Planning Commission - 12/04/1973 AGENDA
EDEN PRAIRIE PLANNING COMMISSION
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 4, 1973
7:3 0 p.m. , Eden Prairie Village Hall
INVOCATION - - - PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE - - - ROLL CALL
COMMISSION MEMBERS: Chairwoman Norma Schee, Wayne Brown,
Don Sorensen, Richard Lynch, Don Teslow,
Joan Meyers, M. E. Lane
COMMISSION STAFF: Dick Putnam, Village Planner
I. MINUTES OF NOVEIVIBER 20, 1973 , IV�L'ETING.
II. PETITIONS AND REQUESTS:
25 p.m. A. Ordinances Submitted for Comment and Review.
1. Horse Ordinance
2. Flood Plain Ordinance.
III. REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS:
:3Op.m. A'. Gelco Corporation, requesting development stage and rezoning from P.U:D. 73-08,
the M.C.A. Planned Unit Development, to Office and Public. The site is about
30 acres located south of I-494 on the north shore of Anderson Lakes., Staff Report.
�' •. B. Edenvale South P.U.D. revised concept-plan for 200 acre P.U.D. located east of
T.H. 169 and west'of Preserve. Request P.U.D. , rezoning and preliminary plat
approval. Staff Report.
:25 p.m. C. Browning Ferris Industries, requesting development stage and rezoning approval
from P.U.D. 70-01 to Industrial Park I-2 for 12 acres located southeast of
Flying Cloud Airport adjacent to U•.S. 169. Staff Report.
!:00 p.m. D. Hennepin County Highway Department, Crosstown 62 Extension from Shady Oak
Road to 1-494 and revised system plan. Update on staff work and photographic
analysis of site - no staff recommendations.
:20 p.m. E. Smetana Lake Sector Study progress report and discussion of Creek Valley
development constraints and building types.
:45 TV, ADJOURNMENT. . ;
.m.
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MINUTES ,
EDEN PRAIRIE PLANNING COMMISSION
• TUESDAY, DEC EMBER 4 , 1973 VILLAGE HALL 7:3 0 p.m.
Commission Members Present: Chairwoman Norma °chee, Wayne Brown, Don
Teslow, Skip Lane, Joan Meyers.
Commission Members Absent: Don Sorensen, Richard Lynch.
Commission Staff: Dick Putnam, Village Planner.
I. MINUTES OF NOVEMBER 20, 1973 , MEETING
A motion was made and seconded to accept the minutes of November 20, 1973,
as published. Motion_ carried unanimously.
H. PETITIONS AND REQUESTS
A. Ordinances submitted_for comment and review.
1 . Horse Ordinance. The Planner explained that the Horse Ordinance was
not complete and that a few more changes were being made by the
Director of Parks and Recreation, Marty lessen, in conjunction with
the Horsemen's Association.
A motion was made by Mr. Brown, seconded by Mrs. Schee, to table
the Horse Ordinance for two weeks, to be on the December 4 agenda.
Motion carried.
• 2. Flood Plain Ordinance. Mr. Putnam explained that the Flood Plain
Ordinance was required by state law and that the staff has been working
on it for the last 6-8 months.
Mrs. Meyers asked for a clarification of meandered lakes in the title
to be listed in the definitions, to explain the difference between
meandered and non-meandered.
Messrs. Lane and Te s low were concerned about the ponding areas
created throughout the Village as outlined in this ordinance, in that
they would be hazards for children falling in, and they pointed as an
example to St, Johns Woods where the pond has to be fenced due to
its steep sides and depth.
Mrs. Meyers had two questions: one relating to the construction of
any buildings in the flood plain where human usage was involved, and
she mentioned that perhaps it should include animal usage so that no
structures would be built in flood plain areas; also the question of the
regulatory flood protection elevation, and she asked for a clarification.
The Planner asked permission to delay any action until the December
18th meeting, when Marty lessen, who developed this ordinance, and
• a representative from Barr Engineering would be available to answer
detailed questions .
Planning Commission Minutes -2- Dece.nber 4,, 1.973
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III. REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS.
