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Planning Commission - 01/22/1990 AGENDA EDEN PRAIRIE PLANNING COMMISSION Monday, January 22, 1990 7: 30 p.m. COMMISSION MEMBERS: Chairperson Julianne Bye, Richard Anderson, Tim Bauer, Christine Dodge, Robert Hallett, Charles Ruebling, Doug Standstad. STAFF MEMBERS: Chris Enger, Director of Planning; Michael Franzen, Senior Planner; Don Uram, Assistant Planner; Scott Kipp, Assistant Planner, Deb Edlund, Recording Secretary. Pledge of Allegiance -- Roll Call I. APPROVAL OF AGENDA II. MEMBERS REPORTS III. MINUTES IV. DEVELOPMENT PROPOSALS *NOTE: THE TIMES LISTED BELOW ARE TENTATIVE, AND MAY BE SIGNIFICANTLY EARLIER, OR LATER THAN LISTED. 7: 35 A. RAVEN WOOD 3RD ADDITION, by The Cambridge Group. Preliminary Plat of 2.7 acres into 2 lots. .Location: East of Edenvale Blvd. , south of Hipp's Cedar Point 1st Addition. A public hearing. 7 :45 B. BLUFFS EAST 7TH ADDITION, by Hustad Development. Request for Comprehensive Guide Plan Amendment from Low Density Residential to Medium Density Residential on 1.7 acres, Planned Unit Development Concept Amendment on 186 acres, Planned Unit Development District Review with waivers, Site Plan Review and Zoning District Change from Rural to RM- 6.5 on 7. 6 acres, Preliminary Plat of 12. 15 acres into 25 multi-family lots, 3 outlots and road right- of-way. Location: Northwest corner of County Road 18 and Bluff Road. A public hearing. 8:15 C. PHILLIPS 66, by Phillips 66 Company. Request for Zoning District Amendment within the C-Hwy Zoning District on 1.22 acres with variances to be reviewed by the Board of Appeals, Site Plan Review and Preliminary Plat of 1.22 acres into 1 lot for construction of a convenience gas station. Location: Northeast corner of Highway ##169 and West 78th Street. A public hearing. AGENDA EDEN PRAIRIE PLANNING COMMISSION Monday, January 22, 1990 Page 2 8:45 E. ALPINE CENTER, by Lariat Companies. Request for Planned Unit Development District Review on approximately 18 acres, Zoning District Change from Office to C-Reg-Ser and Site Plan Review on 3 .56 acres for construction of a 29,700 square foot retail center. Location: Northeast corner of Prairie Center Drive and Commonwealth Drive. A continued public hearing. 8:55 D. CHI-CHI'S RESTAURANT, by Consul Restaurant Corporation. Request for Planned Unit Development Concept Amendment on 18 acres, Planned Unit Development District Review with waivers, Zoning District Amendment within the C-Reg-Ser Zoning District and Site Plan Review on 3 .99 acres, and Preliminary Plat of 3.99 acres into 2 lots for construction of a 7,390 square foot restaurant. Location: Southwest corner of Middleset Road and • Crystal View Road. A public hearing. V. OLD BUSINESS VI. NEW BUSINESS VII. PLANNER'S REPORT VIII. ADJOURNMENT AG0122 • • EDEN PRAIRIE PLANNING COMMISSION ,APPROVED MINUTES MONDAY, JANUARY 22, 1990 7:30 PM CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS 7600 Executive Drive COMMISSION MEMBERS: Chairperson Julianne Bye, Richard Anderson, Tim Bauer, Christine Dodge, Robert Hallett, Charles Ruebling, Doug Sandstad. STAFF MEMBERS: Chris Enger, Director of Planning; Michael Franzen, Senior Planner; Don Uram, Assistant Planner; Deb Edlund, Recording Secretary. ROLL CALL: Anderson, Dodge, and Sandstad absent. I. APPROVAL OF AGENDA • MOTION• Ruebling moved, seconded by Bauer to approve the Agenda as published. II. MEMBERS REPORTS III. MINUTES MOTION: Bauer moved, seconded by Hallett to approve the minutes of the January 8, 1990 Planning Commission meeting as published. Motion carried 3-1. Bye abstained. IV. DEVELOPMENT PROPOSALS A. RAVEN WOOD 3RD ADDITION, by the Cambridge Group. Preliminary Plat of 2 .7 acres into two lots. Location: East of Edenvale Boulevard, south of Hipp Is Cedar Point 1st Addition. A public hearing. Chuck Benson, the proponent, was available for questions. Uram reported that due to poor soil conditions, the remaining • lots were not buildable and, therefore, the property would be Planning Commission Minutes 2 January 22 , 1990 • divided into two lots. MOTION 1: Bauer moved, seconded by Ruebling to close the public hearing. Motion carried 4-0-0. MOTION 2: Bauer moved, seconded by Ruebling to recommend to the City Council approval of the request of the Cambridge Group for Preliminary Plat of 2.7 acres into two lots for Raven Wood 3rd Addition, based on plans dated December 22, 1989, subject to the recommendations of the Staff Report dated January 19, 1990. Motion carried 4-0-0. B. BLUFFS EAST 7TH ADDITION, by Hustad Development. Request for Comprehensive Guide Plan Amendment from Low Density Residential to Medium Density Residential on 1.7 acres, Planned Unit Development Concept Amendment on 186 acres, Planned Unit Development District Review, with waivers, Zoning District Change from Rural to RM-6.5 and Site Plan Review on 7. 6 acres, and Preliminary Plat of 12. 