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Planning Commission - 04/26/1993 i AGENDA EDEN PRAIRIE PLANNING COMMISSION Monday, April 26, 1993 7:30 p.m. CONEMSSION MEMBERS: Tim Bauer, Kenneth E. Clinton, Cynthia Clish, Katherine Kardell, Douglas Sandstad, Edward Schlampp, Mary Jane Wissner STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE: Lisa-Marie Gualtieri STAFF MEMBERS: Chris Enger, Director of Community Development; Michael D. Franzen, Senior Planner; Donald Uram, Planner; Deb Edlund, Recording Secretary I. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE -- ROLL CALL II. APPROVAL OF AGENDA III. MINUTES IV. PUBLIC HEARINGS To be continued to the May 10, 1993 Meeting: A. ST. EDWARD'S FIELD by The Pemtom Land Company. Request for rezoning from Rural to R1-13.5 on 2.44 acres and Preliminary Plat of 7.04 acres into 12 lots, 1 outlot and road right-of-way. Location: West of Tartan Curve, east of CSAH 101. B. VICTORY LUTHERAN CHURCH by Victory Lutheran Church. Request for Zoning District Amendment within the Public Zoning District on 6.6 acres. Location: East of County Road 4, north of Berger Drive. Continued Item from 4-12-93: C. SOWLES PROPERTY by US Homes. Request for Planned Unit Development Concept Review of 83.55 acres, Planned Unit Development District Review on 12.06 acres, Comprehensive Guide Plan Change from Low Density Residential to Medium Density Residential on 12.06 acres, Rezoning from Rural to R1-9.5 on 50.92 acres, Rezoning from Rural to RM-6.5 on 12.06 acres and Preliminary Plat of 83.55 acres into 233 lots. Location: East of Dell Road, north of County Road 1. D. FAIRFIELD WEST PHASE 2 by Centex Homes. Request Planned Unit Development Concept Review on 23.5 acres, Planned Unit Development District Review on 23.5 acres, Rezoning from Rural to R1-13.5 on 6.34 acres and Preliminary Plat of 6.34 acres into 11 single family lots and road right-of-way. Location: West of Hennepin County Light Rail Authority Right-of-Way, South of future Scenic Heights Road Extension. E. EDEN PRAHUE FORD- CAR STORAGE by Eden Prairie Ford. Request for Zoning District Change from Rural to Commercial Regional Service on 4.5 acres and Site Plan Review on 4.5 acres with variances to be reviewed by the Board of Adjustments and Appeals. Location: South of Valley View Road, between Prairie Center Drive and Plaza Drive. V. MEMBERS' REPORTS VI. CONTINUING BUSINESS - Election of Officers VII. NEW BUSINESS VM. PLANNERS' REPORTS IX. ADJOURNMENT • EDEN PRAIRIE PLANNING COMMISSION APPROVED MINUTES MONDAY, MAY 1% 1993 7:30 PM CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS 7600 Executive Drive COMMISSION MEMBERS: Tim Bauer,Ken Clinton, Cynthia Clish Katherine Kardell, Doug Sandstad, Edward Schlampp, Mary Jane Wissner. STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE: Lisa-Marie Gualtieri STAFF MEMBERS: Mike Franzen, Senior Planner; Deb Edlund, Recording Secretary I. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE -- ROLL CALL All members present. II. APPROVAL OF AGENDA MOTION: Clinton moved, seconded by Kardell to approve the Agenda as published. Motion carried 7-0-0. M. MINUTES IV. PUBLIC HEARINGS A. EDEN PRAIRIE FORD-CAR STORAGE by Eden Prairie Ford. Request for Zoning District Change from Rural to Commercial Regional Service on 4.8 acres and Site Plan Review on 4.8 acres with variances to be reviewed by the Board of Adjustments and Appeals. Location: South of Valley View Road, between Prairie Center Drive and Plaza Drive. Franzen reported that since the last meeting the Developer was reviewing the Planning Commission's comments and is making plan changes. MOTION 1: Kardell moved, seconded by Clinton to continue the public hearing to May 24, 1993. Motion carried 7-0-0. B. ST.EDWARD'S FIELD by Pemtom Land Company. Request for rezoning from Rural to Rl- 13.5 on 2.44 acres and Preliminary Plat of 7.07 acres into 11 lots, 1 outlot and road right-of- way. Location: West of Tartan Curve, east of CSAH 101. • Dan Herbst, representing the proponent, replied that 3 lots were previously approved for multiple housing and 10 lots platted for single family. The current plan would have larger single family lots with only 9 lots proposed. Herbst requested a 5 foot variance on Lot 4 to avoid encroachment into the creek area. The outlot would be dedicated to the City. Schlampp asked the depth of the sump between lot 4 and 5. Herbst replied 6 feet. Schlampp asked if the Watershed District had staked out the site. Herbst replied that a biologist had visited the property. He added typically the Watershed District did not want to act until the plan was reviewed by the City Council. Schlampp stated that it appeared that the drainage would go into the sump. Herbst stated that the drainage would be directed to the West. Franzen reported that the zoning was in place prior to the current Shoreland Ordinance being in place. This plan could have been built if previously approved. The 44 foot street and the variance request were recommended to keep the distance from the creek. The plan is consistent with