Based on the context provided and the internal cues within the transcript (such as members addressing each other and the "Chair Johnson" reference), here is the formatted transcript with speaker names. *** **[00:00] Chair James Johnson:** I'd like to call this April 27th meeting of the Richfield Planning Commission to order. First of all, I'd like to welcome our new Commissioner Jacob Peterson. Welcome to the Planning Commission. Um the first thing would be our open forum. Have we received any comments ahead of time? **[00:15] Sam Crosby (City Planner):** Chair and commissioners, no, we have not. **[00:20] Chair James Johnson:** Is there anyone present who wishes to speak? Generally, the open forum is a time for citizens to share comments about items that aren't on the regular agenda. All right. The next thing would be the approval of the agenda. **[00:35] Commissioner Charlton:** Chair, I move to strike 2, 6, 7, and 8 from the agenda. **[00:40] Chair James Johnson:** Uh I you move to strike items 6, 7, and 8 from the agenda. **[00:45] Commissioner Charlton:** Yes, sorry. And 2, the roll call. Yes. **[00:50] Chair James Johnson:** Oh, all right. Is there a second? These are the— The explanation is that there's items on the agenda that are from the City Council template that aren't relevant to us. Yeah. So, it's just uh we just want to strike those off. So, we need a second. **[01:05] Commissioner Wall:** All right, Wall seconds. **[01:07] Chair James Johnson:** Any discussion? All those in favor, please say I. **[01:10] All Commissioners:** I. I. **[01:12] Chair James Johnson:** Opposed? All right. And now, I'm I'm motion to approve the remainder of the agenda. **[01:18] Commissioner Charlton:** Commissioner Charlton moves. **[01:20] Chair James Johnson:** All right. It's been moved. May I have a second? **[01:22] Commissioner Wall:** Second. **[01:24] Chair James Johnson:** Moved and seconded to approve the agenda. All in favor, please say I. **[01:28] All Commissioners:** I. I. **[01:30] Chair James Johnson:** Opposed? The agenda is adopted. The next thing then on the agenda would be a public hearing, a public hearing to consider a site plan approval for conversion of a retail space to a fitness studio at 6503 Nicollet Avenue South. Is there a report from city staff? **[01:50] Sam Crosby (City Planner):** Yes, thank you, chair and commissioners. **[01:53] Commissioner Huey:** >> do we need to approve the minutes? **[01:55] Commissioner Charlton:** Approve the minutes. Thank you. Thank you. **[01:58] Chair James Johnson:** >> so happy with striking with striking things from the agenda, we missed >> **[02:02] Commissioner Wall:** Strike it all. **[02:04] Chair James Johnson:** Thank you very much. All right. Do we have a motion to approve the minutes from the previous meeting? **[02:10] Commissioner Wall:** Well, I would like to approve uh submit a motion to approve the minutes. **[02:15] Chair James Johnson:** All right, it's been moved. Do we have a second? **[02:18] Commissioner Huey:** Second. **[02:20] Chair James Johnson:** It's moved and seconded to approve the minutes from our previous meeting. All those in favor, please say I. **[02:25] All Commissioners:** I. I. I. **[02:28] Chair James Johnson:** Opposed? Thank you, Commissioner Huey, for correcting us there, catching that. Uh if we could go Sorry, and resume the staff report for the public hearing. **[02:40] Sam Crosby (City Planner):** Thank you, chair and commissioners. Uh Balio Fitness has requested site plan approval for a change of use for approximately 4,000 square feet of tenant space within the Richfield Shops North shopping center from a retail use to a 24-hour fitness studio, Anytime Fitness. Health clubs or fitness centers are a permitted use in the zoning district, but the parking requirement is greater than for a shopping center, and the subject shopping center is already under-parked according to the zoning code. Typically, a parking utilization study would be required, but the initial inquiry started in late January, and due to harsh winter conditions and Operation Metro Serve, staff agreed that a utilization study would produce inaccurate results. Therefore, only a parking analysis was conducted. The analysis concludes that although the center does not have a parking surplus during its overall peak demand, there is a surplus during the fitness studio's peak hours, which complement rather than compete with the center overall. Therefore, the proposed change of use is not expected to have an a negative impact on the parking demand. Also, although they do not count according to the zoning code, there are five on-street stalls adjacent to the shopping center on the south side of 65th Street. Staff finds that the analysis and its assumptions to be reasonable, and that the proposal meets the intent of the zoning code to the extent practical. Accordingly, staff recommends approval subject to the conditions listed in the draft resolution before you, including in the installation of bike racks to help offset vehicle parking demand. Thank you. **[04:15] Chair James Johnson:** Thank you. Before we open the public hearing, are there any questions from commissioners? All right. I'd