pc-minutes-apr-13-20
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
This meeting was held via Webex in accordance with the local emergency declaration made by
the City under Minn. Stat. § 12.37. In accordance with that declaration, beginning on March 16,
2020, all Planning Commission meetings held during the emergency were conducted
electronically. 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. The public was able to participate in this
meeting during public comment sections, by dialing the public call‐in line.
1. Call to Order
The meeting was called to order at 7:05 by Commissioner Johnson
Roll Call
Commissioners present: Adam Brookins, Andy Johnson, Chuck Segelbaum, Lauren Pockl, Rich Baker,
Ron Blum, Ryan Sadeghi
Commissioners absent: Ari Prohofsky
Staff present: Jason Zimmerman – Planning Manager
Council Liaison present: Gillian Rosenquist
2. Approval of Agenda
Commissioner Johnson, asked for a motion to approve the agenda.
MOTION made by Commissioner Segelbaum, seconded by Commissioner Brookins to approve the
agenda of April 13, 2020, as submitted. Staff called a roll call vote and the motion carried unanimously.
3. Approval of Minutes
Commissioner Johnson asked for a motion to approve the minutes from March 9, 2020.
MOTION made by Commissioner Brookins, seconded by Commissioner Baker to approve the
meeting minutes from March 9, 2020, as submitted. Staff called a roll call vote and the motion
carried unanimously.
4. Informal Public Hearing – Minor Subdivision
Applicant: Taylor Ward
Address: 1421 Rhode Island Ave N
Purpose: To subdivide an existing lot and create two new lots
Commissioner Johnson introduced the topic and staff gave a presentation.
April 13, 2020 – 7 pm
City of Golden Valley Planning Commission Regular Meeting
April 13, 2020 – 7 pm
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Jason Zimmerman, Planning Manager, gave a brief summary of how the presentation will be given, as
well as introduced the applicant as he was present in the Webex meeting.
Zimmerman explained the proposal was to subdivide an existing lot at 1421 to create two new lots;
the existing house would remain and a new house would be added. Staff noted that the lot width of
one lot is a few inches short of the minimum size requirement so a variance is required to subdivide.
This particular variance didn’t go to the BZA as they handle zoning variances, not subdivision variances.
The current lot is the result of a lot combination in 2008 where two 60‐foot lots and one 40‐foot lot
were combined. A new home was constructed upon the demolition of the then existing home. There
is a detached garage on the proposed second lot and that will remain when a secondary home is added.
Zimmerman displayed the lot survey and the street view, he then went into details on minimum lot
requirements for R‐1 zoning.
10,000 (or 15,000) sq ft in area
80 ft of width at the front setback line (35 feet)
80 ft of width when 70 feet in to the lot
There is a provision that reviews the average size of lots in the area and within 250 feet of this lot, the
average size is 11,708 sq ft. Being that the average size is under 18,000 sq ft, the minimum requirement
remains at 10,000 sq ft.
Existing lot is 21,402 sq ft:
Proposed Lot 1 (north lot)
o 10,715 sq ft
o 80.02 ft wide at 35’ deep
o 80.02 ft wide at 70’ deep
Proposed lot 2 (south lot):
o 10,687 sq ft
o 79.9 ft wide at 35’ deep
o 79.8 ft wide at 70’ deep
Even though the southern lot is short by about 2.5 inches, the subdivision should be approved through
a variance. The shortage in lot size is likely due to survey equipment inefficiencies when the lots were
originally platted.
City code outlines the standards for granting variances as:
Special circumstance that creates unusual hardship
Necessary to preserve and enjoy substantial property rights
Would not be detrimental to the general welfare or injurious to surrounding properties
City of Golden Valley Planning Commission Regular Meeting
April 13, 2020 – 7 pm
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Staff Findings are as follows:
1. Need is due to a special circumstance at the time of platting resulting in a slight deviation.
Disallowing the subdivision because of this would create unusual hardship.
2. The absence of the variance would prevent the owner from a substantial property right.
3. Granting would not be injurious to the surrounding properties as the difference in width from
the requirement would be negligible.
Zimmerman added that the variance is consistent with the 2040 Comp plan, is compatible with
surrounding single‐family homes, and would not have a negative impact on traffic conditions. With all
these considerations, staff recommends approval of the variance.
Zimmerman added requirements that the applicant will need to adhere to in regards to inflow and
infiltration, a tree survey, items that will require a Right‐of‐Way permit and stormwater permit, as well
as the park dedication fee. There was a mailing sent to neighbors and staff received one response.
Commissioner Baker asked how the applicant knows the existing garage on the north lot will remain.
Zimmerman responded that the applicant lives on the south lot and will build on the north.
Commissioner Segelbaum followed up by asking if the existing garage meets city requirements; staff
confirmed it does.
At this point, Chair Blum joined the meeting.
Chair Blum invited the applicant to make a comment on the item.
The applicant, Taylor Ward, mentioned the usefulness of what will be the “third” driveway when the
property is subdivided and asked if it could remain. Staff responded that the engineering department
stated regulations are for one curb cut per property. In addition to that, the existing paved area will be
on a new property line and City requirements state that paved surfaces be 3 feet from the property
line. Ward asked who replaces the curb in this situation and staff responded it’s part of the permit for
the right‐of‐way process.
There were no other comments or questions for the applicant.
Chair Blum opened the informal public hearing at 7:24 pm.
The appropriate call in number was displayed on the live feed of the meeting.
The moderator confirmed there were no callers on the line.
Chair Blum closed the hearing at 7:29 pm with the willingness to reopen if a call came in to the meeting
at a later time.
Staff suggested the commissioners address the variance initially and use that decision to guide their
decision on the subdivision.
City of Golden Valley Planning Commission Regular Meeting
April 13, 2020 – 7 pm
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Baker stated that the variance request is reasonable and it meets requirements of a variance.
Segelbaum echoed Baker’s statement.
Commissioners and staff entered a discussion surrounding variances that are presented to them versus
BZA.
MOTION to approve the variance made by Baker, seconded by Brookins.
Staff took a roll call vote and the motion passed.
Blum confirmed with the moderator that no calls came in for the public hearing.
MOTION to approve the minor subdivision request made by Brookins, seconded by Johnson
Staff took a roll call vote and the motion passed.
Television portion of the meeting concluded at 7:43 pm
5. Council Liaison Report
Councilmember Rosenquist thanked the Commissioners for being flexible as the City adapts to holding
remote meetings due to the COVID‐19 pandemic. She provided an update to Commissioners on the
Council’s approval of the Sweeney Lake Wood PUD Amendment, the decision to delay the 2020
Pavement Management Program, the City’s hiring freeze, and the approval of other emergency
actions.
6. Reports on Meetings of the Housing and Redevelopment Authority, City Council, Board of Zoning
Appeals, and other meetings
Jason Zimmerman, Planning Manager, let the Commissioners know that no Board of Zoning Appeals
meeting would be held in April due to a lack of agenda items. He also updated them on three items on
the agenda for the Housing and Redevelopment Authority meeting on April 21: consideration of a
Housing Strategic Plan, a Fair Housing Policy, and authorization to proceed with the adoption of an
HRA levy.
7. Other Business
None.
8. Adjournment
MOTION made by Commissioner Baker, seconded by Commissioner Pockl and the motion carried
unanimously to adjourn the meeting at 7:57 PM.
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Adam Brookins, Secretary
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Amie Kolesar, Planning Assistant