HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council - 11/14/2017 APPROVED MINUTES
EDEN PRAIRIE CITY COUNCIL MEETING
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2017 7:00 PM, CITY CENTER
Council Chamber
8080 Mitchell Road
CITY COUNCIL: Mayor Nancy Tyra-Lukens, Council Members Brad
Aho, Sherry Butcher Wickstrom, Ron Case, and
Kathy Nelson
CITY STAFF: City Manager Rick Getschow, Public Works Director
Robert Ellis, Community Development Director Janet
Jeremiah, Parks and Recreation Director Jay
Lotthammer, City Attorney Ric Rosow, and Council
Recorder Jan Curielli
I. CALL THE MEETING TO ORDER
Mayor Tyra-Lukens called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. All Council Members were
present.
II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
III. OPEN PODIUM INVITATION
IV. PROCLAMATIONS/PRESENTATIONS
A. 2017 SUSTAINABLE EDEN PRAIRIE AWARDS
Marisa Bayer, Community Development Coordinator, gave a PowerPoint
presentation about the Sustainable Eden Prairie Award which recognizes significant
and innovative investments that contribute to the overall vitality and sustainability of
the community. The four categories of the award reflect the four Sustainable Eden
Prairie focus areas: energy, landscape, water, and waste. Eligibility criteria includes
property improvements and organized initiatives so both physical improvements and
behavioral changes can be recognized. She said members of the Conservation
Commission will introduce the 2017 award recipients.
Conservation Commission Member Dan Katzenberger and Mayor Tyra-Lukens
presented the award for the focus area of energy to representatives of the Eden
Prairie Schools for their significant efforts in reducing energy usage in the schools.
Commission Member Nate Pischke and Mayor Tyra-Lukens presented the award for
the landscape focus area to Joanne Bartel who was recognized for her use of native
plantings and rain gardens in her home landscaping. Commission Member Amanda
Anderson and Mayor Tyra-Lukens presented the award for the focus area of water to
representatives of the Pioneer Trails Homeowners Association for their efforts to
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November 14, 2017
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reduce their water usage for irrigation. Commission Member Michael Bennett and
Mayor Tyra-Lukens presented two awards for the focus area of waste: the first award
was presented to representatives of Flying Dutchman Spirits for the innovative use
of by-products from their distilling operations; and the second was presented to a
representative of Early Childhood TerraCycle Recyling for implementing a program
to recycle food waste in the Early Childhood programs.
Tyra-Lukens thanked the recipients of the awards and challenged others in the
community to consider ways to improve sustainability in Eden Prairie.
B. 2016 LIFE SAFETY ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
Chief Esbensen introduced State Fire Marshal Bruce West and Assistant Fire Chief
Becki White, the architect of the Eden Prairie fire safety education program. Fire
Marshal West reviewed the criteria for awarding the National Association of State
Fire Marshals' Life Safety Achievement Award and presented the 2016 award to
Chief Esbensen and Assistant Chief White in recognition of the efforts made by the
Eden Prairie Fire Department to promote fire safety education.
C. ACCEPT DONATION FROM STATE FARM COMPANIES FOUNDATION
ON BEHALF OF GORDON WILLIAMS (Resolution No. 2017-11)
Lotthammer said this has been a recurring donation from State Farm Companies
Foundation in recognition of the volunteer work done by Gordon Williams at the
Eden Prairie Senior Center.
Tyra-Lukens thanked State Farm Companies Foundation and noted we have received
this donation from them on behalf of Mr. Williams yearly since at least 1994.
MOTION: Nelson moved seconded by Butcher Wickstrom, to adopt Resolution
No. 2017-11 accepting the donation of$500 from State Farm Companies
Foundation on behalf of Gordon Williams. Motion carried 5-0.
V. APPROVAL OF AGENDA AND OTHER ITEMS OF BUSINESS
Case added Item XIV.A.1.
MOTION: Butcher Wickstrom moved, seconded by Aho, to approve the agenda as
amended. Motion carried 5-0.
VI. MINUTES
A. COUNCIL WORKSHOP HELD TUESDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2017
MOTION: Butcher Wickstrom moved, seconded by Nelson, to approve the minutes
of the City Council workshop held Tuesday, October 17, 2017. Motion carried 5-0.
