Based on the context provided for the City of Richfield and the dialogue within the transcript, here is the formatted version with speaker names assigned. **Note on Commission Members:** This is a Planning Commission meeting. While the prompt provided City Council names, the transcript mentions specific Planning Commissioners not on that list (Canaly, Surma, Kolkowski, and Huie). The City Planner is **Sam Crosby**, and the consultant is **Lance Bernard**. *** [00:00] **Chair:** I'd like to call this meeting of the planning commission for the city of Richfield uh to order. Um the first thing on the agenda would be to approve the minutes from the previous meeting. [00:15] **Commissioner Canaly:** Commissioner Canaly moves to approve the minutes from the previous meeting. [00:18] **Commissioner Surma:** Surma seconded. [00:20] **Chair:** All right. Any discussion? All those in favor of approving the minutes from the previous meeting, please say I. [00:25] **Commissioners:** I. [00:26] **Chair:** Opposed. The minutes have been approved. The next thing on um the agenda would be the open forum. The open forum is an opportunity for residents to address the planning commission generally for items that aren't on the uh on the agenda agenda for the evening. Um did we receive any comments uh for the open form electronically beforehand? [00:45] **Sam Crosby (City Planner):** Uh chair and commissioners, no, not for the open form. [00:48] **Chair:** Is there anyone here wish to speak for the open forum? Can I please proceed right over there and sign in? [01:02] **Peter Oni Rosan (Resident):** Ruain? Oni Rosan 2421 West 65th Street. I have lived in my personal home for 35 years. I've paid my property taxes fully and on time over these 35 years. I do not want to become a realtor. I especially do not want to become a realtor who is standing in wait to grab my grandchildren's land and to and to hand it over to investment corporations. What happened to capitalism and the free market? Why is the city and the county government using my dollars to take my property from me? In 2018, my entire neighborhood of the very elderly came to sit before the Richfield Planning Commission, begging city planners not to restructure their uh comprehensive plan and turn over backwards and upside down and inside out so that paper thin construction we call now the big blue marshmallow could be put up. Such such construction and such action destroyed my uh peace of mind, our conglomerate peace of mind and our community. Today I stand alone as one of the residents who have not removed themselves from the neighborhood. Immediately adjacent to the marshmallow is an apartment which houses individuals who are autistic, have Down syndrome, and are par parapolgic among other special needs people. Kitty Corner from me is an elementary school. A former member of your committee, Mr. Py, once lived across the street from me. It was his vote that set uh in motion the construction of the big blue marshmallow. It would be foolish of me to cut my own throat and the throats of my grandchildren. Why should my property t taxes be handed over to corporate giants while the pockets of the lower and the lower middle income classes are emptied? We the people do not support taking the place of realtors and private small business contractors free free of corporate strings. I am quite certain that I would not knowingly or wittingly hand over the land and house to non-family. I have no interest nor investment in any corporate ownership of land or of housing in Richfield. Do you [04:00] **Chair:** Is there anyone else? [04:02] **Chair:** All right. Thank you, ma'am. Um the um I'll go ahead and close the open forum then. The next thing on the agenda would be to approve the agenda for the remainder of the meeting. [04:12] **Commissioner Surma:** Commissioner Surma. So moves. Is there a second? [04:15] **Commissioner Canaly:** Commissioner Canaly seconds. [04:17] **Chair:** All right. All those in favor of approving the agenda for the remainder of the meeting, please say I. [04:21] **Commissioners:** I. [04:22] **Chair:** Opposed. [04:23] **Chair:** All right. Uh, moving into the regular meeting. The first thing would be our uh a public hearing. Do we have a staff report? [04:30] **Sam Crosby:** Yes. Thank you, chair and commissioners. Um, City of Richfield Planning Department has been working for the last eight months with um, our cons planning consultant TC2 on updates to the multifamily and highdensity multifamily zoning districts. Um, we have Lance Bernard, uh, the planning director with TC2 here with us this evening to, um, give an overview of the efforts and where we're at. [04:55] **Lance Bernard (Consultant, TC2):** Thank you. Yes, thank you uh commissioner and chair and commissioners. Um wanted to give a brief uh overview of just the work that has been done up to this date that reflects the seven ordinances that are in front of you tonight. Um so we're really looking um much closely. Thank you, Sam. I'll get that on the screen. [05:15] **Sam Crosby:** Give it a minute. It just takes a moment. [05:18] **Lance Bernard:** Yep, there you go. Um so our efforts over the last uh few months has been really looking at updating and modernizing the existing zoning for MR2 and MR3. Uh we want to provide an overview of just that process and where we've been over that time uh to give you a little bit more context um of of where we are today. Um so this whole overall effort