Planning Commission

APPROVED MINUTES Planning Commission Meeting Watch the meeting recording and view transcript here. Date: 6/18/2026 Time: 6:00 p.m. Location: City Council Chambers Address: 1800 W Old Shakopee Rd, Bloomington MN, 55431 Commissioners Present: Phil Koktan, Abdi Isse, Deanna White, Jared Munster and Madeline Summers (in person). Staff Present: Nick Johnson, Dakota Kastenday, Tom Ramler-Olson (in person), and Kevin Toskey, Julie Long and Brian Hansen (attending remotely). Chairperson Phil Koktan called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. A quorum is present. ITEM 1. PUBLIC HEARING: CASE #PL2026-90 | APPLICANT: SEAGATE TECHNOLOGY LLC | PRELIMINARY DEVELOPMENT PLAN AND FINAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN – SEAGATE EXPANSION LOCATED AT 7850 NORD AVE S AND 7801 COMPUTER AVE S 1.1 Staff Report and Presentation The staff report and presentation for Item 1 starts at 4:55 in the meeting recording. Planning Manager Nick Johnson presented the staff report. He presented the Preliminary Development Plan, Final Development Plan, parking, landscaping, building design, and public correspondence. The City Council holds final decision-making authority on this item. The Planning Commission’s recommendation will be shared with the City Council. Staff reviewed the application and recommended approval. Questions for staff for item 1 starts at 11:42 in the meeting recording. The Commission asked questions about parking study requirements in relation to addition size, tree replanting, and the nitrogen storage area. Chairperson Koktan invited the applicant to speak on behalf of item 1 at 14:31 in the meeting recording. Seagate’s Civil Environmental Engineer, Stephanie Peters, provided clarification on the nitrogen storage plant. Seagate’s Facilities Engineering Manager, Austin Shaw, expanded and expressed that the nitrogen storage plant is needed to increase production. Peters also provided clarity on fencing around the addition for both public safety and security. 06/18/26  APPROVED MINUTES 1.2 Public Hearing: Public Testimony begins at 18:10 in the meeting recording. Chair Koktan opened the Public Hearing at 6:18 p.m. A total of 1 individual provided public testimony during this item. - Peter Leahy. Project Manager with BWB Architects in St. Paul (working with Seagate), expressed gratitude to the City for their guidance throughout the application process. Chair Koktan requested closure of the public hearing. The public hearing closed at 6:19 p.m. 1.3 Discussion Discussion for Item 1 start at 19:30 in the meeting recording. The Commission discussed tree replacement/landscaping requirements. The Commission expressed general support for the Seagate Expansion. Case #PL2026-90, Seagate Expansion is anticipated to be scheduled for City Council consideration as Consent Business on June 29, 2026. 1.4 Actions of the Commission Motion by Commissioner White, Seconded by Commissioner Munster, motion to close the public hearing for Item 1, motion carried: 7 to 0. Motion by Commissioner Munster, Seconded by: In Case #PL2026-68, having been able to make the required findings, motion to recommend approval of Preliminary and Final Development plans for a two- story approximately 64,500 square-foot building addition and nitrogen storage tank pad at an existing technology campus located at 7801 Computer Ave. S. and 7850 Nord Ave. S., subject to the conditions and Code requirements attached to the staff report., motion carried: 7 to 0. ITEM 2. STUDY ITEM: CASE #2026-91 | APPLICANT: CITY OF BLOOMINGTON | REVIEW OF MULTI-FAMILY PERFORMANCE STANDARDS 2.1 Staff Report and Presentation The staff report and presentation for Item 2 starts at 23:15 in the meeting recording. Planner Tom Ramler-Olson presented the staff report. He presented an overview of the project, background, analysis, streetside setback analysis, storage unit analysis, usable open space analysis, impacts to OHO analysis, and discussion topics. Questions for staff for item 2 starts at 43:30 in the meeting recording. 06/18/26  APPROVED MINUTES The Commission asked questions about public outreach, storage utilization, open space and balcony requirements, clarification of proposed ordinance language, and whether existing standards appropriately balance development incentives, shared amenities, and resident access to usable open space. 