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Planning Commission - 01/28/1991 AGENDA EDEN PRAIRIE PLANNING COMMISSION Monday, January 28, 1991 7:30 p.m. COMMISSION MEMBERS: Chairperson Christine Dodge, Tim Bauer, Julianne Bye, Robert Hallett, Karen Norman, Charles Ruebling, Doug Sandstad. STAFF MEMBERS: Chris Enger, Director of Planning; Michael Franzen, Senior Planner; Don Uram, Planner; Deb Edlund, Recording Secretary. Pledge of Allegiance -- Roll Call I. APPROVAL OF AGENDA H. MEMBERS REPORTS III. NIINUTES IV. DEVELOPMENT PROPOSALS A. WELTER'S PURGATORY ACRES 6TH ADDITION (91-4-Z-P) Request of Peter Andrea Company for Zoning District Change from Rural to R1-13.5 on 10.95 acres with variances to • be reviewed by the Board of Appeals; Preliminary Plat of 10.95 acres into 7 single family lots, 1 outlot and road right of way to be known as Welter's Purgatory Acres 6th Addition. Location: north of Welter's Way and south of Sunnybrook Road. A public hearing. B. CUB FOODS (91-3-Z-P-SPR) Request of Super Valu Stores, Inc. for Zoning District Change from R1-22 and PUB to C-Reg-Ser on 9.81 acres with variances to be reviewed by the Board - of Appeals; Site Plan Review on 9.81 acres; Preliminary Plat of 11.57 acres into 1 lot, 1 outlot and road right of way for construction of a 73,000 square foot building to be known as Cub Foods. Location: Northwest corner of 78th Street and Prairie Center Drive, south of Leona Road. A public hearing. V. OLD BUSINESS VI. PLANNER'S REPORT A. MAJOR CENTER AREA ENTRANCE MONUMENTS A. OUTSIDE STORAGE AND DISPLAY by City of Eden Prairie. Request for amendment of Zoning Code regulations on outside storage and display in Commercial and Industrial Districts. A public meeting. VII. ADJOURNMENT EDEN PRAIRIE PLANNING COMMISSION APPROVED MINUTES MONDAY, JANUARY 28, 1990 7:30 PM CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS 7600 Executive Drive COMIVIISSION MEMBERS: Chairperson Christine Dodge, Tim Bauer, Julianne Bye, Robert Hallett, Karen Norman, Charles Ruebling, Doug Sandstad. STAFF MEMBERS: Don Uram, Planner; Scott Kipp, Planner, Deb Fdlund, Recording Secretary. ROLL CALL: Bauer and Dodge absent. I. APPROVAL OF AGENDA MOTION: Hallett moved, seconded by Bye to approve the Agenda as published. Motion carried 4-0-0. II. MEMBERS REPORTS III. MINUTES MOTION: Sandstad moved, seconded by Hallett to approve the Minutes of the January 14, 1991 Planning Commission meeting as published. Motion carried 2-0-2. Ruebling and Bye abstained. IV. DEVELOPMENT PROPOSALS A. WELTER'S PURGATORY ACRES 6TH ADDITION (91-4-Z-P) Request of Peter Andrea Company for Zoning District Change from Rural to R1-13.5 on 10.95 acres with variances to be reviewed by the Board of Appeal; Preliminary Plat of 10.95 acres into 7 single family lots, 1 outlot and road right-of-way to be known as Welter's Purgatory Acres 6th Addition. Location: North of Welter's Way and south of Sunnybrook Road. A public hearing. Jim Ostenson, representing the proponent, presented the plans for a 7 lot subdivision. Six lots would be located around a cul-de-sac and one lot would extend from Sunnybrook Road. The DNR wetland adjacent to the property prohibited further development. Ostenson stated that the proponent had tried to continue the integrity of the existing neighborhood. Another main concern of the proponent was preservation of the trees and wetlands. Approximately 100 inches of the total 300 inch projected significant tree loss would come from one tree. Ostenson believed that this tree could be saved with the use of retaining walls. He also noted that the proponent • proposed to leave as many boxelder trees around the pond as possible. Planning Commission &anuary 28, 1991 Page Two Ostenson believed that if Sunnybrook Road were extended, additional trees would be lost. Ostenson stated that the proponent would incur all the costs for road construction with the plan as presented. He added that if an alternate road design were used the City would need to construct the street and assessments would be necessary. Ostenson stated that the Fire Station was directly across from this property and the response time for rescue units would not be greatly affected by the proposed cul-de-sac design. He also noted that there were cul-de-sacs presently in the City which were longer than the cul-de-sac proposed by the proponent. Ostenson believed that the plan as proposed met with the expectations of the existing neighborhood. Scott Kipp reported that the through road analysis by staff was based on comments from both the Planning Commission and City Council minutes from the review of the original Welter's Purgatory Acres project. The City Council requested that the road be terminated at the southern connection for future through road analysis. Staff concurred with the proponent that a through road out to Homeward Hills Road or Sunnybrook Road from the west would not be feasible. Option 4 developed