like to open the public hearing. Is there anyone here to speak to this? If you wouldn't mind approaching the identify yourself and sign in. **[04:35] Nicholas Franson:** Yes. I'm Nicholas Franson. I'm a representative and co-owner of Balio Holdings. **[04:40] Jordan Miller:** And I'm Jordan Miller, also representative of Balio Holdings. Just wanted to start off by thanking the commissioners for your time, for being here this evening, and their consideration. And also Sam for all your help and guidance along the way as well. Um just wanted to say quickly, briefly, we have been with Anytime Fitness myself since 2013. I've been an owner of the Anytime Fitness in Richfield specifically since 2022. However, that location opened up in 2013, I think I just mentioned. And um we've been a you know, entrenched in a part of this community for some time. We've met a lot of wonderful people in the community, as well as in our membership base, too. And um just want to say that we're fully in line with all the staff recommendations and fully committed to doing the bike racks. Um we're so committed that we're willing to put those funds in escrow to show our commitment and not just show lip service that we're actually going to follow through and complete those bike racks. Uh furthermore, I just wanted to second what Sam said as far as the usage is concerned. Our peak usage time really is that 5:00 to 6:00, 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. time, which I do believe that parking study show that that is the quietest time for them all. However, the the busiest time is going to be right around that 1:00 and 2:00 hour. We do not have any personal training sessions. We typically don't have any sales appointments at that time, and our usage is very, very low. **[06:05] Nicholas Franson:** Anything you want to add? **[06:07] Jordan Miller:** That's it. **[06:08] Chair James Johnson:** Okay. Thank you. Are there any questions? **[06:11] Commissioner Kolkaski:** Commissioner Kolkaski, I might have missed this in the report, but do you know what unit in that building it is? Is it the old Xfinity? **[06:20] Sam Crosby (City Planner):** It is. **[06:22] Commissioner Kolkaski:** >> Okay, okay. Perfect. **[06:24] Commissioner Huey:** Huey? Uh Commissioner Huey, um I guess this is a question for staff and for the applicant. Um is there any concern with the changeover with like noise or sound with the neighboring tenants during like normal business hours? Um I don't know if the gym would potentially be louder than a retail place or that sort of thing. **[06:45] Jordan Miller:** That could be a fair assumption. Yeah, we do put really thick rubber, 14 mm rubber, in on the floors. Um we also were just we're not that type of gym where you're going to be doing Olympic lifting and the dumbbells are going to be slamming against the the walls, or excuse me, slamming against the floors. Uh we're not pumping music very loud in there as well, too. We're a small membership base that focus primarily on personal training. So, um to put it frankly, no, I would not be concerned with the noise. **[07:15] Commissioner Huey:** And staff, is there any code considerations that we should be considering? **[07:18] Sam Crosby (City Planner):** No. **[07:20] Commissioner Huey:** Okay, thank you. **[07:22] Chair James Johnson:** If um did we receive any comments uh before the hearing? **[07:25] Sam Crosby (City Planner):** We did not. **[07:27] Chair James Johnson:** Seeing no one else here and no comments, I would entertain a motion to close the hearing. **[07:32] Commissioner Huey:** Commissioner Huey so motions. **[07:34] Commissioner Charlton:** Commissioner Charlton seconds. **[07:36] Chair James Johnson:** Moved and seconded to close the hearing. Any discussion? All those in favor of closing the public hearing, please say I. **[07:42] All Commissioners:** I. I. **[07:44] Chair James Johnson:** Opposed? All right, the hearing is closed. Um now, we would need a motion to take the staff recommended action, and then we can discuss from there. **[07:55] Commissioner Charlton:** Commissioner Charlton moves to adopt the staff resolution. Is there a second? **[07:58] Commissioner Wall:** Mr. Wall seconds. **[08:00] Chair James Johnson:** All right, moved and seconded to accept the staff resolution staff recommended action. Is there any discussion? **[08:10] Commissioner Huey:** I think this is a good proposal. Um I you know, having a vacant spot is not something I think we want, and well I mean, speaking from personal experience, there's not a lot of fitness centers in the city anyway, and so I you know, the parking situation is not the best, but I think that the hub or this area would have the same issues. So. **[08:35] Chair James Johnson:** Any other discussion? All All those in favor of adopting the staff recommended action, please say I. **[08:42] All Commissioners:** I. I. I. **[08:44] Chair James Johnson:** Opposed? It's adopted. Thank you very much. **[08:48] Nicholas Franson:** Thank you, commissioners. Appreciate it. **[08:50] Chair James Johnson:** All right, the next thing on the agenda Thanks. Um oh, we don't we should have um struck resolutions from the agenda as