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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPlanning Commission - 08/10/1998 APPROVED MINUTES CITY OF EDEN PRAIRIE PLANNING COMMISSION MONDAY,AUGUST 10, 1998 7:00 PM, CITY CENTER Council Chambers 8080 Mitchell Road COMMISSION MEMBERS: Beverly Alexander, Kenneth E. Clinton, Laurence Dorn, Jr., Randy Foote, Bill Habicht, Rebecca Lewis, Douglas Sandstad STAFF LIAISON: Mike Franzen, City Planner, and Barbara Anderson, City Recorder I. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE -ROLL CALL Chair Foote called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. H. APPROVAL OF AGENDA MOTION: Clinton moved, seconded by Alexander, to approve the Agenda as published. Motion carried 7-0. III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES MOTION: Clinton moved, seconded by Dorn to approve the Minutes of July 13, 1998 as submitted. Motion carried 6-0-1. Lewis abstained. IV. PUBLIC HEARINGS A. GUSTAFSON SUBDIVISION by Jeffrey Gustafson. Request for Preliminary Plat of 2.32 acres into 2 single family lots. Location: 13241 Holasek Lane. Jeff Gustafson reviewed the plans for Preliminary Plat of 13241 Holasek Lane. He stated he had talked to all the neighbors on Holasek Lane about his plans, and none of them expressed opposition to him. He described the site and the location of the house on the property. He noted there will be minimal tree loss with this plat and they can save one more tree if they utilize a common curb cut for access, which he was very willing to do. He discussed the tree loss and his willingness to plant more trees to replace any that are lost on the boulevard of Holasek Lane. He discussed the drainage from his property and noted he has installed curbing along the side of the house to contain the runoff and direct the water out to the street where it flows into the storm sewer system. Franzen noted staff recommended approval of the plat. The Public Hearing was opened. PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES August 10, 1998 Page 2 Marilyn Mizhale, 6459 Pinnacle Drive, commented that Holasek Drive is a very short street and the real neighborhood is around the lake on Pinnacle Drive. The house appears to have three stories and they look at a huge roof now. They are concerned that the proponent has failed to abide by the restrictive covenants which cover his property. She read the restrictive covenants for Cardinal Ridge in relation to protection of the natural resources and implied that Mr. Gustafson has substantially removed much of the tree cover. She discussed the slope on the property and noted the restrictive covenants stipulate that any slope shall not exceed 5% and this new lot would have an access that was too steep. Sandstad explained that the City did not enforce restrictive covenants, but these were something residents of a neighborhood chose to impose upon themselves. Franzen noted the only thing the City can do is review the project according to the Ordinance and anything else is outside the City's purview. He recalled the City had granted front yard setback variances in this area to preserve trees in the back yards of the houses along Pinnacle Drive. Julie Roettger, 6431 Pinnacle Drive, was concerned about the adequacy of the storm sewer system to handle the runoff from the site. Franzen responded the storm sewer was designed to handle runoff from 4-5 lots. Roettger commented that the amount of tree loss will increase the noise from I-494 which is now blocked, and the tree loss will also cause erosion. Sandstad asked if this development really had an impact on her property and she responded that when the trees are taken down it increases how far noise travels in an area, and there will be less foliage to absorb the noise from I-494. Alexander expressed concern that this plat was coming before the Planning Commission after the house was under construction. Franzen responded that since this was a lot previously approved by the City , the owner was entitled to one building permit. The decision for the Planning Commission is if there should be a second lot. Franzen responded that this lot was approved as part of a plat for the entire area Franzen added that the tree loss calculations were based on that entire development. MOTION: Alexander moved, seconded by Lewis, to close the Public Hearing. Motion carried 7-0. MOTION: Alexander moved, seconded by Lewis, to recommend to the City Council approval of the request of Jeffrey Gustafson for Preliminary Plat of 2.32 acres into 2 single family lots based on plans dated August 3, 1998 and subject to the recommendations of the Staff Report dated August 7, 1998. Motion carried 6-0-1. Habicht abstained. B. CROSSTOWN CIRCLE CENTRE by Continental Property Group. Request for Planned Unit Development Concept Review on 10.92 acres, Planned Unit Development District Review on 10.92 acres, Zoning District Amendment in the Office Zoning District on 10.92 acres, and site Plan Review on 10.92 acres. Location: Crosstown Circle. Scott Wiesling, Architect, and Alan Brentman, landscape architect were present representing Continental Property Group. Wesley reviewed the plans for the proposed PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES. August 10, 1998 Page 3 building and the design history of the project. He discussed the exterior finish materials they propose to use on the building. He reviewed the parking which has 41 stalls under the building and there is an attached parking deck which meets the remainder of the parking requirements. Allen Kretman reviewed the tree preservation plan on the site and noted they have kept most of the trees along the freeway as well as along the south side of the site. They also plan to reestablish the trees on the perimeter of the site and yet intend to be sensitive to the natural features on the site. He reviewed the grading plan and discussed the elevations and access to the site. They have created a storm water drainage area on the site which will tie into the storm water drainage system in this area. He commented they feel they have designed a building that will be both attractive and will preserve as many natural features on the site as possible. Clinton asked about the parking structure and how it would be viewed from adjacent properties. Kretman responded that it was mostly screened by the topography and buffering on the site but the top level would be slightly visible. Habicht asked what portion of the building was pre-leased, and Wesley responded none of it was leased at this time. Dorn asked what the exterior