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Planning Commission - 04/27/1992 EDEN PRAIRIE PLANNING COMMISSION APPROVED MINUTES MONDAY, APRIL 27, 1992 7: 30 - P.M. CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS 7600 Executive Drive COMMISSION MEMBERS: Tim Bauer, Ken Clinton, Jim Hawkins, Katherine Kardell, Karen Norman, Doug Sandstad, Mary Jane Wissner STAFF MEMBERS: Michael Franzen, Senior Planner; Don Uram, Planner; Joanie Reeves, Recording Secretary ROLL CALL: Bauer was late. I. APPROVAL OF AGENDA MOTION: Clinton moved, seconded by Wissner to approve the Agenda as published. Motion carried 6-0-0. II. MEMBERS REPORTS Reportg g will be made re ardin the status of the land behind Flagship. Received copies of the information and current status of activities in that area are in your packets. III. MINUTES MOTION: Correction to the minutes from 4/13/92 . Wissner noted on page 4, paragraph 4, the words should be "single largest" instead of "second largest". Hawkins noted page 4, paragraph 5 "late" should be substituted by "following- the proponents address" . Wissner moved, seconded by Clinton to approve changes to the minutes. Motion carried 5-0-1, Kardell abstained. IV. DEVELOPMENT PROPOSALS A. GE CAPITAL PROPOSED RECREATION FACILITY by G.E. Capital Fleet Services, Inc. Request for Site Plan Review on 19.2 acres and Zoning District Amendment within the Office Zoning District on 19 . 2 acres with a Shoreland setback variance to be reviewed by the Board of Adjustments and Appeals- for a recreation facility. Location: 3 Capital Drive. Uram introduced Judy Brinkhaus, Katherine Spargo, G.E. Capital., Steve Hun, the architect on the project. Brinkhouse, proponent, gave a brief presentation requesting the approval of an outdoor fitness facility on their property at 1 Capital Drive in Eden Prairie. G.E. Capital wishes to add this facility to enhance the environment and health and fitness for all G.E. Capital employees. There is an existing fitness facility located in Building 1. The outdoor facility will be located near the building so that toe Staff can manage and maintain the facilities. Area is secluded and not seen by passing traffic or neighborhood. In this regard, security of facility would be much better. The drawback of developing in this location is that a shoreland setback variance is necessary. Other alternatives were explored, but the proposed location seems to be the best alternative. G.E. Capital is also very interested and concerned about environmental impacts. It was this concern that prompted G.E. to agree to plant the open meadow area with natural prairie grasses to enhance the area for the existing wildlife. G.E. Capital presented a model and site plan. Uram indicated that the staff had spent quite a bit of time with G.E. Capital examining the. proposed site plan and the impact it would have on the environment. There will be limited daytime use and it will not be lighted. G.E. Is proposal is to construct two tennis courts, a half court basketball facility and golf tee boxes in the level area that they have been mowing for the past several years. In order to 'mitigate the request for a Shoreland setback variance, G.E. is proposing to return approximately 1 1/2 acres into prairie grasses and wildflowers. This is desirable compared to what is currently existing. . Norman requested that the driving range be pointed out and indicate where the balls would be going. Marijean Carr, 8100 Ensign Road, spoke and stated that she has been an Anderson Lakes property owner for 20 years. She indicated that there were environmentalists, non-game wildlife people and just plain caring people living here who are disturbed by the proposed events of the newcomers taking over the safety, beauty and peace of Anderson Lakes. She asked that the Commission deny the variance asked for by G.E. Capital for building a sports facility about 60 ft. or less from our lakeshore. Carr recommended these recreational facilities be built somewhere else on the property. Carr questioned the fact . that G.E. Capital land is registered as Gelco Corporation and is registered in Chicago. The precedent will possibly be established for all corporations to build on classified meadow land if this variance is granted. Just last year, G.E. Capital was granted permission to move our geese. Hawkins suggested a copy of the letter to be given to the recording secretary for record. Clinton reiterated Carr's statement that G.E. , removed Canadian geese. Have you seen a change this year? Carr indicated they are watchful of wildlife and only 4 geese out of a population of 30 - 50 have been present in the area. Carr was concerned this new proposal would bring about another change in the area. Wissner questioned Carr about impact of removing existing trail and the return to prairie grass. Carr mentioned she had done a study into natural grasses but is not prepared to answer the question. Wissner mentioned she had walked onto the sidewalk. She felt moving the sidewalk was a good thing since it was designated meadow land. Hawkins reiterated Carr's statement that the City Council granted G.E. Capital permission to remove the geese last year. Who granted that permission. Carr indicated