This transcript features **Chris Meyer** (Chair), **Hillary Dvorak** (Staff Planner), **Mei-Ling Smith** (Staff Planner), various Planning Commissioners identified during roll call, and members of the public. [0:20] Chris Meyer: WELCOME EVERYONE TO THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE MINNEAPOLIS PLANNING COMMISSION FOR JUNE 2, 2025. MY NAME IS CHRIS MEYER, I'M CHAIR OF THE COMMISSION. AT THIS TIME, I'LL ASK THE CLERK TO TAKE THE ROLL. [0:20] Clerk: COMMISSIONER BAXLEY IS ABSENT. CAMPBELL IS NO LONGER ON THE COMMISSION. CHOWDHURY. I THOUGHT I SAW HER. [0:38] Chris Meyer: SHE IS ABSENT. [0:38] Clerk: OKAY, SHE IS ABSENT. CONLEY. [0:38] Commissioner Conley: PRESENT. [0:38] Clerk: GORDON. [0:38] Commissioner Gordon: PRESENT. [0:38] Clerk: JONES. [0:38] Commissioner Jones: PRESENT. [0:53] Clerk: MEYER. [0:53] Chris Meyer: HERE. [0:53] Clerk: SKJEFTE IS ABSENT. THOMPSON IS ABSENT. WAGNER. [0:53] Commissioner Wagner: HERE. [0:53] Clerk: WE HAVE FIVE MEMBERS PRESENT. [1:09] Chris Meyer: LET THE RECORD SHOW WE HAVE A QUORUM. WE HAVE TWO MINUTES TO APPROVE FROM MAY 12TH AND MAY 15TH. [1:09] Commissioner Gordon: MOVE TO APPROVE. [1:09] Commissioner Wagner: SECOND. [1:09] Chris Meyer: ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE. [1:09] Commissioners: AYE. [1:09] Chris Meyer: ANY OPPOSED? ABSTENTIONS? THOSE MINUTES ARE ADOPTED. NEXT WE WILL ORGANIZE THE AGENDA. WE HAVE TWO ITEMS THAT WILL NOT HAVE ANY PUBLIC HEARING, ITEMS NUMBER 4 AND 5. FOR THE REST OF THEM I'M GOING TO GO THROUGH EACH ONE OF THEM. STAFF IS RECOMMENDING ALL OF THEM TO BE ON THE CONSENT AGENDA. IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK AGAINST THE STAFF RECOMMENDATION OR YOU HAVE OTHER COMMENTS ON IT, WE CAN PULL THAT FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA AND IF YOU WANT TO DO THAT, RAISE YOUR HAND WHEN I CALL THAT ONE. [1:52] Chris Meyer: THERE WILL BE AN OPPORTUNITY IF YOU WANTED TO SPEAK IN FAVOR OF SOMETHING WHEN WE GO THROUGH THE CONSENT HEARING. FIRST WE HAVE ITEM NUMBER SIX, 3120 WASHBURN AVENUE NORTH. WAS ANYONE HERE TO SPEAK AGAINST THE STAFF RECOMMENDATION FOR NUMBER SIX? OKAY, SO WE WILL DISCUSS ITEM NUMBER SIX. ITEM NUMBER SEVEN, 3120 WASHBURN AVENUE NORTH, WAS ANYONE HERE TO SPEAK AGAINST ITEM NUMBER SEVEN? THAT ONE AS WELL. I THINK THEY'RE SIMILAR. [2:26] Chris Meyer: WE'LL DISCUSS NUMBER SEVEN. AND ITEM NUMBER 8, 5,005 LYNDALE SOUTH. OKAY, SO WE'LL DISCUSS ITEMS 6, 7, AND 8. IS THERE A MOTION TO APPROVE THAT AGENDA? [2:41] Commissioner Wagner: SO MOVED. [2:41] Chris Meyer: IS THERE A SECOND? [2:41] Commissioner Gordon: SECOND. [2:41] Chris Meyer: ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE? [2:41] Commissioners: AYE. [2:41] Chris Meyer: OPPOSED? THAT IS ADOPTED. SO FIRST WE'LL GO TO OUR CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS NUMBER 4 AND 5. DID ANYONE HAVE ANY DISCUSSION OR REQUEST FOR PRESENTATION? IS THERE A MOTION TO APPROVE THOSE CONSENT ITEMS? [2:57] Commissioner Gordon: SO MOVED. [2:57] Chris Meyer: IS THERE A SECOND? ALL RIGHT. ANY DISCUSSION? ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE? [2:57] Commissioners: AYE. [3:12] Chris Meyer: OPPOSED? ABSTENTIONS? SO ITEMS 4 AND 5 ARE ADOPTED. SO WE'LL NOW MOVE TO PUBLIC HEARING ON ITEM NUMBER SIX. AND STAFF IS HILLARY DVORAK. AND CAN WE DO SEVEN AT THE SAME TIME? DOES THAT WORK PROCEDURALLY? OKAY. [4:14] Hillary Dvorak: I CAN'T SEE AND HEAR OBVIOUSLY. GOOD AFTERNOON EVERYONE I'M HILLARY DVORAK. I'M A PLANNER HERE TO PRESENT ITEMS 6 AND 7. I WILL DO MY BEST TO KEEP THEM TOGETHER. I'LL CONCENTRATE ON THE APARTMENT FIRST AND THEN I'LL MOVE TO THE PARKING LOT. SO THIS IS A PROJECT AT 3120 WASHBURN AVENUE NORTH. IT IS LOCATED ON THE -- THE DEVELOPMENT IS LOCATED ON THE NORTHEAST CORNER OF WASHBURN AND LAURIE AVENUE NORTH. IT HAS BEEN VACANT FOR FIVE YEARS. IT HAS ALSO THE PROPERTY WITH THE SAME ADDRESS OCCUPIED BY AN 81 SPACE CIRCUS PARKING LOT. THERE IS A 60-FOOT TALL COMMUNICATIONS TOWER WITH BASE EQUIPMENT LOCATED IN THE PARKING LOT. THERE'S A PARTIAL PUBLIC ALLEY THAT STARTS AT LAUREY AND GOES THROUGH THE PARK. AND THERE ARE NO OTHER PROPERTIES THAT ACCESS THAT. [5:24] Hillary Dvorak: CURRENTLY THESE PROPERTIES ARE TIED TOGETHER WHICH IS WHY YOU HAVE ONE ADDRESS FOR TWO DIFFERENT PROPERTIES ON 2 DIFFERENT STREETS. THEY'RE TIED TOGETHER FOR TAX PURPOSES. SO AS PART OF THIS PROJECT, THE APPLICANT WILL BE UNTYING THE PARCELS THROUGH A DIVISION PROCESS AT HENNEPIN COUNTY. THAT WILL HAPPEN AFTER THE ENTITLEMENT PROCEDURES ARE COMPLETE. THE SITE IS -- EXCUSE ME -- THE SITE IS SURROUNDED BY LOW DENSITY RESIDENTIAL, INSTITUTIONAL USES, AND SMALL-SCALE COMMERCIAL. THE SMALL-SCALE COMMERCIAL IS CONCENTRATED ALONG WEST BRADLEY IN THIS NEIGHBORHOOD. BOTH OF THOSE STREETS ARE GOODS AND SERVICES CORRIDOR. THE METROPOLITAN COUNCIL IS CURRENTLY STUDYING THE METRO BLUE LINE EXTENSION LIGHT RAIL PROJECT WHICH WOULD BE LOCATED OVER IN THIS LOCATION. [6:21] Hillary Dvorak: SO IT'S IN THE MIDST OF BEING STUDIED, SO IT'S JUST A FACT ABOUT THE AREA. SO THE APPLICANT IS PROPOSING TO DEMOLISH THE EXISTING CHURCH AND CONSTRUCT A SIX STORY RESIDENTIAL BUILDING ON THE SITE. THERE WOULD BE AMENITIES WITHIN THE BUILDING INCLUDE WORKING SPACES, AN OUTDOOR CHILDREN'S PLAY AREA AND OUTDOOR GARDENING SPACE. THERE WILL BE A MIXTURE OF 1 TO 4-BEDROOM UNITS WITHIN THE BUILDING. THE PROJECT IS REQUIRED TO DO A TRAVEL MANAGEMENT PLAN WITH FOUR POINTS. THEY ARE GOING TO BE PROVIDING ONE UNLIMITED RIDE TRANSIT PASS PER DWELLING UNIT. AND THAT STRATEGY THEY SELECTED WAS WORTH SIX POINTS SO THEY MEET THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE MINOR TDMP. [7:13] Hillary Dvorak: THERE ARE THREE VARIANCES THAT ARE REQUIRED FOR THIS PROJECT. THERE IS A FRONT YARD SETBACK VARIANCE ALONG