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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPlanning Commission - 10/13/1987 AGENDA EDEN PRAIRIE PLANNING COMMISSION Tuesday, October 13, 1987 7:J0 p.m. COMMISSION MEMBERS: Chairman Ed Schuck, Richard Anderson, Julianne Bye, Christine Dodge, Doug Fell , Robert Hallett, Charles Ruebling STAFF MEMBERS: Chris Enger, Director of Planning; Michael Franzen, Senior Planner; Don Uram, Assistant Planner; Sue Anderson, Recording Secretary Pledge of Allegiance--Roll Call I . APPROVAL OF AGENDA II. MEMBERS REPORTS III. MINUTES IV. DEVELOPMENT PROPOSALS (7:35) A. MARRIOTT COURTYARD, by Marriott Corporation. Request for Planned Unit Development Concept Amendment on 109.68 acres, Planned Unit Development District Review on 109.68 acres, with variances, Zoning District Change from C-Regional to C-Regional-Service on 4.2 acres, Preliminary Plat of 13.94 acres into 3 lots for construction of a • 149-room hotel. Location: East of U.S . Highway #169, north of I- 494, west of Prairie Center Drive, south of Viking Drive. A public hearing. V. OLD BUSINESS VI . NEW BUSINESS 1 . Landscape Ordinance. 2. I-494 Corridor Study. VII. PLANNER' S REPORT 1. Eden Prairie Downtown. 2. Eden Prairie Height Program. 3. Mission Statement. 4. Development Review Process. VIII. ADJOURNMENT *NOTE: THE TIMES LISTED ABOVE ARE TENTATIVE, AND MAY BE SIGNIFICANTLY EARLIER, OR LATER, THAN LISTED. MINUTES EDEN PRAIRIE PLANNING COMMISSION Tuesday, October 13, 1987 City Council Chambers 7:30 PM MEMBERS PRESENT: Acting Chairman Julianne Bye, Richard Anderson, Douglas Fell, Charles Ruebling MEMBERS ABSENT: Chairman Ed Schuck, Robert Hallett, Christine Dodge STAFF PRESENT: Chris Enger, Director of Planning; Don Uram, Assistant Planner; Sue Anderson, Recording Secretary Pledge of Allegiance - Roll Call I. APPROVAL OF AGENDA MOTION: Motion was made by Fell and seconded by Ruebling to approve the agenda as printed. Motion carried 4-0-0. II. MEMBERS REPORTS • None III. MINUTES MOTION Motion was made by Ruebling and seconded by Fell to approve the minutes of the September 28, 1987 Planning Commission meeting as presented. Motion carried 4-0-0 IV. DEVELOPMENT PROPOSALS A. MARRIOTT COURTYARD, by Marriott Corporation. Request for Planned Unit Development Concept Amendment on 109. 68 acres, Planned Unit Development District Review on 109. 68 acres, with variances, Zoning District Change from C-Regional to C- Regional-Service on 4.2 acres, Preliminary Plat of 13 .94 acres into 3 lots for construction of a 149-room hotel. Location: East of U.S.Highway #169, north of I-494, west of Prairie Center Drive, south of Viking Drive. A public hearing. Dale Beckman, representing the proponent, presented original architectural renderings and explained verbally the revisions for approval as follows: 1. Three-story, 149-room courtyard hotel with overall FAR of 0.44. Eden Prairie Planning Commission----Oct. 13, 1987------------Page 2 2 . Building and parking areas that meet the setback requirements for commercial regional service zoning; along with proof of parking plan totaling 209 parking spaces. 3 . Road access by two driveways off Viking Drive. The easterly driveway will be shared access with a future hotel to the east of the site. The westerly driveway cannot be shared with the restaurant sites to the west because of a grade change. The access to the restaurant sites will be required to line up directly opposite the access into the Crossroads Retail Center. 4. Revision of exterior materials to be 85% brick around the outside perimeter to meet minimum ordinance requirement. Building exterior elevation revisions to break up flatness and massiveness of the walls facing Viking Drive and I-494. 5. Request height variance to 45 feet. The C-Regional Service zoning district permits a maximum building height of 40 feet. 6. Lighting similar in nature to that used at the Crossroads Retail Center. 7. Parking areas screened from I-494 with plantings and berming, smaller berming along Viking Drive, and loading areas are proposed to be screened with a brick wall. • Director of Planning Chris Enger had met with the proponents and agreed on revisions but architectural drawings were not yet completed. This was cause for concern as the Commission has no massing model which would help them feel confident the revisions would indeed meet code. Director Enger, referring to staff report dated October 9th, detailing recommendations to meet Code requirements, stated he was comfortable with the progress after visiting the Marriott in Mendota Heights and has a better understanding of Marriott's intentions. The visit aided in visualizing the courtyard and outer exterior. Director Enger stated he was comfortable with revisions to exterior (85% brick) and building elevations which now provides depth as well as screen wall to generate relief. Kelly Doran, Marketing Representative for Vantage, expressed the hope that the design framework for the Marriott could be approved without the manual being completed by Vantage. Design