HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-16-23 Jnt Planning and Council Meeting Minutes
JOINT CITY COUNCIL AND PLANNING
COMMISSION WORKSHOP
Mayor
Amáda Márquez Simula
Councilmembers
Connie Buesgens
Kt Jacobs
Rachel James
Justice Spriggs
Interim City Manager
Kevin Hansen
City Hall—Council Chambers, 3989 Central Ave NE
Thursday, November 16, 2023
6:00 PM
MINUTES
The following are the minutes for the Joint City Council and Planning Commission Workshop Meeting
held at 6:00 pm on Monday, November 16, 2023, in the Shared Vision Room, City Hall, 3989 Central
Avenue NE, Columbia Heights, Minnesota.
CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL
Councilmembers Present: Mayor Márquez Simula, Councilmember Buesgens; Councilmember Jacobs;
Councilmember Spriggs; Councilmember James
Planning Commissioners Present: Laurel Deneen, John Gianoulis, Tom Kaiser; Eric Sahnow; Mike
Novitsky, Mark Vargas, Clara Wolfe
Not Present: Councilmember Jacobs; Councilmember Spriggs; Commissioner Vargas.
Also Present: Aaron Chirpich, Community Development Director/ Assistant City Manager; Andrew
Boucher, City Planner; Mitchel Forney, Community Development Coordinator; Kevin Hansen, Interim
City Manager; Sara Ion, City Clerk; Jack Israelson, Resident; Bryan Harjes and Leilen Farias with HKGi.
Assistant City Manager / Community Development Director Aaron Chirpich called the meeting to order
at 6pm and introduced the team from HKGi for the presentation regarding the Medtronic Site.
WORK SESSION ITEMS
1. Medtronic Site Planning Presentation.
Four general concepts were presented to the Council and Planning Commissioners. There
was conversation related to storm water infrastructure, housing density on the site as well
as mixed use options.
Assistant City Manager Chirpich requested that the Council and Commission not just pick
their favorite concept, but to look at all the options presented and discuss what the key
features from all the concepts that they want to pull together for the Comprehensive Plan
Amendment that needs to occur before a developer can purchase the property.
The most important items for the Council and Commission were public access and
welcoming environment for the lake front / water access is a priority (overall making the
lake and water feature the highlight). Additionally, making the biking trail and walking path
more accessible was also important to the group, with designated parking as needed.
City of Columbia Heights MINUTES November 16, 2023
Joint City Council and Planning Commission Workshop Page 2
There was also a focus on art, and a meditative space / small spaces that appeal to families.
Additionally a private, full-service restaurant was also a key item that they want to keep as
an option as well. Overall the sentiment of the group was that the space should be
welcoming a welcoming street scape, that invites pedestrian activity.
ADJOURNMENT
Assistant City Manager Chirpich adjourned the meeting at 7:47pm
Respectfully Submitted,
______________________________________
Sara Ion, City Clerk/Council Secretary