WASHBURN AVENUE NORTH. AND I'M GOING TO JUST POINT THESE OUT. SO THIS IS NORTH IS UP ON YOUR SCREEN. THIS IS WASHBURN AVENUE NORTH. THE FRONT YARD SETBACK HERE IS 15 FEET. THEY'RE PROPOSING TO GO TO TWO FEET. THERE'S A VARIANCE ALONG LOWRY AVENUE NORTH. THE REQUIRED SETBACK IS TEN FEET. THEY'RE PROPOSING TO GO TO FOUR. AND THE SETBACK ALONG THE ALLEY IS 11 FEET. THIS PART OF THE BUILDING, THE NORTHERN PORTION OF THE BUILDING IS THREE FEET FROM THE ALLEY AND THIS PORTION OF THE BUILDING IS 10.5. [7:51] Hillary Dvorak: THERE IS NO VARIANCE FROM THE SOUTH SIDE, THEY ARE MEETING THAT SETBACK. SO THREE YARD VARIANCES IN THE SITE PLAN REVIEW ARE THE APPLICATIONS THAT ARE REQUIRED FOR THE SITE. WE ARE RECOMMENDING APPROVAL OF ALL OF THE APPLICATIONS AND FOR THE VARIANCES I WILL GENERALLY SPEAK TO THEM TOGETHER. AFTER READING THE REPORT, YOU CAN SEE THAT THE FINDINGS ARE THE SAME FOR THE SETBACK VARIANCES. THERE ARE CHALLENGES THAT EXIST ON THIS PROPERTY. THERE IS AN UNUSUALLY DEEP FRONT BOULEVARD ALONG WASHBURN AVENUE NORTH WHICH IS 50 FEET DEEP, THAT IS VERY UNUSUAL. THERE IS A CURVED AND LARGER THAN USUAL BOULEVARD ALONG LOWRY AVENUE NORTH THAT GOES FROM FOUR FEET UP TO 12 FEET. THERE IS SIGNIFICANT GRADIENT ON THE SITE FROM NORTH TO SOUTH, SO FROM LOWRY AS YOU'RE HEADING TO THE SOUTH PROPERTY LINE, THE SITE RISES ABOUT TEN FEET IN ELEVATION. [8:43] Hillary Dvorak: AND THE GRADING OF THE SIDE IS TIED TO THE GRADING OF THE ALLEY AND THIS IS THAT GRADIENT PLAN. YOU CAN SEE THROUGH HERE THAT THE SITE IS RELATIVELY FLAT ALONG LOWRY AND COMES UPHILL. SO YOU CAN SEE THE CONTOUR LINE, SO THIS IS A SIGNIFICANT SLOPE COMING UP THAT ALLEY. AND SO TO KEEP THE ALLEY, TO MAINTAIN THE GRADES IN THE ALLEY, THEY ARE PROPOSING TWO RETAINING WALLS ALONG THE SOUTH SIDE AND THEN A RETAINING WALL ON THE EAST SIDE. WHICH WILL HELP MAINTAIN THOSE GRADES IN THE ALLEY. THOSE ARE UNIQUE CIRCUMSTANCES FOR THE VARIANCES. SORRY, I'M GOING TO COME DOWN HERE AND SIT. [9:34] Hillary Dvorak: I WOULD SAY THAT ALSO THE GRADE CHANGE FOR THE FRONT PROPERTY LINE, THE HOUSE TO THE SOUTH SITS WITH THE GRADE CHANGES ON THE SITE THIS HOUSE SITS APPROXIMATELY TEN FEET HIGHER THAN THE FIRST FLOOR ELEVATION WITH THE PROPOSED BUILDING WHICH WILL PROVIDE FOR ADEQUATE SEPARATION BETWEEN THOSE TWO USES. FOR THE CORNER SIDE YARD SET BACK, FOR THE SAME UNIQUE CIRCUMSTANCES IT IS THE GRADE CHANGES THAT OCCUR ON THE SITE AND IN THE ALLEY AND MAINTAINING THE GRADES OF THE ALLEY TO ACCESS THOSE HOMES TO THE SOUTH. IN ADDITION IF LOWRY AVENUE IS A GOODS AND SERVICES CORRIDOR, IF THIS WAS THE FRONT YARD SETBACK, THE REQUIRED FRONT YARD SETBACK WOULD BE ZERO FEET. SO TO MAINTAIN THAT STREET EDGE ALONG LOWRY WE ARE RECOMMENDING APPROVAL OF THAT ALONG WITH THE GRADIENT SITUATION. [10:46] Hillary Dvorak: AND THE SAME IS TRUE FOR THE SETBACK ALONG THE ALLEY WHERE IT IS GOING FROM 11 FEET DOWN TO THREE. THE PROPOSED BUILDING IN ANY OF THE YARD SITUATIONS WILL NOT IMPEDE LIGHT AND AIR AND ACCESS TO OPEN SPACE FOR ANY OF THE SURROUNDING PROPERTIES. IN ADDITION, ALONG LOWRY AVENUE THIS IS THE ONLY BUILDING ON THIS SITE OR ON THE BLOCK FACE I SHOULD SAY BETWEEN VINCENT AND WASHBURN AVENUE NORTH. SO THOSE ARE THE THREE VARIANCES FOR THAT. THERE IS A FRONT YARD VARIANCE THAT IS NEEDED FOR THE PARKING LOT FROM 15 FEET DOWN TO SEVEN FEET ALONG VINCENT AVENUE NORTH. THE PARKING LOT IS CURRENTLY THREE FEET FROM THE FRONT PROPERTY LINE. THEY ARE MOVING IT DOWN BACK TO SEVEN, EXCUSE ME. [11:19] Hillary Dvorak: THERE'S CURRENTLY 81 SPACES IN THIS PARKING LOT. THEY'RE REVISING IT, IT'S GOING DOWN TO 56. A LOT OF THE PARKING STALL LOSSES ALONG THIS ROW, ALONG THE ALLEY CLOSEST TO THE REAR PROPERTY LINE WHERE THEY'RE GOING TO BE RETAINING THOSE GRADES. SO INSTEAD OF RETAINING THE PARKING THAT'S THERE, THEY'RE GOING TO BE BUILDING A RETAINING WALL AND THEN MAINTAINING THOSE GRADES. AND SO WE ARE RECOMMENDING APPROVAL OF THE VARIANCE ALONG VINCENT AND AGAIN THAT VARIANCE IS FOR ITEM NUMBER SEVEN. IN TERMS OF SITE PLAN REVIEW FOR THE BUILDING, THE BUILDING MEETS ALMOST ALL OF THE SITE PLAN REVIEW STANDARDS EXCEPT FOR TWO. THEY DO NOT HAVE AN OFF STREET PARKING SPACE PROVIDED ON THIS SITE. [12:09] Hillary Dvorak: THEY ARE DEVELOPING THE PARKING LOT ON THE EAST SIDE OF THE ALLEY FOR THE BUILDING. SO WE ARE RECOMMENDING THAT YOU GRANT COMPLIANCE TO NOT REQUIRE AN OFF-STREET PARKING SPACE ON THE HOUSING SITE. AND THE OTHER AREA THAT NEEDS ALTERNATIVE COMPLIANCE IS THERE ARE NO ON SITE CANOPY TREES PROPOSED. THEY ARE PROPOSING TO HAVE FOUR CANOPY TREES IN THE RIGHT-OF-WAY, I'M SORRY I'M GOING THE WRONG DIRECTION. FOUR CANOPY TREES IN THE RIGHT-OF-WAY. SO WE ARE RECOMMENDING THAT YOU GRANT ALTERNATIVE COMPLIANCE. THERE ARE TWO -- UNDER THE SITE PLAN APPROVALS FOR ITEM SIX FOR THE RESIDENTIAL, THERE ARE SEVERAL STANDARD CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL. [13:01] Hillary Dvorak: I WILL JUST POINT OUT THAT THERE ARE TWO OR THERE IS ONE ADDITIONAL CONDITION. THEY DID SUBMIT A LIGHTING PLAN AND THE FOOT-CANDLE LIMITS EXCEED WHAT IS ALLOWED BY THE CODE. SO WE ARE ASKING THEM TO REVISE THE LIGHTING PLAN TO NOT PREVENT -- OR TO PREVENT GLARE, EXCUSE ME, FROM PASSING ON TO THE SURROUNDING PROPERTIES. AND FOR THE PARKING LOT, I CAN -- SORRY. FOR THE PARKING LOT, IT NEEDED A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT. PARKING LOT SERVING RESIDENTIAL USES REQUIRE THE CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT. THIS HAS BEEN A PARKING LOT SERVING AN INSTITUTIONAL LOT SINCE THE 1960s. SO WE DO NOT FIND THAT A PARKING LOT IN THIS LOCATION THAT WOULD BE CONTINUING WOULD BE INJURIOUS TO THE SURROUNDINGS. AND WE ARE RECOMMENDING APPROVAL OF THE CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT AND THE VARIANCE FOR THAT SETBACK