Planning Commission - 09/10/1990 AGENDA
EDEN PRAIRIE PLANNING COMMISSION
Monday, September 10, 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, Don
Uram, Planner; Deb Edlund, Recording
Secretary.
Pledge of Allegiance -- Roll Call
I. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
II. MEMBERS REPORTS
III. MINUTES
IV. DEVELOPMENT PROPOSALS
A. HEDOUIST ADDITION, (90-08-P) by Don Hedquist.
• Request for Preliminary Plat on 3 .9 acres into 5
single family lots and road right-of-way with
variances for lot frontage on a public road to be
reviewed by the Board of Appeals. Location: 12900
Gerard Drive. A continued public hearing.
V. OLD BUSINESS
A. ANDERSON LAKES CENTER 2ND ADDITION (EDEN PRAIRIE POST
OFFICE)
1. Review of Architectural Plans
VI. PLANNER'S REPORT
A. Composting Ordinance
B. Historical Preservation Ordinance
VII. ADJOURNMENT
agenda\910
•
EDEN PRAIRIE PLANNING COMMISSION
• APPROVED MINUTES
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 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: Don Uram, Planner; Steve Durham, Zoning Administrator;
Sandy Werts, Recreation Supervisor; Deb Edlund, Recording
Secretary.
ROLL CALL:
I. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
MOTION:
Bauer moved, seconded by Sandstad to approve the Agenda as published. Motion
carried 5-0-0.
• H. MEMBERS REPORTS
III. MINUTES
MOTION:
Sandstad moved, seconded by Bauer to approve the Minutes of the August 27,
1990 Planning Commission meeting as published. Motion carried 6-0-1. Dodge
abstained.
IV. DEVELOPMENT PROPOSALS
A. REDOUIST ADDITION, by Don Hedquist. Request for Preliminary
Plat of 3.9 acres into five single family lots and road right-of-way with
variances for lot frontage on a public road to be reviewed by the Board of
Appeals. Location: 12900 Gerard Drive. A continued public hearing.
Frank Cardarelle, representing the proponent, presented a plan with only
one road easement. The storm sewer could be located between Lot 3 and
4. Cardarelle stated that after the last meeting Staff and the proponent re-
evaluated the use of private driveways versus the use of a common
•
driveway and it was Staffs belief that a public turn-around with 3 flag lots
would provide the best design. •
Don Uram reported that Staff recommended that the storm sewer outlet be
extended to the 865 contour. Uram stated that after further review it
appeared that additional trees would not be saved with the use of a
common driveway. He added that Staff recommended common driveways
should be avoided if possible. Homeowners preferred their own
driveways, and therefore, Staff recommended that flag lots be approved.
Uram noted that prior to Final Plat Approval a specific building plan
would be required for Lot #5. Hallett asked if the City had the legal
authority to require a specific building plan. Uram replied that a City
Council approval would make it legal.
Floyd Siefferman, Jr., 6997 Edgebrook Place, stated that he was pleased
that a public road was being used. Siefferman was concerned about the
trees being removed from the site, especially 5 large oak trees.
Siefferman recommended that the trees removed be planted at the 908
contour, just north of where the trees were being removed.
Jerrold T. Miller, 7120 Gerard Drive, asked for clarification on what a
flag lot was. Uram explained a flag lot. Miller asked what the advantage
would be for flag lots over a public road. Uram replied that a public road
would require a 50-foot right-of-way and setback requirements would also •
be required. Miller recommended the use of common driveways. Uram
noted that originally only one driveway would be constructed.
Cardarelle explained that there was enough room provided for the
construction of 3 driveways if necessary; however, only one common
driveway would be constructed.
Ruebling asked when a Tree Replacement Plan would be prepared for the
Staff. Cardarelle replied that a preliminary plan was available at this time;
he would continue to work with Staff prior to approval by the City
Council.
Bauer stated that he was uncomfortable with making a recommendation as
to where the trees would be replanted. Uram replied that the Tree
Replacement Ordinance recommended locations for replacement and Staff
would take into consideration the suggestion by Siefferman.
