Planning Commission - 11/12/1996 AGENDA
EDEN PRAIRIE PLANNING COMMISSION
Tuesday,November 12, 1996 7:00 p.m.
WMMISSION MEMBERS: Kenneth E. Clinton, Randy Foote, Bill Habicht, Ismail Ismail,
Katherine Kardell,Douglas Sandstad, Mary Jane Wissner
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. TCF BANK by TCF Bank. Request for PUD Concept Review on 17.4 acres, PUD District Review
on 10.4 acres, Zoning District Amendment in the I-2 Zoning District on 10.4 acres and Site Plan
Review on 10.4 acres. Location: Technology Drive and Prairie Center Drive.
B: VIDEO UPDATE by Trinet Property Company,LLC. Request for Zoning District Amendment in
the N-Corn District on 1.01 acres, Site Plan Review on 1.01 acres for construction of a 7,200 sq.ft.
Video Update. Location: Northwest corner of Anderson Lakes Parkway and Hwy. 169.
C. LAKE SMETANA APARTMENTS by Klodt Incorporated. Request for PUD Concept Review
on 17.19 acres,PUD District Review on 17.19 acres,Zoning District Change from Rural to RM-2.5
on 12.37 acres, Site Plan Review on 12.37 acres and Preliminary Plat of 17.19 acres into one lot.
Location: Smetana Lane.
V. MEMBERS' REPORTS
VI. CONTINUING BUSINESS
VII. NEW BUSINESS
VIII. PLANNERS' REPORTS
IX. ADJOURNMENT
APPROVED MINUTES
CITY OF EDEN PRAIRIE PLANNING COMMISSION
TUESDAY,NOVEMBER 12, 1996 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
STAFF MEMBERS: Mike Franzen, City Planner; Scott
Kipp,Senior Planner; Al Gray,City
Engineer;Elinda Bahley,Recording
Secretary
I. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE-ROLL CALL
Chair Clinton called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Commissioner Kardell was
excused.
II. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
MOTION: Foote moved, seconded by Wissner,to approve the Agenda as published.
Motion carried 6-0.
III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
MOTION: Wissner moved, seconded by Foote, to approve the Minutes of the
October 28, 1996 Planning Commission meeting as published. Motion carried 4-0-2
with two abstentions by Habicht and Sandstad.
IV. PUBLIC HEARINGS
A. TCF BANK by TCF Bank. Request of PUD Concept Review on 17.4 acres,
PUD District Review on 10.4 acres, Zoning District Amendment in the I-2
Zoning District on 10.4 acres and Site Plan Review on 10.4 acres. Location:
Technology Drive and Prairie Center Drive.
Dave Sellegren,representing TCF Bank,indicated TCF Bank is planning to
move executive offices, its financial corporation, and corporate operation
center to the proposed building. Opus Corporation has designed and
constructed the building and are in the process of selling it to TCF Bank.
Eden Prairie Planning Commission
November 12, 1996
TCF Bank has asked Opus to assist in re-figuring the internal and external
spaces. They are expanding the parking area and increasing the landscaping
as part of the moving process.
Michelle Foster, senior director of real estate development for Opus
Corporation,reviewed the development proposal with the Commission. TCF
Corporation's attempt to purchase this building and use it primarily for office
purposes requires an amendment and a variance from 50 percent office
requirement to 90 percent office use in the building. In order to permit that
kind of usage in the building it was necessary to reconfigure the parking area
and expand the parking area to permit the employees to occupy and utilize the
building to its capacity. She reviewed the parking plan prepared as a result of
discussions with the Minnesota Department of Transportation regarding the
future improvements of Technology Drive and Prairie Center Drive.
They have revised the landscaping plan to allow the parking expansion, as
well as to provide substantial improvement in the landscaping of the parking
lot. She reviewed the landscaping plan which depicted what it will look like
upon the completion of the MnDOT improvements and the parking expansion.
They have increased the parameter landscaping both to improve appearance
of the building and to compensate for the 15 foot setback which they are
asking for along Technology Drive. She believes this to be a significant
improvement over the existing plan accounting for the changing that will
occur with the MnDOT improvements. This will actually provide for a
greater green space around the parameter of the site which includes the right-
of-way which MnDot will be providing in the improvements. These
improvements require two variances and they are in support of staff s
recommendations.
Ismail was concerned about the 10 percent manufacturing use. Foster
indicated there would be no manufacturing done at this building. It would
primarily be used for storage type purposes of documents and records. It
would be a warehouse or storage use.
Wissner asked for a time frame of the project. Foster replied the anticipated
closing of the property with TCF Financial is expected to occur before the
Christmas holidays. They would be commencing with improvements to the
building almost immediately with occupancy for March of next year.
