[0:12] Chris Meyer: WELCOME EVERYONE TO THE REGULAR MEETING FOR THE MINNEAPOLIS PLANNING COMMISSION FOR DECEMBER 8, 2025. I'M CHRIS MEYER, CHAIR OF THE COMMISSION. CLERK, PLEASE CALL THE ROLL. [0:22] Clerk: COMMISSIONER CHOWDHURY IS ABSENT. CONLEY. [0:24] Commissioner Conley: PRESENT. [0:25] Clerk: FORNEY. [0:26] Commissioner Forney: HERE. [0:27] Clerk: GORDON. [0:28] Commissioner Gordon: HERE. JONES IS ABSENT. SKJEFTE IS ABSENT. SHEPPARD. [0:34] Commissioner Sheppard: PRESENT. [0:36] Clerk: WAGNER IS ABSENT. VICE PRESIDENT BAXLEY. [0:38] Vice President Baxley: HERE. [0:39] Clerk: AND PRESIDENT MEYER. [0:41] Chris Meyer: HERE. [0:42] Clerk: THERE ARE SIX COMMISSIONERS PRESENT. [0:44] Chris Meyer: WE HAVE A QUORUM. SO FIRST WE'LL MOVE TO THE MINUTES FROM NOVEMBER 17, 2025. IS THERE A MOTION TO ADOPT THOSE MINUTES? IS THERE A SECOND? [0:56] Commissioner: SECOND. [0:57] Chris Meyer: IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION? SEEING NONE, ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE. [0:58] [CHORUS OF AYES] [0:59] Chris Meyer: OPPOSED? ABSTENTIONS? THOSE MINUTES ARE ADOPTED. NEXT WE'RE GOING TO ORGANIZE THE AGENDA SO I'M GOING TO READ THROUGH EACH OF THE ITEMS ON THE AGENDA AND SEE IF ANYONE WANTS TO DISCUSS THEM. STAFF ARE RECOMMENDING ALL ITEMS TO BE ON CONSENT AGENDA. [1:16] Chris Meyer: SO IF YOU CAME TO SPEAK AGAINST A STAFF RECOMMENDATION, WHEN I CALL OUT YOUR ITEM, LET US KNOW THAT YOU WANT TO SPEAK TO IT. SO FIRST WE HAVE ITEM NUMBER 4, 1001 3RD AVENUE SOUTH. WOULD ANYONE LIKE TO SPEAK AGAINST? [1:33] Chris Meyer: WE HAVE SOMEONE BACK THERE WHO WANTS TO SPEAK AGAINST THAT ONE? OKAY, SO WE WILL DISCUSS ITEM NUMBER FOUR. NEXT WE HAVE ITEM NUMBER 5, 3148 41ST AVENUE SOUTH. WOULD ANYONE LIKE TO SPEAK AGAINST STAFF RECOMMENDATION? OKAY SAW SOMEONE BACK HERE SO WE'LL DISCUSS ITEM NUMBER FIVE. [1:55] Chris Meyer: NUMBER 6, 5462 NICOLLET AVENUE AND 5463 BLAISDELL AVENUE. WILL ANYONE LIKE TO SPEAK AGAINST THE STAFF RECOMMENDATION ON THAT ONE? WE'LL HAVE THAT ONE ON CONSENT. NUMBER 7, 4029 28TH AVENUE SOUTH. [2:13] Chris Meyer: SOMEBODY OVER HERE? SO WE WILL DISCUSS ITEM NUMBER SEVEN. ITEM NUMBER 8, 2028 JAMES AVENUE NORTH. ANYONE TO SPEAK AGAINST THE STAFF RECOMMENDATION ON THAT ONE? [2:29] Chris Meyer: AND THEN FINALLY NUMBER 9, 2034 JAMES AVENUE NORTH. WOULD ANYONE LIKE TO SPEAK AGAINST THE STAFF RECOMMENDATION ON ITEM NUMBER NINE? SO WE'LL HAVE THAT ON CONSENT. SO TO REVIEW, ITEMS 4, 5, AND 7 WILL BE DISCUSSION. [2:49] Chris Meyer: AND THEN ITEMS 6, 8, AND 9 WILL BE CONSENT. IS THERE A MOTION TO ADOPT THAT AGENDA? [2:55] Commissioner: SO MOVED. [2:57] Chris Meyer: IS THERE A SECOND? [2:58] Commissioner: SECOND. [2:59] Chris Meyer: ANY DISCUSSION? ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE. [3:05] [CHORUS OF AYES] [3:06] Chris Meyer: OPPOSED? ABSTENTIONS? THAT IS OUR AGENDA. SO I WILL OPEN THE PUBLIC—SO IF YOU ARE HERE FOR ITEMS NUMBER 6, 8, OR 9 AND YOU WANTED TO SAY SOMETHING ABOUT IT, YOU CAN DO SO NOW. WOULD ANYONE LIKE TO SPEAK ABOUT THAT? [3:22] Chris Meyer: NOT SEEING ANYONE, SO I'LL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING. IS THERE ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS ON OUR CONSENT AGENDA? IS THERE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA? [3:28] Commissioner: SO MOVED. [3:29] Commissioner: SECOND. [3:30] Chris Meyer: ALL RIGHT. IS THERE ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE. [3:35] [CHORUS OF AYES] [3:36] Chris Meyer: OPPOSED? ITEMS 6, 8, AND 9 ARE ADOPTED. IF YOU CAME HERE FOR THOSE, GOOD LUCK WITH YOUR PROJECTS. ALL RIGHT, SO WE WILL NOW MOVE TO ITEM NUMBER FOUR, OUR FIRST DISCUSSION ITEM 1001 3rd AVENUE SOUTH. [3:56] Chris Meyer: AND OUR STAFF IS ANDREW LISKA. [4:17] Andrew Liska: GOOD AFTERNOON, STAFF, COMMISSIONERS. THIS IS A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT LOCATED AT 1001 3rd STREET SOUTH. THE EXISTING STRUCTURE TOTALS JUST OVER 500,000 SQUARE FEET—505,000 SQUARE FEET. AND IT'S A MIX OF OFFICES AND COMMUNICATION EXCHANGE TODAY. THE APPLICANT IS SEEKING TO CONVERT THE ENTIRE STRUCTURE INTO A COMMUNICATION EXCHANGE. ALTHOUGH THE FLOOR PLANS SHOW A LOT OF OFFICE, TWO REMAIN ON THE FIRST AND SECOND FLOORS. [4:58] Andrew Liska: HERE'S THE SITE BOUND BY 10th STREET SOUTH, THEN 11TH, THEN 4th, THEN 3rd. THIS STRUCTURE OCCUPIES THAT ENTIRE BLOCK. THIS BUILDING WAS BUILT IN THE LATE 1980s AND RECEIVED A CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANCY IN 1990. [5:15] Andrew Liska: THE C.O. CALLS THE STRUCTURE AN OFFICE AND COMPUTER COMPLEX WHICH IS AKIN TO AGAIN A COMMUNICATIONS EXCHANGE AS THE ZONING CODE. OVER TIME THE FLOOR PLANS FOR THAT USE CHANGED. [5:34] Andrew Liska: THERE WERE TIMES WHEN A MAJORITY OF THOSE STRUCTURES WERE USED AS A COMMUNICATION EXCHANGE. STAFF HAS FOUND BUILDING PERMIT RECORDS THAT SHOW SOME OF THOSE LOWER FLOORS, FLOORS 1, 2, AND 3 BEING USED AS AN OFFICE TODAY. THE APPLICANT REQUESTED A ZONING LETTER. STAFF DETERMINED THAT YES, FLOORS 1, 2, AND 3 ARE OFFICES. [5:52] Andrew Liska: 4, 5, AND 6 ARE THAT COMMUNICATION EXCHANGE. AND THAT'S WHAT GETS US TO THIS CUP APPLICATION TO AUTHORIZE THAT USE THROUGHOUT THIS ENTIRE STRUCTURE. [6:08] Andrew Liska: ALL OF THE PROPOSED IMPROVEMENTS TO THE STRUCTURE ARE ALL INTERIOR, THERE'S NO EXTERIOR CHANGES WHATSOEVER. WHEN LOOKING AT A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT, SEVERAL FINDINGS MUST BE MET. STAFF EVALUATED THOSE FINDINGS IN THE REPORT AND IS ABLE TO MAKE ALL OF THOSE NECESSARY FINDINGS. [6:28] Andrew Liska: IF ANY COMMISSIONER OR MEMBER OF THE PUBLIC HAS A CONCERN WITH ANY OF THESE SPECIFICALLY, WE CAN KIND OF HIGHLIGHT THAT. BUT AGAIN STAFF FINDS THAT ALL OF THE REQUIRED FINDINGS FOR A CUP ARE MET. [6:44] Andrew Liska: AND WITH THAT RECOMMENDS APPROVAL OF THIS CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT FOR THE PROPERTY LOCATED AT 1001 3rd AVENUE SOUTH. AND I THINK THAT WE HAVE THE C.O. HERE AS I MENTIONED CALLING THIS AN OFFICE COMPUTER COMPLEX AGAIN FROM 1980. [7:04] Andrew Liska: AND WE HAVE SOME FLOOR PLANS. THOSE ARE KIND OF SMALL AND SOME PHOTOS. I'LL BE HERE FOR ANY QUESTIONS. THE APPLICANT IS ALSO PRESENT. [7:15] Chris Meyer: GREAT. COMMISSIONERS, ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS FOR STAFF BEFORE WE—NOT SEEING ANY. [7:20] Chris Meyer: THANK YOU. I WILL NOW OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING AND WE'LL HEAR FROM THE APPLICANT. [7:25] Jake Stein: THANK YOU, CHAIR AND COMMISSIONERS. I'M JAKE STEIN, WE REPRESENT THE APPLICANT. [7:37] Jake Stein: AS STAFF INDICATED, THIS BUILDING WAS ORIGINALLY BUILT AS THE AMERICAN EXPRESS DATA CENTER WAS ITS OFFICIAL