[0:20] >> WELCOME EVERYONE TO THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE MINNEAPOLIS PLANNING COMMISSION FOR JUNE 2, 2025. MY NAME IS CHRIS MEYER, I'M [0:28] CHAIR OF THE COMMISSION. AT THIS TIME, I'LL ASK THE CLERK TO TAKE THE ROLL. >> COMMISSIONER BAXLEY IS [0:34] ABSENT. CAMPBELL IS NO LONGER ON THE [0:41] COMMISSION. CHOWDHURY. I THOUGHT I SAW HER. >> SHE IS ABSENT. >> OKAY, SHE IS ABSENT. [0:47] CONLEY. >> PRESENT. >> GORDON. >> PRESENT. >> JONES. >> PRESENT. [0:53] >> MEYER. >> HERE. >> SKJEFTE IS ABSENT. [1:01] THOMPSON IS ABSENT. WAGNER. >> HERE. >> WE HAVE FIVE MEMBERS PRESENT. [1:06] >> LET THE RECORD SHOW WE HAVE A QUORUM. WE HAVE TWO MINUTES TO APPROVE FROM MAY 12TH AND MAY 15TH. [1:12] >> MOVE TO APPROVE. >> SECOND. >> ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE. >> AYE. >> ANY OPPOSED? [1:19] ABSTENTIONS? THOSE MINUTES ARE ADOPTED. NEXT WE WILL ORGANIZE THE AGENDA. [1:24] WE HAVE TWO ITEMS THAT WILL NOT HAVE ANY PUBLIC HEARING, ITEMS NUMBER 4 AND 5. FOR THE REST OF THEM I'M GOING [1:31] TO GO THROUGH EACH ONE OF THEM. STAFF IS RECOMMENDING ALL OF THEM TO BE ON THE CONSENT [1:38] AGENDA. IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK AGAINST THE STAFF RECOMMENDATION [1:44] OR YOU HAVE OTHER COMMENTS ON IT, WE CAN PULL THAT FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA AND IF YOU WANT [1:49] TO DO THAT, RAISE YOUR HAND WHEN I CALL THAT ONE. THERE WILL BE AN OPPORTUNITY IF [1:55] YOU WANTED TO SPEAK IN FAVOR OF SOMETHING WHEN WE GO THROUGH THE CONSENT HEARING. FIRST WE HAVE ITEM NUMBER SIX, [2:04] 3120 WASHBURN AVENUE NORTH. WAS ANYONE HERE TO SPEAK AGAINST THE STAFF RECOMMENDATION FOR NUMBER SIX? [2:10] OKAY, SO WE WILL DISCUSS ITEM NUMBER SIX. ITEM NUMBER SEVEN, 3120 WASHBURN [2:17] AVENUE NORTH, WAS ANYONE HERE TO SPEAK AGAINST ITEM NUMBER SEVEN? [2:23] THAT ONE AS WELL. I THINK THEY'RE SIMILAR. WE'LL DISCUSS NUMBER SEVEN. AND ITEM NUMBER 8, 5,005 LYNDALE [2:38] SOUTH. OKAY, SO WE'LL DISCUSS ITEMS 6, 7, AND 8. IS THERE A MOTION TO APPROVE [2:43] THAT AGENDA? >> SO MOVED. >> IS THERE A SECOND? >> SECOND. >> ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE? [2:48] >> AYE. >> OPPOSED? THAT IS ADOPTED. SO FIRST WE'LL GO TO OUR CONSENT [2:54] AGENDA ITEMS NUMBER 4 AND 5. DID ANYONE HAVE ANY DISCUSSION [3:01] OR REQUEST FOR PRESENTATION? IS THERE A MOTION TO APPROVE THOSE CONSENT ITEMS? >> SO MOVED. [3:06] >> IS THERE A SECOND? ALL RIGHT. ANY DISCUSSION? ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE? [3:11] >> AYE. >> OPPOSED? ABSTENTIONS? SO ITEMS 4 AND 5 ARE ADOPTED. [3:21] SO WE'LL NOW MOVE TO PUBLIC HEARING ON ITEM NUMBER SIX. [3:28] AND STAFF IS HILLARY DVORAK. AND CAN WE DO SEVEN AT THE SAME [3:35] TIME? DOES THAT WORK PROCEDURALLY? OKAY. [4:14] >> I CAN'T SEE AND HEAR OBVIOUSLY. GOOD AFTERNOON EVERYONE I'M HILLARY DVORAK. [4:20] I'M A PLANNER HERE TO PRESENT ITEMS 6 AND 7. I WILL DO MY BEST TO KEEP THEM [4:26] TOGETHER. I'LL CONCENTRATE ON THE APARTMENT FIRST AND THEN I'LL MOVE TO THE PARKING LOT. [4:32] SO THIS IS A PROJECT AT 3120 WASHBURN AVENUE NORTH. [4:37] IT IS LOCATED ON THE -- THE DEVELOPMENT IS LOCATED ON THE [4:42] NORTHEAST CORNER OF WASHBURN AND [4:49] LAURIE AVENUE NORTH. IT HAS BEEN VACANT FOR FIVE YEARS. [4:55] IT HAS ALSO THE PROPERTY WITH THE SAME ADDRESS OCCUPIED BY AN [5:00] 81 SPACE CIRCUS PARKING LOT. THERE IS A 60-FOOT TALL COMMUNICATIONS TOWER WITH BASE [5:06] EQUIPMENT LOCATED IN THE PARKING LOT. THERE'S A PARTIAL PUBLIC ALLEY THAT STARTS AT LAUREY AND GOES [5:21] THROUGH THE PARK. AND THERE ARE NO OTHER PROPERTIES THAT ACCESS THAT. CURRENTLY THESE PROPERTIES ARE [5:26] TIED TOGETHER WHICH IS WHY YOU HAVE ONE ADDRESS FOR TWO DIFFERENT PROPERTIES ON 2 DIFFERENT STREETS. THEY'RE TIED TOGETHER FOR TAX [5:31] PURPOSES. SO AS PART OF THIS PROJECT, THE APPLICANT WILL BE UNTYING THE [5:38] PARCELS THROUGH A DIVISION PROCESS AT HENNEPIN COUNTY. THAT WILL HAPPEN AFTER THE [5:44] ENTITLEMENT PROCEDURES ARE COMPLETE. THE SITE IS -- EXCUSE ME -- THE [5:50] SITE IS SURROUNDED BY LOW DENSITY RESIDENTIAL, INSTITUTIONAL USES, AND SMALL-SCALE COMMERCIAL. [5:56] THE SMALL-SCALE COMMERCIAL IS CONCENTRATED ALONG WEST BRADLEY [6:01] IN THIS NEIGHBORHOOD. BOTH OF THOSE STREETS ARE GOODS AND SERVICES CORRIDOR. [6:08] THE METROPOLITAN COUNCIL IS CURRENTLY STUDYING THE METRO BLUE LINE EXTENSION LIGHT RAIL [6:16] PROJECT WHICH WOULD BE LOCATED OVER IN THIS LOCATION. [6:21] SO IT'S IN THE MIDST OF BEING STUDIED, SO IT'S JUST A FACT ABOUT THE AREA. [6:29] SO THE APPLICANT IS PROPOSING TO DEMOLISH THE EXISTING CHURCH AND CONSTRUCT A SIX STORY [6:35] RESIDENTIAL BUILDING ON THE SITE. THERE WOULD BE AMENITIES WITHIN THE BUILDING INCLUDE WORKING [6:41] SPACES, AN OUTDOOR CHILDREN'S PLAY AREA AND OUTDOOR GARDENING SPACE. THERE WILL BE A MIXTURE OF 1 TO [6:49] 4-BEDROOM UNITS WITHIN THE BUILDING. [6:56] THE PROJECT IS REQUIRED TO DO A TRAVEL MANAGEMENT PLAN WITH FOUR POINTS. THEY ARE GOING TO BE PROVIDING [7:03] ONE UNLIMITED RIDE TRANSIT PASS PER DWELLING UNIT. AND THAT STRATEGY THEY SELECTED WAS WORTH SIX POINTS SO THEY [7:09] MEET THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE MINOR TDMP. THERE ARE THREE VARIANCES THAT [7:15] ARE REQUIRED FOR THIS PROJECT. THERE IS A FRONT YARD SETBACK VARIANCE ALONG WASHBURN AVENUE [7:20] NORTH. AND I'M GOING TO JUST POINT THESE OUT. SO THIS IS NORTH IS UP ON YOUR SCREEN. [7:25] THIS IS WASHBURN AVENUE NORTH. THE FRONT YARD SETBACK HERE IS 15 FEET. THEY'RE PROPOSING TO GO TO TWO [7:32] FEET. THERE'S A VARIANCE ALONG LOWRY AVENUE NORTH. THE REQUIRED SETBACK IS TEN FEET. [7:37] THEY'RE PROPOSING TO GO TO FOUR. AND THE SETBACK ALONG THE ALLEY IS 11 FEET. THIS PART OF THE BUILDING, THE [7:43] NORTHERN PORTION OF THE BUILDING IS THREE FEET FROM THE ALLEY AND THIS PORTION OF THE