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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPlanning Commission - 07/22/2002 APPROVED MINUTES EDEN PRAIRIE COMMUNITY PLANNING BOARD MONDAY,JULY 22, 2002 7:00 P.M., CITY CENTER Council Chambers 8080 Mitchell Road BOARD MEMBERS: Ken Brooks, Frantz Corneille, Randy Foote, Vicki Koenig, Fred Seymour, Kathy Nelson, Dave Steppat, Ray Stoelting, Paul Sodt. STAFF MEMBERS: Stu Fox, Manager of Parks and Natural Resources Alan Gray, City Engineer Scott Kipp, Senior Planner Danette Moore, Planner I. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE—ROLL CALL Chair Corneille called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Present: Chair Corneille, Commissioners Foote, Koenig, Nelson, Stoelting, Seymour, and Steppat. II. APPROVAL OF AGENDA MOTION by Nelson, second by Stoelting to approve the agenda. Motion carried, 7-0. III. MINUTES A. MINUTES OF THE COMMUNITY PLANNING BOARD MEETING IV. PUBLIC HEARINGS A. BLUFF COUNTRY VILLAGE AMENDMENT The public hearing opened at 7:00 p.m. Beth Simonsted with Trek Development representing Hustad Companies said the board directed them to reduce the height/mass of building, reorient/redesign outdoor dining/remove drive/regrade berm, add landscaping, add landscaping to berm to the northeast, and justify additional units. The roof pitch is reduced. The building height is reduced from 45 feet to 39 feet. This is an approximate reduction of one story. The approved senior housing building was 42 feet, so this is 3.5 lower than what was approved. The restaurant patio is located to the west and behind a retaining wall added. The landscaping/screening was increased. The Community Planning Board Minutes July 22, 2002 Page 2 of 5 drive—through and bank options have been removed. On the northeast site, a berm, play area, and 10-12 foot conifers were added. The office building was reduced by 900 square feet. The justification for additional units is that the previous 40 units did not have enough amenities to be competitive in the marketplace. Brian Clutz, architect, showed visual drawings and graphics. Franzen noted this project had many issues to resolve. There were tree loss issues that were mitigated by dedicating land to the City,buffer zones created for transition to single family areas, roads not connected to reduce traffic through existing neighborhoods, and total traffic reduce by eliminating the gas station. Franzen added that until it is built, the developer could request an amendment, however the City is not obligated to approve the change. Although traffic is higher than the approved plan, the roads have the capacity to handle it. Visual impacts and sight lines have been considered since the office and daycare is taller than the existing noise wall. Franzen stated that the tradeoff for the height waiver is better architecture,higher standards, and more attention to detail. The staff report gives approval and denial options. Denial is based on the guide plan change and waivers inconsistent with approved plan. Richard Sholteck, 3415 Lake Johanna Boulevard in Arden Hills, works for Wooddale Realty, is selling homes in Bluff Country Village. Probably 100 people have looked at the plans and he has heard many positive comments. It was very well received by potential buyers. Bruce Webster, 9953 Balmoral Lane, stated at the last meeting he objected to a four story building in a neighborhood setting. Only the appearance is altered with the roof line change. The amount of space still exceeds the 50,000 square foot limit. Traffic and noise may still impose on the neighborhood. Office and daycare are categorized as non-commercial but should be considered commercial. Live/ work units should be counted as non-residential. Office space is increasing from zero to 18,000 square feet. He suggested the plan be rejected. Franzen noted the receipt of two letters. One from John Goldstein supported the project because of its architecture, amenities, and convenience. One from Kim Lindquist on Balmoral lane opposes the project because of its intensity, size, appropriateness of use, and neighborhood preferred the approved plan. Nelson inquired whether a community room was included, its size and who would be able to use it. 2 Community Planning Board Minutes July 22, 2002 Page 3 of 5 Beth Simonsted, developer stated it would be a part of the community. Adjacent homeowners could utilize for association meetings. It will be a part of the fitness/community area. They would like to include a fireplace. Brian Clutz, architect added the community room is 1,500 square feet. Steppat asked for a review of amenities. Simonsted stated a lap pool, locker rooms, fitness/aerobics area, and a community room. She would like it to be a full-service facility that the neighbors could be a part of. Stoelting asked staff to summarize the issues for the Board. Franzen explained the guide plan change from neighborhood commercial to office east of Hennepin Town Lane Road. Daycare and office are permitted uses in the neighborhood commercial setting. Guiding it office precludes a retail use in the neighborhood. The PUD amendment is rearranging the location and type of uses on the property. The waivers are for height and floor area. The maximum is 30 feet in neighborhood commercial. Koenig asked about long —term neighborhood use of the amenities and how it would work in the development agreement. Simonsted noted in order for them to be competitive, they must provide the amenity. This is something she would like to provide to the Bluff Country Village. Corneille noted there were positive aspects of this plan such as improved architecture, increased buffer, benefits such as the fitness center. Steppat stated there had been many compromises with the project and changes have been made in good faith. He is stilll uncomfortable with the office building but everything else fits. Nelson inquired about potential retail uses. Franzen noted uses such as a small restaurant, a video store, bookstores, grocery and general retail. A 10,000 square foot restaurant would not be possible since there is not enough parking. Foote stated this was a difficult project. The architecture and layout were much better. He wanted to see views from the existing neighborhood. He still thinks the building is too intense; it may be similar to Lincoln Park, which looks too big. 3 Community Planning Board Minutes July 22, 2002 Page 4 of 5 MOTION by Nelson, second by Stoelting to close the public hearing. Motion carried, 7-0. The public hearing closed at 7:45 p.m. MOTION by Steppat, second by Stoelting to approve Bluff Country Village Amendment by Hustad Land. Request for Comprehensive Guide Plan Change from Neighborhood Commercial to Office on 3.0 acres, Planned Unit Development Concept Amendment on 8.8 acres, Planned Unit Development District Review on 8.8 acres, Zoning District Amendment within the Neighborhood Commercial Zoning District on 5.8 acres, Rezoning from Neighborhood Commercial to Office on 3.0 acres, Site Plan Review on 8.8 acres, and Preliminary Plat of 8.8 acres into 3 lots. Location: Hennepin Town Road and Pioneer Trail according to the recommendations in the staff report. Corneille requested a roll call vote: Ayes: Corneille, Stoelting, Seymour, Steppat; Nays, Nelson, Foote, Koenig. Motion carried, 4-3. IV. MEMBERS' REPORTS Koenig asked whether anyone had seen the Redstone Grill retaining wall. She noted natural vegetation had been removed and asked if it would be replaced. Franzen noted there were a minimum of 40 lowland trees to be planted and a requirement to establish wetland vegetation. This is part of their mitigation plan. The City has a 2-year guarantee on general landscaping and 5 years on wetland mitigation. Foote inquired whether the retaining wall could collapse and the City could be liable. Gray stated in a very heavy rain, it is possible it could fail. He cannot give a legal opinion but based upon discussions he has heard he would say no. The wall is installed under a building permit review. An engineer certifies the design. Koenig inquired about the fountains in the lake. Franzen noted the developer had checked with the DNR and obtained permission. Fox noted it is ornamental and does not provide aeration.. V. CONTINUING BUSINESS 4 Community Planning Board Minutes July 22, 2002 Page 5of5 VI. NEW BUSINESS VII. PLANNERS' REPORTS VIII. ADJOURNMENT MOTION by Stoelting, second by Nelson, to adjourn. Motion carried, 7-0. 5