Planning Commission - 03/25/1985 AGENDA
EDEN PRAIRIE PLANNING COMMISSION
Monday, March 25, 1985
School Board Meeting Room
7:30 p.m.
COMMISSION MEMBERS: Chairman Ed Schuck, Julianne Bye, Christine Dodge, Virginia
Gartner, Robert Hallett, Stan Johannes, Dennis Marhula
STAFF MEMBERS: Chris Enger, Director of Planning; Michael Franzen, Senior
Planner; Kate Karnas, Administrative Assistant
Pledge of Allegiance--Roll Call
I. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
II. MEMBERS REPORTS
III. MINUTES
IV. DEVELOPMENT PROPOSALS
A. BRYANT LAKE BUSINESS CENTER, PHASE II, by Welsh Companies, Inc.
Request for Comprehensive Guide Plan Change from Regional Commercial
to Industrial, Zoning District Change from C-Regional to I-2 Park
for 7.96 acres, with variances to be reviewed by the Board of
Appeals, and Preliminary Plat of 7.96 acres into two lots for
construction of three office/warehouse buildings. Location: South
of Valley View Road, East of Market Place Drive. A continued public
is
hearing.
B. PRIMETECH PARK PHASE I, by MRTT Joint Venture. Request for Planned
Unit Development Concept Amendment on approximately 20 acres and
Planned Unit Development District Review and Zoning District
Amendment from I-2 Park to Office on 2.46 acres for a 31,500 sq. ft.
office building. Location: North of Shady Oak Road, East of City
West Parkway. A public hearing.
C. EDEN PRAIRIE TECHNOLOGY PARK III, by Technology Park Associates.
Request for Comprehensive Guide Plan Amendment from Industrial/High
Density Residential to Office on 19.65 acres, Planned Unit
Development Concept for 68.36 acres for Office and Office/Showroom
uses, and Environmental Assessment Worksheet Review on 68.36 acres.
Location: South and East of Valley View Road, West of Washington
Avenue, North of Viking Drive. A public hearing.
D. VALLEY GATE, by Sigmund and Herliev Helle. Request for Zoning
District Amendment within the I-2 Park District on 4.18 acres, with
variances to be reviewed by the Board of Appeals, for an
office/warehouse building. Location: Southeast quadrant of Valley
View Road and future Golden Triangle Drive. A public meeting.
V. OLD BUSINESS
VI. NEW BUSINESS
• A. CDBG Funding Year XI Allocation
VII. PLANNER'S REPORT
VIII. ADJOURNMENT
MINUTES
EDEN PRAIRIE PLANNING COMMISSION
Monday, March 25, 1985
School Board Meeting Room
7:30 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT: Chairman Ed Schuck, Julianne Bye (8:15 p.m.), Christine
Dodge, Virginia Gartner, Dennis Marhula
MEMBERS ABSENT: Robert Hallett, Stan Johannes
STAFF PRESENT: Chris Enger, Director of Planning; Michael Franzen, Senior
Planner; Kate Karnas, Administrative Assistant
Pledge of Allegiance--Roll Call
I. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
MOTION:
Motion was made by Gartner, seconded by Dodge, to adopt the agenda as
printed.
. Motion carried--4-0-0
II. MEMBERS REPORTS
Gartner reported that she had attended a meeting regarding Highway #212.
She stated that the alignment was changed to route through the School
Addition and north of Riley Lake, not as currently shown on the
Comprehensive Guide Plan. Because of the revised alignment, changes to the
Comprehensive Guide Plan may be necessary in several areas.
III. MINUTES
MOTION:
Motion was made by Marhula, seconded by Dodge, to adopt the minutes of the
March 11, 1985, Planning Commission meeting as printed.
Motion carried--3-0-1 (Gartner abstained)
IV. DEVELOPMENT PROPOSALS
A. BRYANT LAKE BUSINESS CENTER, PHASE II, by Welsh Companies, Inc.
Request for Comprehensive Guide Plan Change from Regional Commercial
to Industrial, Zoning District Change from C-Regional to I-2 Park
for 7.96 acres, with variances to be reviewed by the Board of
Appeals, and Preliminary Plat of 7.96 acres into two lots for
construction of three office/warehouse buildings. Location: South
of Valley View Road, East of Market Place Drive. A continued public
hearing.
Planning Commission Minutes 2 March 25, 1985
•
At its March 11, 1985, meeting, the Planning Commission continued this item
pending resolution of matters involving screening and landscaping, access to
Valley View Road, and use of a portion of the right-of-way of the Hennepin
County Highway Department along Valley View Road and a portion of right-of-
way of the State Department of Transportation along Highway #169 for
construction of berms for screening of parking and loading areas from public
roads. Since that time, proponents had met with Staff to discuss amendments
to the plans.