MOTION 1•
Bye moved, seconded by Sandstad to close the public hearing. Motion
carried 7-0-0.
MOTION 2•
•
Bye moved, seconded by Sandstad to recommend to the City Council
approval of the request of Don Hedquist for Preliminary Plat of 3.9 acres,
to be known as the Hedquist Addition, for five single family lots and road
right-of-way, with variances for lot frontage to be reviewed by the Board
of Appeals, based on plans dated August 24, 1990, subject to the
recommendations of the Staff Reports dated September 7 and June 22,
1990. Motion carried 7-0-0.
V. OLD BUSINESS
A. ANDERSON LAKES CENTER 2ND ADDITION (EDEN PRAIRIE
POST OFFICE)
1. Review of Architectural Plans
Brian Marshall, U. S. Postal Service, stated that the design portion
of the project was approximately 30% complete at this time.
Chip Ludike, representing the proponent, reviewed the site plan.
The building would located in the center of the property. One side
of the building would be for public use and the other portion of the
• building would be used for operational activities. Ludike stated
that generous landscaping would be provided. A drive-thru would
be provided for service boxes.
Norman asked if a traffic study was done regarding the times for
school buses and mail truck traffic. Uram replied that he could
speak with the City Engineering Department about a stop light.
Sandstad asked how the truck traffic would be handled. Larry
Brown, representing the proponent, replied that 2 semi-truck
deliveries would bring the mail to the Post Office. One truck
would arrive at 5:30 AM and the other would arrive late in the
evening, well after peak traffic hours. The Post Office would
house approximately 50 jeep type vehicles. Sandstad asked if the
jeeps would go through the residential area when dispersing.
Ludike replied that not all of the vehicles would leave at one time.
Ludike stated that two brick colors would be used for the exterior
of the facility. The main entrance and the storage area would be
of a darker brick, while the work area would be a lighter shade.
Clear glass would be used, but would not be visible from the
exterior of the building. Samples of the brick and glass colors
. were presented to the Planning Commission.
Ruebling believed that the plantings would help to break up the •
large mass appearance of the wall. Ludike replied that the
evergreens would be approximately 6-8' tall. There would be a
variety of both young and mature trees.
Sandstad asked if the building would be visible from Highway 169.
Steve Hustad, U. S. Postal Service, replied that a wooden fence
retaining wall would be constructed to provide screening.
Dodge asked if the proponent was in concurrence with the Staff
recommendations. Uram replied that the Post Office had agreed
to return to the Planning Commission prior to Building Permit
Issuance for further review of the plan.
MOTION:
Sandstad moved, seconded by Bye to recommend to the City
Council approval of the architectural plans for the Eden Prairie
Post Office, based on plans dated September 4, 1990, subject to
the recommendations of the Staff Report dated September 7, 1990.
Motion carried 7-0-0.
VI. PLANNER'S REPORT •
A. Composting Ordinance
Steve Durham, Zoning Administrator, stated that the current City Code
did not address the issues related to compost. The proposed Ordinance
would be an amendment to Chapter 9 of the City Code. New State Laws
now prohibit the disposal of yard waste in landfills. The Ordinance would
permit composting and would provide necessary guidelines. The
ordinance would define a compost and yard waste. A nuisance would be
defined according to State Statues. Violations of the Ordinance would be
considered a misdemeanor. Durham asked the Planning Commission to
recommend the Ordinance for approval to the City Council. The
Ordinance would be presented to the Waste Commission on Thursday,
September 13, 1990.
Bauer believed that lawn clippings placed in the garden area would be in
violation of the Ordinance as it was currently written. Bauer believed in
the concept of the Ordinance, but believed that an exception for garden
mulching should be added to the Ordinance. Bauer added that he did
propose to make the Ordinance too restrictive.
Carol Dean, 8613 Darnel Road, stated that every year their neighbor
brings in approximately 100 bags of compost onto his property.
Sandstad believed that this could be resolved by limiting that clippings
could only come from their own property.
Durham stated that a properly maintained compost should produce only a
minimal amount of odor.
