year public housing plan and it included
highlights regarding affordable housing achievements that have been made in the last
five years.
Richfield School Board: Commissioner Kennealy had no report.
Transportation Commission: Commissioner Surma stated that the Commission met to
discuss several pedestrian safety improvements and ongoing safety improvement
projects regarding safe routes to school initiatives around 70th Street near the STEM
school. The Commission also heard a report from the City about Connecting
Communities grant funding to help with improved pedestrian access.
Chamber of Commerce: Commissioner Hooey stated that the Chamber met about a
week before Penn Fest.
Sustainability Commission: Commissioner Taraldsen stated the City has a new Solid
Waste Specialist, Zach McCarthy. There was also discussion regarding “trash walk”
which will take place the day after Halloween at parks around the City to help clean up
after the occasion.
ITEM #5 CITY PLANNER’S REPORT
Birxmor’s request for a Conditional Use Permit and Planned Unit Development
Amendment for the proposed Loma Bonita grocery store was approved by the City Council on
September 10. Also, the October Planning Commission meeting is likely to be cancelled.
ITEM #6 NEXT MEETING TIME AND LOCATION