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Planning Commission - 10/09/1995 APPROVED MINUTES EDEN PRAIRIE PLANNING COMMISSION October 9, 1995 COMMISSION MEMBERS: Kenneth E. Clinton, Randy Foote, Ismail Ismail, Katherine Kardell, Douglas Sandstad, Edward Schlampp, Mary Jane Wissner STAFF MEMBERS: Michael D. Franzen, City Planner Scott Kipp, Planner Elinda Bahley, Recording Secretary I. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE - ROLL CALL The meeting was called to order at 7:00 P.M. by Vice Chair Kenneth Clinton. Kardell was absent; all other members were present. H. APPROVAL OF AGENDA MOTION: Wissner moved, seconded by Foote to approve the Agenda as published. Motion carried 6-0-0. III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES MOTION: Sandstad moved, seconded by Foote to approve the Minutes of September 25, 1995 as amended: page 10, under Members' Reports it should read... Commissioner Sandstad asked for an official response from the City regarding what steps will be taken by the City to provide a safe pedestrian route across Highway 169 at Anderson Lakes Parkway. Page 11, 6th paragraph should read... Foote noted that with a number of project commencing at about the same time, including the Purgatory Creek Recreation Area, the Transit Hub, and realignment of Technology Drive, he is concerned that all this activity may create a traffic problem, and that this should be evaluated. Motion carried 6- 0-0. IV. PUBLIC HEARINGS A. VALLEY PLACE OFFICE - PHASE II by Design I of Edina. Request for Zoning District Amendment in the Office Zoning District on 0.67 acres and Site Plan Review on 0.67 acres for a 6,400 sq. ft. office building. Location: 9973 Valley View Road. 1 Eden Prairie Planning Commission Minutes - October 9, 1995 Robert Davis, representing Design I of Edina, reviewed his development proposal with the Planning Commission. He noted that he represents Design 1 of Edina as owner, president and architect. They currently have two offices and don't have any building to expand on at either location. The proposal is to build a building at 9973 Valley View Road, and relocate the 16 person company to Eden Prairie. They have a purchase agreement to buy that property. The existing four buildings were built in 1981 as part of a complex of five buildings. His proposal is to construct the fifth building. The proposal includes modifying the parking slightly, to include a turn- around so that you can drive in and make a loop back around and exit out. It will help the traffic flow. The building is two story with 6,400 square feet. The proposal is to be similar in character to the existing buildings. It's a heavily wooded site. There are three trees in a cluster proposed to be removed. Per the Staff's recommendation, they intend to increase the tree landscaping and add four more evergreens to screen the parking from the neighboring iproperty. As an architect, he would like the plan to be unique and not to be in competition with the average office space. He has included many special features such as two indoor parking stalls and a fireplace in the conference room. One floor will be for his company and one floor will be available for rent. He is asking for three variances from the Board of Appeals: 1. A variance of a lot without public road frontage, which has existed since 1981. 2. Zero lot line to parking setback, which exists now for the other four buildings. 3. The percentage of exterior material for 64% wood siding. All the variance requests are consistent with the other four building sites, and are justified to maintain this consistency. 2 Eden Prairie Planning Commission Minutes - October 9, 1995 Kipp reviewed the Staff Report with the Planning Commission. He noted that this is the last site of the 1981 approval. The building is slightly larger than the previously approved plan. However, the scale of the building fits in well with the site. The variances identified are all variances that were needed with the original property. However, because the site was not built, the variances lapsed. Staff supports the variances as consistent with the overall development. The drainage on the property, including the drainage from the roof, will be collected by the storm sewer and will result in limited off-site drainage. Tree loss is approximately 22% which is about half of what was endorsed in the original plan due to the way the property was originally designed. Staff recommends that the sewer and water line going to the building be relocated so the construction of these lines will not harm the two existing oak trees that the proponent is trying to save in the front of the building. The proponent has agreed to do that. Staff recommends that there be some additional landscaping provided in the southeast corner of the site to provide for the necessary screening of the parking. The Valley Place Office Association has reviewed this proposal and has endorsed it. Staff does recommend approval. Ismail asked what a zero lot line is. Kipp replied that the north lot line runs through the parking lot. City code requires a 10 foot setback for parking. So, the need for a variance is zero lot line instead of 10 feet. Ismail asked if there have been any changes in the zoning code since this site was approved in 1981. Kipp replied that there are probably more regulations in place today than there were in 1981, the Tree Preservation Ordinance is one example. Wissner expressed concern about where the mechanical equipment will be. Davis replied that there's a small basement space provided in the building for the equipment. There will be nothing on the roof. There will be air conditioning condensers on the ground. Sandstad commented that he likes the project. He is sure it's consistent with the architecture of the existing buildings, but more unique and distinctive than the other buildings. He supports the project. 