um has been uh led by the city of Richfield but has also been funded through a grant through the metropolitan council and we have all been collectively working as a team uh with city staff uh to help uh modernize the zoning code. So really this overall effort has really been looking at how we better modernize the zoning code to address missing middle housing. um where are there areas that can be updated in the existing code to look at um triplexes, forplexes, moderately small uh apartment buildings within those existing zoning uh districts. Um as part of that effort, we really want to make sure that we note that this is really about uh just purely updating and modernizing those existing zoning districts. This effort has not been about reszoning any property or reguiduing any property in the um city's comprehensive plan. This has just been purely looking at the existing code and how we best modernize that to address those missing middle. [06:50] **Sam Crosby:** Do you know how we take the notes off of the [06:52] **Lance Bernard:** um [06:53] **Sam Crosby:** off of the staff? [06:54] **Lance Bernard:** I'm not sure. Well, [06:55] **Sam Crosby:** just so the notes aren't showing, I guess we'll switch screens here um real quick. I think. Does this still work for the commission at this? Oh, let's see here. I do still see him on the bottom there. [07:08] **Lance Bernard:** That is Yeah, that is weird. [07:11] **Sam Crosby:** That should do it. [07:13] **Lance Bernard:** Yep. Let's Let's roll with that there. Um, so this overall uh update process really our goals has been just really trying to find those opportunities to modernize the code. uh really adhering to the uh city's comprehensive plan goals. You know, specifically looking at opportunities to provide more flexibility and increasing housing options throughout the community within those zoning districts. Continuing to support a walkable communities. Um really looking for ways to optimize the existing land use uh to allow for those things to occur at at the time that a property owner decides to redevelop their uh property. and then just continuing to promote different housing affordability and options throughout the community as well. So, those were a few of the goals that were set forth as we began this process. Uh we also wanted to establish some community engagement goals as well. Uh we wanted to engage the property owners that uh currently own or live within those existing zoning districts and really help uh better uh inform and educate the community on the purpose of the overall project. So we've been uh doing a fair amount of engagement throughout the uh past months using social media, local newspapers and so forth to promote uh the project website and then really working uh much more closely with a number of different stakeholder groups. So we did focus a lot of our efforts on understanding what the developers uh developer interviews um looking at um listening sessions with various groups and stakeholders. Uh we've had a number of presentations and work sessions with the planning commission and city council as you're aware of. Um and then again just broader marketing um to inform the overall community of the effort uh using the project website. Uh so there was a large um uh well a postcard mailing um to those that are currently zoned MR2 and MR3 and then uh properties around those as well received postcards informing them of this effort. [09:25] **Lance Bernard:** So as we move forward, just really our overall approach of being able to look more closely at modernizing the zoning code, we we broke this into a couple of different tiers um to really help kind of bite-size the update and really look at things a little bit more closely and to really help facilitate the process a little bit more easily. So one of the first steps we took was really looking at tier one and really sizing and place how you would place a a building on a parcel. So, we were really looking at um lot sizes, building coverage, building height, setbacks, some of those requirements and standards that really influence how you shape that box on your parcel. That was really a large discussion point that we had with uh planning commission and council on February 23rd of 2025 as part of a workshop where you and others provided um your thoughts and input on some of those changes that we were thinking um about as we looked at those tier one standards. [10:25] **Lance Bernard:** As we got a little bit further into the planning process, uh we then took a little step further down and looked at some more specifics within the uh zoning code and the standards, looking at parking and how parking would associate with a new development for um MR2 MR3 zoning districts. Looking at the characteristics and aesthetics of those type of buildings. So looking at window requirements, the screening of AC units, um where you place uh the front entrance of the building and then really making sure that it fits within the character of the overall neighborhood and is balanced accordingly with adjacent land uses as well. Uh we also spent some time uh discussing administration approvals of what that means for um very minor adjustments or or providing more flexibility for unique um circumstances where there's minor deviation from the zoning code where that would be um could be done at the administration level. So, a lot of those discussions occurred at our May 13, 2025 city council planning commission