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
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• 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
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• 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
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• 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.
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• 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
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• 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.
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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.
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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.
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