As an expert transcriptionist, I have analyzed the context and phonetics of your transcript to identify the speakers. Please note that several names in the raw text were phonetically transcribed (e.g., "Commissioner Gal" for Garza, "Kumbata" for Garza, and "Canal" for Canable). I have corrected these based on the official list provided. *** **[00:00] Chair:** Good evening and welcome to the Planning Commission regular meeting for January 22nd, 2024. At this time we'll move on to roll call. Commissioner Brittain? Commissioner Bot? **[00:05] Commissioner Brittain:** Here. **[00:06] Commissioner Fischer:** Here. I think. **[00:07] Commissioner Frazer:** Here. **[00:08] Commissioner Canable:** Here. **[00:09] Chair:** Commissioner Rasmussen? (Absent). Commissioner Stevens? **[00:10] Commissioner Stevens:** Here. **[00:11] Chair:** Thank you. Item three is approval of the agenda. Unless there's a motion to amend, I would look for a motion to approve the agenda. **[00:12] Commissioner Fischer:** I'll make a motion to approve the agenda. **[00:13] Chair:** Motion to approve from Commissioner Fischer. Do I have a second? **[00:14] Commissioner Brittain:** Second. **[00:15] Chair:** Second from Commissioner Brittain. All those in favor say aye. (Group: Aye). Opposed say no. Motion is approved 6-0. Item four tonight is Open Forum. This is a chance for anyone who's in the audience here tonight to speak on something that is not on the agenda later in the evening. So just to give you a preview: the mining permit, Discount Tire, Gerber Collision, and Mississippi Landings—you will have an opportunity to speak on those items later. This is an opportunity to speak to the Commission about something that is not on the agenda tonight. So at this time, I will open Open Forum. If anyone would like to speak on an issue that is not on tonight's agenda, please step to the podium, state your name and address for the record. Seeing no takers, we'll close Open Forum. **[00:30] Chair:** Item five is Chair's explanation of the hearing process. The Planning Commission is a volunteer Advisory Group to the City Council. One of the commission's functions is to hold public hearings and make recommendations on land use and zoning matters... [Chair explains process rules] ...The City Council will act on agenda item 6.1, Holcim Mining Permit, and 6.2, Discount Tire, at their meeting on Wednesday, February 7th, 2024. Agenda item 6.3, Gerber Collision and Glass, and 6.4, Mississippi Landing, will be dealt with at the meeting on Wednesday, February 21st, 2024. With that, we'll move on to item six, public hearings and applications. 6.1 is the Holcim 2024 mining permit, case M2024-002, with Mike Marosa presenting. **[00:45] Mike Marosa:** Right. Good evening, Chair and Commissioners. Holcim MWR has submitted their 2024 annual mining permit as required by city code. The Nelson sand and gravel facility is located at 11250 Grey Cloud Trail... [Staff report details] ...I'm here for any questions, and the applicant is here as well. **[01:00] Chair:** Thanks, Mike. Any questions for staff? All right, thank you. At this time, the applicant would like to approach and add anything? **[01:10] Patty Bestler:** Good evening Commission and members. I'm Patty Bestler with Holcim MWR, address is 2815 Dodd Road in Eagan, Minnesota. Mike summed up our annual application very concisely... [Applicant details] ...I'm happy to answer any questions. With me tonight is Joe Newman, our new plant manager. **[01:30] Chair:** All right, thank you. Any questions? Any questions for the applicant? Seeing none, thank you. **[01:35] Patty Bestler:** All right, thank you. **[01:36] Chair:** Per city code, this is not an application we need to hold a public hearing on. So at this time I'd ask if there's any other further discussion by commission? Seeing no other discussion, I'd look for a motion at this time. **[01:40] Commissioner Brittain:** Motion to approve subject to the conditions stipulated in the staff report. **[01:42] Chair:** Do I have a motion from Commissioner Brittain? Do I have a second? **[01:43] Commissioner Fischer:** I'll second. **[01:44] Chair:** Second from Commissioner Fischer. Any further discussion on the motion? Seeing none, all those in favor of the motion say aye. (Group: Aye). Opposed say no. Motion carries 6-0. Moving on to item 6.2, Discount Tire, case CUP 2024-001 with Connor Jake