ALONG VINCENT FROM THE 15 DOWN TO SEVEN. [14:07] Hillary Dvorak: AND THE OTHER APPLICATION THAT IS NEEDED FOR THE PARKING LOT IS SITE PLAN REVIEW. AND FOR THIS APPLICATION, THERE ARE SEVERAL AREAS THAT NEED ALTERNATIVE COMPLIANCE AND NOT ALL WE ARE RECOMMENDING ARE DEALING WITH THE SAME SITUATION WHERE THEY ARE REQUIRED TO HAVE 15 CANOPY TREES ON THE SITE. THEY HAVE 11. THEY'RE PROPOSING FOUR CANOPIES IN THE RIGHT-OF-WAY ALONG VINCENT. THERE ARE UNDERGROUND STORM WATER PIPES THAT RUN IN THIS AREA WHICH IS CONNECTING TO THIS UNDERGROUND STORM WATER SYSTEM THAT GOES OUT TO THE PIPES IN THE STREET, EXCUSE ME. SO THERE ARE PIPES HERE. AND SO WE ARE RECOMMENDING THAT YOU GRANT ALTERNATIVE COMPLIANCE TO ALLOW TREES IN THE BOULEVARD. [15:07] Hillary Dvorak: HOWEVER, ALONG THE SOUTH PROPERTY LINE, THE APPLICANT IS ONLY PROPOSING THESE TWO TREES. THERE IS A ROW IN THIS LOCATION ADJACENT TO THIS HOUSE. AND THEN THREE TREES THAT WILL REMAIN. THEY ARE PROPOSING TWO ADDITIONAL TREES. WE ARE NOT GRANTING ALTERNATIVE COMPLIANCE TO ELIMINATE THE 6-FOOT 95% OPAQUE SCREENING ENTIRELY. HOWEVER, WE ARE RECOMMENDING PARTIAL ALTERNATIVE COMPLIANCE. BUT WE ARE ASKING FOR SCREENING THAT IS THREE FEET IN HEIGHT AND 60% OPAQUE HERE ALONG THE FRONT BETWEEN THE ROW OF ARBOR THAT SIT IN HERE SO LANDSCAPE FROM MIDPOINT, IF YOU WILL, TO VINCENT. [16:14] Hillary Dvorak: THE OTHER ITEMS THAT NEED ALTERNATIVE COMPLIANCE IN THE SAME VEIN IS ALONG THE SOUTHWEST SIDE OF THE PROPERTY IS THE 6-FOOT HIGH SCREENING THAT IS 95% OPAQUE. AS YOU CAN SEE IN HERE THERE IS AN ALLEY EASEMENT THAT COMES OUT THAT ALLOWS THESE HOMES TO TURN AROUND IN THIS LOCATION. AND THERE IS SOME LANDSCAPING ON THIS HILL THAT WILL STAY. BUT WE ARE RECOMMENDING THAT WE'RE ADJACENT TO THESE THREE SINGLE FAMILY HOMES THAT THEY DO PROVIDE THAT SCREENING THAT IS THREE FEET HIGH AND 60% OPAQUE. THE ONE AREA THAT IS NOT BEING MET IN SITE PLAN REVIEW IS DISTANCE TO TREES. THERE IS A SPACE IN THIS AREA THAT HAS A HANDFUL OF PARKING SPACES THAT ARE NOT LOCATED WITHIN 50 FEET OF ONE OF THESE PERIMETER TREES. SO ONE ADDITIONAL TREE WILL NEED TO BE PUT SOMEWHERE IN THIS LOCATION TO ACHIEVE THAT SPACING OF ONE TREE WITHIN 50 FEET OF EVERY SPACE. OR EVERY SPACE WITHIN 50 FEET OF EVERY TREE, EXCUSE ME. WITH THOSE CONDITIONS, WE ARE RECOMMENDING APPROVAL. [16:55] Chris Meyer: THANK YOU, HILLARY. ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS OF STAFF BEFORE WE MOVE ON TO PUBLIC HEARING? I HAVE ONE. HOW MANY PROJECTS HAVE WE HAD THAT HAVE CHOSEN TO TAKE ON THE FULL SIX POINTS BY GETTING THE TRANSIT PASS FOR THEIR TDMP REQUIREMENT? IT DOESN'T SEEM LIKE IT'S VERY MANY -- [17:16] Hillary Dvorak: I CANNOT THINK OF ANY I'VE WORKED ON PERSONALLY THAT HAVE ANY. SO I'D HAVE TO LOOK TO KIMBERLY. [17:16] Kimberly (Staff): WE ARE TRACKING THAT SOMEWHERE, BUT NOT IN MY HEAD. SO I WOULD HAVE TO LOOK IT UP AND GET BACK TO YOU. BUT AGAIN MAYBE ONE OTHER -- [17:34] Chris Meyer: I WAS GOING TO SAY MY MEMORY ISN'T PERFECT, BUT THIS IS THE FIRST ONE THAT I REMEMBER. SO I THINK THAT'S COOL THAT WE'RE SEEING THAT HAPPEN. I WILL OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING. IS THE APPLICANT HERE? [17:59] David (Applicant): YES. [17:59] Chris Meyer: GREAT. SO SINCE THESE ARE TWO ADJACENT PROPERTIES, PEOPLE CAN TESTIFY TO BOTH. THEY'VE BOTH BEEN PUT ON THE DISCUSSION AGENDA. BUT IF YOU WANT TO SPEAK TO BOTH AT THIS TIME, YOU CAN. SO CAN WE HAVE THE APPLICANT COME AND PRESENT TO US? SO YOU CAN DISCUSS BOTH ITEMS 6 AND 7 SO YOU DON'T HAVE TO COME UP AGAIN. [18:16] David (Applicant): HELLO, I'M DAVID WITH MOBILIZE DESIGN AND ARCHITECTURE FOR THE PROJECT WORKING FOR PREMIER HOUSING AS THE DEVELOPER ON IN PROJECT. HILLARY HAS DONE A FANTASTIC JOB PRESENTING THIS PROJECT. I REALLY DON'T HAVE ANYTHING TO ADD AT THIS POINT OTHER THAN BEING AVAILABLE FOR QUESTIONS OR FOLLOW UP AT THIS POINT. [18:35] Chris Meyer: THANK YOU. ANY QUESTIONS FOR THE APPLICANT? OKAY, THANK YOU. ALL RIGHT, IF ANYONE ELSE WANTS TO SPEAK, YOU CAN JUST COME ON UP. HOW MANY OF YOU WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK TO THIS ITEM, JUST RAISE YOUR HAND? HOW MANY WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK SO I HAVE AN IDEA? TWO PEOPLE. THREE? DID I MISS ONE? OKAY, YOU CAN COME ON UP. TELL US YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS FOR THE RECORD AND TELL US YOUR TESTIMONY. [19:14] Mary Randa: MY NAME IS MARY RANDA AND I LIVE AT 3514 VINCENT AVENUE NORTH. AND I'M HERE TODAY BECAUSE THIS MODERN, HUGE WAREHOUSE, METAL-CLAD WAREHOUSE-LOOKING BUILDING WILL ALTER THE QUALITY OF SAFETY AND ENJOYMENT. THERE ARE NO BUILDINGS OF THIS HEIGHT IN PROXIMITY EXCEPT ON THE NORTH MEMORIAL CAMPUS. IT'S NOT IN KEEPING WITH THE 1920s-30s ARCHITECTURE OF THE SURROUNDING HOMES AND BUSINESSES. THE CHURCH IS ABOUT THREE STORIES AT ITS PEAK. WHY HAS A LARGER BUILDING NOT BEEN BUILT ON THIS SITE BEFORE? IS IT DUE TO THE HIGH WATER TABLE? HOW WOULD THIS BUILDING BE GUARANTEED TO NOT BUCKLE OR CRACK DUE TO HYDROSTATIC PRESSURE WHICH WE KNOW IS PRESENT IN THIS AREA? [19:57] Mary Randa: A THREE-STORY BUILDING OR TOWNHOMES WOULD BE BETTER SUITED TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD. THE ARCHITECT HAS STATED THAT THE BUILDING IS DESIGNED FOR 180 TO 200 PEOPLE. WHY IS THIS PROJECT TASKED WITH SUCH AN INTENSIVE DENSITY INCREASE? IT HAS A POPULATION OF A SMALL TOWN WITHOUT ADDITIONAL POLICE PROTECTION. THE LOCATION COULD NOT BE FARTHER FROM THE 4th PRECINCT. PREMIER HAS STATED THAT IT WILL NOT BE PROVIDING 24/7 COVERAGE BY STAFF AND SECURITY. THEY HAVE NOT MANAGED A VACANT BUILDING WELL, HOW WILL THIS BUILDING, ITS RESIDENTS, AND THE NEIGHBORS BE SAFE? [20:35] Mary Randa: WILL A POLICE SUBSTATION BE NEEDED? WILL A PARKING LOT BE PROVIDED? WHAT IS KEEPING RESIDENTS