3 Eden Prairie Planning Commission Minutes - October 9, 1995 Foote commented that the project looks nice. He appreciates the proponent saving a number of the large trees. He supports the project and the variances. Y Ismail asked how the proponent feels about the staff recommendations. Davis replied that he is not opposed to any of the suggestions. He noted that he was, in fact, embarrassed that he did not catch the item of moving the water line on the plan. Wissner commented that this will finish off this site nicely and she supports it. Schlampp was concerned about the street coming right up against the parking lot, using the parking lot as a cul-de-sac. In a couple of years if they have an Owners Association out there, the building use may change and traffic may increase. Therefore, do they require that the use of the parking lot be part of the covenants of this particular Owners Association. Davis replied that there would be a cross access parking easement. A copy of it has been submitted to the City. Any one of the five businesses can use the parking lot. MOTION 1: Wissner moved, seconded by Foote to close the public hearing. Motion carried 6-0-0. MOTION 2: Wissner moved, seconded by Foote to recommend to the City Council approval of the request of Design I of Edina for Zoning District Amendment in the Office Zoning District on 0.67 acres based on plans dated September 29, 1995, and subject to the recommendations of the Staff report dated October 6, 1995. Motion carried 6-0-0. MOTION 3: Wissner moved, seconded by Foote to recommend to the City Council approval of the request of Design I of Edina for Site Plan review on 0.67 acres based on plans dated September 29, 1995, and subject to the recommendation of the Staff Report dated October 6, 1995. Motion carried 6-0-0. V. MEMBERS' REPORTS Schlampp expressed concern about replacing trees with six to eight feet 4 Eden Prairie Planning Commission Minutes - October 9, 1995 conifers. He said that you can hardly see them and it will not provide adequate screening. He asked for the reason or theory. Kipp noted that according to code, the need to screen parking is based on the visibility from adjacent differing land uses. The site is of the highest elevation around the area. With the additional evergreens on the southeast comer, they will do a fair job of providing that screening as viewed from a lower elevation. You will not see a majority of the parking from the lower elevation,just the fronts of cars along those spaces because of the elevation difference. Schlampp suggested asking for larger conifers or staggering them so they do perform what they are supposed to do. He wants to know how planners think as opposed to the way he thinks. Kipp commented that they are only dealing with 10 foot spaces to provide planting, and it is also on a slope. Staggering the trees would most likely require the trees to be on the neighboring parcel. Franzen commented that there is a technical way and philosophical to approach screening. If this were a 500 car parking lot, Staff would not just recommend plant material. In this situation, you're looking up the hill at four or five cars. Staff is just trying to make that site line look better, but it's not going to be completely 100% screening. If they do 100% screening you can't see the building. There is also a safety concern that has been expressed to Staff by the police department. If screening is too much, people can hide between the trees, fences or berms. The police want visibility for drive-through surveillance. That's why trees and berms are clustered. VI. CONTINUING BUSINESS Ismail was concerned about the rules of the City regarding reimbursements when Commissioners receive invitations for conferences and the membership is a $20.00 fee. Sandstad commented that he has been able to get the City to agree in investing any funds in himself for many years for training within the metro area. He is not aware of anybody getting such service paid for. Wissner commented that for a long time they have been talking about workshops and training. She noted that the City Council has workshops, and this would be 5 Eden Prairie Planning Commission Minutes - October 9, 1995 i a good idea for the Planning Commission. Franzen noted that the Government Training Service puts on a seminar every year on how to be a board member. He asked the City Manager whether or not there would be funding available for doing that. The City Manager said there would be money available for that particular type of training when it comes up in March or April of next year. VII. NEW BUSINESS None. VHI. PLANNERS' REPORTS Kipp noted that there are two items coming up on the agenda. One is a condominium development and one is a golf course proposal. IX. ADJOURNMENT MOTION: Wissner moved, seconded by Schlampp to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried 6-0-0. The meeting was adjourned at 7:45 P.M. 6 AGENDA EDEN PRAIRIE PLANNING COMMISSION Monday, October 9, 1995 7:00 p.m. COMMISSION MEMBERS: Kenneth E. Clinton, Randy Foote, Ismail Ismail, Katherine Kardell, Douglas Sandstad, Edward Schlampp, Mary Jane Wissner STAFF MEMBERS: Michael D. Franzen, City Planner Scott Kipp, Planner I. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE -- ROLL CALL H. APPROVAL OF AGENDA III. MINUTES IV. PUBLIC HEARINGS A. VALLEY PLACE OFFICE - PHASE II by Design I of Edina. Request for Zoning District Amendment in the Office Zoning District on 0.67 acres and Site Plan Review on 0.67 acres for a 6,400 sq. ft. office building. Location: 9973 Valley View Road. • V. MEMBERS' REPORTS VI. CONTINUING BUSINESS VII. NEW BUSINESS VIII. PLANNERS' REPORTS IX. ADJOURNMENT