032524 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/Hooey, to approve the minutes of the (1) joint Planning Commission and
City Council Work Session of February 26, 2024; and (2) the Regular Planning Commission
meeting of February 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/Surma, to approve the agenda.
Motion carried: 6-0.
PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES
Richfield, Minnesota
Regular Planning Commission Meeting
March 25, 2024
Planning Commissioners Present: Cole Hooey, Eddie Holmvig-Johnson, Benjamin Surma,
Stephanie Hollman, Brett Stursa, and Brendan Kennealy
Commissioners Excused: Matt Taraldsen
Staff Present: Sam Crosby, Planner II and Ruby Villa, Assistant Planner
Others Present: Joe Bosco, General Manager for Audi Richfield
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
ITEM #2
PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER A REQUEST FOR AN AMENDED PLANNED
UNIT DEVELOPMENT FOR A TIME EXTENSION OF, AND AMENDMENT TO,
THE CONSTRUCTION AGREEMENT FOR A MULTI-STORY PARKING RAMP
AT 1401 - 77TH STREET EAST (AUDI RICHFIELD).
Planner Crosby presented Staff Report No. 5.
Planner Crosby addressed multiple questions from the Commission regarding the details
of the original approvals for the phased development and the specific zoning regulations that
necessitate construction of the parking ramp.
Joe Bosco, a representative of Audi Richfield, gave a brief presentation regarding the
history of the facility and the reasons for requesting another extension.
In response to Commissioner Hollman, Joe Bosco stated that Audi could realistically get
a new car dealership up and running within three to four years.
In response to Commissioner Hooey, Joe Bosco stated that, while there have been some
conversations with car dealer groups and manufacturers in the Twin Cities, there are no definitive
agreements in place and Audi would not be able to commit to providing a letter of intent within a
specific timeline.
Commissioner Kennealy asked the applicant if Audi has considered any other
development options besides bringing in a new dealership. Joe Bosco stated that Audi had not
considered other development options because they only have development experience related
to car dealerships.
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.
In response to Commissioner Hooey, Planner Crosby stated that if the request for a time
extension was denied by the City Council, the applicant could build the parking ramp that they do
not need, or they could request a PUD amendment to remove the building coverage requirement.
In both cases, both the applicant and City would be in similar situations.
Commissioner Surma stated that he feels that the City’s goals are at odds with the zoning
code.
Chair Holmvig-Johnson asked the Commission if they would consider amending the
request for the time extension to require that the applicant provide a plan for disposition of the
property after two years.
Commissioner Stursa stated that she would be supportive of such an amendment.
Joe Bosco requested an opportunity to provide additional comments.
M/Stursa, S/Kennealy, to re-open the public hearing.
Motion carried: 6-0.
Joe Bosco clarified that the area in question is not vacant. It is adjacent to the Audi
dealership, it is paved and well lit, and has a seating area with a fountain. Audi also parks some
of their used cars in that area.
In response to Chair Holmvig-Johnson, Joe Bosco stated that, if a car manufacturer was
interested in developing the area in question, Audi would be able to accommodate the used cars
in their existing building.
M/Stursa, S/Kennealy, to close the public hearing.
Motion carried: 6-0.
In response to comments and propositions for amendments from several Commissioners,
Planner Crosby suggested that the Commission recommend a condition of approval requiring that
the applicant provide a report outlining the history of their development efforts at the end of the
time extension, if no actual development is proposed by that time.
M/Hooey, S/Stursa, to recommend approval of the request for an amended Planned Unit
Development for a time extension of, and amendment to, the construction agreement for a multi-
story parking ramp at 1401 - 77th Street East (Audi Richfield); with an added condition of approval
that the applicant provide a report summarizing their development efforts at the end of the time
extension.
Motion carried: 6-0.
ITEM #3
CONTINUE A PUBLIC HEARING - TO CONSIDER A REQUEST BY
PARTNERSHIP ACADEMY TO AMEND THEIR PLANNED UNIT
DEVELOPMENT TO EXTEND THE TIMEFRAME FOR COMPLYING WITH
THE PARKING AGREEMENT - TO APRIL 22, 2024.
Planner Crosby presented Staff Report No. 6.
Chair Holmvig-Johnson opened the public hearing. There were no callers or speakers.
M/Surma, S/Kennealy, to continue the public hearing to the April 22, 2024 Planning
Commission meeting.
Motion carried: 6-0.
ITEM #4 REVIEW OF PLANNING COMMISSION BYLAWS AND RE-SCHEDULING TASK.
Planner Villa presented staff report No. 7.
In response to Commissioner Hooey, Planner Villa confirmed that even if the December
meeting is rescheduled, it could be cancelled later in the year if there is no business to discuss at
that time. Also, staff is recommending that the December meeting be rescheduled to two weeks
earlier, instead of one, because there is a conflict with the scheduled HRA meeting on December
16.
M/Surma, S/Kennealy, to reschedule the May Planning Commission meeting to
Wednesday, May 29 and reschedule the December Planning Commission meeting to Monday,
December 9.
Motion carried: 6-0.
LIAISION REPORTS
Community Services Commission: Commissioner Hollman stated that the Commission is
preparing for the upcoming Spring and Summer seasons. The Commission also helped
to revamp the Recreation Services Fee Assistance program; it is now open to Richfield
residents with a household income that is 200% of the federal poverty level or below.
The Commission has also re-elected a Friends of Woodlake Board of Director to the
Commission.
City Council: Chair Holmvig-Johnson has no report.
Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA): Commissioner Stursa stated that the
HRA heard the 2023 Year in Review presentation at their last meeting. During the
presentation, it was noted that the planned development at 7700 Pillsbury Ave (MWF
Flats) did not receive tax credit funding and the developer is no longer pursuing the
project.
Richfield School Board: Commissioner Kennealy had no report.
Transportation Commission: Commissioner Surma stated that the Commission met
earlier in March and discussed project updates for the Nicollet Avenue reconstruction
scheduled for 2026. The Transportation Commission also had a presentation and
discussion with staff from Metro Transit about proposed changes to bus stop locations in
the Route 4 corridor along Lyndale and Penn Avenue in Bloomington.
Chamber of Commerce: Commissioner Hooey had no report.
Sustainability Commission: Commissioner Taraldsen was absent.
ITEM #5 CITY PLANNER’S REPORT
Staff have decided to put a hold to discussions regarding changes to parking regulations
until the end of the legislative session. There are multiple bills currently in the legislature that
would directly affect City parking regulations; staff would prefer to wait for the result of these
bills until making ordinance changes.
Brett Stursa (Apr 23, 2024 11:31 CDT)
Brett Stursa
032524 PC Minutes Partially Signed
Final Audit Report 2024-04-23
Created:2024-04-23
By:Samantha Crosby (SamanthaCrosby@richfieldmn.gov)
Status:Signed
Transaction ID:CBJCHBCAABAAlzqVHPa0jS0KSCm7sg0T6v6WOMVzUJMz
032524 PC Minutes Partially Signed" History
Document created by Samantha Crosby (SamanthaCrosby@richfieldmn.gov)
2024-04-23 - 3:00:49 PM GMT
Document emailed to Brett Stursa (bstursa@hotmail.com) for signature
2024-04-23 - 3:00:53 PM GMT
Email viewed by Brett Stursa (bstursa@hotmail.com)
2024-04-23 - 4:31:10 PM GMT
Document e-signed by Brett Stursa (bstursa@hotmail.com)
Signature Date: 2024-04-23 - 4:31:25 PM GMT - Time Source: server
Agreement completed.
2024-04-23 - 4:31:25 PM GMT