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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-06-09 Planning Commission Regular Meeting MinutesDraft Minutes☐ Approved Minutes☒ Approved Date: February 9, 2022 Page 1 of 4 Minutes City Of Edina, Minnesota Planning Commission Virtual WebEx June 9, 2021 I. Call To Order Chair Nemerov called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM. II. Roll Call Answering the roll call were: Commissioners Miranda, Berube, Strauss, Bennett, Olsen, Agnew, Bartling, Alkire and Chair Nemerov. Staff Present: Cary Teague, Community Development Director, Emily Bodeker, Assistant Planner, and Liz Olson, Administrative Support Specialist. Absent from the roll call: Commissioner Cullen. III. Approval Of Meeting Agenda Chair Nemerov indicated he would like to add Planning Commission Guidelines for discussion. Commissioner Berube moved to approve the June 9, 2021, agenda. Commissioner Strauss seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously. Commissioner Bennett arrived at 7:03 p.m. IV. Approval Of Meeting Minutes A. Minutes: Planning Commission, May 26, 2021 Commissioner Strauss moved to approve the May 26, 2021, meeting minutes. Commissioner Berube seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously. V. Community Comment None. VI. Public Hearings A. Continue to June 23, 2021: B-21-17 Front Yard Setback Variance – 5404 Stauder Circle Director Teague indicated this item is to be continued to the June 23, 2021 Planning Commission meeting. Draft Minutes☐ Approved Minutes☒ Approved Date: February 9, 2022 Page 2 of 4 Motion Commissioner Berube moved that the Planning Commission continue this item to the June 23, 2021 meeting. Commissioner Alkire seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously. B. B-21-15, Front Yard and Rear Yard Setback Variances – 4241 Valley View Road Assistant City Planner Bodeker presented the request for front yard and rear yard setback variances . Staff recommends approval of the front yard and rear yard setback variances at 4241 Valley View Road, as requested subject to the findings and conditions listed in the staff report. The Commission asked questions of staff. Appearing for the Applicant Mr. Paul Abdo, Owner and applicant, and Ms. Anna Devolis and Mr. Evan Hall addressed the Commission and answered questions. Public Hearing Ms. Jennifer Henneman, 6225 Brookview, introduced herself and indicated she was not in favor of the setback variances. Commissioner Berube moved to close the public hearing. Commissioner Agnew seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously. The Commission started deliberation and discussion. Staff and the applicants answered Commission questions. Video of the meeting is available on the City website for review of detailed comments. Motion Commissioner Bennett moved to approve the variance with the condition of moving the proposed building to the northeast, five feet closer to Valley View Road and shifting the proposed driveway to the south to avoid impacting trees shown on the proposed survey. Commissioner Alkire seconded the motion. Motion carried 7 ayes, 2 nays (Agnew, Bartling). VII. Reports/Recommendations A. Planning Commission Guidelines Chair Nemerov indicated he would like to discuss this item. Member Berube indicated it was her understanding that these were drafts and staff had a plan for the Commission to submit comments via email with staff consolidating the edits for Commission to review at a later date. Chair Nemerov indicated the need to discuss this and would like to have a discussion on the issues raised. Draft Minutes☐ Approved Minutes☒ Approved Date: February 9, 2022 Page 3 of 4 Chair Nemerov explained there was a question on whether the Commission needs to discuss anything more about the role of the Vice Chair. He indicated staff responded to this question raised by Commission Agnew. He asked if Commissioner Agnew was satisfied with the response. Commissioner Agnew thought staff’s response to her question was appropriate and made sense. There are other organizations and Boards that do scope it out a little more thoroughly, but she thought for the Planning Commission and staff’s response it made sense. Commissioner Berube thought this discussion was really awkward and something for a work session because the materials are not before the Commissioners and is totally off point. She indicated if the Commission knew this was going to be on the agenda there could be better preparation done. She thought it would be more helpful if people could be prepared and in front of them instead of being unprepared. Chair Nemerov asked if the Commission would be able to discuss this at the next work session. Director Teague indicated the guidelines could be discussed at the work session. Chair Nemerov indicated there is one item that came up in the comments that he wanted to discuss related to ex parte communications. Director Teague reviewed the ex parte communications with the Commission. Chair Nemerov asked the Commission to review this and the other guideline items for discussion at the next work session. VIII. Chair and Member Comments Commissioner Bennett updated the Commission on Grandview Redevelopment of the Public Works site and infrastructure around it. Commissioner Bartling indicated regarding the last public hearing item a twin home could have been built more appropriately for the size of the lot. She asked if the Commission is going against some of the ideals being talked about and making this a neighborhood and community for all. She indicated setbacks and lot sizes are for a reason. This worried her because it was approved. Commissioner Berube appreciated the comment because the Commission has been brought up and taught that they are not to speak to the aesthetics. The Commission is to speak to whether it requires a variance or not and if it does require one, does it make sense. It is not about what it looks like because it is subjective, it is only a matter or if the logic says it deserves a variance or not. The Commission discussed the variance and the reasons for approval. Video of the meeting is available on the City website for review of detailed comments. Chair Nemerov noted the Commission will be starting discussions on work plans. He asked Director Teague and the Commissioners to start getting information together for discussion. Chair Nemerov indicated there is an increasing National trend to disallow for new construction the use of gas. He thought this might be something for the Commission to look into. Chair Nemerov explained another thing he wanted to bring up is facial recognition technology. He discussed the biasness of this technology. Draft Minutes☐ Approved Minutes☒ Approved Date: February 9, 2022 Page 4 of 4 IX. Staff Comments Planner Teague reported on the Office Industrial program and the City Council meeting items the Planning Commission reviewed. X. Adjournment Commissioner Bartling moved to adjourn the June 9, 2021, Meeting of the Edina Planning Commission at 8:57 PM. Commissioner Berube seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.