TITLE IN 1990. THIS IS THE RESULT OF THE 2023 ZONING CODE TEXT AMENDMENT WHICH CHANGED A DATA CENTER FROM A PERMITTED USE DOWNTOWN TO A CONDITIONAL USE. [8:00] Jake Stein: IT WAS ONLY RECENTLY WHEN WE REQUESTED A ZONING LETTER TO CONFIRM THE BUILDING WAS STILL A DATA CENTER THAT WE GOT INTO THE DISCUSSION OF PARSING OUT FLOOR BY FLOOR. THE TRUTH IS IT'S ALWAYS BEEN A MIX OF OFFICES AND COMMUNITY—COMPUTER AND SUPPORT. [8:19] Jake Stein: WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE DON'T HAVE TO CONTINUE TO EVERY TIME WE MAKE A FLOOR PLAN CHANGE, WE DON'T HAVE TO ASK FOR A C.U.P. AMENDMENT. SO IN DISCUSSING THIS WITH STAFF, WE DETERMINED THIS WAS THE BEST APPROACH. IN MANY WAYS THIS IS A PAPERWORK CLEAN UP. [8:35] Jake Stein: THERE ARE NO CHANGES TO THE BUILDING CURRENTLY PROPOSED. CERTAINLY NOTHING TO THE EXTERIOR, AND ANY CHANGES OVER TIME WILL JUST BE ENTIRELY TO THE INTERIOR. HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS. APPRECIATE WORKING WITH STAFF ON THIS AND APPRECIATE STAFF'S SUPPORT. [8:53] Chris Meyer: THANK YOU. COMMISSIONERS, ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS? [8:56] Chris Meyer: SO I HAVE ONE. JUST TO CLARIFY, YOU ARE THE ONE WHO INITIATED THIS? [9:02] Jake Stein: THAT'S CORRECT. WE MADE THE APPLICATION AFTER DISCUSSING WITH STAFF ABOUT WHAT THE BEST WAY TO CLEAN THIS UP IS. REALLY THE DISCUSSION IS IF THE SECOND FLOOR, WE WANTED TO ADD EQUIPMENT, WHAT DO WE DO? [9:14] Jake Stein: WHAT'S THE TRIGGER? AND UNDER THE CURRENT ORDINANCE, IF WE DON'T APPLY FOR THE C.U.P. TO INCLUDE THE WHOLE BUILDING, WE WOULD HAVE TO COME THROUGH AND DO A C.U.P. AMENDMENT EVERY TIME WE EXPANDED. [9:29] Jake Stein: A LOT OF THE BUILDING WAS ORIGINALLY BUILT WITH THE INFRASTRUCTURE FOR THIS. I THINK IN THE LAST YEAR, THIS WAS THE SINGLE BIGGEST BUILDING PERMIT AS WE'VE MADE SOME IMPROVEMENTS TO THIS BUILDING IN THE CITY OF MINNEAPOLIS. THERE'S A LOT OF INVESTMENT IN THE BUILDING ALREADY AND WE WANT TO CONTINUE TO OPERATE IT THE WAY IT HAS BEEN WITH ADDITIONAL FLEXIBILITY TO MAKE MODIFICATIONS AS NEEDED. [9:50] Chris Meyer: THANK YOU. [9:51] Jake Stein: THANK YOU SO MUCH. [9:54] Chris Meyer: ALL RIGHT. ANY ADDITIONAL SPEAKERS WHO WOULD LIKE TO COME UP? YOU HAVE TWO MINUTES. COME UP AND INTRODUCE YOURSELF. [10:15] Unnamed Speaker: I RESIDE AT THE APARTMENT BUILDING AT 365 NICOLLET MALL HERE IN WARD 3. I'M HERE IN OPPOSITION OF A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT FOR A COMMUNICATION CENTER OR DATA EXCHANGE. [10:31] Unnamed Speaker: I ASK THE COMMISSION TO SEND THE PROPOSAL BACK TO CITY STAFF FOR FURTHER STUDY OF THE PROPOSAL. THIS PROJECT APPEARS TO BE FOR A SMALLER DATA CENTER NOT SUBJECT TO RECENT RESTRICTIONS ON LARGE DATA CENTERS. [10:47] Unnamed Speaker: I DO NOT BELIEVE THAT THE CURRENT STUDY AND SUPPORTIVE LETTER ADEQUATELY ADDRESS THE IMPACT ON UTILITY USAGE POSED BY THIS PROPOSAL INCLUDING FOR INTERNET OR DATA. THERE IS NO ANTICIPATION OF COSTS SPREAD TO CONSUMERS FOR HIGHER USAGE OF WATER, ELECTRICITY, OR INTERNET BANDWIDTH. [11:06] Unnamed Speaker: I ALSO DO NOT BELIEVE IT IS FAIR TO COMPARE DATA USAGE FROM HISTORICAL USE TO 1990 GIVEN THE MAGNITUDE AND DENSITY OF DATA EQUIPMENT. I BELIEVE IT IS THEREFORE IN QUESTION WHETHER THE PROPOSAL WOULD BE DETRIMENTAL TO THE GENERAL WELFARE BASED ON UTILITY USAGE. [11:24] Unnamed Speaker: MOST IMPORTANTLY, I DO NOT BELIEVE THE PERMIT SHOULD BE ALLOWED UNDER CONDITIONAL USE CRITERION FIVE. I DO NOT SEE HOW AN OUT OF STATE ENTITY WHICH CLAIMS MINNEAPOLIS IN ITS LLC NAME, BUT NO STAFF OR REAL PRESENCE HERE CAN BE CONSISTENT WITH DEVELOPMENT POLICY 23 OF THE MINNEAPOLIS 2040 PLAN. [11:42] Unnamed Speaker: THERE ARE NO PROMISES OF EMPLOYMENT HERE AND I WOULD BE CONCERNED HOW THIS COULD BE CONSISTENT WITH ANY OF DEVELOPMENT POLICY 23, HOW THIS PROJECT SERVES THE PUBLIC OR BUILDS EQUITY WHEN IT SEEMS TO BE JUST ADDING CAPACITY TO AND ENRICHING AN OUT OF STATE ENTITY WITH NO REAL TIES TO MINNESOTA AND NO DEFINED BENEFITS TO MINNEAPOLIS OR ITS RESIDENTS. [12:04] Unnamed Speaker: I APPRECIATE THE COMMISSION'S TIME. THANK YOU. [12:12] Chris Meyer: THANK YOU. WOULD ANYONE ELSE LIKE TO SPEAK TO THIS ITEM? NOT SEEING ANY, SO I WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING. COMMISSIONERS, ANY COMMENTS, DISCUSSION, OR MOTIONS? [12:21] Chris Meyer: COMMISSIONER CONLEY. [12:23] Commissioner Conley: THANK YOU, MR. PRESIDENT. SO MY QUESTION IS TO STAFF. I WONDERED ABOUT HOW WE MIGHT HAVE EVALUATED POLICY, PROCEDURES, THE WAY THAT WE LOOK AT COMMUNICATION EXCHANGES OR DATA CENTERS GIVEN THAT THESE ARE POPPING UP, IT'S A RELATIVELY NEW ISSUE AND THERE IS A COST TO UTILITIES. THANK YOU. [12:47] Andrew Liska: COMMISSIONER CONLEY, SO THERE IS A ZONING CODE TEXT AMENDMENT BEING STUDIED RIGHT NOW BY OUR STAFF TAKING A DEEPER LOOK INTO DATA CENTERS, PARTICULARLY LARGER ONES THAT COULD POTENTIALLY BE ESTABLISHED IN THE CITY LOOKING AT A LOT OF THE THINGS THAT THE SPEAKER JUST BROUGHT UP IN TERMS OF ENERGY USAGE, WATER, UTILITY, THAT SORT OF THING. [13:09] Andrew Liska: THERE'S ALSO BEEN LEGISLATION INTRODUCED AT THE STATE LEVEL. THIS ONE IS WELL BELOW ANY SORT OF REVIEW FOR ENVIRONMENTAL BUT BECAUSE THIS ONE IS EXISTING AND HAS BEEN EXISTING IN THE CITY SINCE THIS BUILDING WAS CONSTRUCTED, THIS ISN'T ONE THAT IS NECESSARILY GOING TO BE SCRUTINIZED AS PART OF THAT ZONING CODE TEXT AMENDMENT WORK. [13:35] Andrew Liska: IT'S NOT ONE WHERE WE THOUGHT WE NEEDED TO SLOW DOWN AND TAKE A CLOSER LOOK AT THIS. THIS IS REALLY MORE OF A PROCEDURAL ISSUE. AS NOTED THE BUILDING PERMIT HISTORY ON THIS ONE IS VERY CLEAR FOR THE UPPER FLOORS OF THE BUILDING HAVING RIGHTS TO A DATA CENTER. [13:51] Andrew Liska: IT WAS LESS CLEAR ON THE LOWER FLOORS AND WITH THAT, WE WEREN'T ABLE TO ISSUE A ZONING LETTER TO THE APPLICANT WHEN REQUESTED THAT SAID THE LOWER FLOORS HAD RIGHTS TO THIS USE AND IT'S A COMMUNICATION EXCHANGE IN THE CODE. SO THIS IS REALLY CLEANING THAT UP BECAUSE IT WAS NOT PERFECTLY CLEAR ABOUT THE USE OF FLOORS 1, 2, AND 3. [14:12] Andrew Liska: SO YOU WILL LIKELY BE SEEING SOMETHING FROM OUR CODE DEVELOPMENT TEAM IN THE NEXT YEAR ABOUT DATA CENTERS OVERALL THAT WE'LL TAKE A LOOK AT A LOT OF THE POTENTIAL OFF SITE IMPACTS OF THOSE USES. [14:27] Commissioner Conley: MR. PRESIDENT, THANK YOU. THAT'S REALLY GREAT CLARIFICATION, I'M HAPPY TO HEAR THAT'S SOMETHING BEING EXPLORED RIGHT NOW. I THINK THE APPLICANT WOULD NEED TO COME BACK TO US THOUGH IF THE USE CHANGES, RIGHT? SO IF THERE'S AN EXPANSION OR IF THE ENTIRE BUILDING IS USED AS A DATA CENTER, THEN THAT'S A DIFFERENT AGENDA ITEM BEFORE US. [14:48] Andrew Liska: THAT'S WHAT'S IN FRONT OF YOU RIGHT