adjacent property and with what was originally approved. Sandstad asked if the narrow street was being recommended because of the small number of houses. Franzen replied this the narrow street had been recommended before where the density was low. Franzen added that there were not a large number of lots which front on the street. Schlampp asked if the radius of the cul-de-sac would be acceptable. Franzen replied that the paved surface would be the same as a normal street. Clinton asked if the building pads would be 50 feet deep. Franzen replied that the area needed to do the construction would be 50 feet. Clinton asked if St. Andrews Court could accommodate a school bus. Franzen replied that the school bus would not go into the cul-de-sac; the children would probably be picked up on Tartan Drive. Wilma Eisenman, 6890 Tartan Curve, stated that her property was only 18 feet from the roadway. Eisenman asked if there was anything that could be done to preserve the few significant trees on their property and if there was any ordinance which required the planting of trees. Franzen asked the developer if the grading would be to fill or cut in this area. Dwight Jelly replied that this would be a fill situation. Franzen believed that the trees could be protected. He added that the developer would need to field survey the area around the tree. Eisenman stated that she would appreciate anything that could be done to save the trees. Eisenman noted that in the letter she received on April 12, 1993 it stated that no variances were to be requested. Herpst replied that the plan had been changed since that time because of the wetland. Eisenman asked why their homes were built so close to the road right-of-way. Franzen replied that he did not have an exact answer. He added that the current requirement was 30 feet from each street for a comer lot. . Schlampp asked if the home to the south of Eisenman was the same distance from the street. Eisenman replied yes. Dennis Bergmann, 6850 Tartan Curve, asked if a berm could be placed so that the drainage would flow away from the existing homes. Bergmann noted that when another development was constructed water problems had started to occur. Franzen replied that the area between the back of the existing homes could be walked to determine how the water drainage flows and then determine the correct drainage solution. Schlampp noted that there was a lot of water running to the north and questioned if the drainage could be tied into the storm water drainage in lieu of going across the property. Schlampp believed that the situation could be worse across from Lot 1 and 8. Franzen replied that a swale could be created or the adjacent storm drainage could be used. Franzen added that the neighbors could participate in the determination of a solution. Eugene Spanda, 18960 Lotus View Drive, asked if the trees to the south be affected. Herpst replied that the grade would be lowered. He added that the trees on the Spanda property would not be affected. Spanda said that he wanted to keep the trees for the privacy. Bauer asked for clarification on how the 44 foot right-of-way on Tartan Court occurred. Bauer also asked if the tree within the right-of-way would be affected. Franzen did not believe that all of the trees were on the right-of-way. Franzen added that he would need to investigate further the right-of-way distance issue. Katherine Lunzer, from the audience, stated that in 1976 they had placed on record with the City that road would developed in the future in this area. Bauer believed that the property and plat existed before the existing home was constructed; therefore, he was comfortable with approval with the condition for further tree preservation and drainage protection for the existing homes. MOTION 1: Bauer moved, seconded by Wissner to close the public hearing. Clish asked if it would be difficult to find out about the setback issues. Franzen replied that he would investigate and bring the findings back to the Planning Commission. Motion carried 7-0-0. MOTION 2: Bauer moved, seconded by Wissner to recommend to the City Council approval of the request of St. Edward's Field for Rezoning from Rural to R1-13.5 on 2.44 acres based on plans dated April 7, 1993 and subject to the recommendations of the Staff Report dated April 7, 1993 including additions: E. Tree preservation on the Eisenman and Spanda properties. F. Drainage protection for Lot 1 & 8. Motion carried 7-0-0. MOTION 3: • Bauer moved, seconded by Wissner to recommend to the City Council approval of the request of St. Edward's Field for Preliminary Plat of 7.01 acres into 11 lots, 1 outlot and road right-of- way based on plans dated April 7, 1993 and subject to the recommendations of the Staff Report dated April 7, 1993 including additions: E. Tree preservation on the Eisenman and Spanda properties. F. Drainage protection for Lot 1 & 8. Motion carried 7-0-0. C. CENTEX DEERFIELD by Centex Homes/Delegards. Request for Comprehensive Guide Plan Change from Low Density Residential to Medium Density Residential on 21.8 