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052924 PC SignedPLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES Richfield, Minnesota Regular Planning Commission Meeting May 29, 2024 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: Eddie Holmvig-Johnson, Brett Stursa, Cole Hooey, Benjamin Surma, Matt Taraldsen, Stephanie Hollman, and Brendan Kennealy Commissioners Excused: None Staff Present: Sam Crosby, Planner II and Ruby Villa, Assistant Planner Others Present: Jake Kizewski, Representative for Partnership Academy APPROVAL OF MINUTES M/Stursa, S/Taraldsen, to amend and approve the minutes of the Regular Planning Commission_ meeting of April 22, 2024. Motion carried: 7-0. ITEM #1 APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA M/Taraldsen, S/Kennealy, to approve the agenda. Motion carried: 7-0. A PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER A REQUEST FOR AN AMENDED ITEM #2 PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENT/FINAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN/CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT FOR A TIME EXTENSION TO AND AMENDMENT OF THE PARKING AGREEMENT AT 6500 NICOLLET AVENUE SOUTH. Planner Crosby presented Staff Report No. 11. Commissioner Stursa inquired as to how the $50,000 penalty was determined. Planner Crosby stated that because she was not here at the time of original approval, she cannot say for certain, but it is likely that it was based on the previous $50,000 escrow collected from Audi to build a parking ramp. Commissioner Hooey asked staff about the current parking plan. Planner Crosby stated that the applicant has 37 parking stalls on site and has a license agreement with Brixmor for 60 additional stalls. The applicant has had this parking plan in place for almost four continuous years. Jake Kizewski, Operations Director for Partnership Academy, gave a brief presentation regarding the request. Chair Holmvig-Johnson asked the applicant if there was a specific reason that the request had been submitted after the deadline. Kizewski stated that he could not recall. Commissioner Stursa asked the applicant to explain why they do not believe they should pay the penalty fee and what their plans are if Brixmor abruptly ends their license agreement. Kizewski stated that Partnership Academy has exceeded parking requirements since they occupied the space, with no lapses in meeting parking requirements. Kizewski also stated that should Brixmor end the license agreement, Partnership would begin construction of their parking ramp. Commissioner Stursa asked the applicant to clarify the purpose of the letter of intent for the Richfield Medical Group property. Kizewski stated that Partnership is interested in purchasing the property to use the building for school uses but would demolish the building if additional parking is still needed. Chair Holmvig-Johnson opened the public hearing. Larry Ernster, 6727 Elliot Avenue South, requested clarification regarding the expansion plans attached to the staff report. Kizewski stated that the attached plans were already approved by the City previously. MlKennealy, SlSurma, to close the Public hearing. Motion carried: 7-0 Several Commissioners expressed that they would not like to see an increase in surface parking through demolition of the Richfield Medical Group building. There was also additional discussion regarding the possibility of the Hub redeveloping, whether the applicant should pay a prorated penalty fee, and what a reasonable time extension would look like. In response to Commissioner Hooey, Kizewski stated that Partnership already has concept plans for the parking structure. Chair Holmvig-Johnson suggested that Partnership be provided with a five-year extension, as opposed to 10, as it is a more realistic timeline for changes in economic conditions that could spur redevelopment in the area. Commissioner Taraldsen and Chair Holmvig-Johnson agreed that charging a penalty fee, even if prorated, would not be a reasonable use of funds for a public school. M/Stursa, S/Taraldsen, to recommend approval of a request for an amended Planned Unit Development/Final Development Plan/Conditional Use Permit for a time extension to and amendment of the parking agreement at 6500 Nicollet Avenue South, with a 5-year administrative extension and no penalty fee. Motion carried: 6-1 (Commissioner Kennealy dissenting). OPEN FORUM Chair Holmvig-Johnson reviewed the options to participate in the open forum. There were no callers or speakers. ITEM #3 PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER AN ORDINANCE AMENDMENT ADJUSTING PARKING REQUIREMENTS. Planner Crosby presented Staff Report No. 12. Chair Holmvig-Johnson