BUILDING IS [7:51] 10.5. THERE IS NO VARIANCE FROM THE SOUTH SIDE, THEY ARE MEETING THAT SETBACK. SO THREE YARD VARIANCES IN THE [7:56] SITE PLAN REVIEW ARE THE APPLICATIONS THAT ARE REQUIRED FOR THE SITE. WE ARE RECOMMENDING APPROVAL OF [8:02] ALL OF THE APPLICATIONS AND FOR THE VARIANCES I WILL GENERALLY SPEAK TO THEM TOGETHER. [8:08] AFTER READING THE REPORT, YOU CAN SEE THAT THE FINDINGS ARE THE SAME FOR THE SETBACK [8:15] VARIANCES. THERE ARE CHALLENGES THAT EXIST ON THIS PROPERTY. THERE IS AN UNUSUALLY DEEP FRONT [8:20] BOULEVARD ALONG WASHBURN AVENUE NORTH WHICH IS 50 FEET DEEP, THAT IS VERY UNUSUAL. [8:26] THERE IS A CURVED AND LARGER THAN USUAL BOULEVARD ALONG LOWRY AVENUE NORTH THAT GOES FROM FOUR [8:32] FEET UP TO 12 FEET. THERE IS SIGNIFICANT GRADIENT ON THE SITE FROM NORTH TO SOUTH, SO [8:37] FROM LOWRY AS YOU'RE HEADING TO THE SOUTH PROPERTY LINE, THE SITE RISES ABOUT TEN FEET IN [8:43] ELEVATION. AND THE GRADING OF THE SIDE IS TIED TO THE GRADING OF THE ALLEY [8:48] AND THIS IS THAT GRADIENT PLAN. YOU CAN SEE THROUGH HERE THAT THE SITE IS RELATIVELY FLAT [8:54] ALONG LOWRY AND COMES UPHILL. SO YOU CAN SEE THE CONTOUR LINE, [9:01] SO THIS IS A SIGNIFICANT SLOPE COMING UP THAT ALLEY. AND SO TO KEEP THE ALLEY, TO [9:08] MAINTAIN THE GRADES IN THE ALLEY, THEY ARE PROPOSING TWO RETAINING WALLS ALONG THE SOUTH SIDE AND THEN A RETAINING WALL [9:15] ON THE EAST SIDE. WHICH WILL HELP MAINTAIN THOSE [9:24] GRADES IN THE ALLEY. THOSE ARE UNIQUE CIRCUMSTANCES FOR THE VARIANCES. SORRY, I'M GOING TO COME DOWN [9:29] HERE AND SIT. I WOULD SAY THAT ALSO THE GRADE [9:36] CHANGE FOR THE FRONT PROPERTY LINE, THE HOUSE TO THE SOUTH SITS WITH THE GRADE CHANGES ON THE SITE THIS HOUSE SITS [9:43] APPROXIMATELY TEN FEET HIGHER THAN THE FIRST FLOOR ELEVATION WITH THE PROPOSED BUILDING WHICH [9:50] WILL PROVIDE FOR ADEQUATE SEPARATION BETWEEN THOSE TWO [9:56] USES. FOR THE CORNER SIDE YARD SET BACK, FOR THE SAME UNIQUE CIRCUMSTANCES IT IS THE GRADE CHANGES THAT OCCUR ON THE SITE [10:02] AND IN THE ALLEY AND MAINTAINING THE GRADES OF THE ALLEY TO [10:09] ACCESS THOSE HOMES TO THE SOUTH. IN ADDITION IF LOWRY AVENUE IS A GOODS AND SERVICES CORRIDOR, IF [10:15] THIS WAS THE FRONT YARD SETBACK, THE REQUIRED FRONT YARD SETBACK WOULD BE ZERO FEET. [10:22] SO TO MAINTAIN THAT STREET EDGE ALONG LOWRY WE ARE RECOMMENDING APPROVAL OF THAT ALONG WITH THE [10:28] GRADIENT SITUATION. AND THE SAME IS TRUE FOR THE SETBACK ALONG THE ALLEY WHERE IT [10:33] IS GOING FROM 11 FEET DOWN TO THREE. THE PROPOSED BUILDING IN ANY OF [10:39] THE YARD SITUATIONS WILL NOT IMPEDE LIGHT AND AIR AND ACCESS TO OPEN SPACE FOR ANY OF THE SURROUNDING PROPERTIES. [10:46] IN ADDITION, ALONG LOWRY AVENUE THIS IS THE ONLY BUILDING ON [10:52] THIS SITE OR ON THE BLOCK FACE I SHOULD SAY BETWEEN VINCENT AND WASHBURN AVENUE NORTH. [10:57] SO THOSE ARE THE THREE VARIANCES FOR THAT. THERE IS A FRONT YARD VARIANCE [11:05] THAT IS NEEDED FOR THE PARKING LOT FROM 15 FEET DOWN TO SEVEN FEET ALONG VINCENT AVENUE NORTH. [11:12] THE PARKING LOT IS CURRENTLY THREE FEET FROM THE FRONT PROPERTY LINE. THEY ARE MOVING IT DOWN BACK TO [11:18] SEVEN, EXCUSE ME. THERE'S CURRENTLY 81 SPACES IN THIS PARKING LOT. THEY'RE REVISING IT, IT'S GOING DOWN TO 56. [11:24] A LOT OF THE PARKING STALL LOSSES ALONG THIS ROW, ALONG THE [11:30] ALLEY CLOSEST TO THE REAR PROPERTY LINE WHERE THEY'RE GOING TO BE RETAINING THOSE [11:36] GRADES. SO INSTEAD OF RETAINING THE PARKING THAT'S THERE, THEY'RE GOING TO BE BUILDING A RETAINING WALL AND THEN MAINTAINING THOSE [11:43] GRADES. AND SO WE ARE RECOMMENDING APPROVAL OF THE VARIANCE ALONG VINCENT AND AGAIN THAT VARIANCE [11:50] IS FOR ITEM NUMBER SEVEN. IN TERMS OF SITE PLAN REVIEW FOR THE BUILDING, THE BUILDING MEETS [11:57] ALMOST ALL OF THE SITE PLAN REVIEW STANDARDS EXCEPT FOR TWO. [12:04] THEY DO NOT HAVE AN OFF STREET PARKING SPACE PROVIDED ON THIS SITE. THEY ARE DEVELOPING THE PARKING [12:13] LOT ON THE EAST SIDE OF THE ALLEY FOR THE BUILDING. SO WE ARE RECOMMENDING THAT YOU [12:20] GRANT COMPLIANCE TO NOT REQUIRE AN OFF-STREET PARKING SPACE ON THE HOUSING SITE. [12:25] AND THE OTHER AREA THAT NEEDS ALTERNATIVE COMPLIANCE IS THERE [12:31] ARE NO ON SITE CANOPY TREES PROPOSED. THEY ARE PROPOSING TO HAVE FOUR [12:36] CANOPY TREES IN THE RIGHT-OF-WAY, I'M SORRY I'M GOING THE WRONG DIRECTION. FOUR CANOPY TREES IN THE [12:44] RIGHT-OF-WAY. SO WE ARE RECOMMENDING THAT YOU GRANT ALTERNATIVE COMPLIANCE. [12:53] THERE ARE TWO -- UNDER THE SITE PLAN APPROVALS FOR ITEM SIX FOR THE RESIDENTIAL, THERE ARE [12:59] SEVERAL STANDARD CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL. I WILL JUST POINT OUT THAT THERE ARE TWO OR THERE IS ONE [13:06] ADDITIONAL CONDITION. THEY DID SUBMIT A LIGHTING PLAN AND THE FOOT-CANDLE LIMITS [13:12] EXCEED WHAT IS ALLOWED BY THE CODE. SO WE ARE ASKING THEM TO REVISE THE LIGHTING PLAN TO NOT [13:21] PREVENT -- OR TO PREVENT GLARE, EXCUSE ME, FROM PASSING ON TO THE SURROUNDING PROPERTIES. [13:28] AND FOR THE PARKING LOT, I [13:33] CAN -- SORRY. FOR THE PARKING LOT, IT NEEDED A [13:41] CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT. PARKING LOT SERVING RESIDENTIAL USES REQUIRE THE CONDITIONAL USE [13:47] PERMIT. THIS HAS BEEN A PARKING LOT SERVING AN INSTITUTIONAL LOT SINCE THE 1960s. [13:52] SO WE DO NOT FIND THAT A PARKING LOT IN THIS LOCATION THAT WOULD [13:58] BE CONTINUING WOULD BE INJURIOUS TO THE SURROUNDINGS. AND WE ARE RECOMMENDING APPROVAL OF THE CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT [14:03] AND THE VARIANCE FOR THAT SETBACK ALONG VINCENT FROM THE 15 DOWN TO SEVEN. AND THE OTHER APPLICATION THAT IS NEEDED FOR THE PARKING LOT IS [14:12] SITE PLAN REVIEW. AND FOR THIS APPLICATION, THERE [14:20] ARE SEVERAL AREAS THAT NEED ALTERNATIVE COMPLIANCE AND NOT [14:25] ALL WE ARE