acres and from Low Density Residential to Neighborhood Commercial on 3.66 acres. Planned Unit Development Concept Review on 94.15 acrs. PUD District Review with waivers on 94.15 acres. Rezoning from Rural to R1-9.5 on 30.1 acres from Rural to RM-6.5 on 21.8 acres, from Rural to R1-13.5 on 7.3 acres and from Rural to Neighborhood Commercial on 3.66 acres. Preliminary Plat on 94.15 acres in 326 lots, 7 outlots and road right-of-way. Location: Dell Road, and West 82nd Street. Franzen reported that Staff had always expected uses other than low density residential. He added that 3.5 units per acre was at the low end of medium density which allows up to 10 units/acre. The commercial area is small with a low Base Area Ratio. Some site plan changes would still be need regarding transition and tree impact. Dan Blake, representing Centex Homes, stated that this proposal was joint development between Centex and the Delegards. Centex will purchase some of the Jacques and Delegard property. Notices of the proposed plan were mailed out to property owners to the north and the developer had also spoken with builders adjacent to the site. Blake stated that 89 acres would be residential . development. The plan was to work around the proposed location of Dell Road at this time. The property was flat to the east and more rolling to the west. Six wetlands were located throughout the site. The trees on the site were close to the homestead and along Mitchell Lake with an additional narrow corridor down the center of the property. The proposal was for 15 R1-13.5 lots and 79 single family homes. The southeast area would be developed Multi-family. The multi-family homes would be the same design as developed in the Carmody Development. There would be 232 townhome units all of which would be 8, 10, or 12 units per building. A private loop road would be proposed for the multi-family housing area. Staff had requested a 28 foot road be developed in lieu of a 24 foot road. Blake believed that a narrower road would discourage on-street parking. He added that extra guest parking areas would be provided also to discourage on-street parking. Blake noted that a wider road would require the buildings to be closer to the wetland areas. Centex was planning a park dedication in lieu of park fees. The park dedication would be approximately 10.5 acres in the southwest area of the property. Blake believed that there would be an opportunity for the City to purchase additional property for a park once Highway 212 was built. Another 4.3 acres along Dell Road would be dedicated for park. A trail corridor proposed through the property to get to Miller Park. Sandstad asked how residents would cross Dell Road safely to get to the park. Blake replied that he did not know at this time. Blake also noted that a statement had been made that Centex would be grading and constructing the trail system; however, it was Centex's intention to work with the City but not to be responsible for construction of the entire trail system. Blake reported that the project would be done in phases. Utilities were readily available. The tree loss was estimated at approximately 35%. Blake believed that the majority of trees in the narrow corridor in the center of the property could be saved. Sandstad asked the price range of the carriage homes. Tom Boise, representing Centex, replied that some units would start at approximately $60,000 and go on up to approximately $100,000. Kardell asked where the custom homes would be located. Blake replied the custom homes would be in the R1-13.5 zoning area. Bob Smith, representing the Delegards, reported that the request was for a change from residential to neighborhood commercial. The commercial area would be approximately 3.66 acres. A gas/convenience station would be located right on the MWCC line. The northend of the commercial site would be a retail food facility and a small retail business would be located on the eastern portion. The commercial building would be the same size or smaller than the multi-home buildings. Smith stated that the proponent had requested access from Dell Road to the site. The green space between the commercial and multi-housing area to the east would be approximately 100 feet. An 8 foot berm with 12 foot trees would be proposed to the east providing an immediate 20 foot buffer. A NX.R.P. pond would be located in the northwest and northeast corners. Smith proposed to make a better transition to move the gas/convenience to the west, move the retail building further south, and have the NX.R.P. pond enlarged in the northeast corner. This design would allow for the elimination of the pond in the northwest corner to allow for additional berming. • Sandstad asked why Commissioner had not seen any plans for the commercial area. Smith replied that he thought that the Commission had plans for review. Franzen indicated that he was responsible for plans not being available. Bauer stated that the Commission had not seen commercial plans in the packet so it was difficult to respond to changes presented this evening. Smith