pc-minutes-04-24-2023
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
This meeting was conducted in a hybrid format with in‐person and remote options for attending,
participating, and commenting. The City used Webex to conduct this meeting and members of the
public were able to monitor the meetings by watching it on Comcast cable channel 16, by streaming it
on CCXmedia.org, or by dialing in to the public call‐in line.
1. Call to Order
The meeting was called to order at 6:30 pm by Chair Pockl.
Roll Call
Commissioners present: E. Brenna, A. Brookins, S. Ginis, L. Pockl, M. Ruby, C. Segelbaum
Commissioners absent:
Staff present: Jason Zimmerman – Planning Manager
Council Liaison: Denise La Mere‐Anderson
2. Land Acknowledgement
3. Approval of Agenda
MOTION made by Commissioner Brookins, seconded by Commissioner Ginis, to approve the agenda
of April 24, 2023.
MOTION CARRIED
4. Approval of Minutes
MOTION made by Commissioner Brookins, seconded by Commissioner Ginis, to approve the meeting
minutes of April 10, 2023
MOTION CARRIED
5. Informal Public Hearing – Menards Addition PUD No. 75 Amendment #6
Address: 6800 Wayzata Blvd
Applicant: Christopher Arroyo on behalf of Electrify America and Menards
Jason Zimmerman, Planning Manager, started by summarizing the request by Menards to install six
electric vehicle charging stations in the parking lot at their location at 6800 Wayzata Boulevard. This
would result in a net loss of five parking spaces. The site is part of PUD No. 75 and the change would
be considered a Major PUD Amendment. Staff went on to display a map showing the location in the
City and its location along the I‐394 corridor.
Staff went in detail on the lot, the three areas, there are currently 358 parking spaces plus 28 striped
spaces within the materials yard. There was supplemental employee spaces in 2012 but not since.
April 24, 2023 – 6:30 pm
Council Chambers
Hybrid
City of Golden Valley Planning Commission Regular Meeting
April 24, 2023 – 6:30 pm
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Proposal
Convert 11 existing parking spaces in the southeast corner of the parking lot into six EV
charging stations as well as electrical equipment to support the stations
The stations would have Level 3 chargers, the fastest type of chargers produced today (adding 3
to 20 miles of range per minute of charging)
The equipment would be screened from view from the road by new fencing and protected
internally by bollards
Evaluation
The installation of EV charging stations is consistent with the sustainability goals from the City’s
2040 Comprehensive Plan
Net loss of five parking spaces further reduces a parking count that is already below the
required minimum amount (from 358 to 353)
A supplemental plan to provide 26‐28 employee parking spaces within the materials yard serves
as a back‐up option should problems arise
Staff had questions about the proposed location of the charging stations – could they be in a
more prominent place, such as closer to the front door?
o The applicant stated reasons NOT to relocate charging stations:
Utility company dictated location of connection to power cabinet
Can be issues with vehicles queueing to use stations
Want to have the ability to expand further in the future
Findings
For a PUD amendment, the City must be able to make findings outlined in Section 113‐122 of
the City Code
Staff believes the proposed change to parking would not impact the original findings, and that
the alignment with the City’s sustainability goals strengthens the existing PUD
Recommended Action
Staff recommends approval of Amendment #6 to Menards Addition PUD No. 75.
Staff and Commissioners reviewed the spaces, enclosure, and location. Asking snow storage
questions, the location intending to be open for expansion, stormwater management, and what
could be done by right for fencing/screening/landscaping.
Chair Pockl invited the applicant to speak.
Christopher Arroyo on behalf of Electrify America and Menards was present remotely. He works for
a design, engineering, and manufacturing firm that is working with Electrify America to install EV
stations throughout the greater Twin Cities area.
Addressing the parking concerns, the applicant noted the goal with this project is to eliminate as few
parking spaces as possible. He added details on the charging station location, space allocation, lot
traffic safety, and time to charge a vehicle as support for the plan’s location decision.
City of Golden Valley Planning Commission Regular Meeting
April 24, 2023 – 6:30 pm
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Commissioner Ginis asked about landscaping and the applicant said that while he doesn’t represent
Menards, if landscaping requirements were a condition, he would communicate that with Menards
and move forward. Chair Pockl asked if the charging stations were intended for Menards customers.
The applicant noted the answer is yes and, he said Electrify America intentionally places stations in
more general areas where it is natural to spend time. Pockl followed up by asking if providing general
charging created concern for customer parking. The applicant responded that Menards determines
the number of stalls they can utilize, they were granted 16 and Electrify America is creating a net loss
of 5. Commissioner Brookins asked about fencing and the applicant responded it’s Trex and offered
to send specs. Brookins asked if the intention is to place the chargers on concrete pads and leave the
current drainage. The applicant said the dispensers will be on their own pads but he needed to
follow‐up on the drainage details.