Wissner asked when the landscaping will be installed. Foster said the actual
timing of the improvements is a little uncertain to the extent of when the
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• Eden Prairie Planning Commission
November 12, 1996
parking lot expansion would occur. Her guess is that it may occur calendar
year 1997 or it may coincide with the MnDOT improvements. MnDOT is
talking about starting the improvements in this area in late 1997 and in early
1998 over a two year construction period. The parameter landscaping would
not make sense to go until the MnDOT improvements are completed.
Franzen said staff recommended approval according to the recommendations
on page 3 ofthe staff report. Included in the packets are a blue line drawing
which represents the 48 additional trees that TCF Bank previously agreed to.
The Public Hearing was opened.
Ray Pivainen,director of real estate for Fairview Hospital,indicated they are
the neighbor property to the south. They are delighted to have TCF Bank
moving next door and are looking forward to supporting them. He supported
the two waivers being requested and believes the parking lot will coincide
nicely with the interaction as well as the roadway works. They are willing to
work with Al Gray and MnDOT because it effects both properties. He was
concerned about access during construction and the current access which is
not seen on the drawing. The current access is further to the south end of
their property. He supported this project as it stands.
Al Gray, City Engineer, stated that the main access into both this property and
to the clinic has a common intersection with new Technology Drive. That will
be a signalized intersection and it should provide very good access for both
buildings. He commented that the new Transit Hub will be located across the
street which will give easy access for employees and patients to get to either
building. Southwest Metro may be willing to work with TCF Bank employees
to customize some of the service they have.
MOTION 1: Wissner moved, seconded by Habicht, to close the public
hearing. Motion carried 6-0.
MOTION 2: Wissner moved, seconded by Habicht,to recommend to the
City Council approval of the request of Twin City Federal for PUD Concept
Review on 17.4 acres, PUD District Review on 10.4 acres,Zoning District
Amendment in the I-2 Zoning District on 10.4 acres and Site Plan Review on
10.4 acres based on plans dated November 8, 1996, and subject to the
recommendations of the Staff Report dated November 8, 1996. Motion
carried 6-0.
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Eden Prairie Planning Commission
November 12, 1996
B. VIDEO UPDATE by Trinet Property Company, LLC. Request for Zoning
District Amendment in the N-Com District on 1.01 acres, Site Plan Review
on 1.01 acres for construction of a 7,200 sq. ft. Video Update. Location:
Northwest corner of Anderson Lakes Parkway and Hwy. 169.
Michael Simms,representing Video Update,reviewed the changes made for
the development proposal. The concern was screening for Highway 169. The
size of the benning was increased per staffs request and additional evergreens
were included to provide screening of the parking. They are in total
compliance with staff and accept all issues in the staff report.
He explained the site plan noting that the materials to be used will match the
existing buildings within the Anderson Lakes Center.
Wissner was concerned that there was only one entrance to the site. Franzen
said the actual entrance to the site is from Anderson Lakes Parkway. Access
to the store itself faces Highway 169.
Sandstad asked the developer if he had any concern about the traffic access.
• Simms replied no. Sandstad asked how long would it be before there was a
signal at Columbine. Gray indicated about two to five years.
Habicht asked if there was a way the City could assist in helping the traffic
flow to get out to Columbine because he was concerned about u-turns at the
intersection of Columbine and Anderson Lakes Parkway. Gray said it's
something that the center itself would do, not the City. They could install
signage. Most people who stop at these places are regulars and they know
the way to go, but they will take shortcuts. He suggested a sign at the
intersection saying no u-turns.
Foote was concerned about a parking problem even though the 58 spaces
meet City Code. Simms stated the requirement was for 35 to 40 parking
stalls. There is a lot of parking from a tenant prospective and he was
comfortable with the 58 stalls.
The public hearing was opened.
Sandstad was concerned about pedestrian safety along Highway 169. There
is no safe route for pedestrians to walk along the highway. He referred to a
fatality that occurred at that intersection a couple of months ago and asked
staff what has been done since he submitted a memo passing a resolution 60
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. Eden Prairie Planning Commission
November 12, 1996
days ago. Franzen replied there has been no progress as to when a pedestrian
trail might go in.
Sandstad stated the Commission may have to change what they do on this
related issue. They keep placing these uses next to the highway and ignoring
the safety aspect of it. Gray indicated the pedestrian facility that they would
contemplate in the area would be along Columbine. It would be sort of a
detached frontage road, or in this case a detached pedestrian facility. One of
the things that's lacking today is you can't get north all the way up to Prairie
Center Drive as a pedestrian because Columbine has not been completed yet.