presenting. **[02:00] Connor Jake:** Good evening, Mr. Chair, members of the Commission. Great to be with you. The application before you this evening is a conditional use permit for Discount Tire. Subject site location is located at 8647 and 8649 East Point Douglas Road South... [Staff report details] ...Staff is available for any questions and the applicant is in attendance as well. **[02:30] Chair:** All right, thank you. Any questions for staff? Connor, I've just got one for you then. So Big O Tire used to be there; presumably they had a conditional use permit as well. The reason we're back for a new one is because it's sat for more than a year since being used for that purpose? **[02:40] Connor Jake:** Mr. Chair, the original approvals in 1991, the site was actually zoned B3 and permitted automotive repair use by right, so there was no conditional use permit required. However, the current zoning district of Mixed Use requires a conditional use permit. **[02:50] Chair:** Understood. Thank you very much. Any other questions? Then thank you. This time if the applicant would like to approach and add anything additional. **[03:00] Todd Moser:** Good evening. I'm Todd Moser with RA Smith on behalf of the applicant. Just wanted to clarify Discount Tire... [Applicant details] ...I'm here if you have any questions. **[03:15] Chair:** All right, thank you. Any questions for the applicant? Thank you very much. I think the audio is working out in the hallway now. At this time I will open public hearing on the application. So anyone wishing to speak for or against the application can step to the podium. Nobody on this one, huh? All right, we'll close public hearing. Any further discussion from Commission? Otherwise I look for a motion. **[03:30] Commissioner Stevens:** Motion to approve. **[03:31] Chair:** I have a motion to approve from Commissioner Stevens. Do I have a second? **[03:32] Commissioner Canable:** Second. **[03:33] Chair:** Second from Commissioner Canable. Any further discussion on the motion? All those in favor say aye. (Group: Aye). Opposed say no. Motion carries 6-0. Item 6.3 is Gerber Collision, case SP 2024-5 and CUP 2024-5 with Riley Rooney presenting. **[03:45] Riley Rooney:** Okay. Good evening Mr. Chair, members of the Commission. Before you this evening we have a conditional use permit and site plan review for Gerber Collision and Glass... [Staff report details] ...The applicant is also here for any questions that you may have. **[04:30] Chair:** Thank you. Any questions for staff? All right, thank you. This time if the applicant would like to approach and add anything additional. **[04:40] Jason Dukovich:** Good evening. My name is Jason Dukovich with Charles Vinton George Architects out of Naperville, Illinois. I'd just like to thank you all for reviewing and considering our application... [Applicant details] ...Happy to answer any questions. **[05:00] Chair:** Thank you. Any questions for the applicants? All right, thank you very much. At this time we'll open public hearing on the application. Anyone wishing to speak for or against the application can step to the podium. All right, seeing none, we'll close public hearing. Further discussion from the Commission? Seeing none, I would look for a motion then. **[05:15] Commissioner Fischer:** I'll make a motion to approve subject to the stipulations in the staff report. **[05:17] Chair:** Motion from Commissioner Fischer. Do I have a second? **[05:18] Commissioner Bot:** I second it. **[05:19] Chair:** Second from Commissioner Bot. Any further discussion on the motion? All those in favor say aye. (Group: Aye). Opposed say no. Motion carries 6-0. Item 6.4, Mississippi Landing, case PP 2024-4 with Emily Schmitz presenting. **[05:30] Emily Schmitz:** All right. Good evening Mr. Chair, members of the Commission. I know you probably opened your packet over the weekend and you were like, "My goodness, I've seen this before," right? [Staff presentation regarding history and technical details of Mississippi Landing/Dunes development]. **[15:00] Paul Robinson:** Good evening Chairman, Planning Commissioners. Paul Robinson, Development Director for Rachel Development... [Applicant presentation regarding site plan and housing types]. **[20:00] Melissa Barrett:** Hi, my name is Melissa Barrett. I'm with Chog Environmental Services... [Detailed environmental findings, rare species, and DNR coordination