AND THEIR GUESTS FROM PARKING ON THE STREET? TRAFFIC ON LOWRY IS BUSY AND IS A SAFETY CONCERN NOW. THE ALLEY IS A DEAD END WITH A STEEP GRADE AND IS SO PERILOUS THAT WASTE COLLECTION IS OFTEN INTERRUPTED DUE TO ICY CONDITIONS. THE CURRENT RESIDENTS MUST USE THE LOWRY AVENUE ENTRANCE. IF THE SETBACK IS REDUCED FROM 10 TO 4 FEET, CARS LEAVING THE ALLEY WILL NEED TO PULL OUT MUCH FARTHER ON THE BUSY STREET TO EXIT AND DEAL WITH THE PEDESTRIAN TRAFFIC IN THE ALLEY FROM THE BUILDING. THE ALLEY SHOULD BE IMPROVED AT PREMIER EXPENSE, NOT HOMEOWNERS. PLEASE DO NOT APPROVE THIS PROJECT AS IT CURRENTLY IS. [20:58] Chris Meyer: THANK YOU. NEXT TESTIFIER. TELLS YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS FOR THE RECORD. [21:40] Angel Rigsby: MY NAME IS ANGEL RIGSBY I'M AT 3104 WASHBURN AVENUE NORTH. I'M AT THE DEAD END OF THE ALLEY, THE HOUSE ON THE VERY DEAD END. I HAVE A FEW CONCERNS AND QUESTIONS REGARDING THE REDUCING OF THE LAND. ONE, I'M NOT SURE IF THEY'RE GOING TO REDUCE THE FRONT AND THE BACK OF JUST THAT PROPERTY OR THE ENTIRE BLOCK. I WAS ALSO WONDERING, FOR THE RECORD I'M VERY AGAINST THIS ENTIRE PROJECT JUST BECAUSE OF A LOT OF THE THINGS THAT OTHER NEIGHBORS HAVE ALREADY BROUGHT UP. [22:17] Angel Rigsby: AND THE FACT THAT AGAIN THERE IS NO TURNAROUND AT THAT DEAD END. YOU CAN ONLY GO UP AND BACK DOWN. SO I WORRY BECAUSE IN THE WINTERTIME A LOT OF TIMES IT'S ICY AND WE SLIDE DOWN THAT. AND IF THAT'S THE BACK ENTRYWAY OF THAT APARTMENT, WE COULD HIT A CHILD, WE COULD HIT A PERSON, WE COULD HIT ANOTHER CAR. THAT'S A CONCERN WE HAVE. ANOTHER CONCERN WITH THE PARKING ON THE STREET, WE ALREADY HAVE PEOPLE PARKING FROM THE HOSPITALED -- HOSPITAL TAKING UP OUR PARKING SO WE DON'T HAVE ENOUGH PARKING AS IT IS. [22:53] Angel Rigsby: SO IF WE HAVE NOT ENOUGH PARKING SPACES FOR THAT, PLUS IF THEY HAVE GUESTS, THEY'RE TAKING UP OUR PARKING ALSO. SO WE HAVE -- SORRY. I ALSO DON'T REALLY UNDERSTAND THE RETAINING WALLS AND HOW THAT WILL AFFECT THE HOMEOWNERS THAT LIVE ON THAT BLOCK. WE HAVE A LOT OF QUESTIONS THAT WE DON'T FEEL LIKE WE HAVE ANSWERS TO. SO I TOO AM ASKING THAT THIS PROJECT DOESN'T MOVE FORWARD. [23:25] Chris Meyer: THANK YOU FOR YOUR TESTIMONY. NEXT TESTIFIER. [23:25] Tracy: HI, I'M TRACY, I LIVE ON 3722 WASHBURN ACROSS THE STREET FROM LOWRY, THE FRONT OF THIS PROJECT. I SUPPORT NEW COMMUNITY BUILDINGS. BUT I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY IT HAS TO BE SIX STORIES HIGH. AS MARY MENTIONED, IT DOES NOT FIT THE AESTHETIC OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD. I AM CONCERNED ABOUT EVERYTHING THAT IS GOING ON IN THAT BLOCK. WE'RE ALSO DEALING WITH THEM TALKING ABOUT PUTTING THE LIGHT RAIL THROUGH AT THAT VERY LOCATION. IT'S GOING TO BE VERY CONGESTED, VERY, VERY CONFUSING. I DON'T SUPPORT THIS PROJECT AS IS. I AGREE WITH EVERYTHING THESE BEAUTIFUL LADIES HAVE SAID. I ALSO WOULD LIKE YOU TO NOT APPROVE THE PROJECT AS IS. THANK YOU. [24:35] Chris Meyer: THANK YOU. WOULD ANYONE ELSE LIKE TO TESTIFY TO THIS ITEM? ALL RIGHT SEEING NONE, I WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING. HILLARY, CAN YOU CLARIFY, SO DO THE SETBACKS, THEY DON'T APPLY ON THE FULL BLOCK FRONT, DO THEY? TO RESPOND TO THE TESTIFIER'S QUESTION. [24:56] Hillary Dvorak: I'M SORRY, WHAT WAS THE QUESTION? [24:56] Chris Meyer: THEY ASKED IF THE SETBACK WAS FOR JUST THIS PROPERTY FOR ITEM SIX OR IF IT WAS FOR THE FULL BLOCK FRONT? [24:56] Hillary Dvorak: JUST FOR THIS PROPERTY. AND FOR THE FRONT YARD SETBACK ON WASHBURN BECAUSE THIS IS A CORRIDOR BUILT FORM, IT HAS A 15-FOOT FRONT YARD SETBACK. [25:12] Chris Meyer: SO THE WEST SIDE IS THE FRONT YARD? [25:12] Hillary Dvorak: THE WEST IS THE FRONT. [25:12] Chris Meyer: SO I DON'T KNOW IF THE TESTIFIER THOUGHT THAT THE NORTH SIDE WAS THE FRONT ONE. BUT ARE THE SETBACKS THE SAME ON THAT WHOLE FRONT AS WELL? [25:29] Hillary Dvorak: THE REQUIRED FRONT BACK HERE ALONG WASHBURN IS 15. THE REQUIRED SETBACK ALONG LOWRY IS TEN. [25:29] Chris Meyer: AND WITH THE PROPOSED VARIANCES, WHAT WOULD IT BE? [25:29] Hillary Dvorak: THE REQUEST HERE IS 15 TO 2 AND 15 -- OH MY GOSH, NOW I'M GETTING CONFUSED. 15 TO 2 ON WASHBURN. 10 TO 4 ON LOWRY. 11 TO 3 ALONG THE ALLEY. [25:45] Chris Meyer: BUT ON THE OTHER HALF OF LOWRY, THE PARKING LOT SIDE? [25:45] Hillary Dvorak: THE PARKING LOT SIDE, NO. I CAN TELL YOU WHAT THEY ARE. THE ONLY YARDS THAT ARE NOT BEING MET IS ALONG VINCENT WHICH IS 15 DOWN TO SEVEN. SORRY, WAY TOO MANY NUMBERS. ON THE PARKING LOT, THE REAR THE SOUTH -- LET ME JUST GET TO IT. THE CORNER SIDE SETBACK ALONG LOWRY IS EIGHT FEET. AND THERE 13.5. THE INTERIOR SIDE YARD SETBACK ON THE SOUTH IS FIVE AND THEY'RE AT 18.5. AND THE REAR YARD IS FIVE AND THE PARKING LOT IS 31. SO THE ONLY YARD THAT'S NOT BEING MET FOR THE PARKING LOT IS ALONG VINCENT. [26:44] Chris Meyer: OKAY. SO THE SETBACK IS GOING TO BE LONGER ON THE EAST SIDE OF THIS BLOCK RIGHT? ON LOWRY? [27:00] Hillary Dvorak: THE SETBACKS ONLY APPLY TO THESE PROPERTIES. I THINK I'M MISUNDERSTANDING SOMETHING. I'M SORRY, CHAIR MEYER. [27:16] Kimberly (Staff): NO. I HAD A QUESTION FROM COMMISSIONER JONES ABOUT THE BUILDING HEIGHT AND THAT'S NOT SOMETHING THAT REQUIRES ANY ACTION BY THE PLANNING COMMISSION. [27:35] Chris Meyer: THAT WAS ALSO SOMETHING I WAS GOING TO ADJUST TO CLARIFY FOR THE TESTIFIERS. [27:35] Hillary Dvorak: THE BUILT FORM DISTRICT IS CORRIDOR SIX WHICH ALLOWS SIX STORY BUILDINGS. SO THAT IS WHAT IS BEING PROPOSED AND THAT IS WHAT IS BEFORE YOU. [27:51] Chris Meyer: AND THE LAST CLARIFYING QUESTION I HAVE IS DO YOU HAVE ANY COMMENTS ON THE RETAINING WALL? A TESTIFIER BROUGHT IT UP, I DON'T KNOW IF IT'S APPLICABLE TO ANY OF OUR VARIANCES WE'RE CONSIDERING? [27:51] Hillary Dvorak: THERE ARE NO VARIANCES NEEDED FOR THE RETAINING WALL. THE