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PC_ Meeting Minutes_09.09.2024 CITY OF GOLDEN VALLEY PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES Monday, September 9, 2024 – 6:30 p.m. | City Hall Council Chamber 7800 Golden Valley Road Golden Valley, MN 55427 1. CALL TO ORDER AND LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT • Chair Ruby called the meeting to order at 6:31 p.m. and read the Land Acknowledgement • Regular Members Present: Brookins, Cohen, Ruby, Segelbaum, Sicotte • Regular Members Absent: Barnstorff, Van Oss • Student Member, Status: Vacant • Staff Members Present: Darren Groth, Assistant Comm. Dev. Director Jacquelyn Kramer, Senior Planner • Council Member Present: NONE 2. CONSENT AGENDA: Cohen motioned to approve the consent agenda, as presented. Brookins seconded. Commission voted 5-0 to approve. 3. PUBLIC HEARINGS: NONE 4. NEW BUSINESS: Review of 2024/2025 work plan: • Kramer introduced the work plan discussion and Commissioner Discussion ensued on each of the work plan topics. a) Telecommunications • Chair Ruby inquired about the Telecommunications line item on the work plan and asked if there were previous conversations regarding the new rules. The Commissioner’s discussion centered around Federal Communication Commission’s (FCC) rule changes to allow for an increase in small cell telecommunications facilities. Commission Brookins noted that the topic did not get covered in previous meetings and broadly outlined the new rules. Chair Ruby inquired as to who may have already adopted the new rules in their code language and what the City’s next steps should be. Groth and Kramer noted that there are several examples from surrounding municipalities that can serve as templates for updating the City of Golden Valley’s code to be in compliance with the FCC’s rules. b) Site Plan Review • Chair Ruby initiated the discussion topic. Groth acknowledged that it was a discussion the Planning Commission had last year and that currently we only have a Site Plan Review process for mixed-use zoning districts and that is atypical. Groth stated the previous language was approved but was limited in scope and needed to be expanded. Commissioner Segelbaum asked about the purpose of a site plan review. Groth outlined that the process will be all-encompassing and speak more to compliance with City codes. Commissioner Segelbaum asked about the timing of a site plan review. Groth stated it would be at the beginning of a project and Kramer noted that it is a way to formalize the process of checking for zoning code compliance at the beginning of a project. Chair Ruby expressed his support of the site plan review as due diligence before a project comes before the Planning Commission or City Council and asked what is the process for the changes to the code CITY OF GOLDEN VALLEY PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES Monday, September 9, 2024 – 6:30 p.m. | City Hall Council Chamber 7800 Golden Valley Road Golden Valley, MN 55427 language. Kramer stated that it would follow the process of a zoning code text amendment that is presented to Planning Commission first for recommendation to City Council. c) Planned Unit Development (PUD) Amenity Options • Chair Ruby initiated the discussion of the topic and stated that it was a topic that needed to be revisited and is a worthwhile conversation to have with the change in leadership at the City. He also inquired about the process. Kramer confirmed that it would be the same process as other text code amendments. Groth asked the question should the scope of the discussion be strictly related to public amenity points or a broader discussion on the use of PUDs. Chair Ruby asked if an analysis could be done over the last 20 years on the types of PUDs to see why they were requested and if zoning code needs to be amended to address the use of PUDs. Commissioner Segelbaum expressed that in the past PUDs were used frequently and suggested that there may be a more balanced approach that adheres to the zoning code but that still allows for some flexibility. He also noted that in the past there had been some changes that efforts were made to get more by right zoning to reduce the number of PUDs. There was consensus that there had been a reduction in their use. Kramer acknowledged that after the analysis we can learn what the triggers are and what zoning code amendments may be triggered and that this is similar to the issue of the number of variances that are being submitted. d) THC/Cannabis Zoning • Chair Ruby introduced the topic and that there were previous conversations on the topic. He also stated that the legislation was changing and asked what needs to happen now in Golden Valley to meet the new state laws. Groth noted that Emily Goellner our new Community Development Director has a great deal of experience with the topic in her previous work with the City of Wayzata and could serve as our subject matter expert in helping draft code language. Commissioner Segelbaum brought up the topic of being consistent with regard to restrictions that are imposed on things like alcohol sales and cigarette sales. Kramer asked if the City Clerk should be involved in drafting code language in their role as the possible licensing agency. Groth stated he believed it would bring consistency with other licensing code. e) Sacred Community Language in Institutional and Mixed-Use Zoning Districts. • Chair Ruby initiated the discussion and stated that he believed that is had been completed. Kramer stated she left it on the work plan to confirm it was completed or if there was additional work on the item. Commissioner Segelbaum stated that with very little room for change it was approved. Chair Ruby noted that the only outstanding item was to receive updates on the topic. Kramer noted it would be removed from the work plan, but she would leave a note for staff to give regular updates to the Commission. Commissioner Brookins suggested that it may be a good idea to add it to the site plan review process. f) Equity Training • Chair Ruby introduced that topic and noted that it is an ongoing requirement. There was no further discussion. CITY OF GOLDEN VALLEY PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES Monday, September 9, 2024 – 6:30 p.m. | City Hall Council Chamber 7800 Golden Valley Road Golden Valley, MN 55427 g) Planning Commission/Board of Zoning Appeals Training • Chair Ruby initiated the conversation and suggested that because of the similar processes for Planning Commission and the Board of Zoning Appeals training would benefit both bodies. Kramer asked if joint training sessions had happened in the