replied that this could be continued for 2 weeks to allow for revisions of the plan. Bauer believed that the Commission should let the developer know if it was in favor of a Comprehensive Guide Plan Change. Clinton asked if this commercial area would be similar to the one located on County Road 62 and Shady Oak Road. Smith replied that it would be similar. Smith added that the restaurant would be a short-term sit down facility with approximately 500 trips during peak hours. The retail space would result in 45 trips. The gas station would have 3 islands with 9 pumps; generating approximately 54 trips during peak evening hours. Franzen noted that the traffic generation figures were based on the type of stores and the number of stores. Schlampp asked where the NX.R.P. ponds would drain. Smith replied that they would go to the north. Blake added that the designated open space could be developed as a ponding area. Schlampp believed that the constraints would be different if a pond were developed. Blake replied that a complete grading plan had been provided. Smith believed that berming and transition were important on the north and eastern ends of the property. Sandstad asked if the roof would be flat. Smith replied that a pitch roof would be used to blend in with the residential area. Smith recommended that there only be a right-in access from Dell Road. Schlampp asked if the commercial facilities would be designed to service the residential units in this area only. Smith replied that the facilities would serve mostly the neighborhood but,because of the location of the major roads it could serve a broader population. Bauer believed that the final plan needed to address internal circulation; traffic would need to be directed. Smith replied that the major circulation was a "T" design. Wissner asked if there would be curbing. Smith replied yes. Sandstad asked where the trucks would drop off material. Smith replied that most of the businesses would not be using large semi-trucks for delivery and that they would use the front door for unloading. Schlampp asked if the trash facilities would be internal. Smith replied yes. Sandstad asked if Staff had looked at the loading issue. Franzen replied that single doors would be used for loading. Smith added that there would be no loading docks. Clish asked if this was truly the right location for this type of commercial development. Franzen replied that regional commercial areas were designated in advance and are appropriate near the Eden Prairie Mall, but neighborhood commercial areas are not. They are approved based on need, traffic, and transition. The Commission needs to look at how a commercial development will fit in with what is there now and if there is a good reason for neighborhood commercial development on this site. Clish asked if the narrower street needed to be dealt with this evening. Franzen replied that a narrower road would need to be posted as a fire lane. Wissner asked if cars could be given tickets for parking on the street on a private road. Franzen replied that a fire lane could be enforced. Franzen reported that if no changes were made the mix of uses would be good. A transition had been provided and the commercial portion would be located at the interchange. Franzen noted that the Commission needed to give general direction as to if the Commission was comfortable with multiple housing and commercial. Franzen stated that based on the presentations by Smith and Blake the plan could be massaged to deal with the Staff recommendations. Bauer stated that he was in favor of the plan. He believed that the compelling reasons for a Guide Plan Change would be Highway 212 and providing affordable housing. Kardell stated that she would like to see more detail on the tree loss. Kardell supported the concept of transition. • Clinton supported the Guide Plan change. Clinton believed that projects were not being looked at globally but rather project by project and was concerned about what the total impact to this area would be. Bauer concurred with Clinton that the Commission should be looking at the whole picture. Bauer noted that several plans being reviewed within the last few weeks involved Dell Road. Clinton said that the Southwest Study may have been acceptable at one time, but now plans are coming in which are closer to reality. The Commission asked to see an overall plan of this area in the near future to see the "big picture". Blake asked that this item be published for the City Council as originally scheduled in 30 days if a continuance were approved. MOTION 1: Clish moved, seconded by Bauer to continue this item to the May 24th meeting of the Planning Commission and to publish to the City Council as originally scheduled. Motion carried 7-0-0. D. CENTRAL MIDDLE SCHOOL PHASE U by the Independent School District#272. Request for Zoning District Amendment within the Public, R1-22 and I-2 Zoning Districts on 20.5 acres to allow for the construction of replacement athletic facilities and Site Plan Review on 20.5 acres for review of grading and