Sandstad commented he has been a commissioner for seven years and has
been hearing about the Columbine connection for that entire period. He lives
in the neighborhood and he sees wheelchairs,elderly people,and children on
Highway 169. It is now time to do something about it. He recommended
adding an item to the staff recommendations, item 4, which would be the
recommendation for approval of the project with a requirement for the City
to get a 12 month time frame for a design of construction of a safe pedestrian
route either parallel to, along,or close to Highway 169 between this property,
Anderson Lakes Parkway intersection and Prairie Center Drive.
Foote asked when Columbine will be done. Gray replied there have been
some events that have happened in the last year and he explained them.
Foote commented that Columbine would be a better solution although he
agreed with Sandstad that it's a dangerous road and they have to do
something. He asked Sandstad if he wanted to attach his recommendation to
the approval of the project. Sandstad replied he was thinking of a time frame
for a design. If the Commission passes the motion, ask the City to officially
do this within such a time frame and see what ideas they come up with. They
have not taken this seriously enough.
Gray indicated the piece of corridor that might be most significant would be
from Fountain Place up to Prairie Center Drive because of the origin of most
ofthe pedestrian traffic. He explained they are planning a signal and hope to
have a signal under construction next year.
Ismail commented he doesn't want this project to be burdened with this issue.
This is an issue for the City. It is somewhat related but this project should not
be delayed because of it.
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Eden Prairie Planning Commission
November 12, 1996
Habicht agreed with Ismail. He would like to see the recommendation be
independent of this project. This needs to be looked at from a long term
prospective.
Sandstad said he would like to attach his recommendation to this project. It's
not going to slow this project down at all and it is directly related to
pedestrians that are going to be coming to this space. It's not sufficient for
this Commission to not involve this project. It will not hold up this project
but it will get the City Council's attention.
Kipp noted this recommendation should not effect the approval of this project.
It will give staff a direction to discuss this at the City Council.
MOTION 1: Sandstad moved, seconded by Wissner, to close the public
hearing. Motion carried 6-0.
MOTION 2: Sandstad moved, seconded by Wissner,to recommend to the
City Council approval of the request of Trinet Property Company, LLC.
Request for Zoning District Amendment in the N-Corn District on 1.01 acres,
and Site Plan Review on 1.01 acres for construction of a 7,200 sq. ft. Video
Update based on plans dated November 8, 1996, and subject to the amended
recommendations of the Staff Report dated November 8, 1996 including item
4 initiated by the Planning Commission. Motion carried 6-0.
C. LAKE SMETANA APARTMENTS by Klodt Incorporated. Request for
PUD Concept Review on 17.19 acres,PUD District Review on 17.19 acres,
Zoning District Change from Rural to RM-2.5 on 12.37 acres, Site Plan
Review on 12.37 acres and Preliminary Plat of 17.19 acres into one lot.
Location: Smetana Lane.
Paul Klodt, developer,noted he has been a developer in the Minneapolis/St.
Paul area for over 40 years and they build hotels, apartment buildings,office
buildings and all types of real estate. He has built over 5000 apartment units
in the metro area in the last 40 years.
Dave Clark, architect, reviewed the development proposal and the site plan
noting that the property is approximately 17 acres on the northwest corner of
Lake Smetana. They have been working with the various agencies over the
last 10 months to put this project together. The proposal is for an apartment
site on the upper half of the site above existing Smetana Lane. Down below
is another two pieces of the property to be used for ponding areas and natural
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Eden Prairie Planning Commission
November 12, 1996
recreational areas associated with the site. The developer will completely
design and pay for the construction of the new roadway, sidewalk, and the
new utilities. They have been negotiating with the estate trustees so they can
create a new roadway in exchange for the easement.
They have been working with Mr. Hoyt and the Nine Mile Creek Watershed
District to continue to get access to his site. Marcella Smetana wishes to stay
in the property as long as she lives and they will give her an easement for
access.
He reviewed the landscaping plan and the easements noting that it is an
isolated country roadway which they wish to preserve. They have purposely
kept the roadway expansion beyond the creek away from their property. The
new roadway will be a standard 32 foot wide public road with curb and gutter
up to the creek, then continue as a private road for the remaining section.
They are trying to keep as little intrusion to this site as possible. The desire
is to maintain as much of a natural feel in this site as they can. The
landscaping between the buildings will be formal with birch,maple and pine
trees. They will keep the natural prairie grasses and the sumac and other
• plantings of that nature.
