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Planning Commission - 08/12/2019APPROVED MINUTES EDEN PRAIRIE PLANNING COMMISSION MONDAY, AUGUST 12, 2019 7:00 PM—CITY CENTER Council Chambers 8080 Mitchell Road COMMISSION MEMBERS: John Kirk, Charles Weber, Ann Higgins, Andrew Pieper, Ed Farr, Michael DeSanctis, Christopher Villarreal, Carole Mette, Balu Iyer CITY STAFF: Beth Novak-Krebs, City Planner; Rod Rue, City Engineer; Kristin Harley, Recording Secretary I. CALL THE MEETING TO ORDER Chair Pieper called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – ROLL CALL Commission members Villarreal and Weber were absent. III. APPROVAL OF AGENDA MOTION: Iyer moved, seconded by both Higgins and DeSanctis to approve the agenda. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. Letter requesting continuance of Costco IV. MINUTES MOTION: Farr moved, seconded by Kirk to approve the minutes of July 22, 2019 with the change to offer more context of Pieper’s comment on pedestrians’ versus motorists view of the proposed SouthWest Station Retail sign. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. V. PUBLIC HEARINGS A. MILLER PROPERTY Request for:  Planned Unit Development Concept Review on 9.73 acres  Planned Unit Development District Review with waivers on 9.73 acres  Zoning District Change from R1-13.5 to R1-9.5 on 9.73 acres  Preliminary Plat of one lot into seventeen lots on 9.73 acres Steve Schwieters of Wooddale Builders Minnesota presented a PowerPoint and explained the application. The 9.7 acre property would be divided into 17 single PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES August 12, 2019 Page 2 family lots. The property, currently zoned R1-13.5, would be rezoned to R1-9.5, which allows for a maximum density of 3.5 units per acre whereas the project proposed a density of 1.74 units per acre. Outlot A is proposed to be deeded to the City to preserve the wetland and wetland buffer area. Schwieters likened this project to the Stable Path project: it was built as an empty-nester community, with one-level living in custom designed, villa-style homes with full basements. However, this would have a higher price point, at $850,000.00 to one million dollars. The average lot would be 64 feet wide and each would have side-loaded garages. Some would have a 2.5-car garage, with the majority having three-car garages like Stable Path. Schwieters worked with staff on tree removal and replacement and on sand removal. A neighborhood meeting was held in June, and residents raised concerns about the number of units, the density, and the water drainage areas. Residents to the south get a lot of water during rainfall and in winter, and Schwieters worked with staff to retain water on property. Schwieters displayed various elevations showing the two-car side loaded garage, front porch, steep roofs, and the “cottage” style. The design would allow a loft inside the roof. Each landscape plan would be customized and the applicant would be replacing approximately500 trees. Farr noted most side yard variance requests asked for five- and ten-foot sides and asked why a waiver of 7.5- and 7.5-feet was requested. Schwieters replied this allowed for more flexibility and in most cases there would be more than 7.5- and 7.5 feet on the sides. Farr asked if the HOA would allow fences between properties, and Schwieters replied it would not. Farr encouraged Schwieters to allow service vehicles to be able to get through between houses. Schwieters replied this was possible but highly unlikely as there would be retaining walls off the front porches and staircases. There could be electric fences for dogs, but no rear or side fences, and no pools allowed, only hot tubs. Mette approved of the side-load garages. She asked Schwieters to explain what the community could expect in terms of traffic during construction. Schwieters replied the workers would be hauling loads of dirt and sand, which would contribute most of the traffic. Then there would be carpenters and the normal traffic associated with construction. He anticipated closing on the property in late September, and acquiring a permit to grade the property, clear trees and haul dirt in late September or early October for two weeks between the hours of 7:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. There would be daily street cleaning. Again, it would be similar to the Stable Path project. DeSanctis found it laudable to save some of the larger caliper black cherry trees. He asked Schwieters to consider native pollinators in the landscape plan, as a butterfly and bee habitat was crucial. Schwieters replied he had not considered that but would be willing to work with staff. DeSanctis asked, given the price point, if Schwieters would consider spec homes with solar shingles or panels. PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES August 12, 2019 Page 3 Schwieters replied that was always a thought in the background, but he had not done much of it. Recently he completed a house on Lake Minnetonka with solar panel, but it was not one of Wooddale’s standard features. Electric car charging units would be included. DeSanctis asked if there could be permeable driveways and Schwieters replied he planned to use concrete for a higher-end look. Permeable was not considered but he would be willing to consider using pavers. DeSanctis asked if it was possible to allocate space for a community garden, and Schwieters replied there was an option off the walkouts for a small