RECOMMENDING ARE DEALING WITH THE SAME SITUATION WHERE THEY ARE REQUIRED TO HAVE 15 CANOPY TREES ON THE SITE. [14:32] THEY HAVE 11. THEY'RE PROPOSING FOUR CANOPIES IN THE RIGHT-OF-WAY ALONG [14:37] VINCENT. THERE ARE UNDERGROUND STORM WATER PIPES THAT RUN IN THIS AREA WHICH IS CONNECTING TO THIS [14:42] UNDERGROUND STORM WATER SYSTEM THAT GOES OUT TO THE PIPES IN [14:48] THE STREET, EXCUSE ME. SO THERE ARE PIPES HERE. AND SO WE ARE RECOMMENDING THAT YOU GRANT ALTERNATIVE COMPLIANCE [14:55] TO ALLOW TREES IN THE BOULEVARD. [15:00] HOWEVER, ALONG THE SOUTH PROPERTY LINE, THE APPLICANT IS ONLY PROPOSING THESE TWO TREES. [15:07] THERE IS A ROW IN THIS LOCATION ADJACENT TO THIS HOUSE. AND THEN THREE TREES THAT WILL [15:13] REMAIN. THEY ARE PROPOSING TWO ADDITIONAL TREES. WE ARE NOT GRANTING ALTERNATIVE [15:18] COMPLIANCE TO ELIMINATE THE 6-FOOT 95% OPAQUE SCREENING [15:24] ENTIRELY. HOWEVER, WE ARE RECOMMENDING PARTIAL ALTERNATIVE COMPLIANCE. BUT WE ARE ASKING FOR SCREENING THAT IS THREE FEET IN HEIGHT AND [15:31] 60% OPAQUE HERE ALONG THE FRONT BETWEEN THE ROW OF ARBOR THAT [15:40] SIT IN HERE SO LANDSCAPE FROM MIDPOINT, IF YOU WILL, TO [15:50] VINCENT. THE OTHER ITEMS THAT NEED ALTERNATIVE COMPLIANCE IN THE SAME VEIN IS ALONG THE SOUTHWEST [15:57] SIDE OF THE PROPERTY IS THE 6-FOOT HIGH SCREENING THAT IS 95% OPAQUE. [16:04] AS YOU CAN SEE IN HERE THERE IS AN ALLEY EASEMENT THAT COMES OUT THAT ALLOWS THESE HOMES TO TURN [16:09] AROUND IN THIS LOCATION. AND THERE IS SOME LANDSCAPING ON [16:15] THIS HILL THAT WILL STAY. BUT WE ARE RECOMMENDING THAT WE'RE ADJACENT TO THESE THREE SINGLE FAMILY HOMES THAT THEY DO [16:22] PROVIDE THAT SCREENING THAT IS THREE FEET HIGH AND 60% OPAQUE. [16:28] THE ONE AREA THAT IS NOT BEING MET IN SITE PLAN REVIEW IS DISTANCE TO TREES. THERE IS A SPACE IN THIS AREA [16:34] THAT HAS A HANDFUL OF PARKING SPACES THAT ARE NOT LOCATED WITHIN 50 FEET OF ONE OF THESE [16:44] PERIMETER TREES. SO ONE ADDITIONAL TREE WILL NEED TO BE PUT SOMEWHERE IN THIS LOCATION TO ACHIEVE THAT SPACING [16:51] OF ONE TREE WITHIN 50 FEET OF EVERY SPACE. OR EVERY SPACE WITHIN 50 FEET OF [16:58] EVERY TREE, EXCUSE ME. WITH THOSE CONDITIONS, WE ARE RECOMMENDING APPROVAL. >> THANK YOU, HILLARY. [17:04] ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS OF STAFF BEFORE WE MOVE ON TO PUBLIC HEARING? I HAVE ONE. HOW MANY PROJECTS HAVE WE HAD [17:10] THAT HAVE CHOSEN TO TAKE ON THE FULL SIX POINTS BY GETTING THE TRANSIT PASS FOR THEIR TDMP [17:16] REQUIREMENT? IT DOESN'T SEEM LIKE IT'S VERY MANY -- >> I CANNOT THINK OF ANY I'VE [17:24] WORKED ON PERSONALLY THAT HAVE ANY. SO I'D HAVE TO LOOK TO KIMBERLY. >> WE ARE TRACKING THAT SOMEWHERE, BUT NOT IN MY HEAD. [17:30] SO I WOULD HAVE TO LOOK IT UP AND GET BACK TO YOU. BUT AGAIN MAYBE ONE OTHER -- [17:35] >> I WAS GOING TO SAY MY MEMORY ISN'T PERFECT, BUT THIS IS THE FIRST ONE THAT I REMEMBER. [17:41] SO I THINK THAT'S COOL THAT WE'RE SEEING THAT HAPPEN. I WILL OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING. IS THE APPLICANT HERE? [17:46] >> YES. >> GREAT. SO SINCE THESE ARE TWO ADJACENT [17:56] PROPERTIES, PEOPLE CAN TESTIFY TO BOTH. THEY'VE BOTH BEEN PUT ON THE DISCUSSION AGENDA. [18:02] BUT IF YOU WANT TO SPEAK TO BOTH AT THIS TIME, YOU CAN. SO CAN WE HAVE THE APPLICANT [18:07] COME AND PRESENT TO US? SO YOU CAN DISCUSS BOTH ITEMS 6 [18:12] AND 7 SO YOU DON'T HAVE TO COME UP AGAIN. >> HELLO, I'M DAVID WITH [18:19] MOBILIZE DESIGN AND ARCHITECTURE FOR THE PROJECT WORKING FOR PREMIER HOUSING AS THE DEVELOPER [18:25] ON IN PROJECT. HILLARY HAS DONE A FANTASTIC JOB PRESENTING THIS PROJECT. I REALLY DON'T HAVE ANYTHING TO [18:32] ADD AT THIS POINT OTHER THAN BEING AVAILABLE FOR QUESTIONS OR FOLLOW UP AT THIS POINT. >> THANK YOU. [18:37] ANY QUESTIONS FOR THE APPLICANT? OKAY, THANK YOU. [18:45] ALL RIGHT, IF ANYONE ELSE WANTS TO SPEAK, YOU CAN JUST COME ON UP. HOW MANY OF YOU WOULD LIKE TO [18:50] SPEAK TO THIS ITEM, JUST RAISE YOUR HAND? HOW MANY WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK SO I HAVE AN IDEA? [18:56] TWO PEOPLE. THREE? DID I MISS ONE? OKAY, YOU CAN COME ON UP. TELL US YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS [19:02] FOR THE RECORD AND TELL US YOUR TESTIMONY. >> MY NAME IS MARY RANDA AND I [19:07] LIVE AT 3514 VINCENT AVENUE NORTH. [19:14] AND I'M HERE TODAY BECAUSE THIS MODERN, HUGE WAREHOUSE, [19:21] METAL-CLAD WAREHOUSE-LOOKING BUILDING WILL ALTER THE QUALITY OF SAFETY AND ENJOYMENT. [19:26] THERE ARE NO BUILDINGS OF THIS HEIGHT IN PROXIMITY EXCEPT ON THE NORTH MEMORIAL CAMPUS. [19:32] IT'S NOT IN KEEPING WITH THE 1920s-30s ARCHITECTURE OF THE [19:37] SURROUNDING HOMES AND BUSINESSES. THE CHURCH IS ABOUT THREE STORIES AT ITS PEAK. WHY HAS A LARGER BUILDING NOT [19:43] BEEN BUILT ON THIS SITE BEFORE? IS IT DUE TO THE HIGH WATER TABLE? HOW WOULD THIS BUILDING BE [19:50] GUARANTEED TO NOT BUCKLE OR CRACK DUE TO HYDROSTATIC PRESSURE WHICH WE KNOW IS [19:55] PRESENT IN THIS AREA? A THREE-STORY BUILDING OR TOWNHOMES WOULD BE BETTER SUITED [20:01] TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD. THE ARCHITECT HAS STATED THAT THE BUILDING IS DESIGNED FOR 180 TO 200 PEOPLE. [20:08] WHY IS THIS PROJECT TASKED WITH SUCH AN INTENSIVE DENSITY INCREASE? [20:13] IT HAS A POPULATION OF A SMALL TOWN WITHOUT ADDITIONAL POLICE PROTECTION. THE LOCATION COULD NOT BE [20:20] FARTHER FROM THE 4th PRECINCT. PREMIER HAS STATED THAT IT WILL NOT BE PROVIDING 24/7 COVERAGE [20:25] BY STAFF AND SECURITY. THEY HAVE NOT MANAGED A VACANT BUILDING WELL, HOW WILL THIS [20:30] BUILDING, ITS RESIDENTS, AND THE NEIGHBORS BE SAFE? WILL A POLICE SUBSTATION BE [20:39] NEEDED? WILL A PARKING LOT BE PROVIDED? WHAT IS KEEPING RESIDENTS AND THEIR GUESTS FROM PARKING ON THE [20:45] STREET? TRAFFIC ON LOWRY IS BUSY AND IS A SAFETY