well. I don't believe we have any resolutions. We'll we'll continue. Um I believe that was struck. Oh, did we get 10? **[09:05] Sam Crosby (City Planner):** I feel like I I thought so. I don't think we got 10 or 11. **[09:10] Chair James Johnson:** Okay. By unanimous consent, I'm going to skip uh items 10 and 11. Is there any objection? Okay. Uh then we'll go to um liaison reports. Uh the first one would be um Oh, I don't have the list. They usually know uh City Council. **[09:25] Commissioner Kolkaski:** Oh, yes, that is me. Lots of updates for our City Council. Uh first, the council approved a revised climate action plan that builds on the 2020 version with new action, new goals focused on public health, emergency management, and internal city capacity. The plan >> [clears throat and cough] >> the new updated climate action plan emphasizes goal four, which is to encourage sustainable design and building practices. So, that advocates for integrating environmental best practice into new construction and renovation projects. And then we've got a couple updates on our infrastructure and connectivity projects. Nicollet Avenue reconstruction, um a resolution was passed prohibiting on-street parking on Nicollet from 77th to 66th to accommodate reconstruction project starting in 2026. And then Nine Mile Creek Trail connection, the council authorized a grant application to connect the Nine Mile Creek Trail to the Southdale Library through Adam Hill's Park. Um which will be great for improving pedestrian connectivity in a densely populated area. And then just a quick new H quick a new [clears throat] HR director was appointed as well. So, Kate Krotow was confirmed as the city's first HR director effective May 18th. And um they will be in a brand new position and that reports directly to the city manager. **[11:00] Chair James Johnson:** Sustainability Commission. **[11:02] Commissioner [Unassigned]:** No report. **[11:04] Chair James Johnson:** Transportation Commission. **[11:06] Commissioner Wall:** Yes, it seems like it's uh this disco subject is always Penn Avenue, but there's a lot of engagement going on ahead of that construction which is anticipated to start in 2028. There was a presentation from uh Hennepin an engineer from Hennepin County concerning parking and bike way proposals for the corridor, how to accommodate potential bike lanes and what the parking situation will be like. Uh there's another meeting of the commission coming up uh this week on Wednesday. So, more to come on that. And I'm sure Kolkaski already touched on Nicollet Avenue stuff. So, thanks for taking care of that part of my presentation. I think you already covered it. That's all. **[11:45] Chair James Johnson:** Thank you. School Board. **[11:47] Commissioner [School Liaison]:** Chair Johnson and commissioners, I apologize. I didn't realize um until I read the minutes that I was assigned that at the last meeting. So, no report tonight, but there will be in the future. **[12:00] Chair James Johnson:** >> That's all right. Um no report for Chamber of Commerce. What is Oh, there's one more. What are we missing? **[12:10] Commissioner Charlton:** Uh the HRA uh met on the 20th to discuss um and they adopted or or accepted a um proposal for a duplex built on 6326 14. So, they approved the sale of that lot to um to a developer to build a side-by-side duplex there. It will be, I believe, the first of a new construction duplex here in Richfield since we've changed that zoning. So, pretty exciting. I know there was a previous applicant who tried to go through that. They couldn't end up getting financing because of appraisal issues. They're hoping that this will um they'll be in a better position now with the appraisal. Just the main issue is there's not comps for a brand new duplex in Richfield. So, they're trying to get that through, but it's exciting to see that happen. **[13:00] Chair James Johnson:** All right. And then the last one uh Community Services Advisory Commission. Did we assign I think Did we assign that to the new commissioner or we hadn't picked one yet? So, next month if you just want to um uh see what the Community Services Advisory Commission is up read their minutes or their agenda and then just give us a little update about what they've been working on. **[13:25] Commissioner Jacob Peterson:** Okay. **[13:26] Chair James Johnson:** All right. That would be all of our liaison reports. The next thing on the agenda would be the city planner's report. **[13:35] Sam Crosby (City Planner):** Uh thank you, Chair and commissioners. Um the first item is that Lupe Development applied for sketch plan review of a concept project for the the Legion site up here on Portland Avenue. Um and this is an optional uh land use uh request that's completely administrative in nature. Um it just gets staff feedback and uh we're pleased that they decided to to take that option. Um and uh they have also initiated a traffic study and I saw some people going around and um up near that area and taking pictures and I think the the cord was laid across the road. So, that is um going on in the background. Uh a minor site plan amendment was administratively approved for Les Schwab Tires for a