by Staff would keep the road as far to the west as possible within the site and would go through to Sunnybrook Road. Kipp believed that Option 4 would maintain the integrity of the neighborhood, additional significant trees would not be lost, and the road would be constructed on suitable soils. Staff did not believe that a through street would provide a short cut for general traffic and would be used primarily by neighborhood residents. Kipp concurred that additional road construction costs would occur with this option. Kipp reviewed the pros and cons of the road proposal as outlined in the Staff Report dated January 25, 1991. Ostenson recalled that the temporary termination of Welter's Way had been to provide access to adjacent property and did not believe that it was ever intended to be a through road to Sunnybrook. Ostenson quoted from the October 24, 1986 Staff Report which stated that the extension of Welter's Way to Sunnybrook Road was not feasible. He believed that the water line extension could be installed without additional tree loss. Ostenson also noted that the proponent was not requesting additional lots. Norman arrived at 8:00 PM. Kipp reported that at the October 1986 Planning Commission meeting there was discussion on safety and there was a motion made at the meeting to amend the plans to reflect a future road connection to the north-northwest toward Homeward Hills Road or to Sunnybrook Road. The motion was carried on to the City Council. Rita Reed, 11728 Welter's Way, stated that she had been drawn to the area because of the larger lots and the wildlife. Reed said that she preferred to see the largest lots possible and the least amount of traffic. She added that she would like to be able to continue to enjoy seeing the wildlife. Reed believed that a through street would increase the speed of the traffic and further • that a cul-de-sac would be safer. Planning Commission Wanuary 28, 1991 Page Three Robert Solohub, 11760 Welter's Way, supported that proposal presented by the proponent with a cul-de-sac design. Solohub believed that Staff's road design would create a major through road and increase the traffic. He was concerned for the safety of the children in the neighborhood. Solohub believed that more trees would be saved with the proponent's plan and the costs of road construction would be less. Bill Hoag, 11995 Sunnybrook Road, stated that he owned the existing home. Hoag was concerned with the safety of the children and believed that this factor was of greater importance than the response time of the fire and police. He believed that the larger lots would help to maintain the wildlife in the area. Hoag recommended a City access road only to be used for emergency vehicles. He stated that he would leave his driveway open for emergency vehicles. Ruebling believed that the true access issue was not response time but rather the desire to provide more than one means of access to property by emergency vehicles. Kevin Stratkey, 11787 Welter's Way, believed that the neighborhood was very accessible to emergency protection and didn't believe that this was an important issue. Kipp noted that a waiver would be required by the City Council due to the length of the cul-de- sac. Kipp believed that a through street would distribute traffic more evenly. Sandstad asked where the nearest park was located. Kipp replied the park was near Sunnybrook Road and Homeward Hills, but the park did not have facilities for young children. Hallett asked how much property the City owned adjacent to this project. Kipp replied approximately 4.5 acres. Hallett then asked if the City every sold the land back to a developer. Kipp replied that this had been done in the past and noted that-the City did not have plans for this property. Ostenson noted that part of the property was in the floodplain and directly under NSP lines and therefore was not a desirable piece of property. Hallett asked staff if the existing homeowners would pay assessments for the road if constructed by the City. Kipp replied if the road were petitioned. Peter Knable stated that the proponent had estimated the assessments for the two existing lots would run approximately$10,000 and $21,000. Uram noted that actual benefit to the properties would be questionable and it could be possible that the existing homes would not be assessed. Hallett noted that the possibility of assessments to the existing homeowners was an important factor. Planning Commission Oanuary 28, 1991 Page Four Ostenson stated that the proponent had held a neighborhood meeting and believed they had taken into consideration with the proposed plan the concerns and comments of the neighbors. Hallett stated that historically Public Safety pushed to have through streets and to connect roads whenever possible. He also noted that typically people did not buy homes based on how fast emergency vehicles could access their property. Ostenson gave