NOW. [14:49] Commissioner Conley: FOR THE ENTIRE BUILDING NOT JUST THE CERTAIN FLOORS? [14:50] Andrew Liska: YES. SO THAT'S THE PART THAT WE'RE CLEANING UP AS PART OF THIS APPLICATION. BECAUSE OUR BUILDING PERMIT HISTORY WHILE WE HAVE A CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANCY FROM WHEN IT OPENED THAT REFERENCES A COMPUTER COMPLEX FOR THE ENTIRE BUILDING, OUR PERMIT HISTORY WAS NOT PERFECTLY CLEAR ABOUT WHICH FLOORS THE BUILDING CONTAINED A COMMUNICATION EXCHANGE ON. [15:21] Andrew Liska: SO THIS IS ESSENTIALLY CLEANING THAT UP. [15:23] Commissioner Conley: WONDERFUL. AND I THINK I'LL JUST CLOSE WITH JUST A FOLLOW UP. AND I THINK THAT IT MAY BE WORTH THE CONSIDERATION FOR SOME OF THE SMALLER ONES THAT WHEN WE THINK DATA CENTERS, WE THINK THE BIG LARGE FOOTPRINTS THAT HAVE A MASSIVE IMPACT ON WATER, ET CETERA. [15:42] Commissioner Conley: BUT I THINK IT STILL MIGHT BENEFIT THE CITY TO KNOW WHAT THE USAGE MIGHT BE IN THIS AREA OF DOWNTOWN FOR THIS BUILDING IN THE FUTURE. SO I GET THE CLEAN UP IS NECESSARY. IT'S PROCEDURAL TO BRING THINGS UP FROM '90 TO 2025. BUT IT STILL MIGHT BE SOMETHING TO LOOK INTO IN THE FUTURE. SO THANK YOU. [16:03] Chris Meyer: I HAVE A DIFFERENT QUESTION FOR STAFF. CAN ONE OF YOU REMIND US WHAT POLICY 23 IS THAT THE TESTIFIER SPOKE TO. I DON'T HAVE ALL OF THE POLICIES MEMORIZED BY NUMBER. BUT IF SOMEONE CAN LOOK THAT UP AND READ IT FOR US. [16:16] Andrew Liska: NOR DO I, I WOULD HAVE TO LOOK IT UP. [16:18] Andrew Liska: THE STAFF REPORT DOESN'T REFERENCE POLICY 23 EITHER SO I DON'T HAVE THAT IN FRONT OF ME EITHER. [16:39] Chris Meyer: I'M SEEING POLICY 23 IS ABOUT COORDINATED DEVELOPMENT STRATEGIES. WHICH IS MORE ABOUT LIKE INTERDEPARTMENTAL AND INTERAGENCY COORDINATION TEAMS. SO IT'S POSSIBLE THAT'S NOT THE ONE. I GUESS I'LL SHARE MY THOUGHTS THEN. I FEEL LIKE THIS WAS SOMETHING THAT THE APPLICANT WAS PROACTIVELY LOOKING TO DO. [17:11] Chris Meyer: IT'S AN EXISTING BUILDING, THERE'S NOT ANY EXTERIOR CHANGES. I THANK THE TESTIFIER FOR DRAWING ATTENTION TO THE ENERGY AND WATER USAGE OF DATA CENTERS. I THINK THAT WOULD BE A LOT MORE APPLICABLE TO A NEW ONE THAT WAS BEING CONSIDERED. [17:28] Chris Meyer: BUT FOR CLEANING UP THE EXISTING ZONING FOR THIS, I THINK I'M INCLINED TO APPROVE THIS. ARE THERE ANY OTHER DISCUSSION FROM COMMISSIONERS? WOULD ANYONE LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION? COMMISSIONER SHEPPARD. [17:45] Commissioner Sheppard: I WOULD AGREE, MR. PRESIDENT. THAT DATA INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS WHICH DOWNTOWN IS ONLY GOING TO BENEFIT FROM. AND I WOULD MOVE TO APPROVE. [17:56] Chris Meyer: IS THERE A SECOND? [17:58] Commissioner: SECOND. [18:00] Chris Meyer: THERE'S A MOTION AND A SECOND. IS THERE ANY MORE DISCUSSION? ALL RIGHT NOT SEEING ANY, CLERK, PLEASE CALL THE ROLL. [18:08] Clerk: COMMISSIONER CONLEY. [18:09] Commissioner Conley: AYE. [18:10] Clerk: FORNEY. [18:15] Commissioner Forney: AYE. [18:16] Clerk: GORDON. [18:17] Commissioner Gordon: AYE. [18:18] Clerk: SHEPPARD. [18:19] Commissioner Sheppard: AYE. [18:20] Clerk: VICE PRESIDENT BAXLEY. [18:21] Vice President Baxley: AYE. [18:22] Clerk: AND PRESIDENT MEYER. [18:24] Chris Meyer: AYE. [18:25] Clerk: THERE ARE SIX AYES AND 0 NAYS. [18:31] Chris Meyer: THAT IS ADOPTED. NEXT WE'LL MOVE TO 3148 41st AVENUE SOUTH. STAFF IS ASPEN PFLANZ. [18:59] Aspen Pflanz: GOOD MORNING, CHAIR, COMMISSION. ASPEN PFLANZ, CITY PLANNER. THE APPLICATION BEFORE YOU TODAY IS FOR 3148 41st AVENUE SOUTH, A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT TO ALLOW FOR A COMMUNITY CENTER IN THE UN2 URBAN NEIGHBORHOOD DISTRICT. [19:16] Aspen Pflanz: THERE IS NO NEW CONSTRUCTION PROPOSED AS PART OF THIS COMMUNITY CENTER, IT IS SIMPLY A CHANGE OF USE FROM AN EXISTING RELIGIOUS INSTITUTIONAL BUILDING THAT'S BEEN ON THE PROPERTY SINCE THE EARLY 1900s TO A NEW COMMUNITY CENTER WHICH IS STILL A CIVIC AND INSTITUTIONAL USE. [19:36] Aspen Pflanz: THE ZONING CODE DEFINES A COMMUNITY CENTER AS AN ESTABLISHMENT OPERATED BY A NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION OR GOVERNMENT AGENCY WHICH INCLUDES RECREATIONAL AND CULTURAL FACILITIES, MEETINGS ROOMS, SOCIAL SERVICE FACILITIES AND PUBLIC HEALTH FACILITIES OR ANY COMBINATION THEREOF AND THAT IS NOT A PUBLIC PARK. [19:54] Aspen Pflanz: COMMUNITY CENTER USES MAY INCLUDE AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMS AND TUTORING. AGAIN OUR USE TABLE INDICATES THAT WITH A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT, A COMMUNITY CENTER IS ALLOWED IN UN2. [20:09] Aspen Pflanz: SOME EXISTING PHOTOS OF THE SITE SHOW THIS GOTHIC REVIVAL CHURCH WITH A SUBSTANTIAL ADDITION IN THE REAR WHICH IS AGAIN USED AS PART OF THE PROPERTY FOR YEARS THAT WAS USED AS A SUNDAY SCHOOL. [20:28] Aspen Pflanz: SO I'LL JUST FLIP THROUGH THESE PHOTOS. THERE IS AN ALLEYWAY IN THE REAR OF THE PROPERTY AND THERE IS NO OFF STREET PARKING CURRENTLY, NOR IS ANY OFF STREET PARKING PROPOSED AS PART OF THIS APPLICATION. [20:44] Aspen Pflanz: ON THE NORTH SIDE OF THE PROPERTY, THIS IS A CORNER LOT. ON THE NORTH SIDE THERE IS A SUBSTANTIAL GREEN SPACE THAT'S JUST AN OPEN GRASSY AREA WITH A FEW MATURE TREES. [20:59] Aspen Pflanz: THIS SITE PLAN SHOWS—I FLIPPED IT SO NORTH IS ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE SCREEN HERE. THE EXISTING SITE PLAN SHOWS AGAIN IT'S A SUBSTANTIALLY SIZED LOT ALMOST 16,000 SQUARE FEET OF LOT AREA. THE BUILDING FOOTPRINT IS JUST OVER 5,000 SQUARE FEET. [21:15] Aspen Pflanz: BUT THE TOTAL GROSS FLOOR AREA IS AROUND 11,000. THE APPLICANT DOES OWN THE LOT NORTH OF THIS, BUT THAT IS NOT INCLUDED WITH THIS PROPOSAL. SO THAT LOT JUST HAS AGAIN A MATURE TREE AND A SMALL SHED BUILDING. [21:31] Aspen Pflanz: BUT THE COMMUNITY CENTER APPLICATION IN FRONT OF YOU IS JUST FOR THE EXISTING SITE THAT I'VE OUTLINED IN RED HERE. THE FLOOR PLANS PROVIDED JUST SHOW THAT THE EXISTING BUILDING FOOTPRINT WILL BE MAINTAINED. [21:51] Aspen Pflanz: SO THERE'S SOME LARGE MEETING AREAS IN THE LOWER LEVEL OF THE EXISTING BUILDING. AND THE REAR ADDITION HAS SEVERAL CLASSROOMS AND A LARGE MEETING AREA. [22:07] Aspen Pflanz: THE APPLICANT, BECAUSE THIS PROPOSAL WOULD REQUIRE A BUILDING PERMIT TO CHANGE THE OCCUPANCY OF THE BUILDING, THE APPLICANT IS PROPOSING AN ADA LIFT WHICH WOULD CREATE A NEW EXTERIOR ENTRANCE ON THE FRONT FACING 41st AVENUE SOUTH. [22:22] Aspen Pflanz: AND THEN THAT WOULD BE ACCESSIBLE FROM THE PUBLIC SIDEWALK AND THEN WITH A CHANGE OF USE BICYCLE PARKING IS REQUIRED SO THERE WILL BE A BICYCLE RACK INSTALLED ON THE SOUTH END OF THE SITE ALONG 32nd STREET. [22:39] Aspen Pflanz: THERE WAS ALSO A SEPARATE PERMIT TO UPGRADE THE COMMERCIAL KITCHEN THAT EXISTS IN THE BUILDING. THE SIX FINDINGS REQUIRED FOR A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT STAFF FINDS ARE ALL MET. THERE'S MORE DETAILS ABOUT THAT IN THE STAFF REPORT. BUT I CAN SPEAK TO THESE MORE SUBSTANTIALLY IF THERE ARE QUESTIONS. [22:56] Aspen Pflanz: BUT GIVEN THAT THE PREVIOUS USE OF A CHURCH IS SUBSTANTIALLY SIMILAR TO A COMMUNITY CENTER, THERE ARE NO EXTERIOR CHANGES SAVE THE NEW ADA ENTRANCE AND INSTALLATION OF BIKE PARKING. AND THAT THE APPLICANT IS PROPOSING A NONPROFIT TO OPERATE THE BUILDING. [23:12] Aspen Pflanz: STAFF FOUND THAT THIS MEETS ALL OF THE FINDINGS. AND SO WE RECOMMEND APPROVAL OF THE CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT TO ALLOW FOR THE COMMUNITY CENTER IN THE UN2 URBAN NEIGHBORHOOD DISTRICT SUBJECT TO THE CONDITION THAT IT IS RECORDED WITH HENNEPIN COUNTY. [23:29] Aspen Pflanz: AND I WILL ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS YOU MAY HAVE. [23:36] Chris Meyer: THANK YOU. ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS FOR STAFF? THANK YOU, ASPEN. I'LL NOW OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING. DO WE HAVE THE APPLICANT WITH US? NO APPLICANT? [23:45] Chris Meyer: OH. IF YOU WOULD LIKE, YOU CAN INTRODUCE YOURSELF AND TELL US ABOUT YOUR PROJECT. [23:53] Ali: THANK YOU, FORGIVE MY VOICE. I'M SORT OF UNDER THE WEATHER. MY NAME IS ALI, I'M THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE NONPROFIT THAT'S RUNNING THIS FACILITY. [24:10] Ali: I AM READY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS. WHAT WE'RE DOING ALREADY IN OUR ST. PAUL OFFICES IS IN LINE WITH WHAT WE'LL BE DOING HERE. SO BASICALLY IT'S SO FAR TUTORING, OUTSIDE TUTORING, WE DO ADR WHICH IS BASICALLY BRINGING FAMILIES AND INDIVIDUALS AND WE HAVE A TEAM. [24:36] Ali: I DON'T SEE ANY 25, 30 PEOPLE USUALLY COMING IN TOGETHER. SO IN TERMS OF TRAFFIC, NOISE, ALL OF THE MAIN CONCERNS, I DON'T ANTICIPATE ANY SITUATION THAT COULD CAUSE THE NEIGHBORS ANYTHING OUT OF LINE. BUT IF THERE ARE ANY QUESTIONS. [24:58] Chris Meyer: THANK YOU. ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS FOR THE APPLICANT? NOT SEEING ANY. THANK YOU. [25:02] Ali: APPRECIATE IT. [25:04] Chris Meyer: ALL RIGHT. OTHER SPEAKERS? EACH PERSON CAN HAVE TWO MINUTES. THERE WERE A FEW HANDS RAISED BACK HERE. GO AHEAD AND COME TO THE PODIUM. INTRODUCE YOURSELF. YOU HAVE TWO MINUTES. [25:15] Sylvia Gonzalez: HI, MY NAME IS SYLVIA GONZALEZ, I'M A RESIDENT OF COOPER NEIGHBORHOOD ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE CHURCH. I'VE LIVED THERE FOR 30 YEARS. [25:24] Sylvia Gonzalez: HAVE SEEN WHAT THE CONGREGATION WAS BEFORE, WHAT IT IS GOING TO BE NOW. I'M NOT OPPOSED TO IT AS LONG AS THERE'S SOME PARKING. AS YOU SAW FROM THE DIAGRAM, THERE IS A PLACE WHERE THEY COULD PUT A PARKING LOT IN. THERE IS GOING TO BE INCREASED TRAFFIC. [25:41] Sylvia Gonzalez: I DON'T BELIEVE HIM WHEN HE SAYS THERE'S 25-30 PEOPLE SHOWING UP AT THIS COMMUNITY HALL. IF THEY DON'T PROVIDE A PARKING LOT WHICH THEY DO HAVE THE ROOM FOR, THEN THEY SHOULD AT LEAST PROVIDE PARKING PERMITS FOR THE RESIDENTS AROUND THERE. [25:59] Sylvia Gonzalez: WE'VE ALREADY RUN INTO PROBLEMS ON 41st AND LAKE WITH THE INCREASE IN TRAFFIC FROM HIGH-LO DINER, THE COFFEE SHOP THAT'S NEAR THERE. IT'S NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE TRAFFIC COMING OUT OF THERE. AND I HATE TO SEE THIS HAPPEN TO THAT CORNER OF 32nd STREET AND 41st. [26:17] Sylvia Gonzalez: THE OTHER ISSUE I HAVE RIGHT NOW IS THAT OVER THE LAST YEAR, I BELIEVE THEY PURCHASED IT IN AUGUST OF 2024, THEY HAVE NOT BEEN MAINTAINING THIS BUILDING. THEY'VE BEEN FINED OVER $15,000 IN FEES THAT HAVE BEEN ASSESSED BECAUSE THEY WERE NOT CLEANING UP THE RUBBISH, THEY WEREN'T CLEANING THE SIDEWALKS, SO IF THAT'S INDICATIVE OF HOW THEY'RE GOING TO MAINTAIN THIS BUILDING, THEN I OPPOSE THIS CONDITIONAL PERMIT. THANK YOU. [26:42] Chris Meyer: THANK YOU. NEXT SPEAKER. WELCOME. [26:50] Nancy: ALL RIGHT, HI EVERYONE. MY NAME IS NANCY. I AM A RESIDENT IN THE COOPER NEIGHBORHOOD AS WELL. I AND MANY OTHERS WALK BY THIS CHURCH WITH OUR DOGS EVERY DAY. THE FIRST CHANGE I NOTICED ABOUT THIS PROPERTY AFTER THE SALE TO AW HOMES LIMITED IN 2024 IS THAT I COULDN'T WALK NEXT TO THE CHURCH VERY MUCH IN THE WINTER DUE TO THE PERSISTENCE OF UNSHOVELLED SIDEWALKS. [27:14] Nancy: AFTER REVIEWING THE APPLICATION FOR THE PROPOSED COMMUNITY CENTER WHICH WAS UPLOADED ONLY A FEW DAYS AGO, I WAS STRUCK BY THE SCALE OF WHAT IS BEING PROPOSED AND THE LACK OF DETAIL IN HOW SUCH A PLAN COULD BE IMPLEMENTED. THE APPLICATION INCLUDES INSTALLATION OF A NEW COMMERCIAL KITCHEN AND ELEVATOR. [27:32] Nancy: THE APPLICATION MENTIONS A WIDE RANGE OF PROPOSED PROGRAMS INCLUDING ENGLISH CLASSES, CITIZENSHIP PREPARATION, JOB READINESS, AFTER SCHOOL ACTIVITIES AND HEALTH EDUCATION. AT THIS LEVEL, A PROVEN TRACK RECORD IS ESSENTIAL. [27:48] Nancy: WITH THAT IN MIND, I'D LIKE TO HIGHLIGHT TWO ISSUES THAT I BELIEVE DESERVE THE COMMISSION'S ATTENTION: THE LACK OF COMPLETE VERIFIABLE INFORMATION IN THE SUBMITTED PLAN AND THE LANDLORD'S TRACK RECORD TO DATE. FIRST, REGARDING VOLUNTEERS OF SOMALIA, THE NONPROFIT CITED THROUGHOUT THE APPLICATION. [28:07] Nancy: I EXPECTED TO FIND AN EIN SO I COULD REVIEW ITS FORM 990 FILINGS. FOR A PROJECT OF THIS SCALE, IT'S REASONABLE TO EXPECT PARTNERSHIP WITH AN ESTABLISHED NONPROFIT, ONE WITH A DOCUMENTED HISTORY OF CONSISTENT REPORTABLE FUNDING ABOVE THE IRS'S REQUIRED $50,000 FUNDING. [28:29] Nancy: HOWEVER IT DOESN'T APPEAR IN ANY PUBLIC SEARCHABLE REGISTRY WHICH RAISES QUESTIONS ABOUT THEIR CAPACITY. SECOND, UNDER THE CURRENT LANDLORD—OVER THE PAST SEVERAL MONTHS, THERE HAVE BEEN A SERIES OF CONCERNING SIGNS POSTED IN THE WINDOWS ALONG THE 32nd STREET EAST SIDE. [28:50] Nancy: NOTICES OF UNPAID BILLS, A BRIGHT RED STOP ALL WORK SIGN THAT STAYED UP FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD. WHEN REQUESTING A CONDITIONAL PERMIT, BURDEN OF PROOF SHOULD REST WITH THE APPLICANT. I AM HOPING THAT THE CITY WILL CONSIDER STRENGTHENING ITS PROCESS AND ASK THAT THE APPLICANT REVISE ITS APPLICATION TO CLEARLY DEMONSTRATE CAPACITY TO DELIVER IT. THANK YOU. [29:12] Chris Meyer: THANK YOU. NEXT SPEAKER. [29:18] Tom: HELLO. MY NAME IS TOM. I'M A COOPER RESIDENT AND A NEIGHBOR. AS A NEIGHBOR WHO REGULARLY BIKES AND USES PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION, I'M CONCERNED WITH HOW THIS APPLICATION CHARACTERIZES THE NEIGHBORHOOD'S TRANSIT ACCESS AND BIKING. [29:40] Tom: ON PAGE ONE OF THE APPLICATION, IT STATES THERE'S A SMALL NUMBER OF COMMERCIAL CIVIC AND INSTITUTIONAL USES, MINNEHAHA ACADEMY LOCATED IN THE AREA. SEVERAL BIKE ROUTES AND