Planning Commission - 01/27/1997 AGENDA
EDEN PRAIRIE PLANNING COMMISSION
Monday, January 27, 1997 7:00 p.m.
COMMISSION MEMBERS: Kenneth E. Clinton, Randy Foote, Bill Habicht, Ismail
Ismail, Katherine Kardell, Douglas Sandstad, Mary Jane
Wissner
STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE: Jessica Lind
STAFF MEMBERS: Michael Franzen, City Planner
Scott A. Kipp, Senior Planner
I. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE--ROLL CALL
II. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
III. MINUTES
IV. PUBLIC HEARINGS
A. ONKEN PROPERTY by Paul and Kris Onken. Request for Rezoning from Rural to R 1-
13.5 on 2.27 acres for one single family home. Location: 17809 West 62nd Street.
B. ALBIN CHAPEL by Albin Chapel. Request for Planned Unit Development Concept
Review on 5.2 acres, Planned Unit Development District Review on 2.56 acres,Zoning
District Amendment in the Office Zoning District on 2.56 acres, Site Plan Review on 2.56
acres, and Preliminary Plat of 5.2 acres into 2 lots and Code Amendment to Chapter 11
to add funeral homes as a permitted use in the Office Zoning District. Location: Rowland
Road and Old Shady Oak Road.
V. PUBLIC MEETING
VI. MEMBERS' REPORTS
VII. CONTINUING BUSINESS
VHI. NEW BUSINESS
A. Appointments to the Housing,Transportation, and Social Services Board (HTSSB)
IX. PLANNERS' REPORTS
X. ADJOURNMENT
APPROVED MINUTES
CITY OF EDEN PRAIRIE PLANNING COMMISSION
MONDAY,JANUARY 27, 1997 7:00 P.M. CITY CENTER
Council Chambers
8080 Mitchell Road
COMMISSION MEMBERS: Kenneth E. Clinton, Randy Foote, Bill Habicht,
Ismail Ismail, Katherine Kardell, Douglas
Sandstad,Mary Jane Wissner
STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE: Jessica Lind
STAFF LIAISON: Mike Franzen, City Planner; Elinda Bahley,
Recording Secretary
MEMBERS ABSENT: None
I. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE -ROLL CALL
• Chair Clinton called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
II. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
MOTION: Wissner moved, seconded by Foote,to approve the Agenda as published.
Motion carried 7-0.
III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
MOTION: Foote moved, seconded by Kardell, to approve the Minutes of the
January 13, 1997 Eden Prairie Planning Commission meeting as published. Motion
carried 7-0.
IV. PUBLIC HEARINGS
A. ONKEN PROPERTY by Paul and Kris Onken. Request for Rezoning from
Rural to R1-13.5 on 2.27 acres for one single family home. Location: 17809
West 62nd Street.
Franzen noted this is a piece of property that is undersized by normal
agricultural standards. There is a minimum lot size of 10 acres in the Rural
District. Under current zoning the home would only be allowed to be built up
• to City Code or make minor additions to the building. In order to tear down
Eden Prairie Planning Commission
January 27, 1997
the building and build a new structure,the owners need to go through a Public
Hearing process for rezoning to R1-13.5. R1-13.5 zoning is consistent with
the surrounding zoning on both sides of the property. The proposed plan
meets the requirements of R1-13.5 Zoning District. The Staff Report
recommends a conservation easement over the wetlands that are on the
property, and this would be taken care of prior to a building permit. Staff
recommended approval of the project as submitted according to the
recommendations in the last page of the Staff Report.
The Public Hearing was opened.
MOTION 1: Kardell moved, seconded by Foote,to close the public hearing.
Motion carried 7-0.
MOTION 2: Kardell moved, seconded by Foote,to recommend to the City
Council approval of the request of Paul and Kris Onken for Rezoning from
Rural to R1-13.5 on 2.27 acres based on plans dated January 6, 1997, and
subject to the recommendations of the Staff Report dated January 24, 1997.
• B. ALBIN CHAPEL by Albin Chapel. Request for Planned Unit Development
Concept Review on 5.2 acres,Planned Unit Development District Review on
2.56 acres,Zoning District Amendment in the Office Zoning District on 2.56
acres, Site Plan Review on 2.56 acres, and Preliminary Plat of 5.2 acres into
2 lots, and Code Amendment to Chapter 11 to add funeral homes as a
permitted use in the Office Zoning District. Location: Rowland Road and
Old Shady Oak Road.
Franzen stated this was a project for which the Planning Commission voted
to approve the Code Amendment and the developer's plans for the
construction of Albin Chapel last October. It went before the City Council on
November 19 and Albin Chapel failed to gain approval on a 3-2 vote as four
votes are needed for approval. On January 7 the City Council was
reconsidering the project and directed staff to give notice of the reopening of
the Public Hearing to reconsider the Albin Chapel.
There was a miscommunication as to what date Albin Chapel would appear
before the Planning Commission. Albin Chapel was expecting February 10.
Staff thought it was January 27. Albin Chapel went out and canvassed the
neighborhood and talked with people door to door. They also held a meeting
at Wooddale Church and communicated to the residents that they would go
before the Planning Commission on February 10. Staff sent notices out to the
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January 27, 1997
paper and surrounding neighborhood notifying them of tonight's meeting in
accordance with the normal procedures of the City Planning Commission.