framework manual, a project required by Vantage Companies, was not submitted. It would take two to three months for Vantage to produce this, even though it was required two projects ago. The design framework manual was to create a planned environment with common exterior materials, signage, lighting, color, plant materials, and pedestrian systems, to tie the area together. In the absence of such a framework, the review for compatibility among uses is on a site by site basis with the first building setting the tone. The Southwest Crossing I building and Crossroads Retail Center, therefore, have an influence on this site. Eden Prairie Planning Commission----Oct. 13, 1987------------Page 3 Doran requested of the Commission to not bind the design framework manual with the Marriott proposal and delay the Marriott. He felt it was two different issues. • Director Enger stated without a manual the color, roof pitch, signage, lighting, etc. , would have to be reviewed independently for each individual development proposal. Frank Kutlak, Design Manager of proponent, stated Marriott's lighting policy is one candle per foot throughout. Director Enger responded that the proposed does not address the issue of light color, whereby some are yellow glow, blue (mercury vapor) , orange, or soft yellow. Commissioner Fell observed that without the manual each development proposal opens another can of worms. When should this have been done? If Commission does have this would other projects be required to comply with Crossroads No. 1 and the Tech Building? Director Enger responded that it was required in the Development Agreement, personnel changed and it slipped through the cracks and was never completed. Commissioner Anderson concerned with parking problems in future asked proponent that as reduction in parking toward the east • becomes a problem will this perpetuate another variance. Director Enger responded that hotels and motels have a smaller amount required for parking and green space is greater than commercial building which does create a balance. Proponent responded if this site setback easement line cuts through site plan that has been prepared altering the corner of the building, they would have to come back and ask for a variance. Commissioner Fell inquired of proponent whether unusual security problems were evident with courtyard. Proponent produced pass card keys that are used by guests of the hotel to enter the courtyard area so general public cannot access the area. Also regarding lighting in the courtyard, proponent stated lighting is not bright. It is a relaxed atmosphere, contour sidewalks, the gazebo is lighted and there are spot lights off 16 balconies overlooking courtyard. Commissioner Fell inquired about snow removal as the courtyard is not enclosed. Proponent responded that there is a drainage system, and 60% of courtyard is sod, so they foresee no problem with snow removal. 40 Commissioner Ruebling requested a rendering showing rooftop insert. The present rendering does not show height of equipment and screening material. Proponents responded that they will indicate with dotted lines the elevation of mechanical equipment. Eden Prairie Planning Commission----Oct. 13, 1987------------Page 4 Commissioner Ruebling further commented that to have the Marriott in Eden Prairie is a marvelous idea. However, by making the plat smaller, it appears there is a lot being placed on this piece of property - it struck him as too much in a tight area. Director Enger interjected that the major issue was the brick and proponents have revised the exterior to comply with City Code. The manual would deal with the small details which have not been rung out; but the major items have been dealt with by Marriott Corporation. Acting Chairman Bye stated good discussion had evolved on this proposal but without manual its hard to review lighting, screening, etc. However, Marriott should not be delayed resolving some of these issues before the Commission passes this on to City Council for approval. Proponent Beckman stated they have worked diligently in making revisions for the Commission. The lighting will match other fixtures in area. They will provide rooftop screening and have worked closely with staff making the development changes. It has been done in good faith, and they are running behind time coming before City Council in December and requested that the Commission not delay approval but approve with conditions and recommenda- tions to provide items needed. Director Enger stated all major items have been taken care of. • Perhaps they could approve with stipulation that they return to Planning Commission with necessary presentation material in order to keep them on their time schedule. Commissioner Anderson responded that it concerned him that the manual was overlooked and Marriott would be held up. Eden Prairie wants a hotel and restaurant and the Commission should back them up as soon as possible and not down the road. Everyone has a timetable and developers who come before Commission and