examples of approximately ten cul-de-sacs which were as long or longer than the one proposed by the proponent. Ostenson believed that there were extenuating circumstances to support the use of a cul-de-sac. Uram stated that longer cul-de-sacs had been allowed by the City when significant natural site features would be saved. Bye believed that a through street would disperse the traffic and would actually reduce the traffic in the center and lower portions of the existing development. Norman believed that the views of the existing residents should be taken into consideration. She . noted that this was a secluded area and it would be the neighbors themselves which would be using the street. Ruebling asked if Hoag's suggestion for an emergency vehicle access only road could be accomplished. Uram replied that he knew of only a couple of cases where this had been done. He added that the roads were for short distances only and believed that the road would not be kept open in the winter. Hallett stated that it appeared from statements by the residents that they did not want a through street. Sandstad supported a continuance. He was concerned about the length of the cul-de-sac and did not see any natural features which were being saved. Bye stated that she was not convinced that a cul-de-sac was or was not the answer, but would like a continuance to allow time for site views and further consideration. Hallett stated that he favored the cul-de-sac design, but respected the comments from fellow commissioners. Ruebling believed that the Planning Commission needed to follow the guidelines as set forth by the City Council and Staff. He added that he would like to see in more detail the Staff s option. Planning Commission Wanuary 28, 1991 Page Five Ostenson asked for direction as to what the Planning Commission wanted to see. He noted that time was very important. Kipp replied that the item could be reviewed again at the February 11th Planning Commission meeting and then be reviewed by the City Council at it's first meeting in March. Ruebling replied that he would like to see a plan depicting a 6' retaining wall versus a 10' wall. Ruebling added that he would like to see more detail on the tree loss for Staffs option. Bye concurred that she would like to see a detailed plan based on Staffs option. Ostenson agreed to prepare the plan as requested. Norman stated that she would abstain from the vote because of personal interest in property in this area. Hallett asked Staff if he should abstain because his son rented from Hoag the owner of one of the existing homes. Uram replied that at the February 1lth meeting the other 2 members of the Planning Commission would be present and this would allow both Hallett and Norman to abstain if they chose to do so. MOTION 1• • Sandstad moved, seconded by Bye to continue the public hearing and direct Staff to publish the item for the February '19th City Council meeting. Motion carried 3-1-1. Hallett voted "NO" and Norman abstained. B. CUB FOODS (91-3-Z-P-SPR) Request of Super Valu Stores, Inc. for Zoning District Change from R1-22 and PUB to C-Reg-Ser on 9.81 acres with variances to be reviewed by the Board of Appeals; Site Plan Review on 9.81 acres; and Preliminary Plat of 11.57 acres into 1 lot, 1 outlot and road right-of-way for construction of a 73,000 square foot building to be known as Cub Foods. Location: Northwest corner of W. 78th Street and Prairie Center Drive, south of Leona Road. A public hearing. Pat Groeper, representing the proponent, thanked Staff for it's time, support, and helpful suggestions to make this,plan what it is today. Groeper stated that the 35-foot setback could not be met along the loading dock area because of the proponent's desire to completely enclose the dock area and, therefore, a variance was being requested. The proponent would construct Road A. Road A was proposed to align with the Eden Prairie Mall roadway so that signalization could be installed when determined necessary. Truck traffic would have a right-in only from 78th Street. Parking for 438 cars would be provided. Extensive landscaping would be provided and a screening wall would be placed along Prairie Center Drive to screen the building. The proponent requested the ability to move some of the trees around the entrance to the loading dock area if necessary. Groeper said that the cart corrals would also be screened with landscaping. A small green space area would be located along 78th Street. Utilities would be installed by the . proponent. Groeper noted that the proponent would need to work further with Staff on drainage Planning Commission Wanuary 28, 1991 Page Six issues. The proponent proposed to petition the City to provide a feasibility study regarding the drainage problem. The exterior facing the west would be largely glass. Soldier coarsing and a panel style brick design would add character to the exterior of the building and help to