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B. CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD TUESDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2017
MOTION: Case moved, seconded by Aho, to approve the minutes of the City
Council meeting held Tuesday, October 17, 2017. Motion carried 5-0.
VII. REPORTS OF ADVISORY BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS
VIII. CONSENT CALENDAR
A. CLERK'S LICENSE LIST
B. ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 2017-12 APPROVING FINAL PLAT OF
BLUFFS WEST FOURTEENTH ADDITION
C. APPROVE PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH WSB &
ASSOCIATES FOR DESIGN OF SINGLETREE LANE SOUTH
STREETSCAPE IMPROVEMENTS
D. APPROVE PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH WSB &
ASSOCIATES FOR DESIGN OF SINGLETREE LANE NORTH
STREETSCAPE IMPROVEMENTS
E. APPROVE PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH BADGER
STATE INSPECTIONS LLC FOR ENGINEERING AND INSPECTION
SERVICES OF HIDDEN PONDS WATER TOWER RECOATING PROJECT
F. APPROVE THIRD AMENDMENT TO LIQUOR STORE LEASE AT
PRAIRIE VILLAGE MALL LOCATION
G. APPROVE REVISED JOINT POWERS AGREEMENT WITH I-494
CORRIDOR COMMISSION
H. APPROVE PURCHASE OF STORAGE AREA NETWORK FROM XIGENT
SOLUTIONS LLC
I. AWARD CONTRACT FOR TRENCH DRAIN REPLACEMENT AT FIRE
STATION 3 TO FLAG BUILDERS OF MINNESOTA INC.
J. DECLARE OBSOLETE ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT AS SURPLUS
K. APPROVE INTERFAITH UNDERSTANDING DAY PROCLAMATION
Aho said Item VIII.G. should be pulled from the agenda because there are some
changes necessary to the document.
MOTION: Case moved, seconded by Butcher Wickstrom, to approve Items A-F
and H-K on the Consent Calendar. Motion carried 5-0.
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IX. PUBLIC HEARINGS/MEETINGS
A. ARBY'S by Arc Vision, Inc. Request for Site Plan Review on 1.14 Acres. Location:
560 Prairie Center Drive.
Getschow said the applicant is proposing an interior and exterior remodel of the
current Arby's restaurant. The applicant will be making changes to update the
building which was built in 1989. The proposed changes include a change to the
exterior building fagade, resurfacing and restriping of the parking lot, a new
sidewalk connection, and updating landscaping to replace landscaping that has been
removed over the years.
John Wahlberg, representing Arc Vision, Inc., described the proposed changes and
showed plans for the building remodel and the landscaping update.
Tyra-Lukens asked Mr. Wahlberg to review the landscape plan. Mr. Wahlberg
reviewed the plan and noted the large amount of landscaping proposed in the loop
area, an island in the parking lot with plantings, tree plantings at various other spots,
and landscaping around the building.
Aho asked if the trees indicated on the plan are maple trees. Mr. Wahlberg replied
they are.
Nelson said it was great they are improving the landscaping and are making changes
for ADA compliance. She asked if they will be open during the remodeling. Mr.
Wahlberg said they expect the project to last four to five weeks. The drive-through
should remain open the entire time, but the lobby will be shut down for a short time.
There were no comments from the audience.
MOTION: Case moved, seconded by Aho, to close the public hearing, and to
direct staff to prepare an amendment to the developer's agreement incorporating
staff recommendations and Council conditions. Motion carried 5-0.
B. FEDEX by Windsor Plaza LLC. Planned Unit Development District Review on 0.24
Acres; Request for Site Plan Review on 0.24 Acres. Location: 11993 Singletree
Lane. (Ordinance for PUD District Review)
Getschow said this project is a proposed construction of a 6,336 square foot FedEx
store to complete the north building pad of the Windsor Plaza building. This newly
constructed tenant space will be occupied by FedEx, which is relocating from Flying
Cloud Drive and Eden Road due to the LRT project acquisition.
