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Planning Commission - 02/10/1997 AGENDA is EDEN PRAIRIE PLANNING COMMISSION Monday,February 10, 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 Continued Public Hearing From January 27, 1992) A. 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. B. EDEN PRAIRIE MAINTENANCE FACILITY by the City of Eden Prairie. Request for Zoning District Change from I-5 to I-2 on 7.6 acres and Site Plan Review on 7.6 acres. Location: 15150 Technology Drive. V. PUBLIC MEETING VI. MEMBERS' REPORTS VH. CONTINUING BUSINESS VHI. NEW BUSINESS IX. PLANNERS' REPORTS . X. ADJOURNMENT . APPROVED MINUTES CITY OF EDEN PRAIRIE PLANNING COMMISSION MONDAY,FEBRUARY 10, 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 27, 1997 Eden Prairie Planning Commission meeting as published. Motion carried 7-0. IV. PUBLIC HEARINGS (A Continued Public Hearing From January 27, 1997� A. 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. • Eden Prairie Planning Commission February 10, 1997 Location: Rowland Road and Old Shady Oak Road. Jim Albinson,president of Albin Funeral Chapel Incorporated,presented drawings depicting the building elevations and reviewed the site plan for the proposed plan. He noted the building will be 9400 square feet and has a 6/12 pitched roof. The highest elevation will be 32 feet above the pavement and the parking lot lighting is downcast 20 feet. The capacity of the funeral chapel portion is 100 persons. There is a common entrance to the site off Rowland Road which will be shared with whoever develops the eastern portion of this site. A monument sign will be on the corner of the entrance. There will be a concrete sidewalk constructed along Old Shady Oak Road and a sidewalk connecting from the parking lot. City Code requires 47 parking spaces but the plan is for 67 spaces with no off-site parking. Albinson referred to the petition from the residents who are against the proposal. The petition indicated parking would be a problem. If this was an office use the parking would be more. Most of the time there is no traffic created by a funeral use. If would secure a much lower volume of traffic flow in and out of the property than the present office zoning. The petition stated a funeral home does not belong where people live or work. It would be hard to find a location to meet that requirement. A photo array of funeral homes was shown indicating they are all adjacent to residential homes. A funeral home is a common transitional use because it's quiet and low volume. A funeral home is also a good buffer between residential space and commercial space such as the type of use found to the east across Shady Oak Road. Franzen stated the Planning Commission has two decisions to make. The first decision is whether or not the Code should be changed to allow funeral homes as a permitted use, and staff s recommendation was for approval of that change in the Code amendment. The second decision is for the site plan approval and staff s recommendation was the site does meet the performance standards of a site Code. The Public Hearing was continued. Joan Bottatola, 6637, Cherokee Trail, commented her and most of her neighbors feel that such a business in their neighborhood would be totally inappropriate. She said Mr. Albin did not portray an accurate picture to the Planning Commission. This use would create a heavy amount of traffic 2 • Eden Prairie Planning Commission February 10, 1997 especially during the hours in which people are arriving home from work because most viewings are between 5:00 and 8:00 p.m. She was concerned about the decrease in the value of her home because of a funeral home. Corrine Lynch, 6565 Cherokee Trail, commented this proposed development would be directly across the street from her home. Her lot is not very large, only 4/10 of an acre, and there is no amount of screening, berming, or landscaping that is going to keep them from looking right down upon this funeral home. The back of her house faces directly to where this project is going to be. She has a large balcony, screened porch and four big floor to the ceiling windows, and this funeral home will be the view. This is a lot larger,more commercial in nature,than she ever expected would happen on this site. She was very dismayed that the City Council would think to change the zoning ordinance to allow this type of development. She asked the Planning Commission if they would want a funeral home directly across the street from them. The first part of the petition was read into the record on behalf of Mr.Ruzic. There was also concern about the amount of traffic that would result in this use. She . doesn't object to it where she works but she doesn't want it right across the street from where she lives. She also had no objection to it being directly on Shady Oak Road on the furthest end of this parcel. Greg Lovell, 6629 Cherokee Trail, commented he shared the same views as his neighbors in terms of the level of traffic and the nature of the project itself. One of the reasons he moved there was the quality of the neighborhood. There are about 20 children in the neighborhood,including his own, and he was concerned how they would deal with this. He recognizes the fact that communities need these types of services,however, there are many suitable alternatives. Lynn Ferguson, 6517 Cherokee Trail West,commented her property looks directly out on the swamp that the funeral home would overlook. She was concerned about the huge amount of traffic in addition to the daycare center traffic. She was also concerned about the safety of the children in the neighborhood because of the