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HomeMy WebLinkAboutBoard of Adjustments and Appeals - 11/13/1997 APPROVED MINUTES BOARD OF ADJUSTMENTS AND APPEALS THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 1997 7:30 P.M. CITY CENTER COUNCIL CHAMBERS 8080 MITCHELL ROAD BOARD OF APPEALS MEMBERS: Chair Kathy Nelson, Cliff Dunham, Delavan Dye, William Ford, Louis Giglio, Matthew Hansen,Michael O'Leary STAFF LIAISON: Zoning Administrator Steve Durham and City Recorder Barbara Anderson CALL TO ORDER Chair Nelson called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. ROLL CALL All members were present. • I. APPROVAL OF AGENDA MOTION: Dye moved, seconded by Giglio, to approve the agenda as submitted. Motion carried 7-0. II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - October 9. 1997 MOTION: Dye moved, seconded by Dunham, to approve the October 9, 1997 Minutes of the Board of Adjustment and Appeals as submitted. Motion carried 7-0. III. VARIANCES A. Request #97-19 by Eaton Corporation for property located at 15151 Highway 5, Eden Prairie to permit two (2) temporary office modular units for one year adjacent to Building#1 with 100%wood exterior(minus the windows). City Code requires in the I-5 zoning district exterior building material of face brick, natural stone, glass, specially designed precast concrete units if surfaces have been integrally treated with an applied decorative material or texture and smooth concrete block if scored at least twice, rock face. Jim Algren,representing Eaton Corporation, stated they are requesting a continuance of • the variance to allow the two modular units to remain on the site for another year. Their plans have changed substantially because they have been informed that Highway 212 construction was going to proceed and they have previously thought it was not going to happen for a number of years. The construction of Highway 212 will greatly impact their BOARD OF ADJUSTMENTS AND APPEALS NOVEMBER 13, 1997 • Page 2 site and they are undecided as yet how they wish to proceed. The need for the additional office space remains, and the project which necessitated these units will not be completed until the year 2000. They need additional time to decide if they will relocate the offices or expand the existing buildings on the site. Giglio asked if a year would be adequate for them to decide what they will do and Algren responded that he could not say but they were asking for a year to give them a chance to figure out what they want to do at this point. Dunham asked when they learned the Highway 212 construction was going to proceed and Algren responded they learned of this last March. They were aware of these plans but not that it would be happening as soon as it will. Dunham asked what they had done during the interim regarding development of plans or the site, and Algren responded they have been looking at their options to see what they are and then make a decision. There plan was to expand to the south but the highway construction makes that option impossible, so they must find another solution. Dunham commented he was concerned that they had not done anything to reach a decision during this time they have known about the roadway and he was concerned that they would come back again in a year requesting another extension for the variance. He noted that "temporary"means they will eventually go away. Hansen inquired if MnDOT had told them the land would be lost permanently or • temporarily through an easement and Algren responded that it will be permanent and will impact the large parking lot on the south side of the building. The amount of land which will be acquired is about 8 acres in size. Dunham asked if they had considered a parking ramp and Algren responded it was among the options they are looking at. Dye commented there is a lot of hardsurface parking in Eden Prairie which impacts the environment and there may be some options available to them which would be somewhat cost recoverable from MnDOT. Nelson stated she was concerned about how permanent these temporary structures were going to be and she would like to have this resolved within a year. She asked what options they were considering and Algren responded they have been looking at other sites because they have other divisions located elsewhere within Eden Prairie. Johnson gave the staff report and noted that the variance would expire on November 14, 1997. Staff has done parking checks and there do not appear to be any parking problems on the site. Foote asked if there had been any substantial change in the situation and Johnson responded it appeared to be much the same situation as last year. Dunham asked if they had reached agreement with MnDOT as to the value of the property which would be taken. Algren responded it was something that would be taken into consideration but he did not believe it has been resolved at this time. Dunham asked what occurs in the buildings and Algren responded they were used as office space. He ireviewed the projects which are going on within these units and that it involved. The office needs to be on site because they interrelate with the other employees that are also located on this site. Nelson inquired how many people were working in the temporary offices and Algren BOARD OF ADJUSTMENTS AND APPEALS NOVEMBER 13, 1997 Page 3 responded there are probably about 30 in both buildings. Most of these people are under contract and they come and go. They are working with a new computer system that will address the Year 2000 issue regarding the implication of the century change, and this may take up to three years to complete. Ford inquired if they would come back to the Board requesting another extension next year and Algren responded he could not say because they have many decisions to make and it takes much time and thought to reach these decisions. Their corporation and physical plant will grow and they sill still need this space after the Year 2000. Hansen asked if they would look at some smaller expansions rather than one large expansion and Algren stated he did not know all the alternatives that would be considered. O'Leary commented it would be prudent to ask for an extension for three years as it appears they will be coming back again for an additional extension. Johnson commented the request was only published for a one year period, and that was all they could approve it for at this time. The Public Hearing was opened. No one wished to speak. • The Public Hearing was closed. MOTION: Dye moved, seconded by Dunham, to grant variance #97-19 for Eaton Corporation to permit two temporary office modular units for one year adjacent to building #1 based on the hardship created by the construction of Highway 212 and the extension is needed to give them time to make plans for their future, subject to the following conditions: 1. The variance is granted for two 24'X 60'modular units. 2. The variance is granted for a one year time frame, or until 11/13/98. 3. No additional signs units may be added without review by Board. Motion carried 7-0. IV. OLD BUSINESS Johnson stated there was no action taken on the Moore Leasing variance appeal as Mr. Moore submitted a letter requesting the item be continued until the November 18, 1997 City Council agenda. • V. NEW BUSINESS The Human Rights and Diversity Commission requested that all Boards and Commissions answer the questions on the Diversity Training Survey enclosed in the packet. y 1 . BOARD OF ADJUSTMENTS AND APPEALS NOVEMBER 13, 1997 Page 4 The Board reviewed the questions and answers were noted upon the survey form. VI. ADJOURNMENT MOTION: The meeting adjourned at p.m.