Planning Commission - 04/23/1990 AGENDA
EDEN PRAIRIE PLANNING COMMISSION
Monday, April 23, 1990
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; Deb
Edlund, Recording Secretary.
Pledge of Allegiance -- Roll Call
I. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
II. MEMBERS REPORTS
III. MINUTES
IV. DEVELOPMENT PROPOSALS
7:45 A. EDEN PRAIRIE FORD, (90-10-Z-P) by Shea Architects,
Inc. Request for Zoning District Change from Rural
to C-Reg-Ser and Site Plan Review on 8. 2 acres with
outside storage variance to be reviewed by the
Board of Appeals, and Preliminary Plat of 24. 6
acres into 4 lots for construction of an automobile
dealership. Location: North of Plaza Drive, west
of Crown Auto. A continued public hearing.
V. OLD BUSINESS
VI. NEW BUSINESS
VII. PLANNER'S REPORT
VIII. ADJOURNMENT
AG040990.MMR
EDEN PRAIRIE PLANNING COMMISSION
APPROVED MINUTES
MONDAY, APRIL 23, 1990 7:30 PM CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS
7600 Executive Drive
COMMISSION MEMBERS: Chairperson Christine Dodge, Tim Bauer,
Julianne Bye, Robert Hallett, Karen Norman,
Charles Ruebling, Doug Sandstad.
STAFF MEMBERS: Michael Franzen, Senior Planner; Deb Edlund,
Recording Secretary.
ROLL CALL: Hallett and Sandstad absent.
I. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
MOTION:
Bauer moved, seconded by Bye to approve the Agenda as published.
Motion carried 5-0-0.
• II. MEMBERS REPORTS
III. MINUTES
IV. DEVELOPMENT PROPOSALS
A. EDEN PRAIRIE FORD, (90-10-Z-P) by Shea Architects, Inc.
Request for Zoning District Change from Rural to C-Reg-Ser and
Site Plan Review on 8.2 acres with outside storage variance to
be reviewed by the Board of Appeals, and Preliminary Plat of
24. 6 acres into 4 lots for construction of an automobile
dealership. Location: North of Plaza Drive, west of Crown
Auto. A continued public hearing.
David Shea, architect for the proponent, presented the plans
a two-story masonry structure. The location of the building
had been determined based on the location of a large sewer
line which runs the length of the property frontage. Parking
would be spread out around the facility, display areas would
be raised elevations, a berm would be provided, and 3 rows of
• 1
• conifer trees would be added along the southern corner of the
property. Concentrated screening would provided around the
overload car storage area. Shea noted that the use for the
Outlot had not been determined at this time. Shea added that
a survey crew had reviewed the elevations related to Highway
5 today.
Shea stated that the lighting proposed for the project would
be consistent with other retail facilities in Eden Prairie.
Shea stated that the lighting architect had taken readings
from businesses presently in Eden Prairie, compared these
readings to the lighting requirements recommended for a car
dealership, and averaged out the candle footage presented `on
the proposed plan. The lighting would be more intense close
to the building and become less intense in the perimeter area
of the property. Shea stated that the lighting would be
downcast and would not spill off the site.
Shea noted that Ford wanted to construct a premier car
dealership and wanted to emphasize the necessity to have some
of the cars seen by potential customers. He added that the
rooftop mechanical units would be screen with metal
enclosures.
Shea stated that the proponent was willing to work within the
• City Ordinances requirements regarding the use of ' special
advertising techniques. The proponent also wanted to maintain
the natural amenities of the wetland area. . Shea noted that
the final drainage planed and utility plan were not completed
at this time and requested that the proponent be allowed to
continue to work with Staff regarding these issues and because
of the short building season be allowed to proceed to the City
Council, with the understanding that these final issues would
be resolved prior to the City Council meeting.
Franzen recommended that the first item to be considered was
if the Planning Commission believed that the land use as
proposed was appropriate for the site. Franzen noted that .the
area around Menard's was regional commercial.
Franzen reported that the display area would be limited based
on the base area ratio 'of the building. He added that because
of the size of the site and its visibility from Highway 5
berming and screening would be issues which needed careful
consideration. Franzen stated that the berming could not be
as high as Staff desired and recommended that the proponent
investigate the use of mass plantings for screening. Staff
had not recommended a specific height or spacing for the
plantings; however, Franzen believed the plantings should be
12-15 ft. apart and 8-10 feet in height.