additional traffic. This is an upscale area and a funeral home at the corner of her lot is inappropriate. Ryan Asselstine, 6315 Fallbrook Road, commented he and his friends would not like to drive past a funeral home to get to their house. He was concerned about the traffic and the safety of the children. He doesn't feel • 3 • Eden Prairie Planning Commission February 10, 1997 this would be suitable for this area. Joe Ruzic, 6825 Rowland Road, gave the Commission an additional 30 names to the original petition. He referred to the minutes of January 27. He noted Jim Deanovic's address is seven miles away from the proposed funeral homes. He also noted that Jay Jensen does not live the closest to the site. Mr.Ruzic will be only 70 feet away so he will be the closest. He doesn't believe the daily trips will be 10 times less than if it was an office park. He did not agree with the peak hour times as stated by Mr. Albin. Peak hours are between 5:00 and 7:00,not 11:00 and 1:00. People visit the park in the evening and the traffic from the funeral home will interfere with that. He considers office traffic 8 to 5, five days a week. The traffic of a funeral home will be inconsistent. He commented about the fact that a funeral home has residential character. When the sign says funeral home,it changes the character. Ruzic said he keeps hearing funeral homes make good neighbors. He doesn't want them as his neighbor. He quoted Mr. Albinson as saying he held a neighborhood meeting at Wooddale Church with 60 property owners within the area. That was misleading and hasn't seen any petition as such. He said there were only two presentations by two people in favor of this. His petition had about 85 names from people on Cherokee Trail and some on Golden Ridge who do not want a funeral home as a neighbor. He did not get a petition from people seven miles away or two or three miles away. He was also concerned about the value of his home decreasing. He said the Huber Funeral Home is not adjacent to residential homes. It is 150 to 200 feet across from townhomes on a heavily traveled road. He noted he would be in favor of the funeral home being adjacent to SuperAmerica because at least it's a quarter of a mile away from his home. A resident residing at 6602 Shady Oak Road, said it would make more sense to vote on the rezoning first, and then staff can work on their options. This would open up other areas in the city for a funeral home and it may be a better location. This location is not the appropriate place for a funeral home. He was concerned about the high amount of cars and traffic. An office building would be larger but he would rather put up with that than with a funeral home right out his door. Albinson gave the Commission a petition signed by residents on Cherokee Trail, Golden Ridge, and other residents of Eden Prairie, who are in favor of the funeral home. He showed photographs depicting funeral homes 4 • Eden Prairie Planning Commission February 10, 1997 adjacent to residential homes. Bottatola asked how many chapel rooms would there be. Albinson replied there is one chapel. Bottatola commented Rowland Road is the entrance to Bryant Lake Park and it would be very difficult to get to the lake with the additional traffic caused by the funeral home. Kardell commented she lives across the street from the Huber Funeral Home. This is a very quiet use and doesn't recall ever seeing a funeral procession leaving from there. The residential nature of the building is significantly better than an office building. She had no objection to changing the zoning code to permit funeral homes in an office use. The traffic issues are non-issues. She appreciated the accommodation Mr. Albinson made in designing the structure with a residential character which was also required for the Huber Funeral Home. She supported all the motions. Foote said no matter what you put on this site,there's going to be traffic. He has to believe the traffic engineers that there will be less traffic than if it were an office building. He supported the project. Ismail commented he had difficulty seeing the real legitimate complaints except that people are not comfortable with a funeral home. He supported the project. Wissner said she did not hear anything different than she did the first time she heard this proposal. She supported the project for the same reasons as the other commissioners. Habicht believed a funeral home should be a permitted use in an office zoned area as well as a commercial or industrial zoned area. He sees no distinction there. He doesn't see the parking or traffic being a problem. He lived two blocks away from a funeral home growing up and people were very comfortable with the use. He supported the project. Sandstad commented he will continue to support the project as he did the first time. He said the use makes sense and supported the project. He appreciated the neighbors input and thinks they will be pleased when this is completed. 5 • Eden Prairie Planning Commission February 10, 1997 Clinton said he read the definition of office district,its use of land and how far away it should be from residential. He didn't find anything in there indicating this plan is in violation of the rules. He explained the role of the Planning Commission is to take input from the developer,city staff, and the neighbors. They factor all of that in and decide if the project fits within the guidelines of the City Code. A recommendation is then made to the City Council. The Planning Commission is not a decision making body in that regard. There will be buffering to separate the funeral home from the residential area. The technical requirements for the project meet City Code. He supported the project. 