Planning Commission - 02/13/1989 AGENDA
EDEN PRAIRIE PLANNING COMMISSION
Monday, February 13, 1989
7:30 p.m.
COMMISSION MEMBERS: Chairman Julianne Bye, Richard Anderson, Christine Dodge,
Doug Fell , Robert Hallett, Charles Ruebling, Ed Schuck
STAFF MEMBERS: Chris Enger, Director of Planning; Michael Franzen, Senior
Planner; Don Uram, 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 TIME LISTED BELOW ARE TENTATIVE, AND MAY BE SIGNIFICANTLY EARLIER,
OR LATER, THAN LISTED.
A. TECH TEN, by Hoyt Development Company, Inc. Request for Zoning
District Change from Rural to I-2 Park on 4.3 acres, and Preliminary
Plat of 4.3 acres into 1 lot for construction of a 56,000 square
foot industrial building. Location: Southwest corner of Golden
Triangle Drive and West 74th Street. A public hearing.
V. OLD BUSINESS
VI. NEW BUSINESS
A. SOUTHWEST AREA STUDY - Final recommendations and cost for major road
and utility construction.
VII. PLANNER'S REPORT
VIII. ADJOURNMENT
PLANNING COMMISSION
'APPROVED MINUTES
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 1989 7 :30 PM CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS
7600 Executive Drive
COMMISSION MEMBERS PRESENT: Chairperson Julianne Bye, Richard
Anderson, Christine Dodge, Doug Fell,
Robert Hallett, Charles Ruebling
COMMISSION MEMBERS ABSENT: Ed Schuck
STAFF MEMBERS : Michael Franzen, Senior Planner; Deb
Edlund, Recording Secretary
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
ROLL CALL:
I . APPROVAL OF AGENDA,
MOTION:
Hallett moved, seconded by Ruebling to approve the Agenda as
published . Motion carried 6-0-0.
II . MEMBERS REPORTS
III . MINUTES
MOTION•
Dodge moved, seconded by Fell to approve the Minutes of the
Planning Commission meeting held November 14, 1988 . Motion
carried 5-0-1. Bye abstained.
MOTION•
Dodge moved, seconded by Fell to approve the Minutes of the
Planning Commission meeting held December 12, 1988 .
CORRECTIONS :
Change the words Chairman and Chairwoman to Chairperson.
Motion carried 4-0-2 . Bye and Anderson abstained.
IV. DEVELOPMENT PROPOSALS
A. TECH TEN, by Hoyt Development Company, Inc . Request for
Zoning District Change from Rural to I-2 Parr on 4 . 3
• acres, and Preliminary Plat of 4 . 3 acres into 1 lot for
construction of a 56, 000 square foot industrial building.
Planning Commission Minutes 2 February 13, 1989
. Location: Southwest corner of Golden Triangle Drive and
West 74th Street. A public hearing.
Franzen reported that Staff was working with the proponent
to provide an access to the project which would align with
West 74th Street and to determine the appropriate size for
the drainage area adjacent to 9-Mile Creek . Franzen added
a meeting was scheduled for Wednesday, February 14, 1989
with the proponent.
Hallett requested the letter from Hoyt Development dated
January 13, 1989 be included in the information packet for
the February 27, 1989 meeting.
MOTION:
Ruebling moved, seconded by Fell to continue the public
hearing for the Tech Ten project to the February 27, 1989,
Planning Commission meeting. Motion carried 6-0-0 .
V. OLD BUSINESS
VI . NEW BUSINESS
A. SOUTHWEST AREA STUDY - Final recommendations and cost for
• major road and utility construction.
Franzen believed the Southwest Area Study would be a good
guide for the proper development of the Southwest Area.
Franzen noted the document was essentially the same as the
original with the addition of more information on how Dell
Road and Scenic Heights Road would be constructed and the
recommendation for method of payment to be an area
assessment.
Franzen reported that the same information presented to
the Planning Commission was presented to the City Council
at a Public Hearing held January 24, 1989 with the
exception of the method of assessment . Franzen said the
majority of questions by property owners and developers
regarded the alignment of Dell Road and the assessment
method.
Franzen stated that Staff recommended approval of the
Southwest Area Study. He added if the Planning Commission
approved the Southwest Area Study tonight it would be
reviewed by the City Council at its February 21, 1989
meeting.