mask the size. The canopy would be a green color to match the Eden Prairie logo. The dock area was as high as the building and was actually considered part of the building. Uram asked Groeper to comment on the construction schedule. Groeper replied that the proponent would like to begin construction this spring or early summer if the drainage issues could be resolved. Dave Kirsch, representing the proponent, stated that the proponent had tried to develop the project free of concerns. He noted that prior to the enclosure of the loading dock area the plan was in compliance with all setback requirements. Kirsch concurred that the drainage issue needed to be resolved before construction can proceed. Uram reported that Staff had been working with the proponent for approximately a year on this project. Cub Foods would construct a commercial grade street and dedicate the street to the City. The building space would be approximately 73,000 square feet. The setback variance was • due to the enclosure of the loading dock area. Uram recommended that the proponent petition the City for the feasibility study regarding the drainage issues as soon as possible. Uram stated that the signage package was important and noted that a maximum of 325 square feet of signage would be allowed and additional signage would not be permitted. Uram recommended that the 6-foot evergreens be increased to 8, 10, and 12 foot evergreens. He stated that the number of lights should be limited and the lighting color needed to be consistent. Sandstad asked if a ponding option had been considered regarding the drainage problems. Uram replied that the only location for a pond would be in Outlot A, which would not be feasible. He added that the storm drainage was currently going into Eden Lake. Norman asked what the Outlot was for and if it would be maintained by the proponent. Groeper replied that the proponent believed that the Outlot would be developed at a later date. Norman asked if Leona Road would become a through street. Uram replied no, because of the grade difference. Groeper added that the proponent would like to see Leona Road vacated. Norman believed that safety would be improved in the area if Leona Drive could become a through street. Groeper replied that Road A would allow access to Leona Road from 78th Street. Planning Commission OTanuary 28, 1991 Page Seven Bye believed that the intersection at 78th Street would need to be signalized. She noted that it was already difficult to get in and out of the office building adjacent to this site. Bye asked when the trucks would make deliveries. Groeper replied that the majority of trucks would deliver during the late evening hours which are from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. and weekends. Uram noted that the recommendation to enclose the trash compactor area should be added to the recommendations. Groeper stated that the area would be screened. Dick Lynch, 11426 Leona Road, asked how wide the proposed Road A would be. Groeper replied that the road would be 2 lanes (36-feet wide). Lynch asked what type of sewer lines would be installed. Groeper replied that would be constructed to City standards. Lynch asked who would pick up the cost to maintain Leona Road. Uram replied that Leona Road was not proposed to be upgraded at this time. Uram added that Cub Foods could not petition for the entire length of Leona Road to be upgraded. Lynch believed that Leona Road was not capable of handling traffic and questioned having an commercial Road A intersection with Leona Road which was not upgraded. Lynch did not believe that Leona Road would be petitioned for improvement. • Norman asked Lynch how he felt about Leona Road being upgraded. Lynch replied that he did not want the improvements and especially did not want to be responsible to pay for the improvement. Uram noted that where the road would end was subjective at this point. Lynch asked what screening would be provided along the northern boundary of the parking lot. Groeper replied that the screening would be as presented on the plan and noted that the parking lot was 4-to-5 feet lower than Leona Road. Kirsch recommended consideration of ending Road A in a cul-de-sac. Hallett asked if development in this area would be speeded up because of the Cub Food store. Uram replied that development could not be predicted. Lynch questioned the lighting to be used for the parking lot. Groeper replied that the lighting would be downcast and would not spill onto adjacent property. She added that the poles would be approximately 40 feet high. Sandstad asked if Leona Road were upgraded if this would provide relief from traffic on 78th Street. Uram replied that this project was not subject to the upgrading of Leona Road. • Planning Commission �anuary 28, 1991 Page Eight Sandstad recommended that the exterior design be constructed as per the proponents plan. Ruebling asked what the time frame