Franzen added that the Planning Commission can choose to either take input
from the residents who have come tonight and vote to continue the item, or
they can continue the item until February 10 without discussion.
The Planning Commission had a brief discussion to determine whether they
should hear input and continue the item, or continue the item without
discussion. Sandstad commented he was in favor of conducting all of the
discussions to February 10 so there is no split hearing confusion from the
residents.
Joe Ruzic commented he was notified of a Public Hearing and is prepared to
speak tonight. He noted he was in charge of the petition and sent in a letter
concerning his objection to this project. Kardell noted the petition is entered
in tonight and could be read into the record on February 10.
Habicht was in favor of continuing all discussion until February 10 because
somebody is going to raise their hand at the next meeting and say they were
. not privy to this conversation. Foote agreed with Habicht. Clinton
commented the project has come back because the neighbors are bringing
forth new information and he would like to hear all the new information at
once. Ismail commented the City has to honor the memo and let residents
speak tonight who are present. He was opposed to continuing the item until
February 10. The Commission agreed to hear information tonight and
continue the Public Hearing until February 10.
The Public Hearing was opened.
Jim Deanovic, 9465 Amesbury Lane, commented he owns land close to where
the site is and plans on developing it. He said he was in favor of the project
because it's a good use for the site. He has a problem with the people in the
residential site because they knew something was going to go on that site. He
also noted the developer has done a good job as well as staff.
Jay Jensen, 6517 Cherokee Trail,noted his house is probably the closest to
the site and he supports the project. This is a good land use for the site. He
said people that are against this have a problem with the mystique of a funeral
home. He would rather drive by a funeral home than a three-story office
building with a flat roof.
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January 27, 1997
Jim Albinson,Albin Funeral Chapel,reviewed his development proposal with
the Planning Commission. It's a beautiful site and the adjacent wetlands and
quiet setting works very well with their type of work. He noted that the
petition has several points that are,in fact,in error. The development includes
completion of sidewalks along Old Shady Oak Road, a lot of vegetation
screening and other kinds of features that would make very little impact in
terms of the pastoral nature of this property. It's much different than what an
office park would do.
The requirement the City has for parking is 47 spaces and the proposal is for
66. They do not anticipate any need ever for off-site parking. This will be a
very quiet use of daily trips and will be 10 times less than if it was an office
park. There are homes located at the top of a very steep hillside covered with
large trees, and a good part of the year you can't see anything up there and
they can't see anything below. He showed photographs depicting brand new
funeral homes being built adjacent to very expensive homes in other areas of
the metro area.
Ismail was concerned that Albin Chapel has not yet purchased the property.
Albinson explained it has been necessary for them to renegotiate their
purchase agreement with the seller because of the length of time of this
process. They hope the project gets approval and they will be able to
purchase the property and develop it. If the project is not approved, they
have no use for the property.
Ismail was also concerned about signage. Albinson said code allows them a
50 square foot monument style sign and it will be located by the shared
entrance. The sign will be put in according to City guidelines.
Wissner commented that according to the petition the objection is more
towards the concept of a funeral home than what it looks like. She asked if
the developer explained to the residents about how complimentary the
rooflines will be as opposed to an office complex. Albinson said they
mentioned that every step of the way. They also have continued to mention
that the tallest peak of the roof is 32 feet, all the lighting is downcast, and it's
a very subdued use of the land. Staff informed them from the beginning that
would be the best approach. He noted that someone made a comment about
the windows on the west side and they were concerned about what goes on
in there and if it could be seen. That area will be very well screened with
evergreens.
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Eden Prairie Planning Commission
January 27, 1997
MOTION 1: Kardell moved, seconded by Wissner,to continue the public
hearing until the February 10 meeting. Motion carried 7-0.
V. PUBLIC MEETING
None.
VI. MEMBERS' REPORTS
None.
VII. CONTINUING BUSINESS
None.
VUL NEW BUSINESS
A. Appointments to the Housing, Transportation, and Social Services
Board (HTSSB)
Clinton explained one member from the Planning Commission is needed to
serve on this board. The meetings will be on Thursday night at 7:00. Foote
and Sandstad volunteered to represent the Planning Commission at the
HTSSB meetings.
MOTION: Kardell moved, seconded by Habicht,to offer Randy Foote and
Doug Sandstad as two members from the Planning Commission to the
Housing, Transportation, and Social Services Board. Motion carried 7-0.
IX. PLANNERS' REPORTS
Clinton asked when they will hear from General Growth again. Franzen replied their
plans are to come back to the Planning Commission in March.
Foote asked if Albin Chapel will be published in the Eden Prairie News again.
Franzen said notices will be out to the residents. Sandstad recommended letting the
people know the Planning Commission accepted public comment after a previous
discussion about the process.
Sandstad asked staff to provide the Planning Commission with a list of planned trails,
sidewalks, and pedestrian improvements for the next several years. Franzen said it
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Eden Prairie Planning Commission
January 27, 1997
will be in the next packet.
X. ADJOURNMENT
MOTION: Kardell moved, seconded by Ismail, to adjourn the meeting. Motion
carried 7-0. The meeting adjourned at 7:45 p.m.
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