workshop where we received your your input on a number of those uh proposed standards that we were considering um and are certainly reflected uh within your packet tonight. [11:45] **Lance Bernard:** And finally, our last uh kind of tier that we broke down to was even getting a little bit more finer grain kind of into the weeds of back to some of those characteristics of the building. So really making sure uh that the materials make sense again blending with uh the adjacent neighborhood and and fits the character of the neighborhood and then looking at a number of screening requirements landscaping uh placement of sidewalks and lighting. So another kind of level of of standards that we needed to make sure that we're taking in consideration as we looked across the full spectrum of of updates to the zoning code. So, there's a fair amount of work that has gone into all of those tiered systems that really then uh translated into a number of different proposed uh updates to the current zoning code and performance standards that are found in your packet that uh reflect the seven ordinances that are in front of you today. Um there's 40 pages there. It's a lot to kind of take take in. Um but it it's something that again we have worked through with you and city council through several workshops. So, we hope that there's a um you know, a good solid foundation understanding in in those current um ordinances in front of you. [13:00] **Lance Bernard:** Uh so, all of the tiered uh standards that we've worked through with you and and staff and internally are reflected in those. Um so, there are other uh ordinances in place here for consideration today. Um couple that we wanted to make note of is not just those uh tier one 2 three standards but also the minor deviation uh uh administratively that I noted a minute ago that would allow um administrative approvals for deviations of up to 10% from any dimensional standards eliminating the need for variance requests. this would be very unique circumstances um that uh would give staff some flexibility for very minor deviations away from those standards. Um also looking at an ordinance tonight as well that would streamline the site plan approvals administratively for small, medium, and highdensity projects if they comply with all code requirements. Um and then finally repealing the residential permit parking ordinance. That's something that's been in place for a while that has uh never been used. Um and it's uh was an opportunity to kind of look more at that and see if it still made sense to continue to carry forward and as part of that ordinance is repealing that as it's something that has not been used and and is um not currently um needed. So that is just really kind of a quick overview of kind of the overall process uh where we've gone from start to finish and up and and proposing the recommendations that you have in front um from a schedule standpoint. Just quick highlight as um Sam and I have noted this started back at the beginning of the year. We've been working diligently with you uh city council and a number of stakeholders to get where we are to uh tonight. Uh so we're looking for planning commission's recommendations on those seven ordinances. Uh from there that would go to the city council's first reading on August 26, 2025 and a second reading um on September 9th, 2025. So, we're here to help answer any questions or any um discussion you may want to have. [15:15] **Chair:** All right. Do we want to uh address any questions to staff before we uh open the public hearing or do you want to open the public hearing first? [15:25] **Sam Crosby:** Um chair, if I may, I have um two points um like to add to that. Um the first is that Brett was not able to one of our planning commissioners was not not able to be here uh this evening and she did write in some comments that I'd like to read into the record. Um she says, "I'm sorry I'm not able to attend tonight's meeting, but I appreciate the opportunity to share a few thoughts. I'd like to say that I support the staff recommendations for the MR2 and MR3 zoning updates because they remove outdated barriers to building more of the type of housing our community needs. These changes are practical and a thoughtful step towards meeting the housing goals outlined in Richfield's 2040 comprehensive plan. The updates don't reszone any new land. They simply make it easier for property already zoned multifamily to be used as intended while maintaining design standards. This is a smart balanced step that supports affordability walkability and neighborhood character." Um the second thing I would like to mention is that um I recently since obviously since the packet went out but sometime before this meeting um noticed that uh we missed one item that was in the tiers. Um in tier three was um discussion of sidewalks and making them um a requirement whenever a new project abuts a public street and um I I believe I I just we just accidentally omitted that. So with your um uh hopefully uh recommendation uh for this item um would consider making that recommendation with that one addition um for the sidewalks as previously discussed and as as outlined in tier three was intended. So, so we could just when we get to the um end of the hearing when it's time to make the resolution, we can just amend it then. That would make sense, right? [17:30] **Chair:** Yeah, it would it would go with the with the with the motion. It could be all one