Richfield City Council — Agenda

Sunday, April 26, 2026

Liaison Reports

City Planner's Report

Equitable and Strategic Considerations for Development

Votes (7)

Election of Planning Commission Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson and Secretary

7-0 carried (Holmvig-Johnson as Chairperson)

Moved by Hooey [Feb 23, 2026] · Seconded by Kennealy [Feb 23, 2026]

The Commission conducted elections for its leadership positions for the upcoming term.

Election of Planning Commission Vice-Chairperson

7-0 carried (Taraldsen as Vice-Chairperson)

Moved by Surma [Feb 23, 2026] · Seconded by Hooey [Feb 23, 2026]

The Commission proceeded with the election for the Vice-Chairperson role.

Election of Planning Commission Secretary

7-0 carried (Surma as Secretary)

Moved by Holmvig-Johnson [Feb 23, 2026] · Seconded by Taraldsen [Feb 23, 2026]

The Commission completed its officer elections by selecting a Secretary.

Appointment of Liaisons to City Council and Other Commissions

Agreed upon by discussion (Feb 23, 2026)

The Commission discussed and appointed members to serve as liaisons to various city bodies, including the City Council, Community Services Advisory Commission, Housing and Redevelopment Authority, School Board, Transportation Commission, Chamber of Commerce, and Sustainability Commission. One position, Community Services Advisory Commission, remained vacant.

Review and Amend the Planning Commission Bylaws

7-0 carried (amendment approved)

Moved by Taraldsen [Feb 23, 2026] · Seconded by Surma [Feb 23, 2026]

Planner Villa presented a staff report regarding proposed amendments to the Planning Commission bylaws. The key amendment involved changing the format of meetings to schedule the Open Forum after the Approval of Agenda and Minutes. Commissioner Hooey inquired about similar past changes, and Planner Villa confirmed bylaws were also changed in 2025.

Annual Re-scheduling Task

7-0 carried (rescheduling approved)

Moved by Hooey [Feb 23, 2026] · Seconded by Surma [Feb 23, 2026]

Planner Villa presented on the annual task of rescheduling Planning Commission meetings. The Commission considered and approved specific date changes for two upcoming meetings in the year.

Public Hearing: Site Plan Approval for conversion of a retail tenant space to a fitness studio at 6503 Nicollet Avenue South

Planning Commission recommended approval (April 27, 2026)

Baleo Fitness requested Site Plan Approval to convert a 3,911 sq ft retail space (formerly Xfinity) in Richfield Shoppes North to a 24-hour Anytime Fitness studio. The primary issue was parking, as the site is already under-parked based on Zoning Code requirements. However, a parking analysis concluded that the fitness studio's peak hours (5-6 pm) do not overlap with the overall shopping center's peak hours (1-2 pm), thus not negatively impacting parking demand. Staff recommended approval with conditions, including the installation of 15 bike racks (30 stalls) to offset vehicle parking demand and address non-conformities.

Notable Quotes (4)

confirmed that similar bylaw changes were made in 2025.

Planner Villa [Feb 23, 2026]
Review and Amend the Planning Commission Bylaws

The analysis concludes that, although the center does not have a parking surplus during its overall peak demand, there is a surplus during the fitness studio’s peak hours, which compliment, rather than compete with, the center overall. Therefore, the proposed change of use is not expected to have a negative impact on the parking demand.

Executive Summary [April 27, 2026]
Public Hearing: Site Plan Approval for conversion of a retail tenant space to a fitness studio at 6503 Nicollet Avenue South

Accordingly, staff recommends approval, subject to the conditions listed in the draft resolution, including the installation of bike racks to help off-set vehicle parking demand.

Executive Summary [April 27, 2026]
Public Hearing: Site Plan Approval for conversion of a retail tenant space to a fitness studio at 6503 Nicollet Avenue South

Unfortunately, the lease for our current club located in the Richfield Target Plaza will be ending on June 1, which would otherwise leave approximately 700 local members without a home gym and disrupt the jobs of our local team.

Baleo Fitness CEO John Christopher [April 27, 2026]
Public Hearing: Site Plan Approval for conversion of a retail tenant space to a fitness studio at 6503 Nicollet Avenue South

Ordinances & Resolutions (13)

Planning Commission AgendaOther

The agenda for the April 27, 2026 meeting.

Planning Commission Agenda and Minutes pageOther

Website resource for submitting public comments.

Zoning Code Section 544.13, Subd.9Ordinance

Relates to modification of minimum required parking spaces based on demand studies.

Zoning Code Section 547.13, Subd.8Ordinance

Specifies requirements for granting site plan approval.

Zoning Code Section 509.25, Subd.7Ordinance

Requires non-conforming site improvements to be upgraded to comply with current code.

Resolution Approving a Site Plan for 6503 Nicollet Avenue SouthResolution

Draft resolution recommending approval for the Anytime Fitness site plan.

Staff Report No. 9cOther

Presented for the review and amendment of Planning Commission Bylaws.

Staff Report No. 9dOther

Presented for the annual rescheduling of Planning Commission meetings.

Comprehensive Plan updatePlan

A city-wide planning document undergoing an update process.

Sketch Plan ReviewPermit

Optional administrative review for concept plans by Lupe Development and Richfield Bible Church.

Site Plan ApprovalPermit

Required for the conversion of retail space to a fitness studio and minor amendment for Les Schwab Tires.

Conditional Use Permit (CUP)Permit

Approved in 2013 for El Tejaban and in 2022 for La Michoacana Tasty.

ITE Parking Generation Manual, 6th GenerationOther

Reference used for conducting the parking analysis for Richfield Shoppes.

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Richfield City Council - Richfield Recorder