15 acres into 25 multi- family lots, 3 outlots, and road right-of-way. Location: Northwest corner of County Road 18 and Bluff Road. Franzen reported that this proposal was reviewed in October, 1989 and was denied because of lack of transition between this development and the single family units. The plan has been revised to provide internalized access, with all the homes facing the cul-de-sac. The number of units had been reduced from 26 to 25 units. Wallace Hustad, the proponent, said that double units had been very successful in another section of the Bluffs project and he would like to expand the double units to this area. The plans had been revised based on Staff recommendations to reduce the number of units from 26 to 25, change the access to remove the 4 driveways previously proposed along Bluff Road, change the unit design for the buildings around the pond to consist of 3 units instead of 2 units, the number of units along Bluff Road were reduced from 5 to 4, and additional berming and landscaping would be provided along Bluff Road. Hustad believed that the multiple-units would enhance the overall development in this area in the same manor as the units had been an asset for the Creek Knolls development. Hustad stated that he would make a firm commitment to leave the single family zoning of the area to the west as it currently exists. Planning Commission Minutes 3 January 22 , 1990 Ruebling asked for clarification on the character of the berming to the south of the project. Mary McCawly, representing the proponent, replied that the berm to the south would be 4-to-5 feet in some areas and as high as 8 feet in other locations. She added that conifer trees, small shrubs, and ornamental trees would be used for additional screening. Ruebling asked what the setbacks would be from the new right- of-ways. Hustad replied approximately 70 to 75 feet from the blacktop. Franzen reported that the Planning Commission had been concerned about the lack of transition in the previous proposal. He added that with the revisions presented the transition has been improved. The berming would vary in height from 4 to 8 feet, a greater setback was provided due to the positioning of the units, which would allow for larger screening material to be planted. Franzen noted that the proponent has indicated that the zoning for the property to the west would remain single-family and an adequate transition would be provided. Franzen requested that the proponent provide a plan with the actual screening material depicted prior to City Council review of this proposal. Scott Gensmer, 9599 Bluff Road, stated that he was still • opposed to the proposal. He stated that the original plat was to be for 20 units, which has now been increased to 25. Gensmer was concerned about the transition before and still believed that the transition was not adequate. Gensmer stated that at the meeting in October the Planning Commission had said that a compelling reason for a Comprehensive Guide Plan change had not been shown. He believed that a compelling reason had yet to be presented by the proponent. Gensmer stated that he wanted to preserve the integrity of the area. He believed that double units on Bluff Road were not appropriate and the zoning should be left single-family. Bauer asked Gensmer what he would suggest for an adequate transition. Gensmer replied that he would prefer the zoning remain single-family. Gensmer added that he was concerned that a bargain was being made that if the property to the west remained zoned single-family, it would be acceptable to change the zoning on this portion of the development. Diane Luke, 10450 Whitetail, stated that she would like to see the townhouses developed in this area. Luke believed that it would help the transition between the expensive homes and the single-family homes. She added that the units which had already been constructed were attractive and would enhance the area. Dean Luke, 10450 Whitetail Crossing, stated that the existing twinhomes were attractive. He added that the developer needed Planning Commission Minutes 4 January 22, 1990 to be able to develop according to the market demand. Luke believed that smaller single-family homes would increase the traffic more than the twinhome units. Hallett believed that it was very significant that the area to west remain zoned single-family. Bauer asked Hustad to clarify the rationale for the Comprehensive Guide Plan change. Hustad replied that transition was the main issue. A transition would be provided for the pond area to the north as well as the area to the south. Hustad said that because of the land taken away for right-of-ways the potential construction area had been reduced. He added that the traffic in the area had changed over the years. Hustad assured the Planning Commission that extensive thought had been given to the request for the zoning change. He said that he did not want to construct a product which would be detrimental to the remainder of the project. Ruebling believed that the proponent had addressed the issues raised previously by the Planning Commission. The revisions would make this area consistent with the area to the west of the pond. Ruebling noted that it would be important that an adequate transition be made for the single-family units to the west and requested that Staff monitor this carefully. • Bauer believed that the transition had been