pc-minutes-05-08-2023
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
May 8, 2023 – 6:30 pm
Council Chambers
Hybrid
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: A. Brookins, S. Ginis, M. McCormick, 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 Ginis, seconded by Commissioner Brookins, to approve the agenda
of May 8, 2023.
MOTION CARRIED
4. Approval of Minutes
MOTION made by Commissioner Brookins, seconded by Commissioner Ginis, to approve the meeting
minutes of April 24, 2023
MOTION CARRIED
5. Informal Public Hearing – Zoning Text Amendment: Off‐Street Parking and Loading
Applicant: The City of Golden Valley
Myles Campbell, Planner, provided a brief summary of the topic and noted the previous discussion
that took place prior to this meeting.
Golden Valley currently has 480 Acres of surface parking, 10 above ground parking structures, and 13
underground parking structures. The updated code includes revised landscape requirements,
updated setbacks, new internal driveway allowances, and revisions on permeable pavers.
City of Golden Valley
May 8, 2023 – 6:30 pm
Planning Commission Regular Meeting 2
The update includes:
Electric Vehicle Requirements
Required EV Charging Stations (EVCS) for new or reconstructed parking lots
Requirement is based on the size of surface parking lot
o Larger lot = more EVCS
Structured parking is encouraged but not required to include EVCS
o This could change in the future if MN building code is updated
Minimum/Maximum Parking
Without alternate transit options, minimums can only be reduced in cases where they are well
above what is practical
Establishing an upper limit may be another option to reduce impervious surface overall
Minimum and Maximum parking is likely the most direct way for the City to start reducing
hardcover associated with surface parking
Minimum Class II Restaurant (Fast Food) Parking
Existing: 1 space per 40 square feet of gross floor area
Proposed: 1 space per 75 square feet of gross floor area
o 1 space per 50 square feet as a reduced option
Overall Review
Required Parking table is streamlined and more accessible to property owners looking to
determine parking needed for a particular use
Parking Maximums limit new parking lots from further increasing hardcover citywide
o Revised minimums help in certain cases here too
New Electric Vehicle Requirements will help to achieve Environmental goals of the
Comprehensive Plan, and can be adapted and built upon in the future
Recommendation
Staff recommends approval of the zoning code text amendments as outlined in the draft chapter to
City Council for adoption.
This approval is subject to all other state, federal, and local ordinances, regulations, or laws
with authority over this development.
The group discussed policy on parking modifications due to construction or remodeling. The
intention of the maximum parking regulation would be triggered by new lots, new structures that
create parking, or significant remodeling. The conversation continued on about the increase in
parking for class II restaurants and what qualifies for each classification. The group discussed current
applications, new constructions, change of use, and what is considered a “significant alteration”.
Commissioner Brookins moved on to residential land uses and asked about parking at residential
facilities and if multiple parking requirements apply. Staff responded that if a residential facility or a
foster family home was in a single‐family residential zoning district, the more specific use would
City of Golden Valley
May 8, 2023 – 6:30 pm
Planning Commission Regular Meeting 3
apply over the general zoning district. Commissioner Ginis mentioned larger group homes or
residential facilities that house folks who have vehicles, and require staff who also have vehicles. The
number of necessary parking spots doesn’t’ match the requirement and she asked that staff consider
that added need moving forward.
Chair Pockl asked about definitions and if a parking structure and lot were defined separately. This
came up because one requires EV chargers and the other doesn’t so clarification is helpful.
Conversations around definitions continued in other uses, senior housing, and disability housing.
Discussion continued on language consistency through the policies.
Commissioner Ruby mentioned the City recommending a maximum at 10% above. He added that in
the past, there were conversations in other areas but there wasn’t data to support a secondary
recommendation. Ruby asked if Commissioners agree to recommend the maximum at 10%, if there
can also be an assurance of resources to track conversations and data in case that number should be
edited to 15% or 20%. Staff agreed that’s a great note and added that information will be helpful as
the City makes larger parking edits moving forward.
