Planning Commission - 03/22/1999 APPROVED MINUTES
CITY OF EDEN PRAIRIE PLANNING COMMISSION
MONDAY,MARCH 22, 1999 7:00 P.M. CITY CENTER
Council Chambers
8080 Mitchell Road
COMMISSION MEMBERS: Beverly Alexander,Kenneth E. Clinton,Laurence
Dorn,Jr.,Randy Foote,William Habicht,Rebecca
Lewis,Douglas Sandstad
STAFF MEMBERS: Michael D. Franzen, City Planner,Krista R.
Flemming,Planner I and Judith Kunz, City
Recorder
I. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE-ROLL CALL
Chair Foote called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
II. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
MOTION: Dorn moved, seconded by Alexander,to approve the Agenda as published. Motion
carried 7-0.
III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
MOTION: Sandstad moved, seconded by Clinton, to approve the Minutes of the February 22,
1999 Planning Commission as submitted. Motion carried 7-0.
IV. PUBLIC HEARINGS FOR MARCH 22, 1999
A. ADC TELECOMMUNICATIONS (continued from 2/22/99)
MOTION: Young moved, seconded by Habicht, to continue the ADC
Telecommunications' request for Planned Unit Development Concept Review to the
Planning Commission meeting on April 11 , 1999. Motion carried 7-0.
B. EDEN PAIRIE MALL THEATRES
MOTION: Clinton moved, seconded by Young, to continue the General Growth
Properties request for Planned Unit Development concept Amendment,Zoning District
Amendment, and Site Plan Review to the Planning Commission meeting on April 11 ,
1999. Motion carried 7-0.
C. FARRELL/LAPIC ADDITION (continued from 2/22/99)
MOTION: Alexander moved, seconded by Clinton, to continue the Zoning District
Change with variances and Preliminary Plat at 12563 Sunnybrook Road to the Planning
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March 22, 1999
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Commission meeting on April 11, 1999. Motion carried 7-0.
D. HALLETT ADDITION
MOTION: Sandstad moved, seconded by Clinton,to continue the request for Zoning
District Change and Preliminary Plat located South of Pioneer Trail at Braxton Drive,north
of Cedarcrest Drive to the Planning Commission meeting on April 11, 1999. Motion
carried 7-0.
PUBLIC HEARINGS FROM MARCH 8, 1999
A. FLINT RIDGE (continued from 2/9/99)
City Planner Franzen informed the Commission that the proponent is withdrawing this
application and will be preparing a new project for presentation at the Planning
Commission's first meeting in May.
MOTION: Sandstad moved, seconded by Clinton to close the public hearing and return
the development plans to the proponent without prejudice. Motion carried 7-0.
B. CHESTNUT APARTMENTS
Linda Fisher, 1500 Norwest Financial Center,representing BBY Chestnut Limited
Partnership,proponent, introduced the owners of the project Ken Belgarde and Gene Ernst;
and the project architect, James Cooperman.
Ernst reviewed the site plan and informed the Commission that a neighborhood meeting
was held with approximately five individuals in attendance. Ernst explained the new trees
that would be planted on the site and the perimeter. Ernst told the Commission that the
exterior of the new addition would match the existing brick and stucco.
Sandstad asked why there would be detached garages when there is already underground
parking. Belgarde indicated the additional units would require additional parking and they
were attempting to provide 1:1 parking ratio with the number of units. Belgarde continued
with a description of the upgrades to the existing units,passing around some before and
after photos of other projects they've completed. He indicated rents would increase
approximately$200 from the existing rents. Belgarde described the new building having
three stories with underground parking and a different roof pitch on each side of the
building; and all balconies would be covered.
Dorn expressed concern about the location of the new garages being too close to the
building and not allowing enough backing up space. City Planner Franzen and the
proponents indicated a willingness to work on a relocation of some of the garages to allow
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City of Eden Prairie
March 22, 1999
Page 3
more room. They did indicate that the plan as proposed was developed in an effort to
protect the wetland area on the site. Belgarde stated that the proposed plan has six more
parking stalls than required by the City.
Clinton stated concern with traffic flow since there is only one egress/ingress on the site;
asking the City Planner if a traffic study was done. Franzen stated that a traffic study was
not done. Anderson Lakes Parkway/212 and Mitchell and Anderson Lakes should have
signals this summer which will help traffic flow on Anderson Lakes Parkway.
Franzen recommended approval based on the conditions listed in the staff report.
No residents appeared.
MOTION: Sandstad moved, Clinton seconded to close the public hearing. Motion
carried 7-0.
MOTION: Sandstad moved,Habicht seconded to recommend to the City Council
approval of the request of BBY Chestnut Limited Partnership for Planned Unit
Development Concept Amendment on 9.16 acres,Planned United Development District
Review on 9.16 acres,Zoning District Amendment in the RM-2.5 District on 9.16 acres,
and Site Plan Review on 9.16 acres,based on plans dated March 5, 1999 and subject to the
recommendations of the Staff Report dated March 5, 1999 and subject to the realignment
of parking stalls as requested by the Planning Commission on 3/22/99. Motion carried 7-
0.
C. BEARPATH LOTH ADDITION
Franzen stated Bearpath Limited Partnership is proposing to build villas, similar to the
Bearpath 8th Addition that currently has one home under construction.