• The order was charged since the meeting was runs-Ing ahead of schedule and
Gelco Corporation was not present.
D. Hennepin County Hiqhwa y Department Crosstu-,{jn Extension. from Shady
Oak Road to I-494. An update on staff work and Whotographic analysis of
the area.
The Planner, utilizing overhead map and slides of th.e.site, illustrated
the various site conditions along the proposed route for the Crosstown.
Most noteworthy were wooded slopes and moraines running north/south
through the area with open valleys between. The rnost important valley
was believed to be the Nine Mile Creek and Rowland Road area, where a
600' long bridge would be constructed across the valley above Rowland
Road. He illustrated the Graveling that has taken place in Minnetonka
north of the Eden Prairie border adjacent; to 494 and .east of amine Mile
Creek. He indicated that was a major reason for moving the road most
totally into Minnetonka to take advantage of the graveling operation rather
than destroying the major hill. forms north of Bryant Lake.
The Planner indicated that Vnere did not seem to be any easy route that
would do little damage to the environment. Rather, the intent is to mini-
mize the damage to the area througri selection of the proper alignment..
• He hoped that at the next meeting more detailed mrk on the Environmental
Impact Statement,. being prepared by the Village staff, ;mould be available
to the Commission. However, without County input regarding the need for
the Crosstown Extension with traffic volumes, .etc.. this would be most
difficult.
Mrs. Meyers requested that the County consider a park-and-ride and bus
pickup point at the end of the CrossLoTmn next to 494 in the gravel pit and
industrial area being created She asked that the staff check with the
County about such possibilities.
A. Gelco Corporation. Requesting development stage and rezoning from
P.U.D. 73-08 in the M.C.A. Planned Unit Development to Office, and
Public. The site is located south of 494 and north of Anderson Lakes on
approximately 30 acres of land.
Mr. T ck Bell from Gelco Corporation was avail.ahle to answer questions
that arose. The Staff Report dated November 26, 7 973, was discussed
which dealt with the treatment of the site, traffic problems on West 78th
St. , and the use and treatment of the Lakeshore ed, . Also, the question,
of further parking was asked of Mr. Bell. He indicated that Gelco would
expand their parking only in the parking areas defined in the I st Phase
• through parking structures .
The Planner, quoting from the Staff Report, described this project as.
"Gelco Corporation and the architects, Parker Klein Associates, have pro-
duced a truly unique office environment that :should be an excellent
example and credit to the Major Center area of Eden Prairie and to Gelco."
Planning Commission Minutes -3- December 4, 1973
Mr. Brown moved, seconded by Schee, to recommend that Gelco Corp. be
given development stage approval for the 18 acre corporate Office develop-
ment and approximately 12 acre public open space in conformance with the
Major Center Area Planned Unit Development. The rezoning from I5-Park
to OFC-Office for the 18 acre development site and the zoning of the
approximately 12 acres open space to PUB-Public is contingent upon the
following specific recommendations:
I . that a satisfactory control between the wildlife areas and urban areas
be accomplished to the satisfaction of the staff and Park & Recreation
Commission.
2. that the site treatment and development of the meadow should be con-
sistent with the natural areas surrounding and that specific site design
should be cleared through Park and Recreation staff.
3 . there should be minimal alteration of the delicate balance between
ground wafter recharge and runoff with the creation of settling ponds
that should not alter the existing balance.
4. Any alteration of the areas within the public dedication should be
approved by the staff and Park & Recreation Commission.
5 . that separate construction drawings are prepared and bid for erosion
control during and after construction, acceptable to the Village Engi-
neering Department and watershed districts.
6. that detailed grading and tree cutting plans be submitted to the Village
staff prior to construction, so that every possible alternative may be
explored to maintain the forest character.
• 7. that a maximum of 300 parking spaces be provided for the 1st Phase of
construction and a maximum of 700 spaces be provided for the total
site development. By approving these maximums, this varies from the
requirements in the Village parking ordinance today.