Dean noted that some garbage companies still would take grass clippings.
Bauer believed that the concept was good, but the language should be fine
tuned. He also believed that composting would be done more and more
in the future and the City should address the issue now.
Durham believed that an exception could be added regarding gardens.
Bauer stated that the Ordinance as written would eliminate the problem for
the Dean's because it would not allow clippings to be brought onto the
property from an outside source.
Uram stated that Staff had wanted to begin the Ordinance as restrictive and
then ease up if necessary.
• Durham noted that most zoning issues were based on a complaint basis
only. Uram added that the Ordinance could always be amended if
necessary.
Bauer believed that grass clippings would be a large issue over the next
several years.
Hallett stated that all the articles written today recommend that the grass
clippings be left on the lawn.
Jim Dean, 8613 Darnel Road, believed that something should be done
about where clippings could be dumped. Dean added that he did not see
a problem with dumping clippings on a garden area, but did not believe
that it was necessary to bring clippings from outside your own property.
Bauer concurred that significant issues had been raised.
Durham requested that the Planning Commission make specific
recommendations for changes to give Staff direction.
Ruebling asked if it would be possible to write a garden area exception.
Durham asked if the Planning Commission would recommend approval
• with a garden exception.
Hallett agreed that a setback distance should be left in the Ordinance.
Bauer recommended a possible height restriction of 6 inches.
MOTION:
Norman moved, seconded by Bye to recommend to the City Council
adoption of the proposed ordinance regarding composting and yard waste
as presented to the Commission on September 10, 1990 with an
amendment of the garden exception and a "definition" of a garden.
Ruebling believed that it was important to include the definition of a
garden and to limit the thickness allowed.
Bauer requested that it be stressdd that compost could not be brought onto
the property from an outside source.
Motion carried 7-0-0.
B. Historical Preservation Ordinance
Sandra Werts stated that the main purpose for the request of the Ordinance
was to allow the City to become a Certified Local Government, which
would allow for the City to apply for Federal funding for historical •
preservation. Werts added that only 19 Certified Local Governments
existed in Minnesota. In order to become a Certified Local Government
the City needed to have a Historical Preservation Ordinance and
Committee in place. Werts believed that the City had sites of historical
significance which needed to be preserved. Werts also believed that it was
important for the City to have a survey of the historical properties done.
Werts stated that the Ordinance was based on the Stillwater Ordinance and
had been reviewed by the State Historical Preservation Officer.
Sandstad asked if they knew how many archeological sites were located in
Eden Prairie. Werts replied there were maps available which showed the
locations of historical sites. She added that funding could be used to
improve the map and to actually designate sites.
Uram reported that this Ordinance would be an amendment to Chapter 11
of the City Code and would return to the Planning Commission for a
Public Hearing.
Ruebling asked if Staff had any comments on the memo from the City
Attorney. Uram replied that Staff did not have any comments at this time
on the memo. •
Dodge believed that some problems could be solved in advance if the City
had an ordinance in place.
John Hensrud stated that the Historical and Cultural Commission would
like to see the Ordinance move along. He added that the Historical and
Cultural Commission would like comments from the Planning Commission
on any areas of concern.
The Planning Commission concurred that they agreed in concept with the
Ordinance.
Bye believed that the Ordinance would be important to open up funding
possibilities. Werts clarified that the funds would provided to conduct
studies, etc., but would not be used for the purchase of sites.
Norman believed that the definition of a site should be clarified.
Dodge asked if this needed to be heard in a Public Hearing format. Uram
replied yes.
Ruebling believed that it was important to have guidelines in place to
handle issues.
Bauer did not agree with a wait and see attitude.
Bye believed that the City should take a proactive approach.
MOTION:
Bye moved, seconded by Sandstad to forward to the City Council the
Planning Commission's favorable recommendation for the approval of a
Historical Preservation Ordinance. Motion carried 7-0-0.
VH. ADJOURNMENT
MOTION•
Hallett moved, seconded by Norman to adjourn the meeting at 9:10 PM. Motion
carried 7-0-0.