have not provided what the Commission needs to make a sound decision and then say they have a timetable, makes Commission decisions difficult. If proponent representatives do not have time for the creation of the manual, perhaps an analysis of the need, an outline is necessary at this time. Perhaps a two page description of lighting, color compatibility, etc. Commissioner Ruebling asked proponent to come back with Design Framework Manual outline, Massing Model, and Architectural Rendering showing revisions and rooftop mechanical specifications. Commissioner Fell remarked that when proponent balks at extra time, it runs a flag up saying this is a hurry-up project. This should all have been ready ahead of time so the Commission can operate efficiently. James Southwick, Regional Vice President for Development for proponent, stated they have worked closely with Eden Prairie staff to design the building to the level that it meets minimum details. Many delays have been encountered already, and all Eden Prairie Planning commission----Oct. 13, 1987------------Page 5 items have been addressed and solved. Everything, other than providing graphic form, has been presented. They did not anticipate changes required thereby causing the time crunch. Acting Chairman Bye stated that the Commission represents the people. Proponents were asking the Commission to base decisions and vote on something they cannot see so as not to delay their timetable. We stated that the Commission takes their role seriously. They cannot review what they cannot see. Director Enger proposed that Planning Commission delay recommenda- tion to City Council until presentation of massing model and architectural rendering are complete, and proponent presents said material at November 16th meeting; but keep them on schedule with the City Council. Commissioner Ruebling stated there is a mutual agreement on concept but the Commission does not see it; timetables are always present. Kelly Doran, Vantage representative, again requested that Commission not tie the manual to the Marriott proposal. Planning Commission understands the manual will take time as it goes back and forth from Vantage to staff but did request an outline version of design framework manual (minimum two pages) to guide Commission's approval on Marriott. Acting Chairman Bye requested a motion on this proposal. MOTION: Motion was made by Commissioner Fell, seconded by Anderson to continue Marriott Development Proposal until October 26th, to allow proponent time to provide and present an outline of Design Framework Manual to advise this project and to guide City Council, Massing Model, and Architectural Rendering indicating all revisions and rooftop mechanical screening specifications. Further, that staff be directed to publish this item for the November 3, 1987 Council Meeting for public hearing. Motion Carried 4-0-0 V. OLD BUSINESS None VI. NEW BUSINESS Chair asked that staff thank Ann Kenyon for her work as recording secretary and wish her well in her future endeavors. Also thank Kate for her assistance in the past. A. Landscape Ordinance The Board of Appeals recently interpreted the Ordinance to allow plant material to be utilized on the ground to screen rooftop mechanical equipment. Since the Ordinance has been Eden Prairie Planning commission----Oct. 13 , 1987------------Page 6 interpreted in this fashion, but cannot work in this way as a practical matter, Staff has written some clarifying language which will required rooftop screening for rooftop units and allow plant material to be utilized for screening of ground-mounted mechanical units. MOTION: Motion made by Ruebling, seconded by Anderson to recommend approval of amendment to the City Council. Motion Carried 4-0-0 B. I-494 Corridor Study Study on I-494 corridor was released and a brief summary indicated the solution is to build on more lanes in each direction and institute ramp metering. Light rail transit (LRT) is a political issue and Eden Prairie at present time does not have population to warrant reliance on LRT. Advisory meetings for I-494 Traffic Management and Road Improvements are every three weeks and the City should be represented to oversee whether it fits in with our plans. C. Joint Planning Commission--City Council Meeting The City Council has set October 20, 1987 at 6: 00 PM prior to their Council Meeting at 7:30 PM as the joint meeting with the Commission. This joint meeting is at the Commission request and items for discussion should be identified to appear on agenda. Commission desires to address the issue that when a proposal has been denied 0-0-5 and City Council approves it, then the proponent should come back to Planning Commission for review so the development proposal meets City Code. There must be a check and balance. Commission will list and identify items that need to be addressed now to prevent problems in 15-20 years such as parking lots, and slope sites and present to Council at the October 20th meeting. Adjournment at 10: 00 PM Respectfully submitted, Sue Masear Anderson