pc-minutes-apr-27-20
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 7:00 by Chair Blum.
Roll Call
Commissioners present: Rich Baker, Ron Blum, Adam Brookins, Andy Johnson, Lauren Pockl, Ryan
Sadeghi, Chuck Segelbaum,
Commissioners absent: Ari Prohofsky
Staff present: Jason Zimmerman – Planning Manager, Myles Campbell – Planner
Council Liaison present: Gillian Rosenquist
Jason Zimmerman, Planning Manager, announced the original agenda stated a public hearing for
Schuller’s Tavern but due to a delay, that hearing will be at the next meeting on May 11, 2020.
2. Approval of Agenda
Chair Blum, asked for a motion to approve the agenda.
MOTION made by Commissioner Baker, seconded by Commissioner Sadeghi to approve the agenda
of April 27, 2020, as submitted. Staff called a roll call vote and the motion carried unanimously.
3. Approval of Minutes
Chair Blum asked for a motion to approve the minutes from April 13, 2020.
MOTION made by Commissioner Johnson, seconded by Commissioner Brookins to approve the
meeting minutes from April 13, 2020, as submitted. Staff called a roll call vote and the motion
carried unanimously.
4. Presentation of 2019 Planning Commission Annual Report
Jason Zimmerman, Planning Manager, displayed the presentation on the screen and introduced the
report as well as the next step for reviewing the draft 2020 work plan.
April 27, 2020 – 7 pm
City of Golden Valley Planning Commission Regular Meeting
April 27, 2020 – 7 pm
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The 2019 report started with an overview of the year and that the number of applications sent to the
PC dropped again, creating a five‐year low. Almost all applications reviewed were Conditional Use
Permits, CUPs, and ranged in degree.
A large number of meetings were taken up with the discussion of three new zoning text
amendments. The Commission recommended approval of firearms sales restrictions, approval of
architectural and materials standards for projects in most zoning districts, and approval of a revised
Mixed‐Use Zoning District.
Zimmerman went on to display a number of graphs illustrating the number and types of applications
reviewed by the Planning Commission in 2019.
The presentation went on to review staff led discussions and presentations, as well as a number of
PUD amendments that were not reviewed by the Planning Commission. These PUD Amendments
were either administrative, or reviewed directly by Council.
There were eight major projects reviewed in 2019 and two previously approved projects that began
construction in 2019.
Zimmerman moved on to the 2020 Proposed Work Plan:
2040 Comprehensive Plan
o Phase III of the Downtown Study
completion of the City’s Bicycle and Pedestrian Network
framework for future redevelopment of key properties
o Adjust Institutional Subdistricts to align with new categories
o Rezone properties to be consistent with the Future Land Use Map
o Update the Medium density Residential Zoning District
Zoning Code Amendments/Updates
Planning Application Review and Evaluation
Commissioner Training and Education
Zimmerman finished the presentation and the Chair opened for Commissioner questions and
comments. Commissioner Johnson, thanked staff and commented on if there were more items for the
Commission to address in a shorter amount of time than the 2040 plan. Johnson also mentioned the
process for managing and measuring projects/tasks and if staff should report back to the Commission.
Zimmerman responded that a lot of the items discussed are ones on staff radar and items tracked,
however a process for reporting progress can be looked in to.
Chair Blum added that identifying what success looks like is ideal. Ensuring effectiveness is measured
is a conversation that can be had in advance of a project. Baker echoed these statements and added
creating metrics now may be premature. Johnson brought up tobacco sale restrictions and the
unintended consequences of not addressing other health dangers. Zimmerman reminded the
Commission that Council directed them to address tobacco sales only.
Blum addressed Commission attention to page two on the report, highlighting the mission statement
of the group. He mentioned the possibility of editing language or shifting items to highlight the work
the group does for the people, not public agencies private entities.
City of Golden Valley Planning Commission Regular Meeting
April 27, 2020 – 7 pm
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This lead the Commissioners and staff in to a conversation about continuity in purpose and mission
statements. The conversation continues on a possible statement focused on meeting the needs of the
people as well as meeting the needs of the environment. Commissioner Segelbaum reminded the
group that the language stems from the bylaws and changing that process will be layered. He went on
to state that if there were changes to the bylaws, mission, or purpose, it should be done looking
forward into 2020, not on the 2019 report. Baker agreed with this statement.
Councilmember, Gillian Rosenquist, informed the group that City Council has spent a long time
creating a mission and vision and the Planning Commission operates under that purview.
Blum stated that he will summarize notes on the conversation and submit them to the City Council
when giving the annual report at their meeting.
5. Presentation of the 2019 Board of Zoning Appeals Annual Report
Myles Campbell, Planner, presented the BZA annual report to the Planning Commission. The report
started similar to the Planning Commission one with an introduction to staff, mission, purpose.
Campbell went on to review the BZA requests, 33 variances were heard and 30 of those were in a
residential zoning district. Campbell went in greater depth on variance type by utilizing graphs, he
showed approval and denials, as well as a breakdown of project type. Utilizing the same categories,
Campbell showed historical trends in the last five years as well as a map to illustrate locations.
Commissioner Segelbaum asked for clarification on the approved‐modified item and what the
standards are to meet that qualifier. Campbell responded that generally those items have a request
from the applicant, and after a discussion with BZA or staff, the request is modified. There has been a
request for a setback and after discussion, the setback distance was modified and then approved. Staff
offered to review metrics and ensure consistency year over year.
Commissioner Pockl asked if staff knew the rate of Golden Valley’s approval rating for variances
compared to other, similar sized, cities. Campbell responded that he didn’t have that information but
staff could look into it. He followed up by stating that it’s impossible to predict requests made, one
can’t predict approvals or denials. The variables are great and often dependent on the applicant doing
their own research throughout the application.
Television portion of the meeting concluded at 7:59 pm
6. Council Liaison Report
7. Council Member Rosenquist and Planning Manager Zimmerman recapped the three items that were
approved by the HRA at its last meeting: A Housing Strategic Plan which will guide the City’s housing
efforts in the next five years, a Fair Housing Policy to help address housing complaints, and a
preliminary notification to Hennepin County that the City is considering adopting an HRA levy in 2021.
Rosenquist stressed that a final decision on a levy will not need to be made until later in the year and
will be dependent on many factors including state of the local economy. She also summarized the
items on the agenda for the City Council meeting of April 21.
CityofGoldenValley PlanningCommissionRegularMeeting
April27,2020–7pm
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8. ReportsonMeetingsoftheHousingandRedevelopmentAuthority,CityCouncil,BoardofZoning
Appeals,andothermeetings
PlanningManagerZimmermantoldtheCommissionersthattheBoardofZoningAppealswould
havetwonewmembersin2020.
9. OtherBusiness
PlanningManagerZimmermanreviewedthePublicHearingProtocolforPlanningCommission
documentthathadbeendiscussedatanearlymeeting.Staffhadmadetherequestedchangesbut
agreetoonemoreadjustmenttoprovidetheChairwiththeflexibilitytoaddressindividualquestions
fromthosespeakingduringthepublichearingimmediatelyortowaituntilafterthepublichearingis
closed.ThedocumentwillbeupdatedontheCitywebsite.
10. Adjournment
MOTIONmadebyCommissionerPockl,secondedbyCommissionerBakerandthemotioncarried
unanimouslytoadjournthemeetingat8:45PM.
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AdamBrookins,Secretary
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AmieKolesar,PlanningAssistant