LANES ARE PRESENT INCLUDING 32nd STREET, 38TH AVENUE, 34TH AVENUE; IT'S SERVED BY ROUTE 9 ON 36TH AVENUE AND 34TH STREET. THIS DESCRIPTION SUGGESTS IT IS WELL LOCATED FOR BUS AND BIKE USERS. [30:08] Tom: IN REALITY NOT A SINGLE BUS OR BIKE LANE LIES WITHIN THE EIGHT BLOCK MAP SHOWN ON PAGE TWO OF THE APPLICATION. THERE ARE NO BUS STOPS NEAR THIS PROPERTY. THE B LINES ONLY STOP IN THE COOPER NEIGHBORHOOD IS MORE THAN 2,000 FEET. [30:23] Tom: THE SECOND STOP REFERENCED IN THE APPLICATION IS OUTSIDE OF THE COOPER NEIGHBORHOOD AND EVEN FARTHER FROM THE PROPERTY AT 3,000 FEET AWAY. THERE ARE ALSO NO ACTIVE BIKE LANES NEARBY. ACCORDING TO THE CITY OF MINNEAPOLIS ALL AGES AND ABILITIES BIKING NETWORK PLAN, NONE OF THE STREETS LISTED IN THE APPLICATION—32nd STREET, 38TH AVENUE, AND 34TH AVENUE—ARE ACTIVE BIKE ROUTES. [30:48] Tom: TWO OF THE STREETS ARE IDENTIFIED AS POSSIBLE NEAR TERM LOW STRESS BIKEWAYS BUT THE CITY MARKS THEM AS HIGHLY DIFFICULT TO COMPLETE BEFORE 2030. THIS PROPERTY IS NOT WELL SERVED BY PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION OR BIKE INFRASTRUCTURE. ANY REFERENCES TO THIS PROPERTY OR PROJECT'S ALIGNMENT WITH THE CITY'S 2040 PLAN IN THIS REGARD SHOULD BE REEVALUATED AND CORRECTED. [31:07] Tom: I DO NOT BELIEVE ATTENDEES WILL WALK OVER 2,000 FEET FROM A BUS STOP, NOR DO I EXPECT THE PROPOSED BIKE RACK TO SEE MEANINGFUL USE. THE ADDED ON-STREET PARKING DEMAND WILL BURDEN NEARBY RESIDENTS AND FURTHER ENDANGER CYCLISTS FROM MY BLOCK. THERE'S SOME FIGURES ON THE BACK IF YOU HAVE THE THING. [31:25] Chris Meyer: YOU CAN GIVE THAT TO OUR CLERK IF YOU'D LIKE. NEXT SPEAKER. WAS THERE ANYONE ELSE? WELCOME, INTRODUCE YOURSELF. YOU HAVE TWO MINUTES. [31:33] David Gowan: I'M DAVID GOWAN. I'M NOT AS WELL SPOKEN AS EVERYBODY ELSE. BUT I LIVE ON THE DIRECT OPPOSITE SOUTHEAST CORNER OF WHERE THIS BUILDING IS. AND LIKE A LOT OF OTHER PEOPLE MENTIONED, THE PARKING IS A CONCERN. [31:57] David Gowan: 34TH STREET ALREADY HAS A LOT OF CARS THAT ARE CONSISTENTLY PARKED THERE. AND ALSO WHAT THE HOURS OF ACTIVITY WOULD BE FOR THIS BUILDING. I DIDN'T SEE ANYTHING LISTED BEFORE. SO MAINLY JUST A CONCERN ABOUT PARKING AND HOW THAT WOULD BE HANDLED. THAT'S PRETTY MUCH IT. THANK YOU. [32:15] Chris Meyer: THANK YOU. NEXT SPEAKER. WELCOME, INTRODUCE YOURSELF AND YOU HAVE TWO MINUTES. [32:23] Katie Malumby: HI, MY NAME IS KATIE MALUMBY. I AM A COOPER RESIDENT AS WELL. I LIVE TWO BLOCKS AWAY FROM THE PROPOSED SITE. GIVEN THE BROAD SCOPE OF PROGRAMS, CAN THE APPLICANT PROVIDE A PHASED PLAN DETAILING THE ACTIVITIES WHICH WILL BE HELD? THE HOURS OF OPERATION AND HOW STAFFING WILL BE STRUCTURED AND FUNDED? [32:48] Katie Malumby: I WAS NOT ABLE TO SEE ANY BREAK DOWN. WILL THIS FUNCTION AS AN OPEN COMMUNITY CENTER SERVING ALL OF THE RESIDENTS OF THE COMMUNITY? OR IS IT A CULTURAL SERVICE CENTER WITH A DEFINED TARGETED POPULATION? THOUGH BOTH CAN BE VALUABLE, THE DISTINCTION AND CLARIFICATION MATTERS FOR OUR COMMUNITY. [33:07] Katie Malumby: I WOULD LIKE TO SEE A PLACE WHERE ALL RESIDENTS AND NEARBY PEOPLE CAN UTILIZE THIS SPACE. I AM NOT OPPOSED TO THE IDEA OF A COMMUNITY CENTER THAT'S CULTURALLY INFORMED, BUT I BELIEVE THAT APPROVAL SHOULD BE CONTINGENT UPON A REVISED OPERATIONAL PLAN THAT TIES NEEDS TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD. [33:37] Katie Malumby: PROGRAMMING SCHEDULES AND CAPACITY LIMITS, AN INCLUSIVE MISSION STATEMENT, EXPECTED PARKING DEMAND AND MITIGATION STRATEGIES, COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND FEEDBACK PROCESSES, MAINTENANCE AND COMPLIANCE COMMITMENTS, MEASURABLE TIME-BASED DELIVERABLES. [33:56] Katie Malumby: A COMMUNITY CENTER CAN BE AN ASSET IF APPROVED, THIS PROJECT IS IMPLEMENTED IN A WAY THAT IS TRANSPARENT, INCLUSIVE, ACCOUNTABLE, AND RESPONSIVE TO THE COMMUNITY THAT IT SERVES. I ENCOURAGE THE COMMISSION TO REQUEST ADDITIONAL DETAILS AND MEASURABLE PLANS BEFORE GRANTING APPROVAL HERE. THANK YOU. [34:12] Chris Meyer: THANK YOU. NEXT SPEAKER IF THERE IS ONE? GO AHEAD. WELCOME, INTRODUCE YOURSELF AND YOU HAVE TWO MINUTES. [34:25] Eric: HI, MY NAME IS ERIC. I LIVE ON THE BLOCK. I'M ABOUT TWO BLOCKS AWAY ON 41st AVENUE. LIKE OTHERS HERE, I ALSO EXPRESS CONCERN OVER PARKING. PARKING HERE IS PRETTY LIMITED ON OUR STREET. AND THE ABILITY FOR US TO FIND PARKING AS IT'S THE WINTER AND THINGS COME UP CAN BE PRETTY CHALLENGED. [34:52] Eric: IT'S A BIG CONCERN I HAVEN'T HEARD ADDRESSED FULLY FROM THE APPLICANT. THE OTHER THING I HAVE IS THIS IS OUTLINED AS A COMMUNITY CENTER, BUT THE PERSON PROMOTING THIS—I WANT TO KNOW: WILL THIS BE FOR EVERYONE IN THE COMMUNITY? WHAT KIND OF OUTREACH ARE YOU DOING? [35:09] Eric: CAN I BE INVOLVED? I HAVEN'T HAD ANY COMMUNICATION IN THAT REGARD. I'D LIKE TO KNOW WHAT THAT'S GOING TO LOOK LIKE. IF IT'S GOING TO TRULY BE A COMMUNITY CENTER THEN LET'S INVOLVE THE COMMUNITY AND HAVE THOSE CONVERSATIONS. FROM MY UNDERSTANDING THAT HAS NOT HAPPENED YET. THANK YOU. [35:25] Chris Meyer: THANK YOU. ANYONE ELSE? GO AHEAD. WELCOME. INTRODUCE YOURSELF AND YOU HAVE TWO MINUTES. [35:34] Carl Bartell: MY NAME IS CARL BARTELL, I'M HERE WITH MY HUSBAND TED. WE LIVE IN THE HOUSE NEXT DOOR TO THE MENTIONED PROPERTY. I JUST WANT TO REITERATE THE CONCERNS THAT MOST EVERYONE HAS SHARED ALREADY. THE CONCERNS ABOUT PARKING, CONCERNS ABOUT THE UPKEEP OF THE PROPERTY. WE'VE SEEN A PATTERN OF NEGLECT ON THIS PROPERTY INCLUDING A BREAK-IN THAT TOOK SEVERAL DAYS FOR THE OWNER TO REPAIR IN A REASONABLE FASHION. [36:05] Carl Bartell: HE HAS NOT BEEN FORTHCOMING WITH US. WE SENT HIM AN EMAIL A YEAR AGO WHEN HE FIRST BOUGHT THE PROPERTY ASKING—VOICING OUR CONCERNS ABOUT POLLUTION, LITTER, SECURITY. ALL OF THESE THINGS. HE HAS NOT RESPONDED TO ONE EMAIL TO THEM. [36:22] Carl Bartell: A COPY OF THAT—THAT'S JUST THE GIST OF IT—IS WE'RE CONCERNED WITH THIS PATTERN OF NEGLECT AND KIND OF MILD DISRESPECT FOR THE NEIGHBORHOOD. WE'RE CONCERNED THAT THE RUNNING OF THIS FACILITY IS GOING TO BE IN LINE WITH THAT KIND OF NEGLECT. SO THAT IS OUR CONCERN AND WE ARE HOPING THAT IS ADDRESSED. THANK YOU. [36:39] Chris Meyer: THANK YOU. NEXT SPEAKER. IS THERE ANYONE ELSE WHO WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK? ALL RIGHT, I'M NOT SEEING ANY. BEFORE I CLOSE THE HEARING, COMMITTEE, IS THERE ANY QUESTIONS FOR THE APPLICANT OR ANY OF THE TESTIFIERS BEFORE I CLOSE THE HEARING? [37:01] Chris Meyer: ALL RIGHT, I WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING. IS THERE A DISCUSSION OR A MOTION FROM ANY COMMISSIONERS? COMMISSIONER CONLEY. [37:12] Commissioner Conley: THANK YOU, MR. PRESIDENT. JUST TO CLARIFY, FOR WHAT THE APPLICANT IS APPLYING FOR, THERE'S SIX CONDITIONS THAT NEED TO