pc-agenda-09-11-23
REGULAR MEETING AGENDA
Planning Commission meetings are being conducted in a hybrid format with in‐person and remote
options for attending, participating, and commenting. The public can make statements in this meeting
during the planned public comment sections. Some members of the Commission may attend virtually.
Members of the public may attend virtually by following instructions below.
Remote Attendance/Comment Options: Members of the public may attend this meeting by watching
on cable channel 16, streaming on CCXmedia.org, streaming via Webex, or by calling 1‐415‐655‐0001,
entering access code 2631 870 7142, and password 1234 from phones and video systems.
1. Call to Order & Land Acknowledgement
2. Approval of Agenda
3. Approval of Minutes
August 14, 2023, Regular Meeting
4. Sacred Communities – Discussion
5. Site Plan Review – Discussion
– End of Televised Portion of Meeting –
To listen to this portion, please call 1‐415‐655‐0001 and enter meeting access code 2631 870 7142
6. Council Liaison Report
7. Other Business
a. Reports on Board of Zoning Appeals and Other Meetings
8. Adjournment
September 11, 2023 – 6:30 pm
Council Chambers
Hybrid Meeting
City of Golden Valley
August 14, 2023 – 6:30 pm
Planning Commission Regular Meeting 1
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
August 14, 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 Brookins.
Roll Call
Commissioners present: A. Barnstorff, A. Brookins, G. Cohen, B. Fricke (Youth), M. McCormick,
M. Ruby, C. Segelbaum
Commissioners absent: B. Meredith
Staff present: Lia Siro – Planning Intern
Council Liaison: Denise La Mere‐Anderson
2. Land Acknowledgement
3. Approval of Agenda
MOTION made by Commissioner Ruby, seconded by Commissioner McCormick, to approve the
agenda of August 14, 2023.
MOTION CARRIED
4. Approval of Minutes
July 10, 2023, Regular Meeting
MOTION made by Commissioner Ruby, seconded by Commissioner McCormick, to approve the
minutes of July 10, 2023.
MOTION CARRIED
5. Discussion – Report on Neighborhoods
Lia Siro – Planning Intern
Lia Siro – Planning Intern, explained that the City is considering pursuing the creation of
neighborhoods and examining the requirements needed pre‐creation and post‐creation. This
direction was given to Planning Commission by the City Council in spring 2023.
Staff conducted research in the surrounding first‐ring suburbs on the west side of the metro area:
Brooklyn Center
Brooklyn Park
Edina
St. Louis Park
City of Golden Valley
August 14, 2023 – 6:30 pm
Planning Commission Regular Meeting 2
The cities interviewed were then analyzed for neighborhood purpose, programming, history and size.
Siro broke down research results for each city, the purpose of the neighborhoods, macro versus
micro neighborhoods, when they were created, and if there were any formal processes or funding
related to recognized neighborhoods.
Benefit Evaluation Concern Evaluation
Neighborhood Communication
Community Engagement Tool
Neighborhood Identity & Pride
Public Improvements & Programs
Crime Prevention Watch
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
City Communication
Neighborhood Leadership
Inequitable Development
Neighborhood Influence
NIMBY
City Funding
Insurance & Liability
Homeowners Association
Staff Capacity
Historical Context
Next Steps
If the neighborhood creation process proceeds forward, city staff would likely hire on a consultant for
the creation of neighborhoods in which staff would lay out the purpose of the program, define
operations, list the neighborhood criteria, and any other neighborhood considerations. This process
should be a resident and community lead initiative ranging from ten to twelve months with citywide
surveys and local engagement
Questions to Planning Commission
1. How are different stakeholders affected with organized neighborhoods, e.g., residents, city
staff, developers, etc.?
2. What are current disparities in Golden Valley communities? How might neighborhoods either
exacerbate gaps in communities or mend and build relationships?
3. What power dynamics may occur due to the creation of neighborhoods? What inequities may
arise?
4. What role do neighborhoods play in working towards the goals of the City's 2040
Comprehensive Plan? Or in the creation of the 2050 plan?
Commissioner Ruby noted the cities researched had documented goals but lacked hard data to
prove benefit. He added it seemed like a lot of work to initiate and then maintain the neighborhoods.
Commissioner Segelbaum added that budgets were available for these programs and asked how the
City of Golden Valley
August 14, 2023 – 6:30 pm
Planning Commission Regular Meeting 3
funds were utilized. Additionally, what were the statistics of what the city has implemented versus
what neighbors have done on their own.