that it' was the Park and Recreation that granted that permission. Hawkins questioned how this was done. Carr indicated that they were trapped. Hawkins asked why G.E. Capital requested the geese to be removed. Carr indicated that they were dirtying up the sidewalk. Sandstad asked the staff if they will continue to remove the geese. Uram said he couldn't respond because this type of decision was made by the City Council. Brinkhaus asked to speak to some of the issues. Brinkhaus said G.E. Capital had asked the Council to remove approximately eight pairs of geese, not most of them. They don't object to geese but the numbers have swollen to increasingly unmanageable numbers and that this caused problems. Brinkhouse mentioned that the deer population has doubled and part of the reason was that Bloomington had gotten rid of a lot of their deer. She also mentioned the variance request would place the fitness center within 130 feet of Anderson Lakes rather than 60 feet. Gelco Corporation is their legal name and they are doing business as G. E. Capital. The City must understand that we build business, pay taxes and we only ask that we have a reasonable way to conduct business. The reason the facility is planned to be built on the east side of the lot is to limit the opportunity for property damage. Carr responded that she had talked to John Parker from the DNR and other wildlife people and it was their recommendation that G.E. Capital put up magnetic tape instead of a fence. It must, however, be maintained so .that it works. Sandstad mentioned that would help only when the geese walk and not fly. He also questioned Karen Schik, environmental consultant from Enviroscience about the prairie restoration and what exactly would be done to restore this to natural prairie. Schik illustrated on the map that 1.5 acres of meadow would be converted to prairie grass. That process would involve using a herbicide to take out the vegetation and replanted with prairie grasses and prairie wildflowers. Maintenance, once the prairie is established would require either burning or mowing of the prairie. Preferred method is burning. Hawkins asked if that must that be done annually. Schik said it must be done for at least the first three or four years. Norman questioned if the prairie grasses will come up to the fencing to the tennis courts. Schik said shrubs would be placed around the facility and would act as a barrier or shield to wildlife. The prairie grass would come close to the shrubs. Hawkins asked about chemical drainage off the court surfaces. Schik indicated there would be some leeching of compounds from the asphalt including a small amount of chemicals and they would filter through the grass toward the lake. Hawkins asked if there was some way to trap those leeched chemicals. Schik said it would be possible although it was not part of 'the plan. Hawkins asked how significant the chemicals were. Uram responded by indicating that the engineering staff had reviewed the plan and indicated that there would 'be approximate 1 cfs runoff from the project. Depending upon how the site is graded, the runoff would never reach the lake. Clinton questioned how long the process would take from the time it was sprayed with herbicide until you plant. Schik replied that it would take two weeks. Clinton asked if the existing wildlife would be disturbed. Schik indicated there was not much wildlife there because it is being mowed and what was there will come back. Hawkins was concerned that the deer would graze on grass that contained herbicide. The response was ,that the grass will die fairly quickly, thus eliminating danger to the deer since they will not be exposed to it very long. Kardell asked if the construction will occur this season. Schik indicated that planting was better in the spring so it would probably take place next year. Norman asked Brinkhaus about G.E. 's reason for putting the facility on the east side. Brinkhaus indicated that the existing fitness center staff needs to maintain, and monitor the facility and that distance from the existing recreational area is a concern. Sandstad questioned the concern of vandalism with a 10 foot fence around the site. Brinkhaus said the fence could be cut or climbed. Clinton asked if this facility was really necessary because it is close to other fitness centers such as Flagship where your employees can participate in. Brinkhaus indicated that this would require a fee, and time away from the building. They are interested in maintaining highly qualified, highly productive, healthy employees. The idea is to keep working as much as possible. Fifty percent of the employees belong to the fitness center now, which is extremely high. Hawkins asked if they had looked at the budget figures to develop and maintain the prairie area over the next . several years. Brinkhaus indicated G.E. is committed to the project. Hawkins asked what the City does to follow up on commitments like this. Uram mentioned that the City would monitor the burning and the requirements of the Developer's Agreement if the project is approved. Sandstad mentioned that he was concerned about the 200 foot setback requirement not being met and wondered if the facility