CONCERN NOW. THE ALLEY IS A DEAD END WITH A [20:50] STEEP GRADE AND IS SO PERILOUS THAT WASTE COLLECTION IS OFTEN [20:55] INTERRUPTED DUE TO ICY CONDITIONS. THE CURRENT RESIDENTS MUST USE THE LOWRY AVENUE ENTRANCE. [21:03] IF THE SETBACK IS REDUCED FROM 10 TO 4 FEET, CARS LEAVING THE ALLEY WILL NEED TO PULL OUT MUCH [21:10] FARTHER ON THE BUSY STREET TO EXIT AND DEAL WITH THE PEDESTRIAN TRAFFIC IN THE ALLEY [21:16] FROM THE BUILDING. THE ALLEY SHOULD BE IMPROVED AT PREMIER EXPENSE, NOT HOMEOWNERS. [21:23] PLEASE DO NOT APPROVE THIS PROJECT AS IT CURRENTLY IS. >> THANK YOU. [21:29] NEXT TESTIFIER. [21:40] TELLS YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS FOR THE RECORD. >> MY NAME IS ANGEL RIGSBY I'M [21:47] AT 3104 WASHBURN AVENUE NORTH. I'M AT THE DEAD END OF THE ALLEY, THE HOUSE ON THE VERY DEAD END. I HAVE A FEW CONCERNS AND [21:55] QUESTIONS REGARDING THE REDUCING OF THE LAND. ONE, I'M NOT SURE IF THEY'RE [22:00] GOING TO REDUCE THE FRONT AND THE BACK OF JUST THAT PROPERTY OR THE ENTIRE BLOCK. [22:06] I WAS ALSO WONDERING, FOR THE RECORD I'M VERY AGAINST THIS ENTIRE PROJECT JUST BECAUSE OF A [22:12] LOT OF THE THINGS THAT OTHER NEIGHBORS HAVE ALREADY BROUGHT [22:17] UP. AND THE FACT THAT AGAIN THERE IS NO TURNAROUND AT THAT DEAD END. YOU CAN ONLY GO UP AND BACK [22:23] DOWN. SO I WORRY BECAUSE IN THE WINTERTIME A LOT OF TIMES IT'S [22:28] ICY AND WE SLIDE DOWN THAT. AND IF THAT'S THE BACK ENTRYWAY OF THAT APARTMENT, WE COULD HIT A CHILD, WE COULD HIT A PERSON, [22:35] WE COULD HIT ANOTHER CAR. THAT'S A CONCERN WE HAVE. [22:41] ANOTHER CONCERN WITH THE PARKING ON THE STREET, WE ALREADY HAVE PEOPLE PARKING FROM THE HOSPITALED -- HOSPITAL TAKING [22:49] UP OUR PARKING SO WE DON'T HAVE ENOUGH PARKING AS IT IS. SO IF WE HAVE NOT ENOUGH PARKING [22:55] SPACES FOR THAT, PLUS IF THEY HAVE GUESTS, THEY'RE TAKING UP OUR PARKING ALSO. [23:06] SO WE HAVE -- SORRY. I ALSO DON'T REALLY UNDERSTAND THE RETAINING WALLS AND HOW THAT [23:12] WILL AFFECT THE HOMEOWNERS THAT LIVE ON THAT BLOCK. WE HAVE A LOT OF QUESTIONS THAT WE DON'T FEEL LIKE WE HAVE [23:18] ANSWERS TO. SO I TOO AM ASKING THAT THIS PROJECT DOESN'T MOVE FORWARD. >> THANK YOU FOR YOUR TESTIMONY. [23:25] NEXT TESTIFIER. [23:32] >> HI, I'M TRACY, I LIVE ON 3722 [23:39] WASHBURN ACROSS THE STREET FROM LOWRY, THE FRONT OF THIS PROJECT. I SUPPORT NEW COMMUNITY [23:48] BUILDINGS. BUT I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY IT HAS TO BE SIX STORIES HIGH. AS MARY MENTIONED, IT DOES NOT FIT THE AESTHETIC OF THE [23:55] NEIGHBORHOOD. I AM CONCERNED ABOUT EVERYTHING THAT IS GOING ON IN THAT BLOCK. WE'RE ALSO DEALING WITH THEM [24:02] TALKING ABOUT PUTTING THE LIGHT RAIL THROUGH AT THAT VERY LOCATION. IT'S GOING TO BE VERY CONGESTED, [24:10] VERY, VERY CONFUSING. I DON'T SUPPORT THIS PROJECT AS IS. [24:18] I AGREE WITH EVERYTHING THESE BEAUTIFUL LADIES HAVE SAID. I ALSO WOULD LIKE YOU TO NOT [24:23] APPROVE THE PROJECT AS IS. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. WOULD ANYONE ELSE LIKE TO TESTIFY TO THIS ITEM? [24:30] ALL RIGHT SEEING NONE, I WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING. HILLARY, CAN YOU CLARIFY, SO DO [24:37] THE SETBACKS, THEY DON'T APPLY ON THE FULL BLOCK FRONT, DO THEY? [24:44] TO RESPOND TO THE TESTIFIER'S QUESTION. >> I'M SORRY, WHAT WAS THE QUESTION? >> THEY ASKED IF THE SETBACK WAS [24:51] FOR JUST THIS PROPERTY FOR ITEM SIX OR IF IT WAS FOR THE FULL BLOCK FRONT? [24:56] >> JUST FOR THIS PROPERTY. AND FOR THE FRONT YARD SETBACK [25:02] ON WASHBURN BECAUSE THIS IS A CORRIDOR BUILT FORM, IT HAS A [25:07] 15-FOOT FRONT YARD SETBACK. >> SO THE WEST SIDE IS THE FRONT YARD? >> THE WEST IS THE FRONT. [25:13] >> SO I DON'T KNOW IF THE TESTIFIER THOUGHT THAT THE NORTH SIDE WAS THE FRONT ONE. BUT ARE THE SETBACKS THE SAME ON [25:19] THAT WHOLE FRONT AS WELL? >> THE REQUIRED FRONT BACK HERE [25:24] ALONG WASHBURN IS 15. THE REQUIRED SETBACK ALONG LOWRY IS TEN. >> AND WITH THE PROPOSED [25:31] VARIANCES, WHAT WOULD IT BE? >> THE REQUEST HERE IS 15 TO 2 [25:38] AND 15 -- OH MY GOSH, NOW I'M GETTING CONFUSED. 15 TO 2 ON WASHBURN. [25:45] 10 TO 4 ON LOWRY. 11 TO 3 ALONG THE ALLEY. [25:51] >> BUT ON THE OTHER HALF OF LOWRY, THE PARKING LOT SIDE? >> THE PARKING LOT SIDE, NO. [25:57] I CAN TELL YOU WHAT THEY ARE. THE ONLY YARDS THAT ARE NOT [26:02] BEING MET IS ALONG VINCENT WHICH IS 15 DOWN TO SEVEN. [26:13] SORRY, WAY TOO MANY NUMBERS. ON THE PARKING LOT, THE REAR THE SOUTH -- LET ME JUST GET TO IT. [26:29] THE CORNER SIDE SETBACK ALONG LOWRY IS EIGHT FEET. AND THERE 13.5. [26:34] THE INTERIOR SIDE YARD SETBACK ON THE SOUTH IS FIVE AND THEY'RE AT 18.5. AND THE REAR YARD IS FIVE AND [26:43] THE PARKING LOT IS 31. SO THE ONLY YARD THAT'S NOT BEING MET FOR THE PARKING LOT IS ALONG VINCENT. [26:49] >> OKAY. SO THE SETBACK IS GOING TO BE [26:54] LONGER ON THE EAST SIDE OF THIS BLOCK, RIGHT? ON LOWRY? [27:00] >> THE SETBACKS ONLY APPLY TO THESE PROPERTIES. [27:12] I THINK I'M MISUNDERSTANDING SOMETHING. I'M SORRY, CHAIR MEYER. >> KIMBERLY, DID YOU HAVE [27:18] ANYTHING ON THAT? >> NO. I HAD A QUESTION FROM COMMISSIONER JONES ABOUT THE [27:23] BUILDING HEIGHT AND THAT'S NOT SOMETHING THAT REQUIRES ANY ACTION BY THE PLANNING COMMISSION. >> THAT WAS ALSO SOMETHING I WAS GOING TO ADJUST TO CLARIFY FOR [27:32] THE TESTIFIERS. >> THE BUILT FORM DISTRICT IS CORRIDOR SIX WHICH ALLOWS SIX [27:39] STORY BUILDINGS. SO THAT IS WHAT IS BEING PROPOSED AND THAT IS WHAT IS [27:44] BEFORE YOU. >> AND THE LAST CLARIFYING QUESTION I HAVE IS DO YOU HAVE ANY COMMENTS ON THE RETAINING [27:51] WALL? A TESTIFIER BROUGHT IT UP, I DON'T KNOW IF IT'S APPLICABLE TO ANY OF OUR VARIANCES WE'RE [27:58] CONSIDERING? >> THERE ARE NO VARIANCES NEEDED FOR THE RETAINING WALL. THE RETAINING WALLS ARE JUST NEEDED TO RETAIN THE