Douglas Lo Pinto, representing Olympic Ventures, LLC, gave a PowerPoint
presentation about the project. He said the traffic study they commissioned showed
that the project will not significantly change traffic in the area. They will be
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implementing the last stage of the landscaping plan for the PUD as part of the
project.
Aho asked how the 6336 square foot space relates to FedEx's current size. Mr. Lo
Pinto replied it is similar but a little larger. Aho asked if they will be giving the same
level of service as they provide at the current location. Mr. Lo Pinto replied there
will be little change except to add some training and education services.
Nelson asked if there will be parking spots at the door for their customers. Mr. Lo
Pinto responded there will be two reserved stalls.
There were no comments from the audience.
MOTION: Butcher Wickstrom moved, seconded by Case, to close the public
hearing; to approve first reading of the ordinance for Planned Unit Development
District review on 0.24 acres; and to direct staff to prepare an amendment to the
developer's agreement incorporating staff recommendations and Council
conditions. Motion carried 5-0.
C. FIRST READING OF AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CITY CODE
CHAPTER 11 RELATING TO SELF-STORAGE FACILITIES
Getschow said current City Code does not provide a definition for a self-storage
facility nor does it list a self-storage facility as a permitted use in any specific zoning
district. Historically, self-storage facilities have been interpreted as similar to a
warehouse use and have been permitted in the Industrial zoning districts and, in one
instance, in the Commercial zoning district.
Jeremiah said there are four existing self-storage facilities in the City, and those
facilities are fairly well dispersed throughout the community. The proposed code
amendment is intended to maintain the highest and best land use in the industrial and
commercial districts and to provide for land uses consistent with the comprehensive
guide plan. Staff recommends that self-storage facilities be added as a permitted use
in the Industrial General (I-Gen) zoning district in order to allow opportunities in
areas that are underserved,particularly the area north of Hwy 5 and west of Mitchell
Road.
Jeremiah reviewed maps that showed the possible locations in each of the City's I-2,
I-5, and I-Gen zoning districts. She noted the existing four facilities could continue
to operate indefinitely. She said the I-2 and I-5 districts are seen as high-tech
industrial areas, so we want to preserve those more for futuristic use. She noted self-
storage facilities tend to alter the walkability of an area if they are located in a
commercial district. The proposed permitted use would provide opportunities for the
future but would prevent a proliferation of such facilities in the future.
Tyra-Lukens commented the staff recommendation is to allow this in the I-Gen
district, yet the Planning Commission voted 4-2 to allow the facilities in the I-2 and
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I-5 districts as well. Jeremiah believed the actual recommendation was to allow the
facilities in the I-Gen, I-2, I-5 and Commercial districts.
Tyra-Lukens asked Ms Jeremiah to condense the discussion at the Planning
Commission meeting and to explain why they wanted to allow the facilities in
additional districts when there would be 18 properties available for such facilities in
the I-Gen district. Jeremiah said there was a lot of discussion about housing, the
future of housing that might lead to higher demand for self-storage facilities, and if
we were being more limiting than we should be. There was also a lot of discussion
about these facilities being demand-driven, so that we may need more of these types
of facilities in the future. She said staff s concern is that we could lose sight of our
goals for the future by allowing a proliferation of these facilities in additional areas
There was not a lot of discussion regarding walkability in commercial areas, but the
existing site in the commercial district is not in a highly walkable location.
Aho asked if staff did any kind of survey of the level of occupancy at the existing
four facilities in order to justify how many new facilities might be built. Jeremiah
replied she did not know that we asked that question. We did provide a letter to each
of the existing facilities to let them know this was going on. We have not heard from
any of the existing facilities that they have a need to expand.
Aho asked Ms Jeremiah to address any issues the ordinance would create with the
existing facilities. Jeremiah replied the existing facilities are in the I-2 or
Commercial districts, so they would become nonconforming;however, they would
be able to continue operating indefinitely and could maintain their properties. Aho
asked if they could add additional structures. Jeremiah responded they would need to
request a waiver in order to expand. Tyra-Lukens asked if the facilities have space to
expand. Jeremiah replied it would be possible with a couple of them.
Rosow said expansion is the only thing that they cannot do. They could rebuild a
new building with the same square footage and could replace the entire exterior of
the building.
