Planning Commission - 08/13/2001 APPROVED MINUTES
EDEN PRAIRIE COMMUNITY PLANNING BOARD
MONDAY,AUGUST 13, 2001 7:30 P.M., CITY CENTER
Council Chambers
8080 Mitchell Road
BOARD MEMBERS: Ken Brooks, Frantz Corneille, Randy Foote, Vicki
Koenig, Kathy Nelson, Fred Seymour, Paul Sodt, Susan
Stock, Ray Stoelting
STAFF MEMBERS: Stu Fox, Manager of Parks and Natural Resources
Mike Franzen, City Planner
Alan Gray, City Engineer
Scott Kipp, Senior Planner
Leslie Stovring, Environmental Coordinator
Donald Uram, Comm. Dev./Financial Services Director
I. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE -- ROLL CALL
Corneille called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. Present: Commissioners Brooks, Corneille,
Foote, Seymour, Stoelting, Nelson, Stock. Absent: Koenig, Sodt.
II. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
III. MINUTES
A. Minutes of the July 23, 2001 Community Planning Board Workshop
Foote noted he was absent from the workshop.
Motion by Stoelting, second by Seymour to approve the minutes of the July 23
Community Planning Board Workshop. Motion failed, 3-0-4, abstentions were Nelson,
Stock, Foote, and Brooks because they were not at the workshop meeting. The
minutes will be included in the next CPB packet for approval.
B. Minutes of July 23,2001 Community Planning Board Meeting
Motion by Stoelting, second by Brooks to approve the minutes of the July 23, 2001
Community Planning Board. Motion carried, 4-0-3, Nelson, Brooks, and Stock
abstained.
IV. PUBLIC HEARINGS
A. EDEN PRAIRIE HIGH SCHOOL SIGN PLAN by Eden Prairie High School. Request
for Planned Unit Development Concept Amendment on 68 acres, Planned Unit
Development District Review with waivers on 68 acres, and Zoning District Amendment
within the Public Zoning District on 68 acres. Location: 17185 Valley View Road.
Community Planning Board Minutes
August 13, 2001
Page 2
The public hearing opened at 7:40 p.m.
Steve Schultz of the School District said the high school is located on 68 acres and
includes 677,000 square feet of building. The building contains classrooms, a sports
complex, a performing arts center, a stadium, parking lots and activity fields. The sign
package and waivers are requested because of the scale of development, number of
students and visitors at the site, and general public evening use of the school, auditorium,
and recreational fields.
Schultz said they worked with ALF Design to develop the sign package. Built in 1981, the
school has expanded five times. There are three main entrances to the facility. The signs
are more for infrequent users. Signage will be completed in phases, in the parking lot and
on the building.
Motion by Stoelting, second by Nelson to close the public hearing. Motion carried, 7-0.
The public hearing closed at 7:44 p.m.
Motion by Brooks, second by Nelson to approve Eden Prairie High School Sign Plan by
Eden Prairie High School. Request for Planned Unit Development Concept Amendment
on 68 acres, Planned Unit Development District Review with waivers on 68 acres, and
Zoning District Amendment within the Public Zoning District on 68 acres. Location:
17185 Valley View Road. Motion carried, 7-0.
B. TERREY PINE VILLAS by Matrix Development, LLC. Request for Planned Unit
Development Concept Review on 6.39 acres, Planned Unit Development District Review
with waivers on 6.39 acres, Zoning District Change from Rural to R1-9.5 on 4.97 acres
and Zoning District Amendment within the R1-22 Zoning District on 1.42 acres, and
Preliminary Plat on 6.39 acres into 13 lots and one outlot. Location: Terrey Pine Drive.
The public hearing opened at 7:46 p.m.
Perry Ryan, Ryan Engineering presented the elevation and plans. It is south of Highway 5
along the north shore of Mitchell Lake. The entire area within the 150 foot shoreland
setback would be designated an outlot. Two ponds will handle stormwater. Slopes go
southerly toward Mitchell Lake. A common access will go to Terrey Pine Drive. The tree
loss is 15%. Sideyard setback waivers reflect favorably as compared to closest similar
development. Eight to 10 foot sideyard setbacks will be provided. Lot size ranges from
7,500 to 11,400 square feet. Homes will be custom built.