past. Chair Ruby stated they had not. Kramer then stated it can be something we implement. Commissioner Segelbaum brought up a question about appeals on a decision and could someone act on a variance during an appeal period. Groth and Kramer noted it was unlikely that a project would have planning review and receive approval during the Board of Zoning Appeals appeal period, however it is a possibility in the case of zoning permits as was brought up by Commissioner Brookins. h) Reporting on Work Plan • Chair Ruby initiated a discussion on the possibility of impact reporting for decisions made by Planning Commission or City Council beyond the updates from the council representative. Chair Ruby clarified the impact report could have more in-depth information on the impacts that code changes have had, as an example how much housing was created as a result of a given change. Groth confirmed it was on our own internal plan to perform more analytics to help guide future decisions. i) Work Plan Implementation • Chair Ruby asked if there were other topics and Commissioner Cohen brought up the topic of how we are going to track progress on the work plan implementation. How will Planning Commission be held accountable for the progress over a specific period. Kramer noted it is the planning department that puts together the agendas, but it is up to the PC to move them forward. Chair Ruby pointed out the benefit that PC meets every other week, and this allows the items to be parsed out in reasonable amounts. He questioned if the items would be addressed beginning in this year or in 2025. Kramer noted the lateness in the current year and asked how the Commission would want to prioritize the work plan items. Commissioner Brookins discussed his desire to work on items that will have impacts for the residents day- to-day. He noted that the telecommunications item would be an easy check it off the list. He stated he thought both the PUD and the site plan review items would be something to prioritize. j) Sign Code • Chair Ruby acknowledged Commissioner Segelbaum’s question about the sign code item from the work plan. Kramer noted we are potentially getting outside help on revising our sign code in 2025 and that it is very out of date. Commissioner Segelbaum brought up the issue there are possibly many violations of the current code around the City. Kramer reiterated how out of date our sign code is and that it may even be out of date with current court rulings, and we have been following our legal department’s guidance. k) Subdivision Review Criteria CITY OF GOLDEN VALLEY PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES Monday, September 9, 2024 – 6:30 p.m. | City Hall Council Chamber 7800 Golden Valley Road Golden Valley, MN 55427 • Commissioner Segelbaum brought up a discussion of our subdivision review criteria and how that has created concern among residents with new subdivisions that have been brought to the Commission. Kramer posed the question if it would be helpful if our staff reports could be changed to more clearly state what the parameters are for subdivision approvals. She also noted that Groth had included a cover page on the last subdivision that was brought before the Commission. Commissioner Segelbaum acknowledged that people may have understood the review criteria but were still very frustrated with it. Chair Ruby conquered that residents are frustrated with the rules but was concerned about adding any flexibility into these decisions as it would make it more difficult in the decision-making process. Kramer noted we have to follow state language for minor subdivisions that is very specific regarding review criteria. Commissioner Brookins brought up that it may be worth looking at the zoning code language around subdivisions and the issues the resident’s have brought up during their review. Chair Ruby asked if we are doing any surveys or polling of the residents to get their input on zoning or do help them understand our zoning requirements. Groth noted it is a part of our comprehensive plan updating that will be happening soon. Kramer noted the Metropolitan Council is putting together guidance for cities and then we will initiate a public input process. Commissioner Cohen noted these discussions further highlight the benefit of having Planning Commission and the Board of Zoning Appeals interfacing. l) Parking • Chair Ruby asked if there were other topics of interest. Kramer then asked there was consensus on reviewing off-street parking sooner rather than later. Chair Ruby noted they had been waiting on some due diligence from Jason Zimmerman on the topic and the discussion of transitioning from development provided parking to more reliance on street parking and the implications of such a move. Kramer stated this is an action item for staff and that she would look at Zimmerman’s notes to see where he left off. Commissioners Cohen and Brookins brought up the contention with the parking surrounding the 6930 Olson Memorial Highway subdivision. Chair Ruby reiterated issues related to parking are a worthwhile conversation. • Reports on Board of Zoning Appeals and City Council meetings: a) BZA • Kramer brought up discussion of corner lot front yard setbacks. • Two after the fact BZA Agenda items. • Eric Van Oss is the Planning Commission Liaison for the next BZA Meeting on September 23, 2024. b) Council Public Hearings • 5851 PUD Amendment • 6930 Olson Memorial Highway Subdivision • Finalize 2024 regular meeting schedule: • November 11, 2024, Tentatively Rescheduled to November 13, 2024. CITY OF GOLDEN VALLEY PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES Monday, September 9, 2024 – 6:30 p.m. | City Hall Council Chamber 7800 Golden Valley Road Golden Valley, MN 55427 • December 23, 2024, Reschedule not finalized. 5. COUNCIL LIAISON REPORT: NONE 6. COMMISSIONER TRAINING: Board/Commission Appreciate Event Presentation • Commissioner Cohen brought up the presentation and expressed his appreciation. 7. STAFF COMMENTS: • Groth updated the commission on planned interviews for a student representative for the upcoming year. Interviews and confirmations with Council happening this week. Possible appointment by Council next week. • Groth informed the Commissioners of the potential to extend the opportunity for photos that are being done for the staff. • Kramer laid out the next steps for the work plan. Organize comments and prioritize. Discuss timing of work plan action items at subsequent meetings. Bring back 2025 work plan for approval in late 2024 or early 2025. 8. COMMISSIONER UPDATES: NONE 9. ADJOURNMENT: Chair Ruby adjourned the meeting at 7:41 p.m.