pc-minutes-jan-24-22
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.
Roll Call
Commissioners in person: Sophia Ginis, Lauren Pockl
Commissioner remote: Rich Baker, Adam Brookins, Andy Johnson, Mike Ruby, Chuck
Segelbaum
Commissioners absent: None
Staff present: Myles Campbell – Planner, Jason Zimmerman – Planning Manager
Council Liaison present: Gillian Rosenquist, Denise La Mere‐Anderson
2. Approval of Agenda
Chair Pockl asked for a motion to approve the agenda.
MOTION made by Commissioner Baker, seconded by Commissioner Johnson, to approve the agenda
of January 24, 2022.
Staff took a roll call vote. Motion carried.
3. Approval of Minutes
Chair Pockl asked for a motion to approve the minutes from January 10, 2022.
MOTION made by Commissioner Brookins, seconded by Commissioner Pockl to approve.
Staff took a roll call vote. Commissioners Johnson and Segelbaum abstained; the motion carried.
4. Informal Public Hearing – Future Land Use Map Amendment, Zoning Map Amendment, Subdivision
Applicant: Artessa Development, LLC
Address: Southeast corner of 7001 Golden Valley Road
Jason Zimmerman, Planning Manager, reminded Commissioners that this item was before them at a
previous meeting and the request has changed slightly due to feedback from the Commission and City
Council. The applicant previously had four requests but eliminated one and are no longer requesting a
Conditional Use Permit for a 6‐story building. The applicant is hoping to develop a 5‐story building thus
eliminating the need for a CUP.
January 24, 2022 – 7 pm
Hybrid
Council Chambers, City Hall
City of Golden Valley Planning Commission Regular Meeting
January 24, 2022 – 7 pm
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Staff reviewed the background of the project, the neighborhood meeting, public comments, the
previous Planning Commission meeting, and the City Council meeting when Council sent it back to be
reviewed at this meeting.
Staff reviewed existing conditions of the lot and the 140+ acre golf course property.
The edited proposal is as follows:
Change guided land use to High Density Residential
Change zoning to High Density Residential (R‐4)
Subdivide golf course property to create a new 2.35‐acre parcel
Construct 78‐unit senior cooperative building with direct access to Country Club Drive (front
parking lot and shared private drive to rear to reach two levels of underground parking)
Five stories would be allowed by‐right
Would include 9 affordable units (at 80% AMI)
Traffic
In general, senior uses generate over 3 trips per day per unit
3.24 trips * 78 proposed units = 253 additional trips per day
Complicated route to access Olson Memorial Highway
Subsequent analysis shows patterns will change for those along Country Club Drive, but no
concerning traffic or safety issues
Staff displayed some traffic route maps and options.
Staff summarized the previous Planning Commission meeting as well as the Commission’s previous
determination for each request. Staff went on to discuss their analysis and recommended findings
of the updated three requests; Future Land Use Map Amendment, Zoning Map Amendment, and
Subdivision.
Recommendation
1. Staff recommends approval of the requested amendment to the Future Land Use Map, changing
the guided land use for a portion of 7100 Golden Valley Road from Institutional ‐ Parks and Natural
Areas to High Density Residential.
2. Staff recommends approval of the requested amendment to the Zoning Map, changing the guided
land use for a portion of 7100 Golden Valley Road from Institutional ‐ Parks and Natural Areas (I‐P) to
High Density Residential (R‐4).
3. Staff recommends approval of the proposed Preliminary Plan for Subdivision for a portion of 7100
Golden Valley Road (Artessa at Golden Valley) subject to the following conditions:
1. The applicant shall include on the final plat the dedication of all drainage and utility
easements deemed necessary to meet City Code requirements.
City of Golden Valley Planning Commission Regular Meeting
January 24, 2022 – 7 pm
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2. A park dedication fee equal to 6% of the land value shall be paid prior to the release of the
final plat.
3. The applicant shall provide copies of the shared use access easements/agreements over the
Golden Valley Country Club property for vehicle trips associated with the development onto
Country Club Drive and Golden Valley Road for review by the City.
4. The City Attorney will determine if a title review is necessary prior to approval of the final
plat.
Commissioner Ginis asked staff to expand on traffic data and Zimmerman reviewed trips per day,
congestion, and traffic safety. Commissioner Baker expressed some concerns regarding the land use
and zoning designation change. Commissioner Segelbaum asked if any of the requests allow
conditions to be attached, specifically the subdivision. Staff stated it’s hard to attach conditions to land
use or zoning map amendment; generic conditions may be able to be attached. Currently there are
four conditions attached to the subdivision but many of the traditional conditions fall outside the
purview of the Commission and Council. The conversation moved to density and staff explained that
density is controlled by zoning which determines the units per acre and the subdivision creates the
acres to be worked with. Staff went on to discuss what each zoning district allows. Staff went on to
answer a few specific questions from Commissioners regarding the application details.
Chair Pockl invited the applicant to present.