Anderson commented that the presentation given at the
January 24, 1989 meeting was well done .
• Bye read a letter dated February 9, 1989 from Elaine
Jacques, which addressed her concerns regarding the number
Planning Commission Minutes 3 February 13, 1989
• and location of the roads, the entry to Riley Lake Park,
preservation of the cranberry bog, and the name Lake Riley
as referred to in the study be corrected to Riley Lake .
Jacques suggested locations for road placement. (A copy
of the letter to become part of the record. )
Ruebling asked Gray to explain why all the entrance and
exit ramps to Highway 212 would be on the west side . Gray
replied that the ramp placement was required by MnDot to
allow for the required weaving distance between ramps for
Highway 212 and County Road 4 .
Bob Smith, Ron Krueger and Associates, representing
several of the developers in the Southwest Area, presented
three possible layouts for the construction of Dell Road .
Smith stated that the preferred alternate was to move Dell
Road to the west, outside the MUSA Line. He added this
alignment would have the least impact to the wetlands and
would move the intersection for Dell Road and Highway 212
further away from County Road 4 . Smith noted the
Southwest Area Study did not go into depth regarding the
layout for Dell Road . Smith stated the developers in the
Southwest Area wished to keep the process going by a
developer driven petition or a City driven feasibility
study. Smith added the developers would like to work
. jointly with the City to develop the final site plan for
Dell Road and Scenic Heights Road and to address the
assessment method to be used . Smith believed the
necessity to keep the process moving was that the
Fairfield and Cheyenne projects had already been approved,
parcels in the northern section of the Southwest Area were
ready to come in to the Planning Department, and the
longer a pending assessment prevailed the less desirable
the sale of the property.
Franzen stated that the Southwest Area Study was never
intended to go into depth for the location of the major
roads, the study presented the location of the roads on a
conceptual basis . Franzen said that Staff expected to
work with the developers during the platting and zoning
processes to develop the most economical and practical
alignment of Dell Road and Scenic Heights Road . He added
that Staff had seen the majority of the road alignments
presented by Smith.
Ruebling asked Smith if it was his preference to move Dell
Road to the west . Smith replied an alignment further west
would allow for single-family development, protect the
wetlands, and presented the best topography.
Ruebling asked Gray if there was a scheduled date for the
• completion of Dell Road . Gray replied the roads would be
constructed in phases and would progress along with the
developments . Gray stated that if the Southwest Area
Planning Commission Minutes 4 February 13, 1989
Study received a positive recommendation, a request for a
feasibility study for Dell Road and Scenic Heights Road
could be added to the City Council agenda and if approved
the feasibility study could begin in approximately two
weeks . He concurred that a closer evaluation of locations
and assessment method was necessary.
Bye asked Gray if the feasibility study would take into
consideration the ability to build the roads based on the
land conditions and topography. Bye commented she did not
want to see the same problems occur which have developed
with Valley View Road.
Gray stated that the Cheyenne and Fairfield developments
were within the assessment district for Dell Road and
Scenic Heights Road; therefore, more definitive answers
regarding assessment were needed soon.
Ruebling asked Franzen if the Cheyenne and Fairfield
developments, which had already been approved, represented
the maximum amount of development possible based on the
constraints of the Southwest Area Study until road
improvements occurred. Franzen replied yes.
Ruebling asked Gray if anything could be done to improve
• the intersection grade level for County Road 4 and Highway
5 . Gray replied that MnDot would be taking bids for the
upgrade of the intersection soon. Ruebling noted that
study said even with the upgrades the intersection would
operate at Level "F" .
Dodge believed the turn lights were to have brought the
intersection level to a "C" or a "D" . She added the strip
mall proposed for the area would create even more traffic.
Dodge asked Gray if double turn lanes would help. Gray
replied the proposed upgrades by MnDot would improve the
level ;somewhat and the double turn lanes could be another
alternative .
Franzen referred to Table B.1 of the study which stated
that with double turn lanes the level would be a "D",
which was the design standard for the State. He added
that Staff had not resolved the question of whether the
City should approach MnDot now for the turn lanes or wait
until traffic volumes approached the levels to require the
upgrade .
