Planning Commission - 10/25/1999 APPROVED MINUTES
CITY OF EDEN PRAIRIE PLANNING COMMISSION
MONDAY, OCTOBER 25, 1999 7:00 P.M., CITY CENTER
Council Chamber
8080 Mitchell Road
COMMISSION MEMBERS: Beverly Alexander, Kenneth Clinton,Randy
Foote, Bill Habicht,Rebecca Lewis and
Doug Sandstad
STAFF: Michael Franzen, City Planner
Scott Kipp, Senior Planner
Deborah Meuwissen,Recording Secretary
I. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE—ROLL CALL
Chair Foote called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Commissioners Alexander and
Sandstad were absent.
II. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
MOTION: Clinton moved, seconded by Habicht, to approve the Agenda as published.
Motion carried 4-0.
III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
The minutes of the September 27, 1999 and October 11, 1999 meetings were tabled until
the next meeting of the Planning Commission due to a lack of quorum required for
approval.
IV. PUBLIC HEARINGS
A. CAM ADDITION by Carlston Inc. Request for Planned Unit Development Concept
Review on 10 acres, Planned Unit Development District Review with waivers on 10 acres,
Zoning District Change from Rural to R1-13.5 on 10 acres, and Preliminary Plat of 10
acres into 17 lots. Location: 18230 and 18120 West 82nd Street.
Scott Carlston, Carlston, Inc., gave a brief overview of the proposed project, which consists
of 10 acres adjacent to The Pines to be subdivided into 17 single-family lots. One existing
house will remain with renovations being completed. In order to conserve the wetlands and
trees, one lot was eliminated. A 2.3-acre outlot and additional conservation easement area
would be dedicated to the City for wetland protection. A variance for 5 lots is requested
for setbacks for an additional buffer from the wetlands area.
Kipp indicated the current project was a continuation of a previously developed 5-acre
tract. Staff supported the waiver for 25-foot front yard setbacks for Lots 6-11 for
additional wetland buffering, as well as the waiver for the proposed temporary cul-de-sac
to 525 feet in length.
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES
OCTOBER 25, 1999
PAGE 2
Staff recommends approval.
MOTION: Habicht moved, seconded by Clinton, to close the public hearing. Motion
carried 4-0.
MOTION: Habicht moved, seconded by Lewis, to recommend to the City Council
approval of the request of Carlston Inc., for Planned Unit Development Concept Review on
10 acres, Planned Unit Development District Review with waivers on 10 acres, Zoning
District Change from Rural to R1-13.5 on 10 acres, and Preliminary Plat of 10 acres into 17
lots and one outlot, based on plans dated October 1, 1999, and subject to the
recommendations of the Staff Report dated October 8, 1999. Motion carried 4-0.
B. SW STATION — PHASE II (PARKING DECK by SW Metro. Request for
Planned Unit Development Concept Amendment on 22 acres of the Southwest Metro PUD,
Planned Unit Development District Review with waivers on 10 acres, Zoning District
Amendment within the C-Reg-Ser Zoning District on 8.5 acres, Zoning District Change
from Rural to C-Reg-Ser on 1.5 acres, and Site Plan Review on 10 acres. Location:
Technology Drive and Prairie Center Drive.
Franzen indicated the proposed project consisted of two parts. A parking deck to be
located east of the existing transit station and overall concept plan for land use.
Jim Lassure, SW Metro Transit, presented a brief overview of the proposed project. The
plan consists of a mixed land use transit development station with a 12 story apartment
building, grocery store, daycare, retail building, restaurant, retail entertainment building,
transit station and parking deck. The parking deck will incorporate all of the park and ride
areas into one space and will provide overflow parking for evenings and weekends.
Funding is not currently available for the parking deck.
Foote asked why MnDOT had not approved the funding.
Lassure indicated the slipline had been off. MnDot had denied the request three years ago
but approval could possibly be obtained at this time. There are plans to re-address the issue
with MnDot. SW Metro was seeking input regarding density and the overall project.
Waivers including shoreland setback and height, apartment building height, and parking
deck setback and height were being sought.
Foote asked what would be located in the entertainment building.