BE MET. I THINK I COUNTED SIX. AND FROM THE STAFF, IT APPEARS THAT ALL REQUIREMENTS HAVE BEEN MET FOR THE CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT WHICH IS WHAT WE HAVE TO VOTE ON TODAY. [37:37] Commissioner Conley: I WILL SAY THAT THERE ARE CITY PATHWAYS FOR REPORTING BLIGHTED PROPERTIES, FOR REPORTING SNOW NOT BEING SHOVELLED, ET CETERA. SO I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT RESIDENTS KNOW THAT THERE ARE WAYS TO REPORT THINGS LIKE THAT. I ALSO WANT TO MENTION JUST AS A COMMENT, THAT IT'S REALLY, REALLY IMPORTANT WHEN YOU PURCHASE A PROPERTY FOR THE COMMUNITY, IN THE COMMUNITY, TO HAVE A REALLY GOOD PARTNERSHIP WITH THE COMMUNITY. [37:56] Commissioner Conley: JUST IN GENERAL, I WOULD SAY THAT TO ANYONE COMING IN PURCHASING AND BUILDING TO BE A PART OF THAT COMMUNITY. COMMUNITY CENTERS IN AND OF THEMSELVES ARE STRUCTURES THAT HELP DEFINE NEIGHBORHOODS, THAT HELP BRING NEIGHBORHOODS TOGETHER. SO REESTABLISHING THAT RELATIONSHIP WILL BE CRITICAL I THINK TO THIS PROJECT MOVING FORWARD. [38:16] Commissioner Conley: I HAVE SEEN THAT THIS IS SOMETIMES A FIRST STEP TO OTHER AGENDA ITEMS THAT WE MIGHT SEE. SO WHEN PROJECTS LIKE THIS COME BACK FOR OTHER PERMITS OR OTHER REQUIREMENTS OR BUILDING ADDITIONS, ET CETERA, KNOWING THAT YOU'VE GOT THE COMMUNITY ON YOUR SIDE FOR THAT REALLY HELPS US IN MAKING OUR DECISIONS. THANK YOU, MR. CHAIR. [38:36] Chris Meyer: THANK YOU. OTHER COMMISSIONERS? COMMISSIONER SHEPPARD. [38:42] Commissioner Sheppard: JUST OBSERVATION. I HAVEN'T HEARD ANY CONCERN ABOUT BETHEL EVANGELICAL COVENANT NOT HAVING AN OFF-STREET PARKING CAPACITY EITHER. AND I GET THAT THAT DOES INDUCE A GOOD AMOUNT OF PARKING ON THE STREET. I BIKE THROUGH THERE ALL THE TIME, I'M ALSO A COOPER RESIDENT. BUT THAT'S A PROBLEM I'M NOT SEEING AS UNIQUE TO THIS PARTICULAR—WE HAVE A NUMBER OF FACILITIES IN OUR NEIGHBORHOOD WITH THIS CAPACITY OR MORE, AND THAT DOESN'T SEEM TO BE A CONCERN FOR THEM. [39:11] Commissioner Sheppard: I DON'T REALLY SEE IT AS BEING A CONCERN HERE EITHER. SO I WOULD AGAIN CONCUR THAT THERE ARE SIX CONDITIONS AND THEY HAVE MET THEM AND THERE ARE OTHER CITY AVENUES FOR ADDRESSING CONCERNS OF THE OPERATION OF THE PROPERTY ITSELF. SO I WOULD MOVE THIS AS WRITTEN. [39:29] Commissioner: SECOND. [39:35] Chris Meyer: OKAY, THERE'S A MOTION AND A SECOND. I'LL GIVE MY COMMENTS. WE'VE HEARD SOME PRETTY CONCERNING THINGS ABOUT THE PROPERTY OWNER HERE TODAY ABOUT LITTER AND LACK OF SNOW SHOVELLING. ONE SPEAKER SAID THAT THEY WERE FINED $15,000 WITH THAT, SO IT SOUNDS LIKE THEY ARE BEING APPROPRIATELY PENALIZED FOR THAT IF THEY HAVE BEEN FINED FOR THAT. [39:49] Chris Meyer: SO I WOULD URGE THE APPLICANT TO ADDRESS THOSE ISSUES—IF THAT'S CORRECT—TO SHOVEL THE SIDEWALKS, TO PICK UP THE LITTER, TO BE ENGAGED WITH THE COMMUNITY. AS TO PARKING, I SYMPATHIZE WITH THE CONCERNS THAT PEOPLE HAVE BROUGHT UP, BUT THE CITY'S ADOPTED CLIMATE POLICIES ACTIVELY DISCOURAGE MORE PARKING FROM BEING BUILT. [40:27] Chris Meyer: SO THERE'S NO MECHANISM WHERE THAT COULD BE INCLUDED TODAY. IF ANYTHING, THE PLANNING COMMISSION TRIES TO GET APPLICANTS TO BUILD LESS PARKING. BECAUSE THAT BRINGS MORE TRAFFIC INTO THE NEIGHBORHOOD. AND THE EXISTING SITE IS ALREADY THERE. WHOEVER USED IT BEFORE IT PRESUMABLY HAD PARKING ISSUES AS MENTIONING. [41:03] Chris Meyer: THE ONLY EXTERNAL CHANGES BEING MADE HERE ARE THE ADA RAMP AND THE BIKE RACKS, AND THOSE SEEM TO BE CLEAR IMPROVEMENTS. AND I JUST WANT TO CLARIFY FOR THE PUBLIC, WHAT A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT IS—THE ASSUMPTION IS IF THE APPLICANT MEETS CERTAIN REQUIREMENTS THAT ARE LAID OUT, THAT WE AUTOMATICALLY GIVE THE C.U.P. THERE'S NOT A LOT OF DISCRETION FOR THE CITY TO REJECT ONE. [41:37] Chris Meyer: IT'S NOT LIKE A VARIANCE WHERE THERE'S A LOT MORE DISCRETION IF THEY CHOOSE. SO I DO FEEL THAT THEY HAVE MET THIS. AN APPROPRIATE USE OF A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT IS TO APPLY CONDITIONS. SO IF COMMISSIONERS HAVE ANY IDEAS ON PARTICULAR CONDITIONS TO IMPOSE, IT COULD BE SOMETHING AROUND THE HOURS OF OPERATION OR SOMETHING. [42:05] Chris Meyer: BUT AT THIS POINT I'M INCLINED TO GO WITH THE STAFF RECOMMENDATION AND APPROVE THE MOTION THAT'S ON THE TABLE. BUT I WOULD BE OPEN TO RECOMMENDATIONS IF PEOPLE HAVE THEM. COMMISSIONER FORNEY. [42:17] Commissioner Forney: THANK YOU. I AGREE WITH ALL THAT'S BEEN SAID UP HERE AND EVERYTHING. IT IS NOT SOMETHING THAT IS A REQUIREMENT, BUT I REALLY HOPE THAT THE OWNERS OWNING THE PROPERTY TO THE NORTH RESPECT THE ONE MATURE TREE THAT IS THERE. AND AT SOME POINT IN TIME, THERE WILL BE SOME CONDITIONS REGARDING THE PRESERVATION OF TREES. AND I REALLY JUST HOPE THAT THEY WILL HONOR THE IMPORTANCE OF THAT TREE. THANK YOU. [42:39] Chris Meyer: AND THAT WAS A COMMENT, YOU DON'T WANT TO MAKE A CONDITION OUT OF THAT? [42:43] Commissioner Forney: NO. [42:56] Chris Meyer: ANY OTHER COMMENTS OR MOTIONS FROM COMMISSIONERS? WE'VE GOT THE MOTION ON THE TABLE. NOT SEEING ANYONE ELSE. CLERK, PLEASE CALL THE ROLL. [43:08] Clerk: COMMISSIONER CONLEY. [43:09] Commissioner Conley: AYE. [43:10] Clerk: FORNEY. [43:13] Commissioner Forney: AYE. [43:14] Clerk: GORDON. [43:15] Commissioner Gordon: AYE. [43:16] Clerk: SHEPPARD. [43:17] Commissioner Sheppard: AYE. [43:18] Clerk: VICE PRESIDENT BAXLEY. [43:19] Vice President Baxley: AYE. [43:20] Clerk: AND PRESIDENT MEYER. [43:22] Chris Meyer: AYE. [43:24] Clerk: THERE ARE SIX AYES. [43:26] Chris Meyer: ALL RIGHT. THAT IS APPROVED. GOOD LUCK WITH YOUR PROJECT, PLEASE SHOVEL YOUR SIDEWALKS AND PICK UP THE TRASH AND ENGAGE WITH YOUR NEIGHBORS. THANK YOU. OUR LAST ITEM IS ITEM NUMBER SEVEN, 4029 28TH AVENUE SOUTH. [44:07] Staff (Aaron): GOOD AFTERNOON, CHAIR, COMMISSIONERS. FOR ROOSEVELT HIGH SCHOOL, THEY ARE PROPOSING AN ADDITION ON THE EAST SIDE OF THE BUILDING NEAR 30TH AVENUE AND 40TH STREET. IT WOULD REQUIRE FOUR APPLICATIONS. A VARIANCE FOR THE BUILDING PLACEMENT. [44:27] Staff (Aaron): HERE'S SOME RENDERINGS OF THE BUILDING FOR 40TH AVENUE BEING HERE, 40TH STREET NORTH BEING HERE. SO AGAIN THIS IMAGE WOULD BE 30TH AND 40TH. THE PROJECT REQUIRES FOUR LAND USE APPLICATIONS. [44:44] Staff (Aaron): A VARIANCE FOR THAT BUILDING PLACEMENT ALONG 40TH STREET FROM REDUCING THE SETBACK FROM 10 FEET TO ONE FOOT IN THE CORNER SIDE YARD. AND THAT WOULD BE IN LINE WITH THE EXISTING BUILDING THAT'S BEEN THERE SINCE THE 1960s. [45:00] Staff (Aaron): PARKING—TO ALLOW PARKING IN THE FRONT YARD OR BETWEEN THE BUILDING AND THE STREET ALONG 30TH AVENUE. HOWEVER I'LL SHOW YOU THAT'S AN EXISTING CONDITION AS WELL. JUST WITH THE RECONFIGURATION OF THE PARKING LOT, STAFF WANTED TO HAVE THIS BE