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Mounds View Planning Commission August 19, 2020 <br />Regular Meeting Page 4 <br />________________________________________________________________________ <br /> <br />B. Staff Updates <br /> <br />Community Development Director Sevald provided the Commission with an update from staff. <br />He reported work continues on the Comprehensive Plan and a public hearing was being planned <br />for the Planning Commission in October. He explained work began on Tommy’s Car Wash. He <br />updated the Commission on the Long Lake Woods 2nd Addition noting this project was stalled, <br />along with the Skyline Motel property. He commented work continues on Gray Stone Flats. He <br />stated a purchase agreement was in place for the Tires N More property. He explained New <br />Vision Cinema has filed for bankruptcy. He indicated the owner of the theater in Mounds View <br />was confident a new operator could be found to purchase and remodel the property. He stated <br />there was talk about using a portion of the movie theater parking lot for new apartments. He <br />commented the 2020 census was still underway and residents were encouraged to fill out their <br />census information by mail or online. He stated the majority of staff was working from City Hall <br />and a number were working from home part-time. He indicated the goal was to open City Hall <br />by October 1st. He discussed the safety improvements that have occurred at City Hall. <br /> <br />Commissioner Farmer questioned what the process would be to have the Planning Commission <br />further investigate and discuss driveway setbacks. Community Development Director Sevald <br />explained he would need direction from the majority of the Commission to bring this back at a <br />future meeting. <br /> <br />Commissioner Monn recommended the setback be no less than two or three feet in order to <br />accommodate the apron skirt. <br /> <br />Commissioner French supported the setback remaining at five feet. <br /> <br />Commissioner Farmer stated he would like to know what other cities have in place for driveway <br />setbacks. <br /> <br />Chair Stevenson recommended this item be brought back to the Planning Commission at a future <br />meeting for further discussion. <br /> <br />C. Council Updates <br /> <br />Council Member Meehlhause provided the Planning Commission with an update from the City <br />Council. He explained the City received about $1.04 million in CARES Act dollars and these <br />funds would be utilized to cover COVID-19 expenses. He noted the Council would be <br />addressing the YMCA contract at the September worksession. He stated the City was <br />considering becoming the Local Governing Unit (LGU) for issuing stormwater management <br />permits. He noted this was presently completed by the Rice Creek Watershed District. He <br />explained communities were going this route in order to avoid working with the Rice Creek <br />Watershed District. He commented further on how the watershed district has changed their rain <br />garden requirements over the years. He stated staff would continue to explore this possibility for <br />the City of Mounds View. He indicated the Council would be addressing the preliminary 2021 <br />budget in the coming months.