materials would be on the parking structure and Wesley responded that they would use some of the same materials that were being used on the building but since the plans were revised again last week to meet staff requirements, this item was not yet finalized. Discussion ensued regarding the screening from County Road 62 on the north side and how the parking deck would be buffered from view. The screening from the west was discussed. Franzen noted the City Ordinance requires screening of parking lots from public roadways and the only point where the parking deck will be visible will be from the ramp by the exit ramp to 212 or the 212 overpass. Franzen reviewed the staff report and described the challenge of fitting a building on this site and yet preserving the best features of that site. Staff recommended approval of the project. The Public Hearing was opened. Dick Anderson, 11380 Windrow Drive, Belle Plain, Vice President of Operations for Minnesota Supply Company, stated they have some grave concerns regarding the way this building is being put on the site. At this time the traffic is backing onto Flying Cloud Drive from Crosstown Circle and there is no stacking room on Crosstown Circle. They have problems with people cutting through their parking lot now to get out and if they have another 650 people in this area it will only cause more problems. The other buildings in the area are only two stories high. There is some mention in the staff report of a four-lane Flying Cloud Drive, and he inquired when this would be constructed. He also wanted to know what would happen with the intersection of Flying Cloud Drive and Crosstown Circle. Franzen responded that the expansion of Flying Cloud Drive to four lanes was scheduled to occur within the 1999-2005 time frame, but it was difficult to specify an exact date when this would occur. The roadway was designed to serve the businesses that are on that road according to the traffic projections at the time the area was platted. PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES August 10, 1998 Page 4 Larry Voehl, 9202 Breckenridge Lane, stated he owns the building with the beverage company and they are also concerned about the traffic because they have problems now and they need more accesses into the area. The surveyors cut branches off their trees and the soil boring people drove across their lawn to gain access to this site, and they want to be sure this does not continue. Clinton asked if staff had any information regarding how the ramp meters were adjusted and Franzen responded he understood the sequence was based on the total numbers of cars that were on the highways at a given time of day. Clinton commented the ramp meters cause the back-up problems but the City cannot change that. Alexander commented she liked the concept and felt it was a very nice building, but she was also concerned about the traffic in this area. She asked if it would be possible to shift times so people were not all trying to leave or arrive at the same time, and Kretman responded they have developed traffic management plans in conjunction with the neighbors to facilitate a smooth traffic flow through the area with other developments and were willing to do that with this one as well. Habicht commented he supported the project with the exception of the traffic issue. Franzen commented that on a property zoned office the City must allow the proponent to construct what they are entitled to under the Ordinance. In other similar situations where the plan exceeds the site coverage allowed by code the City has required the developer to pay for the costs of the needed roadway improvements. He suggested the proponents do a traffic study prior to City Council review of the project to look at the access and some changes that could be made. MOTION: Sandstad moved, seconded by Lewis, to close the Public Hearing. Motion carried 7-0. MOTION: Sandstad moved, seconded by Lewis, to recommend to the City Council approval of the request of Continental Property Group for Planned Unit Development Concept Review on 10.92 acres, Planned Unit Development District Review on 10.92 acres, Zoning District Amendment in the Office Zoning District on 10.92 acres, and site Plan Review on 10.92 acres based on plans dated August 7, 1998 and subject to the recommendations of the Staff Report dated August 7, 1998 with the additional stipulation that the Planning Commission strongly recommends that the proponent cooperate with the City in reevaluating the existing cul-de-sac to see if there is any way to improve the traffic situation. Motion carried 7-0. Franzen noted this item would be scheduled for City Council review on September 1, 1998 and there would be time to identify any improvements that could be made before then. V. PUBLIC MEETING VI. MEMBERS' REPORTS PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES August 10, 1998 Page 5 Clinton commented he had been approached by several children who were circulating a petition to save Staring Lake and he asked if staff had any knowledge of such a petition. Franzen responded he had not heard of one. Clinton inquired about the status of the landscaping around the City Center and what the status was for that and Franzen responded he would have a report for the Commission at their next meeting. Dorn noted there was an old abandoned house across from Super America on Flying Cloud Drive and Pioneer Trail and he asked if the City could do something to make the entrance to Eden Prairie more attractive. Franzen responded he would look into it and have information for the Commission at the next meeting. Clinton asked about directional signs to the mall. Franzen responded he would have an answer at the next meeting. Foote stated he had spend the past two weeks driving around the country and looking at other cities, and from what he had observed, he thought Eden Prairie does an excellent job of planning the City. Clinton commented he had been in Arlington,Virginia and he was impressed with the way they have blended their commercial and residential areas together so it is not obvious where one begins and the other ends. VII. CONTINUING BUSINESS VIII. NEW BUSINESS IX. PLANNERS' REPORTS Franzen noted there were several items scheduled for the next meeting, which include the new fire station, a small addition to the Assembly of God Church on Duck Lake Trail, and the Villas At Purgatory Creek on Sunnybrook Road. X. ADJOURNMENT MOTION: Clinton moved, seconded by Habicht to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried 7-0. The meeting adjourned at 8:45 p.m.