improved from the previous plan and was presently adequate. He added that the proponent had provided additional information at this meeting to substantiate a Comprehensive Guide Plan change which had not been available at the meeting in October. Bauer believed that the twinhomes would be better than single-family units in this location. Bye concurred that the screening and berming for the area to the west was of vital importance. Bye supported the proposal. Hallett stated that the commitment of the proponent to provide adequate screening and transition for the area to the west and the agreement that the zoning for the parcel to the west would not be changed was an influencing factor. MOTION 1• Ruebling moved, seconded by Bauer to close the public hearing. Motion carried 4-0-0. MOTION 2: Ruebling moved, seconded by Bauer to recommend to the City Council approval of the request of Hustad Development for Comprehensive Guide Plan Amendment from Low Density Residential to Medium Density Residential on 1.7 acres for •Planning Commission Minutes 5 January 22, 1990 Bluffs East 7th Addition, based on plans dated December 22, 1989, subject to the recommendations of the Staff Report dated January 19, 1990. Motion carried 4-0-0. MOTION 3: Ruebling moved, seconded by Bauer to recommend to the City Council approval of the request of Hustad Development for Planned Unit Development Concept Amendment to the overall Bluff Country Planned Unit Development of 186 acres for Bluffs East 7th Addition, for construction of 25 multi-family units, based on plans dated December 22, 1989, subject to the recommendations of the Staff Report dated January 19, 1990. Motion carried 4-0-0. MOTION 4: Ruebling moved, seconded by Bauer to recommend to the City Council approval of the request of Hustad Development for Planned Unit Development District Review, with waivers, and Zoning District Change from Rural to RM-6.5 on 7. 6 acres for the Bluffs East 7th Addition, based on plans dated December 22, 1989, subject to the recommendations of the Staff Report dated January 19, 1990. Motion carried 4-0-0. MOTION 5: Ruebling moved, seconded by Bauer to recommend to the City Council approval of the request of Hustad Development for Preliminary Plat of 12 . 15 acres into 25 multi-family lots, three outlots, and road right-of-way for Bluffs East 7th Addition, based on plans dated December 22, 1989, subject to the recommendations of the Staff Report dated January 19, 1990. Motion carried 4-0-0. MOTION 6: Ruebling moved, seconded by Bauer to recommend to the City Council approval of the request of Hustad Development for Site Plan Review for Bluffs East 7th Addition for 25 multi-family units, based on plans dated December 22, 1989, subject to the recommendations of the Staff Report dated January 19, 1990. Motion carried 4-0-0. C. PHILLIPS 66, by Phillips 66 Company. Request for Zoning District Amendment within the C-Hwy District on 1.22 acres, with variances to be reviewed by the Board of Appeals, Site Plan Review, and Preliminary Plat of 1.22 acres into one lot for construction of a convenience gas station. Location: Northeast corner of Highway #169 and West 78th Street. A public hearing. •Planning Commission Minutes 6 January 22, 1990 John Bacus, representing the proponent, presented the plans for a state-of-the-art service station/convenience store and carwash. Natural stone would be the primary exterior material. Bacus presented pictures of existing facilities. Extensive landscaping and an adequate buffer was provided between this facility and the church, and a four-foot berm would be placed along Highway 169. The traffic for the car wash would enter from the north and exit onto 78th Street. Bacus noted that all of the Staff recommendations had been incorporated into the plan with the exception of 1.E regarding the stone for the canopy columns. Bacus believed that the design as shown on the plans presently was well integrated and did not detract from the overall appearance of the facility. He believed that it would be difficult to place the stone around such a small area. Bacus believed that the issue for Staff was a concern regarding setting a precedent and not necessarily the appearance of the present design. Bacus concluded by requesting that consideration be given to the removal of recommendation 1.E. Bauer asked why the car wash was being added. Bacus replied that a car wash attracted business. Bye asked if there would be an area available for oil changes, • etc. Bacus replied no. Uram reported that Staff recommended approval of the proposal. Uram concurred that the stone shown in the pictures was unattractive and that the metal columns were acceptable. He added however, that the City had in the past approved several service stations and had requested that the columns be built out of the same building materials. Bauer asked how much stacking distance would be available at the gas pumps. Bacus replied the stacking distance would be for 3 to 4 cars. Bauer then asked where the employees would park. Bacus replied that one handicap space and 4 additional parking spaces would be provided along the north end of the