Planning Commission - 09/14/2020APPROVED MINUTES
EDEN PRAIRIE PLANNING COMMISSION
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2020 7:00 PM—CITY CENTER
Council Chambers
8080 Mitchell Road
COMMISSION MEMBERS: John Kirk, Ann Higgins, Andrew Pieper, Ed Farr,
Michael DeSanctis, Rachel Markos, Carole Mette,
Lisa Toomey, William Gooding
CITY STAFF: Julie Klima, City Planner; Matt Bourne, Manager of
Parks and Natural Resources
I. CALL THE MEETING TO ORDER
Chair Kirk called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – ROLL CALL
Commission members DeSanctis, Pieper, and Farr were absent.
III. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
MOTION: Higgins moved, seconded by Toomey to approve the agenda. MOTION
CARRIED 6-0.
IV. MINUTES
MOTION: Gooding moved, seconded by Markos to approve the minutes of August 10,
2020. MOTION CARRIED 6-0.
V. PUBLIC HEARINGS
VI. PLANNERS’ REPORT
CODE AMENDMENTS OVERVIEW
Klima presented upcoming code amendments for review, giving three categories.
Staff was not looking for any formal action on these, but merely providing
information.
New zoning districts:
This is a similar exercise to the process the Commission went through when the
Parks and Open Space Zoning District was drafted. It includes creating several
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September 14, 2020
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new zoning districts including identifying the purpose of the proposed district,
listing its permitted uses and associated performance standards.
The first new zoning district was the Flex Service Zoning District. This involved
two areas in Eden Prairie guided for this: the Martin Drive area and Pioneer Trail
area in the Aspire Land Use Map. Its objective was to provide an area within the
community that allows for uses that address community need but may not be best
suited for TOD or Town Center areas. Staff was currently drafting this zoning
district. The next step would be stakeholder outreach.
Mette commended the district and noted it was somewhat of a light
retail/destination use district. She mentioned a lighting store with inventory space,
gymnasiums, breweries, and automotive stores as examples. Klima replied
gymnasiums would enter the discussion later in the presentation She noted that
auto sales in Eden Prairie required all storage and inventory to be located inside.
Little outside parking was allowed.
The second zoning district was the Mixed-Use Zoning District. This was located
at and around Eden Prairie Center, and at either end of Martin Drive. This zoning
district was intended to provide for vertical and horizontal mixed-use
development. This was also in the drafting stage at the staff level, and then would
proceed to stakeholder outreach prior to Planning Commission and City Council
review. This district while providing a mix of uses would likely be more auto-
oriented than the mixed uses provided for in the TOD and Town Center zoning
districts.
Mette stated the horizontal versus vertical was important, as vertical development
was not always possible. She was not sure a small parcel could have multiple
uses, especially drive-throughs, but it could be taken as a mixed-use zone. She
suggested limiting the number of facades, perhaps two to a building, that were not
transparent (windowed). Klima replied these issues were addressed at the staff
meeting, and the intent was never to require in the zoning what the marketplace
could not address. Drive-through specifics were still being considered Kirk noted
the City of Minneapolis found a diversity of opinions on drive-throughs.
The last new zoning district presented was the Eco-Innovation Zoning District.
This district in intended to be applied to the former Flying Cloud landfill site and
was intended to provide opportunities for sustainable and innovative reuse of the
landfill site. The ordinance would establish permitted uses and performance
standards. This was currently in drafting stage at the staff level and would also
proceed to stakeholder outreach prior to Planning Commission and City Council
review later this year. Kirk noted there were significant physical limitations on
this piece of land, though it was large, and Klima agreed.
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Higgins stated the City developed some property near this zone which was a
former landfill that was just beginning to become available to the community for
use. She asked if this would be affected by the new zoning. Klima replied this
land was the MOSS Site, which would not be impacted by this new zoning. It was
not intended to be applied to City-owned property but only to landfill site.
However, in the future, the Eco-Innovation district could be requested to be
applied to other properties.
Performance Standard Updates:
Wireless Telecommunications
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) recently updated the Sprint
Spectrum Act, which impacted City Code Chapter 11 relating to existing wireless
communication, support structures and ground equipment. The intent was to
reduce unnecessary review time and eliminate interference in federal, state, and
local review processes. This would provide a streamlined review process and
equitable wire telecommunications infrastructure throughout the United States.
Lighting
This was a housekeeping amendment to reflect in City Code the requirements that
the City of Eden Prairie had implemented through policy and development
agreement requirements. The amendment would likely include: Downcast, cut-
off lighting fixtures and minimizing light spill onto adjacent properties. The
amendment was not proposed to address LED lighting. This may be something
that the Commission or Council would like staff to address in more detail in the
future.
Kirk asked for and received confirmation the code proposal would not address
LED lighting nor its glow. From an energy conservation perspective, this was a
neutral change.
Parking
This code amendment change addressed a variety of items:
Stall and drive aisle dimensions – the proposal is to reduce parking stall length
and drive aisle widths to reflect function, sustainability, and recent trends.
Multifamily – this would address parking requirements based on type of
multifamily unit, such as studio units and senior housing. There were potentials
for incentives for affordable housing related to parking.
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Shopping Centers – this would address parking requirements based on size of
retail centers and tenant mix such as restaurants. The intent was to simplify
parking requirement to manage and administer across tenant uses.