report]. **[30:00] Chair:** Are there any questions for staff? I'll start with a question. Emily, we talked at the beginning of your presentation about the fact that this property was a tilled field... [Questions regarding history and grading]. **[31:00] Commissioner Fischer:** Were any of these Environmental Studies done when it was turned from a tilled field into a golf course? **[31:10] Emily Schmitz:** Mr. Chair, Commissioner Fischer, not that we're aware of or that we could find in our documents. **[31:20] Commissioner Bot:** [To Melissa Barrett] During your presentation you had shown a response from Department of the Interior and we did receive this email from a resident... why is there a contradiction there? **[31:30] Melissa Barrett:** I would say that the reason why it is contradictory is because... [Explanation of worksheet differences]. **[32:00] Commissioner Stevens:** Miss Barrett, you might just want to hang out there for a second. In the DNR letter, it says "coupled with agreed upon project avoidance measures." Can you explain? **[32:15] Melissa Barrett:** The avoidance measures they're really specifically referring to would be the tree clearing... [Explains DNR language]. **[33:00] Commissioner Bot:** You are going ahead with the proposal of 377 units. Is that required for financial viability? **[33:10] Paul Robinson:** I'll just say what we're proposing is what we need to make this project work. **[33:30] Chair:** At this time we will open public comment on this application... [Rules of Public Hearing]. **[34:00] Eric Dammer:** My name is Eric Dammer, 8440 Harkness Road South, Cottage Grove... [Opposition speech regarding bwca and nature preservation]. **[37:10] Kelly Readington:** My name is Kelly Readington and I live at 6720 Metal Grass Lane in Cottage Grove... [Opposition speech regarding rare habitat and bird conservation]. **[40:15] Karen Brittain:** My name is Karen Brittain and I live at 8236 113th Street... [Opposition speech regarding community access and infrastructure costs]. **[43:20] Dave Olsen:** I'm Dave Olsen, citizen of Cottage Grove, 8627 Jorgenson Avenue South... [Urges the council to slow down and find another way]. **[46:25] Christine Grahams:** My name is Christine Grahams, I live at 10655 Grey Cloud Trail... [Opposition speech regarding soil erosion and dune conservation]. **[49:30] Bonnie Matter:** Bonnie Matter, 6649 Inskip Avenue South... [Opposition speech regarding "sacred ground" and environmental significance]. **[52:40] Gregory J. Berg Junior:** My name is Gregory J. Berg Junior, 8594 Grenadier Avenue South... [Opposition speech regarding bats and stewardship]. **[55:50] Tyler Byer:** I'm Tyler Byer, I live at 6500 103rd Street South... [Opposition speech regarding personal sanctuary and loss of view]. **[59:00] Rod Hale:** Rod Hale, 11701 Grey Cloud Trail, Cottage Grove... [Opposition speech regarding alternative land use and state funding]. **[1:02:10] Katherine Schwen:** My name is Katherine Schwen, I live at 10300 Grey Cloud Trail... [Opposition speech regarding forward-thinking leadership]. **[1:03:30] Bill Schwen:** Bill Schwen, I live with that woman, 10300 Grey Cloud Trail... [Opposition speech regarding water drainage and traffic]. **[1:06:40] Kevin Readington:** I'm Kevin Readington, 6720 Metal Grass Lane... [Opposition speech regarding water table and pollution]. **[1:09:50] Kim Sander:** I'm Kim Sander, 2513 34th Avenue South in Minneapolis... [Opposition speech regarding site stewardship and wildlife]. **[1:13:00] Andrew Marotz:** My name is Andrew Marotz, 2920 37th Avenue South, Minneapolis... [Ecologist perspective on restoration potential]. **[1:16:10] Kendra Sommerfeld:** My name is Kendra Sommerfeld, 205 Concord Exchange North, South St. Paul... [Water resource professional perspective on destroying habitat]. **[1:19:20] Rosemary Moore:** I'm Rosemary Moore, 8385 113th Street South... [Opposition speech regarding nature values]. **[1:22:30] Nico Amonson:** My name is Nico Amonson and I live on 813 East Point Douglas Road South... [Opposition speech regarding environmental injustice]. **[1:25:40] Eric Hansen:** I'm Eric Hansen, 10657 Grey Cloud Trail South... [Opposition speech regarding recreational potential and urban sprawl]. **[1:28:50] Carolyn Carr:** My name is Carolyn Carr, 4050 39th Avenue South, Minneapolis... [Conservation biologist perspective on future generations]. **[1:32:00] Sarah