pc-minutes-04-10-2023
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 Ruby, seconded by Commissioner Brookins, to approve the agenda
of April 10, 2023.
MOTION CARRIED
4. Approval of Minutes
MOTION made by Commissioner Ruby, seconded by Commissioner Ginis, to approve the meeting
minutes of March 27, 2023
MOTION CARRIED
5. Discussion: Site Plan Review
Address: 8200 Golden Valley Road and 8214 Golden Valley Drive
Applicant: Sentinel Management Company
Jason Zimmerman, Planning Manager, provided a background on a site plan, the Commission
doesn’t do them very often. He went on to explain the timeline for this project, it was before the
Planning Commission in March, was approved by Council after, now the code states Planning
Commission provides a site plan review. The group is charged with comparing the plan with Mixed
Use standards, the final approval comes at the discretion of the Planning Commission, it is not a
recommendation for Council.
April 10, 2023 – 6:30 pm
Council Chambers
Hybrid
City of Golden Valley Planning Commission Regular Meeting
April 10, 2023 – 6:30 pm
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This project is a proposed redevelopment of the Wells Fargo and Park Nicollet properties at 8200
Golden Valley Road and 8240 Golden Valley Drive for a multifamily building and a new branch bank.
Proposal
Multifamily Building
302 units in a five to six story structure (five on the north side, six on the
south side)
Five level parking structure would be wrapped by apartment units and hidden
Amenity package includes: outdoor pool, hot tub, sauna, rooftop deck, fitness room, movie
theater, sports simulator
Outdoor amenity courtyard between two wings and open to the south
Walk‐up units along Wisconsin, Golden Valley Road, and Golden Valley Drive
Primary access from Wisconsin Ave, secondary access from Golden Valley Road
New Wells Fargo Building
One‐story branch bank with 23 surface parking spaces and two drive‐thru lanes on the east side
of the building
Primary access from Wisconsin Ave, secondary access from Golden Valley Drive
This proposal meets many requirements
Minimum and maximum building setbacks
Maximum building height
Façade design
Maximum impervious coverage
Minimum useable outdoor space
percentage
Uses
Location of structured parking
Parking screening
Pedestrian circulation
Drive‐thru facility location
Seeking flexibility in four areas
Building height:
o Minimum height (bank building)
o Upper floor stepback (one wing of
the multifamily building)
Minimum surface parking setback from a
front property line
Maximum non‐structure lot coverage
Driveway width
Zimmerman displayed a site plan map to illustrate the location, amenities, parking lot, elevations,
and site plan. He also displayed sun/shadow patterns to areas surrounding the proposed project.
Staff went into greater detail on the areas the applicant is asking for flexibility.
Required minimum height is 26 feet; bank building is proposed to be 21 feet 6 inches (a
difference of 4 feet 6 inches).
A 15‐foot minimum stepback is required above three stories for frontages on rights‐of‐way
less than 70 feet in width. Due to reduction in the width of Golden Valley Drive during
City of Golden Valley Planning Commission Regular Meeting
April 10, 2023 – 6:30 pm
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platting, as proposed floors four through six of the west wing of the apartment would not
meet the stepback requirement.
Parking must be set back at least 30 feet from the primary front yard property line. As
proposed, the Wells Fargo lot would be five feet from the property line (though 28 feet from
the curb along Wisconsin Avenue).
Maximum non‐structure coverage area allowed is 20%. As proposed, the non‐structure
coverage area is 25.5% primarily due to the Wells Fargo surface parking and the courtyard
amenity terrace.
o Wells Fargo requires 23 spaces (1 per 200 sq ft); City requires 15 (1 per 300)
Driveways are limited to 20 feet in width. Three driveways are shown at 26 feet wide.
o Engineering and Fire staff would prefer at least 24 feet in width to accommodate two‐
way traffic.
Recommended Action
Staff recommends approval for the proposed site plan for redevelopment of 8200 Golden Valley
Road and 8240 Golden Valley Drive, with the following revisions:
Driveway widths should be reduced from 26 feet to 24 feet pending Fire Department review
Commissioner Brenna asked if the 20% rule for hardcover was 20% of the site or 20% of the 80% of
hardcover. Staff responded that 20% of the 80% of impervious surface may be non‐building surface
although staff would like as much to be building as possible.
The conversation went on to discuss parking on Wisconsin, Fire requirements for dual driveways,
vegetation along the ROW and a future bike lane, building and materials requirements, low income
housing requirements, curb cuts, medians, setbacks, shading, height preference versus requirements,
and stormwater.
Chair Pockl invited the applicant to speak.
