This transcript is from a **Bloomington Planning Commission** meeting. Please note that while the provided list contains the City Council and Department Directors, Planning Commission members are separate volunteer residents. Based on the dialogue, the commissioners present are **Commissioners Abdi, Albrecht, Cookson (transcribed as Cookden), Goltzman, and Korman.** The name "**Jerome Rohman**" appearing in the text is a frequent automated transcription error for "**Chair**" or "**Chairman.**" [00:00] **Chair**: GOOD EVENING AND WELCOME TO THE DECEMBER 8TH MEETING OF THE BLOOMINGTON PLANNING COMMISSION. THE PLANNING COMMISSION IS MADE UP OF SEVEN VOLUNTEER BLOOMINGTON RESIDENTS APPOINTED BY THE CITY COUNCIL. TONIGHT WE HAVE A FULL HOUSE. THE COMMISSION ADVISES THE CITY COUNCIL ON DEVELOPMENT PROPOSALS, DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS, LONG-RANGE PLANNING, AND TRANSPORTATION ISSUES. OUR WORK IS INFORMED BY THE CITY'S COMPREHENSIVE PLAN, VARIOUS DISTRICT PLANS, AND THE CITY CODE. FOR SOME ITEMS, THE COMMISSION MAKES A RECOMMENDATION WITH THE CITY COUNCIL HAVING THE FINAL DECISION AUTHORITY. IN OTHER CASES, THE PLANNING COMMISSION CAN APPROVE OR DENY AN APPLICATION SUBJECT TO AN APPEAL TO THE CITY COUNCIL. FOR EACH ACTION, THERE WILL BE A STAFF REPORT, AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THE APPLICANT TO PRESENT, THEN TIME FOR ANY MEMBER OF THE PUBLIC TO PROVIDE TESTIMONY. OUR FIRST ORDER OF BUSINESS TONIGHT IS THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE. PLEASE STAND AS YOU ARE ABLE. I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS, ONE NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL. ALL RIGHT. BEFORE WE MOVE INTO OUR AGENDA ITEMS, I'D ASK PLANNING MANAGER MARKHARD TO COVER INFORMATION ON HOW TO TESTIFY REMOTELY. [00:02] **Glen Markhard (Planning Manager)**: COMMISSIONERS, WE HAVE TWO PUBLIC HEARINGS TONIGHT AND WE CAN TAKE TESTIMONY HERE IN THE CHAMBERS, BUT WE CAN ALSO RECEIVE TESTIMONY IF YOU'RE AT HOME TONIGHT AND WOULD LIKE TO CALL IN TO TESTIFY ON EITHER PUBLIC HEARING. THE NUMBERS ARE LISTED ON THE SCREEN, AND WHEN YOU CALL IN, JUST ENTER IN THE ACCESS CODE. WE WILL ALSO HAVE THIS PHONE NUMBER AND ACCESS CODE FLASHING ON THE SCREEN DURING THE PUBLIC HEARING ITEMS. [00:03] **Chair**: THANK YOU FOR THAT. THE FIRST ITEM TONIGHT IS A REQUEST FOR A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT FOR A MINOR AND MAJOR AUTO REPAIR, AND PLANNING TECHNICIAN NAVARRO WILL PRESENT THE STAFF REPORT. [00:03] **Navarro (Planning Technician)**: GOOD EVENING, CHAIR AND COMMISSIONERS. ITEM ONE IS A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT FOR A MINOR AND MAJOR OUTDOOR REPAIR LOCATED AT 1700 EAST OLD SHAKOPEE ROAD. STAFF RECEIVED CORRESPONDENCE FROM ONE RESIDENT AND I WILL ADDRESS HIS QUESTIONS THROUGHOUT MY PRESENTATION. WE ALSO PROVIDED THE CORRESPONDENCE TO THE PLANNING COMMISSION PRIOR TO THE MEETING. ON THIS AERIAL, THE PROPOSED SITE IS HIGHLIGHTED IN BLUE AT THE NORTHEAST CORNER OF EAST OLD SHAKOPEE ROAD AND 17TH AVENUE. THE SUBJECT PROPERTY IS DESIGNATED GENERAL BUSINESS IN THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN. MINOR AND MAJOR REPAIRS ARE ALLOWED AS CONDITIONAL USES IN THE B-2 ZONING DISTRICT. THERE ARE SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL USES TO THE WEST AND COMMERCIAL USES TO THE NORTH AND EAST OF THE PROPERTY. THE EXISTING BUILDING IS A NONCONFORMING SERVICE STATION THAT THE PREVIOUS OWNER VACATED BEFORE SEPTEMBER 2021. THE APPLICANT PROPOSES A