Franzen stated the site is guided low density residential for up to 2.5 units per acre and is
currently zoned R1-22. The 13 single-family lots on 6.39 acres create a density of 2.03
units per acre. An existing home will remain on lot 1. Rezoning from R1-22 to R1-9.5 is
proposed for 12 new single family homes. Waivers requested are lot size less than 9,500
square feet, lot width less than 70 feet, side yard setbacks from 10 feet and 5 feet to 4 and
5 feet. The low tree loss, 150-foot setback and tree preservation mitigates impacts of
Community Planning Board Minutes
August 13, 2001
Page 3
homes on the lake. Land area per unit is 21,405 square feet per unit. Staff recommends
approval according to the conditions in the staff report. One change in the staff report was
dock location moving it 100 feet to the east. It was indicated that would not be a problem.
John Capouch, representing Timberlakes Homeowners Association, stated the main
concerns are shoreline protection, congestion, and dock location. He asked for clarification
of tree removal and foliage vs. trees. He said 12 boats would be a significant increase to
the lake; he advised limiting boats to .5 per home or 6 for the project. The dock should be
relocated to the east.
Nelson asked Mr. Capouch how many residents of the Timberlake Homeowners
Association have boats.
Capouch stated some do not have boats; two or three people have more than one boat. Not
all are in the water at the same time.
Foote asked about the effect of eliminating one unit to increase the side yard setback.
Ryan stated it would affect the feasibility of the project.
Foote inquired about the boat docks.
Ryan stated they were proposing four slips. They would rather move it to the west than to
the east; it would stay within phase I of the development.
Nelson inquired about the setbacks and possibility of two story buildings. She would rather
see single story or limiting to every other home two stories.
Corneille asked Fox to address the tree question.
Fox noted coniferous trees over 8 inches in diameter or deciduous trees over 12 inches in
diameter were considered significant. The ponding area would be the only area disturbed.
Corneille asked about the rezoning of part of the area while leaving the original lot and its
zoning.
Franzen stated it was past practice.
Stoelting stated the area on either side was residential low density.
Franzen said density was based upon the gross area. The breakdown of the 12 units
showed that within the net area it was still within the comprehensive plan. All of the land
is guided residential low density up to 2.5 units per acre.
Corneille said it appears they should go ahead with it.
Community Planning Board Minutes
August 13, 2001
Page 4
Nelson asked whether they had decided to move the dock to the east or west.
Franzen stated either east or west would be fine.
Brooks asked how many lots would have the 4 and 5-foot sideyard setbacks.
Ryan stated abutting garages on five locations would be 4-foot setbacks and houses facing
each other in six locations would be 10 feet. The 15-foot setbacks at each end of the
development could be decreased to allow additional flexibility within the project.
Foote asked about the houses facing each other and whether they could be staggered.
Ryan stated staggering was a possibility. Homes would be custom built; they would not
end up exactly alike.
Seymour asked if shifting would help meet sideyard setbacks. If a unit were removed
would the setback waiver be necessary.
Franzen stated 15 feet should remain. The only way to change the sideyard setback would
be to decrease the unit size or remove a unit.
Foote stated staggering the units would probably help solve the problem.
Motion by Stoelting, second by Brooks to close the hearing. Motion carried, 7-0.
Motion by Stoelting, second by Brooks to approve Terrey Pine Villas by Matrix
Development, LLC. Request for Planned Unit Development Concept Review on 6.39
acres, Planned Unit Development District Review with waivers on 6.39 acres, Zoning
District Change from Rural to R1-9.5 on 4.97 acres and Zoning District Amendment
within the R1-22 Zoning District on 1.42 acres, and Preliminary Plat on 6.39 acres into 13
lots and one outlot. Location: Terrey Pine Drive; according to conditions listed in the staff
report and with units staggered, with no two stories next to each other, and the dock moved
to the west. Motion carried, 7-0.