GRADE. [28:07] >> COMMISSIONER JONES. >> I HAD A QUESTION ABOUT THE CONCERN ABOUT THE DEAD-END ALLEY AND SOME OF THE CONGESTION [28:14] THAT'S CAUSED BY THAT AND THE GRADE AND STUFF. I ACTUALLY HAVE A DEAD-END ALLEY [28:20] THAT'S IN MY COMMUNITY TOO AND IT'S A REAL PAIN WHEN PEOPLE TRY TO TURN AROUND IN IT. [28:25] AND I JUST WONDERED IF THERE'S ANY MITIGATING FACTORS OR THINGS THAT PUBLIC WORKS CAN DO TO HELP [28:32] ALLEVIATE THAT CONCERN? >> THERE ARE ONLY THREE SINGLE-FAMILY HOMES THAT WILL [28:39] HAVE ACCESS TO THE ALLEY FOR ACTUAL PARKING. THIS DEVELOPMENT WILL NO LONGER HAVE ACCESS CURRENTLY. [28:44] YOU CAN GET INTO THE PARKING LOT FROM THE ALLEY, BUT THAT WILL BE [28:50] REMOVED. I'M TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHICH SITE PLAN WORKS THE BEST TO SHOW YOU GUYS THIS. [29:03] SO THERE ARE JUST THREE SINGLE-FAMILY HOMES HERE. 1, 2, 3 GARAGES THAT USE THE [29:12] ALLEY. THE EXISTING ALLEY HAS THIS LIKE TURN AROUND AREA IF YOU WILL FOR [29:21] THESE HOMES TO TURN AROUND. [29:27] AND THEN WHAT'S PROPOSED IS DOWN HERE AT THE END OF THE ALLEY [29:32] BEFORE YOU GET TO LOWRY ON THE PARKING LOT SIDE IS THERE IS A [29:37] SPACE FOR WHEN THE GARBAGE TRUCKS COME UP THE ALLEY THAT THEY CAN COME BACK DOWN, TURN AROUND, AND THEN GO OUT. [29:42] THIS ALLEY EXISTS AS A DEAD END NOW. AND SO THIS IS NOT WORSENING THE [29:49] SITUATION OF THE ALLEY, IN FACT IT MIGHT BE BETTER BECAUSE THERE WILL NO LONGER BE VEHICULAR [29:56] ACCESS TO THE ALLEY FOR THIS PARKING LOT. [30:01] THE ONLY MANEUVERING ELEMENT THAT THIS PROJECT IS PROPOSING IN THE ALLEY IS THIS TURN AROUND [30:09] FOR THOSE FOR THE GARBAGE TO COME BACK. >> AND WE DON'T HAVE ANY [30:14] JURISDICTION OVER IT? >> THAT IS CORRECT. >> THERE'S NOTHING THAT WE CAN DO ON THAT? SO THAT'S SOMETHING FOR ME TO [30:20] CLARIFY TO THE PUBLIC IS OUR ROLE IS JUST TO REVIEW THE ZONING REQUESTS. WE DON'T HAVE ANY CONTROL OVER [30:28] PUBLIC WORKS AND THE ROADS. AND AS WE STATED BEFORE, THIS IS [30:34] CORRIDOR SIX SO BY RIGHT THEY CAN BUILD A SIX-STORY BUILDING. SO THE THINGS THAT WE HAVE TO REVIEW ARE THREE SETS OF [30:40] VARIANCES REGARDING THE SETBACKS AND THEN THE SITE PLAN REVIEW [30:46] AND THE CONDITIONS ASSOCIATED WITH THAT. ARE THERE ANY COMMENTS OR [30:53] MOTIONS FROM COMMISSIONERS? COMMISSIONER WAGNER. >> THANK YOU, CHAIR MEYER. THANK YOU, HILLARY, FOR THE [30:59] PRESENTATION. AND THANK YOU TO THE NEIGHBORS FOR COMING OUT. IT'S ALWAYS GOOD TO GET INVOLVED IN THE PROCESS. I THINK IT'S BEEN MENTIONED MANY [31:05] TIMES NOW, BUT WE ARE HERE VOTING ON THE VARIANCES SPECIFICALLY, AND NOT WHETHER A [31:11] SIX-STORY BUILDING SHOULD BE ALLOWED IN THIS LOCATION. IT'S ALLOWED BY RIGHT AS THE [31:17] BUILT FORM CORRIDOR SIX CODE STATES. IN REGARD TO THE VARIANCES, I THINK THEY MAKE SENSE. I THINK THEY WERE OUTLINED WELL [31:23] BY STAFF. FOR EXAMPLE ON THE WESTERN EDGE OF THE PROPERTY, THERE IS THAT LARGE BOULEVARD BETWEEN THE STREET AND THE BUILDING OR WHERE [31:29] THE PROPOSED BUILDING IS. SO IT MAKES SENSE THAT WE'RE REDUCING, TO ME, IT MAKES SENSE [31:34] WE'RE REDUCING THAT SETBACK GIVEN THE UNIQUE CIRCUMSTANCES FOR THE PROPERTY. OVERALL, I THINK IT'S A GREAT [31:41] BUILDING AND I THINK THAT THE, I PARTICULARLY LIKE TO SEE THE 3 [31:47] AND 4-BEDROOM UNITS IN AN APARTMENT BUILDING. WE DON'T SEE A TON OF THOSE. THERE'S BEEN A TON OF STUDIOS [31:52] AND ONE BEDROOMS DEVELOPED IN OUR CITY IN THE LAST FEW YEARS. AND TO SEE 3 OR 4 BEDROOMS IS [32:01] GREAT. I'M NOT SURE IF WE'RE READY TO TAKE A MOTION BUT I'LL DO THAT. DO WE NEED TO DO 6 AND 7 [32:09] SEPARATELY? >> YEAH. >> I'LL MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE ITEM SIX AND ADOPT STAFF FINDINGS. >> THERE'S A MOTION AND SECOND. [32:15] ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? COMMISSIONER CONLEY. >> JUST A COMMENT. [32:22] I AGAIN, IT'S BEEN MENTIONED WE HAVE A JOB TO DO THAT INVOLVES WHETHER OR NOT THESE VARIANCES ARE MET AND I SUPPORT WHAT THE [32:28] STAFF RECOMMENDATION IS. BUT I DO WANT TO JUST RECOMMEND [32:33] THAT THE PROJECT TEAM DO SOME SORT OF OPEN HOUSE FOR RESIDENTS. BE GOOD NEIGHBORS WITH THE [32:39] COMMUNITY. COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT IS ALWAYS IMPORTANT TO ANSWER SOME OF THESE PRESSING QUESTIONS LIKE THE ALLEY AND ACCESS, ET CETERA. [32:46] IT TURNS OUT THE PARKING LOT WON'T BE ACCESSIBLE BY THE ALLEY. SO THAT ELIMINATES SOME CONCERN [32:51] THERE. BUT JUST AS WE MOVE FORWARD WITH THE VOTE, JUST SOME OPEN HOUSES [32:56] AS YOU CONTINUE THROUGH THE DEVELOPMENT PROCESS WOULD BE, I THINK, IMPORTANT FOR THE NEIGHBORS. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. [33:02] AND I AGREE WITH THAT. IF THE TURNAROUND IS A PROBLEM, THEN IT'S A PROBLEM FOR THE [33:07] APPLICANT AS WELL, RIGHT? SO IT MAKES SENSE FOR THEM TO WORK THAT OUT. I WILL ALSO SUPPORT THIS MOTION. [33:16] I THINK THE PROPOSED VARIANCE FINDINGS ARE MET WITH THE [33:25] GRADING AND THE LARGE BOULEVARD. AND JUST TO THE PROJECT OVERALL, I AGREE WITH COMMISSIONER WAGNER, IT'S REALLY GREAT TO SEE [33:31] 3 AND 4-BEDROOM UNITS. WE DON'T GET MANY OF THOSE. AND TO HAVE THEM CLOSE TO ONE OF OUR BEST PARKS AND TRANSIT [33:37] STATIONS IS REALLY GREAT. AND I'M REALLY EXCITED TO SEE APPLICANTS TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE [33:45] TDMP OPTION OF PROVIDING FREE TRANSIT PASSES TO THEIR [33:53] RESIDENTS. I KNOW IT DOESN'T SOLVE ALL OF THE TRANSIT PROBLEMS, BUT IT DOES HELP AND I APPRECIATE THEM BEING WILLING TO DO THAT. [34:01] ARE THERE ANY OTHER COMMENTS? SEEING NONE, CLERK, PLEASE CALL [34:08] THE ROLL. >> COMMISSIONER CONLEY. >> AYE. >> GORDON. >> AYE. [34:13] >> JONES. >> AYE. >> THOMPSON IS NOT HERE. [34:21] WAGNER. >> AYE. >> AND CHAIR MEYER. >> AYE. >> THAT'S FIVE AYES AND 0 NAYS. [34:28] >> THAT ITEM IS