• 2
• Franzen stated that the 7.5 foot candle might be acceptable
close to the building, but recommended that .the perimeter of
the site be at approximately one foot candle. He added that
it was important for Staff to see a more detailed lighting
plan. He noted that the foot candle readings supplied by the
proponent on other retail sites were general and spot readings
and could not be considered as accurate readings of light
intensity. Staff has detailed foot candle plans for the
Crosstown Athletic Club which is lighted to a 3.5 foot candle
average whihe he felt was bright and tht the Ford lighting
plan would be compared with this.
The grading plan is a critical piece of information; that has
not been provided. The elevations of the parking lot as
related to the berm and Highway 5 should be looked at
carefully and the proponent needed to be aware that additional
plantings could be required, depending on the final grading
plan if berming cannot be constructed high enough to block
sight lines.
Franzen believed that Staff and the proponent had made
significant progress in arriving at the current site plan.
Franzen presented the Planning Commission photos of areas
surrounding the site and other auto dealerships in the Twin
City area.
Ruebling asked how each of the areas would be used and where
the display areas would be located. Shea replied that the
storage area would be used to store the overstock of cars, the
service area would be located at the rear of .the building, and
customer parking would be available on the side and rear of
the building. Shea added that the display area would be
• located in the front of the building and would display 4 to 5
cars at any given time. Shea stated that a limited amount of
parking spaces would be available in front of the building.
Bye asked how many parking stalls would be provided for- the
customers along the rear of the building. Shea replied that
27 to 30 spaces would be provided and added that this was the
number recommended by Ford based on their past experience.
Bye believed that more spaces should be provided. Shea added
that service was a big part of the auto dealership business
today and Ford wanted to make the service as convenient as
possible. He stated that some . of the cars would be stored
inside.
Ruebling asked where the employee parking would be located.
Joe Dotty replied that the dealership would have a total of '50,
employees and 15 to 20 would be working at any given time.
Related to Commissioner Bye's concern regarding adequate
• 3
• parking, Dotty added that approximately 20 to 24 additional
cars could be parked in the service bay area inside the
building.
Franzen stated that the parking was in compliance with City
Code.
Norman was concerned about the appearance of the backside of
the building and the fence, which ran along the back of the
property. Norman asked how visible the outside display would
be from Valley View Road. Shea replied that the fence
belonged to Menard's. Shea added that the proponent hoped
that the view would be channeled to the natural "setting of the
wetlands by the additional landscaping being provided.
Franzen added that a large berm and -plantings and future
buildings along Valley View Road should provide screening.
Shea noted that a large amount- of soil would be removed from
the building area and would be used to construct the berming.
Dotty stated that the proposed site was actually 6 feet lower
in elevation than Menard's.
Ruebling asked for additional information regarding the
lighting. Mike D1Blasimde, lighting architect, replied that
the average candle foot reading would be 7.5, the brightest
• area would be at a 15 foot candle reading, and some areas
would only have a 3 foot candle reading. The poles would be
30 feet high and the lights would have flat lenses. The color
of the lighting would be similar to that at the Flagship
Athletic Club. D1Blasimde stated that for security reasons
certain areas should not have less than a 10 foot candle
reading. The Robert Larsen Development Company would be the
best example of the intensity of the lighting proposed for
this development.
Bye asked if the lighting would be at the same intensity at
all times. D1Blasimde replied that the lighting would be on a
timer. Shea added that the lighting would be directed toward
the building.
Norman asked if fencing would be used in any other areas to
protect the cars. Shea replied no. Dotty added that the
terrain would help reduce vandalism.
Franzen asked what the readings would be at the perimeter of
the property. D1Blasimde replied that the reading at the
perimeter would be approximately .5 foot candle.
Ruebling believed that the lighting as planned seemed
reasonable; however, actual design plans were necessary for
final approval.
• 4
• Bauer asked where the used cars would be displayed. Dotty
replied that the used cars would be wholesaled out on a daily .
basis; however, there would be a minimum amount of top quality
used cars on site.
Bauer asked for the proponents response to Staff s position on
the use of gimmicks for publicity, such as the large balloons.
Dotty replied that the proponent intended to be a good
neighbor in the community and would abide by the rules and the
laws of the community; however, in order to be successful
people need to be able to locate the dealership.
Bye believed that the building had a nice architectural design
and the land use was appropriate, but the plans needed to be
more refined before final approval.
Norman asked what color scheme would be used for the lighted
signs. Dotty replied blue, white, and some red. Shea added
that the final colors had not been approved at this time.
Ruebling asked if female mechanics would be employed and if
space was available in the future to provide separate locker
rooms or whatever was necessary. Dotty replied that at the
present time the a female was the service manager and space
could be made available if necessary. Shea noted that all
discrimination factors had been addressed.
. Franzen asked the proponent to comment on trash enclosures.