FOUR-BAY AUTO REPAIR AND DETAILING BUSINESS IN THE VACANT SERVICE STATION. TWO BAYS WILL BE USED FOR DETAILING, ONE FOR MINOR REPAIRS, AND ONE FOR BOTH MAJOR AND MINOR REPAIRS. THIS IS NOT PART OF THE APPLICATION, BUT I WANT TO MENTION THAT THE APPLICANT INTENDS TO RESTORE THE EXISTING FUEL SERVICE AND THE CONVENIENCE STORE, WHICH ARE PERMITTED USES IN THE B2 ZONING DISTRICT. THE APPLICANT HAS BEEN IN CONTACT WITH THE MPCA TO GET THE FUEL PUMPS WORKING. IF THE CONVENIENCE STORE AND THE PUMPS ARE NOT RESTORED BY JUNE 1ST, 2023, THE APPLICANT MUST REMOVE THE CANOPY AND FUEL PUMPS. THERE WILL BE MINOR CHANGES TO THE EXISTING SITE, INCLUDING A SECURITY FENCE AND SECURITY CAMERA SYSTEM TO SECURE THE AREA AND DECREASE POTENTIAL ISSUES WITH VEHICLES WAITING FOR REPAIR. THE APPLICANT PROPOSES A SECURITY FENCE ENCLOSING 14 PARKING SPACES AT THE BACK OF THE SITE ALONG 17TH AVENUE, OUTLINED IN RED. AS PROPOSED, ONE PARKING SPACE WILL BE REMOVED FROM THE OVERALL PARKING TO ACCOMMODATE THE FENCE. STAFF DOESN'T SUPPORT THE PLACEMENT OF THE SECURITY FENCE AS PROPOSED BECAUSE IT WILL RESULT IN ONLY FOUR SPACES BEING AVAILABLE FOR CUSTOMER AND EMPLOYEE PARKING. STAFF RECOMMENDS THAT THE APPLICANT ONLY FENCE THE AREA OUTLINED IN GREEN AND HAS ADDED A CONDITION OF APPROVAL. ALSO, STAFF WANTS TO AVOID THE AUTO REPAIR STORAGE BECOMING AN INDUSTRIAL CHARACTER BECAUSE IT'S NOT APPROPRIATE GIVEN THE SINGLE-FAMILY HOMES ALONG 17TH AVENUE. THE EXISTING SITE HAS 18 EXTERIOR PARKING SPACES WHERE 12 SPACES ARE REQUIRED BY CITY CODE. STAFF HAS NO CONCERNS WITH THE PARKING AS IT EXCEEDS THE 12 REQUIRED SPACES. FOR LANDSCAPING, THE APPROVED PLAN FOR THE SITE REQUIRES TREES AND SHRUBS AROUND THE PARKING AREA AND A THREE-FOOT HIGH FENCE ALONG 17TH AVENUE AND THE CORNER ALONG EAST OLD SHAKOPEE ROAD. IT APPEARS THAT SOME MATERIALS HAVE SURVIVED; HOWEVER, THE REQUIRED THREE-FOOT SCREENED FENCE ALONG 17TH AVENUE HAS BEEN REMOVED. THE APPLICANT MUST PROVIDE COMPLIANCE WITH THE APPROVED LANDSCAPING PLAN, INCLUDING THE SCREEN FENCE, OR PROVIDE A NEW PLAN. AS STATED BY THE RESIDENT'S EMAIL, THERE IS A HISTORY OF LANDSCAPING OBSTRUCTING THE 17TH AVENUE DRIVEWAY. STAFF HAS ADDED A CONDITION THAT A 15-FOOT CLEAR VIEW AT THE DRIVEWAY APPROACH ONTO 17TH AVENUE MUST BE MAINTAINED. AS THE PROPERTY HAS BEEN VACANT FOR OVER ONE YEAR, THE APPLICANT MUST UPGRADE THE PARKING LOT LIGHTING AND SECURITY LIGHTING AS WELL AS PROVIDE INDOOR TRASH AND RECYCLING. A REVIEW OF REVISED PLANS FOR COMPLIANCE HAS BEEN ADDED AS WELL. GIVEN THE SITE CHARACTERISTICS OF A VACANT SERVICE STATION, STAFF WAS ABLE TO MAKE ALL FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDS APPROVAL OF THE APPLICATION THROUGH THE MOTION ON THE SCREEN. THANK YOU. [00:07] **Chair**: THANK YOU FOR THAT. ARE THERE QUESTIONS FOR STAFF ON ITEM ONE? MR. ALBRECHT? [00:07] **Commissioner Albrecht**: THANK YOU, CHAIR. MS. NAVARRO, MY QUESTION IS REGARDING A COMMENT I READ IN THE NOTES—I BELIEVE IT WAS FROM FIRE—RELATED TO THE TANKS. THE FUEL TANKS. I THINK YOU MENTIONED THIS, BUT I JUST WANT TO CLARIFY: IS THERE A TWO-YEAR WINDOW IN WHICH IF THE TANKS ARE NOT USED FOR TWO YEARS, THEY HAVE TO BE TAKEN OUT AND REDONE IF THEY'RE GOING TO DO FUEL? IS THAT CORRECT? [00:08] **Navarro (Planning Technician)**: YEAH, THAT'S CORRECT. AND THE FUEL PUMPS AND THE CANOPY MUST BE REMOVED BY JUNE 1ST, 2023, IF THEY'RE NOT RESTORED. [00:08] **Commissioner Albrecht**: OKAY. THANK YOU. AND IF I MAY, ONE MORE QUESTION. MY OTHER QUESTIONS RELATED TO THE SCREENING ON 17TH. I JUST WANT TO