Foote asked if they would still go ahead with the property if they were not
able to obtain the easements from Mr.Hoyt. Clark replied there are two ways
to work with the property on the north. They can create a retaining wall on
the upper corner so they don't have to grade on his property. It's possible to
do that but it isn't something that would be beneficial to the project.
Foote was concerned that there was no south access. Clark explained the two
means of access to the property. There is a permanent access that runs
through the two industrial properties. Foote commented that if anybody in
the building on the north side wanted to access the underground garage they
would have to go through a lot and he was concerned that it seemed
hazardous. Clark replied they chose to create that serpentine path rather than
give a straight access because they want to keep it with a small town feel.
Sandstad asked if the thought on the recreational facility is that there is not
very many young residents in the complex or would there be some facility that
might not be adult in addition to the two big outdoor facilities shown. Clark
replied in the marketing sense they usually find young people 22 through 30
that are interested in all the amenities this has to offer. They also find an older
range of people between 40 and 50 without children. Klodt noted the rent
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Eden Prairie Planning Commission
November 12, 1996
ranges from $760 to $1,000 a month for a one bedroom, and $1,000 to
$1,400 a month for the two bedrooms.
Ismail was concerned about Marcella Smetana's feelings about the
development. Clark replied he has not personally talked to her but they did
receive a letter from her saying she does not object to the project. His
understanding is that she just wanted to remain in the house she was
comfortable in. She has seen these sort of things happen before around her
such as the industrial project and is aware of what will happen.
Habicht asked if the easement to the east has been obtained for fire protection
access. Clark replied that it's already been platted with the industrial project
and continues right up to the property line.
Foote was concerned about the 10 percent of units being left available for
Section 8 Vouchers. Klodt replied it's up to 10 percent so very little would
be held for it.
Clinton expressed concern about the City Code having a limit of 17.4 units per
acre and the project is at 19.2 units per acre. Clark explained they have been
negotiating for ten months and there were a number of things going on earlier
in negotiations with the City. The 10 percent of the low income housing
happened to work out to 27 units which was the difference they were over in
the zoning amount.
Kipp commented the main issue with this project is the property is guided for
high density residential or industrial, and either land use is appropriate. The
question is which land use is more appropriate for the site. Staff has worked
with the developer for a number of months on this issue and have looked at
residential developments. Staff believes there are some benefits to going with
a residential development. Basically that has to do with the opportunity of
housing goals and providing housing closer to employments. The developer
has agreed to pay for the entire roadway system which would provide access
to Valley View Road and provide a developed roadway system for the
remainder of the property around there.
The proposal also acquires the Frank Smetana Jr. house resolving potential
land use incompatibility. The development of the property also prepares the
future development for the property to the north as well. The City will be
obtaining easements from the developer for public use of remaining property
south of Smetana Road. The Commission needs to take a look at what
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Eden Prairie Planning Commission
November 12, 1996
benefits are with granting shoreland waivers versus going with the different
land use. Strict compliance with the shoreland code would preclude this
development from residential development and leave the site developed as
industrial which is a consistent use.
While industrial could be developed on the property, staff feels it could have
greater visual impact to the lake,higher impervious surface to the lake and
potential increased traffic impact on the system. The tree loss would be the
same for either land use. Regardless of how the land is developed, there is
going to be reduction in the grade in order to work for the existing site. Staff
recommended approval of the project.
Sandstad asked for clarification as to whether there may or may not be
Section 8 Vouchers used in this project. He was concerned that Dave
Lindahl's memo sounded like it had not been determined yet. Kipp agreed.
He didn't know the full answer to that. There is availability of 10 percent of
the units for Section 8 Vouchers. The question is would the buy down with
those vouchers work for the number of units or income ranges. That would
have to be evaluated further. The developer has agreed to provide the 10
percent availability.
Clinton was concerned that the staff report said the grade would go from 950
into 875 to 860 which is 60 to 55 feet but heard 35 feet in the presentation.
Kipp explained that the grade varies from Smetana Lane to the northeast
comer of the property. The grade cut would be approximately 50 feet at the
extreme northeast comer, but about 35 feet near the center of the site.
Franzen noted this grade would be very similar to the Fountain Place
Apartments which is on the south side of Purgatory Recreation Area.
The public hearing was opened.
John Kottke, 7665 Smetana Lane, asked what will be posted on the road
when there's one entrance from Valley View Road and it's going to be gated
on the opposite side. Clark explained the flow of traffic that will occur noting
there will be no thm traffic,just the tenants. Kottke asked if there will be
posted speed limits. Clark said on their side it will be a 15 mile an hour area
and assumes the City's side will be for a standard street. Kottke asked if it will
be posted as a dead end street. Gray replied the posted speed limit will be 30
miles and it will be signed no outlet.