A NOTED LAND USE APPLICATION, A VARIANCE GIVEN THAT THE PARKING SPACES WOULD BE CLOSER—NOT CLOSER, BUT THE PARKING LIGHTS AND PARKING SPACES WOULD BE FRONTING 30TH AVENUE MORE THAN THEY DO CURRENTLY. [45:35] Staff (Aaron): SOME POSITIVES HOWEVER: A 7-FOOT LANDSCAPE BUFFER AND SCREENING WOULD BE ADDED TO THE 30TH AVENUE FRONTAGE. ALL RIGHT, AND A WALL SIGN THAT THEY'RE PROPOSING ALONG 30TH AVENUE. [45:54] Staff (Aaron): A SCHOOL IN THE RM1 DISTRICT IS ALLOWED 1, 32-FOOT WALL SIGN. THERE'S A WALL SIGN ALONG THE GYM THAT'S CURRENTLY THERE. THE APPLICANT WOULD LIKE A SECOND WALL SIGN TO NOTE WHERE THE MAIN ENTRANCE IS FOR THE NEW CAREER TECHNICAL EDUCATION PROGRAM THAT THEY'RE PROPOSING. [46:18] Staff (Aaron): AND FOURTH IS SITE PLAN REVIEW. AND THAT WE GO THROUGH WITH A BUILDING THIS SIZE, IT REQUIRED THAT SITE PLAN REVIEW APPLICATION. CPED IS SUPPORTIVE OF THE LAND USE APPLICATIONS THAT THE APPLICANT HAS PROPOSED. I HAVE BEEN IN TOUCH WITH A COUPLE OF THE NEIGHBORS IN TERMS OF POSSIBLE CONCERNS. [46:36] Staff (Aaron): I KNOW THAT SOME OF IT MAY BE WITH THE PUBLIC NOTICING OR JUST MAYBE NOT EVERYONE BEING AWARE AND JUST HEARD ALSO CONCERNS ABOUT THE PARKING SITUATION WITH CURRENT CONDITIONS AND POSSIBLY WITH THE PROPOSED PROJECT EXPANSION. [46:53] Staff (Aaron): BUT IF IT'S OKAY, I CAN LEAVE IT THERE AND ANSWER QUESTIONS THAT YOU MIGHT HAVE FOR STAFF AT THIS TIME. [47:05] Chris Meyer: THANK YOU, AARON. I'LL OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING. DO WE HAVE THE APPLICANT WITH US TODAY? WELCOME, INTRODUCE YOURSELF. IF YOU'D LIKE YOU CAN TELL US ABOUT YOUR PROJECT OR JUST ANSWER QUESTIONS IF YOU'D LIKE. [47:15] Chris Dobbs: SURE. MY NAME IS CHRIS DOBBS, I'M REPRESENTING THE APPLICANT TODAY. I WANTED TO TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE PROJECT ITSELF. THE PURPOSE OF IT IS MINNEAPOLIS PUBLIC SCHOOLS OPERATES THEIR CAREER TECHNICAL EDUCATION CENTER. [47:30] Chris Dobbs: IT'S A SEPARATE HIGH SCHOOL FROM ALL OF THEIR OTHER PROGRAMS THAT EXISTS IN THREE LOCATIONS. NORTH HIGH SCHOOL WHICH RECENTLY WENT THROUGH ITS RENOVATION AT ITS CAREER TECHNICAL EDUCATION CENTER. EDISON HIGH SCHOOL WHICH JUST COMPLETED THEIR CAREER TECHNICAL OPERATION CENTER. AND NOW HERE AT ROOSEVELT HIGH SCHOOL. [47:47] Chris Dobbs: THE PURPOSE IS SO THAT STUDENTS CAN OPT INTO ANY CAREER AND TECHNICAL PROGRAM AT THEIR CURRENT SCHOOL RATHER THAN BE BUSED TO ANOTHER SCHOOL AND BE BUSED BACK TO THEIR REGULAR HIGH SCHOOL TO COMPLETE THEIR DAY. [48:13] Chris Dobbs: BECAUSE OF THAT, THERE'S NOT GOING TO BE MORE STUDENTS DRIVING TO THIS SCHOOL UNLESS THEY'RE ALREADY GOING TO IT. AND THE STUDENTS AREN'T GOING TO BE HERE FOR THE WHOLE DAY, THEY'RE JUST GOING FOR ONE CLASS AND THEN LEAVING. THIS IS A REALLY IMPORTANT PROGRAM TO MINNEAPOLIS PUBLIC SCHOOLS, IT'S A PROGRAM THAT THEY REALLY FEEL IS IMPORTANT FOR BUILDING JOB TRAINING SKILLS FOR STUDENTS AND THEY'RE INVESTING THIS MONEY INTO PRODUCING REALLY HIGH QUALITY WELDING CLASSES, AUTO CLASSES, SMALL ENGINES AND MACHINING. [48:41] Chris Dobbs: THIS IS ALSO WHERE THE CAREER TECHNICAL EDUCATION DISTRICT STAFF WILL BE. AS PART OF IT, WE'RE BUILDING A NEW STORM SHELTER TO COMPLY WITH NEW CODES. AND THEN, THE REALITY IS IT'S A REAL CHALLENGE—THE BUILDING IS OVER 100 YEARS OLD. [48:56] Chris Dobbs: IT WAS PUT IN THE MIDDLE OF A NEIGHBORHOOD. SO WE TRIED AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE TO MEET THE INTENT OF THE 2040 CODE WHERE WE COULDN'T ACTUALLY MEET IT BY THE LETTER. FOR INSTANCE INCREASING THAT LANDSCAPING BUFFER, INCREASING THE AMOUNT OF LANDSCAPING TO REDUCE HEADLIGHTS COMING OFF OF THE SITE. [49:14] Chris Dobbs: CREATING MATERIALS THAT ARE ALIGNING WITH THE REST OF THE BUILDING. AND ALSO TRYING TO INCREASE THE AMOUNT OF GLAZING THAT'S GOING ON TO THE CITY AROUND IT SO THAT YOU HAVE THOSE ACTIVE FUNCTIONS SEEN. SO THAT'S REALLY THE INTENT OF THE PROJECT IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS. THANK YOU. [49:32] Chris Meyer: THANK YOU. ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS FOR THE APPLICANT? THANK YOU. ALL RIGHT, EACH SPEAKER CAN HAVE TWO MINUTES. WELCOME. [49:38] Carla Neilson: GOOD MORNING, MY NAME IS CARLA NEILSON, I RESIDE IN THE 3900 BLOCK OF 28TH AVENUE SOUTH AND HAVE FOR 30 YEARS. MY CONCERN IS THE OVERALL LACK OF COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT WITH WE WHO LIVE—ME AS A RESIDENT AND THE OTHER BUSINESSES AROUND US. [50:13] Carla Neilson: I'M NOT A BUSINESS. IT'S UNFORTUNATE THAT COUNCILMEMBER CHOWDHURY IS NOT HERE. THIS IS RIGHT SMACK DAB IN THE MIDDLE OF HER WARD. WHEN I GOT THIS LETTER AND FOUND OUT I WAS ONE OF VERY FEW HOUSEHOLDS BASED ON 350 SQUARE FEET AROUND THE SCHOOL, I WAS LIKE WHAT—THAT IT WASN'T MORE. [50:35] Carla Neilson: ROOSEVELT IS A BIG NEIGHBOR TO US, 13.5 ACRES IS THAT SCHOOL. IT'S A PLUS—I'M A NON-PARENT. OBVIOUSLY THIS EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY, A PLACE FOR KIDS TO LEARN THESE SKILLS OF WELDING, MACHINERY, ET CETERA, OBVIOUSLY THAT'S A PLUS. THE FACT THAT WHEN I LOOKED AT THE LSE SCRIPT IT SHOWED THAT THERE WOULD BE MORE TREES, THAT IS A PLUS OVER THERE. [50:58] Carla Neilson: BUT THE LOSS OF 60 PARKING SPOTS—AND THAT IS A MIX OF TEACHERS AND STUDENTS THAT ARE PARKING THERE—THAT IS APPALLING. WE'RE A HIGHLY RESIDENTIAL AREA AND MANY OF THE HOMES HAVE 2 AND 3 CARS BY THEMSELVES. [51:15] Carla Neilson: I'M ALSO WONDERING WHAT TYPE OF SAFETY SCREENING DEVICES WILL BE PUT IN PLACE ON THE 30TH AVENUE ENTRANCE. SAFETY FOR ALL SCHOOL AGE CHILDREN IS IMPORTANT. THE SAFETY OF LSE IS NOT SHOWING BIKE RACKS ON 30TH AVENUE ENTRANCE FOR THAT. I PERSONALLY DO NOT THINK THIS PROPOSAL IS READY TO BE AFFIRMED GIVEN THE LACK OF COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT. THANK YOU FOR YOUR PUBLIC SERVICE. [51:34] Chris Meyer: THANK YOU. WOULD ANYONE ELSE LIKE TO TESTIFY? WELCOME, INTRODUCE YOURSELF AND YOU HAVE TWO MINUTES. [51:56] Jen Newburg: HI, MY NAME IS JEN NEWBURG. I LIVE ON 29TH AVENUE BETWEEN 39TH AND 40TH STREET. AND I HAVE A STUDENT—OR AN ALUMNI—WHO WENT TO THE TECHNICAL SCHOOL TO TAKE AUTOMOTIVE AND IS NOW IN HIS SECOND YEAR AT UNIVERSITY WORKING ON FORMULA ONE RACECARS. [52:13] Jen Newburg: SO I VALUE THIS EDUCATION, I ALSO HAVE A CURRENT STUDENT AT ROOSEVELT. GIVEN ROOSEVELT'S CURRENT DEMOGRAPHICS OF THEIR YOUNGER CLASSES OF STUDENTS, THE ELIMINATION OF THE TEACHER PARKING LOT—AN ENTIRE PARKING LOT AT ROOSEVELT—WILL GREATLY IMPACT PARKING AROUND THE SCHOOL. AND I DIDN'T NECESSARILY SEE THAT MENTIONED OR THE FACT THAT THAT ENTIRE PARKING LOT IS LEAVING THE SCHOOL THAT'S USED BY ROOSEVELT. [52:28] Chris Meyer: THANK YOU. WOULD ANYONE ELSE LIKE TO