drainage plans for the outdoor recreational area. Location: Scenic Heights Road. Franzen reported that the last time the Commission saw this plan it was a general plan and now the District was back to update the Commission on their progress. Mark Kogler, representing the proponent, stated that the District was requesting a concept approval only and not final approval. The School District was dealing with MnDot on acquisition of property and would not begin construction until the 1994 season. The plan was for a new track, two ball fields, eight tennis courts, and a soccer field. Kogler said that eight tennis courts were required to accommodate a full size gym class. Sandstad asked if buildings would be demolished. Kogler replied that three buildings would be removed. Sandstad asked what the proposed width for Highway 212 corridor was in this area. Franzen replied approximately 180 to 200 feet. Kogler replied that there were still a number of issues to be worked out between the School District and MnDot. Kogler added that an interim drainage plan would need to be dealt with along Highway 212 because the ball fields will be constructed approximately two years before Highway 212 would be constructed. Sandstad asked if the bill for the funding of Highway 212 affect the schools plans. Kogler replied no. • Kardell asked if tennis courts were not lost at another school and this was also why eight courts were needed at this location. Hamilton replied that two courts were lost at Prairie View. • Franzen reported that the School District would be moving forward with final plans. He added that the interim drainage plan needed to be dealt with before the plan could progress further. Sandstad asked if tree loss would be reviewed in more detail once the final drainage plan was in place. Franzen replied yes. MOTION 1: Kardell moved, seconded by Bauer to close the public hearing. Motion carried 7-0-0. MOTION 2: Kardell moved, seconded by Bauer to recommend to the City Council approval of the request of Independent School District #272 for Zoning District Amendment within the Public, R1-22 and I-2 Zoning Districts on 20.5 acres based on plans dated May 7, 1993 and subject to the recommendations of the Staff Report dated May 7, 1993. Motion carried 7-0-0. MOTION 3: Kardell moved, seconded by Bauer to recommend to the City Council approval of the request of Independent School District #272 for Site Plan Review on 20.5 acres based on plans dated May 7, 1993 and subject to the recommendations of the Staff Report dated May 7, 1993. • Motion carried 7-0-0. E. EDEN PRAIRIE TRANSPORTATION FACILITY by Independent School District #272. Request for Zoning District Amendment within the I-2 Zoning District on 8.31 acres and Site Plan Review on 8.31 acres for construction of a 40,000 square foot garage. Location: Technology Drive and Wallace Road. Steve Thompson, representing the proponent, presented the plans for the relocation of the bus transportation facility. Wallace Road would be cut off with Phase III of the plan when adding the media center. The east side of the building would be the location for handling the loading and unloading of the busses. The site is approximately 8.3 acres. The drainage would flow mainly to the north. Extensive grading would be required on the site. Thompson noted that development of the project would be linked to the development of Technology Drive which was scheduled to take place in July 1993. Two primary access points were planned. Parking spaces for 140 employees would be provided. Thompson noted that the staff consisted of 95 employees at this time. A stacking area for up to 30 buses would also be provided. Eight bay within the facility would be provided for maintenance. Thompson stated that the storage area for the buses was lower in elevation and would be well screened. He noted that two residential homes were 12 feet higher than this site and they could still see portions of the site. Thompson noted that Technology Drive was at a higher elevation close to the entrance and, therefore, larger screening material would be used at the entrance area. Thompson stated that MnDot would be requested to provide the drainage for the site. Sandstad asked if any water would be retained on the site. Thompson replied no. Franzen replied that the water would be pretreated before and after development out in MnDOT right-of- way- Hamilton concurred with Staff on the berming and planting for the southeast corner but,believed that the requirement for a 6 foot wooden fence on top of the berm was over kill. Clinton asked what type of plant material would be used to screen the residential area. Thompson replied conifers would be used; mainly spruce. Franzen reported that in addition to plant material along Technology Drive a 4 foot wooden fence would be used for screening. He added that if a berm were not possible that only a fence could be used. Franzen stated that he had not heard any comments from the residents with homes which were 12 feet above the proposed site. The screening will need to cover at least 