RETAINING WALLS ARE JUST NEEDED TO RETAIN THE GRADE. [28:07] Chris Meyer: COMMISSIONER JONES. [28:07] Commissioner Jones: I HAD A QUESTION ABOUT THE CONCERN ABOUT THE DEAD-END ALLEY AND SOME OF THE CONGESTION THAT'S CAUSED BY THAT AND THE GRADE AND STUFF. I ACTUALLY HAVE A DEAD-END ALLEY THAT'S IN MY COMMUNITY TOO AND IT'S A REAL PAIN WHEN PEOPLE TRY TO TURN AROUND IN IT. AND I JUST WONDERED IF THERE'S ANY MITIGATING FACTORS OR THINGS THAT PUBLIC WORKS CAN DO TO HELP ALLEVIATE THAT CONCERN? [28:42] Hillary Dvorak: THERE ARE ONLY THREE SINGLE-FAMILY HOMES THAT WILL HAVE ACCESS TO THE ALLEY FOR ACTUAL PARKING. THIS DEVELOPMENT WILL NO LONGER HAVE ACCESS CURRENTLY. YOU CAN GET INTO THE PARKING LOT FROM THE ALLEY, BUT THAT WILL BE REMOVED. I'M TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHICH SITE PLAN WORKS THE BEST TO SHOW YOU GUYS THIS. SO THERE ARE JUST THREE SINGLE-FAMILY HOMES HERE. 1, 2, 3 GARAGES THAT USE THE ALLEY. THE EXISTING ALLEY HAS THIS LIKE TURN AROUND AREA IF YOU WILL FOR THESE HOMES TO TURN AROUND. [29:27] Hillary Dvorak: AND THEN WHAT'S PROPOSED IS DOWN HERE AT THE END OF THE ALLEY BEFORE YOU GET TO LOWRY ON THE PARKING LOT SIDE IS THERE IS A SPACE FOR WHEN THE GARBAGE TRUCKS COME UP THE ALLEY THAT THEY CAN COME BACK DOWN, TURN AROUND, AND THEN GO OUT. THIS ALLEY EXISTS AS A DEAD END NOW. AND SO THIS IS NOT WORSENING THE SITUATION OF THE ALLEY, IN FACT IT MIGHT BE BETTER BECAUSE THERE WILL NO LONGER BE VEHICULAR ACCESS TO THE ALLEY FOR THIS PARKING LOT. THE ONLY MANEUVERING ELEMENT THAT THIS PROJECT IS PROPOSING IN THE ALLEY IS THIS TURN AROUND FOR THOSE FOR THE GARBAGE TO COME BACK. [30:18] Hillary Dvorak: THAT IS CORRECT. [30:18] Chris Meyer: SO THAT'S SOMETHING FOR ME TO CLARIFY TO THE PUBLIC IS OUR ROLE IS JUST TO REVIEW THE ZONING REQUESTS. WE DON'T HAVE ANY CONTROL OVER PUBLIC WORKS AND THE ROADS. AND AS WE STATED BEFORE, THIS IS CORRIDOR SIX SO BY RIGHT THEY CAN BUILD A SIX-STORY BUILDING. SO THE THINGS THAT WE HAVE TO REVIEW ARE THREE SETS OF VARIANCES REGARDING THE SETBACKS AND THEN THE SITE PLAN REVIEW AND THE CONDITIONS ASSOCIATED WITH THAT. ARE THERE ANY COMMENTS OR MOTIONS FROM COMMISSIONERS? COMMISSIONER WAGNER. [30:56] Commissioner Wagner: THANK YOU, CHAIR MEYER. THANK YOU, HILLARY, FOR THE PRESENTATION. AND THANK YOU TO THE NEIGHBORS FOR COMING OUT. IT'S ALWAYS GOOD TO GET INVOLVED IN THE PROCESS. I THINK IT'S BEEN MENTIONED MANY TIMES NOW, BUT WE ARE HERE VOTING ON THE VARIANCES SPECIFICALLY, AND NOT WHETHER A SIX-STORY BUILDING SHOULD BE ALLOWED IN THIS LOCATION. IT'S ALLOWED BY RIGHT AS THE BUILT FORM CORRIDOR SIX CODE STATES. IN REGARD TO THE VARIANCES, I THINK THEY MAKE SENSE. I THINK THEY WERE OUTLINED WELL BY STAFF. FOR EXAMPLE ON THE WESTERN EDGE OF THE PROPERTY, THERE IS THAT LARGE BOULEVARD BETWEEN THE STREET AND THE BUILDING OR WHERE THE PROPOSED BUILDING IS. [31:31] Commissioner Wagner: SO IT MAKES SENSE THAT WE'RE REDUCING, TO ME, IT MAKES SENSE WE'RE REDUCING THAT SETBACK GIVEN THE UNIQUE CIRCUMSTANCES FOR THE PROPERTY. OVERALL, I THINK IT'S A GREAT BUILDING AND I THINK THAT THE, I PARTICULARLY LIKE TO SEE THE 3 AND 4-BEDROOM UNITS IN AN APARTMENT BUILDING. WE DON'T SEE A TON OF THOSE. THERE'S BEEN A TON OF STUDIOS AND ONE BEDROOMS DEVELOPED IN OUR CITY IN THE LAST FEW YEARS. AND TO SEE 3 OR 4 BEDROOMS IS GREAT. I'M NOT SURE IF WE'RE READY TO TAKE A MOTION BUT I'LL DO THAT. DO WE NEED TO DO 6 AND 7 SEPARATELY? [32:05] Chris Meyer: YEAH. [32:05] Commissioner Wagner: I'LL MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE ITEM SIX AND ADOPT STAFF FINDINGS. [32:05] Chris Meyer: THERE'S A MOTION AND SECOND. ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? COMMISSIONER CONLEY. [32:22] Commissioner Conley: JUST A COMMENT. I AGAIN, IT'S BEEN MENTIONED WE HAVE A JOB TO DO THAT INVOLVES WHETHER OR NOT THESE VARIANCES ARE MET AND I SUPPORT WHAT THE STAFF RECOMMENDATION IS. BUT I DO WANT TO JUST RECOMMEND THAT THE PROJECT TEAM DO SOME SORT OF OPEN HOUSE FOR RESIDENTS. BE GOOD NEIGHBORS WITH THE COMMUNITY. COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT IS ALWAYS IMPORTANT TO ANSWER SOME OF THESE PRESSING QUESTIONS LIKE THE ALLEY AND ACCESS, ET CETERA. IT TURNS OUT THE PARKING LOT WON'T BE ACCESSIBLE BY THE ALLEY. SO THAT ELIMINATES SOME CONCERN THERE. BUT JUST AS WE move FORWARD WITH THE VOTE, JUST SOME OPEN HOUSES AS YOU CONTINUE THROUGH THE DEVELOPMENT PROCESS WOULD BE, I THINK, IMPORTANT FOR THE NEIGHBORS. THANK YOU. [33:00] Chris Meyer: THANK YOU. AND I AGREE WITH THAT. IF THE TURNAROUND IS A PROBLEM, THEN IT'S A PROBLEM FOR THE APPLICANT AS WELL, RIGHT? SO IT MAKES SENSE FOR THEM TO WORK THAT OUT. I WILL ALSO SUPPORT THIS MOTION. I THINK THE PROPOSED VARIANCE FINDINGS ARE MET WITH THE GRADING AND THE LARGE BOULEVARD. AND JUST TO THE PROJECT OVERALL, I AGREE WITH COMMISSIONER WAGNER, IT'S REALLY GREAT TO SEE 3 AND 4-BEDROOM UNITS. WE DON'T GET MANY OF THOSE. AND TO HAVE THEM CLOSE TO ONE OF OUR BEST PARKS AND TRANSIT STATIONS IS REALLY GREAT. AND I'M REALLY EXCITED TO SEE APPLICANTS TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE TDMP OPTION OF PROVIDING FREE TRANSIT PASSES TO THEIR RESIDENTS. [33:53] Chris Meyer: I KNOW IT DOESN'T SOLVE ALL OF THE TRANSIT PROBLEMS, BUT IT DOES HELP AND I APPRECIATE THEM BEING WILLING TO DO THAT. ARE THERE ANY OTHER COMMENTS? SEEING NONE, CLERK, PLEASE CALL THE ROLL. [34:08] Clerk: COMMISSIONER CONLEY. [34:08] Commissioner Conley: AYE. [34:08] Clerk: GORDON. [34:08] Commissioner Gordon: AYE. [34:08] Clerk: JONES. [34:08] Commissioner Jones: AYE. [34:08] Clerk: THOMPSON IS NOT HERE. WAGNER. [34:08] Commissioner Wagner: AYE. [34:08] Clerk: AND CHAIR MEYER. [34:08] Chris Meyer: AYE. [34:24] Clerk: THAT'S FIVE AYES AND 0 NAYS. [34:24] Chris Meyer: THAT ITEM IS ADOPTED. FOR