Planner Enger reported that there were still details unresolved at this
time. He stated that the issue regarding the eastern-most access from
Valley View Road was still a concern. The screening issues had nearly all
been mitigated and would be resolved prior to Council review of the project.
Mr. Dennis Doyle, proponent, stated that proponents were expecting a letter
of approval from the Minnesota Department of Transportation regarding use of
their right-of-way for screening from Highway #169. He added that
proponents were still negotiating with Hennepin County regarding which of
the three access points would be allowed for the property.
Mr. Dennis Mulvey, architect for proponent, stated that revisions had been
made to provide for all the parking spaces required by Code. The total
square footage for the structures had been reduced by 1,000 sq. ft. and
• "proof-of-parking" had been shown on the plans for 21 spaces.
Chairman Schuck asked for comments and questions from members of the
audience. There were none.
Marhula asked if the changes would be made prior to the Council 's review of
the project. Mr. Doyle stated that there would be no difficulty in
accomplishing the changes by that time.
Marhula asked Staff to review the requested Comprehensive Guide Plan
Amendment requested by the proponents. Planner Enger explained that it may
be appropriate to complete this area of the City as I-2 Park, as this was
the only remaining parcel in this vicinity subject to the pressure of change
from "high-tech" businesses. He stated that he did not feel it would be
appropriate to leave the area guided for Regional Commercial use, when the
uses were more industrial by nature as it may place pressure on lands within
the Major Center Area to allow for more industrial-type uses in areas the
City had intended for pure office. There would be a danger of setting a
precedent for allowing more industrial-type uses in these areas, if the City
did not choose to change the Comprehensive Guide Plan designation for this
parcel for the uses proposed.
Dodge asked if the Comprehensive Guide Plan change proposed for this
property would make it possible for more manufacturing uses to be placed
within these structures. Planner Enger stated that the underlying zoning
district of I-2 Park allowed such industrial uses to occur and the it was
• the underlying zoning district which controlled the uses allowed on the
property.
Chairman Schuck stated that he felt that the manner in which the buildings
were proposed with interior finished space, office character to the exterior
Planning Commission Minutes 3 March 25, 1985
•
finishes, etc., dictated more what types of uses would be attracted to these
structures.
MOTION 1:
Motion was made by Marhula, seconded by Dodge, to close the public hearing.
Motion carried--3-0-1 (Gartner abstained)
MOTION 2:
Motion was made Marhula, seconded by Dodge, to recommend to the City Council
approval of the request of Welsh Companies, Inc., for Comprehensive Guide
Plan Amendment from Regional Commercial to Industrial , based on revised
plans dated March 22, 1985, subject to the recommendations of the Staff
Report dated March 8, and Staff memorandum dated March 22, 1985.
Motion carried--3-0-1 (Gartner abstained)
MOTION 3:
Motion was made by Marhula, seconded by Dodge, to recommend to the City
Council approval of the request of Welsh Companies, Inc., for Zoning
District Change from C-Regional to I-2 Park for 7.96 acres, with variances
• to be reviewed by the Board of Appeals, for construction of three
office/warehouse buildings, based on revised plans dated March 22, 1985,
subject to the recommendations of the Staff Report dated March 8, and Staff
memorandum dated March 22, 1985.
Motion carried--3-0-1 (Gartner abstained)
MOTION 4:
Motion was made by Marhula, seconded by Dodge, to recommend to the City
Council approval of the request of Welsh Companies, Inc., for Preliminary
Plat of 7.96 acres into two lots for construction of three office/warehouse
buildings totalling no more than 91,000 sq. ft., based on revised plans
dated March 22, 1985, subject to the recommendations of the Staff Report
dated March 8, and Staff memorandum dated March 22, 1985.
Motion carried--3-0-1 (Gartner abstained)
B. PRIMETECH PARK PHASE I, by MRTT Joint Venture. Request for Planned
Unit Development Concept Amendment on approximately 20 acres and
Planned Unit Development District Review and Zoning District
Amendment from I-2 Park to Office on 2.46 acres for a 31,500 sq. ft.
office building. Location: North of Shady Oak Road, East of City
West Parkway. A public hearing.
Mr. David Broesder, architect for proponents, reviewed the site
characteristics and features of the proposed site plan with the Commission.
Planner Enger reviewed the findings and recommendations of the Staff Report
regarding the project. The only issue of concern was the need for
Planning Commission Minutes 4 March 25, 1985
additional sidewalks on the parcel to connect to existing sidewalks within
the Primetech development.
Marhula asked why the sidewalks were proposed to be seven feet in width.
Planner Enger explained that, for the sidewalks located adjacent to parking
areas, the additional width was for purposes of allowing for overhang of the
cars across the sidewalks, while still allowing the normal five-foot width
for pedestrian use. Staff stated that they were willing to consider other
technical solutions to this problem; however, it had been determined that a
two-foot wide grass strip would not work.