ADOPTED. FOR ITEM NUMBER SEVEN, I'M NOT GOING TO TURN TO A STAFF REPORT [34:33] UNLESS ANYONE WANTS TO. BUT I WILL -- ARE YOU -- BUT I [34:41] WILL OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING. IF ANYONE WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK SPECIFICALLY TO ITEM NUMBER [34:48] SEVEN WHICH IS THE EAST SIDE OF THE BLOCK AND THE PARKING LOT. DID ANYONE WANT TO SPEAK TO THIS [34:53] ONE? GO AHEAD. YOU CAN COME UP TO THE [35:00] MICROPHONE. >> I GUESS I DON'T UNDERSTAND THIS. THERE IS PART OF THIS WHEN I [35:07] READ MY INTRODUCTION THAT THE HARM AND THE INTEGRITY OF [35:12] PROJECTS WITH REGARD TO WHAT I'M ASSUMING IS THE ZONING STATEMENT. WHAT I READ IS REALLY [35:19] INTERFERENCE WITH THE HEALTH, SAFETY, AND HAPPINESS OF [35:25] RESIDENTS. ALL OF THIS FITS REALLY NEATLY AND NICELY ON PAPER. BUT IF YOU WERE FROM THAT [35:32] NEIGHBORHOOD, IF THIS WERE IN YOUR BLOCK, YOU WOULD NOT LIKE THIS AND IT'S GOING TO BE A BIG [35:39] LOGISTICAL MESS. AND MY GUESS IS THAT THE PEOPLE WHO ARE LIVING AT THE TOP OF THE [35:44] ALLEY AND ON VINCENT ARE REALLY SERIOUSLY CONSIDERING MOVING AND THAT THE PEOPLE WHO ARE LIVING [35:50] IN THIS BUILDING WILL PROBABLY FEEL WAREHOUSED AND THAT THEY [35:56] WILL FEEL THEIR LIFE IS IN DANGER WHEN THEY COME FROM THE BUILDING ACROSS THE ALLEY INTO [36:03] THE PARKING LOT. SO THIS IS CREATING KIND OF A DISASTER SCENARIO EVEN TO OKAY [36:11] THE VARIANCE FROM TEN FEET TO FOUR FEET AT THE FRONT OF THE [36:16] BUILDING, IMAGINE YOU JUST MADE IT DOWN THE ALLEY SAFELY. YOU DIDN'T HIT ANYONE, YOU [36:23] DIDN'T SLIDE DOWN LIKE A LUGE COURSE. AND NOW YOU HAVE TO TURN LEFT TO RIGHT ONTO LOWRY AVENUE AND NOW [36:30] YOU HAVE A SIDEWALK'S WIDTH TO BE ABLE TO PEER OUT. [36:36] IF YOUR CAR IS NOT A SMART CAR, YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE TO POKE YOUR BUMPER OUT INTO THE STREET [36:41] TO BE ABLE TO SEE IF THERE'S ANY CARS COMING. AND THAT JUST IS NOT SAFE. [36:50] THIS IS, YOU KNOW, SOUNDS GOOD, LOOKS GOOD. LET'S MANIPULATE THIS, THAT, AND [36:56] THE OTHER THING ON PAPER. BUT IN REAL LIFE, THIS DOES NOT WORK. [37:04] >> THANK YOU FOR YOUR TESTIMONY. DID ANYONE ELSE WANT TO TESTIFY? COME UP AGAIN. [37:12] >> I ALSO WOULD LIKE TO BRING UP THE PARKING LOT SITUATION JUST BECAUSE LIVING THERE, I KNOW [37:19] WHAT I'VE GONE THROUGH EVERY WINTER. AND I KNOW THAT MY GARAGE IS THE [37:24] DEAD END. THERE IS NOWHERE TO TURN AROUND, NOWHERE. THE ONLY THING YOU CAN DO IS IF [37:30] YOU BACK UP AND IT'S A STEEP HILL, YOU CAN COME DOWN FACING FORWARD. BUT IF YOU GO UP, ESPECIALLY IN [37:37] THE WINTERTIME, THERE'S NO BACKING UP. YOU HAVE TO GO UP AND THEN BACK DOWN. THERE'S NO WAY TO TURN AROUND, [37:43] IT WOULD BE GREAT BECAUSE IT WOULD BE SAFE FOR US. BUT WE HAVE TO BACK DOWN. AND THE WAY WE BACK DOWN, WE [37:48] BACK DOWN AND THEN WE PULL INTO THAT PARKING LOT, BECAUSE IF WE [37:54] CAN'T JUST BACK STRAIGHT DOWN AND GO RIGHT INTO LOWRY, THAT IS A VERY BUSY STREET. WE WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO SEE [38:00] ANYTHING. BUT IF YOU BLOCK THAT PARKING LOT AS WELL, AND YOU HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT PEOPLE COMING FROM THAT BACK DOOR TO TAKE OUT THEIR [38:08] GARBAGE, USE THE PLAYGROUND THAT THEY'RE PUTTING BACK THERE, GO [38:13] TO THE PARKING LOT, I SERIOUSLY WORRY ABOUT HITTING A CHILD. I MEAN ANYBODY. BUT THAT'S A HUGE FACT FOR ME. [38:22] AND I FEEL LIKE IN THIS STATEMENT, THEY SAID SOMETHING ABOUT 71 SPACES FOR A PARKING [38:27] LOT. BUT THEN AS SHE WAS SPEAKING, SHE SAID 56 PARKING SPACES. I'M KIND OF WONDERING HOW MANY [38:33] SPACES THAT IS AS WELL, BECAUSE AGAIN WE WORRY ABOUT THE STREET PARKING ON BOTH VINCENT AND [38:38] WASHBURN BECAUSE OF THIS. WE HAVE A FAMILY OF SIX SO WE HAVE THREE VEHICLES. SO IT'S LIKE WE CAN PUT ONE IN [38:44] THE BACK, BUT THEN TWO HAVE TO GO ON THE STREET. I KNOW THAT'S NOT EVERYONE'S PROBLEM, BUT RIGHT NOW WE HAVE [38:49] FOUR HOMES ON THAT BLOCK. AND WE HAVE LIKE 20 PEOPLE THAT LIVE ON THAT BLOCK. [38:55] WE'RE GOING UP TO 200 PLUS PEOPLE. IT'S JUST VERY CONGESTED. I REALLY WORRY ABOUT THE PARKING [39:00] LOT, BECAUSE I REALLY WORRY ABOUT THE ALLEY. AND I WAS WONDERING IF DOING THE [39:06] GRADING AND EVERYTHING TO MEET THE THINGS FOR THE PARKING LOT, WOULD THAT NARROW THE ALLEY EVEN MORE? I'M NOT REALLY CLEAR ON THAT? [39:13] DOES ANYBODY KNOW THAT? >> NO. >> NO, OKAY. SO THOSE ARE MY CONCERNS. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. [39:21] SO TO RESPOND TO -- I'M SORRY, DID ANYONE ELSE WANT TO SPEAK TO THIS ITEM? ITEM NUMBER SEVEN. [39:27] ALL RIGHT, I WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR ITEM NUMBER SEVEN. [39:33] HILLARY, JUST TO ANSWER THOSE QUESTIONS, IT IS 56 PARKING SPOTS IN THIS PROPOSED LOT, CORRECT? [39:45] >> CORRECT. THERE MAY BE SOME REFERENCES IN THE PACKETS FROM 71, BUT IT IS 56. THEY HAD SUBMITTED IT, IT WAS A [39:53] 71 SPACE, I WROTE THE INCOMPLETE LETTERS, THEY WENT BACK AND REVISED THINGS BASED ON THOSE [39:59] LETTERS AND THEY WENT FROM 71 TO 56. >> OKAY. [40:06] THANK YOU, HILLARY. [40:12] TO RESPOND TO THE TESTIMONY, AS WE SAID, I THINK THE ABILITY TO TURN AROUND IS A RELEVANT [40:18] CONCERN. IT'S NOT ONE THAT WE CAN ADDRESS TODAY, THAT'S PUBLIC WORKS THAT CONTROLS THE ROAD. [40:28] AND THAT WOULD NOT BE, WE WOULD NOT BE NARROWING THE ALLEY WITH THIS PROPOSAL. [40:36] I THINK THE SETBACK FINDINGS FOR THIS ONE ARE JUSTIFIED AS WELL. [40:44] SO I WILL BE SUPPORTING ITEM NUMBER SEVEN AS WELL. DID ANY COMMISSIONERS HAVE A MOTION OR COMMENTS? [40:50] COMMISSIONER WAGNER. >> THANK YOU, CHAIR MEYER. JUST TO EXPAND ON YOUR COMMENT IN REGARDS TO TURNING AROUND, IT [40:56] SEEMS TO ME THAT THE PLANS ADDRESS THIS HEAD ON WITH THE TURN AROUND FOR THE TRASH [41:01] TRUCKS. IT SEEMS LIKE RESIDENTS WILL