Ben Landhauser, Applicant, stated he also has a presentation and hopes it will help answer specific
questions from Commissioners. The applicant discussed changes to the application, topography, and
integrating feedback from residents and local business owners. The applicant went in depth on unit
costs, affordable unit costs, height, parking, and tree preservation. The Chair asked the applicant to
expand on how this project will impact the value of the neighborhood and what the likelihood is of the
project not moving forward. The applicant expanded that historically there has not been a negative
impact as the co‐op model is owner occupied and the only project that didn’t move forward was
proposed in 2007/2008 during the housing crises.
Chair Pockl opened the public hearing at 8:34pm and invited in person commenters to speak first.
There were no in person callers.
Chair Pockl invited call in commenters to speak.
Susan Forward
6745 Country Club Drive
Thanked staff and Commissioners for taking comments and the caller spoke to three realtors that said
there will be a 5‐10% decrease in property value with this construction. Additionally, why isn’t a public
access road being considered with this development and the Optum build to happen. If the
construction vehicles cause road damage, are the residents responsible for that damage?
Chair Pockl closed the public hearing at 8:40pm and noted three emailed comments were received.
City of Golden Valley Planning Commission Regular Meeting
January 24, 2022 – 7 pm
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Chair Pockl opened the discussion
Staff responded that the Hennepin County Assessor spoke to the values of the neighboring areas and
that information is in the packet. Staff spoke to the realtors as well and their suspicion of the reduction
in value is based on gut reaction to the development. Staff spoke to the Engineering team and in the
past, the developer has been responsible for replacing or repairing damaged roads caused by
construction vehicles.
Commissioner Johnson commented he’s against this proposal and there is no other property in recent
memory that resembles this proposal, adding there’s a reason for that. This proposal for a high‐density
request is an anomaly for the area. Commissioner Ginis stated that the needs for the future of Golden
Valley will be fulfilled by projects like this one. Adding that she wanted to approve the request before
but felt there were a few things not answered and feels satisfied now. The conversation went on the
United properties site, the zoning, and building proposal. Commissioner Baker added he’s not
enthusiastic about this project but can’t find reasons to vote against it. Commissioner Segelbaum said
the previous proposal seemed to not fit in and the Commission preferred a moderate density build.
This amended proposal is much closer to meeting that need. Commissioners went on to discuss land
use, density, changing of plans, and the potential for the project to change after the zoning and land
use changes are granted. Baker added he is feeling concerned that the City Council continues to no
follow their recommendation and hopes the two groups can have conversations about alignment in
the future. Segelbaum added he will now vote to deny unless Council can find a way to limit the project
so it doesn’t become high density instead of the presented moderate. Commissioner Brookins asked
if this project would be a fit for a PUD. Staff responded in the negative and the applicant preferred to
create the project by‐right. Ginis added that if the group evaluated every project against the worst‐
case scenario, a lot of progress will be turned down.
Staff pulled up the findings and each commissioner reviewed their vote with their supporting reasons.
Pockl: Agree on findings, deny based on 3, 4, 6
Ginis: Approve based housing offered outweighs risks of other findings.
Johnson: Deny based on #5, 8
Segelbaum: Agree with findings, deny based on findings 3, 4, 6, 8
Ruby: Deny based on 3, 4, 6, 8 and permitting high residency without connection to specific plan.
Brookins: Approve presentation now that conditional use was removed, land and area is appropriate.
MOTION made by Commissioner Segelbaum, seconded by Commissioner Baker, to recommend
denial of both:
1. the requested amendment to the Future Land Use Map, changing the guided land use for a portion
of 7100 Golden Valley Road from Institutional ‐ Parks and Natural Areas to High Density Residential
2. of the requested amendment to the Zoning Map, changing the guided land use for a portion of 7100
Golden Valley Road from Institutional ‐ Parks and Natural Areas (I‐P) to High Density Residential (R‐4).
City of Golden Valley Planning Commission Regular Meeting
January 24, 2022 – 7 pm
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Staff took a roll call vote.
Aye: Baker, Johnson, Ruby, Segelbaum, Pockl
Nay: Brookins, Ginis,
MOTION made by Commissioner Segelbaum, seconded by Commissioner Brookins, to follow staff
recommendation for approval of the proposed Preliminary Plan for Subdivision for a portion of 7100
Golden Valley Road (Artessa at Golden Valley) subject to the listed conditions.
Staff took a roll call vote.
Motion passed unanimously.
Chair Pockl ended the televised portion of the meeting at 9:46pm.
5.Council Liaison Report
Council Member La Mere‐Anderson introduced herself to the Commission as the new Council Liaison.
She provided a preview of the Council goal‐setting session on the following night, and summarized the
recent Council votes on passing a local mask mandate and the change in zoning for the old Optum site.
She also reported on the adoption of a resolution declaring a Climate Emergency. Commissioner Ginis
asked if the Planning Commission meeting start times could be moved up to 6:30 pm from 7 pm.
Commissioner Ruby asked that La Mere‐Anderson represent the views of the Commissioners to the
City Council during deliberations.
6.Other Business
7.Adjournment
MOTION by Commissioner Brookins to adjourn, seconded by Commissioner Johnson, and
approved unanimously by roll call vote. Meeting adjourned at 10:00 pm.
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Andy Johnson, Secretary
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Amie Kolesar, Planning Assistant