Siro responded that budgets in each city were used differently base on what their goals were so
Golden Valley would need to do the same. Additionally, there is a lot required to initiate this process
but it eventually can maintain itself. Neighborhoods can use grant money for public improvement
projects and public engagement, but most cities leave that planning and engagement to the
neighbors.
The discussion continued on HOAs and their dynamic within a neighborhood, neighborhood
committees, a neighborhood’s participation in variances or planning, city wide equity, and what
makes sense for Golden Valley. The group discussed a theoretical consultant, process, and
neighborhood lines.
Segelbaum stated that a good starting point would be to define what the City’s role and limits are, as
well as how the City will provide a framework for neighborhoods for how to move forward. He added
that community transparency in this process will be key. Commissioner Cohen noted that he was
previously involved in neighborhood organizations and added that they were created to address
perceived issues or support others and hasn’t had the same experience in Golden Valley. He added
that there are new elements to consider in a post‐Covid world, and the discussion will be valuable.
Research ideas, communication, staffing, and processes were discussed and it was agreed that it
would be helpful if the group could receive a clarified goal from City Council.
Councilmember La Mere‐Anderson spoke to the group and agreed the original goal given to the
Planning Commission by Council, is ambiguous. La Mere‐Anderson added that it would be fair to
respond to Council by saying the Planning Commission took an initial step based on Council direction,
and would now like to understand the problem Council is trying to solve.
The group continued on discussion points, drafting a response that may include potential goals the
Council would want to focus on, and offer the research already done in order to solicit feedback.
Cohen added that while on the facilities task force, they could not have done their job without the
assistance of the consultant. He added that doesn’t mean this project will definitely need one but
pointed out the value and benefit.
The group discussed participation, organizing, volunteers, staff time, data privacy, equity, and the
idea that creating neighborhoods will domino into a fully participating community.
Next steps: Staff will digest the information and summarize so there is structure for a continued
conversation, then eventually return to Council with a follow up.
6. Discussion – Planning Commissioner Orientation
City of Golden Valley
August 14, 2023 – 6:30 pm
Planning Commission Regular Meeting 4
Jason Zimmerman, Planning Manager, presented the orientation PowerPoint for the four new
Commissioners that joined the Planning Commission in 2023.
– End of Televised Portion of Meeting –
7. Council Liaison Report
Council Member La Mere‐Anderson updating the Planning Commission on a handful of items:
Shapco had its Conditional Use Permit for auto storage revoked, language for a local sales tax
question is being prepared for the November ballot, there are two easement vacations on the
agenda for September (Luther Auto and Meadowbrook Elementary), the 2024 budget and levy are
being reviewed, and home occupation regulations will be discussed at the Council Work Session on
September 12.
8. Other Business
9. Adjournment
Meeting adjourned at 8:23pm.
Secretary, Mary McCormick
Amie Kolesar, Planning Assistant
1
Date: September 11, 2023
To: Golden Valley Planning Commission
From: Myles Campbell, Planner
Subject: Sacred Communities ‐ Micro‐Unit Dwellings – Discussion
Background:
In its session this summer, the Minnesota Legislature adopted its Omnibus Labor Policy Bills in
both the House and Senate. Within these omnibus bills were sections on the topic of “Sacred
Communities” defined in the statute as:
“A residential settlement established on or contiguous to the grounds of a religious institution's
primary worship location primarily for the purpose of providing permanent housing for
chronically homeless persons, extremely low‐income persons, and designated volunteers...”
These Sacred Communities would be primarily comprised of residential “Micro‐Units,” defined in
the statute as “a mobile residential dwelling providing permanent housing within a sacred
community” and with requirements such as being less than 400 square feet, anchored in place,
insulated, providing traditional or low voltage electricity, dry, plumbed, or compostable toilets,
and smoke and carbon monoxide alarms. Common facility buildings would be optional and could
provide a kitchen, toilets, showers, and laundry. The statute would require municipalities to allow
these Sacred Communities, if the use met a set of minimum requirements such as those listed
above for the units themselves, a plan for operation approved by the religious institution’s board,
appropriate insurance, and having between one‐third and 40% of units occupied by volunteers.
Based on staff’s initial reading of the statute, local controls are limited. Municipalities are
empowered to establish setbacks for structures within the community and can determine if the
land use would be permitted by right, via conditional use permit, or via a Planned Unit
Development.