Case said he was okay with just allowing the facilities on I-Gen district properties,
but he was not okay with expanding out into the entire Golden Triangle area. He
thought he could go with I-5 if we wanted some additional areas,but he would prefer
just to keep it at I-Gen. He did not understand why the Planning Commission would
want to expand the areas to include I-2.
Nelson believed it is important to keep some areas open for high-tech companies and
the good jobs they provide. She did not think storage facilities provide many jobs,
nor are their jobs high paying. She believed most apartments provide their own
storage facilities. She would like to keep areas like the Golden Triangle open for
companies that provide good opportunities for employment. She was comfortable
with the recommendations of the staff report.
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Butcher Wickstrom noted she has two storage units at one of the facilities. Self-
storage facilities are a wonderful business and are needed in the community, but she
agreed the I-Gen district is as far as she wanted to go. She believed that is why we do
all the planning and discussion of Transit Oriented Development and high-tech
future growth. She would hate to see something happen to cause us to lose an
opportunity for a different business to come in.
There were no comments from the audience.
MOTION: Nelson moved, seconded by Case, to close the public hearing, and to
approve the first reading of the ordinance to amend City Code Section 11.02 and
11.30 defining self-storage facilities and allow as a permitted use in the Industrial
General (I-Gen) Zoning District. Motion carried 5-0.
D. FIRST READING OF AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CITY CODE
CHAPTER 11 RELATING TO CONDITIONAL USE PERMITS AND
WIRELESS COMMUNICATION SERVICES AND EQUIPMENT
Getschow said in May, 2017, the Minnesota State Legislature adopted a state law
relating to siting of small wireless telecommunication facilities in the public rights-
of-way. We updated our ordinance to cover how we would deal with that law.
Another piece of the new law grants wireless providers the ability to locate their
facilities as a permitted use in the right-of-way, except a city may require a
conditional use permit(CUP) to install a new support structure(s) in rights-of-way
located within single family residential zoning districts. As this is a new provision in
state law, the Zoning Ordinance must be amended to align with the new State
regulations. City staff worked with the City Attorney to draft the code amendments.
There were no comments from the audience.
MOTION: Case moved, seconded by Butcher Wickstrom, to close the public
hearing, and to approve the first reading of the ordinance to amend City Code
Chapter 11 relating to Conditional Use Permits and Wireless Services and
Equipment. Motion carried 5-0.
X. PAYMENT OF CLAIMS
MOTION: Aho moved, seconded by Butcher Wickstrom, to approve the payment of claims
as submitted. Motion was approved on a roll call vote, with Aho, Butcher Wickstrom,
Case, Nelson and Tyra-Lukens voting "aye."
XI. ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS
XII. PETITIONS, REQUESTS,AND COMMUNICATIONS
XIII. APPOINTMENTS
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XIV. REPORTS
A. REPORTS OF COUNCIL MEMBERS
1. Ordinance 97— Council Member Case
Case said he recently had occasion to be out at 6:00 a.m. on two mornings
and heard maintenance run-ups at the airport. He checked with City Manager
Getschow and verified the ordinance did not allow such maintenance run-up
operations to occur until 7:00 a.m. He noted this happened before the time
change from daylight savings time so that was not a factor. He commented he
had an integral part in negotiating Ordinance 97 in 2002. He asked staff to
review what happens when we become aware of noncompliance with the
ordinance, and what happens next if there is noncompliance. He recalled both
sides agreed to fight on the same side to enforce Ordinance 97. He noted this
is a separate question from the issues regarding the massive amount of traffic
expected at the airport for the Super Bowl. The other Council Members
concurred with his request for a staff review of the situation.
B. REPORT OF CITY MANAGER
C. REPORT OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR
D. REPORT OF PARKS AND RECREATION DIRECTOR
E. REPORT OF PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR
F. REPORT OF POLICE CHIEF
G. REPORT OF FIRE CHIEF
H. REPORT OF CITY ATTORNEY
XV. OTHER BUSINESS
XVI. ADJOURNMENT
MOTION: Butcher Wickstrom moved, seconded by Case, to adjourn the meeting. Motion
carried 5-0. Mayor Tyra-Lukens adjourned the meeting at 8:07 p.m.