motion. Yeah. Um any questions about that omission? [17:38] **Commissioner Huie:** I have a question. I I mean, I see it in the packet here. You saying it's outside of the actual amendment itself? It's in the packet, but not in the amendment. [17:45] **Sam Crosby:** Yeah. Well, it's in the tiers and we meant to include it in the ordinances in the then, you know, um but it it was a lot of writing and I I think I got skipped somehow. [17:55] **Commissioner Huie:** Just making sure I understand what I'm looking at. Okay. Thank you. [17:58] **Chair:** Thank you. Any other questions for staff before we take public comments? Commissioner Kolkowski. [18:03] **Commissioner Kolkowski:** Um just wondering if you've received any other feedback from the community previous outreach since we last met uh that has resulted in any other thoughts or changes. [18:15] **Sam Crosby:** Chair commissioners, I did um receive that one email that um I had forwarded to you. Um other than that, we have not received any other um comments. [18:25] **Chair:** All right. Um I'll go ahead and open the public meeting then. Is there anyone here to address this public hearing? [18:32] **Peter Oni Rosan:** Yeah. Yeah. Please go ahead. It's a matter of communication. We're told that this is this is a democracy. [18:42] **Chair:** Sure. If you if I'm sorry, sir. If you wouldn't mind just saying your name. Uh for the record, [18:48] **Peter Oni Rosan:** my name is Peter on Rosen. [18:50] **Chair:** All right. And go ahead. [18:52] **Peter Oni Rosan:** Uh these things you refer to, they are more inhouse among you, among yourselves. Uh I think the public is notified after you've made the decisions. Shouldn't the public be for example middle housing? How do how do you define that? What's the input from the people whose lives are being affected? What does missing middle housing mean? What what is the meaning? Because you expect people to maybe monitor their your discussions almost have to give up going to work just to to follow these things online. What is isn't there a better way to to communicate these ideas to people? This is why we are doing what we are doing, you know. And I I don't see that what you talking about is your website and people have to just sit and keep monitoring this. Is that the way things are supposed to go? That confuses me. You are running a democracy. You are working for the people. Hopefully you live among the people which is another issue whether you live here or not. Whether you live in the areas that are impacted by these grand issues, wouldn't it be nice to get the people involved to explain why we do where we doing what we are doing instead of acquiring them to most of the people who lived here are not of the generation that look at the online as a daily routine. I know people many young people can't breathe without consulting pages but um that's my question is there a way to improve because what you telling people is summary decisions after you made a decision you communicate throughout this website that we're supposed to be sort of uh well like we are keeping chickens we have to keep monitoring Um, is there any way to explain that? Uh, [21:15] **Chair:** are you are you are you ask you're I didn't know if you were asking a rhetorical question, but you're are you you're asking a practical question. [21:23] **Peter Oni Rosan:** I'm asking a pro. Couldn't isn't there a better way to what you're doing maybe quite right. There's a man who finds this interesting. Uh, okay. You may find it very interesting. I find you very interesting myself, but that's an it's a different matter altogether. Okay. [21:40] **Commissioner Surma:** Yes. Yes, please. We're not employed in the city and volunteers and we're residents like you. We want to know what's going on in our community and be involved. [21:51] **Peter Oni Rosan:** Yes. [21:52] **Commissioner Surma:** We want to be able to have our input heard and hear input from our neighbors just like you. Um if you're not online, you'll notice there's a bullet. I'm online, but I'm not monitoring my screen every day for what going on in [22:05] **Chair:** You don't You don't have to be because you're here at city hall, which is more than a lot of your neighbors do. And right by the door there's a bulletin board where all of the public notices are posted physically. So, you're here, you've already done the hard part. [22:20] **Peter Oni Rosan:** But as to communication with the public, how how do we address that? [22:25] **Chair:** Sure. And I mean generally uh a a public hearing it's not a it's not a kind of a question and answer back and forth. It's it's for us to receive your um your your feedback and your um and your opinions to help us as we as we think about these issues. Um, so I don't I don't want to get drawn too much into that, but but I I do want to say that our city staff is a professional city staff that does a more than they're required to do by by the law to ensure that our neighbors know u what what's going on in the community. Um, and that includes everything from postcards to listening sessions um to the Facebook to the the internet, but also physically mailing postcards. Um, having the bulletin boards here, um, it's pretty amazing when we live in a community like Richfield because you can get you can call up city hall and you can get the city planner on the phone. I I don't know that, you know, that's not a you can't do that in a bigger city, but we have a professional