Consent Agenda Items (5, 6, 7) - 3200 Como Ave SE Expansion

Dissent: No notable dissent; Commissioners Chourey, Conley, Shepard, Wagner, and Meyer voted in favor.

Moved by Unknown [Timestamp] · Seconded by Unknown [Timestamp]

The primary discussion focused on Item 5, concerning an expansion of a bus maintenance facility. Monique McKenzie from the University of Minnesota raised concerns about existing inadequate stormwater management at the 10-acre site, which shares a property line with the University. She emphasized the potential for flooding and fuel spills given a high percentage of impervious surfaces and the planned addition of a fueling station. The University requested redesigning a snow storage area into a stormwater best management practice (BMP). Aspen Flandes, City Planner, clarified that staff's recommendation was for landscaping the lowest corner for stormwater capture, and that Public Works would handle specific drainage plans and industrial stormwater permit updates. Commissioner Shepard inquired if the staff recommendation mandated a BMP, to which staff responded that zoning did not specify that detail.

Public Hearing - Item 4: Re-zoning and Site Plan Review for 3561 W 44th St & 4409 Chowen Ave S

Dissent: No notable dissent; Commissioners Chourey, Conley, Shepard, Wagner, and Meyer voted in favor. Chris Murphy and Martina Sagay voiced strong opposition during the public hearing.

Moved by Unknown [Timestamp] · Seconded by Unknown [Timestamp]

This item involved a request to rezone and approve a site plan for a four-story, 18-unit mixed-use building. Staff presented the project, detailing the need for a Subdivided Zoning overlay to merge parcels with different base zonings (Corridor 2 commercial and UN3 residential). Key public concerns were raised by adjacent property owners regarding a private alley easement. Speakers Chris Murphy and Martina Sagay highlighted issues with the proposed location of a utility transformer encroaching on the easement, creating safety hazards and hindering access, and the potential for increased stormwater runoff into an already problematic alley. They requested the committee impose conditions beyond staff recommendations to protect existing private property rights. Staff clarified that while they had worked with the developer to adjust the transformer location, specific issues like transformer safety and final drainage fell under Public Works' and Xcel Energy's jurisdiction, not the Planning Commission's zoning review. Soil contamination from previous use was also discussed, with the applicant confirming prior remediation and ongoing monitoring.