75% in this area. The berming and fencing would screen the buses and fueling area. Franzen recommended approval as proposed. Wally Hilgren, stated that the plan that he had seen showed very little screening in the fueling area. He did not believe that it made sense to screen everywhere else and leave the fueling area open. Schlampp asked Hilgren if he would favor trees over a fence. Hilgren replied that he would prefer trees but believed that there was only room for a fence. Franzen stated that screening of the view from one industrial area to another is not required by City Code. Sandstad said that it appeared that there was at least 75 to 80 feet from the lot lines. Wissner asked Hilgren if he had windows in his facility which faced the bus fueling area. Hilgren replied in Phase H of his plan his facility would look directly at this site. Wissner asked Thompson what the exterior of the building would look like. Thompson replied that the fueling area was screened and the building would be a masonry exterior. Schlampp stated that at times noise was more of a factor in these situations and believed that a wooden fence would help more to screen the noise. Hilgren believed that trees would not work in this area any way because it is too narrow. Schlampp asked how many buses there would be at this facility. Thompson replied approximately 78 to begin with and a total of 90 when fully developed. Hilgren believed that this was the only corner that had been neglected by screening. Thompson stated that the buses would only be outside the building for short periods of time. He added that the School District was not asking for any special favors and wanted to screen the site adequately to be good neighbors. Thompson said that he had not seen the plans for the adjacent site but would be willing to work with Staff on providing screening. Franzen stated that the berm and fence needed to wrap around the southeast corner because of the houses. Franzen believed that trade-offs could be made which would not increase the cost to the school district. Sandstad asked what the distance was to the residents. Franzen replied 75 feet from the edge of the property line and approximately 300 feet from the building. Thompson stated that the school district took issue with the wooden fence because of the maintenance costs. Sandstad asked how critical timing was for the project. Thompson replied that fill from this site would be needed at Central Middle School. John Hamilton stated that the School District had no desire to build a new bus garage. The City recommended the site. The School District wants to be a good neighbor. Hamilton noted that there were not many other school districts have buses stored indoors. There would be no view into the building. Hamilton further noted that this building was in an industrial zone. Clish asked Hamilton what he would recommend. Hamilton replied screening mainly the residential area and not the industrial area. Franzen replied that if this was a warehouse with a loading dock the loading area would require screening so the School District is not being asked to do anything more than what would be required for an industrial use. Franzen added that a • good quality fence would screen the building adequately. He noted that even conifer trees would be planted 10 to 12 feet apart. Schlampp believed that the fencing should be highway standard quality. Franzen recommended that the fence be a 2" thick construction. Clish asked if the City required a 35 year fence in other commercial areas. Yes, on Top View acres Menards built a highway fence. He added that with narrow setbacks fencing is the only solution. Greater setback would allow a higher berm. Kardell asked if there was adequate parking on the site. Franzen replied that the parking provided by the proponent met ordinance requirements. Kardell asked if the parking could be adjusted to provide additional room for berming. Thompson replied that part of the parking was for the public use of the eight tennis courts. Bauer recommended approval of the plan with Staff to work with the developer on resolving the screening issue. MOTION 1: Bauer moved, seconded by Kardell to close the public hearing. Motion carried 7-0-0. • MOTION 2: Bauer moved, seconded by Kardell to recommend to the City Council approval of the request of Independent School District #272 for Zoning District Amendment within the I-2 Zoning District on 8.31 acres based on plans dated May 7, 1993 and subject to the recommendations of the Staff Report dated May 7, 1993. Motion carried 7-0-0. MOTION 3: Bauer moved, seconded by Kardell to'recommend to the City Council approval of the request of Independent School District #272 for Site Plan Review on 8.31 acres based on plans dated May 7, 1993 and subject to the recommendations of the Staff Report dated May 7, 1993. Motion carried 7-0-0. V. MEMBERS' REPORTS VI. CONTINUING BUSINESS VII. NEW BUSINESS VIII. PLANNERS" REPORTS IX. ADJOURNmENT MOTION: Kardell moved, seconded by Clinton to adjourn the meeting at 10:45 PM. Motion carried 7-0-0.