C. EDEN PRAIRIE AUTO CENTER by Westbrook Development Request for Guide Plan
Change from Neighborhood Commercial to Community Commercial on 1.05 acres,
Planned Unit Development Concept Amendment on 1.05 acres, Planned Unit
Development District Review on 1.05 acres, Zoning District Change from Rural to
Community Commercial on 1.05 acres, Site Plan Review on 1.05 acres, and Preliminary
Plat on 1.05 acres into 1 lot. Location: West of Aztec Drive and east of TH 212.
The public hearing opened at 8:15 p.m.
Kipp said staff recommends approval.
Community Planning Board Minutes
August 13, 2001
Page 5
Greg Wats from Westbrook Development introduced Neil Weber of Weber architects.
They are proposing a 5,900 square feet auto center. This plan was submitted eight months
ago with a different developer. Staff comments were incorporated and there is a new
developer. The plan meets the ordinance as far as caliper inches, but they will revise the
plan according to the staff report to screen the service bay doors. There have been
discussions with Gehring regarding use of existing ponding. He showed elevations and
materials. It will blend with surrounding buildings.
Brooks asked whether tenants were known at this time.
Wats stated a number of tenants were interested; none were signed up as yet.
Corneille asked about the aggregate lot size.
Kipp stated all three properties adjacent to each would be approximately six acres within
the Community Commercial district.
Motion by Brooks, second by Nelson to close the public hearing. Motion carried, 7-0.
The public hearing closed at 8:24 p.m.
Motion by Brooks, second by Nelson to approve Eden Prairie Auto Center by Westbrook
Development Request for Guide Plan Change from Neighborhood Commercial to
Community Commercial on 1.05 acres, Planned Unit Development Concept Amendment
on 1.05 acres, Planned Unit Development District Review on 1.05 acres, Zoning District
Change from Rural to Community Commercial on 1.05 acres, Site Plan Review on 1.05
acres, and Preliminary Plat on 1.05 acres into 1 lot. Location: West of Aztec Drive and east
of TH 212. Motion carried, 7-0.
V. PUBLIC INFORMATIONAL MEETING
A. UNITEDHEALTH GROUP — INFORMATIONAL MEETING by UnitedHealth
Group. Mixed-use development for 1.14 million square feet of office, 324 units of multi-
family housing, 125 room hotel/restaurant, and 50,000 square feet of retail. Location:
North of City West Parkway, south of West 62nd Street, and east of Shady Oak Road.
Tom O'Connor of UnitedHealth Group said UHG has been involved with this plan since
fall of 1997. In June of 2000, UHG acquired a former Honeywell property and combined
the two properties. This was a very complex site to get to the point that it was at today.
He introduced Patrick Bougie with RSP architects. John Dietrich and Michelle Caron
with RLK, Bill Tobin with Cresa Partners, and Carol Sersland with BRW. The concept is
a living/working environment.
John Dietrich, RLK, worked with the design team. They are excited to bring the mixed-
use campus to the area. A substantial traffic study has been completed. Mitigating
measures would be applied. There are 13 wetlands on the site. They have created
Community Planning Board Minutes
August 13, 2001
Page 6
appropriate setbacks. There will approximately 1 acre of the 11.5 acres of wetlands
impacted. Conservation areas are proposed to the south and on the eastern hillside for
preservation. Currently it is identified as medium density residential. They will request a
guide plan change to reflect new urbanism.
Franzen stated this was a very large piece of property involving traffic and wetland
impacts; the board should ensure it is consistent with the direction of the guide plan and
City Council. The hill is being preserved and residential guiding relocated to the more
level portions of the property. Approximately 93% of wetlands will be preserved. Most
projects have impacted only low quality wetlands and less than 10%. Mixed use helps
reduce traffic; this is a plus. Critical questions that need to be considered include whether
the guide plan should be changed or kept as is; whether the mitigation is acceptable, such
as taller buildings to preserve wetlands, and whether mixed use, travel-demand
management and road improvements are acceptable for increased traffic. Concept
approval, guide plan change, and review of an Alternative Urban Areawide Review
(AUAR) would be the next step. County and State agencies may review the plan and
provide input.
