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<br /> <br />2 <br /> <br />V. Report from City Council Liaison <br />Councilmember Jacobsen provided the Commission with an update from the City Council. He reported <br />in-person appointments were now available at City hall. In addition, the license bureau and golf course <br />were now open. He indicated New Brighton would be reopening cautiously in order to keep the <br />community safe and healthy. He stated the City Council continues to meet virtually, along with all other <br />commissions. He appreciated the City’s IT department for working so diligently to keep the City <br />operational. He thanked the Planning Commissioners for their service to the community. He noted <br />Councilmember Mary Burg retired from her position as of April 30, 2020. He explained the City Council <br />held interviews and appointed Nasreen Fynewever to fill the open seat through December 31, 2020. He <br />indicated the Council had completed commission interviews and appointments would be made later this <br />month. He reported Midtown Village was now conducting showings for the new townhomes. <br />Chair Nichols-Matkaiti welcomed Councilmember Fynewever to the City Council on behalf of the <br />Planning Commission. <br />VI. Public Hearing <br />(A) Ordinance 874: Adoption of an Ordinance to establish temporary use regulations within the City <br />of New Brighton Zoning Code, and to make seasonal outdoor dining areas for restaurants a <br />temporary use rather than a specially permitted use throughout the City. <br />Assistant Director of Community Assets and Development Gozola reported with at least some <br />businesses likely re-opening in the coming weeks, flexibility will be key to ensuring our local <br />regulations are not a hindrance to the success of those we serve. To that end, staff is proposing the <br />City adopt Ordinance 874 to create temporary use provisions that can be used by the City to quickly <br />and effectively respond to needs resulting from natural disasters or pandemics. The new <br />regulations would allow Council to identify uses that staff could administratively approve as <br />“temporary” uses in a given year. Temporary uses would be restricted to only the specific uses <br />authorized by Council, and would need to adhere to specific conditions identified for each use. At <br />present, authorizing outdoor seating areas for interested restaurants is the pressing need the City <br />is trying to address via this ordinance. Staff provided further comment on the request and <br />recommended approval of the Ordinance. <br />Chair Nichols-Matkaiti requested further information regarding the time limits within the <br />Ordinance. Assistant Director of Community Assets and Development Gozola reviewed the time <br />limits for the seasonal outdoor dining. He noted the Council would have to approve the temporary <br />use permit on a yearly basis. He explained temporary storage containers and construction <br />dumpsters can only be in place for so long, which would be a condition for approval. <br />Commissioner Biedenfeld asked if businesses would be able to switch over from a temporary <br />permit to a permanent outdoor seating option. Assistant Director of Community Assets and <br />Development Gozola stated this option would be available to local restaurants. He commented the <br />temporary permit process would remain in place as long as the City Council deemed necessary. <br />Chair Nichols-Matkaiti opened the Public Hearing at 7:02 p.m.