CLARIFY: DOES IT REQUIRE A THREE-FOOT SCREEN ALONG THAT RED DOTTED LINE? IS THAT INTENDED TO SHIELD HEADLIGHTS FROM THE SURROUNDING NEIGHBORHOOD? [00:08] **Navarro (Planning Technician)**: CHAIR, COMMISSIONER, I BELIEVE SO. IT IS FOR SCREENING THE SINGLE-FAMILY HOMES ALONG 17TH AVENUE. [00:08] **Commissioner Albrecht**: OKAY. THAT'S ALL. THANKS. [00:09] **Chair**: IF I CAN TAG ON TO THAT, MY UNDERSTANDING WAS THAT THE RED WAS THEIR PROPOSED FENCE, CORRECT? SO THE QUESTION I THINK MIGHT BE: IS THERE ANY PLANNED SCREENING ALONG THAT NORTH EDGE WHERE THAT LITTLE BIT OF RED REMAINS, OR WILL THAT BE THE LANDSCAPING SCREEN? [00:09] **Navarro (Planning Technician)**: WE JUST DON'T WANT THE FENCE IN THAT PORTION, BUT OUR CONDITIONS DO CALL FOR MORE SCREENING AND LANDSCAPING THERE. [00:09] **Chair**: CORRECT. PERFECT. OTHER QUESTIONS FOR STAFF? OKAY. SEEING NONE, WOULD THE APPLICANT LIKE TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? GO AHEAD AND COME FORWARD IF YOU'D LIKE. INTRODUCE YOURSELF AND SHARE ANYTHING. [00:10] **Eric Aaron (Applicant)**: GOOD EVENING, EVERYBODY. I'M ERIC AARON. NICE TO MEET YOU ALL TONIGHT. WELL, I'VE BEEN LOOKING FORWARD TO MEETING ALL THE REQUIREMENTS OF THIS CITY AND DOING AS THE CITY WANTS DONE. I AM KIND OF EXCITED TO GET THIS BUSINESS GOING. I HAVE APPROACHED A FEW BRAND-NAME GASOLINE SUPPLIERS THAT WOULD COME AND FACELIFT THAT ENTIRE CORNER FOR ME. OF COURSE, I HAVE TO PITCH IN FUNDING, TOO, BUT THEY HELP ME GET A NICE BRAND. I HAVE A COUPLE OF BRAND NAMES INTERESTED IN THE LOCATION. SO ABSOLUTELY, WE'RE GOING TO PUT TOGETHER A GOOD SHOW AND LIGHT UP THAT CORNER, REALLY, BECAUSE THAT CORNER IS A DARK CORNER RIGHT NOW. I THINK IT WOULD BE GREAT BECAUSE WE PLAN TO STAY OPEN UNTIL TEN IN THE EVENING EVERY EVENING, AND I DO HAVE A GOOD TEAM THAT WILL RUN THE BUSINESS FOR US. [00:11] **Chair**: THANK YOU FOR THAT. ONE QUESTION I HAVE IS IN THE AUTO REPAIR SECTION. ONE OF THE THINGS WE HEARD FROM MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY WAS ABOUT THE TYPE OF AUTO WORK. IT SOUNDED LIKE IN THE PAST, THERE WAS SOME WORK DONE THAT INVOLVED LOUD EXHAUST THAT WAS DISRUPTIVE. WHAT TYPE OF AUTO REPAIR ARE YOU ENVISIONING? IS IT GOING TO BE ROUTINE REPAIR? [00:11] **Eric Aaron (Applicant)**: JUST ROUTINE REPAIR. YOU KNOW, ONCE IN A WHILE YOU'LL HAVE SOMEBODY COME UP TO THE SHOP WITH A MUFFLER ISSUE AND THEIR VEHICLE IS GOING TO BE NOISY WHEN IT COMES IN, BUT IT WILL BE QUIET WHEN IT GOES OUT. [00:11] **Chair**: WONDERFUL. ANY OTHER QUESTIONS FOR THE APPLICANT? ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. THIS ITEM IS A PUBLIC HEARING, SO I WILL OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING. YOU'RE WELCOME TO HAVE A SEAT. I DO NOT SEE ANY MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC IN THE CHAMBERS. ONLINE? [00:12] **Glen Markhard (Planning Manager)**: WE HAVE NO CALLERS ONLINE. [00:12] **Chair**: THERE'S NO ONE ONLINE EITHER. SO SEEING THAT, I WOULD ENTERTAIN A MOTION TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING. [00:12] **Commissioner Goltzman**: SO MOVED. [00:12] **Commissioner Abdi**: SECOND. [00:12] **Chair**: THANK YOU. WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING. ANY DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE. (AYE). OPPOSED? THE PUBLIC HEARING IS CLOSED. DISCUSSION ON THE ITEM? COMMISSIONER ABDI. [00:13] **Commissioner Abdi**: THANK YOU, CHAIR. I MEAN, WITH RESPECT TO THE NEW ENTREPRENEUR, I'M EXCITED FOR YOU TO START THE BUSINESS. THIS IS MY NEIGHBORHOOD; I LIVE