HomeMy WebLinkAboutPC Minutes 01-24-2022Hastings Planning Commission
January 24, 2022 - Regular Meeting Agenda
Hastings City Hall - Council Chambers
7:00 p.m.
The Planning Commission of the City of Hastings, Minnesota met in a regular
meeting on Monday, January 24, 2022 at 7:15 p.m. in the Hastings City Council
Chamber.
1. Call Meeting to Order
Planning Commissioners Present: Messina, Romens, Halberg, Matzke,
Peters, Teiken, and LeBrun (via Zoom)
Planning Commissioners Absent: None
Staff Present: Community Development Director Hinzman (via Zoom) and City
Planner Fortney
2. Oath of Office - Director Hinzman administered the Oath of Office to
Commissioner LeBrun.
3. Election of Chair and Vice Chair - Motion by Matzke, Second by Halberg to
elect Messina as Chair and Romens as Vice Chair. Motion approved 7-0.
4. Approval of Minutes – November 22, 2021 Regular Meeting
Chair Messina asked if there were any additions or corrections to the minutes.
Minutes approved as presented.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
No Public Hearings scheduled
OTHER ACTIONS
5. NJS Development - Conformance of Hastings Downtown Redevelopment Area
and Tax Increment Finance (TIF) District No. 9 to the Comprehensive Plan
Director Hinzman presented a summary of the request to consider adoption of a
resolution finding the TIF District conforms with the general plans of the City.
Motion by Teiken, Second by Halberg to adopt Resolution No. 2022-01 finding
TIF District No. 9 conforms to the general plans of the City. Motion approved 7-
0.
6. Parking Regulations for Apartments
Director Hinzman provided a summary of a potential amendment to City Code to
modify the minimum parking requirements for apartments suggesting a change
from two parking spaces per unit to 1.5 parking spaces per unit. No formal action
is requested at this time; however the Commission is asked to provide direction
for a potential future amendment.
Chair Messina asked if the proposed reduction would increase parking demand
on city streets. Director Hinzman stated he believes the decrease better
represents the parking demands generated.
Commissioner Romens asked if parking could be determined on a per bedroom
basis; more bedrooms in an apartment increases the parking needs. Since
transit is not readily available in Hastings that factors into the need. Director
Hinzman stated he has seen per room calculations in other cities.
Commissioner Peters asked if other apartment buildings within downtown area
(such as Artspace) that were approved at less than two spaces per unit are
experiencing any parking difficulties. Director Hinzman stated the City has
completed a downtown parking study that has not noted any difficulties.
Commissioner Teiken asked if the change is in response to a specific
development request or is the City being proactive. How full are apartment
parking lots? He does not support overbuilt parking lots, but has concerns of
potential overflow impacts in adjacent residential areas. Director Hinzman stated
both, current parking standards have been questioned by a number of potential
apartment developers, and the City may be reviewing a request for reduced
parking on a site outside of downtown.
Commissioner Halberg asked if we have considered an ordinance which also has
a requirement for guest parking. Director Hinzman stated he would prefer having
a parking standard that does not call out guest parking separately for simplicity
purposes.
Commissioner Teiken asked if there is a minimum apartment unit threshold for
applicability of the ordinance. Director Hinzman stated it would be three units.
Commissioner Teiken had concerns on the applicability to smaller apartments
and suggested having a minimum threshold of around ten.
Commissioner LeBrun asked for clarification on how a reduction in parking could
lead to reduced acreage dedicated to parking.
Commissioner Peters asked if an ordinance change would affect recently
approved projects that have yet to be constructed. Director Hinzman some may
be eligible; however many recent projects have been constructed downtown or
are senior apartments that are subject to different requirements.
Commissioner LeBrun stated he agreed with many of the points discussed
tonight and also has concerns about the amount of parking needed for
commercial uses.
Director Hinzman stated he will bring back more information in the future for
further discussion.
7. Other Business - Director Hinzman provided a summary of recent City Council
actions and future Planning Commission items.
8. Adjourn
Commissioner Romens motioned to adjourn the meeting at 7:47pm. Seconded
by Commissioner Teiken. Vote: Ayes 7; Nays: 0. Motion approved as presented.
Next Meeting – February 14, 2022
Respectively submitted:
John Hinzman
Community Development Director