Next Steps
This statute takes effect January 1, 2024, and while staff does not anticipate any immediate
action by existing religious institutions, our existing code will need to be amended to remain
compliant with state regulations.
2
Current zoning code keeps residential uses separate from institutional uses and since places of
worship are also allowed in mixed use and light industrial zoning districts this would potentially
introduce new micro‐units in those districts.
Over the next few months, staff will begin working with the Planning Commission to draft
consideration for the process and language for the zoning code to address Sacred Communities in
a manner fitting with the requirements of the statute. Likely we will also use this opportunity to
examine the existing regulations in place for institutional uses and see if other updates are
necessary to avoid conflicts with the new rules.
Attachments
HF 1522 1st Engrossment Sec 42. [327.30] (2 pages)
29.25 Sec. 42. [327.30] SACRED COMMUNITIES AND MICRO-UNIT DWELLINGS.
29.26 Subdivision 1.Definitions. (a) For the purposes of this section, the following terms have
29.27 the meanings given.
29.28 (b) "Chronically homeless" has the meaning given in United States Code, title 42, section
29.29 11360, as amended through May 20, 2009.
30.1 (c) "Designated volunteers" means persons who have not experienced homelessness and
30.2 have been approved by the religious institution to live in a sacred community as their sole
30.3 form of housing.
30.4 (d) "Extremely low income" means an income that is equal to or less than 30 percent of
30.5 the area median income, adjusted for family size, as estimated by the Department of Housing
30.6 and Urban Development.
30.7 (e) "Micro unit" means a mobile residential dwelling providing permanent housing
30.8 within a sacred community that meets the requirements of subdivision 4.
30.9 (f) "Religious institution" means a church, synagogue, mosque, or other religious
30.10 organization organized under chapter 315.
30.11 (g) "Sacred community" means a residential settlement established on or contiguous to
30.12 the grounds of a religious institution's primary worship location primarily for the purpose
30.13 of providing permanent housing for chronically homeless persons, extremely low-income
30.14 persons, and designated volunteers that meets the requirements of subdivision 3.
30.15 Subd. 2.Dwelling in micro units in sacred communities authorized. Religious
30.16 institutions are authorized to provide permanent housing to people who are chronically
30.17 homeless, extremely low-income, or designated volunteers, in sacred communities composed
30.18 of micro units subject to the provisions of this section.
30.19 Subd. 3.Sacred community requirements. (a) A sacred community must provide
30.20 residents of micro units access to water and electric utilities either by connecting the micro
30.21 units to the utilities that are serving the principal building on the lot or by other comparable
30.22 means, or by providing the residents access to permanent common kitchen facilities and
30.23 common facilities for toilet, bathing, and laundry with the number and type of fixtures
30.24 required for an R-2 boarding house under Minnesota Rules, part 1305.2902. Any units that
30.25 are plumbed shall not be included in determining the minimum number of fixtures required
30.26 for the common facilities.
30.27 (b) A sacred community under this section must:
30.28 (1) be appropriately insured;
30.29 (2) have between one-third and 40 percent of the micro units occupied by designated
30.30 volunteers; and
30.31 (3) provide the municipality with a written plan approved by the religious institution's
30.32 governing board that outlines:
31.1 (i) disposal of water and sewage from micro units if not plumbed;
31.2 (ii) septic tank drainage if plumbed units are not hooked up to the primary worship
31.3 location's system;
31.4 (iii) adequate parking, lighting, and access to units by emergency vehicles;
31.5 (iv) protocols for security and addressing conduct within the settlement; and
31.6 (v) safety protocols for severe weather.
31.7 (c) A sacred community meeting the requirements of this section shall be approved and
31.8 regulated as a permitted use, conditional use, or planned unit development, as determined
31.9 by the municipality. When approved, additional permitting is not required for individual
31.10 micro units.
31.11 (d) Sacred communities are subject to the laws governing landlords and tenants under
31.12 chapter 504B.
31.13 Subd. 4.Micro unit requirements. (a) In order to be eligible to be placed within a
31.14 sacred community, a micro unit must be built to the requirements of the American National
31.15 Standards Institute (ANSI) Code 119.5, which includes standards for heating, electrical
31.16 systems, and fire and life safety. A micro unit must also meet the following technical
31.17 requirements:
31.18 (1) be no more than 400 gross square feet;
31.19 (2) be built on a permanent chassis and anchored to pin foundations with engineered
31.20 fasteners;
31.21 (3) have exterior materials that are compatible in composition, appearance, and durability