IN THIS AREA AND COMMUTE HERE. I SHOP AT THE ASIAN STORE RIGHT THERE VERY FREQUENTLY. THE MOSQUE IS RIGHT IN THAT CORNER. I WOULD HAVE LOVED TO SEE A DIFFERENT USE GO INTO THAT SPOT, BUT I IMAGINE FOR A NEW BUSINESS, HAVING TO CLEAN UP ENVIRONMENTAL COMPONENTS WOULD HAVE JUST EATEN UP FUNDS. I DON'T NECESSARILY HAVE OPPOSITION TO THE APPLICATION. THE USE IS PERMITTED WITH CONDITIONS, SO IT'S NOT A REZONING WHERE WE COULD CHALLENGE THE USE. BUT I'M JUST... I WOULD HAVE LOVED TO, AND I'M SURE THE NEIGHBORHOOD WOULD HAVE LOVED TO HAVE A DIFFERENT TYPE OF BUSINESS INSTEAD OF ANOTHER GAS STATION BECAUSE WE HAVE TWO ALREADY IN THAT CORNER. BUT YOU KNOW, I CONGRATULATE YOU AND YOUR BUSINESS. I HOPE IT ALL GOES WELL. I WOULD BE IN SUPPORT OF THE APPLICATION AS PROPOSED. [00:14] **Chair**: THANK YOU. OTHER DISCUSSION? COMMISSIONER ALBRECHT. [00:14] **Commissioner Albrecht**: THANK YOU, CHAIR. I TOO LIVE IN THAT NEIGHBORHOOD JUST A FEW BLOCKS AWAY AND FREQUENT A LOT OF THOSE OTHER GAS STATIONS. SO, A NEW ONE FOR ME TO TRY OUT. I AM ALSO IN SUPPORT; HOWEVER, I DO WANT TO ECHO COMMISSIONER ABDI'S COMMENTS REGARDING POTENTIAL USES IN THE FUTURE, BUT I DO KNOW THAT THE ENVIRONMENTAL REMEDIATION IS VERY COSTLY. I AM IN SUPPORT OF TURNING THIS DARK CORNER INTO MORE EYES ON THE STREET. I DO KNOW THAT IT HAS BEEN VACANT THE ENTIRE TIME I'VE LIVED IN MY HOUSE, SO I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO SEEING SOMETHING MORE... MORE ACTION THERE. [00:15] **Chair**: I TOO AM SUPPORTIVE OF THIS APPLICATION. I APPRECIATE THE REUSE OF A VACANT BUILDING. I APPRECIATE THE APPLICANT SIGNING ON WITH A MAJOR BRAND FLAG WHO MAY BRING MORE RESOURCES AND AN AESTHETIC. I MEAN, IT'S A FINE BUILDING, BUT IT'S VERY DATED, AND SO I THINK THAT GIVES PERHAPS SOME OTHER RESOURCES FOR THE APPLICANT TO BE ABLE TO DO SOMETHING THAT HOPEFULLY IS A POSITIVE FOR THE NEIGHBORHOOD. I THINK IT'S ALWAYS GOOD TO HAVE MORE NEARBY AUTO REPAIR OPTIONS. UNFORTUNATELY, I WON'T BE COMING FOR A MUFFLER REPAIR FOR MY ELECTRIC CAR, BUT I'LL BE ABLE TO STOP IN FOR A SODA. [00:15] **Eric Aaron (Applicant)**: COME IN AND USE OUR POWER STATION FOR YOUR CAR! [00:15] **Chair**: EXCELLENT! ANY OTHER DISCUSSION ON THIS ITEM OR A MOTION? [00:16] **Commissioner Goltzman**: I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION, PLEASE. IN CASE PL2022-220, HAVING BEEN ABLE TO MAKE THE REQUIRED FINDINGS, I MOVE TO APPROVE A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT FOR MINOR AND MAJOR VEHICLE REPAIR AT 1700 EAST OLD SHAKOPEE ROAD, SUBJECT TO THE CONDITIONS AND CODE REQUIREMENTS ATTACHED TO THE STAFF REPORT. [00:16] **Commissioner Albrecht**: SECOND. [00:16] **Chair**: THANK YOU. WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND TO APPROVE A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT. ANY ADDITIONAL DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE. (AYE). OPPOSED? MOTION PASSES. THIS IS A FINAL DECISION UNLESS AN APPEAL IS RECEIVED BY 4:30 P.M. ON DECEMBER 13TH. THANK YOU. ITEM NUMBER TWO IS ANOTHER PUBLIC HEARING. THIS IS A CITY-INITIATED ITEM: ORDINANCE UPDATING CODE REQUIREMENTS FOR SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL AND TWO-FAMILY DWELLINGS AND COMP PLAN AMENDMENTS. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ANALYST PALERMO IS WITH US ON THIS ITEM. [00:17] **Palermo (Economic Development Analyst)**: THANK YOU, CHAIR AND COMMISSIONERS. I'M HERE TO FINALLY BRING FORTH THE SINGLE- AND TWO-FAMILY CODE STANDARDS UPDATE. AS YOU RECALL, BACK IN OCTOBER 2021, WE STARTED TALKING ABOUT THIS WITH THE HRA AND IN A STUDY SESSION. WE HAD A SECOND STUDY SESSION IN JANUARY, AND FOLLOWING THOSE TWO SESSIONS, WE WENT TO THE CITY COUNCIL TO GET THEIR INPUT, UNDERSTANDING THAT THIS IS A PRETTY SUBSTANTIAL UPDATE. AS YOU SAW, WE HAD SEVERAL CHAPTERS BEING ADDRESSED HERE, EVEN A COMP PLAN AMENDMENT. WE GATHERED THAT INPUT AND DID OUTREACH WITH THE COMMUNITY. WE WENT TO THE FARMER'S MARKET, TALKED WITH DEVELOPERS, AND GATHERED THEIR INPUT TO MAKE SURE WE WERE ON THE RIGHT TRACK. AS I SHIFTED TO MY NEW ROLE IN THE PORT AUTHORITY AS AN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ANALYST, I CONTINUED TO WORK ON THIS, WHICH IS WHY THE TIMELINE IS EXTENDED. BUT WE'RE HERE TODAY. AS YOU REMEMBER, THE GOALS ARE TO ENCOURAGE HOUSING OPTIONS. THIS IS ONE TOOL OF MANY. BLOOMINGTON IS TRYING TO INCREASE AFFORDABILITY, INCREASE OPTIONS, AND ADDRESS RACIAL EQUITY AND ANY POTENTIAL DISCRIMINATORY POLICIES IN OUR CODE. WE ARE ALWAYS LOOKING TO ENCOURAGE A HEALTHY AND SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITY. SOME OF THE ISSUES WE DEAL WITH IN THIS CODE ARE SHIFTING MARKET DEMAND. THE BLOOMINGTON THAT GREW UP IN THE FIFTIES IS A LOT DIFFERENT TODAY. WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WE'RE PROVIDING A HOUSING PRODUCT FOR A WIDE RANGE OF NEEDS. I LIKE TO BRING UP THIS CHART. IT REALLY HIGHLIGHTS WHY HOUSING IS SO IMPORTANT. IN 2008, AFTER THE HOUSING MARKET CRASH, PRODUCTION REALLY WENT DOWN. WE WEREN'T BUILDING HOMES ANYMORE, BUT OUR POPULATION CONTINUED TO GROW. WE WERE REALLY UNDERSUPPLIED. WE ARE STILL NOT MEETING THAT DEMAND WE NEED TO HAVE, AND NOW WE'RE KIND OF IN A CATCH-UP PERIOD. THIS IS FOR THE METRO REGION. WE STILL HAVE AN OWNERSHIP GAP. THIS UPDATE WILL HOPEFULLY ENCOURAGE MORE HOUSING TYPES. OUR WHITE NON-HISPANIC POPULATION OWNS AT A RATE OF ABOUT 75% OF HOUSEHOLDS, WHEREAS OUR BLACK AND AFRICAN-AMERICAN POPULATION ONLY OWNS AT A RATE OF 20%. THAT'S A HUGE GAP WE NEED TO MAKE INROADS ON. THIS UPDATES CHAPTER 19, 21, 22, AND PROPOSES COMP PLAN AMENDMENTS. IN CHAPTER 19, WE ARE LOOKING TO SLIGHTLY ADJUST THE TWO-FAMILY HOME DEFINITION. WE HAVE THIS PROVISION OF A MINIMUM TEN-FOOT COMMON WALL. WE ALSO WANT TO PROVIDE FLEXIBILITY AS WE START LOOKING AT OTHER HOUSING OPTIONS. CHAPTER 21 IS WHERE MOST OF OUR DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS ARE HOUSED. WE ARE PROPOSING TO REDUCE OUR MINIMUM LOT SIZE FROM 11,000 SQUARE FEET TO 7,800 SQUARE FEET, AND FOR CORNER LOTS FROM 15,000 SQUARE FEET TO 11,050 SQUARE FEET. CURRENTLY, ABOUT 17.8% OF OUR LOTS DO NOT MEET OUR 11,000 SQUARE FOOT STANDARD. THIS UPDATE WILL BRING MOST OF THAT INTO CONFORMANCE. WE'RE ALSO PROPOSING TO REMOVE THE PREVAILING LOT WIDTH REQUIREMENTS OR THE MEDIAN LOT WIDTH REQUIREMENT IN THE R-1 ZONING DISTRICT. ONE OF THE CONCERNS WE DISCUSSED WAS: IF WE GO TOO FAR TO A SMALL LOT, ARE WE GOING TO ENCOURAGE MASS REDEVELOPMENT? WE SETTLED ON 60 FEET AS A GOOD COMPROMISE. MY ANALYSIS SHOWED THERE ISN'T A WHOLE LOT OF CONCERN THAT WE'RE GOING TO SEE MASS GENTRIFICATION. WE'RE ANTICIPATING MAYBE 10 TO 20 NEW UNITS A YEAR AS A RESULT OF THIS. RELATED TO FLOOR AREA, THE COUNCIL GAVE DIRECTION THAT WE DON'T NEED A MINIMUM FLOOR AREA. WE WANT TO BE FLEXIBLE. RELATED TO STORMWATER, WE CURRENTLY LIMIT IMPERVIOUS SURFACE TO 35% OF THE LOT. WE'RE STILL SAYING YOU HAVE TO MEET THE 35%, BUT IF THERE IS A SITE-SPECIFIC CONTEXT WHERE YOU NEED TO GO ABOVE THAT, PUBLIC WORKS WILL WORK WITH THE APPLICANT TO FIND MITIGATION, LIKE UNDERGROUND CHAMBERS