would be for the drainage studies. Uram replied that as soon as the petition for the study was filed it would be given top priority. Ruebling asked if additional landscaping could be provided along the front of the building. Groeper replied that greenspace was not available in the front of the building. Ruebling asked if provision would be made for turn lanes on Road A. Uram replied that turn lanes could be provided. Ruebling was concerned about stacking at the intersection. Ruebling asked if Leona Road could become a dead-end. Uram replied that this would depend on what the City wanted to accomplish. Uram added that traffic volumes might speed up the upgrade process. Ruebling added that he was concerned about the wear and tear on Leona Road. Uram noted that upgrading Leona Road would be a City Council decision; however, the Planning Commission could make recommendations. Norman believed that the proponent had presented a well thought out plan. She recommended • that Leona Road be upgraded. Hallett did not support the upgrade of Leona Road if this would result as a cost to Lynch. Uram noted that Staff was not recommending an upgrade. He noted that if an upgrade were recommended as deferment of assessments may be avilable for Lynch. Hallett asked if Cub Foods was proposing anything different at this location because the corporate headquarters were located here. Groeper replied that the primary differences would be seen inside the store. MOTION 1: Bye moved, seconded by Sandstad to close the public hearing. Motion carried 5-0-0. MOTION 2: Bye moved, seconded by Sandstad to recommend to the City Council approval of the request of Super Valu Stores, Inc., for Zoning District Change from R1-22 and Public to C-Reg-Ser on 9.81 acres, with variances to be reviewed by the Board of Appeals, for construction of a Cub Foods store, based on plans dated January 14, 1991, subject to the recommendations of the Staff Report dated January 25, 1991, with the addition under Item D that a lighting plan be submitted for the loading dock area and that the trash compactor be enclosed. Motion carried 5-0-0. Planning Commission Wanuary 28, 1991 Page Nine MOTION 3: Bye moved, seconded by Sandstad to recommend to the City Council approval of the request of Super Valu Stores, Inc., for Site Plan Review on 9.81 acres for construction of a 73,000 sq. ft. Cub Foods store, based on plans dated January 14, 1991, subject to the recommendations of the Staff Report dated January 25, 1991, with the addition under Item D that a lighting plan be submitted for the loading dock area and that the trash compactor be enclosed. Motion carried 5-0-0. MOTION 4: Bye moved, seconded by Sandstad to recommend to the City Council approval of the request of Super Valu Stores, Inc., for Preliminary Plat of 11.57 acres into one lot, one outlot, and road right-of-way for construction of a 73,000 sq. ft. Cub Foods store, based on plans dated January 14, 1991, subject to the recommendations of the Staff Report dated January 25, 1991, with the addition under Item D that a lighting plan be submitted for the loading dock area and that the trash compactor be enclosed. Motion carried 5-0-0. • MOTION: Norman moved, seconded by Bye to recommend to the City to initiate a study to upgrade Leona Road to Street A. Motion carried 5-0-0. Bye supported strongly the Public Safety memo. V. OLD BUSINESS VI. PLANNER'S REPORT A. MAJOR CENTER AREA ENTRANCE MONUMENTS Uram stated that the entrance monuments would provide a way for the City to identify the major center area. Uram presented a map to show the proposed locations for the signs. Norman favored Prairie Central or Prairie Commons for possible names. Sandstad favored Eden Prairie Center with back lighting on the glass block. Uram noted that it was important that the name be able to transfer to other areas. • Ruebling recommended the use of the Eden Prairie logo. Planning Commission &anuary 28, 1991 Page Ten Hallett recommended asking the Chamber of Commerce for input and suggestions. Ruebling favored Eden Prairie Center or Eden Prairie Commons. The Planning Commission concurred on the following recommendations: Eden Prairie be included in the title, use glass block design, maintain the City colors and logo. B. OUTSIDE STORAGE AND DISPLAY--Amendment of Zoning Code regarding outside storage and display in Commercial and Industrial Districts. A public meeting. Uram reported that the revision of the language in the City Code was based on recommendations from the City Attorney. MOTION: Bye moved, seconded by Sandstad to recommend to the City Council approval of the proposed amendments to City Code with respect to outside storage and display in the Commercial and Industrial zoning districts, as presented in the Staff memorandum dated January 22, 1991. • Motion carried 5-0-0. VIL ADJOURNMENT MOTION• Bye moved, seconded by Norman to adjourn the meeting at 10:30 PM. Motion carried 5-0-0.