Kottke was concerned about the culvert and about the flooding. Clark
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Eden Prairie Planning Commission
November 12, 1996
explained that right now it's about a 36 inch culvert and it has not been
maintained. They are hoping to put in a 42 inch box culvert maybe five or six
feet wide. Kottke expressed concern about the building facing west which
faces his property. He was concerned about the contours, the grade, the
increase in height, and wants to see elevations. Clark indicated the height
increase is because of the pitched roofs. Kottke asked what height are the
third floor balconies going to be at. Clark replied each floor is about 8'10" so
it's about 27 feet. They want to leave a 150 foot preserve area between the
two properties. There is a significant wooded area there that they will not
allow anybody to touch. They want to maintain it as much as they can.
Mary Smetana, 7722 Smetana Lane, commented they are very thrilled with
the project and support it. She thinks this project is the best suitable for the
site out of all the ones she has seen. She has lived there for 27 years and it's
a wonderful site. She was happy that other people are now going to share this
area rather than see it as an office warehouse.
Ismail commented it's a beautiful site but was concerned about the amount of
multiple dwelling projects the Commission has been approving.
Foote stated that during the last couple of months many people have told him
about their concerns about the amount of multiple housing projects.
However,he would prefer to see housing first versus an industrial use on this
site. He commented that if the developer is not able to provide subsidized
housing,why would the Commission approve 19.2 units per acre versus 17.4.
Clark explained they have been in negotiations with the City and all the
government agencies for the last ten months on how to put this project
together and reviewed the process they went through. They are at a point
now where the project works with 275 units and doesn't know if it would
work with 27 less units. This was a part of the whole total package. He
doesn't want the Commission to single out that one issue.
Sandstad commented his only concern is that transportation and road
improvements tend to lay behind development. This site is nicely suited for
high density residential. In general they have been approving so many projects
that tend to be multiple because of the cost of land driving construction
through the roof.
Habicht commented he was troubled by the amount of shoreland waivers but
industrial use of the property would require many of the same waivers. He
said it's a nice transition for the lake and for the shoreline. The multiples are
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Eden Prairie Planning Commission
November 12, 1996
a nice fit on the site and it justifies all of the shoreland waivers because it's a
nice transition. He cannot justify the density but that's something they face
on every project.
Franzen explained how other projects have provided more amenities to
justified high density. He agreed with the developer that the commission
should consider total package of housing,trails,roads,park dedication, and
off site planning considerations for developing this project.
Ismail was concerned about the increased height and asked if the developer
could make it consistent with the City requirements. Clark replied they could
lessen the pitch on the roofs but it would reduce the residential quality of the
building.
Clinton said he was concerned about the number of multiples that have been
approved but assumed the developer did a market survey and this is what the
market says it would like to have. They have to go with the economic factor.
The project is the best suitable for the site. He had concerns after reading the
staff report,but after hearing the presentation he was more comfortable with
• it.
Wissner was concerned that there are so many multiples out there approved
that have not been completed at this point. It's high priced rental and she gets
nervous about it. It's probably going to be better than industrial but industrial
are now becoming quite attractive. She did not agree that this is providing
housing closer to employment.
Foote stated it's a good project and he supports the project as it stands.
MOTION 1: Sandstad moved, seconded by Ismail, to close the public
hearing. Motion carried 6-0.
MOTION 2: Sandstad moved, seconded by Ismail, to recommend to the
City Council approval of the request of Klodt Incorporated for PUD Concept
Review on 17.19 acres,PUD District Review on 17.19 acres,Zoning District
Change from Rural to RM-2.5 on 12.37 acres, Site Plan Review on 12.37
acres and Preliminary Plat of 17.19 acres into one lot based on plans dated
November 8, 1996, and subject to the recommendations of the Staff Report
dated November 8, 1996. Motion carried 6-0.
Sandstad encouraged any efforts to come up with some Section 8 or
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Eden Prairie Planning Commission
November 12, 1996
something else so that everybody could feel a little better about this including
Dave Lindahl and the Housing Subcommittee members.
V. MEMBERS' REPORTS
None.
VI. CONTINUING BUSINESS
None.
VII. NEW BUSINESS
Franzen gave a reminder that the Joint City Council Planning Commission meeting is
scheduled for November 19 at 6:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers. The topics will
include future land uses for southwest Eden Prairie and road connections.
VIII. PLANNERS' REPORTS
• None.
IX. ADJOURNMENT
MOTION: Ismail moved, seconded by Habicht,to adjourn the meeting. Motion
carried 6-0. The meeting adjourned at 9:05 p.m.
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