could be relocated. Brinkhaus indicated they had considered other loctions but none of which were considered acceptable. Norman expressed a concern of how sound echoes across the lake, particularly from hitting tennis balls. Would this bother the neighbors in a natural setting like this? Uram discussed the effect of I-494 noise and indicated, that this will probably worse than any noise created by hitting tennis balls. Uram summarized that G.E. Capital'sagreement to do the prairie grass installation is mitigation for the variance and that the prairie grass is desirable from a wildlife standpoint. Sandstad indicated he had not consulted with staff in asking but stated that he is interested in wildlife photography and has been in parking lot on weekends taking pictures. Sandstad wondered if G.E. would be interested in building an elevated platform that would give people a place to observe the lake. Brinkhaus stated liability is a concern. Hawkins questioned how many employees were located at that facility. Brinkhaus indicated, 800 regular and 100 temporary. Permanent employees belong to fitness center. Hawkins asked if this was offered to all employees and not based on rank. Brinkhaus said it was based on any, full time employee paying $5. 00 per month and meeting health requirements. This is not an executive perk. MOTION 1: Hawkins moved the public hearing be closed. Seconded by Clinton. Bauer will be abstaining from voting. Motion carried 6-1. MOTION 2: Hawkins moved to recommend to the City Council that they approve the request by G.E. Capital Fleet Services, Inc. request for Site Plan Review on 19.2 acres and Zoning District Amendment within the Office Zoning District on 19.2 acres with a Shoreland setback variance to be reviewed by the Board of Adjustments and Appeals for a recreation facility based on plans dated 4/16/92 and subject to the recommendation of the staff report dated 4/24/92. Seconded by Clinton. Norman stated for the record that they would have preferred another spot but she would defer to the wisdom that the City has sought out all possible locations. Hawkins shared Norman's concerns. Hawkins also stated that he was concerned about possible runoff into Anderson Lakes. Hawkins would add a fourth recommendation that necessary features be developed in connection with the impervious site to prevent the direct runoff of concentrated water from the paved surface area toward the lake. Amended motion seconded by Clinton. Sandstad, voting on that amended motion, carried 6-1. Motion 2 is passed. MOTION 3: Hawkins moved to recommend to the City Council approval for a request from G.E. Capital Fleet Services for a site plan review on 19.2 acres based on plans dated 4/16/92 and subject to the recommendation of the staff report dated 4/24/92 with the additional four conditions that necessary features be developed so asrto prevent direct or channeled runoff from the impervious surfaces toward the marsh lake area. Moved and seconded, any discussion. Motion carried 6-0-1. Necessary features to be worked on between staff and architect. B. THOMAS REZONING by Russ Thomas. Request for Zoning District Change from RM-6.5 to R1-13.5 on 0.41 acres. Uram reported that , Mr. Thomas owns a lot at the intersection of Franlo and Grier Lane. zoned RM-6.5. He is proposing a rezoning to R1-13 .5 to allow for the construction of a single family home. This is consistent with adjacent properties and staff recommends approval. Bauer indicated that he is familiar with parcel and would like owner to briefly address with the Commission the soil concerns and correction that has occurred over the past 1 1/2 years. Thomas indicated that last year the soil was corrected and Twin City Testing reported the site was buildable. Bauer questioned how Thomas would handle the runoff from the steep slope during construction. Thomas plans to meet with contractors to determine the best solution. Sandstad asked what erosion control measure we use on these sites. Uram indicated that hay bales can be used. Another recommendation would be that they sod or seed as soon as construction completed. Norman moved to close public hearing, seconded by Wissner. Motion carried. A question was asked if the construction could begin after the second meeting. Uram recommended that the 1st and 2nd reading be held at the May 19 City Council meeting. MOTION 1: Bauer moved to recommend the City Council approval of the request of Russ Thomas for Zoning District Change from RM-6.5 to R1-13 .5 on 0.41 acres based on plans dated March 27, 1992 based on the recommendation of the staff report of April 24, 1992 discussed herein Kardell seconded. Two things to be added were the hay bales and the restoration of slopes. Motion carried 7 0. C. EDEN PRAIRIE FORD PARKING EXPANSION by Denwal Management. Request for Zoning District Change from Rural to C-Reg-Ser on 1.5 acres and Site Plan Review on 9.71 acres. Don Brauer made a brief presentation of the parking lot expansion. He added that Ford will ask for permission from City Council to permit site work and grading prior to any second reading and that Developer's Agreement be a simple amendment to the one that is approved. Sandstad questioned if the lighting