OR PLANTING TREES. FOR FRONT SETBACKS, OUR STANDARD IS 30 FEET, BUT OLDER HOMES WERE SUBJECT TO AN AVERAGE OF NEIGHBORING PROPERTIES. WE'RE PROPOSING TO JUST USE A SINGLE 30-FOOT STANDARD. FOR PARKING, WE CURRENTLY REQUIRE FOUR SPACES, TWO OF WHICH MUST BE IN A GARAGE. WE'RE PROPOSING TO REDUCE THAT TO TWO SPACES TOTAL, WITH ONE SPACE IN THE GARAGE. FOR TWO-FAMILY HOMES, WE ARE PROPOSING TO REDUCE THE LOT SIZE TO 13,000 SQUARE FEET (WHICH IS ESSENTIALLY TWO 6,500 SQUARE FOOT UNITS). WE ARE ALSO MOVING FROM A "PLANNED DEVELOPMENT" REQUIREMENT (WHICH IS A REZONING PROCESS) TO A "CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT" FOR TWO-FAMILY HOMES. THIS WOULD BE AT THE PLANNING COMMISSION LEVEL RATHER THAN THE COUNCIL LEVEL, MAKING THE APPROVAL PROCESS MUCH FASTER. FINALLY, FOR THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN, WE ARE ADJUSTING DENSITY RANGES. LOW-DENSITY RESIDENTIAL CURRENTLY GOES UP TO FIVE UNITS PER ACRE. WE ARE PROPOSING TO ADJUST THAT UP TO 12 UNITS PER ACRE TO ACCOUNT FOR ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS (ADUS). WE'VE DISCUSSED THIS WITH THE MET COUNCIL AND THEY ARE IN SUPPORT. THE ONLY COMMENT WE GOT FROM THE WATERSHED DISTRICT WAS TO FOLLOW THEIR RULES. WE ARE ALSO TAKING THIS OPPORTUNITY TO ADJUST SOME LANGUAGE IN OUR INDUSTRIAL USE DESCRIPTION TO MATCH OUR SUBURBAN RETROFIT PLANS. I'M HERE TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS. [00:34] **Chair**: THANK YOU FOR THIS. IT'S VERY WELL DONE. QUESTIONS FOR STAFF? COMMISSIONER ABDI. [00:34] **Commissioner Abdi**: THANK YOU, CHAIR. I'VE SEEN THIS ITEM IN STUDY SESSIONS AND IT'S BEEN A WHILE. I'M A LITTLE BIT DISAPPOINTED THAT WE DON'T HAVE A LOT OF RESIDENTS HERE TONIGHT. IF YOU WERE INTENTIONAL IN TRYING TO RESOLVE HOUSING INEQUALITIES, WHY LIMIT US TO 11,000 FOR A SINGLE-FAMILY AREA AND NOT OPENING IT UP TO THE ENTIRE CITY? [00:35] **Palermo (Economic Development Analyst)**: COMMISSIONER ABDI, WE DID DISCUSS GOING LOWER, LIKE A 50-FOOT WIDE LOT. WE SETTLED ON 60 FEET AS A FLOOR BECAUSE OF IMPERVIOUS SURFACE CONCERNS. IF YOU HAVE TO PUT A HOUSE, A DRIVEWAY, AND A SHED, YOU HIT THAT 35% LIMIT VERY QUICKLY ON A SMALL LOT. STAFF SETTLED ON 60 FEET AS WHAT MOST PEOPLE WERE WILLING TO ACCEPT. [00:37] **Commissioner Abdi**: MY CONCERN WAS THAT THE MAJORITY OF THESE SMALLER AREAS ARE NOT IN WEST BLOOMINGTON. IS THERE A WAY TO SHOW THE TOTAL LOT AREAS IN THE CITY THAT ARE 11,050 TO 15,000 SQUARE FEET? IF WE'RE FOCUSING ON EQUITY, WHY NOT JUST OPEN IT UP? [00:38] **Palermo (Economic Development Analyst)**: I HAVE A MAP FOR THAT. LARGER LOTS ARE EVERYWHERE, BUT THE VALUE OF THE LOT MATTERS. WEST BLOOMINGTON LOTS TEND TO HAVE HIGHER VALUES BECAUSE THE HOMES ARE NEWER. EVEN IF YOU CAN SUBDIVIDE, IF THE LOT COST IS TOO HIGH, IT MAKES NEW CONSTRUCTION LESS FEASIBLE. [00:40] **Glen Markhard (Planning Manager)**: COMMISSIONER ABDI, JUST TO ADD—CAN YOU PULL UP THE R-1 ZONING MAP? THIS MAP SHOWS THE PARCELS ZONED R-1. THERE ARE ALMOST 22,000 PARCELS. THESE PROPOSED CHANGES WOULD APPLY TO ALL PARCELS ZONED R-1 THROUGHOUT BLOOMINGTON. [00:41] **Chair**: ON THE TOPIC OF TWO-FAMILIES, WE REQUIRE A DIFFERENT LOT WIDTH FOR A SIDE-BY-SIDE. SHOULD WE THINK ABOUT A 60-FOOT LOT WIDTH BEING OKAY IF THE TWO-FAMILY WAS TWO-STORY (ONE OVER THE OTHER)? [00:42] **Glen Markhard (Planning Manager)**: CHAIR, I THINK YOU'LL FIND WE ALREADY HAVE A LOT OF LOTS THAT MEET THE 80-FOOT WIDTH. WE ALSO HAVE THE OPTION OF AN ADU WHICH CAN ACHIEVE SIMILAR DENSITY. [00:43] **Chair**: YOU TALKED