opened the public hearing. Larry Ernster, 6727 Elliot Avenue South, expressed displeasure for the proposed ordinance amendment and recommended that parking regulations, especially for multifamily uses, remain the same. M/Taraldsen, S/Hooey, to close the public hearing. otion carried: 7-0. Commissioner Taraldsen expressed concern for the proposed reduction in restaurant parking. Commissioner Hooey asked staff to explain how the reduction in restaurant parking was decided. Planner Crosby stated that a number of sources were used, including comparisons with neighboring cities and parking at existing restaurants in the City. Commissioner Stursa inquired about reductions around transit stops that had been discussed at the work session. Planner Crosby stated that those reductions were not included in the proposed amendment and that the amendment is only for existing parking regulations. Commissioner Stursa asked staff to explain Public Safety concerns regarding parking reductions. Planner Crosby stated that staffs concern stems from the proposal to remove Council discretion. Removing Council discretion would mean that the Council would not be able to impose greater parking requirements depending on important considerations such as road width. Commissioner Stursa inquired as to whether there was a plan in place for requiring sidewalks with new multifamily developments. Planner Crosby stated that staff has discussed the issue internally and that, currently, the City does not have a set funding source for new sidewalks annually. The City has a master plan for pedestrian improvements but there is no priority given to certain areas; improvements are done on a case by case basis depending on funding opportunities. There is also the option for property owners to petition the City to build sidewalks, which would result in a special assessment to pay for them. Planner Crosby emphasized that keeping discretion for multifamily parking would help in negotiations for pedestrian improvements, such as extension of sidewalks. Commissioner Hooey questioned whether the developments that have experienced issues with on street parking comply with code. Planner Crosby stated that the three recent multifamily projects where street parking was an issue did have a reduction to 1.25 stalls per unit. M/Taraldsen, S/Stursa, to reopen the public hearing. Motion carried: 6-1 (Chair Holmvig-Johnson dissenting). Larry Ernster, 6727 Elliot Avenue South, again recommended that parking regulations remain the same. M/Surma, S/Kennealy, to close the public hearing. Motion carried: 7-0. M/Stursa, S/Taraldsen, to recommend an amendment to the ordinance amendment that would encourage staff to study the creation of a comprehensive sidewalk policy and to continue_ conversations and study of reducing parking along rapid transit. M/Stursa, S/Surma, to recommend approval of an ordinance amendment adjusting parking requirements. Motion carried: 6-1 fCorn missionerTaraIdsen dissentn LIAISION REPORTS Community Services Commission: Commissioner Hollman had no report. City Council: Chair Holmvig-Johnson stated that at its most recent meeting, the Council discussed Safe Routes to School and a joint powers agreement with the City of Edina about 911 dispatch and responding to certain emergencies with mental health providers. There was also discussion about the Crosstown barrier for noise reduction. Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA): Commissioner Stursa stated that the HRA approved a donation for the Metro Sales land around 494. The HRA is expected to hear about the Velodrome project and any updates at their upcoming meeting. Richfield School Board: Commissioner Kennealy had no report. Transportation Commission: Commissioner Surma had no report. Chamber of Commerce: Commissioner Hooey had no report. Sustainability Commission: Commissioner Taraldsen stated that most trees were sold at the tree sale. Rain barrels have sold out, and there was a compost drop on May 31d ITEM #4 CITY PLANNER'S REPORT There will be a joint City Council and Planning Commission work session to discuss Minnesota Independent Community College's plans on Thursday, June 25th. There will also be a second joint work session between the City Council and Planning Commission to discuss cannabis dispensary regulations on June 91h ITEM #6 NEXT MEETING TIME AND LOCATION The next regular meeting is on Monday, June 24 at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall. ITEM #6 ADJOURNMENT M/Surma, S/Kennealy, to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried: 7-0 and the meeting was adjourned at 8:26 p.m. Submitted by: Ruby Villa ett Stursa Assistant Planner Planning Commission Secretary u 5R' 1 .