facility. Jack Grier, 9848 Crestwood Terrace, was concerned about the traffic flow and the potential for a significant increase in traffic in an area which was already susceptible to accidents. He added that he was also concerned about an adequate stacking distance for the car wash. Mark Namtvedt, 10885 Hyland Terrace, stated that he too was concerned with traffic in this area. He noted that at this curve, the traffic seemed to accelerate its speed. Namtvedt said that he owned a station with a car wash and had been told • by the City that he was responsible for sanding and salting the road by the exit of the car wash. He added that it •Planning Commission Minutes 7 January 22, 1990 appeared that this station would also have the potential to cause an icy condition on the street. Namtvedt concurred that the stacking distance for the car wash should be increased. Namtvedt said that this would be a nice facility and he welcomed the competition; however, he was concerned about the traffic. Bacus stated that a traf f is study had been conducted by a firm chosen by the City and the report stated that there were no traffic problems. He added that the car wash was equipped with a dryer and a trench was planned to handle any potential icing problem. Uram stated that he understood the residents concerns regarding traffic and this was why the City had requested that a traffic study be conducted. He added that it was the conclusion of the study that the traffic pattern as proposed would work well for this location. Hallett asked if the speed of the traffic at the curve and the sight distances at this location had been checked. Uram replied that these items had been specifically requested. Bye asked what the traffic threshold was for this area. Uram • replied that the intersection at 78th Street currently operated at a level "F" . Grier asked if the traffic pattern could be changed to exit onto Leona Road. Bacus replied that studies indicated that this facility would not generate additional traffic above what presently existed. Hallett asked if the speed limit could be reduced in this area. Uram replied that the speed limit was determined by the State. Ruebling was also concerned about the safety issue and asked if the berming would hinder the sight distance. Uram replied that the berming was setback far enough to not affect the sight distance. Hallett asked how the firm was chosen to perform the traffic study. Uram replied that the City requests bids and had selected BRW because of its knowledge of the major center area. Bye stated that she shared the residents concerns regarding the traffic; however, the experts had reported that the design would work. • Ruebling stated that precedent was important; however, the architectural integrity of the facility was also important. �lanning Commission Minutes 8 January 22, 1990 Ruebling believed that the stone covering would make the columns stand out, where the design presented by the proponent would mask their appearance. He added that he would not object to the removal of the recommendation requesting the stone covered columns. Bauer concurred. Uram replied that Staff had not been provided with information on how it would look with the flat stone. Bacus stated that it was difficult to provide information on how the stone would look because it had not been done before. Ruebling asked if the driveway design would be changed from what currently existed. Uram replied no. MOTION 1: Bauer moved, seconded by Ruebling to close the public hearing. Motion carried 4-0-0. MOTION 2: Bauer moved, seconded by Ruebling to recommend to the City Council approval of the request of Phillips 66 Company for Zoning District Amendment within the C-Hwy District on 1.22 acres, with variances to be reviewed by the Board of Appeals, • for construction of a convenience gas station, based on plans dated January 8, 1990, subject to the recommendations of the Staff Report dated January 19, 1990 and further that with respect to recommendation 1.E, the Planning Commission did not view this as a necessary requirement because the column without the stone appeared to be a better architectural integration. Motion carried 4-0-0. MOTION 3: Bauer moved, seconded by Ruebling to recommend to the City Council approval of the request of Phillips 66 Company for Site Plan Review on 1.22 acres within the C-Hwy District, for construction of a convenience gas station, based on plans dated January 8, 1990, subject to the recommendations of the Staff Report dated January 19, 1990 and further that with respect to recommendation 1.E, the Planning Commission did not view this as a necessary requirement because the column without the stone appeared to be a better architectural integration. Motion carried 4-0-0. MOTION 4: Bauer moved, seconded by Ruebling to recommend to the City Council approval of the request of Phillips 66 Company for • Preliminary Plat of 1.22 acres into one lot for construction of a convenience gas station, based on plans dated January 8, 1990, subject to the recommendations of the Staff Report dated �lanning Commission Minutes 9 January 22, 1990 January 19, 1990 and further that