2.2 Discussion Guided discussion questions for Item 2 start at 1:13:14 in the meeting recording. The Commission discussed reducing setback requirements to encourage more efficient site design and housing development while balancing neighborhood character and green space. Commissioners also discussed eliminating required storage units, with general support for allowing market demand to determine storage needs rather than maintaining a longstanding code requirement. They discussed usable open space requirements and applying more consistent standards across multifamily districts. More specifically, they were not enthusiastic about the existing bonuses for private balconies, suggesting that more straightforward accounting or computation of open space levels should be pursued. The Commission also discussed proposed changes to affordable housing incentives, emphasizing support for deeper affordability, continued Planning Commission involvement in future ordinance updates, and requesting an update on the City's affordable housing outcomes. Case #PL2026-91, Review of Multi-Family Performance Standards is anticipated to be scheduled for City Council consideration as a study item on August 3, 2026. ITEM 3. STUDY ITEM: CASE #PL2026-108 | APPLICANT: MINOR POLICY UPDATES FOR MISCELLANEOUS ISSUES ORDINANCE 3.1 Staff Report and Presentation The staff report and presentation for Item 3 starts at 1:34:53 in the meeting recording. Planning Supervisor, Dakota Kastenday presented the staff report. He presented the timeline, clean up item examples, and Ordinances Q,R,S,T,U, V, which are the minor policy update ordinances. 3.2 Discussion There was discussion for specific Ordinances as listed: Discussion for Ordinance Q – Requiring Odor Control Standards for Cannabis Businesses starts at 1:38:57 in the meeting recording. Planning Commission supported odor control for cannabis manufacturing and cultivation. Discussion for Ordinance R – Establishing Use Allowances and Definition for Car Detailing starts at 1:44:13 in the meeting recording. Planning Commission supported this item. Discussion for Ordinance S – Clarifying Exceptions to Window Requirements starts at 1:48:12 in the meeting recording. The Planning Commission did not reach consensus on the best path forward for this item. 06/18/26  APPROVED MINUTES There was no discussion for Ordinance T – Clarifying Applicability of Tree Preservation in SF Zoning Districts. Planning Commission supported this item. Discussion for Ordinance U – Allowing trailer parking location in side and rear yards starts at 2:07:20 in the meeting recording. Planning Commission supported this item. Discussion for Ordinance V – Adding Content Requirements for Rezoning starts at 2:11:16 in the meeting. Planning Commission supported this item. 4. STUDY ITEM: CITY OF BLOOMINGTON | PLANNING COMMISSION POLICY AND ISSUE UPDATE 5.1 Upcoming Meetings Overview - Planning Manager Nick Johnson presented the following overview: A. The Planning Commission will meet on July 9, for the Oath of Office for Robert Coleman and Madeline Summers, and two Public Hearings (1) Rezoning, Final Site and Building Plans, Type III Preliminary and Final Plat redeveloping six single-family residential lots into 33 townhomes located near E. 86th St. and 16th Ave. S., and (2) a Conditional Use Permit for Cannabis Manufacturing at 300 W. 83rd St. B. The Planning Commission meetings scheduled for July 16 and July 23 are anticipated to be canceled due to no projected development proposals or projects on the agenda. 5.2 Miscellaneous Updates – Planning Manager Nick Johnson presented the following additional updates: A. Johnson presented an award to Chairperson Phil Koktan for fulfilling two full 3-year terms for the Planning Commission. He highlighted his accomplishments on the Commission and awarded him with a plaque and letter commemorating his service and dedication to the Planning Commission. Chairperson Phil Koktan expressed his thanks to current, and former Planning Commissioners, his family, and staff for his time spent on the Planning Commission. ADJOURNMENT: MEETING ADJOURNED AT 7:25 PM June 18, 2026, Planning Commission Meeting synopsis was drafted by Shonte Brown and reviewed by Nick Johnson, Dakota Kastenday, and Tom Ramler-Olson. These minutes were approved by the Planning Commission on July 9, 2026. 06/18/26