Chair Pockl opened the public forum at 7:26pm.
Chair Pockl invited in person commenters to speak first.
Diego Campos
5615 Phoenix Street
I do not own an electric vehicle but I’m wondering who pays for the electric service and if there are
any City subsidies.
Chair Pockl invited remote callers to speak and there were none.
Chair Pockl asked the applicant to answer the public comment question.
The applicant responded that electrify America will secure a new electric service at this location and
the driver of the EV will have a subscription plan and a card they use to pay to charge their vehicle.
Staff added that there are no City subsidies and is not aware of any county or state subsidies.
Chair Pockl closed the public comment portion at 7:31pm.
Staff noted that the current permit states snow storage on site is not allowed if it reduced parking
spaces.
Commissioner Brenna noted that she agrees with the staff report on visibility, additionally if the
stations are in the rear of the lot, they’re less likely to be parked in by a combustion engine vehicle.
She added that the stations are level 3 charging and that helps increase the charging station variety.
Staff added that they learned Golden Valley has the second highest EV ownership per capita in the
Metro Area. This larger number of vehicles suggests a higher demand.
Chair Pockl noted that reviewing the findings, per City Code, leads her to agree with staff’s analysis.
There is a want and need to access EV charging stations and she noted her support of the
recommendation. Commissioner Ginis echoed this statement. Commissioner Brookins noted that in
the future he’d like to see a representative of the lot and building when reviewing a Major PUD
Amendment. He added he’d be inclined to table but he’s in support of this recommendation and
thinks the chargers help the City meet its 2040 goals. Commissioner Segelbaum noted that
conditions could be added to address drainage. Staff noted they have construction plans and added
Fire and Engineering reviewed the plans and were satisfied. The conversation continued on this topic,
City of Golden Valley Planning Commission Regular Meeting
April 24, 2023 – 6:30 pm
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the history of Menards’ presence, landscaping along the building, landscape inclusions on other
amendments, drainage, and the language around potential conditions.
MOTION made by Commissioner Brookins, seconded by Commissioner Ruby, to recommend
approval of Amendment #6 to Menards Addition PUD No. 75 with the following conditions:
Addition of two trees to the property at the applicant’s discretion but preferably near the
station site.
A maintenance plan verifying the existing drainage system works and will continue to work as
intended.
MOTION CARRIED
6. Discussion – Off Street Parking
Myles Campbell, Planner, this conversation has been going on for a few months and this particular
conversation is related to specific draft ordinance language surrounding parking setbacks and
greenspace, electric vehicle requirements, off street parking minimums, and land use consistency.
Staff reviewed EV language and it was largely based on St Louis Park’s ordinance and noted changes.
There’s not a lot of room to reduce minimum parking requirements but changes were discussed for
commercial, institutional and residential uses are reflected in the minimum requirements table. A
new parking maximum would apply to Institutional, Office, Commercial, Light Industrial and Mixed‐
Use zoning districts.
Other updates were discussed around lighting standards, permeable pavement, setbacks to match
zoning district requirements for structures, and internal driveway connection allowances.
A draft ordinance has been shared with engineering and environmental staff to obtain feedback.
There will be a revision based on this discussion and other staff comments would be obtained before
bringing the ordinance back for a public hearing at a future meeting. Staff would like to bring this to
City Council on May 8 but depending on comments and agenda, it can go to the May 22 meeting.
Staff and commissioners discussed tying on street parking and bike lanes to the off‐street
conversation, ROW code language, and seasonal need. Staff and commissioners discussed the
driveway allowances, emergency vehicle access, and not allowing parking in that allotted area.
Commissioners and staff discussed parking requirements at commercial locations, class 2
restaurants, the effectiveness of parking maximums, parking requirements vs parking need, and what
triggers the need to update requirements. Environmental and Engineering staff will also review this
language and staff will inform Commissioners of updates.
– End of Televised Portion of Meeting –
City of Golden Valley Planning Commission Regular Meeting
April 24, 2023 – 6:30 pm
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7.Council Liaison Report
Council Member La Mere‐Anderson gave a summer of the recent Council meeting where the Luther ‐
Genesis project was discussed and approved. She also announced the appointment of the
Commission’s new member, Mary McCormick, and reminded everyone that applications were being
taken for the City Council vacancy through May 7.
8.Other Business
Zimmerman reminded the Commissioners of April Board of Zoning Appeals meeting. Commissioner
Brookins volunteered to attend.
9.Adjournment
MOTION by Commissioner Ruby to adjourn, seconded by Commissioner Ginis and approved
unanimously. Meeting adjourned at 8:04 pm.
________________________________
________________________________ Secretary, Sofia Ginis
Amie Kolesar, Planning Assistant