reconfiguration of their parking lot at 3015 66th Street West. Uh we have also actually Ruby started a metal detector rental program which can be loaned out to property owners for free. The owner signs an agreement that the uh metal detector will be returned by a certain date. And uh if it's not returned at all, then we will um kind of bill the it against their property taxes. So, um there is a way to ensure that it is it is returned. Um Richfield Bible Church applied also applied for sketch plan review. Um they're looking at a building expansion on the south side of their building at 6215 Oliver Avenue South. And then also um we uh internally reviewed the four proposals that we received for the comprehensive plan update consultant. Um we narrowed it down to two finalists, uh conducted interviews, and I can report that we have uh chosen to go with TC2 as our consultant for the project. So, we are currently negotiating a scope of services um with TC2 and um may have a contract to bring forward to the City Council by the end of May or early June. I I've never done this before. So, I'm not sure exactly how long it takes. But um do you have any questions about any of that? **[15:45] Commissioner Huey:** Commissioner, we have got a quick First of all, the sketch plan review. Could you just give us a quick overview of where that is in the whole process? And then um remind us where is the Lupe Development site? **[16:00] Sam Crosby (City Planner):** Um it's the Legion site. So, it's 6501 Portland Avenue. And um sketch plan review typically happens after a like a work session, but before formal land use application. So, in other words, it kind of goes where first you talk to decision makers very informally about your idea, then you talk to staff. That would be the sketch plan review. And then if you're feeling good about all that, then then you go ahead and apply to make formal application. **[16:30] Commissioner Huey:** So, kind of like a a soft check to make sure they're on the right track before they bring it before them kind of >> **[16:35] Sam Crosby (City Planner):** Yeah, it just helps them um like it helps ferret out bigger issue questions such as are we going to be looking for a traffic study? Um and then they they can know, oh well, we're going to have to commission this before we apply and and things like that. **[16:50] Chair James Johnson:** All right. I have to ask what what are the metal detector for? **[16:55] Sam Crosby (City Planner):** Um the metal detector is uh specifically for the purpose of um property owners finding their property pins. Um and the idea came from um I do driveway permits um and a lot of I mean property or whoever, property owners or contractors who are applying for the permits um you need to show the distance of the driveway from the property line. We require a one-foot distance. Um a lot of people don't know where their property lines are um and a lot of the time people are guessing or kind of just like, well, my fence is here, but that's not a good indicator of where your property lines are. Um and we just figured it was a good investment um because it it just helps to avoid like the opposite way of like addressing stuff through code enforcement. So, kind of a proactive way of of doing stuff. **[17:45] Chair James Johnson:** You're not anticipating for homeowners to find treasure buried in the city. **[17:50] Sam Crosby (City Planner):** Um no. The The agreement actually says um that it can't be used for any other purpose. So, >> [laughter] >> Thank you. Yeah. We actually got our um the very first person to ever rent it out today. So, that was cool. **[18:05] Commissioner Huey:** Yeah. Do you have anything to ensure that they don't look for treasure other than the Just curious. **[18:10] Sam Crosby (City Planner):** I think finding one's property corner is reward enough. **[18:15] Chair James Johnson:** All right. Any other questions for city staff? **[18:18] Commissioner Jacob Peterson:** Uh I'm curious, what is the comprehensive plan in two sentences? **[18:22] Sam Crosby (City Planner):** Great question. So, um the comprehensive plan is um required within the seven-county area um by the Metropolitan Council. But it is a good idea for and some communities that are not within the seven metro still do one. Um it's a 10-year um it plan we we do it every 10 years and it looks forward for 30 years. And it addresses how the city wants to grow and develop, how we plan to change just everything from parks to roads to to land use. Um so, it it's quite an undertaking um with uh inter interdepartmentally. Um and it's way too big of a of a lift for staff alone to handle it along with our um daily uh responsibilities. So, that's why we uh engage a consultant to help us with it. **[19:15] Chair James Johnson:** All right. I would entertain a motion to adjourn. **[19:18] Commissioner Charlton:** Commissioner Charlton moves to adjourn. **[19:20] Chair James Johnson:** Is there a second? **[19:22] Commissioner Surma:** Commissioner Surma so seconds. **[19:24] Chair James Johnson:** Any discussion? All those in favor, please say I. **[19:28] All Commissioners:** I. I. **[19:30] Chair James Johnson:** Opposed? We stand adjourned.