Chair Pockl opened the public forum at 7:17pm.
Chair Pockl asked staff if comments were received prior to the meeting. There were none.
Chair Pockl invited in person commenters to speak first.
There were no in person commenters.
Chair Pockl invited remote callers to speak.
There were no remote commenters.
Chair Pockl closed the public comment portion at 7:20pm.
Commissioner Ginis thanked staff for their work and conversations that have provided clarity. Ginis
recommends following staff recommendation specifically on making the parking maximum be 10%
above the minimum for that area. She added that excess parking lots do as much damage as not
having enough parking.
Commissioner Segelbaum added that too many parking spaces are wasteful yet his concern is that
minimums seem to be addressed every few years and parking maximum doesn’t seem to be as
friendly to businesses and he’d rather see 20% over the minimum then assess and reduce it later.
Segelbaum added that class II restaurants with drive throughs seem to require fewer parking spaces
and asked if similar restaurants without a drive through should be held to the same parking
requirements. Ginis followed that she would like to see 10% and have some kind of trigger that has
an applicant state a full case on why they need more parking. Adding this will help the City
understand the full breadth of plans and allow the group to make decisions that will help a business
and minimize a potential residential impact. Chair Pockl added that 10% is a great goal and a lot is
built in the code language for applicants that can demonstrate they need additional parking.
Commissioner Brookins said he doesn’t think any business will add space they don’t need and an
excessive parking lot doesn’t help a business. Regarding residential uses, he would like to see the
parking requirements around residential facilities amended. The parking requirement of one spot for
every five bedrooms is less than the single‐family homes around it and that doesn’t feel appropriate.
Secretary, Sofia Ginis
City of Golden Valley
May 8, 2023 – 6:30 pm
Planning Commission Regular Meeting 4
Brookins added one spot for ever two or three bedrooms feels more appropriate and anything over
six bedrooms should require approval. Ginis stated she’d like to rely on staff for those
recommendations as the homes can be for long term living or it could be more transitional housing.
Regardless, the parking regulation shouldn’t hurt anyone receiving or providing essential services.
Staff and Commissioners discussed City or State regulation around residential facilities, residential
facilities in general, and parking accommodations based on need. Staff noted the impervious surface
requirements, 40% limit of hardscape to a front yard, and how both of those requirements could be
prohibitive to residential facilities if a parking minimum was changed.
Chair Pockl noted that most of the items seem agreeable while asking staff to review the 10%
parking maximum, the residential facility requirements, and to review class II parking requirements
between those with drive throughs and those without.
MOTION made by Commissioner Brookins, seconded by Commissioner Ruby, to recommend
approval of the zoning code text amendments as outlined in the draft chapter to City Council for
adoption with the changes of a residential facility being 1‐2, with the word “can” being changed to
shall, and ask that staff provide recommendation to council about class II restaurants.
Commissioner Ginis added a friendly amendment to review residential facility parking without being
prohibitive of these facilities but to potentially address parking problems.
MOTION CARRIED
–End of Televised Portion of Meeting –
6.Election of Officers
Commissioner Brookins was elected as incoming Chair. Commissioner Ruby was elected as incoming
Vice Chair. Commissioner Ginis was re‐elected as Secretary.
7.Council Liaison Report
Council Member La Mere‐Anderson reported on the last City Council meeting, including a number of
proclamations, a new Police officer, and the award for the Highway 55/Douglas Drive underpass
project. She announced that there were five applicants for the soon‐to‐be vacant Council seat which
would be filled on June 6.
8.Other Business
Planning Manager Zimmerman reminded the Commissioners of the May Board of Zoning Appeals
meeting. Commissioner Ruby will the Planning Commission representative.
9.Adjournment
MOTION by Commissioner Segelbaum to adjourn, seconded by Commissioner Brookins and
approved unanimously. Meeting adjourned at 8:03 pm.
Amie Kolesar, Planning Assistant