ABOUT MOVING FROM A PLANNED DEVELOPMENT (PD) TO A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT (CUP) FOR TWO-FAMILY HOMES. DO WE HAVE LESS DISCRETION IN A CUP VERSUS A PD? [00:44] **Glen Markhard (Planning Manager)**: YOU WOULD HAVE MORE DISCRETION WITH A PLANNED DEVELOPMENT. BUT THE CUP STILL PROVIDES US DISCRETION IF WE SEE TOO MANY UNITS CLUSTERED ON ONE STREET. [00:45] **Commissioner Cookson**: THANK YOU, MR. CHAIR. CAN YOU GO BACK TO STRUCTURE PLACEMENT? ARE WE NOW ALLOWING SHEDS IN FRONT OF HOUSES, OR ARE THERE OTHER PROTECTIONS? [00:45] **Palermo (Economic Development Analyst)**: COMMISSIONER COOKSON, WE ARE NOT OPENING IT UP TO PUTTING ACCESSORY UNITS IN FRONT YARDS. IT WAS JUST RESOLVING A CONFLICT IN THE CODE LANGUAGE; FRONT YARDS ARE STILL PROTECTED. [00:46] **Commissioner Cookson**: ONE MORE. THE RE-GUIDING OF LOW-DENSITY RESIDENTIAL FROM 0-5 TO 0-12 UNITS PER ACRE—IS THAT CALCULATED PER LOT OR BY NEIGHBORHOOD? [00:46] **Palermo (Economic Development Analyst)**: THIS IS PER LOT. IT IS EASIER TO APPLY IT PER SITE WITH THE UNDERSTANDING THAT CITYWIDE, THE DENSITY WON'T BE ANYWHERE CLOSE TO 12. [00:48] **Commissioner Cookson**: AND PARKING FOR DUPLEXES? IS IT TWO GARAGE SPACES AND TWO DRIVEWAY SPACES TOTAL? [00:48] **Palermo (Economic Development Analyst)**: YES, IT IS PER UNIT. SO THE TWO-FAMILY WILL ESSENTIALLY HAVE TWO GARAGE SPACES AND TWO DRIVEWAY SPACES. [00:49] **Commissioner Korman**: THANK YOU, CHAIR. ARE THERE ANY OTHER COMMUNITIES YOU HAVE FOLLOWED THAT HAVE TAKEN SIMILAR STEPS, AND WHAT WERE THE RESULTS? [00:50] **Palermo (Economic Development Analyst)**: BLOOMINGTON IS IN THE MIDDLE OF THIS PROCESS COMPARED TO OTHERS. PLACES LIKE RICHFIELD AND MINNEAPOLIS DEVELOPED EARLIER AND ALREADY HAVE SMALLER LOTS. EDEN PRAIRIE HAS THREE DIFFERENT SINGLE-FAMILY DISTRICTS. WE ARE TRYING TO RETROFIT A ZONING CODE THAT HAS BEEN IN PLACE FOR 60+ YEARS. [00:53] **Commissioner Cookson**: WHERE ARE WE AT WITH COTTAGE HOMES? IS THAT PART OF THIS? [00:54] **Glen Markhard (Planning Manager)**: COMMISSIONER COOKSON, THAT WILL BE IN THE 2023 WORK PLAN. IT'S NOT PART OF THIS ORDINANCE, THOUGH THERE IS A REFERENCE TO IT IN THE PLAN TEXT AMENDMENT TO MATCH MODERN TERMINOLOGY. [00:55] **Commissioner Abdi**: JUST A POINT OF CLARIFICATION: DOES A COTTAGE LOOK LIKE AN ADU? IS A COTTAGE CONSIDERED A PRIMARY RESIDENCE? [00:56] **Palermo (Economic Development Analyst)**: I THINK OF IT LIKE DETACHED TOWNHOMES. SEVERAL SMALLER UNITS ON ONE PARCEL THAT ARE NOT ATTACHED. [00:58] **Chair**: THANK YOU. WE WILL MOVE INTO THE PUBLIC HEARING. THERE IS NOBODY IN THE CHAMBER. DO WE HAVE ANYONE ONLINE? [00:58] **Staff/Moderator**: YES, CHAIRMAN. WE HAVE ONE CALLER, MR. STEVE FURLONG. [00:59] **Steve Furlong (Public Speaker)**: GOOD EVENING, COMMISSIONERS. I LIVE AT 8140 ... ROAD IN BLOOMINGTON AND I AM AN ANCILLARY DEVELOPER. I SEE AN OPPORTUNITY HERE TO PROVIDE MORE MISSING MIDDLE HOUSING. THE TWO-FAMILY PROJECTS ALLOW US TO BRING UNSUBSIDIZED AFFORDABLE OWNERSHIP HOUSING TO THE CITY. I DON'T EXPECT TO SEE MASSIVE REDEVELOPMENT BECAUSE THE ECONOMICS OF CONSTRUCTION ARE STILL VERY HIGH, BUT THESE CHANGES WILL GIVE US MORE OPPORTUNITIES FOR HOUSEHOLDS AT THE AREA MEDIAN INCOME. THANK YOU. [01:00] **Chair**: THANK YOU. ANYONE ELSE ONLINE? NO? I WOULD ENTERTAIN A MOTION TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING. [01:01] **Commissioner Goltzman**: SO MOVED. [01:01] **Commissioner Cookson**: SECOND. [01:01] **Chair**: ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE. (AYE). THE