SPEAK? NOT SEEING ANY, BUT I HAVE A QUESTION FOR THE APPLICANT IF YOU CAN COME BACK UP. CAN YOU JUST TELL US ABOUT THE BIKE PARKING AND SPECIFICALLY ON 30TH AVENUE? AND YOU CAN RESPOND TO THE SAFETY SCREENING DEVICES. [53:05] Chris Dobbs: YEAH, I CAN ANSWER A COUPLE OF THESE. THE BIKE RACKS—THERE ARE BIKE RACKS BEING ADDED. I DO SEE THEY'RE NOT IN THE RENDERING, THAT'S JUST AN OMISSION. BUT I BELIEVE IT'S 8 OR 9 BIKE RACKS BEING ADDED HERE. ALSO AROUND THE BUILDING, THERE ARE WELL OVER 100 BIKE RACKS THAT ARE SERVING THE GENERAL SCHOOL ITSELF. [53:22] Chris Dobbs: BUT WE'RE ADDING THREE CLASSROOMS TO IT, AND I BELIEVE—AND I DON'T HAVE THE APPLICATION IN FRONT OF ME, BUT—WE EXCEED THE NUMBER THAT ARE REQUIRED BY THE ZONING CODE FOR AN ADDITION OF CLASSROOMS. IN TERMS OF THE SAFETY, WE ARE ADDING A NEW SECURE ENTRY TO THE BUILDING. [53:39] Chris Dobbs: SO WE'LL BE FOLLOWING THE MINNEAPOLIS PUBLIC SCHOOL STANDARDS ON SECURE ENTRY INTO THE SCHOOL ITSELF. ESSENTIALLY YOU'LL BE BUZZED IN THROUGH EACH SET OF DOORS. [53:54] Chris Meyer: OKAY. SO THE 30TH AVENUE ONE IS NOT ON THE RENDERING. SO CAN WE ADD A CONDITION THAT WOULD—WOULD YOU BE RECEPTIVE TO A CONDITION THAT WOULD CLARIFY THAT? [54:01] Chris Dobbs: SURE, I'D BE HAPPY TO ADD THAT. [54:02] Chris Meyer: KIMBERLY, DO YOU HAVE A SUGGESTION ON HOW WE WOULD PHRASE THAT? [54:06] Staff (Kimberly): I'M LOOKING TO AARON, IT'S NOT ON THE RENDERING, BUT IS IT ON THE SITE PLAN OR ELSEWHERE ACCOUNTED FOR IN THE APPLICATION MATERIALS? IF SO, THEN WE WOULDN'T NEED A CONDITION. [54:14] Staff (Aaron): SO THEY'RE LOCATED RIGHT HERE AS YOU COME IN JUST ADJACENT TO THE ENTRANCE. [54:34] Chris Meyer: AS LONG AS STAFF FEEL IT'S CLEAR THAT THAT IS INCLUDED IN THE STAFF RECOMMENDATION, I'M FINE WITH THAT. OKAY, LAST CHANCE FOR ANYONE. DID YOU HAVE A QUESTION YOU WANTED TO ASK THE APPLICANT? [54:42] Commissioner: PLEASE, YES. [54:43] Chris Meyer: DO YOU WANT TO COME BACK UP, WE HAVE ANOTHER QUESTION BEFORE WE CLOSE THE HEARING. [54:48] Commissioner: CAN YOU TALK TO US ABOUT ANY TRAFFIC DEMAND MANAGEMENT PLANS THAT WERE DEVELOPED DURING THE DESIGN? [54:57] Chris Dobbs: THERE WASN'T A SPECIFIC TRAFFIC DEMAND MANAGEMENT PLAN REQUIRED AS PART OF IT. SO WE DO NOT HAVE ONE HERE, AND SINCE THERE'S NO PARKING MINIMUM, WE WEREN'T REQUIRED TO MAKE UP THE PARKING THAT WAS LOST HERE. [55:10] Commissioner: BUT YOU HAD SOME DISCUSSIONS OBVIOUSLY WITH MPS? [55:12] Chris Dobbs: MPS HAS THEIR TRANSPORTATION PLAN AS THEY MOVE THROUGH THIS. AGAIN FOR MOST OF THE STUDENTS WHO ARE ACTUALLY COMING TO THIS, THEY ARE COMING ON A BUS FROM THEIR REGULAR HIGH SCHOOL, SO THEY'RE NOT NECESSARILY GOING TO BE PARKING HERE. SO ANY DEMAND WOULD BE JUST FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE CURRENTLY AT ROOSEVELT HIGH SCHOOL. [55:27] Commissioner: IN TERMS OF STAFF? SO IS THIS STAFF PARKING ONLY THAT YOU HAVE— [55:40] Chris Dobbs: I BELIEVE CURRENTLY RIGHT NOW THEY OPERATE THIS PARKING LOT HERE IS STAFF ONLY, CORRECT. [55:44] Commissioner: AND THEY ARE UNCONCERNED WITH THAT? [55:46] Chris Dobbs: THEY'RE NOT CONCERNED WITH LOSING THAT PARKING. [55:48] Commissioner: THANK YOU. [55:58] Chris Meyer: ANYONE ELSE? I WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING. COMMISSIONERS, IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION OR A MOTION? SORRY THE PUBLIC HEARING IS CLOSED. COMMISSIONERS. COMMISSIONER CONLEY. [56:08] Commissioner Conley: THIS IS ONLY A COMMENT, MR. PRESIDENT. I'M EXCITED ABOUT THESE CHANGES TO ROOSEVELT. I THINK THAT THIS IS A REALLY GREAT PROGRAM AND ROOSEVELT IS JUST A SOLID INSTITUTION IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD OVER THERE. [56:21] Commissioner Conley: I'M ACTUALLY EXCITED TO HEAR THAT THE STAFF WEREN'T CONCERNED ABOUT THE LOSS OF PARKING BECAUSE I HAD SAW THE RENDERINGS SHOW THAT THAT PARKING LOT IS CUT IN HALF. I THINK THIS WILL BE A BENEFIT NOT ONLY TO THE COMMUNITY ESPECIALLY WITH THE ADDITION OF THE TREES, THE ADDITION OF THE 7-FOOT I THINK IT WAS BUFFER. AND JUST TO THE STUDENTS THEMSELVES. SO I'M EXCITED TO SUPPORT THIS TODAY. THANK YOU. I WILL MOVE TO APPROVE IT. [56:55] Commissioner: SECOND. [56:56] Chris Meyer: I'LL SPEAK TO IT AS WELL. FIRST, I'LL JUST NOTE THE CITY COUNCIL IS CURRENTLY REVIEWING THEIR BUDGET. IT'S PROBABLY THE BUSIEST WEEK OF THE YEAR FOR THEM. SO I IMAGINE THAT IS WHERE COUNCILMEMBER CHOWDHURY IS AT. BUT IT DOES SOUND LIKE THERE COULD BE MORE ENGAGEMENT WITH THE NEIGHBORS AROUND, BUT I THINK THIS IS A GOOD PROJECT THAT'S VERY IN LINE WITH OUR 2040 PLAN AND THE VARIANCES SEEM REASONABLE. [57:21] Chris Meyer: I KNOW THE PARKING IS A FREQUENT CONCERN. BUT AS I NOTED FOR THE LAST APPLICATION, THE CITY'S POLICY IS TO—THE CLIMATE POLICY IS TO TRY TO REDUCE PARKING AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE, AND WHENEVER POSSIBLE TRY TO GET PEOPLE TO BUS OR BIKE. AND IT'S GREAT THAT THEY'RE BUSING THE KIDS TO THE SCHOOL. [57:40] Chris Meyer: SO THAT IS VERY IN LINE WITH THIS. SO I WILL DEFINITELY VOTE TO APPROVE THIS. ANY OTHER COMMISSIONERS WISH TO COMMENT OR MAKE ANY AMENDMENT? [57:56] Chris Meyer: ALL RIGHT, NOT SEEING ANY, CLERK, PLEASE CALL THE ROLL. [58:04] Clerk: COMMISSIONER CONLEY. [58:05] Commissioner Conley: AYE. [58:06] Clerk: FORNEY. [58:07] Commissioner Forney: AYE. [58:08] Clerk: GORDON. [58:09] Commissioner Gordon: AYE. [58:10] Clerk: SHEPPARD. [58:11] Commissioner Sheppard: AYE. [58:12] Clerk: VICE PRESIDENT BAXLEY. [58:13] Vice President Baxley: AYE. [58:14] Clerk: AND PRESIDENT MEYER. [58:15] Chris Meyer: AYE. [58:16] Clerk: THERE ARE SIX AYES. [58:18] Chris Meyer: ALL RIGHT, THAT IS APPROVED. GOOD LUCK WITH YOUR PROJECT. AND THAT IS OUR LAST ITEM FOR THE DAY. WE DON'T HAVE ANY COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE THIS WEEK. AND OUR NEXT FULL MEETING WILL BE JANUARY 5, 2026. ARE THERE ANY UPDATES FROM STAFF OR COMMISSIONERS? [58:31] Staff (Kimberly): YES, SO UPDATES OUT OF THE BHZ COMMITTEE OF THE CITY COUNCIL. SO I MENTIONED AT OUR LAST MEETING THAT WE DID RECEIVE AN APPEAL OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION'S APPROVAL OF THE PROJECT. THAT APPEAL WAS DENIED BY THE BHZ COMMITTEE OF THE CITY COUNCIL. THERE WAS A CONDITION OF APPROVAL ADDED ASKING FOR SOME ADDITIONAL LANDSCAPING ON THAT PROPERTY. [58:44] Staff (Kimberly): AND THAT GOES TO THE FULL CITY COUNCIL THIS WEEK. PLANNING COMMISSION APPOINTMENTS WERE ALSO ON THAT AGENDA. SO HAPPY TO SAY THAT COMMISSIONERS WAGNER, JONES, AND SHEPPARD WERE MOVED FORWARD FOR REAPPOINTMENT. AND THAT WILL ALSO GO TO THE FULL CITY COUNCIL THIS WEEK. [59:06] Chris Meyer: GREAT. ANYONE ELSE? NOT SEEING ANYONE, SO WE ARE ADJOURNED. THANK YOU.