standard, style, height and illumination is similar to the appoved plan. Brauer responded that Ford modified the lighting to what they thought had been approved on the auto mall. However, the plan as proposed is not consistent but agreed with what the staff report recommended for less intense lighting. Kardell questioned the expansion of the dealership before construction was completed. Brauer indicated it was in original plan and dealership intended to use all that space. At that time, it was determined infeasible and the dealership was made smaller. Ford decided the dealership can now support additional cars. Wissner questioned how the parking lot would impact the City water main? Brauer responded that the City requires a water main built with special connections and on footings. Ford will be assessed if the repairs are necessary. Hawkins questioned the function of skimmer structure related to water runoff from the parking lot. Brauer indicated skimming structure is a dyke instead of coming from bottom up it comes from the top down. The purpose is to trap floating hydrocarbons. The skimmer contains treated wood that extends down below the normal level of the water. Sandstad asked if Ford uses salt and do they plow right away. Brauer responded the only time they use salt is in case of ice storm. Franzen provided some background information on prior approval of the site and city had requirements for screening of outdoor display signs and lighting. He indicated the ordinance allows a display 1800 square feet of unscreened area. For 90% of other vehicles there is a variance request before the Board of Appeals and Adjustments. The staff report recommended use of berming and heavy plant material as a screen with a revised lighting plan with reduced light levels. MOTION 1: Norman moved to close the public hearing, seconded by Bauer. Motion carried 7-0. A comment was . made that the backup material was interesting and helpful. MOTION 2• Norman moved to recommend to the City Council approval of the request by Denwal Management for Zoning District Change from Rural to C-Reg-Ser on 1.5 acres with variances, based on plans dated 4/24/92 and subject to recommendation of staff report dated 4/24/92. Seconded by Bauer. Motion carried 7-0. MOTION 3: Norman moved to recommend to the City Council approval of the request for Zoning District Amendment in the C-Reg-Service Zoning District .on 8.2 acres based on plans dated 4/24/92 subject to the recommendations of the staff report dated 4/29/92 . Seconded by Bauer. Motion Carried 7-0. MOTION 4: Norman moved, seconded -by Bauer to recommend approval of a site plan on 1.5 acres based on plans dated 4-24-92 and subject to the recommendations of the staff report dated 4-24-92. Hawkins requested it be noted for the record that it is the sense of all the members of the planning commission here tonight that the outdoor storage display guidelines developed several years ago be maintained in their entirety and it should be noted that any illumination increases are to related to outdoor storage area. V. OLD BUSINESS: Franzen discussed upcoming agenda for Eden Creek single family and townhomes on the theater site. VI. PLANNERS, REPORTS A. Joint Planning . Commission/City Council Meeting May 19. There are a number of things can be discussed, development of wooded areas, development review process including ordinances and polices, landbanking, -wetlands, bluff development, etc. The agenda will be sent out .one and one-half weeks before the City Council Meeting. The meeting will be social and informal. B. Status of Wetland Encroachment at Technology Drive and Prairie Center Drive. Best explanation on the status was the news article. VII. ADJOURNMENT MOTION: Norman moved to adjourn. Clinton seconded. AGENDA EDEN PRAIRIE PLANNING COMMISSION Monday, April27, 1992 7:30 p.m. COAINUSSION MEMBERS: Tim Bauer, Kenneth E. Clinton, Karen Norman, James Hawkins, Katherine Kardell, Doug Sandstad, Mary Jane Wissner STAFF MEMBERS: Chris Enger, Director of Planning; Michael D. Franzen, Senior Planner; Donald Uram, Planner; Deb Edlund, Recording Secretary Pledge of Allegiance -- Roll Call I. APPROVAL OF AGENDA H. MEMBERS REPORTS M. MINUTES IV. DEVELOPMENT PROPOSALS A. ' GE CAPITAL PROPOSED RECREATION FACILITY by G.E. Capital Fleet Services, Inc. Request for Site Plan Review on 19.2 acres and Zoning District Amendment within the Office Zoning District on 19.2 acres with a Shoreland setback variance to be reviewed by the Board of Adjustments and Appeals for a recreation facility. Location: 3 Capital Drive. B. THOMAS REZONING by Russ Thomas. Request for Zoning District Change from RM-6.5 to R1-13.5 on 0.41 acres. Location: 8600 Grier Lane. C. EDEN PRAIRIE FORD PARKING EXPANSION by Denwal Management. Request for Zoning District Change from Rural to C-Reg-Ser on 1.5 acres with variances, Zoning District Amendment in the C-Reg-Service Zoning District on 8.2 acres and Site Plan Review on 9.71 acres. Location: North of Plaza Drive, east of Prairie View Center. V. OLD BUSINESS VI. PLANNERS' REPORTS A. Joint Planning Commission/City Council Meeting May 19. B. Status of Wetland Encroachment at Technology Drive and Prairie Center Drive. VII. ADJOURNMENT