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03-03-26 Planning Comm Mtg MinutesCITY OF SHOREWOOD COUNCIL CHAMBERS PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING 5755 COUNTRY CLUB ROAD TUESDAY, MARCH 3, 2026 7:00 P.M. MINUTES CALL TO ORDER Vice-Chair Holker called the meeting to order at 7:00 P.M. ROLL CALL Present: Commissioners Holker, Longo, Magistad, and Braithwaite; Planning Director Griffiths; City Planner Osowski; and Council Liaison Maddy Absent: Chair Huskins APPROVAL OF AGENDA Longo moved, Magistad seconded, approving the agenda for March 3, 2026, as presented. Motion passed 4/0. APPROVAL OF MINUTES February 4, 2026 Planning Commission Minutes Magistad moved, Longo seconded, approving the Planning Commission Meeting Minutes of February 4, 2026, as presented. Motion passed 4/0. MATTERS FROM THE FLOOR There were no comments. PUBLIC HEARINGS - NONE OTHER BUSINESS Welcome New Commissioners and Introductions Vice-Chair Holker asked the Commissioners and the Staff to introduce themselves. Commissioners and Staff introduced themselves. Appoint Commission Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson Vice-Chair Holker noted that Chair Huskins was not present but is happy to serve in any role the Commission deems appropriate. She shared that she does not want to be the Chair and opened the discussion. Council Liaison shared a text from Chair Huskins: Hoping to be Chair still when I return, but if not, that is okay. Commissioner Magistad stated that both Chair Huskins and Commissioner Holker have been in their current roles for less than a year and would recommend keeping things as they are. Commissioner Longo agreed. Magistad moved, Longo seconded, to Reappoint Commissioner Huskins as Chair and Commissioner Holker as Vice-Chair for the Planning Commission in 2026. Motion passed 3/0/1 (Commissioner Holker abstained). Annual Planning Commission Orientation Planning Director Griffiths shared that last year, a Planning Commissioner handbook was created, with many of the details. He stated that if there were any questions, let him know. He noted that the meetings were on the first Tuesday of the month unless that changes. Changes will be communicated via the City of Shorewood email. He stated that the Commissioners should try to communicate absences as soon as possible, since three are needed for a quorum. City Code requires the Commissioners to attend at least half of the yearly meetings and to miss no more than four consecutive meetings. He gave a brief review and explanation of the Planning Commission's roles and responsibilities. He stated that this year would provide more opportunities to discuss City policies because of the Comprehensive Plan. He shared information about the City Planning Staff. He provided information on the guiding documents, planning applications, and the Open Meetings Law. He noted that if the Commission had anything specific to discuss, it could be added to the agenda. He shared that there are webinars that the Commissioners can attend. Vice-Chair Holker noted that the one she attended was great and germane to many of the applications that have come before the Commission. Planning Director Griffiths shared that the webinar was on land use, and he would send it to the Commission to watch the recording. 2026-2027 Planning Commission Work Plan Planning Director Griffiths reminded the Commission that this was an annual item, providing an opportunity to review what they may be looking at in the future. He briefly highlighted some of the things included in the work plan. He stated that the big theme for the year would be the Comprehensive Plan update. He stated that zoning and land use may be a topic for the State’s legislative session, and how that may affect the City and its work plan. Vice-Chair Holker asked if the Commission would get an overview of the Comprehensive Plan work plan. Planning Director Griffiths shared that there would be a kickoff meeting with the Consultant that week, and that a project overview for the Commission would be tentatively scheduled for the spring. Commissioner Magistad asked if the consultants would attend any Planning Commission meetings. Planning Director Griffiths stated that the Consultant would attend a few, but, being budget-conscious, would not attend many. Commissioner Magistad asked what sort of input the Commission would provide. Planning Director Griffiths explained that the Staff would develop the community engagement plan and that feedback would be needed. Then it would include feedback on the plan's goals and a review of the draft language. Commissioner Longo added that the Park Commission hosts many events, allowing community engagement at some of them. Planning Director Griffiths reviewed the tentative schedule for the Planning Commission meeting. Planning Commission Bylaws Planning Director Griffiths stated that the bylaws have been worked on for a few meetings, using the City Council bylaws as a starting point. He reviewed a draft of the bylaws that the Commission has provided updates on to date. The Council also asked that the Commissions review whether there should be an Alternate Commissioner to fill in for absences and consider having a Youth Advisor position on the Commission. Vice-Chair Holker asked if the Youth Advisor would have a vote. Planning Director Griffiths stated that they could, but most typically, the position is just advisory. Commissioner Magistad noted that both the Alternate Commissioner and Youth Advisor have value. He stated that using someone from another commission to fill the Alternate Commissioner role would be an option. Commissioner Longo expressed concern about having a youth present during an extremely vocal meeting, such as the one a few months ago. Commissioner Magistad suggested that the Youth Advisory be called only when certain items are on the Agenda. Vice-Chair Holker shared that it would be good to look into how other cities handle the Youth Advisory Member, as that could help structure Shorewood’s. Commissioner Braithwaite stated that, for the Alternate Commissioner, other candidates who interviewed for the position may be interested, or a different commissioner may be. He liked the idea of a student, but it could be a little more difficult to implement. Looking at how other cities structure their program would be helpful. The Commissioners noted that using a commissioner from another commission would help because they would have the City's knowledge. Planning Director Griffiths stated that the Parks Commission will likely have a Youth Member, so more information can come from them as well. He noted that the Commission also showed interest in the Alternate, and the Staff would look into both further. Vice-Chair Holker stated that the bylaws do not require the Mayor to ask the Planning Commissioners whether they would like to add anything to the report. Planning Director Griffiths noted that the change could be made. Commissioner Magistad shared that having the City Attorney at the meeting was helpful with all the resident feedback. He asked if there was any way to include that in the bylaws that the City Attorney would attend if there was going to be a pretentious topic. Planning Director Griffiths stated that it does not need to be included in the bylaws since it is already in the City Code; the Staff will remain aware of whether the Attorney is needed. The City Attorney will not attend very often because of the budget, so he is used sparingly on a case-by-case basis. Commissioner Braithwaite asked if there was an alternative to attending the meetings in person. Planning Director Griffiths stated not as this time, as there is no Zoom component for Commission meetings. Vice-Chair Holker asked if the matters from the floor rules had been changed. Planning Director Griffiths noted that the bylaws would be updated to reflect the matters from the floor changes that had recently been made by the City Council. REPORTS City Council Council Liaison Maddy gave a brief overview of recent Council discussions and decisions. Staff Planning Director Griffiths stated that the next meeting would likely not have any public hearings. He asked for a volunteer to report on the meeting at the March 23 Council meeting. Vice-Chair Holker stated she would be available. Commissioner Longo stated that, in terms of the Comprehensive Plan, there have not been many applications for new construction, and if that is something to worry about. Planning Director Griffiths shared that Shorewood is built out as a community and that there are very few developable parcels of land left. So, the Staff is not worried, as the City’s budget is not reliant on development, but it is something to be aware of. Commissioner Longo asked whether it would be a problem if the City had a target number of new builds but did not meet that number. Planning Director Griffiths stated that the Met Council is only looking for the City to plan for it, not necessarily to meet the number. Commission No additional comments were given by the Commission. ADJOURNMENT Magistad moved, Longo seconded, adjourning the Planning Commission Meeting of March 3, 2026, at 8:06 P.M. Motion passed 4/0.