full-time staff here that is really dedicated to serving the residents. So, there they do provide um multiple options for getting updates about the city, including text me, weekly text message updates. Um and and this particular set of proposals that we're just discussing tonight, this has been discussed for almost uh you know since the beginning of the year since last year when there was a grant. So there's there's been a long time coming. Um and so I I it's unfortunate if you feel like there hasn't been that this is all just a surprise. Um but this has been kind of a longer term process and I so I am glad you're here. Um it is helpful to us to always hear the feedback and um even when someone isn't uh pleased with how things are going, that's helpful to us. But rest assured that we take what you say very seriously and the city staff their entire focus is serving the community. Um and so they they take uh what you say very seriously. If you send an email to the city planner, we all we we it will be forwarded to us. So, there's lots of channels for um feedback and information. And I'm I'm sorry if you feel feel like you missed out on that for these, but there isn't an attempt to this isn't anything trying to sneak something through or or push something through. This has been a long deliberative process with multiple meetings and listening sessions and work sessions and um so I am I am glad you're here and I'm it's I'm it's important to me that you feel heard. So, thank you for coming and and I do appreciate that. [25:55] **Peter Oni Rosan:** Okay. Thank you. [25:57] **Chair:** Is there anyone else uh here to speak to the public hearing about the proposed ordinances? [26:05] **Chair:** All right. I would entertain a motion to close the public hearing. [26:08] **Commissioner Huie:** Commissioner Huie motions to close the public hearing. [26:12] **Chair:** and we confirm from staff there were no other comments. There were no other comments received outside of this. I'm sorry. Did we already confirm that? [26:20] **Sam Crosby:** Yeah. Chair chair and commissioners, there were there were comments received earlier on in the process throughout the process, but since um just just, you know, since the notice went out for this public hearing, there was only um what I forwarded to you. Yeah. [26:35] **Commissioner Surma:** I'll second the motion, sir. [26:38] **Chair:** All right. So, it's been moved and seconded to close the public hearing. Any discussion? All those in favor, please say I. [26:45] **Commissioners:** I. [26:46] **Chair:** Opposed. All right. The public hearing is closed. Um, so now we would uh need a motion to approve the to take the staff recommended action and then we can discuss that. [26:58] **Commissioner Canaly:** Commissioner Canaly moves to take the staff recommended action. [27:02] **Chair:** All right. Is there a second? [27:04] **Commissioner Kolkowski:** Commissioner Kolkowski seconds. [27:06] **Chair:** All right. Thank you. Um and discussion. [27:10] **Commissioner Huie:** as recommended by the city planner. I would like to make an amendment that sidewalks are required for all redevelopment of sites and budding public streets. Can we confirm that the uh the wording there is accurate to what we discussed? [27:25] **Sam Crosby:** Um the reference to the sidewalks being incorporated is is sufficient. [27:30] **Commissioner Huie:** Okay. Thank you. So, um maybe a friendly amendment to your amendment to just to um um task city staff to include um our discussions about sidewalks in the resolution forwarded to the city council. [27:48] **Chair:** Is that fair? Okay. We've got a record of it. [27:52] **Chair:** Okay. So, there's been a motion to amend the motion um that to include uh sidewalk to ask city staff to include sidewalks in the final resolution sent to the city council. Is there a second for that? [28:05] **Commissioner Surma:** So, seconded, Surma. [28:07] **Chair:** All right. Any discussion? [28:10] **Commissioner Huie:** Um I have some questions for city staff about um sidewalks. Is that [28:15] **Chair:** Sure, we could do that. [28:17] **Commissioner Huie:** Um so one question I had um in section C under side says um zoning regulations cannot impose requirements extend beyond the property etc. I'm just trying to understand what specifically that is in reference to. It says reasoning reasoning of of what in particular is that called out for? [28:40] **Sam Crosby:** I'm sorry I didn't understand your question. Can you repeat it? [28:43] **Commissioner Huie:** Uh section C says reasoning and then it goes on to explain about you know um so I'm on under sidewalks number three under so tier three number three section Z [28:55] **Sam Crosby:** oh um chair and commissioners okay I believe I understand your question and if I don't you can ask it again so there was initially discussion about requiring sidewalks beyond the extent of the boundaries of a particular parcel and this is just clar clarifying that we we cannot do that. It has to be only um public uh sidewalks adjacent to directly adjacent to um a parcel and it it would kind of stop at the at the parcel boundaries. [29:25] **Commissioner Huie:** Um just so I understand then so if if a um something's on a corner um will the extend to the curb or simply to the right of way? [29:35] **Sam Crosby:** Oh, I believe that's that's a good question. Um, we could probably negotiate with the developer to to extend past to the