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 Albin Chapel 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,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,based on plans dated November 8, 1996, and subject to the recommendations of the Staff Report dated February 7, 1997. Motion carried 7-0. B. EDEN PRAIRIE MAINTENANCE FACILITY by the City of Eden Prairie. Request for PUD Concept Review on 7.6 acres,PUD District Review and Zoning District Change from 1-5 to I-2 on 7.6 acres and Site Plan Review on 7.6 acres. Location: 15150 Technology Drive. Gene Dietz, Director of Public Works for the City of Eden Prairie, reviewed the development proposal explaining the site plan and building elevations for the proposed expansion to the existing maintenance facility. He noted that the City of Eden Prairie purchased the 7.6 acres site and building in 1991 to replace the existing maintenance facility located at the corer of Highway 5 and Mitchell Road. The building is scheduled to be acquired by MnDOT and raised for future Highway 212. The Technology Drive building is currently being used by the City for cold storage. The proposal is to rezone the site from I-5 park to I-2 Park, and construct a 12,370 square foot addition to the existing 67,440 square foot building, a fueling station, and additional hard surface maneuvering area. Most of the • 6 • Eden Prairie Planning Commission February 10, 1997 parking area will be repaved along the southern end of the property in advance of this project. They will open bids on March 6,have City Council approval on March 18, and hopefully have the project completed by October 15. Foote asked if he showed the building elevations to the West Tech Business Center. Dietz replied no,but has spoken over the phone with them. He had a long conversation with them and he understood that the building meets code fully. He would prefer that the metal be replaced with concrete of some sort. Ismail asked what would happen to that building if Highway 212 comes through. Dietz explained nothing would affect it. Sandstad asked where the fueling takes place for squad cars now. Dietz said currently it's in their existing maintenance facility. There are four underground tanks and a fuel line. Sandstad suggested conifers in addition to deciduous landscaping. Dietz replied the City Forester suggested Norway Maple. When he spoke to Wally,they talked about the possibility of changing some of those to conifers. Sandstad said it would be helpful if staff could include a current map with their packets. Habicht asked if the current outside storage of the sand and gravel would continue. Dietz replied no,this is a temporary location. Foote asked if an effort will be made to cover the salt in the summer because he was concerned about environmental pollution. Dietz said they don't carry sand over the summer,but do cover it if they have to. They try to run out just in time. Staff recommended approval according to the recommendations on page 3. With reference to the outdoor storage,the Commission needs to specify outdoor storage is going to be for sand, salt, and City vehicles. The public hearing was opened. MOTION 1: Wissner moved, seconded by Ismail,to close the public hearing. Motion carried 7-0. 7 Eden Prairie Planning Commission February 10, 1997 MOTION 2: Wissner moved, seconded by Ismail,to recommend to the City Council approval of the request of City of Eden Prairie for PUD Concept Review on 7.6 acres based on plans dated January 31, 1997, and subject to the recommendations of the Staff Report dated February 7, 1997, with the provision that the waiver for the outdoor storage include sand, salt, gravel,and City vehicles. Motion carried 7-0. MOTION 3: Wissner moved, seconded by Ismail,to recommend to the City Council approval of the request of City of Eden Prairie for PUD District Review and Zoning District Change from I-5 to I-2 on 7.6 acres based on plans dated January 31, 1997, and subject to the recommendations of the Staff Report dated February 7, 1997, with the provision that the waiver for the outdoor storage include sand, salt, gravel, and City vehicles. Motion carried 7-0. MOTION 4: Wissner moved, seconded by Ismail, to recommend to the City Council approval of the request of City of Eden Prairie for Site Plan Review on 7.6 acres based on plans dated January 31, 1997, and subject to the recommendations of the Staff Report dated February 7, 1997, with the • provision that the waiver for the outdoor storage include sand, salt, gravel, and City vehicles. Motion carried 7-0. V. PUBLIC MEETING None. VI. MEMBERS' REPORTS None. VH. CONTINUING BUSINESS None. VIIL NEW BUSINESS None. 8 Eden Prairie Planning Commission February 10, 1997 IX. PLANNERS' REPORT Franzen stated at the last meeting Clinton asked about the status of the signs to Eden Prairie Mall. He and Diets looked at what the agreement had been in the past between the Eden Prairie Mall and the Minnesota Department of Transportation for placement and location of the signs within the community. Dietz presented a map and reviewed all the locations of the current signs. Sandstad said given the status of the Shakopee pass in place,there should be something for the northbound traffic and perhaps the southbound on Highway 169 diverting them to the west. Dietz commented it's possible but the signs cost about $10,000 each. Franzen noted there will be four projects at the February 24 meeting to discuss. X. ADJOURNMENT MOTION: Kardell moved, seconded by Ismail,to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried 7-0. The meeting adjourned at 8:45 p.m. 9