ITEM NUMBER SEVEN, I'M NOT GOING TO TURN TO A STAFF REPORT UNLESS ANYONE WANTS TO. BUT I WILL -- ARE YOU -- BUT I WILL OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING. IF ANYONE WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK SPECIFICALLY TO ITEM NUMBER SEVEN WHICH IS THE EAST SIDE OF THE BLOCK AND THE PARKING LOT. DID ANYONE WANT TO SPEAK TO THIS ONE? GO AHEAD. YOU CAN COME UP TO THE MICROPHONE. [35:00] Mary Randa: I GUESS I DON'T UNDERSTAND THIS. THERE IS PART OF THIS WHEN I READ MY INTRODUCTION THAT THE HARM AND THE INTEGRITY OF PROJECTS WITH REGARD TO WHAT I'M ASSUMING IS THE ZONING STATEMENT. WHAT I READ IS REALLY INTERFERENCE WITH THE HEALTH, SAFETY, AND HAPPINESS OF RESIDENTS. ALL OF THIS FITS REALLY NEATLY AND NICELY ON PAPER. BUT IF YOU WERE FROM THAT NEIGHBORHOOD, IF THIS WERE IN YOUR BLOCK, YOU WOULD NOT LIKE THIS AND IT'S GOING TO BE A BIG LOGISTICAL MESS. [35:40] Mary Randa: AND MY GUESS IS THAT THE PEOPLE WHO ARE LIVING AT THE TOP OF THE ALLEY AND ON VINCENT ARE REALLY SERIOUSLY CONSIDERING MOVING AND THAT THE PEOPLE WHO ARE LIVING IN THIS BUILDING WILL PROBABLY FEEL WAREHOUSED AND THAT THEY WILL FEEL THEIR LIFE IS IN DANGER WHEN THEY COME FROM THE BUILDING ACROSS THE ALLEY INTO THE PARKING LOT. SO THIS IS CREATING KIND OF A DISASTER SCENARIO EVEN TO OKAY THE VARIANCE FROM TEN FEET TO FOUR FEET AT THE FRONT OF THE BUILDING, IMAGINE YOU JUST MADE IT DOWN THE ALLEY SAFELY. [36:20] Mary Randa: YOU DIDN'T HIT ANYONE, YOU DIDN'T SLIDE DOWN LIKE A LUGE COURSE. AND NOW YOU HAVE TO TURN LEFT TO RIGHT ONTO LOWRY AVENUE AND NOW YOU HAVE A SIDEWALK'S WIDTH TO BE ABLE TO PEER OUT. IF YOUR CAR IS NOT A SMART CAR, YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE TO POKE YOUR BUMPER OUT INTO THE STREET TO BE ABLE TO SEE IF THERE'S ANY CARS COMING. AND THAT JUST IS NOT SAFE. THIS IS, YOU KNOW, SOUNDS GOOD, LOOKS GOOD. LET'S MANIPULATE THIS, THAT, AND THE OTHER THING ON PAPER. BUT IN REAL LIFE, THIS DOES NOT WORK. [36:54] Chris Meyer: THANK YOU FOR YOUR TESTIMONY. DID ANYONE ELSE WANT TO TESTIFY? COME UP AGAIN. [37:12] Angel Rigsby: I ALSO WOULD LIKE TO BRING UP THE PARKING LOT SITUATION JUST BECAUSE LIVING THERE, I KNOW WHAT I'VE GONE THROUGH EVERY WINTER. AND I KNOW THAT MY GARAGE IS THE DEAD END. THERE IS NOWHERE TO TURN AROUND, NOWHERE. THE ONLY THING YOU CAN DO IS IF YOU BACK UP AND IT'S A STEEP HILL, YOU CAN COME DOWN FACING FORWARD. BUT IF YOU GO UP, ESPECIALLY IN THE WINTERTIME, THERE'S NO BACKING UP. YOU HAVE TO GO UP AND THEN BACK DOWN. THERE'S NO WAY TO TURN AROUND, IT WOULD BE GREAT BECAUSE IT WOULD BE SAFE FOR US. [37:45] Angel Rigsby: BUT WE HAVE TO BACK DOWN. AND THE WAY WE BACK DOWN, WE BACK DOWN AND THEN WE PULL INTO THAT PARKING LOT, BECAUSE IF WE CAN'T JUST BACK STRAIGHT DOWN AND GO RIGHT INTO LOWRY, THAT IS A VERY BUSY STREET. WE WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO SEE ANYTHING. BUT IF YOU BLOCK THAT PARKING LOT AS WELL, AND YOU HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT PEOPLE COMING FROM THAT BACK DOOR TO TAKE OUT THEIR GARBAGE, USE THE PLAYGROUND THAT THEY'RE PUTTING BACK THERE, GO TO THE PARKING LOT, I SERIOUSLY WORRY ABOUT HITTING A CHILD. [38:16] Angel Rigsby: I MEAN ANYBODY. BUT THAT'S A HUGE FACT FOR ME. AND I FEEL LIKE IN THIS STATEMENT, THEY SAID SOMETHING ABOUT 71 SPACES FOR A PARKING LOT. BUT THEN AS SHE WAS SPEAKING, SHE SAID 56 PARKING SPACES. I'M KIND OF WONDERING HOW MANY SPACES THAT IS AS WELL, BECAUSE AGAIN WE WORRY ABOUT THE STREET PARKING ON BOTH VINCENT AND WASHBURN BECAUSE OF THIS. WE HAVE A FAMILY OF SIX SO WE HAVE THREE VEHICLES. SO IT'S LIKE WE CAN PUT ONE IN THE BACK, BUT THEN TWO HAVE TO GO ON THE STREET. I KNOW THAT'S NOT EVERYONE'S PROBLEM, BUT RIGHT NOW WE HAVE FOUR HOMES ON THAT BLOCK. AND WE HAVE LIKE 20 PEOPLE THAT LIVE ON THAT BLOCK. [38:55] Angel Rigsby: WE'RE GOING UP TO 200 PLUS PEOPLE. IT'S JUST VERY CONGESTED. I REALLY WORRY ABOUT THE PARKING LOT, BECAUSE I REALLY WORRY ABOUT THE ALLEY. AND I WAS WONDERING IF DOING THE GRADING AND EVERYTHING TO MEET THE THINGS FOR THE PARKING LOT, WOULD THAT NARROW THE ALLEY EVEN MORE? I'M NOT REALLY CLEAR ON THAT? DOES ANYBODY KNOW THAT? [39:11] Chris Meyer: NO. [39:11] Angel Rigsby: NO, OKAY. SO THOSE ARE MY CONCERNS. THANK YOU. [39:27] Chris Meyer: THANK YOU. SO TO RESPOND TO -- I'M SORRY, DID ANYONE ELSE WANT TO SPEAK TO THIS ITEM? ITEM NUMBER SEVEN. ALL RIGHT, I WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR ITEM NUMBER SEVEN. HILLARY, JUST TO ANSWER THOSE QUESTIONS, IT IS 56 PARKING SPOTS IN THIS PROPOSED LOT, CORRECT? [39:45] Hillary Dvorak: CORRECT. THERE MAY BE SOME REFERENCES IN THE PACKETS FROM 71, BUT IT IS 56. THEY HAD SUBMITTED IT, IT WAS A 71 SPACE, I WROTE THE INCOMPLETE LETTERS, THEY WENT BACK AND REVISED THINGS BASED ON THOSE LETTERS AND THEY WENT FROM 71 TO 56. [40:01] Chris Meyer: OKAY. THANK YOU, HILLARY. TO RESPOND TO THE TESTIMONY, AS WE SAID, I THINK THE ABILITY TO TURN AROUND IS A RELEVANT CONCERN. IT'S NOT ONE THAT WE CAN ADDRESS TODAY, THAT'S PUBLIC WORKS THAT CONTROLS THE ROAD. AND THAT WOULD NOT BE, WE WOULD NOT BE NARROWING THE ALLEY WITH THIS PROPOSAL. I THINK THE SETBACK FINDINGS FOR THIS ONE ARE JUSTIFIED AS WELL. SO I WILL BE SUPPORTING ITEM NUMBER SEVEN AS WELL. DID ANY COMMISSIONERS HAVE A MOTION OR COMMENTS? COMMISSIONER WAGNER. [40:51] Commissioner Wagner: THANK YOU, CHAIR MEYER. JUST TO EXPAND ON YOUR COMMENT IN REGARDS TO TURNING AROUND, IT SEEMS TO ME THAT THE PLANS ADDRESS THIS HEAD ON WITH THE TURN AROUND FOR THE TRASH TRUCKS. IT SEEMS LIKE RESIDENTS WILL BE ABLE TO USE THAT AS WELL, IF MY UNDERSTANDING THERE IS INCORRECT, SOMEONE PLEASE LET ME KNOW. BUT WITH THAT IN MIND AND THAT COMMENT ON THE RECORD, I WILL MOVE TO ADOPT STAFF FINDINGS AS IT RELATES TO ITEM NUMBER