Shea replied that the trash areas would be contained within
the building or would be in an enclosed area.
Bauer asked if body work would be done on site. Dotty replied
no.
Ruebling asked how delivery trucks would be handled. Dotty
replied that the delivery of the cars would be early in the
morning or late at night and would not be a problem during
regular business hours.
Shea requested that this item be forwarded to the City Council
as soon as possible because of the short building season. He
asked the Planning Commission to consider acceptance of the
plans as presented this evening and to authorize Staff to
continue to work with the proponent on the fine details, so
that this item could be heard at the next City Council
meeting.
Bye believed that the plans should come back .to the Planning
Commission again for final review, but did recommend that the
item could be published for the next Council meeting.
• 5
Franzen believed that there were some critical areas, such as
lighting and berm elevations for screening of the outdoor
sales area which should be reviewed more thoroughly before
passing the plan on to the Council.
Ruebling stated that he was uncomfortable passing the plan on
without another final review. He added that this plan was
important because it was the first car dealership in Eden
Prairie and was not just a. routine item. Ruebling believed
that the lighting, screening, and signage issues needed
further review.
Doug Tenpas indicated that it was his perception that a
screening and lighting issues were very close to what the
Commission would recommend. He added that when there is just
a day between the Planning Commission and City Council
meetings that the City Staff has historically been good at
conveying what the Commission had wanted. He said he thought
the Council was watching this item very closely because it was
a new land use. He indicated that unless there was something
significantly wrong, that within an additional two weeks these
details could be resolved. He added that he understood the
Commission wished to see the final plans with issues resolved
before passing it on to the City Council.
. Commissioner Bye indicated that additional review by the
Planning Commission is necessary because the proposal. is a
significant departure from the City Code for outdoor sales and
display.
Commissioner Bauer indicated that the City has historically
directed uses with outdoor sales and display towards the
Menard's area. He added that if the City was going to
contemplate uses with outdoor storage that this would be the
appropriate area in the community for such a use.
Commissioner Bye indicated that if this item was passed on to
the City Council, Council members will not have benefit of
approved Planning Commission minutes.
Dodge believed that the plan should come back to the Planning
Commission for further review.
David Shea representing the proponent indicated that he felt
that these were details that they could resolve with the Staff
within a two week time period. He added that if the project
came back to the Planning Commission, and issues were not
resolved with the City Staff or the Planning Commission then
he would not be uncomfortable with the Planning Commission
continuing action until the next available meeting and
postponing a review at the City Council.
• 6
Commissioner Ruebling indicated that this project has been
going on for over a year now and was surprised that everything
has to be completed by the proponent within the next two
weeks. Ruebling added that he understood that the
construction season was short, but didn't see that as a reason
to circumvent the normal review process.
David Shea representing the proponent indicated that the
project could have been before the Planning Commission about
one month earlier, however, he thought that the plan was one
that might not receive a favorable reaction by the Planning
Commission and so chose to take the additional time to
continue to work on the screening, lighting, and sign issues.
He added that the additional time spent prior to review by the
Planning Commission resulted in what he felt was a better site
plan. He added that the Commission has an option of denying
the project and passing -it directly on to the City Council.
He added that his preference though was to have a favorable
recommendation from the Planning Commission.
MOTION:
Bye moved, seconded by Norman to continue the public hearing
for the Eden Prairie Ford to the May 14, 1990 Planning
Commission meeting and to publish this item for the May 15,
1990 City Council meeting,. returning the -plans to the owners
for their commitment to the following:
1) Revision to the landscape plan for additional
berming and heavy mass conifer plantings to screen
the outdoor sales and display.
2) Revision to the lighting plan so that the intensity
of the. lighting does not exceed one foot candle at
the perimeter of the site. (The display area could
be lit to a five foot candle intensity. )
3) Agreement by owners not to use oversized balloons,
banners, search lights, tethered ropes with flags,
temporary signs, nor operate with extensive use of
patriotic flags.
Ruebling stated that he was not comfortable with this being
published for the Council meeting to follow so quickly after
a Planning Commission meeting. He added that this did ' not
allow enough time for the Council to have the benefit of the
Planning Commission minutes.
• 7
Bye recommended that Planning Commission members attend the
City Council meeting to present any concerns. Franzen
indicated that Staff could prepare a status memorandum for
the City Council.
Motion carried 5-0-0.
V. OLD BUSINESS
VI. NEW BUSINESS
VII. PLANNER'S REPORT
VIII. ADJOURNMENT
MOTION:
Bauer moved, seconded by Ruebling to adjourn the meeting at 9:15
PM. Motion carried 5-0-0
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