with respect to recommendation 1.E, the Planning Commission did not view this as a necessary requirement because the column without the stone appeared to be a better architectural integration. Motion carried 4-0-0. Bye requested that the traffic be monitored closely. D. ALPINE CENTER, by Lariat Companies. Request for Planned Unit Development District Review on approximately 18 acres, Zoning District CHange from Office to C-Reg-Ser and Site Plan Review on 3.56 acres for construction of a 29,700 sq. ft. retail center. Location: Northeast corner of Prairie Center Drive and Commonwealth Drive. A continued public hearing. Uram reported that the proponent had requested a continuance. MOTION: Ruebling moved, seconded by Bauer to continue to the February 12, 1990, Planning Commission meeting. Motion carried 4-0-0. E. CHI-CHITS RESTAURANT,by Consul Restaurant Corporation. Request for Planned Unit Development Concept Amendment on 18 • acres, Planned Unit Development District Review, with waivers, Zoning District Amendment within the C-Reg-Ser Zoning District, and Site Plan Review on 3.99 acres, and Preliminary Plat of 3 .99 acres into three lots for construction of a 7,390 sq. ft. restaurant. Location: Southwest corner of Middleset Road and Crystal View Road. A public hearing. Bill Etter, representing the proponent, gave a brief presentation regarding the history of the company. He added that Chi-Chi's would employee approximately 100 to 150 people and that the company worked to become good corporate citizens of the community. Lee Madden, architect for the proponent, stated that the NSP easement had presented had obstacle for the development resulting in a change in location of the building on the site. A convenient drop-off area was provided at the front door. A common street access would provide access to the other lots. Madden noted that NSP also had restrictions regarding the landscaping on the easement which would be adhered to. Decorative lamps would be placed along Commonwealth Drive. The facility would be a 7400 square foot, one story building. The exterior of the building would incorporate brick with a stucco accent. The brick would be a brown color with a cream colored stucco. Three exterior signs were presented. • Uram reported that the exterior building material must be consistent with Alpine Center. He added that Staff would make lanning Commission Minutes 10 January 22, 1990 a final decision when the sample were provided. The Engineering Department was recommending that the 6 inch watermain be extended through the site. Hallett asked Uram if Staff wanted to see the actual brick sample and then make a recommendation regarding color. Uram replied that Staff was concerned about the color. Ruebling asked if the Alpine Center plans were far enough along to be able to accomplish a color match. Julie Skarda, representing the Lariat Company, replied that they were comfortable that a color match could be made. Bauer asked Madden if the proponent was in agreement with Staff regarding the elimination of the off-site sign. Madden replied that the proponent concurred and further considered this to be a positive improvement. MOTION 1• Ruebling moved, seconded by Bauer to close the public hearing. Motion carried 4-0-0. MOTION 2: • Ruebling moved, seconded by Bauer to recommend to the City Council approval of the request of Consul Restaurant Corporation for Planned Unit Development Concept Amendment to the overall Preserve Commercial Park North (Area G) Planned Unit Development on 18 acres for construction of a 7,390 sq. ft. Chi Chi's Restaurant, based on plans dated January 5, 1990, subject to the recommendations of the Staff Report dated January 19, 1990. Motion carried 4-0-0. MOTION 3: Ruebling moved, seconded by Bauer to recommend to the City Council approval of the request of Consul Restaurant Corporation for Planned Unit Development District Review, with waivers, and Zoning District Amendment within the C-Reg-Ser Zoning District on 3 .99 acres for construction of a 7,390 sq. ft. Chi Chi's Restaurant, based on plans dated January 5, 1990, subject to the recommendations of the Staff Report dated January 19, 1990. Motion carried 4-0-0. MOTION 4: Ruebling moved, seconded by Bauer to recommend to the City Council approval of the request of Consul Restaurant Corporation for Site Plan Review on 3.99 acres for • construction of a 7, 390 sq. ft. Chi Chi's Restaurant, based on plans dated January 5, 1990, subject to the recommendations lanning Commission Minutes 11 January 22, 1990 of the Staff Report dated January 19, 1990. Motion carried 4-0-0. MOTION 5: Ruebling moved, seconded by Bauer to recommend to the City Council approval of the request of Consul Restaurant Corporation for Preliminary Plat of 3 .99 acres into one lot for construction of a 7, 390 sq. ft. Chi Chi's Restaurant, based on plans dated January 5, 1990, subject to the recommendations of the Staff Report dated January 19, 1990. Motion carried 4-0-0. V. OLD BUSINESS VI. NEW BUSINESS VII. PLANNER'S REPORT VIII, ADJOURNMENT MOTION: • Hallett moved, seconded by Ruebling to adjourn the meeting at 9:45 PM. Motion carried 4-0-0. •