BE ABLE TO USE THAT AS WELL, IF MY UNDERSTANDING THERE IS [41:06] INCORRECT, SOMEONE PLEASE LET ME KNOW. BUT WITH THAT IN MIND AND THAT COMMENT ON THE RECORD, I WILL [41:12] MOVE TO ADOPT STAFF FINDINGS AS IT RELATES TO ITEM NUMBER SEVEN. >> THERE'S A MOTION AND A [41:18] SECOND. IS THERE FURTHER DISCUSSION? ALL RIGHT, SEEING NONE, CLERK, [41:26] PLEASE CALL THE ROLL. [41:31] >> COMMISSIONER CONLEY. >> AYE. >> GORDON. >> AYE. >> JONES. >> AYE. >> WAGNER. [41:37] >> AYE. >> AND CHAIR MEYER. >> AYE. >> THAT'S FIVE AYES AND 0 NAYS. [41:44] >> THAT MOTION IS ADOPTED. GOOD LUCK WITH YOUR PROJECT. [41:50] NOW MOVING ON TO ITEM NUMBER 8, 5005 LYNDALE AVENUE SOUTH. [42:31] MIC'S NOT ON, MEI-LING. NOW WE CAN HEAR YOU. >> HELLO, COMMISSIONERS. [42:36] I'M MEI-LING SMITH AND I'M PRESENTING 5005 LYNDALE AVENUE [42:43] SOUTH. THIS IS A PROJECT YOU'VE SEEN TWICE BEFORE. AND MOST RECENTLY YOU SAW IT LAST FALL. AND THIS WAS APPROVED, I'LL GET [42:48] INTO THE DETAILS IN A SECOND, BUT THIS IS LOCATED AT THE CORNER OF 50TH STREET WEST AND [42:55] LYNDALE AVENUE SOUTH IN CORRIDOR FOUR BUILT FORM OVERLAY DISTRICT. [43:01] THIS IS A FOUR-STORY RESIDENTIAL BUILDING WITH 20 DWELLING UNITS AND THE APPLICATIONS THAT HAVE [43:06] BEEN APPROVED ARE FOR VARIANCE TO ALLOW THE BUILDING WITHIN THE [43:12] REVERSE CORNER SETBACK REQUIREMENT ALONG 50TH STREET WHERE THERE'S A 31-FOOT [43:18] REQUIREMENT AND THE BUILDING IS SET BACK 15 FEET AND THE SITE PLAN IS ALSO APPROVED. THE REQUEST IS FOR AN ELECTRICAL [43:25] TRANSFORMER THAT WOULD BE LOCATED IN THE NORTHEAST CORNER OF THE SITE. AND SO THIS IS REDUCING TWO [43:30] SETBACKS, BOTH THE REVERSE CORNER FRONT YARD THAT I WAS REFERENCING JUST NOW. [43:35] AND ALSO THE REAR YARD REQUIREMENT ALONG THE EAST PROPERTY LINE. THIS IS JUST A SUMMARY IF WE [43:41] WANT TO LOOK AT IT. BUT THIS IS AN UNUSUAL SITE IN THAT IT HAS TWO FRONT YARDS, SO [43:46] ONE ALONG THE WEST AND ONE ALONG THE NORTH. AND THAT ALSO MAKES IT HAVE TWO REAR YARDS AS WELL. [43:54] THIS IS A DIAGRAM SHOWING WHERE THAT REVERSE CORNER FRONT YARD REQUIREMENT APPLIES. IT APPLIES FOR THE FIRST 25 FEET [44:00] AWAY FROM THE EAST PROPERTY LINE WHICH IS SHARED WITH THE NEIGHBOR TO THE EAST. [44:08] AND THE RED AREA IS THE SETBACK REQUIREMENT. THAT'S NOT WHERE THE [44:13] TRANSFORMER, THE TRANSFORMER WOULD BE LOCATED IN THIS AREA OF THE SITE. AND I'LL HAVE A SITE PLAN SHOWING THAT. SO THE TRANSFORMER WOULD BE [44:21] SETBACK FIVE FEET FROM THE FRONT PROPERTY LINE ALONG A 50TH AND TWO FEET FROM THE EAST PROPERTY LINE. [44:28] THE VARIANCE FINDINGS THAT ARE IN THE STAFF REPORT TALK ABOUT [44:33] HOW THE APPLICANT BEGAN THIS PROJECT THREE YEARS AGO AND DUE TO SEVERAL DELAYS, THERE HAVE [44:40] BEEN CHANGES IN REQUIREMENTS SINCE THE BEGINNING OF THE PROJECT DESIGN. [44:45] AND SO NOW THAT THEY ARE IN CONVERSATIONS AGAIN WITH EXCEL [44:50] FOR THE FINAL PERMITTING, THEY'RE DISCOVERING THAT ALL OF THE ELECTRICAL CODES ARE [44:56] PREVENTING THEM FROM PLACING THE TRANSFORMER WHERE THEY ORIGINALLY WANTED TO IN A [45:01] POLE-MOUNTED FORM, AND NOW IT HAS TO BE A GROUND-MOUNTED [45:10] TRANSFORMER. IT FURTHER LIMITS HOW EXCEL CAN ACCESS THEIR TRANSFORMER. BECAUSE IT'S NOT ADJACENT TO AN ALLEY AND BECAUSE YOU'VE GOT [45:15] YARDS ON ALL SIDES OF THE BUILDING, IT REALLY LIMITS WHERE YOU CAN PUT AN ELECTRICAL [45:21] TRANSFORMER THAT MEETS ELECTRICAL CODES AND ALSO THE EXCEL REQUIREMENTS. [45:26] THE APPLICANT IS PROPOSING TO SCREEN THE TRANSFORMER ON ALL [45:31] FOUR SIDES WITH VEGETATION. THE EQUIPMENT ITSELF WOULD BE NO [45:36] MORE THAN FOUR FEET TALL AND WE'RE RECOMMENDING A CONDITION OF APPROVAL THAT THE SCREENING [45:42] WOULD BE AT LEAST 60% OPAQUE AND KEPT IN A GOOD STATE OF REPAIR AND MAINTENANCE AND THAT'S [45:48] REQUIRED BY THE ZONING CODE. AND THIS IS THE SCREENING MATERIALS THAT THE APPLICANT IS [45:54] PROPOSING. SO IT WOULD BE CREATING FEATHER REED GRASS ON ALL FOUR SIDES AS WELL AS MORE OF A HEDGE ALONG [46:00] THE BACKSIDE. AND SO WITH THAT, I AM ABLE TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS. [46:05] THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS FOR STAFF BEFORE WE OPEN THE HEARING? ALL RIGHT, NOT SEEING ANY, SO [46:11] I'LL OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING. IS THE APPLICANT HERE TO SPEAK TO THIS ITEM? WELCOME IN. TELL US QUICKLY ABOUT THE [46:17] VARIANCE REQUEST. [46:24] >> GOOD AFTERNOON, MY NAME IS TODD SMITH. I'M REPRESENTING MASTER PROPERTIES. WHEN WE GOT THIS ENTITLED IN [46:30] 2023, OUR UNDERSTANDING FROM EXCEL ENERGY WAS IT COULD BE ON THE POLE LOCATED ON THE OTHER [46:35] SIDE OF 50TH STREET. THAT'S WHERE THE POWER COMES FROM. IT WAS A VACATED ALLEY. WHEN WE GOT IT ENTITLED THE [46:41] SECOND TIME, WE FOUND OUT AS WE WERE GETTING READY TO START CONSTRUCTION THAT THAT DIDN'T [46:47] WORK ANY LONGER. EXCEL HAS BEEN GREAT, STAFF HAS BEEN GREAT. WE'VE BEEN ON SITE, WE'VE MET [46:52] WITH SENIOR ENGINEERS. WE'VE WALKED THE WHOLE YARD ON WHERE THIS COULD BE PLACED. [46:58] IT'S REALLY HARD TO DO AND IT'S CHALLENGING THAT IT'S NOT REALLY [47:04] A CHOICE THAT THE CITY DOESN'T GET TO MAKE OR STAFF DOESN'T GET TO MAKE. IT'S REALLY EXCEL SAYING THIS IS [47:10] WHAT IT'S GOING TO BE BECAUSE OF THE CIRCUMSTANCES UNIQUE TO THIS SITE, THAT'S WHERE IT'S ENDED UP [47:16] BEING PLACED. DOES ANYONE HAVE ANY QUESTIONS? >> ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS FOR THE APPLICANT? NOT SEEING ANY, THANK YOU. [47:22] >> THANKS. >> HOW MANY PEOPLE DID WE WANT TO HAVE TESTIFY? RAISE YOUR HAND IF YOU WANTED TO [47:29] TESTIFY TO THIS. JUST YOU. GO AHEAD AND COME UP TO THE MICROPHONE. TELL US YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS AND YOU CAN PROCEED. [47:39] >> MY NAME IS LAURIE AND I LIVE AT 1505 ALDRIDGE, I'M RIGHT [47:49] ACROSS THE WAY FROM