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Planning Commission - 08/09/1993 'APPROVED MINUTES EDEN PRAIRIE PLANNING COMMISSION MONDAY, AUGUST 9, 1993 7:00 PM, CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS 7600 Executive Drive COMMISSION 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; Jan Nelson, Recording Secretary I. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE -- ROLL CALL Bauer called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM. Sandstad arrived at 7:20 PM. Clinton and Gualtieri were absent. APPROVAL OF AGENDA MOTION: Kardell moved, seconded by Clish, to approve the Agenda as published. Motion carried 5-0-0. III. MINUTES The Minutes of the July 12, 1993 meeting were tabled due to an insufficient number of Commissioners present to approve. IV. PUBLIC HEARINGS Continued from July 26, 1993 meeting: A. PETER ANDREA TWIN HOMES by Peter Andrea. Request for Zoning District Change from Rural to RM-6.5 on 14.89 acres and Preliminary Plat of 14.89 acres into 30 twin home lots. Location: Willow Creek Road and Bryant Lake Drive. Franzen reviewed the three primary issues determined by the Commissioners at the July 26th meeting to have an impact on what the ultimate plan for the development of the property could be: transition to the single family homes to the west; impact of the site features; and the 8% road grade. • Gary Harris, representing Peter Andrea, said they have now completed a detailed inventory of all trees on the property that are 12" in diameter or greater. A map of the property Planning commission Meeting 2 August 9, 1993 showing the locations of the trees was distributed in the packets. Harris stated that, in order to preserve more trees and to deal with the issue of transition, they have reduced the density of the project and changed the types of housing so that the project now includes 6 single-family houses with 14 twin homes on two cul-de-sacs. Harris stated that the single family lots have areas that approach the R- 1.44 district to the west. The rearrangement and mix changes will also allow for moving the entry road a little to the north, thereby increasing the area for the lots to the south. Harris stated that they have identified over 250 trees 12" or more in diameter on the property and that the revised project would disturb about 30% of the trees during the construction phase. A conservancy easement that will be dedicated as part of the protective covenant was added to the project in order to prevent mowing and cutting of the easement area. Harris said that replanting will occur to the south and west in areas where very few trees exist now. The road grades are at 8% on the upper cul-de-sac and 3% on the lower one. Schlampp asked if the proposed mix was 14 twin homes and four single family homes. Harris replied that he had misspoken and that there are 16 twin homes and six single family homes in the new proposal. Schlampp asked if they were cutting down the lot sizes for the twin homes near the wetlands. Harris replied that those lots will have natural areas as their back yards with 9,000 square feet of usable area per lot. Franzen said the project as first proposed had units located very close to a significant number of trees; however, once the trees were located as a result of the tree inventory, it was possible to rearrange the project to reduce the tree loss to 30%. Franzen stated that the Staff analysis of the house pad size shows that to be realistic. They were not able to rearrange the project in order to reduce the 8% grade on the upper cul-de-sac without adding substantially to the length and curves in the road. On the issue of transition, Franzen said they try to match zoning district and lot size or number of units next to an established neighborhood and Staff believes this plan provides better transition than the previous one. Schlampp said he was concerned about problems emergency vehicles might have with the 8% grade, the curves and the width of the road on the upper cul-de-sac. He asked if the 28-foot road width is typical. Franzen replied that such a • width is typical. Schlampp asked if there is anything else that can be done with the road, such as widening it. Franzen said it might be possible to position the road to Planning Commission Meeting 3 August 9, 1993 one side of the right-of-way or the other in order to better • accommodate emergency vehicles. Sandstad asked why the right-of-way widths are different between the two cul-de-sacs. Harris replied that the twin home lots needed 45 feet of street frontage so the right-of- way is larger. Carol Wilkes read a letter to the Commission from Brian Duoos, 7160 Willow Creek Road, expressing concern about adding additional vehicles from this project to the current high levels of traffic in the area. In his letter, a copy of which is attached to these minutes, Duoos proposed that the speed limit be reduced to 35 MPH, the density be decreased by 1/3, the entrance road be moved to the south, and sidewalks be installed on the west side of the road. Duoos also expressed concern about the density and configuration of the project. Dan Grote, 7061 Willow Creek Road, said he thought the changes are good; however, he wanted to know what happens to drainage and water run-off along the border with the Willow Creek neighborhood, particularly during the construction phase of the project. Franzen responded that a grading and drainage plan will be required at the next meeting that will provide a drainage area map for the