Dick Ferrick, stated that the process needed to continue
beyond the study to allow the northern section of the
southwest area to develop. Ferrick believed it was
important to obtain a consensus of the developers and the
• City regarding the road alignments and a fair assessment
method for the properties . Ferrick ,added that there was a
concentration of development in the southern section of
Planning Commission Minutes 5 February 13, 1989
• the southwest area and requested the'• tlorthern section be
allowed to develop in a similar fashion.
Bye commented that the determination of the appropriate
road location should be reviewed by the Planning
Commission, but ultimately would be a policy decision of
the City Council .
Hallett stated that he would abstain on a motion to
approve the study. Hallett noted that the development
area 2B, where he owned property, was to be have
restricted development until the Red Rock Interceptor and
a lift station were installed (Reference Page 51, Item
11) . Hallett believed that because the property in
section 2B was owned by several small property owners the
prospect of a petition for the necessary improvements was
not likely and therefore, he would not be able to develop
the property for possibly 10 to 11 years . Hallett
commented that the taxes on the property continued to
increase, but the City had constraints that prohibited any
development. Hallett suggested a temporary lift station
be installed or the sewer be installed deeper to the north
of County Road 1 to ,provide a connection to Area 2B. .
Smith concurred with Hallett and added that the major
• developers in the southwest area were concerned that the
process would stalemate development if the process was not
continued further.
Ferrick stated that the overall framework for the
development and timing of road installation and utilities
needed the consensus of all developers, large or small, in
the southwest area . Ferrick commented that the Brauer
Group had done an excellent job in preparing the study.
Ruebling asked Gray how the upgrade of County Road 4 would
help the development on the east side of County Road 4 .
Gray replied that even without signals more gaps would be
provided in the traffic pattern by two lanes rather than
one lane .
Bye commented the City would be facing the problem of
developing road, water, and sewer systems to support the
developments .
Ruebling commented that the study did not provide all the
answers to all the problems in the southwest area but, he
believed the study did provide the background information
necessary to move ahead. He believed the study had
accomplished bringing the developers together to address
the issues.
• Dodge asked Franzen how closely the City would follow the
guidelines in the study. Franzen replied Staff would
Planning Commission Minutes 6 February _13, 1989
• follow the guidelines very closely. Franzen commented
that the study identified the road, water, and sewer
improvements necessary for the proper development of the
southwest area. Franzen stated that specific details
would be reviewed as projects came in for zoning approval .
Dodge asked Brauer how the study would be affected if
changes, such as Commission member Hallett's suggestion
for a temporary lift station, were presented. Brauer
replied the installation of a temporary lift station would
not affect the overall study or the phasing of
development.
Fell asked if the City had ever done a similar study
before, by which the City would strictly adhere . Franzen
replied this was the first time the City had taken a pro-
active roll in anticipation of a large area developing to
alleviate the case by case basis on how the area should be
developed. Fell stated that he was concerned about the
possible need for changes as the southwest area developed
and the affect the study would have on any changes . Fell
believed the study was excellent and should be used as a
guide .
Bye stated that a public hearing had been held and
believed that the Planning Commission had ample time to
• review the study. She added that how strictly the study
was adhered to would also be the Planning Commission's
responsibility.
Ruebling viewed the study as a guideline only. He added
that the study basically pointed out that certain items
were required to happen in a certain order for the proper
development of the southwest area.
Dodge stated that she wanted to make sure if the study was
approved there would be flexibility.
Franzen stated that Staff had spent a lot of time
developing the Abstract, Page 9, which stated; "The intent
of the study was to provide a factual and practical basis
for the approval of development plan in the southwestern
area of the City, and to enable such approvals to be
rendered in an orderly ,and efficient manner . The intent
was not to unreasonably restrict, but rather to
accommodate development in an orderly way by matching
growth with needed infrastructure in a manner which does
not accelerate or push development" . Franzen added the
study was an anticipatory document which would help Staff,
the Planning Commission, and the City Council .
• Bye commented she hoped the study would be Included in an
introductory information packet for new City Council and
Planning Commission members .
Planning Commission Minutes 7 February 13, 1989
MOT I ON,
Dodge moved, seconded by Anderson to recommend to the City
Council adoption of the Southwest Area Study, dated
December 1988 . Motion carried 5-0-1. Hallett abstained .
