HomeMy WebLinkAboutPC Workshop Minutes 7.23.2024CITY OF FALCON HEIGHTS
Planning Commission
City Hall
2077 West Larpenteur Avenue
WORKSHOP MINUTES
July 23, 2024 at 7:00 P.M.
A. CALL TO ORDER: 7:00 P.M.
B. ROLL CALL:
Scott Wilson _X_ Laura Paynter _A_
Jacob Brooks _A_ Mike Tracy _A_
Jim Mogen _X_ Rick Seifert _X_
Jake Anderson _X_
Staff Liaison Lynch _X_
Council Liaison Meyer _A_
Council Liaison (Fill In) Gustafson _X_
C. NEW BUSINESS
1. City Code Updates – Accessory Dwelling Units & Parking Minimums
Staff Liaison Lynch opened by reminding Commissions of a joint workshop with
City Council on August 7 at 6:30 PM to go over drafted amendments for accessory
dwelling units and parking minimums. She explained the goal of tonight’s
workshop is to identify where we need Council’s help with the amendments and
where more discussion needs to take place.
The first main area of discussion with City Council should be around parking for
ADUs, specifically if we need to require additional parking at a single-family
residence for the ADU. She also stated there would need to be discussion around
parking at multifamily dwelling units. Previously the Planning Commission was
going to recommend one parking space per dwelling unit, but considering Amber
Flats was barely approved at 1.26 spaces per dwelling unit, perhaps 1.50 would be a
better solution. It may also be more appetizing to residents and Council Members
who were opposed to Amber Flats due to parking concerns. Commissioner Mogen
stated it was a matter of good policy versus politics and he would prefer to go into
the workshop on August 7 with 1.25 or 1. Council Liaison Gustafson stated he did
not believe the amendment would pass at 1 space per unit. Planning Commission
discussed and agreed to go into the workshop with 1 space per unit drafted to then
hold a discussion with City Council.
Staff Liaison Lynch stated she also wanted to gather feedback from City Council on
the ADU requirements, as far as sizing, number of bedrooms, and design guidelines.
2. Adult-Use Cannabis Discussion
Staff Liaison Lynch gave a brief overview of the authorizations given to
municipalities for regulating cannabis businesses. Cities are required to authorize at
least one cannabis business per 12,500 residents, but can issue more permits if
desired. Cities may also regulate business hours between 10 a.m. and 9 p.m. seven
days a week, and the State statute prohibits the same of cannabis between 2 a.m. and
8 a.m. Monday through Saturday, and between 2 a.m. and 10 a.m. on Sundays. Cities
may restrict the operation of a cannabis business within 1,000 feet of a school, or 500
feet of a daycare, residential treatment facility, or an attraction within a public park
that is regularly used by minors, including a playground or athletic field. Finally,
Cities may zone businesses under existing zoning ordinances in accordance with the
license type or endorsed activities held by the cannabis business.
The Planning Commission discussed these requirements and authorization of the
City to register these businesses and requested a meeting with Jack Brooksbank with
Campbell Knutson P.A. to ask more questions about the updates.
D. INFORMATION AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
1. Staff Liaison Report – Staff Liaison Lynch again reminded Commissioners about
the joint workshop with City Council on August 7, 2024 at 6:30 PM.
2. Council Liaison Report – Council Liaison Gustafson gave a brief overview of the
park building project to Commissioners. He stated bid estimates came in much
higher on the building that expected so the project is on hold for a little while to
determine next steps.
E. ADJOURN
Workshop was adjourned at 8:16 PM.