SEVEN. [41:08] Chris Meyer: THERE'S A MOTION AND A SECOND. IS THERE FURTHER DISCUSSION? ALL RIGHT, SEEING NONE, CLERK, PLEASE CALL THE ROLL. [41:31] Clerk: COMMISSIONER CONLEY. [41:31] Commissioner Conley: AYE. [41:31] Clerk: GORDON. [41:31] Commissioner Gordon: AYE. [41:31] Clerk: JONES. [41:31] Commissioner Jones: AYE. [41:31] Clerk: WAGNER. [41:31] Commissioner Wagner: AYE. [41:31] Clerk: AND CHAIR MEYER. [41:31] Chris Meyer: AYE. [41:31] Clerk: THAT'S FIVE AYES AND 0 NAYS. [41:24] Chris Meyer: THAT MOTION IS ADOPTED. GOOD LUCK WITH YOUR PROJECT. NOW MOVING ON TO ITEM NUMBER 8, 5005 LYNDALE AVENUE SOUTH. [42:31] Chris Meyer: MIC'S NOT ON, MEI-LING. NOW WE CAN HEAR YOU. [42:31] Mei-Ling Smith: HELLO, COMMISSIONERS. I'M MEI-LING SMITH AND I'M PRESENTING 5005 LYNDALE AVENUE SOUTH. THIS IS A PROJECT YOU'VE SEEN TWICE BEFORE. AND MOST RECENTLY YOU SAW IT LAST FALL. AND THIS WAS APPROVED, I'LL GET INTO THE DETAILS IN A SECOND, BUT THIS IS LOCATED AT THE CORNER OF 50TH STREET WEST AND LYNDALE AVENUE SOUTH IN CORRIDOR FOUR BUILT FORM OVERLAY DISTRICT. THIS IS A FOUR-STORY RESIDENTIAL BUILDING WITH 20 DWELLING UNITS AND THE APPLICATIONS THAT HAVE BEEN APPROVED ARE FOR VARIANCE TO ALLOW THE BUILDING WITHIN THE REVERSE CORNER SETBACK REQUIREMENT ALONG 50TH STREET WHERE THERE'S A 31-FOOT REQUIREMENT AND THE BUILDING IS SET BACK 15 FEET AND THE SITE PLAN IS ALSO APPROVED. [43:22] Mei-Ling Smith: THE REQUEST IS FOR AN ELECTRICAL TRANSFORMER THAT WOULD BE LOCATED IN THE NORTHEAST CORNER OF THE SITE. AND SO THIS IS REDUCING TWO SETBACKS, BOTH THE REVERSE CORNER FRONT YARD THAT I WAS REFERENCING JUST NOW. AND ALSO THE REAR YARD REQUIREMENT ALONG THE EAST PROPERTY LINE. THIS IS JUST A SUMMARY IF WE WANT TO LOOK AT IT. BUT THIS IS AN UNUSUAL SITE IN THAT IT HAS TWO FRONT YARDS, SO ONE ALONG THE WEST AND ONE ALONG THE NORTH. AND THAT ALSO MAKES IT HAVE TWO REAR YARDS AS WELL. THIS IS A DIAGRAM SHOWING WHERE THAT REVERSE CORNER FRONT YARD REQUIREMENT APPLIES. [43:58] Mei-Ling Smith: IT APPLIES FOR THE FIRST 25 FEET AWAY FROM THE EAST PROPERTY LINE WHICH IS SHARED WITH THE NEIGHBOR TO THE EAST. AND THE RED AREA IS THE SETBACK REQUIREMENT. THAT'S NOT WHERE THE TRANSFORMER, THE TRANSFORMER WOULD BE LOCATED IN THIS AREA OF THE SITE. AND I'LL HAVE A SITE PLAN SHOWING THAT. SO THE TRANSFORMER WOULD BE SETBACK FIVE FEET FROM THE FRONT PROPERTY LINE ALONG A 50TH AND TWO FEET FROM THE EAST PROPERTY LINE. THE VARIANCE FINDINGS THAT ARE IN THE STAFF REPORT TALK ABOUT HOW THE APPLICANT BEGAN THIS PROJECT THREE YEARS AGO AND DUE TO SEVERAL DELAYS, THERE HAVE BEEN CHANGES IN REQUIREMENTS SINCE THE BEGINNING OF THE PROJECT DESIGN. [44:45] Mei-Ling Smith: AND SO NOW THAT THEY ARE IN CONVERSATIONS AGAIN WITH EXCEL FOR THE FINAL PERMITTING, THEY'RE DISCOVERING THAT ALL OF THE ELECTRICAL CODES ARE PREVENTING THEM FROM PLACING THE TRANSFORMER WHERE THEY ORIGINALLY WANTED TO IN A POLE-MOUNTED FORM, AND NOW IT HAS TO BE A GROUND-MOUNTED TRANSFORMER. IT FURTHER LIMITS HOW EXCEL CAN ACCESS THEIR TRANSFORMER. BECAUSE IT'S NOT ADJACENT TO AN ALLEY AND BECAUSE YOU'VE GOT YARDS ON ALL SIDES OF THE BUILDING, IT REALLY LIMITS WHERE YOU CAN PUT AN ELECTRICAL TRANSFORMER THAT MEETS ELECTRICAL CODES AND ALSO THE EXCEL REQUIREMENTS. THE APPLICANT IS PROPOSING TO SCREEN THE TRANSFORMER ON ALL FOUR SIDES WITH VEGETATION. THE EQUIPMENT ITSELF WOULD BE NO MORE THAN FOUR FEET TALL AND WE'RE RECOMMENDING A CONDITION OF APPROVAL THAT THE SCREENING WOULD BE AT LEAST 60% OPAQUE AND KEPT IN A GOOD STATE OF REPAIR AND MAINTENANCE AND THAT'S REQUIRED BY THE ZONING CODE. [45:50] Mei-Ling Smith: AND THIS IS THE SCREENING MATERIALS THAT THE APPLICANT IS PROPOSING. SO IT WOULD BE CREATING FEATHER REED GRASS ON ALL FOUR SIDES AS WELL AS MORE OF A HEDGE ALONG THE BACKSIDE. AND SO WITH THAT, I AM ABLE TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS. THANK YOU. [46:06] Chris Meyer: THANK YOU. ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS FOR STAFF BEFORE WE OPEN THE HEARING? ALL RIGHT, NOT SEEING ANY, SO I'LL OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING. IS THE APPLICANT HERE TO SPEAK TO THIS ITEM? WELCOME IN. TELL US QUICKLY ABOUT THE VARIANCE REQUEST. [46:24] Todd Smith (Applicant): GOOD AFTERNOON, MY NAME IS TODD SMITH. I'M REPRESENTING MASTER PROPERTIES. WHEN WE GOT THIS ENTITLED IN 2023, OUR UNDERSTANDING FROM EXCEL ENERGY WAS IT COULD BE ON THE POLE LOCATED ON THE OTHER SIDE OF 50TH STREET. THAT'S WHERE THE POWER COMES FROM. IT WAS A VACATED ALLEY. WHEN WE GOT IT ENTITLED THE SECOND TIME, WE FOUND OUT AS WE WERE GETTING READY TO START CONSTRUCTION THAT THAT DIDN'T WORK ANY LONGER. EXCEL HAS BEEN GREAT, STAFF HAS BEEN GREAT. WE'VE BEEN ON SITE, WE'VE MET WITH SENIOR ENGINEERS. WE'VE WALKED THE WHOLE YARD ON WHERE THIS COULD BE PLACED. [46:58] Todd Smith (Applicant): IT'S REALLY HARD TO DO AND IT'S CHALLENGING THAT IT'S NOT REALLY A CHOICE THAT THE CITY DOESN'T GET TO MAKE OR STAFF DOESN'T GET TO MAKE. IT'S REALLY EXCEL SAYING THIS IS WHAT IT'S GOING TO BE BECAUSE OF THE CIRCUMSTANCES UNIQUE TO THIS SITE, THAT'S WHERE IT'S ENDED UP BEING PLACED. DOES ANYONE HAVE ANY QUESTIONS? [47:17] Chris Meyer: ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS FOR THE APPLICANT? NOT SEEING ANY, THANK YOU. [47:17] Todd Smith (Applicant): THANKS. [47:17] Chris Meyer: HOW MANY PEOPLE DID WE WANT TO HAVE TESTIFY? RAISE YOUR HAND IF YOU WANTED TO TESTIFY TO THIS. JUST YOU. GO AHEAD AND COME UP TO THE MICROPHONE. TELL US YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS AND YOU CAN PROCEED. [47:33] Laurie: MY NAME IS LAURIE AND I LIVE AT 1505 ALDRIDGE, I'M RIGHT ACROSS THE WAY FROM THE SITE. HEARING THE LAST ROUND OF VARIANCES, I FEEL LIKE THERE'S NO POINT IN TESTIFYING. WHO IS IN CHARGE OF DETERMINING WHETHER A BUILDING