8.. that 230 at-grade parking spaces be provided in the I st Phase and that .
subsequent parking areas be provided under the new structure or thru
decking of the 1st Phase areas to accommodate the ultimate 700
vehicles. More than doubling the parking spaces at grade is not
considered in this approval.
9. that Gelco provide a coordinated pedestrian system and transit (bus)
station facility if plans can be worked out with the MTC.
10. design a second entrance to the parking area on the west side con-
necting with West 78th Street.
11 . provide all health, safety, and fire access requirements under the
terms of the Uniform Building Code, subject to the approval of the
Village Building and Fire Inspection Department.
12 . strongly encourage Gelco Corporation to develop alternate ways to
accommodate the work trip through car pooling, mini-vans, etc. and
coordinate these plans with those of other businesses. in the comrfurity.
13 . recommend the choice of exterior curtain wall material be of a tone
which blends into and complements the natural features of the area.
• Motion passed unanimously.
planning Commission Minutes -4- December 4, 1973
B. Edenvale South P.U.D. Revised concept plan for 200 acre development
• located east of T.H. 169 and west of The Preserve. Request P.U.D.
rezoning and preliminary plat approval. Staff Report presented.
Planner presented the Staff Report to the Commission, which had not been
distributed until Tuesday, Dec. 4. Therefore, no action would be taken
on the proposal. He noted that the Staff Report was rather extensive and
dealt in detail with each of the development sites, indicating developable
ground, potential unit types, and site treatment. Putnam said he felt it
is important to give specific direction to the Planned Unit Developments
coming into the Village at this point so that future Planning Commissions,
Councils, and developers would be able to understand the ground rules
for approval.
Mr. Peterson, president of Eden Land Corporation, made several comments
on the Staff Report which he had received earlier. He noted:
1 , that they had purchased a 180" deformed culvert to use as an under-
pass for the East/West Parkway and intended to install that facility.
2 . that the iaqn.irement in Item 16 on Page 14 of the Staff Report required
that the Eal,--,t/West Parkway be under construction prior to the issuance
of any building permits. He was not sure at this point how much of
the parkway Edenvale would be constructing and whether it would
connect with The Preserve. He did not feel that his development
• needed that connection in the early stages and that it may be post-
poned until later stages in the development. This would have to be
discussed with The Preserve and the Village Engineering Department.
3. regarding the outlot indicated in Item 13 on Page 14 of the Staff Report,
Mr. Peterson and Eden Land Corp. do not wish to dedicate the 11.5
acre open space to be developed as either a school or park site at
this time, and he felt that the Village assessment policies which
shift the cost of the road from that site if dedicated to the public to
private lands which they own, thereby increasing the cost per lot of
the parkway road. Also, he did not feel that Edenvale South needed
to dedicate this open space since they had enough without it. A con-
cern that the school would not develop on the site which they own,
and hence would not utilize the 11 acres as open space was also a
concern which Mr. Peterson expressed.
4. Item 6 in the Staff Report on Pages 13 and 14 deal with the provision
of low and moderate income housing within the Edenvale South P.U.D.
The Staff Report recommends that a figure of a minimum of 10-15% of
the project's total units should be available in lower price ranges to
complement the relationship with the Suburban Hennepin County
Vocational Technical School, potential junior college, and Major
Center Area. Mr. Peterson indicated that given the lack of Federal
programs that exist that they feel it would be very difficult for them to
• assure the Village that they could provide those units, but indicated
that Eden Land Corporation, just as in Edenvale, would strive to pro-
duce this range in income levels within its project.
Putnam indicated the ability to seek out new programs such as
developing student housing, for example, with State and Federal
Planning Commission Minutes -5- Decembsr 4, 1973
monies or other opportunities which may exist.
• The Commission asked that the Edenvale South P.U.D. be referred to the
Human Rights Commission at their next meeting for consideration of the
provision of low and moderate income housing. Mr. Peterson said that
he would be able to attend such a meeting.
The Commission referred this project to its next meeting, December 18,
so that it may have a chance to review the Staff Report and review the
Park & Recreation Commission and Human Rights Commission recommen-
dations.
