HomeMy WebLinkAboutPlanning Commission - 01/27/2025APPROVED MINUTES
EDEN PRAIRIE PLANNING COMMISSION
MONDAY, JANUARY 27, 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 Grote was absent.
III. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
MOTION: Taylor moved, seconded by Weber to approve the agenda. MOTION
CARRIED 8-0.
IV. MINUTES
MOTION: Kirk moved, seconded by Taylor to approve the minutes of January 13, 2025.
MOTION CARRIED 8-0.
V. PUBLIC HEARINGS
A. VARIANCE #2025-01BOA - 8107 EDEN PRAIRIE ROAD
Barnhart displayed a PowerPoint and explained the application. This was a
request to increase the impervious surface to 39 percent for the subject property in
the Shoreland Overlay Zoning District, nine percent over the City Code limit (30
percent) to add additional parking stalls at the Smith Douglas More House (Smith
Coffee). The Shoreland Overlay Zoning District included properties within 1,000
feet of the shoreline of a lake or river, creek, etc. The property was already at 36.8
percent impervious surface coverage; this would be a modest expansion. Barnhart
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January 27, 2025
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displayed an overhead aerial photograph and a rendering showing the sustainable
features, which would not be affected. A large cedar tree would be removed for
two parking stalls, and a parking island would be paved and made into two stalls.
Another area near the front entryway would be converted into two parking stalls.
The project would be accomplished in phases over the next few years. Barnhart
showed and explained the new additional six parking stalls and the
onloading/offloading ramp.
There was a historical interpretive panel that would be relocated. The tree located
in the island to be paved would be replanted, and additional landscaping could be
added to compensate for the tree that would be removed. The property was in the
shoreland due to its proximity to Mitchell Lake, but the site actually drains to Red
Rock Lake. Staff recommended approval.
Pieper asked if a variance had been pursued for the existing 36.8 percent
impervious surface, and Barnhart replied staff had not found evidence of one.
This was a legal nonconforming property.
Taylor asked for and received confirmation a light pole in the center of the
parking lot had been discussed, but it was not now being discussed. Farr noted
there might be a motive to change the definition of a shoreland buffer that would
exempt properties like this, since they did not drain to the district lake. Barnhart
replied these regulations came from the DNR (Department of Natural Resources).
Duncan asked for and received confirmation the timeline would encompass an
immediate start in spring but spread over years as the budget allowed. Some
changes could hypothetically never occur.
Brian Lubben, resident at 16379 Gloria Lane, one block south of the coffee shop,
stated he was a two-year resident and praised the coffee shop as an asset to the
community. He urged the commission to approve this measure.
MOTION: Taylor moved, seconded by Sherwood to close the public hearing.
Motion carried 8-0.
Kirk agreed with Mr. Lubben, stating this was an obvious solution with no
downside.
MOTION: Duncan moved, seconded by Farr to recommend approval of the as
represented in the January 273, 2025, staff report. Motion carried 8-0.
AMENDMENT TO CHAPTER 11 (2024-03CA)
Barnhart explained some years ago the City reorganized Chapter 11, and in so
doing, some codification errors were identified. This ordinance corrected some
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January 27, 2025
Page 3
items that were missed. These were housekeeping items and did not represent a
change in policy or philosophy (missed paragraphs, misapplied labels, spelling
errors, et cetera). Staff recommended approval as drafted.
Weber asked for and received confirmation the new definitions were being
relocated from the existing City Code, but not necessarily from Chapter 11, and
therefore a public hearing from the Planning Commission was not required for
their removal in the first place.
MOTION: Kirk moved, seconded by Duncan to close the public hearing. Motion
carried 8-0.
MOTION: Taylor moved, seconded by Weber to recommend approval of the
change to Chapter 11as represented in the January 27, 2025 staff report. Motion
carried 8-0.
PLANNERS’ REPORT
MEMBERS’ REPORTS
Barnhart announced the February 10, 2025 meeting would have another variance
and a Code Amendment change.
VI. ADJOURNMENT
MOTION: Sherwood moved, seconded by Weber to adjourn. Motion carried 8-
0. The meeting was adjourned at 7:19 p.m.