Restaurant Patios – this would provide parking requirements specific to outdoor
dining areas. Retail space parking requirements are currently based on square
footage, but restaurant parking spaces are based on the number of seats, which
was the same both indoors and outdoors. This change would make the
requirements more consistent.
Mette suggested having a definition and a requirement threshold for compact
stalls. She also suggested parking allowances or relief for multifamily
development near a transit area. Enclosed stalls would be affected by the code
amendment change and could present a challenge. Revisiting the 50 percent
requirement after the amendment change should be considered. Mette agreed
developing parking for restaurants was difficult for development.
Kirk stated this would be the toughest challenge and balance for the commission.
Eden Prairie wanted only the parking it truly needed, but this could be difficult to
judge. He supported more research and standards. He noted that he had
previously voted against the Martin Blue project because he did not agree there
was sufficient parking there, but he conceded he was incorrect, whereas the
Tavern 4 and 5 Restaurant has a chaotic parking lot. He stated the commission
had many issues to consider.
Gooding replied parking stalls in the winter could become snow storage. Klima
agreed and stated staff was beginning to consider that. Markos suggested
incentivizing restaurant to deal with water runoff. Klima replied the City’s Design
Guidelines adopted two or three years ago had addressed that.
Group Usable Open Space (GUOS)
This was land area and facilities specifically designated and developed for group
recreational or social activities for multifamily units. The requirements have been
in place since 1969. Multifamily developments have changed over the decades,
potentially leading to an outdated requirement. The City’s objective would be to
continue to require group usable space but amend the ordinance to reflect modern
patterns.
Gross Site Area per Dwelling Unit
This requirement had been in place since 1969. It resulted in increasing site area
with increased density. The intent to provide more land area as density increased,
and the trend was increased density on smaller sites. Most recent projects have
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required a waiver for gross site area per dwelling unit because of the need for
updating this provision.
Mette suggested removing this amendment entirely, as she saw no distinction
between this and density. Klima agreed and stated this was the conversation being
had at the staff level. However, staff wished to make the commission aware of all
the issues. It was possible this could be proposed to be struck out.
Housekeeping Items
Sign Code
This was adopted in 1966. Amending this would make it cleaner and easier to
administer without diminishing the integrity of the code. In 2015, the U.S.
Supreme Court issues its decision in the Reed v. Town of Gilbert case. Cities
could not regulate signs based on their content, only locations, height, size and
number. The object was to identify the “content-based” provision in the sign code
and amend them as necessary. Amending the areas of the code that have been
problematic when administering the code was also to intent.
Mette suggested the addition, to the extent it was permissible, to have a provision
the sign must be well kept, legible and in good condition, along with some
enforcement provision.
Gymnasium Use
Industrial Zoning Districts allow gymnasiums to occupy 100 percent of building
square footage. There is not a definition of gymnasium in the ordinance, allowing
for broad interpretation and utilization of the term and its uses.
Fitness studios, gymnastics studios, swim schools, dance studios, martial arts
studios, etc., were permitted in the Industrial Zoning District under the broader
gymnasium category, and also in the Commercial Zoning District under the
broader retail category. The intent was to provide a definition for gymnasium
which would remove ambiguity and provide for consistency. The proposal was to
continue to allow for gymnasium uses in the Industrial districts but at a reduced
level in order to maintain employment opportunity areas, and also for consistent
application of the zone requirements.
Gooding asked if there were significant gymnasium uses in the Golden Triangle.
Klima replied that staff has notified 18 property owners about the upcoming code
amendment. She listed the Tags Building at West 70th, the Winter Park Facility
and Champions Hall as examples of gymnasiums. Any nonconforming uses
would be governed by State Statue which allows uses to continue and make
improvements but would prohibit expansion. Other impacted properties would be
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able to better understand the percentage requirements in place in the Industrial
zoning districts. Phase II of the process would be to document the existing uses.
Mette agreed with a definition of “gymnasium” but was unsure on limiting such
uses in the Industrial zones. However, she could also see the argument for the
proposal. Klima replied some of the existing uses were not consistent with the
Aspire document.
Miscellaneous Amendments
Kennels in Industrial zones – this would provide clarification that treatment of
animals (e.g., medical) would be allowed as an accessory use within a kennel.
Another would clarify that parking ramps were required to meet minimum
building material standards.
A third potential amendment r would govern Administrative lot splits and
combinations limited to a specific number of parcels.
An amendment would define public art in order to differentiate from signage.
Another would reformat residential districts to place all requirements in one
location rather than multiple locations throughout the Zoning Chapter.
Gooding asked if the gymnasium zoning clarification would consider the area’s
vacancy rate. Klima replied Zoning verification was merely documenting size,
number of bays, uses, etc., especially with mixed uses, and classifications under
the current Code. The intent was to inform the owner of additional options
available and permissible in that district, to prevent a surprise as tenant spaces
were marketed. Gooding asked how the mixed-use requirement near Eden Prairie
Mall, surrounded by residential areas, would be applied. Klima replied the present
Code would not allow for residential units being built near Eden Prairie Mall, but
the Code amendment was intended to allow for that.
VII. MEMBERS’ REPORTS
VIII. ADJOURNMENT
MOTION: Gooding moved, seconded by Mette to adjourn. MOTION CARRIED 6-0.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:10p.m.