to do the curb cut, but or we could do the You mean like the ramp that goes down? [29:48] **Commissioner Huie:** Not not just the ramp, but into the right ofway itself. Like so many homes you see sidewalks to nowhere and I want to avoid that. You know, I don't want somebody have to walk on landscaping to get to a sidewalk. you know, that would defeat the entire purpose of having a sidewalk in my opinion. [30:05] **Sam Crosby:** If it's a corner lot, we would make it connect. If it were an interior lot, we would I I don't know that we would necessarily draw it all the way out to a to the corner to make it connect. That I guess could be decided on a case by case basis. [30:20] **Commissioner Huie:** And what would the how would that be determined [30:23] **Sam Crosby:** with by our public works department? [30:25] **Commissioner Huie:** Yeah. [30:26] **Chair:** All right. So, um, pending before us right now is the motion to amend the resolution to add sidewalks. Is there any other discussion about that? [30:35] **Commissioner Surma:** question about staff report? Another question for city staff. Is that okay? [30:40] **Chair:** About about sidewalks [30:42] **Commissioner Surma:** uh about the staff report here, but related to not about sidewalks. [30:46] **Chair:** Okay. So, let's let's uh pull off that. Let's dispose of this motion and then we can move on to the main motion. All right. So moved and seconded to direct city staff to include sidewalks in the resolution to the city council. Um any other discussion? All those in favor, please say I. [31:05] **Commissioners:** I [31:06] **Chair:** opposed. All right, that carries. Now we're on to the main resolution. Go ahead. [31:10] **Commissioner Surma:** Thank you, Commissioner Surma here. Um I I just had a question about a a map that was included in the in the staff report. I not sure which page this is. Um, it's the map of residential parking reduction areas. Uh, I'm just wondering how often that gets updated because I know transit service changes from time to time and I know from when this map was put together, it's already outdated. So I'm wondering how often that'll get updated and when these reductions based on high frequency transit lines um get incorporated to a new get get incorporated on a on an ongoing basis as service evolves and changes over over you know a period of years. [32:00] **Sam Crosby:** Oh, you were talking about the transit stops per se, the residential parking reduction areas where there's uh there's a there's a there's a reduction in the parking requirements based on proximity to high fre high frequent transit lines. [32:15] **Commissioner Surma:** Yes. I'm asking how how often is this updated to reflect when transit service changes because other areas might fall under that might meet that criteria like that that's something that changes over time. It's a dynamic it's a dynamic situation. So how how the process is incorporated to update that going forward? [32:38] **Sam Crosby:** Yeah, we um intend to be um intentional about bringing it back to the planning commission and council when updates are needed. Um uh it does take quite a while for Metro Transit to it. It's quite a juggernaut of uh it's rather slow moving. So, we don't have it necessarily set up to automatically up or update at a staff level or administratively. Um, we expect to be able to, um, inform uh, you and the public if if changes are needed to this map just because they do happen. They happen, but they happen pretty pretty slow slowly enough that we can manage that. [33:20] **Lance Bernard:** Lance, did you have something else to Oh, yeah. Just uh, uh, commissioners uh, chair and commissioners. Yeah. So right now this reflects the existing transit routes and so if there are any transit route changes that could be coming here maybe in the next few months with some of Metro Transit's more long range planning would probably be addressed um as part of the comprehensive plan as they look at some future routes. Um but outside of that I wouldn't envision this map changing too significantly in the next, you know, six months to a year. [34:00] **Commissioner Surma:** It's meant to be a longer term thing. Okay, I see that makes sense. Thank you. [34:05] **Chair:** Commissioner Huie with a follow-up question. [34:07] **Commissioner Huie:** Is there a reason that like our code references the map rather than just referencing the existence of the routes? Like if this if a project is being proposed and there's a route regardless of what this map says, shouldn't we just say this is the you know next to a frequent route? You know what I mean? [34:25] **Sam Crosby:** um chair commissioners, we did it intentionally this way so that we could if um updates if if changes happen, we can analyze them and review them and understand what is the most appropriate way to move forward rather than having them automatically come in. So, um the code does verbally describe these um like uh areas like uh the proximity of one block on either side north south of a you know of the line rather than of the stop. I mean we tried very much to um make it um prescriptive. Um but then the map just is there to support the language in the code. The two should be identical. Just just to have it's nice to have a graphic. It's helpful. [35:15] **Chair:** Any other discussion? Um, I'll just say that I I agree with Commissioner Surma that this that it is apparent that the feedback um that we and city council