Chairman Schuck asked for comments and questions from members of the
audience. There were none.
MOTION 1:
Motion was made by Gartner, seconded by Dodge, to close the public hearing.
Motion carried--4-0-0
MOTION 2:
Motion was made by Gartner, seconded by Dodge, to recommend to the City
Council approval of the request of MRTT Joint Venture for Planned Unit
Development Concept Amendment on approximately 20 acres for an office
building, based on plans and written materials dated March 8, 1985, subject
to the recommendations of the Staff Report dated March 22, 1985.
Motion carried--4-0-0
MOTION 3:
Motion was made by Gartner, seconded by Dodge, to recommend to the City
Council approval of the request of MRTT Joint Venture for Planned Unit
Development District Review Amendment of approximately 6.0 acres and Zoning
District Change from I-2 Park to Office for 2.46 acres, for an office
building, based on plans and written materials dated March 8, 1985, subject
to the recommendations of the Staff Report dated March 22, 1985.
Motion carried--4-0-0
(Bye arrived at 8:15 p.m)
C. EDEN PRAIRIE TECHNOLOGY PARK III, by Technology Park Associates.
Request for Comprehensive Guide Plan Amendment from Industrial/High
Density Residential to Office on 19.65 acres, Planned Unit
Development Concept for 68.36 acres for Office and Office/Showroom
uses, and Environmental Assessment Worksheet Review on 68.36 acres.
Location: South and East of Valley View Road, West of Washington
Is Avenue, North of Viking Drive. A public hearing.
Planning Commission Minutes 5 March 25, 1985
•
Mr. Mike Gair, representing proponent, reviewed the site characteristics and
proposed development of the property. He explained where various uses were
proposed on the site and where natural features and major public utilities
and facilities would be located.
Mr. Gair stated that the project was proposed for less than a 0.30 floor
area ratio overall .
Planner Franzen reviewed the findings and recommendations of the Staff
Report regarding the project. Of major concern were traffic volumes,
traffic patterns, and the location of Golden Triangle Drive through the
property.
Planner Enger stated that the Staff Report recommendation for a reduction in
the amount of traffic generated from the site did not necessarily mean that
the amount of square footage needed to be reduced. He pointed out that this
could be accomplished in several different ways, including, a different mix
of land uses, ride-sharing programs or transportation management, variation
in the hours of operation of the uses, or by controlling the occupancy of
the structures. All of these methods would have a positive impact towards
traffic reduction.
Planner Enger stated that the proposed uses were consistent with the
. Comprehensive Guide Plan, adding that the final land use designations could
remain open at this time. For example, a final user with a corporate
headquarters structure, or a research and development use, could affect
traffic volumes.
Marhula asked if traffic had been evaluated for the major office project
south of this site. Staff responded that it would be at the time of review
of their proposal . Submittal of that proposal was expected soon.
Mr. Brad Hoyt, proponent stated that he felt it would be difficult to
relocate Golden Triangle Drive through,,the property in a manner which would
save the hill in the south-central portion of the site and allow for
adequate lot depths for office sites along the southwest portions of the
property. He stated that he had discussed this with his engineers and that
an alternative plan relocating the road 50 ft. to the west had been offered.
Mr. Hoyt stated that, in his opinion, this was the greatest amount of
relocation possible to meet both the needs of the City for saving the hill
and the needs of proponents for adequate lot sizes to the west of the road.
Mr. Hoyt stated that he felt the proposed development to the south, which
was largely office, would be the largest generator of traffic for this area.
He pointed out that the volume of development allowed on this site and the
mix of uses which would be proposed, were not under his control for the
property to the south. However, they would be using the roads through his
property.
• Regarding extension of Smetana Lane as proposed by the draft traffic study
for the area, Mr. Hoyt stated that he did not feel extension of the road was
necessary for this development.
Staff stated that they would be interested in reviewing the proposed
Planning Commission Minutes 6 March 25, 1985
•
realignment of Golden Triangle Drive 50 ft. to the west and that they would
be willing to review the possibilities of elimination of the extension of
Smetana Lane. However, it would be incumbent upon proponents to refute the
information provided by the traffic engineers in the draft of the traffic
study done for the City.
Chairman Schuck asked for comments and questions from members of the
audience. There were none.
Marhula stated that he felt there were several issues yet to be resolved for
this major project including the alignment of Golden Triangle Drive,
extension of Smetana Lane, and a possible 20% reduction in traffic volume,
and that perhaps the item should be postponed to allow resolution of these
issues.
Chairman Schuck stated that he felt that Golden Triangle Drive should be
moved as far west as possible for purposes of maintaining the hill in the
south-central portion of the site. Gartner concurred.