Kathy Zenk of LLS Davis Systems, stated neighbors to the south on City West Parkway
would be concerned with traffic and with drainage. The water level of the pond located
behind their development has come up at times to be of concern. The main thoroughfare
through the development is close to their building where Woody's Grille is located.
Nelson stated the concept looks very nice. She asked about the type of commercial that
was envisioned for the area.
Dietrich said the intent would be support retail related to the housing, such as small-scale
restaurants, dry cleaning, etc - not attraction retail.
Nelson asked whether there were plans for bike and walking paths between the
residential and office space.
Dietrich said there will be sidewalks on every street and walkways.
Nelson asked about internal transportation
Dietrich said there are no plans at this time. There may be bus stops for existing local
transit.
Nelson inquired about how many people they envisioned coming in and out of the site.
Dietrich said about 4,000 to 5,000.
Foote stated it was a large project; he asked about mass transit and stated they should
discuss with Southwest Metro. He said some of the road curves look too sharp.
Community Planning Board Minutes
August 13, 2001
Page 7
Dietrich said it will be fully accessible to emergency and transit vehicles.
Stoelting asked about the building heights.
Patrick Bougie said the residential area would be 3-4 stories; the hotel would be probably
4 stories, with three office buildings 6-8 stories, and one office building 8-10 stories.
Stoelting asked whether the height would be an issue.
Franzen said the tallest in the area is 5 stories; the Wilson learning tower is 12 stories.
Advantage is the 10 stories are screened by the hill. The site is along the Crosstown
Highway. It is not inconsistent with buildings along 494.
Seymour asked whether this would be a phased development.
Bougie said it would be a phased development. Probably from east to west with office
and southwest toward east with residential.
Nelson said she liked saving the hill; it was kind of a landmark. She does not have a
problem with tall buildings; nice architecture can add to the city.
Foote agreed; he is not an advocate of tall buildings but this will be screened by the hill
and will not have the visual impact of the Wilson tower.
Stock said she liked the hill being saved. She concurred.
Franzen summarized that the Board was comfortable with the direction the staff and
developer are taking on the project at this time, including the proposed guide plan
change, density transfer, addressing of wetlands, slopes and trees.
Stock asked staff to comment on the traffic.
Franzen stated they received the traffic analysis and are beginning to review impacts and
mitigation. The combination of office/housing to mixed use will help reduce traffic.
Travel Demand Management could reduce traffic 5-10%. When the plans return in a
month or so these details will be presented.
Foote asked whether they were losing trees to gain wetland.
Franzen stated they would preserve significant trees on the hill first; if they could do
wetland mitigation without impacting trees they would.
Stoelting inquired about the AUAR.
Franzen stated an Environmental Assessment Worksheet was completed for Grace
Church. An AUAR is more detailed than the EAW. Even if an environmental review was
Community Planning Board Minutes
August 13, 2001
Page 8
not required, air quality, wetland, trees, etc. would still be part of any staff review for the
project. The AUAR process will allow outside agencies such as MnDOT, Hennepin
County, and the DNR to review and provide input.
Corneille asked whether the drainage would be addressed.
Franzen said yes.
IV. PUBLIC MEETING
V. MEMBERS'REPORTS
VI. CONTINUING BUSINESS
VII. NEW BUSINESS
IX. PLANNERS' REPORTS
A. COMPREHENSIVE GUIDE PLAN UPDATE WORKSHOP
Franzen said the next workshop was originally scheduled for Parks and Recreation.
However, the Airport section will be reviewed. This will be August 27t' at 6 p.m.
Motion by Stoelting, second by Stock to adjourn. Motion carried, 7-0.