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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