MOTION PASSES. DISCUSSION ON THE PROPOSED CODE AMENDMENTS? COMMISSIONER ABDI. [01:02] **Commissioner Abdi**: AS A FIRST-GENERATION HOMEBUYER, I WANT MORE FAMILIES TO MOVE TO BLOOMINGTON. BUT BEING SELFISH AS A RESIDENT, I AM FEARFUL OF WHAT DENSITY WOULD DO TO MY PROPERTY VALUE. AS A PLANNER, HOWEVER, I SEE THE VALUE OF IT AND I WOULD BE IN SUPPORT. [01:04] **Commissioner Cookson**: I AGREE. I THINK THESE ARE "GENTLE INCREASES" IN DENSITY. IT ALLOWS US TO SEE HOW IT WORKS AND ADJUST LATER IF NEEDED. I'M IN FAVOR. [01:05] **Commissioner Goltzman**: I WANT TO THANK STAFF. I LIKE THAT THIS BRINGS NON-CONFORMING LOTS INTO CONFORMANCE. I ALSO AGREE WITH REDUCING PARKING STANDARDS AS WE BECOME MORE URBAN, THOUGH WE MUST BE CAREFUL ABOUT STREETS THAT DON'T ALLOW ON-STREET PARKING. [01:08] **Commissioner Korman**: I'M IN SUPPORT BECAUSE THIS OPENS UP OPPORTUNITIES WE'VE BEEN TALKING ABOUT FOR YEARS. [01:09] **Chair**: I'M SHOCKED WE ONLY HAD ONE MEMBER OF THE COMMUNITY PROVIDE INPUT. THERE WILL BE ANOTHER OPPORTUNITY ON JANUARY 9TH AT THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING. WOULD ANYONE BE INTERESTED IN MAKING A MOTION? [01:10] **Commissioner Goltzman**: IN CASE PL2022-221, I MOVE TO RECOMMEND APPROVAL OF THE ORDINANCE UPDATING CITY CODE REQUIREMENTS FOR SINGLE-FAMILY AND TWO-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL LOTS, AMENDING CHAPTERS 21 AND 22. [01:10] **Commissioner Albrecht**: SECOND. [01:10] **Chair**: ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE. (AYE). MOTION PASSES. [01:11] **Commissioner Goltzman**: I'D LIKE TO MAKE ANOTHER MOTION. I MOVE TO RECOMMEND APPROVAL OF THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN TEXT AMENDMENT. [01:11] **Commissioner Albrecht**: SECOND. [01:11] **Chair**: ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE. (AYE). THAT ALSO PASSES. ITEM NUMBER THREE IS THE MEETING SYNOPSIS FROM NOVEMBER 3RD. [01:12] **Commissioner Albrecht**: I HAVE AN EDIT. MY LAST NAME IS SPELLED INCORRECTLY ON PAGE SIX. [01:12] **Chair**: NOTED. I'LL MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE SYNOPSIS WITH THE EDITS. [01:13] **Commissioner Goltzman**: SECOND. [01:13] **Chair**: ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE. (AYE). MOTION PASSES. ITEM FOUR IS THE PLANNING COMMISSION UPDATE. [01:13] **Glen Markhard (Planning Manager)**: COMMISSIONERS, OUR NEXT MEETING IS DECEMBER 22ND. WE HAVE A VARIANCE FOR A SIDE YARD SETBACK AND A REVIEW OF THE 2023 WORK PLAN. WE MAY ALSO HAVE A STUDY DISCUSSION ON THE SIGN ORDINANCE. [01:14] **Chair**: RELATED TO THE WORK PLAN, I WOULD LIKE TO REQUEST AN UPDATE FROM ENGINEERING ON THE STRATEGIC TRANSPORTATION PLAN. WE NEED TO LOOK AT THE STREETS POLICY WHICH WAS LAST UPDATED 20 YEARS AGO. I'D ALSO LIKE A STATUS UPDATE ON THE PENN AMERICAN DISTRICT PLANNING. I ALSO ATTENDED THE BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS MEETING WITH THE MAYOR. THE CITY HAS A NEW STRATEGIC PLAN. IT TALKS ABOUT BEING BOLD AND TAKING RISKS. ONE THING I'D LIKE US TO THINK ABOUT IS INVITING OTHER COMMISSIONS—LIKE SUSTAINABILITY OR THE PORT AUTHORITY—TO OUR MEETINGS TO DISCUSS OVERLAPPING PRIORITIES. [01:18] **Commissioner Cookson**: THE COMMISSION THAT COMES TO MIND FOR ME IS THE PORT AUTHORITY. THERE IS A LOT OF OVERLAP IN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT. [01:19] **Commissioner Goltzman**: I'D ALSO LIKE AN UPDATE ON THE PARKS PLAN IN THE COMING MONTHS. [01:19] **Chair**: GREAT. WITH THAT, WE ARE ADJOURNED UNTIL DECEMBER 22ND. THANK YOU.