Burt Coffin and Fabrizio Montermini, Applicants, stated the four items the applicant were asking
permission on was accurate. They addressed the height issue; the max number of stories is 6 and
increasing height in feet isn’t worthwhile for the applicant to attempt a variance. A shadowing study
was done and analysis showed that even with a shorter height, the shadowing still occurred but just
at a different time of the day. The courtyard was placed where it is to keep the noise away from
Golden Valley Road and the surrounding residential area. The conversation went on to discuss how
to decrease shadowing by moving units to other areas so the shadowing is decreased. The applicant
responded the structural architecture requires units on either side of a hallway and that change
would eliminate a row of units.
The conversation went on to the details of Wells Fargo, corporate regulatory requirements, and the
City parking requirements related to that. They also discussed unit size, patterns of amenities, and
how this proposal lines up with the other recently developed units. Unit size, traffic, ability to fill
units, traffic exiting the ramp and lot, The City’s Traffic Study, and pervious surface and material.
City of Golden Valley Planning Commission Regular Meeting
April 10, 2023 – 6:30 pm
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The group entered discussion to make a final decision.
Commissioner Brookins asked that the north entrance median to be considered continuous,
additionally he asked for consideration that the turn lane be abandoned. This way, staff can address
with Public Works if they’re needed.
The conversation started with building height, Chair Pockl, stated she doesn’t see the issue with
reducing the building height. However, her concern is that the City is accommodating a corporate
policy that isn’t accommodating. Generally, the Commissioners don’t see the bank building height
being reduced as an issue.
Commissioner Ruby addressed the stepback and added it’s unfortunate one portion of the
community is taking a hit in order to expand offerings to another portion of the community. He
added he understands the structural needs but pointed out it’s hard for a community to come
together when one is negatively impacted. Commissioner Ginis pointed out staff could reach out to
residents and offer more clear information.
Ginis stated that the number of parking spaces the bank wants is excessive. Maybe in the future
those spaces can become greenspace. Brookins offered suggestions to reducing the parking lot sot
eh bank parking was closer to the City requirements. Zimmerman pointed out the spots noted are
allocated to complex guest parking. Ginis added Minneapolis has allocated guest parking in the ramp
and added its benefit. Ginis pointed out that more flexible spaces could be removed so the parking
setback can be reduced and the greenspace increased. Brookins mentioned parking on Wisconsin
may tie in to what they’re doing here and creating a neighborhood feel by adding street parking.
Zimmerman noted the street widths would prove to be a challenge to also provide parking.
The applicant spoke up that the parking was created to meet a 1:1.5 parking spaces per unit. He
added that the Wells Fargo parking is restricted to bank parking only.
Commissioner Segelbaum noted that this site review plan isn’t a negotiation but the group can offer
suggestions for further discussion. Added that the City requires a parking minimum and the bank met
that plus asked for a few more. He also added the complex is reasonable in requesting guest parking
and parking on Wisconsin could be dangerous. Commissioner Brenna noted the pervious to
impervious ratios, that the amounts are lower than required which is good and there is a current
stormwater mitigation plan.
Chair Pockl noted the Fire requirement of the driveway width and everyone agreed the lanes should
meet Fire Code regulation.
The conversation revolved around pervious/impervious areas, applicant hardships, and staff pointed
out the percentages offered by code may not be reasonable for every plan. More questions were
presented about permeable pavement areas. The applicant pointed out a portion of the setback that
would count as pervious surface is going back to the City for a bike lane, which will be impervious.
MOTION made by Commissioner Segelbaum, seconded by Commissioner Ruby, to approve the
proposed site plan for redevelopment of 8200 Golden Valley Road and 8240 Golden Valley Drive,
with the following revisions:
City of Golden Valley Planning Commission Regular Meeting
April 10, 2023 – 6:30 pm
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Driveway widths should be reduced from 26 feet to 24 feet pending Fire Department review
Improving the flexibilities, with building height, minimum surface parking lot setbacks, and non‐
structure lot coverage
Consider finding areas to add pervious surface area, corners on edges of building most likely to
cause shadows,
MOTION CARRIED
–End of Televised Portion of Meeting –
6.Council Liaison Report
None
7.Other Business
Planning Manager Zimmerman reminded the Commissioners of the April Board of Zoning Appeals
meeting.
8.Adjournment
MOTION by Commissioner Ruby to adjourn, seconded by Commissioner Brenna and approved
unanimously. Meeting adjourned at 8:24 pm.
________________________________
________________________________ Secretary, Sofia Ginis
Amie Kolesar, Planning Assistant