property along with • calculations about the amount of water drainage in each area. Franzen said some steep-slope projects have required an actual storm sewer to be put in the rear of the property. Construction on steep slopes would require a construction pond that would catch all the dirt flowing towards Bryant Lake Drive. Bauer stated they would need a pretty solid construction plan to protect against erosion and that a detailed plan would be needed to preserve the wetlands and the neighboring property. Kardell asked what the role of the Watershed District will be in this project. Franzen replied that, after City Council approval, the Watershed District schedules a review of the grading project and specifies the type of erosion control that will be required to prevent sediment from going onto adjoining properties. The City Engineering Department will not issue a grading permit until the Watershed District has signed off on the project. Elaine Sorensen, 7121 Willow Creek Road, commended the developer, Staff and Commission members for their efforts on this project; however, she questioned whether this is the right project for the very delicate terrain in this area. Sorenson would like to see a to-scale mock-up before the Commission or the City Council votes on the project. Clo May Hayes, 7090 Willow Creek Road, would like to see no building done on the top of the hill. Planning Commission Meeting 4 August 9, 1993 Jim Duncan, 11228 Willowood, asked why there are twin units in the project rather than just single family homes like the adjoining neighborhood. Harris replied that there is a marketability issue with single family homes next to a freeway, and the twin-homes provide transition to the single family lots. Jim Danavic, representing Peter Andrea, stated that they are developing for the adult retired person, and they don't see the sites as being big houses with lots of kids. Duncan was concerned about the impact on property values in the adjoining neighborhood. Sorenson asked if there would be covenants and if there would be other builders involved in the project. Danavic replied that any development would have an architectural review board, and they would look at any proposed house plans to see how they line up with each other. Jim McNeill, 7251 Willow Creek Road, would like to have the builder come in with a total plan on everything so that the neighbors can provide some feedback on the type and construction of the buildings. Schlampp agreed that a buffer is needed along the freeway and that the problems with the drainage and the grading must be answered. Wissner stated she was pleased to see transition and land use revisions; however, she was concerned about the possibility that the entrance to the project may now be on a curve in the road. Bauer stated that we do need to see some final plans. Sandstad stated this is closer to a workable project and that transition from single to double is almost necessary with a highway like 212/169. The road grades and the erosion potential are a big concern. Kardell liked the lower level of density but suggested taking one unit out of the lower twin home units that back onto the wetlands to make the lots bigger. Kardell was concerned about the tree loss and would like to see what we could be done to further decrease the number of trees lost. She said the drainage from the top units will be a big problem and we will need a very carefully-done drainage plan. Kardell stated that the conservancy easements were an excellent addition. Clish had concerns about the tree loss issue as it appeared to her that some of the tree clumps would be lost during construction. • Franzen stated that we would require a statistical comparison for trees lost to road, pad and construction damage by categories. I Planning Commission Meeting 5 August 9, 1993 Kardell would rather have the top of the hill maintained than decrease the hill any further in order to reduce the road grade. Bauer was in favor of the plan, provided the tree loss is nailed down and final plans are provided. He stated this is a delicate area and the residents deserve the Commission's analysis of the final plans before approval. Clish would like the traffic engineer to be able to reassure the neighbors about the traffic issues presented by the project. Bauer asked if this project would require the same plan to minimize tree loss during the construction plan as the Centex project. Franzen replied that there would be some applicability in that Centex was building in the "Big Woods" on small lots. Centex committed to where the dumpsters and trucks would be located, a restricted grading plan and a tree loss of 30% or less. Franzen said this project might not have to go to quite the same lengths, but some of the practices would make sense. Bauer wanted some discussion on issue of sidewalks and sidewalk location at the next meeting. • MOTION: Kardell moved, seconded by Clish, to continue the public hearing to the August 23rd meeting. Motion carried 6-0-0. B. BOULDER POINTE 5TH ADDITION by Robert H. Mason, Inc. Request for PUD Concept Review on 150 acres, PUD District Review on 31.21 acres, Rezoning from Rural to R1-13.5 on 31.21 acres, Preliminary Plat of 31.21 acres into 30 lots and one outlot. Location: Boulder Pointe Road and Mitchell Road. Sandstad stated that he didn't see the parking lot at Boulder Pointe Lake Park on the plans. Randy Travalia, representing Robert H. Mason, Inc. , replied that the parking lot is on the original plan for the 