members at the work sessions that that has all been taken into account and I appreciate the consultant and our city staff for um the listening and the very careful um balancing act that's been done here with these changes. So I'm uh I would encourage that we u recommend approval. [35:45] **Commissioner Canaly:** I I echo that. I I agree with you, Chair. Sorry, this is Commissioner Canaly here and I I agree with Commissioner Surma that um this this work is done to make it easier to build the types of multifamily homes that are missing here, the town homes, the fourplexes, the eight plexes. And uh it's it's it's a mix we need here. [36:05] **Chair:** Any other discussion? All right. So then we uh we do have before us then a motion to um take the staff recommended action and forward uh approval of the proposed ordinances to the city council. Um hearing no other discussion. All those in favor please say I. [36:20] **Commissioners:** I. [36:21] **Chair:** opposed. All right. Motion carries. Uh the next thing on the agenda then would be um consideration of a resolution finding that the acquisition and disposition of a single family and duplex residential properties in areas guided for low density resol density resolution through the Richfield rediscovered and new home program is consistent with the Richfield comprehensive plan. Could we have the staff report for that please? [36:45] **Sam Crosby:** Um, chair and commissioners. Oh, if you want to go. Um, in 2009, the planning commission approved a blanket resolution finding that anytime the HRA purchased a single family property for reuse as a single family property in an area guided for lowdensity residential, it was consistent with the comprehensive plan. As a result, each individual acquisition or sale by the HRA did not need to come before the planning commission for review. Because duplexes are now permitted in lowdensity residential districts since 2023, staff is recommending that the planning commission update the res the blanket resolution to include duplex properties intended for reuse as either single family dwellings or duplexes. In short, staff is proposing that the planning commission revise the general finding of consistency for uh properties bought and sold through the Richfield rediscovered and new home programs to be deemed automatically consistent if the property is currently zoned lowdensity residential, is guided lowdensity residential, is used as either single family or duplex, and is proposed to be used as either their single family or duplex. This change will allow staff to continue administering our housing programs efficiently while ensuring alignment with the city's long-term planning and land use policies. If you have any questions, I'd be happy to answer them. Thank you. [38:15] **Chair:** Um, well, I have my only thought would be is if it's currently being used as a duplex, um, and then is going to be used as a single family. I I would wonder if we could carve that out. So, if it's a single family and going to be used for single family, that's that's in line. If it's a duplex and going to be used as a duplex, it's in line. But if it's a duplex and then it's going to be changed to a single family, I'm wondering if that might not trigger a review instead of automatic approval because that since that is [38:45] **Sam Crosby:** um well the the whole chair, thank you for that. Sorry I haven't addressed you better. Um the um it is consistent. So the finding of consistency you the the the point of the blanket um resolution is because you don't really have a choice. it is and always will be consistent. So, it's kind of a waste of time to bring the resolution to you. Um, that would not um yeah uh because whoever purchased it would be the one who would make the decision of of how it's well most of these properties are are well all of these properties these are properties that are purchased by our HRA for our housing program. So, we are the per we are deciding what happens with these these properties. So um the um so um yeah so we we have we have that decision-making authority. [39:45] **Chair:** Okay. Any other [39:47] **Commissioner Huie:** um is there is there a particular reason that we're specifically calling out single family and duplex rather than just saying like if the property conforms to the type and is in the we just accept it. You know what I mean? Is there a specific reason if are we going to have this conversation we add triplexes or quadlexes in five 10 years? Um, and also I I could see that um it could be a duplex with an ADU and that would also be compliant with our low density uh residential. So I believe so I believe we could make it more generic just to um uh if if that was the planning commission's desire, I believe we could um clarify that language to be a little bit more inclusive. I I'm open to discussion about whether that is beneficial or not. It's just a thought of just simplifying the the code. But um if there's a specific reason why that might not be good where we would want some edge cases brought in, I'm open to hearing that. [40:55] **Sam Crosby:** Um, chair and commissioners, this is um an item that's from our Oh, well, actually, this is an item where we have an we have a it was on the agenda this evening specifically because we have a duplex that we are um in negotiation with. So, we are interested in having it pass this evening. Um but we could bring it back next month um after consulting with