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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPlanning Commission - 01/13/2025APPROVED MINUTES EDEN PRAIRIE PLANNING COMMISSION MONDAY, JANUARY 13, 2025 7:00 PM—CITY CENTER Council Chambers 8080 Mitchell Road COMMISSION MEMBERS: John Kirk, Frank Sherwood, Andrew Pieper, Ed Farr, Trisha Duncan, Robert Taylor, Dan Grote, Charles Weber; Phou Sivilay CITY STAFF: Jeremy Barnhart, City Planner; Carter Schulze, City Engineer; Matt Bourne, Manager of Parks and Natural Resources; Kristin Harley, Recording Secretary I. CALL THE MEETING TO ORDER Chair Pieper called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – ROLL CALL Commission member Duncan was absent. III. APPROVAL OF AGENDA MOTION: Grote moved, seconded by Kirk to approve the agenda amended to correct the word in Item VA at the bottom of page 8 from “lor” to “lot.” MOTION CARRIED 8-0. IV. MINUTES MOTION: Farr moved, seconded by Taylor to approve the minutes of November 18, 2024. MOTION CARRIED 8-0. V. PUBLIC HEARINGS A. NEXUS INNOVATION CENTER II (2024-11) Request for: • Preliminary Plat dividing one lot into two lots on 14.35 acres, • Site Plan Review on 14.35 acres The applicant, Joe Bergman, a partner at Endeavor Development, presented a PowerPoint and detailed the application. The applicant proposed to build two industrial buildings on the former American Family Insurance site. He introduced PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES January 13, 2025 Page 2 his firm and stated the applicant had previously had the site rezoned to I-2 Industrial Park to support a single building; the applicant was now requesting a revised site plan with two buildings totaling 174,230 square feet, one being a 92,224 square foot build-to-suit for local provider of backup power solutions HM Cragg, which was returning to Eden Prairie, and an 82,006 square foot speculative building. The site plan showed a shared access and a shared driveway. The plan would recycle existing onsite materials and have seven EV charging stations, and the infrastructure for three additional spaces, and there would be solar panel capability on the roof. There was a robust landscaping plan with the conservation of perimeter trees. There would be ample parking, expandable as needed to suit user needs. Both buildings shared the same elevations and materials, with complementary colors, painted precast, cultured stone veneer, metal canopy and window frames. Bergman displayed the southwest rendering, exterior views and interior renderings. He added this would revitalize an underutilized and obsolete office campus and bring jobs and tax base back to a site that serves as a gateway to Eden Prairie. Barnhart presented the staff report. He emphasized this was a repeat of another design last summer, and the materials and design were identical to what was approved and were compliant with I-2 Zoning District requirements. The setbacks and parking setbacks met requirements, and a waiver was avoided by this design. He commended the sustainability goals. The parking met the requirements with a portion as proof of parking based on the needs of the user. The number of parking spaces did limit the uses of the building given office space and warehouse/manufacturing space. Were those uses to increase, a future conversation would be required. One outstanding issue, as mentioned in the conditions in the staff report to be addressed by this commission before the City Council meeting, was the materials for the screening of the secure parking area (northeast corner of the site). This had to comply with City Code and the applicant was working with staff on this. Staff recommended approval subject to the conditions in the staff report. Farr requested the applicant address the potential mezzanine structure, and if the square footage breakdown of office versus warehouse was sufficient for the current identified tenant. Barnhart replied the parking was based on what the developer requested, based on the square footage. The applicant had been working with the potential client throughout the design. PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES January 13, 2025 Page 3 Bergman replied the mezzanine would be included in Building One office square footage. Farr asked for and received confirmation there would be 107 parking stalls. MOTION: Taylor moved, seconded by Sivilay to close the public hearing. Motion carried 8-0. MOTION: Farr moved, seconded by Sherwood to recommend approval of the Preliminary Plat dividing one lot into two lots on 14.35 acres and Site Plan Review on 14.35 acres, as represented in the January 13, 2025, staff report subject to the conditions listed in the staff report. Motion carried 8-0. AMENDMENT TO CHAPTER 11, SECTION 11.07 PERMITTED USES TABLE – SPECIAL DISTRICTS Sherwood recused himself for having represented the school district on this action. Barnhart explained the school district purchased the UNFI property last summer which was originally developed as an office building. This required a zoning change from Office to Public. A portion of the building would potentially be vacant, so this text amendment allowed for office or medical office uses as a secondary use. This comprised only two lines of Code change, and staff recommended approval. MOTION: Grote moved, seconded by Kirk to close the public hearing. Motion carried 7-0 with one abstention (Sherwood). Farr stated this was a common sense approach to a unique problem, and supported the change. Taylor agreed. MOTION: Kirk moved, seconded by Taylor to recommend approval of the change to Chapter 11, Section 11.07 Code Amendment, as represented in the January 13, 2025 staff report. Motion carried 7-0 with one abstention (Sherwood). PLANNERS’ REPORT MEMBERS’ REPORTS Barnhart announced the January 27 Planning meeting would include a variance and a text amendment. PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES January 13, 2025 Page 4 Pieper stated he and Barnhart presented to the City Council Workshop last week. The Council expressed its appreciation, and commended the Commission’s questions on sustainability components in developments as well. VI. ADJOURNMENT MOTION: Grote moved, seconded by Kirk to adjourn. Motion carried 8-0. The meeting was adjourned at 7:20 p.m.