Nelson:** I'm Sarah Nelson, 646 Central Avenue West, St. Paul... [Restoration professional perspective on species extinction]. **[1:35:10] Lisa Mueller:** My name is Lisa Mueller, n5001 810th Street in Ellsworth, Wisconsin... [Opposition speech regarding 3M settlement and hazardous waste]. **[1:38:20] Maya Merchant:** My name is Maya Merchant, 8615 Kim Lane North, Stillwater... [Environmental science student perspective]. **[1:41:30] Laura Gera:** My name is Laura Gera, 2347 McKinley Street, Minneapolis... [Support for the community voice against development]. **[1:44:40] John Schroeder:** John Schroeder, 8407 Penn Avenue South, Bloomington... [Sustainability professional perspective]. **[1:47:50] Dick PTA:** My name is Dick PTA, 9600 Janita Avenue South... [Local board member perspective on traffic and neighborhood density]. **[1:51:00] Jennifer NRI:** My name is Jennifer NRI, 7764 Jasmine Avenue South... [Taxpayer rights vs. owner rights]. **[1:54:10] Martin Cus:** My name is Martin Cus, 2513 34th Avenue South, Minneapolis... [General opposition regarding climate crisis]. **[1:57:20] Penny Walters:** Penny Walters, 6961 99th Street Court... [Need for decompression and quiet nature]. **[1:58:30] Barbara McAdams:** I'm Barbara McAdams, 6999 East Point Douglas Road South... [Concerns regarding traffic]. **[1:59:40] Lenny Clancy:** I'm Lenny Clancy, 8063 113th Street South... [Concerns regarding schools and light pollution]. **[2:01:00] Chair:** Seeing none, I'm going to close public hearing on this application then... [Commission breaks for 10 minutes]. **[2:11:00] Amanda Meyer:** Good evening Mr. Chair, members of the Commission. I made a list here of some of the engineering related questions... [Responds to sanitary sewer, flood insurance, phosphorus, and traffic]. **[2:15:00] Jennifer Levitt:** Well, Mr. Chair and members of the Planning Commission, it is not very often that I get to come here... [Discusses 3M settlement, DNR land acquisition, and groundwater modeling]. **[2:20:00] City Attorney Corey Lunn:** Thank you Mr. Chair, members of the Commission. [Explains the legal reality of land use rights, the Comprehensive Plan, and that rules cannot be changed mid-application]. **[2:23:00] Commissioner Bot:** If we hear some differing opinions from specialists or experts... how do you deal with that? **[2:23:15] City Attorney Corey Lunn:** You have been presented with the evidence and so it is your duty to weigh the evidence... that's why you get paid the big bucks to decide. **[2:24:00] Commissioner Fischer:** I just wanted to commend everybody who came to speak tonight... I also want to thank the environmental lady, Melissa, for breaking out every single species. **[2:25:00] Commissioner Stevens:** I wanted to note that really the only written piece of documentation that we did have [contradicting] was that worksheet... I think everything presented by the developer was well thought out. **[2:26:00] Commissioner Garza:** I'd like to piggyback on that as well. It wasn't an easy read by any means... just appreciate the public coming out tonight. **[2:27:00] Chair:** I hear what you're saying, it's great to have more open space... but we as a government cannot tell you what to do with your property unless we have the rules out ahead of time. I believe the application meets the rules... I look for a motion. **[2:28:00] Commissioner Brittain:** I'll move to approve subject to the stipulations in the staff report. **[2:28:05] Commissioner Canable:** Second. **[2:28:10] Chair:** All those in favor say aye. (Group: Aye). Opposed say no. Motion carries 6-0. Move on to item seven, approval of minutes. **[2:28:30] Commissioner Canable:** Motion to approve. **[2:28:35] Commissioner Fischer:** Second. **[2:29:00] Jennifer Levitt:** [Staff Report Recap of City Council actions]. **[2:31:00] Councilmember Monique Garza:** Thank you. I don't normally get an opportunity to make an impact speech in front of how many people were in this room... [As Council Liaison, speaks on community engagement, park preservation stats, and upcoming council deliberation]. **[2:35:00] Chair:** Seeing no requests for staff, I would move on to item nine, adjournment. Do I have a motion? **[2:35:05] Commissioner Fischer:** Motion to adjourn. **[2:35:10] Commissioner Canable:** Second. **[2:35:15] Chair:** All those in favor say aye. (Group: Aye). Motion is approved 6-0. We are adjourned.