C . _Browning Ferriss Industries. Requesting development stage and rezoning
approval from P.U.D. 70-01 to Industrial Park 2 for 12 acres located
southeast of Flying Cloud Airport adjacent to 169. 'Staff Report presented.
The Planning Commission received the Staff Report dated December 4th
at the meeting.
The Planner outlined the contents of the Staff Report, which dealt with
the background, indicating the Guide Plan's proposals for industrial park
in this area with the realignment of Flying Cloud Drive. Also the Waste
Management P.U.D. 70-1 which proposed the use of multiple residential,
• substantial park commitment, and industrial usage . The plan proposals
from the Waste Management submission in 1970 are included in the Staff
Report which details the land uses and commitments for the sites. The
Planner indicated the substantial contribution of open space ranging from
40 to 85 acres in the original Waste Management P.U.D. plus the rights
of way of ]20 feet for relocated Flying Cloud Drive.
The Planner pointed out the three major factors influencing development
within the Browning Ferriss area:. the airport, Hustad development of the
bluffs, and the river valley. The airport is currently under master plarniirj
by MAC and would not seem to affect the 12 acre industrial site in runway
relocation or noise zone influence.
Hustad Development Corp. is currently coordinating planning work with
Browning Ferriss to develop proper transportation, open space, and land
use planning to the entire southeastern area. The river trailways and
bluff pre servation,\commitment that Eden Prairie has made and Browning
Ferriss and previously Waste Management have agreed to carry this out.
The Planner outlined the proposal for BF, that it did seem to be in con-
flict with the original Waste Management P.U.D. , and that a revision of
the Waste Management P.U. D. at this time does not seem warranted in
• that not all of the factors affecting this area are known. He noted the
substantial reduction of the open space in BFI's planned use concept and
the rather tight alignment of the river parkway to the bluffs.
A very important thing to remember is that this 12 acre parcel is not a
new industrial district but rather a supplemental and necessary item to
the landfill's operation. The use for a truck storage, maintenance, and
Planning Commission Minutes -6- December 4, 1973
office, paper recycling are necessary functions for the landfill to operate
• and therefore do not constitUn new industrial park usage . The Planner .
indicated that to restrict premature urban development, a suitable land
hold agreement outlining park dedication, road alignments, and timing of
land uses should be signed between BPI and the Village to insure that
orderly development occurs in the BPI and related sites.
The Planner also recommended that the river parkway proposed by BPI
that is set into the bluffs should be moved to have its southernmost right
of way at the crest of the bluff and 150 feet dedicated for road and public
walkway purposes. The Planner indicated it was necessary to have 125
feet of actual road, bike, and walkway surface just to construct a four
lane divided roadway with walkway facilities.
Mr. Bonner, representing BPI, expressed some question about the move-
ment of the road and the 150ft. of right of way at the top of the bluff in
that it may not be necessary for such a large amount of right of way, given
the pathways that might be stepped down the hillside and felt that the road
could be redesigned to be narrower. He also presented a revised site plan
taking into account the movement of the buildings back away from the bluff
The Commission asked that the revised site plan from BPI be given to the
staff for evaluation and mailed to the Commission as well as the working
• out of any legal,agreements for the site prior to the next meeting on
December 18th.
E. Smetana Lake Sector Study. Mr. Bill Pearson, . Mr. Herleiv Helle, and
Mr. C. McCartney were present at the Work Session discussing Smetana's
image of the creek valley and subsequent development types allowed.
The Planner indicated concern that if a Village policy is established,
the building shall be no more than three stories in height, that it may
impair the development types allowed in the Smetana valley area. Slides
were presented showing the character of the land and the difficulty one
would have of putting three story buildings of sufficient density to justify
their use economically over graveling and industrial. The planner
believed that the Commission should give careful consideration to this
point and discuss the use of taller buildings with land owners and other
Village policy makers.
Mr. Pearson indicated that he would be getting soil borings very shortly
and would begin to develop some workable excavation and land use plans
for his site and hoped to coordinate those with the policies of the Village.
IV. ADJOURNMENT.
The meeting adjourned at 10:15 p.m.
• Respectfully submitted,
`]Vayne Brown, Secretary.