1st Addition. Schlampp asked what the total number of lots is. Travalia replied that there are 30 lots. Schlampp noted that only 18 pads are shown on the plans. Travalia replied that the grading plan is accurate and that 12 lots are shown without a pad. Schlampp noted that lots 1-8 abut the high water mark, and lots 3,4 and 5 do not meet the lot width at the rear of the building line. Travalia stated that lots 3,4 and 5 do not meet the 120-foot requirement at the setback. Planning Commission Meeting 6 August 9, 1993 Franzen stated that Staff recommends approval per the recommendations in the last page of the Staff Report of August 6, 1993 . There were no comments from the audience. Sandstad stated he would like to find some way to keep the traffic to 30 MPH on Staring Lake Parkway. Kardell saw no major problems with the project. Wissner asked if there will be other builders in the project. Travalia replied that this will be the same as their other additions. MOTION 1: Kardell moved, seconded by Schlampp, to close the public hearing. Motion carried 6-0-0. MOTION 2: Kardell moved, seconded by Schlampp, to recommend to the City Council approval of the request of Robert H. Mason, Inc. for PUD Concept Review on 150 acres based on plans dated July 29, 1993 and subject to the recommendations of • the Staff Report dated August 6, 1993 . Motion carried 6-0- 0. MOTION 3: Kardell moved, seconded by Schlampp, to recommend to the City Council approval of the request of Robert H. Mason, Inc. for PUD District Review on 31.21 acres based on plans dated July 29, 1993 and subject to the Staff recommendations of the Staff Report dated August 6, 1993 . Motion carried 6- 0-0. MOTION 4: Kardell moved, seconded by Schlampp, to recommend to the City Council approval of the request of Robert H. Mason, Inc. for Rezoning from Rural to R1-13.5 on 31.21 acres based on plans dated July 29, 1993 and subject to the Staff Report dated August 6, 1993 . Motion carried 6-0-0. MOTION 5: Kardell moved, seconded by Schlampp, to recommend to the City Council approval of the request of Robert H. Mason, Inc. for Preliminary Plat of 31.21 acres into 30 lots based on plans dated July 29, 1993 and subject to the Staff Report dated August 6, 1993. Motion carried 6-0-0. Planning Commission Meeting 7 August 9, 1993 V. MEMBERS, REPORTS Sandstad was concerned about the damage that erosion control and construction delineation methods may cause to shallow tree roots. Franzen replied that the developer is required to put up snow fence around a tree located near the grading limits. Sandstad asked if there would be snow fence around a conservancy area. Franzen replied that snow fence would be required around all trees being preserved. Clish reported that she, Wissner and Kardell met with Dave Lindahl. They are currently trying to determine the demand for housing for people who are commuting into Eden Prairie. The bid they received from Decision Resources was too high so they intend to identify 12 representative companies in the community and contact them about surveying employees on whether they live in Eden Prairie and other questions. Lindahl will check to see if student help might be available to design and tabulate the survey. Bauer suggested that they contact the University to see if they would want to do this as a project. Sandstad asked what happened to the idea of a R-5000 lot size. Clish said they are still working on it and that they need to determine if there is a demand for that size. Kardell noted that they want to have a plan in place prior • to the legislature's decision. VI. CONTINUING BUSINESS There was none. VII. NEW BUSINESS There was none. VIII. PLANNERS, REPORTS Franzen reported that the City Council passed the Aviation Center request. Staff will send a letter to MAC and the local commission about extending sewer and water out there. Schlampp stated that the hazardous waste issue needs to be dealt with. Franzen said they are trying to get information out of the PCA and have been referred to Hennepin County. Franzen noted that it is important to keep up with changing bills and legislation on this issue. Currently the City waits until the appropriate agency sends out information on the compliance regulations. Bauer stated his concern about needing sidewalks along the Wal-Mart development because of the high volume of traffic in that area. Franzen replied that there is a joint venture study for the downtown area to put the specs together for such requirements. Planning Commission Meeting 8 August 9, 1993 IX. ADJOURNMENT 40 MOTION: Schlampp moved, seconded by Kardell, to adjourn the meeting at 9:10 PM. Motion carried 6-0-0. • • AGENDA EDEN PRAIRIE PLANNING COMNIISSION Monday, August 9, 1993 7:00 p.m. COMIVIISSION 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 H. APPROVAL OF AGENDA III. MINUTES IV. PUBLIC HEARINGS Continued from July 26, 1993 meeting: A. PETER ANDREA TWIN HOMES by Peter Andrea. Request for Zoning District Change from Rural to RM-6.5 on 14.89 acres and Preliminary Plat of 14.89 acres into 30 twin home lots. Location: Willow Creek Road and Bryant Lake Drive. B. BOULDER POINTE 5TH ADDITION by Robert H. Mason, Inc. Request for PUD Concept Review on 150 acres, PUD District Review on 31.21 acres, Rezoning from Rural to R1-13.5 on 31.21 acres, Preliminary Plat of 31.21 acres into 30 lots and one outlot. Location: Boulder Pointe Road and Mitchell Road. V. MEMBERS' REPORTS VI. CONTINUING BUSINESS VII. NEW BUSINESS VIII. PLANNERS' REPORTS IX. ADJOURNMENT I