our housing with um some clarification um to be to include uh more general language as you're suggesting. [41:30] **Commissioner Huie:** Um yeah, my concern is very minor and curious about like things like ADUs and things that if it's going to complicate things, I'd be curious about it, but I also understand the desire to move it along too. very supportive of of the concept in general. I'm just trying to make everything easier, but I don't want to make it harder by making it easier. [41:50] **Sam Crosby:** Yeah. And likewise, we don't want to have to bring it back again for another technicality if not if it's not needed. [41:58] **Chair:** So, we we need a motion to take the recommended staff action because I'm comfortable with the language. [42:04] **Commissioner Canaly:** Commissioner Canaly making a motion to take the the staff's recommended action. [42:10] **Chair:** All right. Is there a second? [42:12] **Commissioner Kolkowski:** Commissioner Kolkowski seconds. [42:14] **Chair:** All right. Any other discussion? All those in favor, please say I. [42:18] **Commissioners:** I. [42:19] **Chair:** Opposed. All right. Motion carries. Um the last thing then on the or um second to last thing on the agenda then would be liaison reports um community services advisory is that okay um city council is me uh the city council in their last couple meetings they had a closed uh meeting to do the um city manager um uh performance evaluation uh they also had a work session with some updates about the pool and Veterans Park Um yeah, those were the two most recent meetings that were city council. Um HRA Brett is not here. Um school board. [43:08] **Commissioner Kolkowski:** Thank you, chair. Uh school board took June off. [43:11] **Chair:** No report. Okay. Uh transportation commission [43:14] **Commissioner Canaly:** chair. There's no report. All right. There was no meeting. [43:18] **Chair:** Chamber of Commerce. [43:20] **Commissioner Surma:** uh Chamber of Commerce is uh out until August, but at the last meeting they just mentioned that penfest planning is going well. Uh it's scheduled for September 21. [43:30] **Chair:** All right. And uh sustainability Matt's not here. Um so the final thing on the agenda then today would be the city planners report. [43:40] **Sam Crosby:** Thank you chair and commissioners. We have quite a bit that's gone on since the last time we met. since the last time we met was May. So, I'm going to read each item and then um pause for a minute in case you have any questions about that item. So, um the first item is the short-term rental ordinance was passed on May 27th with a 5-day minimum beginning January 1st, 2026. Short-term rentals, which is anything less than one month, must be for a minimum of 5 days unless the owner lives on site and is present during the guest's stay. Um, a business license with an inspection will be required instead of a rental license, and all short-term rentals must be uh must pay the 3% lodging tax. Okay. [44:30] **Sam Crosby:** On June 10th, the city council approved Penn Station, the 42 unit building at 6501 Penn Avenue. The developer is working towards closing in September or October with demolition and construction expected to start in late fall. Permits for uh site work at LMA Bonita were issued on June 30th, and once parking lot construction begins, it will hopefully go quickly and a fall opening is a possibility. Yes. Uh, our economic development manager is working with Civic Brand, a national consultant to develop a branding and placemaking strategy to highlight down downtown Richfield in a way that supports local businesses, attracts visitors, enhances the area's vibrancy, and celebrates community pride. They will launch an online survey in early August to get feedback that will help define downtown Richfield's identity and inform the branding. We'll let you know once it's launched and we encourage you to complete the survey. The economic development authority received a business district initiative grant from Henipin County for this project. Thank you, [45:45] **Chair:** Denny. Oh, I'm sorry. Did you read the bullet point about the Office of Cannabis Management. [45:51] **Sam Crosby:** Oh my gosh, I didn't. Thank you. Also, one more item. The Office of Cannabis Management has been issuing pre-approvals and we've been receiving lots of inquiries regarding potential cannabis locations. [46:05] **Chair:** Does that mean people are calling and asking where are they? [46:08] **Sam Crosby:** No, not yet. [46:10] **Commissioner Surma:** Yeah. I was wondering if uh staff could uh update us. Has any updates on um construction uh of the new Woodlake Nature Center building? It just I attended the groundbreaking back in May, but it doesn't look like demolition has started yet. [46:25] **Sam Crosby:** Yeah, it hasn't. I asked if we had um a a if it Yeah, if it has started construction, and the answer I got was no. And I I don't I'm sorry I don't have a better update for you on that. All I know is it hasn't started. [46:42] **Commissioner Surma:** But you knew that. [46:44] **Chair:** All right. Thank thank you Sam Crosby. Um our next meeting then would be Monday the 25th. Um I would entertain a motion to adjourn. [46:55] **Commissioner Canaly:** Commissioner Canaly so moves. [46:57] **Chair:** Is there a second? [46:58] **Commissioner Huie:** Commissioner Huie seconds. [47:00] **Chair:** Right. All those in favor please say I. Opposed. We stand adjourned.