John Vogelbacher,proponent,reviewed the history of the project area. He stated that a
neighborhood meeting was held in the last week. Vogelbacher then reviewed the site plan
for the Commission pointing out that the tree loss was reduced from the original proposal.
Franzen recommended approval based on the staff evaluation with the conditions listed in
the staff letter.
No residents appeared.
MOTION: Habicht moved, Alexander seconded to close the public hearing. Motion
carried 7-0.
MOTION: Habicht moved,Alexander seconded to recommended to the City Council
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March 22, 1999
Page 4
approval of the request of Bearpath Limited Partnership for Planned Unit Development
Concept Amendment on 3.3 acres,Planned Unit Development District Review on 3.3
acres,Zoning District Change District from RM 6.5 to R1-13.5 on 3.3 acres, and
Preliminary Plat of 3.3 acres into 8 lots,based on plans dated March 5, 1999 and subject to
the recommendations of the Staff Report dated March 5, 1999. Motion carried 7-0.
D. IMMANUEL LUTHERAN CHURCH
Franzen asked the proponents to make a brief presentation.
Gary Johnson, architect from SNSQ, introduced John Urbanski, Chair of the church's
Building Committee and Pastor Paul Nelson of Immanuel Lutheran Church.
Johnson reviewed the proposal and site plan stating there is 20,000 existing square feet and
this project would add a substantial 14,450 square feet for the church. He stated the
additional parking proposed exceeds the City requirements. Johnson reviewed the
additional trees to be planted and the elevation plan. The new addition would match the
existing stucco and reddish brick and the building would have a hip roof.
Franzen recommended approval of the proposal based on staff evaluation with the
conditions listed in the staff letter.
Wayne Thompson, 7685 Meadow Lane, the neighbor just to the west of the church
expressed three concerns about the project: noise, lighting, and water drainage. He
explained to the commission that the new elevations of the project would allow water
drainage onto his property. He asked about the berm which was replaced by a swale and
questioned the effectiveness. Thompson asked for assurance that he will not get water
flowing into his basement that is a walkout and that the light will be blocked from his
property.
Johnson reviewed the location of the trees,new and old,that would deflect the light from
Thompson's property. He also stated there would be a one-foot allowance for water build-
up before it would flood over the curb. Franzen told the Commission that the elevation
plans are always submitted to Engineering for their review before the plans are presented to
the Commission. Engineering did approve these plans.
No other public appeared.
Clinton continued discussion about the trees, including size and location. Johnson
reviewed the location and size. Johnson stated that there are also some existing trees on
the Thompson property that will help deflect the light.
Sandstad asked the height of the light poles. Johnson indicated the poles would be 20 feet
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March 22, 1999
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high.
MOTION: Clinton moved,Habicht seconded to close the public hearing. Motion
carried 7-0.
MOTION: Clinton moved, Dorn seconded to recommend to the City Council approval of
the request of Immanuel Lutheran Church for Planned Unit Development Concept Review
on 6.7 acres,Planned Unit Development District Review on 6.7 acres,Zoning District
Amendment in the Public District on 6.7 acres, and Site Plan Review on 6.7 acres,based
on plans dated February 19, 1999 and subject to the recommendations of the Staff Report
dated March 5, 1999. Motion carried 7-0.
E. INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL PHASE 3, CLASSROOMS
Franzen recommended approval based on the staff evaluation with the conditions stated in
the staff letter.
The Planning Commission asked the proponents for a brief review of the project.
Jason Harris,Harris Architects reviewed the site plan, drainage plan, access and parking
plan and indicated the addition would match the existing exterior.
No residents appeared.
MOTION: Lewis moved,Dorn seconded to close the public hearing. Motion carried 7-
0.
MOTION: Lewis moved, Clinton seconded to recommend to the City Council approval of
the request of Internal School for Zoning District Amendment in the Public District on 56
acres, and Site Plan Review on 56 acres,based on plans dated March 5, 1999 and subject to
the recommendations of the Staff Report dated March 5, 1999. Motion carried 7-0.
VI. MEMBERS' REPORTS
Alexander discussed the Affordable Housing meeting she attended in Richfield. She stated it was
an informative meeting with many in attendance.
VII. CONTINUING BUSINESS
Sandstad expressed appreciation to staff on the survey of communities on how they record plats,
and encouraged the other Commission members to support the staff recommendation.
MOTION: Sandstad moved, Clinton seconded to encourage planning staff to prepare a draft
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March 22, 1999
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ordinance with a two year or less limitation on filing final plats. Motion carried 7-0.
Clinton asked staff about the letters the Commissioners were receiving regarding the Pioneer Trail
development. Franzen indicated these letters were in response to a neighborhood meeting that was
held with approximately 30 people in attendance. Alexander expressed her appreciation to the
residents for the letters.
VIII. NEW BUSINESS
IX. PLANNERS' REPORTS
City Planner Franzen introduced and welcomed Krista Flemming.
Dorn asked about the Attorney General's letter. Franzen indicated it was for the Commission's
information only.
X. ADJOURNMENT
MOTION: Habicht moved,Alexander seconded to adjourn. Motion carried 7-0.
ADJOURNMENT: 8:50 P.M.