THE SITE. HEARING THE LAST ROUND OF [47:55] VARIANCES, I FEEL LIKE THERE'S NO POINT IN TESTIFYING. WHO IS IN CHARGE OF DETERMINING WHETHER A BUILDING ADDS TO THE [48:02] NEIGHBORHOOD, ADDS TO PEOPLE THAT ARE ALREADY LIVING THERE? I MEAN, I JUST CAN'T BELIEVE [48:07] THAT YOU DON'T HAVE ANY AUTHORITY TO VETO WHAT'S, THE [48:14] LAST PEOPLE THAT WERE UP HERE -- I JUST -- I DON'T KNOW. [48:19] I'M JUST DISGUSTED BY THE WHOLE PROCESS. AND THERE'S NO -- I LIVE ON [48:26] ALDRIDGE AND THERE'S NO PARKING FOR THAT BUILDING. GARFIELD, YOU CAN'T GET TO [48:32] GARFIELD IN THE WINTER AND IT'S PRETTY MUCH TOUGH TO GET THROUGH EVEN IN THE SUMMER. IN LYNDALE, THERE'S NO PARKING [48:40] IN LYNDALE. WE'RE IN ALDRIDGE. [48:45] THERE'S A LOT OF RESTAURANTS AND IN THE EVENING YOU CAN'T PARK ON OUR STREET. I KNOW THEY'RE GOING TO HAVE UNDERGROUND PARKING. [48:52] AND I JUST, THERE'S FOUR SCHOOLS THAT ACCESS THAT CORNER. AND IT'S A VERY DANGEROUS [48:58] CORNER. AND NOW WE HAVE KIDS WALKING AND WITH A BUILDING THAT TAKES AWAY [49:07] ALL OF THE VISIBILITY. SO IT JUST DOESN'T SEEM TO ME LIKE THERE'S ANY POINT IN HAVING [49:13] THIS CONVERSATION, YOU'RE JUST GOING TO APPROVE IT. >> THANK YOU FOR YOUR TESTIMONY. DID ANYONE ELSE WANT TO TESTIFY [49:20] TO THIS ITEM? NOT SEEING ANY SO I'LL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING. COMMISSIONER JONES. >> I WANTED TO SAY THE SAME [49:26] COMMENT IS THAT THIS COMMITTEE ISN'T HERE TO TALK ABOUT LIKE [49:33] THE ACTUAL PROJECT OR THE HEIGHT OF THE BUILDING OR THE BUILDING ITSELF, BUT AGAIN THE VARIANCES. [49:40] >> I'LL RESPOND TO THAT A LITTLE BIT. SO FIRST OF ALL, THIS PROJECT [49:46] PREVIOUSLY CAME TO THE PLANNING COMMISSION AND THOSE APPROVALS WERE ALREADY GIVEN. [49:51] SO IF YOU'RE ASKING WHO HAS THE RIGHT TO REVOKE THOSE APPROVALS, IT'S NO ONE. THOSE ARE APPROVED, THEY ARE [49:57] ENTITLED TO THEM. NOW THEY'RE ASKING FOR SOMETHING NEW, SO THE ONLY ITEM WITHIN OUR [50:04] AUTHORITY TODAY IS TO APPROVE OR DENY THE SETBACK VARIANCE [50:09] RELATED TO THIS ELECTRICAL TRANSFORMER. WE COULD DENY THAT AND FORCE [50:15] THEM TO PUT IT SOMEWHERE ELSE, BUT WE HAVE NO AUTHORITY TO [50:22] REVOKE THE APPLICATIONS THAT HAVE ALREADY BEEN APPROVED. MORE BROADLY SPEAKING, THIS IS A [50:28] UNIQUE CIRCUMSTANCE WHERE THERE IS A PROJECT THAT ALREADY GOT APPROVALS. BUT BROADLY SPEAKING, THE ANSWER TO YOUR QUESTION FOR OTHER [50:34] PROJECTS WOULD BE THE CITY COUNCIL, ESPECIALLY WHEN THEY ADOPT THE 2040 PLAN. WHEN WE PROCEED TO THE 2050 PLAN [50:42] WHICH WILL BE 5 OR 6 YEARS FROM NOW WHEN THEY APPROVE THAT, THEN [50:47] WE'LL GO THROUGH THIS PROCESS AS A CITY AGAIN. ALL RIGHT, SO SPEAKING [50:53] SPECIFICALLY TO THIS ITEM, I FEEL THIS IS A VERY REASONABLE REQUEST TO ACCOMMODATE THE TRANSFORMER AND MAKE IT EASIER [50:58] FOR EXCEL. SO I WILL SUPPORT THIS APPLICATION. DID ANYONE WANT TO MAKE A MOTION OR HAVE ANY COMMENTS? [51:05] >> I'LL MOVE THE STAFF RECOMMENDATION. >> ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? ALL RIGHT, SEEING NONE, CLERK, [51:10] PLEASE CALL THE ROLL. [51:16] >> COMMISSIONER CONLEY. >> AYE. >> GORDON. >> AYE. >> JONES. >> AYE. [51:22] >> WAGNER. >> AYE. >> MEYER. >> AYE. >> WE HAVE FIVE AYES AND 0 NAYS. [51:28] >> THAT IS ADOPTED. GOOD LUCK WITH YOUR PROJECT. [51:34] LASTLY, WE HAVE A RESOLUTION TO HONOR THE OUTGOING COMMISSIONER, JOE CAMPBELL. [51:40] SO I'M GOING TO READ THE RESOLUTION THAT WE HAVE FOR HIM. A RESOLUTION OF APPRECIATION FOR [51:46] JOE CAMPBELL FOR HIS DEDICATED SERVICE TO THE MINNEAPOLIS CITY PLANNING COMMISSION WHEREAS JOE HAS SERVED ON THE CITY OF [51:52] MINNEAPOLIS PLANNING COMMISSION SINCE 2022 AND WHEREAS JOE HAS PARTICIPATED IN OVER 50 PLANNING COMMISSION HEARINGS MAKING [51:58] DECISIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS ON OVER 1,529 LAND USE [52:03] APPLICATIONS, AN ADOPTION OF ONE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN, AND NUMEROUS ZONING CODE AMENDMENTS, AND [52:09] WHEREAS JOE HAS PROVIDED SUBSTANTIAL EXPERTISE RELATED TO PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT. AND WHEREAS JOE SERVED ON THE PLANNING COMMISSION ON ITS 100TH [52:16] ANNIVERSARY. AND WHEREAS JOE HAS DEMONSTRATED TREMENDOUS DEDICATION AND GENEROSITY IN SHARING BOTH HIS [52:22] TIME AND KNOWLEDGE AND AS THE MINNEAPOLIS PLANNING COMMISSION WISHES TO FORMALLY RECOGNIZE JOE'S DEDICATED SERVICE TO THE [52:28] CITY PLANNING COMMISSION AND CITY. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY PLANNING COMMISSION AND THE STAFF TO THE CITY PLANNING [52:34] COMMISSION TO THE CITY OF MINNEAPOLIS THAT WE THANK JOE CAMPBELL FOR HIS FAITHFUL AND CONSTRUCTIVE SERVICE AND [52:40] EXTENDING THE PROGRESS OF THIS CITY AND IN PROMOTING THE WELFARE OF ITS PEOPLE. AND THAT WE EXTEND OUR BEST [52:45] WISHES AND GOOD HEALTH AND HAPPINESS TRUSTING THAT THE FRIENDSHIPS AND UNDERSTANDING BUILT IN OUR MUTUAL UNDERTAKINGS [52:52] WILL BE WITH US ALWAYS. SO THANK YOU, JOE CAMPBELL. [53:00] WITH THAT, WE'LL MOVE TO -- IS THERE A MOTION TO APPROVE THAT [53:06] RESOLUTION? IS THERE A SECOND? >> SECOND. >> ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE. >> AYE. >> OPPOSED? [53:13] THAT IS ADOPTED. WITH THAT, THAT CONCLUDES OUR BUSINESS FOR THE DAY. [53:21] OUR NEXT MEETING OF THE REGULAR PLANNING COMMISSION IS JUNE 16TH. AND WE HAVE COMMITTEE OF THE [53:28] WHOLE THIS THURSDAY, JUNE 5TH. ARE THERE ANY UPDATES FROM STAFF OR COMMISSIONERS? >> THE ONLY UPDATE WAS I WAS [53:33] JUST GOING TO REMIND YOU THAT WE DO HAVE TWO ITEMS AT COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE THIS WEEK. SO WE HAVE ONE ITEM RELATED TO [53:41] CLICK AND THEN A PROJECT DISCUSSION. SO LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU [53:46] ALL ON THURSDAY. >> SEE EVERYONE THURSDAY. AND WE ARE ADJOURNED. THANK YOU.