privacy fence with plantings. The properties would have a lot of open space in front but mostly trees and prairie grass to the back. Iyer asked for the stormwater management capacity of the project. Schwieters introduced the engineer, Robert Molstad, who explained an infiltration basin would be built which would capture the water. At Farr’s request Molstad explained the drain tile system on the east property line. Farr suggested Molstad consider angling roof lines to maximize the water collected. Molstad displayed the infiltration basin on the plan and explained each home would receive a free rain barrel with a package and a brochure to explain usage. Farr urged that the heritage Burr Oak scheduled for cutting on Lot 6 at the southwest corner be saved, if possible. Schwieters agreed this could be done. Novak-Krebs presented the planners report. The applicant was seeking several PUD waivers for the property: a reduction of front yard setback from 30 feet to 25 feet; the side yard setbacks of 7.5 feet on each side rather than 10 feet on one side and 5 feet on the other and minimum lot width from 70 feet and 55 feet (for lots located on the bulb of the cul-de-sac) to widths as depicted in the plans. She had received several comment letters from residents expressing concern about density. Staff recommended approval of the project. Higgins asked for and received clarification that the wetland and conservation area outlot would be deeded to the City. Bourne stated this was to preserve the wetland and the City actually owned several adjoining parcels. Kirk asked for details on the future traffic flow. Pieper noted a sharp turn coming out of the development and asked if sight lines would be sufficient. Rue replied the development would generate about 10 additional trips per day per unit including garbage trucks and buses. There would be an increase in traffic during construction. Traffic at completion would not increase significantly, perhaps 5-10 trips per day per unit more. Roberts Drive averaged 1500-2000 trips per day. Staff struggled with this corner, as it was an atypical intersection and the only access to the cul-de-sac. The sight lines should be sufficient and area trees could be trimmed. Iyer asked if sidewalks could be added. Rue replied that was difficult with any infill neighborhood like this. Farr asked if there would be a stop sign leaving this development, and Rue replied there would be. Farr asked if another on northbound or westbound Gerard Drive was needed. Rue replied the sight lines were adequate so it was not needed. PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES August 12, 2019 Page 4 Farr asked what a projected maximum number of units could be built on this land. Rue the increase would be negligible; the topography, trees and wetland limited the development and the average lot size was 15,000 square feet with some very large lots as large as 31,000 square feet. This was not a dense development. Mette suggested speed bumps, adding she did drive the area and the very sharp turn forced her to slow down. She asked what triggered a traffic study and when: a certain size development, discretion of staff, et cetera? Rue replied there was no set metric for a traffic study, but a traffic memo at minimum could be done. Mette asked if maps of traffic counts at Gerard Drive could be found. Rue replied a neighborhood street could handle many cars, and the count on residential streets on a fairly typical residential neighborhood would be about 1,500–2,000 cars per day. Resident Keith Kapitan, of 12838 Gerard Drive, stated the corner in question was treacherous in winter and expressed concerns for safety. Resident Timothy Kojetin, 13173 Beehive Court, stated he was here as a parent of two small children who had to take the bus and was also concerned about the project’s impact on neighborhood safety. Resident Jennifer Prince, 13190 Beehive Court, stated she lives south of proposed lots 4, 5, and 6 and she had very little grass with a pollinator and rain garden instead. She was concerned about possible piling of snow and leaves due to this development and added she had water in her basement for first time during the past winter. Water ran into her back yard and filter drains would not work in frozen ground. She displayed a drawing of the location of drains and sewer which turned to glare ice and warned this was not a one-time occurrence. She wanted reassurance the neighbors to the south would not be flooded out. She added the corner was dangerous for children on sleds and bicycles. Resident Chris Sieffermann, of 6997 Edgebrook Place, requested roads wide enough for fire trucks to turn safely and added one crashed into one lot near the proposed development. Some years back even a plane crashed near here. Resident Maria Ringsmuth, of 13166 Beehive Court, stated she was also concerned about possible flooding. She had reached out to Schwieters regarding saving the 100-year old burr oak Farr had mentioned and emphasized she was not against change. She requested Schwieters consider reducing the number of units from 17 to 10, though she understood it was already spec-ed. She also asked for a green space for retirees to walk along the Miller property and the property line to the south. She added she cared for a 32-year-old son with brain injury who traveled in a three-wheeled vehicle and gave Wayzata as an example of new developments that incorporated new walking/biking paths. She also requested Schwieters plant more burr oaks than prairie grass. PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES August 12, 2019 Page 5 Resident Brian Farrell, of 7140 Gerard Drive, stated he too was a father of two small children who walked them to the bus stop. The curved road was dangerous; one car missed the turn and was totaled, striking a sign put there to remind drivers of the curve. Winter in the area was icy and even more dangerous with no sidewalks. MOTION: Higgins moved, seconded by DeSanctis to close the public hearing. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. Higgins echoed many of the concerns of the residents that the streets in the area were curved and very hilly part of Eden Prairie, and potentially dangerous even for a careful driver. Mette agreed the key issue was not the amount of traffic but safety, speed, visibility, and a place for pedestrians to walk. She asked if it was not possible to have a sidewalk on Gerard Drive, and urged that something be implemented to increase the safety including the snow, ice, and water drainage. Easy solutions were a speed bump and caution signage but this probably required more intense examination. She did not see the requested reduction in units as making a significant change but urged that curb cuts, storm sewers, and the infiltration area be addressed. DeSanctis stated the key issues were safety and a hydrological issue, the distribution of water. Removing trees removed roots that keep water in place and once gone they were never fully replaced. He called for an organic, integrated relationship between this project and its neighbors rather than a shoehorned development, and added that adding a walkway would enhance its livability. Farr agreed with Mette that he saw no incremental benefit of reducing the number of units. He found nothing negative in the waiver requests, but he understood the frustration of the residents and called for a sidewalk along Gerard Drive and for civil engineer Molstad to explain his storm water management solution. Molstad projected an aerial overview and pointed out the overflow arrows and how the plan would handle the water. Molstad explained that the stormwater management being proposed will improve drainage from what it is now. DeSanctis emphasized a greater effort to integrate “us and them” and called for a separating, self- protecting berm along the south end of the development. Kirk agreed the street safety issue was a difficult one and added he was not sure the development was the root cause but could be exacerbating it. He asked staff to work with the civil engineer on this larger question. Iyer what mechanisms could be put in place to keep people away from the street. Bourne replied staff could look at adding sidewalks but this would be difficult to retrofit a sidewalk along an existing street and would run into landscaping and grade issues. DeSanctis requested there be signage on Gerard Drive denoting the sharp curve and the speed limit, and resident Farrell replied there already was one but was hit by the PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES August 12, 2019 Page 6 car that missed the curve. Discussion followed on possible solutions to the traffic on Gerard Drive. Kirk noted it was difficult but necessary to balance the values of the City and the rights of the residents with those of the developer. He commended the healthy dialogue inspired by informed and involved residents in attendance at this meeting, and added the developer had done a good job to create a reasonably balanced development. He supported the waivers as reasonable, but urged the safety issues on Gerard Drive and on other potentially dangerous road in Eden Prairie be looked at on continuous basis. MOTION: Farr moved, seconded by Mette to recommend approval of the Planned Unit Development Concept Review on 9.73 acres, Planned Unit Development District Review with waivers on 9.73 acres, zoning district change from R1-13.5 to R1-9.5 on 9.73 acres and preliminary plat of one lot into seventeen lots on 9.73 based on the information contained in the staff report dated August 8, 2019. MOTION CARRIED 7-0, with 2 abstentions. B. PARAVEL APARTMENTS Request for:  Planned Unit Development Concept Review on 4.962 acres  Planned Unit Development District Review with waivers on 4.962 acres  Site Plan Review on 4.962 acres  Preliminary Plat of an outlot into one lot on 4.962 acres Novak-Krebs presented the staff report. The stormwater management piece had not yet been received. Staff recommended the public hearing be continued to August 26, 2019. MOTION: DeSanctis moved, seconded by Higgins to continue the item to the August 26, 2019. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. C. COSTCO FUEL FACILITY EXPANSION Request for:  Planned Unit Development District Amendment with waivers on 18.18 acres  Site Plan Review on 18.18 acres MOTION: Kirk moved, seconded by Iyer to continue the item to the September 9, 2019 public hearing. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. VI. PLANNERS’ REPORT PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES August 12, 2019 Page 7 Novak-Krebs passed along an invitation to the commission members for the Riley Purgatory Bluff Creek Watershed 50 year celebration on August 28, 2019 at Riley- Jacques Barn, 9180 Riley Lake Road. VII. MEMBERS’ REPORTS VIII. ADJOURNMENT MOTION: Farr moved, seconded by Kirk to adjourn. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. The meeting was adjourned at 8:42 p.m.