pc-minutes-aug-09-21
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 7:00 by Chair Pockl. Chair Pockl introduced a new Planning
Commissioner, Michael Ruby.
Roll Call
Commissioners in person: Adam Brookins, Andy Johnson, Lauren Pockl, Mike Ruby, Chuck
Segelbaum
Commissioners virtual: None
Commissioners absent: Rich Baker
Staff present: Jason Zimmerman – Planning Manager, Myles Campbell – Planner
Council Liaison present: Gillian Rosenquist
2. Approval of Agenda
Chair Pockl asked for a motion to approve the agenda.
Commissioner Johnson commented that Comp Plan alignment was not on the agenda that evening.
He added that staff stated there was a 9‐month deadline and it seems that has lapsed.
MOTION made by Commissioner Segelbaum, seconded by Commissioner Brookins, to approve the
agenda of August 9, 2021. Motion carried.
3. Approval of Minutes
Chair Pockl asked for a motion to approve the minutes from July 26, 2021.
Commissioner Segelbaum noted a typo that states he was absent.
MOTION made by Commissioner Johnson, seconded by Commissioner Brookins, to approve
minutes, with additions. Motion carried.
4. Public Hearing – Pawn Shops, Precious Metal Dealers, and Payday Lenders
Applicant: The City of Golden Valley
Myles Campbell, Planner, reminded the group that in August 2020 Council placed a moratorium on
new pawnshops, precious metal dealers, and payday lenders. Staff had planned to table further
zoning discussion until licensing amendments were further developed, however the interim
ordinance establishing the use moratorium cannot be extended. Therefore, the City Manager has
August 9, 2021 – 7 pm
City of Golden Valley Planning Commission Regular Meeting
August 9, 2021, 2021 – 7 pm
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directed staff and the Planning Commission to proceed with a recommendation to City Council for
adopting reasonable zoning regulations in August 2021.
Campbell recapped the July 26th meeting to bring Commissioner Ruby up to speed and remind other
Commissioners about the conversation.
Staff reviewed Commissioner modifications and answered questions around the City’s ability to
prohibit these uses, land use regulation, the benefits to alternative banking, and the proposed
language.
Campbell presented specific edits in the proposed new code language.
Recommended Action
Staff recommends amending the text of Section 113‐1: Definitions and Section 113‐92: Commercial (C)
Zoning District, in order to better regulate pawnshops, precious metal dealers, consumer small loan
lenders and currency exchanges.
Commissioner Segelbaum asked about definition of pawnshop and staff reviewed in code.
Commissioner Johnson asked if definitions of use are consistent with state law and if there were
probations against bars on windows and if that conflicts with visibility regulations. Staff reviewed code
language and discussed that bars aren’t considered a visibility restriction. The discussion moved on to
a potential buffer and a map illustrating potential buffers was utilized. Peer community buffer zones
were discussed as well.
Chair Pockl opened the public hearing at 7:35pm
There were no callers
Chair Pockl closed the hearing at 7:45pm
Segelbaum thanked staff for the review on the discussion and said the proposed recommended action
makes sense. He added he’s not drawn to one buffer size over another. Pockl echoed these statements
and Commissioners discussed buffers of these services from each other versus buffers from other uses.
Commissioner Brookins stated his support for staff recommendation.
Window visibility, material standards, and sign requirements were discussed.
MOTION made by Commissioner Johnson and seconded by Commissioner Segelbaum to follow staff
recommendation to amend the text of Section 113‐1: Definitions and Section 113‐92: Commercial (C)
Zoning District, in order to better regulate pawnshops, precious metal dealers, consumer small loan
lenders and currency exchanges.
No discussion on the motion.
The motion passed unanimously.
Televised portion of the meeting concluded at 7:52 pm
City of Golden Valley Planning Commission Regular Meeting
August 9, 2021, 2021 – 7 pm
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5.Council Liaison Report
Council Member Rosenquist discussed the Facilities Study and said that staff would be giving tours of
the current facilities to interested members of the public at upcoming Market in the Valley events on
August 15 and September 12. She noted that the PEACE Commission had been approved and that the
Council would be holding interviews with potential Commissioners soon with the goal of being up and
running by October. She also reported that budget discussions would be beginning at the upcoming
Council Work Session.
6.Other Business
Planning Manager Zimmerman reported that there was money in the budget for any interested
Planning Commissioners to attend the virtual State Planning Conference in late September. More
information about sessions and registration will be forthcoming.
Commissioner Johnson returned to the topic of concluding the rezonings required by the City’s Comp
Plan. Zimmerman discussed the reasons why staff thought it was appropriate to wait to consider
rezoning the Hwy 55/Winnetka/Harold corner, including the proposed traffic study for the Downtown
Area and the planned Hwy 55 BRT study. He reported that the rezoning of downtown properties would
happen in conjunction with the final report from the consultant, which was coming in the next few
weeks. Johnson and Brookins expressed interest in moving on both of these quickly and not waiting.
7.Adjournment
MOTION by Commissioner Segelbaum to adjourn, seconded by Commissioner Johnson, and
approved unanimously. Meeting adjourned at 8:24 pm.
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Andy Johnson, Secretary
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Amie Kolesar, Planning Assistant