ADDS TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD, ADDS TO PEOPLE THAT ARE ALREADY LIVING THERE? I MEAN, I JUST CAN'T BELIEVE THAT YOU DON'T HAVE ANY AUTHORITY TO VETO WHAT'S, THE LAST PEOPLE THAT WERE UP HERE -- I JUST -- I DON'T KNOW. I'M JUST DISGUSTED BY THE WHOLE PROCESS. AND THERE'S NO -- I LIVE ON ALDRIDGE AND THERE'S NO PARKING FOR THAT BUILDING. GARFIELD, YOU CAN'T GET TO GARFIELD IN THE WINTER AND IT'S PRETTY MUCH TOUGH TO GET THROUGH EVEN IN THE SUMMER. [48:37] Laurie: IN LYNDALE, THERE'S NO PARKING IN LYNDALE. WE'RE IN ALDRIDGE. THERE'S A LOT OF RESTAURANTS AND IN THE EVENING YOU CAN'T PARK ON OUR STREET. I KNOW THEY'RE GOING TO HAVE UNDERGROUND PARKING. AND I JUST, THERE'S FOUR SCHOOLS THAT ACCESS THAT CORNER. AND IT'S A VERY DANGEROUS CORNER. AND NOW WE HAVE KIDS WALKING AND WITH A BUILDING THAT TAKES AWAY ALL OF THE VISIBILITY. SO IT JUST DOESN'T SEEM TO ME LIKE THERE'S ANY POINT IN HAVING THIS CONVERSATION, YOU'RE JUST GOING TO APPROVE IT. [49:15] Chris Meyer: THANK YOU FOR YOUR TESTIMONY. DID ANYONE ELSE WANT TO TESTIFY TO THIS ITEM? NOT SEEING ANY SO I'LL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING. COMMISSIONER JONES. [49:15] Commissioner Jones: I WANTED TO SAY THE SAME COMMENT IS THAT THIS COMMITTEE ISN'T HERE TO TALK ABOUT LIKE THE ACTUAL PROJECT OR THE HEIGHT OF THE BUILDING OR THE BUILDING ITSELF, BUT AGAIN THE VARIANCES. [49:40] Chris Meyer: I'LL RESPOND TO THAT A LITTLE BIT. SO FIRST OF ALL, THIS PROJECT PREVIOUSLY CAME TO THE PLANNING COMMISSION AND THOSE APPROVALS WERE ALREADY GIVEN. SO IF YOU'RE ASKING WHO HAS THE RIGHT TO REVOKE THOSE APPROVALS, IT'S NO ONE. THOSE ARE APPROVED, THEY ARE ENTITLED TO THEM. NOW THEY'RE ASKING FOR SOMETHING NEW, SO THE ONLY ITEM WITHIN OUR AUTHORITY TODAY IS TO APPROVE OR DENY THE SETBACK VARIANCE RELATED TO THIS ELECTRICAL TRANSFORMER. WE COULD DENY THAT AND FORCE THEM TO PUT IT SOMEWHERE ELSE, BUT WE HAVE NO AUTHORITY TO REVOKE THE APPLICATIONS THAT HAVE ALREADY BEEN APPROVED. MORE BROADLY SPEAKING, THIS IS A UNIQUE CIRCUMSTANCE WHERE THERE IS A PROJECT THAT ALREADY GOT APPROVALS. BUT BROADLY SPEAKING, THE ANSWER TO YOUR QUESTION FOR OTHER PROJECTS WOULD BE THE CITY COUNCIL, ESPECIALLY WHEN THEY ADOPT THE 2040 PLAN. WHEN WE PROCEED TO THE 2050 PLAN WHICH WILL BE 5 OR 6 YEARS FROM NOW WHEN THEY APPROVE THAT, THEN WE'LL GO THROUGH THIS PROCESS AS A CITY AGAIN. [50:51] Chris Meyer: ALL RIGHT, SO SPEAKING SPECIFICALLY TO THIS ITEM, I FEEL THIS IS A VERY REASONABLE REQUEST TO ACCOMMODATE THE TRANSFORMER AND MAKE IT EASIER FOR EXCEL. SO I WILL SUPPORT THIS APPLICATION. DID ANYONE WANT TO MAKE A MOTION OR HAVE ANY COMMENTS? [51:09] Commissioner Gordon: I'LL MOVE THE STAFF RECOMMENDATION. [51:09] Chris Meyer: ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? ALL RIGHT, SEEING NONE, CLERK, PLEASE CALL THE ROLL. [51:24] Clerk: COMMISSIONER CONLEY. [51:24] Commissioner Conley: AYE. [51:24] Clerk: GORDON. [51:24] Commissioner Gordon: AYE. [51:24] Clerk: JONES. [51:24] Commissioner Jones: AYE. [51:24] Clerk: WAGNER. [51:24] Commissioner Wagner: AYE. [51:24] Clerk: MEYER. [51:24] Chris Meyer: AYE. [51:24] Clerk: WE HAVE FIVE AYES AND 0 NAYS. [51:24] Chris Meyer: THAT IS ADOPTED. GOOD LUCK WITH YOUR PROJECT. LASTLY, WE HAVE A RESOLUTION TO HONOR THE OUTGOING COMMISSIONER, JOE CAMPBELL. SO I'M GOING TO READ THE RESOLUTION THAT WE HAVE FOR HIM. A RESOLUTION OF APPRECIATION FOR JOE CAMPBELL FOR HIS DEDICATED SERVICE TO THE MINNEAPOLIS CITY PLANNING COMMISSION WHEREAS JOE HAS SERVED ON THE CITY OF MINNEAPOLIS PLANNING COMMISSION SINCE 2022 AND WHEREAS JOE HAS PARTICIPATED IN OVER 50 PLANNING COMMISSION HEARINGS MAKING DECISIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS ON OVER 1,529 LAND USE APPLICATIONS, AN ADOPTION OF ONE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN, AND NUMEROUS ZONING CODE AMENDMENTS, AND WHEREAS JOE HAS PROVIDED SUBSTANTIAL EXPERTISE RELATED TO PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT. [52:12] Chris Meyer: AND WHEREAS JOE SERVED ON THE PLANNING COMMISSION ON ITS 100TH ANNIVERSARY. AND WHEREAS JOE HAS DEMONSTRATED TREMENDOUS DEDICATION AND GENEROSITY IN SHARING BOTH HIS TIME AND KNOWLEDGE AND AS THE MINNEAPOLIS PLANNING COMMISSION WISHES TO FORMALLY RECOGNIZE JOE'S DEDICATED SERVICE TO THE CITY PLANNING COMMISSION AND CITY. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY PLANNING COMMISSION AND THE STAFF TO THE CITY PLANNING COMMISSION TO THE CITY OF MINNEAPOLIS THAT WE THANK JOE CAMPBELL FOR HIS FAITHFUL AND CONSTRUCTIVE SERVICE AND EXTENDING THE PROGRESS OF THIS CITY AND IN PROMOTING THE WELFARE OF ITS PEOPLE. AND THAT WE EXTEND OUR BEST WISHES AND GOOD HEALTH AND HAPPINESS TRUSTING THAT THE FRIENDSHIPS AND UNDERSTANDING BUILT IN OUR MUTUAL UNDERTAKINGS WILL BE WITH US ALWAYS. [52:53] Chris Meyer: SO THANK YOU, JOE CAMPBELL. WITH THAT, WE'LL MOVE TO -- IS THERE A MOTION TO APPROVE THAT RESOLUTION? IS THERE A SECOND? [53:08] Commissioner Wagner: SECOND. [53:08] Chris Meyer: ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE. [53:08] Commissioners: AYE. [53:08] Chris Meyer: OPPOSED? THAT IS ADOPTED. WITH THAT, THAT CONCLUDES OUR BUSINESS FOR THE DAY. OUR NEXT MEETING OF THE REGULAR PLANNING COMMISSION IS JUNE 16TH. AND WE HAVE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE THIS THURSDAY, JUNE 5TH. ARE THERE ANY UPDATES FROM STAFF OR COMMISSIONERS? [53:25] Kimberly (Staff): THE ONLY UPDATE WAS I WAS JUST GOING TO REMIND YOU THAT WE DO HAVE TWO ITEMS AT COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE THIS WEEK. SO WE HAVE ONE ITEM RELATED TO CLICK AND THEN A PROJECT DISCUSSION. SO LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU ALL ON THURSDAY. [53:43] Chris Meyer: SEE EVERYONE THURSDAY. AND WE ARE ADJOURNED. THANK YOU.