Lassure indicated bowling, video golf, virtual reality type games, etc. would be included.
Movie theatres would not be included. Similar type establishments were located in
suburban and city areas and were doing well.
Habicht asked if the parking deck would be similar to that of the Target Center in
Minneapolis and what the perceived impact on the Eden Prairie Mall would be.
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES
OCTOBER 25, 1999
PAGE 3
Lassure indicated the parking deck was a similar concept to the Target Center. The
proposed project would attract people to the area. The creation of a shuttle service to major
center areas had been discussed.
Clinton related the higher residential density was not as important an issue as the height of
the building.
Lassure indicated the intent of the tall apartment building was to make a point the area was
a major center area. The apartment building was a signature project. A high end, high
quality building which would make a strong presence.
Lewis indicated concern with the height of the apartment building and suggested alternate
plans be considered.
Franzen related tall buildings were new to Eden Prairie although it had been expected the
City would have them. In the past taller buildings had been considered but the market at
the time had not warranted such buildings. He indicated concerns were not with the height
of tall buildings but the architecture. The architecture for the proposed building was
similar to that of the Calhoun Beach Club in Minneapolis. The project was being looked at
as a keystone site. In terms of the guide plan and past actions, taller buildings had been
planned. Current trends indicate the market now ready for such buildings. Staff has
recommended a site plan change to better protect Purgatory Creek and provide more green
area on site for landscaping.
MOTION: Clinton moved, seconded by Lewis, to close the public hearing. Motion
carried 4-0.
Habicht voiced concern with traffic flow around the site.
Lassure related that unlike the Mall area, the project had to look at traffic flow in
connection with Technology Drive and ancillary connections. He described in detail
ingress and egress in and around the site.
Habicht related he was in agreement with the plan for the parking deck. Setbacks for the
housing unit and grocery store would need reconsideration. He asked clarification of the
approvals being requested by the Commission for the project.
Franzen responded the Commission did not have to reach a complete consensus with
respect to the entire proposed plan. Recommendation could be made for a multi-story
building with reservation of approval until complete review of the zoning specifications
and concept plan, and detailed development plans. The Commission's approvals and
recommendations would be passed on to the City Council.
Lassure indicated the applicant would accept approval of a high density building and
further consideration of the remaining property when developed.
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES
OCTOBER 25, 1999
PAGE 4
Clinton indicated his support of the high density usage but not a 12-story building. Related
the limitation of parking within the site and utilization by pedestrians only could achieve a
casual, downtown atmosphere.
Lewis related the overall project was interesting and was planned in an area which would
allow for a high success rate. Expressed concern with not maintaining setbacks and the
traffic impact on Technology Drive, and whether consideration had been given to access
onto Prairie Center Drive.
Lassure indicated a plan for access to Prairie Center Drive had been rejected,which would
only allow a right in and right out and not full access to the property. However,may revisit
utilizing an access to Prairie Center Drive for service vehicles.
Foote indicated he supported the parking deck and mixed usage concept. Also supported
the higher density. Would want to have a 150 foot setback to Purgatory Creek. Although
a multi-story highrise would be appropriate for the site, could not support a 12-story
building. Suggested discussions continue with MnDot with respect to a lane corning into
the ramp.
MOTION: Clinton moved, seconded by Lewis, to recommend to the City Council
approval of the request of SW Metro for Planned Unit Development Concept Amendment
on 22 acres, Planned Unit Development District Review with waivers on 10 acres, Zoning
District Amendment within the C-Reg-Ser Zoning District on 8.5 acres, Zoning District
Change from Rural to C-Reg-Ser on 1.5 acres, and Site Plan Review on 10 acres, based on
plans dated October 22, 1999, with limited approval with respect to high density housing
and multi-story building, and subject to the recommendations of the Staff Report dated
October 22, 1999. Motion carried 4-0.
V. PUBLIC MEETING
VI. MEMBERS' REPORTS
VII. CONTINUING BUSINESS
VIII.NEW BUSINESS
IX. PLANNERS' REPORTS
X. ADJOURNMENT
MOTION: Clinton moved, seconded by Lewis, to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried
4-0.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:55 p.m.