OTHER BUSINESS
Anderson asked Gray to give background information on the
Major Center Traffic Study. Gray replied the study was an
update of a previous study which dealt with traffic
generation, intersection problems with the major center
area, and possible solutions.
Anderson asked why the intersections operating at level
'IF" were not identified and alternatives planned at the
initial development stage . Brauer replied the study
indicated the traffic system would work well with the
projected upgrading of the system over a 20-year period.
Brauer said the City had expanded the major center area to
include Golden Triangle and City West . He believed a flaw
in the study was the addition of upgrading the
intersection at Highway 18 and Highway 494, which he did
not believe should be the City of Eden Prairie 's
responsibility. Brauer added that he had requested the
City reconsider the study on this basis . Brauer said he
was waiting for a study which stated what the problems
would be in 20 years and present solutions . Brauer
believed that traffic was not as bad as was implied and
the system would be adequate over the next 20 years with
the exception of the major exceptions identified . Brauer
concurred with Gray that there would be intersection which
would operate at level "F" and added that the major
problems would be on regional roads not local streets .
Brauer believed that a voluntary effort by employers to
adopt flextime or shuttle bus systems would be the most
effective solution.
Bye commented that there were those who believed that
traffic issues could be addressed through the planning
process . Bye believed the traffic problems anticipated
for the year 2000 needed to be addressed now.
VI I . PLC;N11!IERI S REPORT
VIII . ADJOURNMENT
MOTION z
Hallett moved, seconded by Anderson to adjourn the meeting at
8 : 50 PM. Motion carried G-0-0.
902I Riley Lake Rd.
Eden Prairie,Mn. 55347
February 9, 1989
Mayor Gary Peterson
City Council Members
City of Eden Prairie
7600 Executive Drive
Eden Prairie,Mn. 55344
Dear Mayor Peterson and Council:
I would like to make a few comments in regard to the Southwest Study Plan.
I am concerned about the location and number of roads that are being planned
for this area,especially west of the MUSA line. Additional roads are needed to
to accomodate increased traffic, however too many in the area will destroyiuit,
and the wooded area which the entire country needs to balance the enviorment.
The proposed Dell Rd. from Hwy.5, south to Cty. Rd. I, is a necessity, as is the
extension of Scenic Heights Rd. to connect with the new Dell Rd. , for access to
the Cedar Ridge School. I wish to call your attention to the study plan, see
figure I2 and 14, of the S.W. Study, that suggests extension of Scenic Heights
Rd. to continue to the Chanhassen border. The future Hwy. 2I2, (the big one) is
planned to route from east to west, north of Riley fake and south of Marsh Lake.
I do not favor another east to west road in this area,the supposed continued
extension of Scenic Height Rd. to the Chanhassen border.
Mr.. Bob Lambert and I have discussed about the future entry to Riley Lake Park,
as possibly having Riley Lake Rd. _to ex.-:it from the new Dell Rd.(north of Cty.1))
then westerly to enter park on the eastern boundary of park as the only entry ,
to the park, then having Riley Lake Rd. continuing from the eastern park boundary
around the-farm buildings -and homes ,then westerly to the Chanhassen boundary
The present Riley Lake Rd. would then be vacated,the present road cannot sustain
traffic for the park and the Lakeview Hills apartment complex.
The above suggestion was made at one oft-the meetings with the planning group,
but there is nothing in,`-the final plan.
I hope the D.N.R. has informed the Planning Commission and the Brauer Group,
about the very rare resource in this area. It is a cranberry bog (part of which is
lying in my property).Bushels of excellent berries have been harvested from this
bog every year, in fact, Ihave never purchased cranberries at thv market until
falli1988,-the-drought-damaged -the size of 'the berry.
Another comment, I hope that Eden Prairie continues to use the name Riley Lake on
its Maps etc. instead of Lake Riley, as the Brauer Group lists it in the plan.
Sincerely_
Elaine M. Jacques 902I Riley Lake Rd.
Copies to: Carl Julie
Chris Enger
--Bob Lambert
J. Bye, Planning Commission
S.W. Study Group
I wish this -letter.-to be -included in remarks concerning the S.W,' Development Study