Marhula stated that he felt the land uses proposed were appropriate for the
property, if the traffic issues could be resolved.
MOTION:
Motion was made by Gartner, seconded by Bye, to continue the public hearing
to the meeting of April 8, 1985, to allow Staff and proponents additional
time to resolve issues raised at this meeting.
Motion carried--5-0-0
D. VALLEY GATE, by Sigmund and Herliev Helle. Request for Zoning
District Amendment within the I-2 Park District on 4.,18 acres, with
variances to be reviewed by the Board of Appeals, for an
office/warehouse building. Location: Southeast quadrant of Valley
View Road and future Golden Triangle Drive. A public meeting.
Mr. Sigmund Helle, proponent, reviewed the site plan features with the
Commission. He stated that one of their major concerns in design of the
structure was the view of the building from Valley Place Offices, an
existing project to the east. Mr. Helle stated that they had prepared the
plans to screen from the exisitng building and from Valley View Road.
Planner Franzen reviewed the findings and recommendations of the . Staff
Report regarding the project.
Marhula asked about the variances proposed for setback from Valley View
Road. Planner Franzen responded that, if adequate screening could be
achieved, the variances could be justified for this project. Marhula also
asked about the access points to the site. Planner Franzen responded that
one access aligned directly across the street from an existing access to
another project; the other had been determined to have adequate sight vision
distance to provide safe access.
Mr. George Hoff, attorney for proponents, questioned the requirement for
Planning Commission Minutes 7 March 25, 1985
additional landscaping based on Code amendments which had not yet been
adopted. Planner Enger responded that the Planning Commission had already
reviewed the proposed change in the Code, recommending approval to the City
Council . He added that Staff had determined that it was likely the
amendment to the landscaping section of the Code would be adopted by the
time proponents requested their building permit; therefore, the condition
was included in the Staff Report to provide proponents as much notice as
possible regarding the future requirements.
Marhula asked if reduction in the amount of the square footage of the
structure would alleviate the need for the variances requested. Staff
responded that it would.
Chairman Schuck asked for comments and questions from members of the
audience. There were none.
MOTION:
Motion was made by Gartner, seconded by Dodge, to recommend to the City
Council approval of the request of Sigmund and Herliev Helle for Zoning
District Amendment within I-2 Park District for 4.18 acres for an
office/warehouse building, with variances to be reviewed by the Board of
Appeals, based on plans and written materials dated March 5, 1985, subject
• to the recommendations of the Staff Report dated March 22, 1985.
Motion carried--5-0-0
V. OLD BUSINESS
None.
VI. NEW BUSINESS
A. CDBG Funding Year XI Allocations
The Commission discussed projects proposed for funding of Year XI Community
Development Block Grant (CDBG) monies to be allocated to the City of Eden
Prairie. Staff had provided a list of several items for consideration.
Gartner stated that she felt the requested allocation for child care should
be considered, and that she agreed with the need stated by the Human Rights
and Services Commission for funding of this item.
Bye stated that she agreed with the need in the area of child care and
stated that she also felt funds should be allocated toward scattered site
housing.
Gartner added that she felt the roof repair for the Senior Center should be
taken care of with these funds. Planner Enger stated that the Director of
• Community Services had stated that, sooner, or later, a new Senior Center
building would be necessary; therefore, he was hesitant to recommend too
much investment into the structure. Gartner stated that she felt a roof in
need of repair was a dangerous situation, which should be corrected.
Planning Commission Minutes 8 March 25, 1985
Marhula asked how many families might be helped by the proposed allocation
to the child care program. Staff responded that approximately five to seven
children would benefit from such a program. Bye stated that she felt it
would be better to fund even a few families, rather than force the working
parents into a situation where they must stay at home to take care of their
children themselves and be on other Welfare programs, as well , instead of
working.
The Commission asked for additional information about the proposed program
for scattered site housing. Planner Enger explained that this program would
allow for families to receive a subsidy in order to allow them to qualify
for home ownership within the community.
Other items which had been recommended by the Planning Commission for
funding in the past and were recommended for funding again included: the
Household and Outside Maintenance for Elderly program and the Comprehensive
Guide Plan Update.
MOTION:
Motion was made by Gartner, seconded by Bye, that the Planning Commission
recommend to the City Council funding of the following items with Year XI
CDBG monies: Household and Outside Maintenance for Elderly ($2,700),
• Greater Minneapolis Day Care Association ($9,000), Comprehensive Guide Plan
Update ($14,000), Scattered Site Housing ($31,300), and Senior Center
Improvements ($15,000).
Motion carried--5-0-0
VII. PLANNER'S REPORT
None.
VIII. ADJOURNMENT
MOTION TO ADJOURN was made by Marhula, seconded by Gartner. Chairman Schuck
adjourned the meeting at 11:00 p.m.