Planning Commission - 08/27/2001 APPROVED MINUTES
EDEN PRAIRIE COMMUNITY PLANNING BOARD
MONDAY,AUGUST 27, 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, Community Development/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, Koenig, Nelson, Seymour, Sodt, Stock, Stoelting.
II. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Motion by Stock, second by Stoelting to approve the agenda. Motion carried, 9-0 0.
III. MINUTES
A. Minutes of the August 13, 2001 Community Planning Board
Koenig noted the sentence where she asked whether there would be a parcel that
would not be impacted environmentally should be stricken.
Motion by Brooks, second by Stock, to approve the minutes as amended. Motion
carried, 9-0.
B. Minutes of the August 13, 2001 Community Planning Board Workshop
Motion by Brooks, second by Nelson to approve the minutes of the August 13, 2001
Community Planning Board Workshop. Motion carried, 7-2-0, abstentions Sodt,
Koenig.
Community Planning Board Minutes
August 27, 2001
Page 2
IV. PUBLIC HEARINGS
A. BFI ADDITION by BFI. Request for Zoning District Amendment within the I-2
Zoning District on 22 acres and Site Plan Review on 22 acres. Location: 9813 Flying
Cloud Drive.
Corneille noted the City had received a letter from BFI withdrawing their
request.
Motion by Stoelting, second by Brooks to accept the letter of withdrawal.
Motion carried, 9-0.
B. GRAY FOX BLUFF by Kathryn Slavens. Request for Preliminary Plat of 47.03
acres into 3 lots. Location: 15598 Michele Lane
The public hearing opened at 7:35 p.m.
Kathryn Slavens stated her father had owned the property since 1952, and found it
necessary to subdivide and sell off part of the acreage. The property would be
divided into three lots of 10+ acres, maintaining rural zoning, with one house per lot.
Boundaries are based upon a 1997 survey. Changes proposed in the staff report may
encroach on the existing lot and home. She conducted a neighborhood meeting; all
three neighborhoods attended the meeting.
Kipp said the plat meets minimum lot requirements and dimensions. Staff is asking
for revisions to the plan, including extending the conservation easement to provide
access and amending rights of way to allow flexibility in building cul-de-sacs.
Nelson asked why they would subdivide it now rather than wait until they had a
development plan.
Kipp stated it was three tracts and they wanted to sell them independently; selling it
to one developer could be problematic. A developer agreement should be entered
into before any development or further subdivision.
Stoelting asked whether the conservation easement was in dispute.
Kipp stated their wetland delineation was a few years old; this will be updated at the
time of development or purchase. Property within the areas is shown as public open
space. There is no access.
Stock asked why there would be a cul-de-sac into the property.
Community Planning Board Minutes
August 27, 2001
Page 3
Gray stated they would be dedicating right-of-way for future cul-de-sacs. If the
subdivision occurs now there should be a provision for a possible cul-de-sac. It will
require substantial grading.
Foote said according to the staff report in attachment B it covers the wetland buffer
and public open space. He asked what it would look like with the survey.
Kipp showed a map depicting the wetland delineation. The three parcels are isolated
from each other. Staff is recommending three pieces be included.
Corneille asked Slavens for clarification regarding encroachment.
Slavens noted on attachment A, a new drawing of the cul-de-sac takes out the corner
of her father's house.
Kipp stated the right-of-way could be adjusted so there was no encroachment on the
house.
Kim Voss, 15900 N Hillcrest Court, lives near this development, inquired whether
the City would consider acquiring space for preservation.
Foote stated a conservation easement would preserve the wetland and open space
along the creek.
Fox said when a park plan was developed, adjacent property use was considered as
well as how it fits into an overall park plan. There is no direct connection to this
without impacting the wetland, and the City would not acquire property they may
receive in the future through platting. There is not a need for wooded hill areas. They
would be difficult to fit into the plan. The lower area will be preserved regardless.
Rebecca Brown 6855 Alpine Trail, expressed concern about wildlife in that area,
which will have no where else to go.
Fox said the Edenvale conservation area has 120 acres for wildlife, which is directly
south of this site.
Nelson Berg, Attorney for Slaven, said it may be appropriate to modify the layout of
the cul-de-sac. This will be provided for in the agreement. The location of the
northerly line of the easement follows open space designation. Open space
designation should not intrude into property that has private use. There are setback
requirements.
Franzen said conservation easements over wetlands include wetland buffers.
Brooks asked how many acres this would affect.
Community Planning Board Minutes
August 27, 2001
Page 4
Kipp stated it would be an additional 15 feet of perimeter around the wetland.
Corneille noted staff and the proponent could work together.
Motion by Nelson, second by Koenig to close the public hearing. Motion carried, 9-
0.
The public hearing closed at 8:00 p.m.
Motion by Stoelting, second by Stock to approve Gray Fox Bluff by Kathryn
Slavens request for Preliminary Plat of 47.03 acres into three lots located at 15598
Michele Lane. Motion carried, 9-0.
C. THE PINES I by the Pines I, LLC. Request for Planned Unit Development Concept
Amendment on 5.17 acres, Planned Unit Development District Review with waivers
on 5.17 acres, Zoning District Amendment within the RM-6.5 Zoning District on
5.17 acres, Site Plan Review on 5.17 acres, and Preliminary Plat of 5.17 acres into
28 lots. Location: Southwest corner of Pioneer Trail and Settlement Drive.
The public hearing opened at 8:02 p.m.
Steve Kroiss, proponent, met with the neighbors. Plans call for 28 units on 5 plus
acres; prices are $250,000 - $390,000. There are eight 3-unit and two 2-unit
buildings. The exterior consists of stone wainscoting, stone pillars and wood
columns, covered open porch, garage details, and concrete based siding.
Franzen noted staff recommends approval.
There were no public comments.
Corneille summarized the wetland setback and lot depth waivers.
Nelson stated she did not see how the road would accommodate a school bus or
emergency vehicles.
Franzen explained the Fire Marshall reviews all plans and makes recommendations.
There is a turnaround. It meets the requirements for fire access. School buses do not
enter; they would be on the main access road.
Stoelting inquired where the overflow parking would be located.
Gray said all of the driveways meet the city requirement. There is overflow parking
along Pines Way and at the end of the units.
Community Planning Board Minutes
August 27, 2001
Page 5
Stoelting asked how this compared with the original plan for 28 units.
Stoelting inquired about the original plan waivers.
Franzen said they were for lot size and setback. When originally approved, the City
did not have a wetland ordinance.
Stoelting asked about the boundary of the existing wetland.
Franzen stated it was approved for fill and mitigated as part of Settlers Ridge.
Koenig inquired whether changing the wetland setback from 15 to 5 feet meant a 5
foot buffer between the building and wetland.
Franzen said there will still be a wetland buffer of 15 feet, with a total of 20 feet
from the building to the edge of the wetland.
Stoelting asked whether the units backed up to the easement would have a vegetation
buffer between homes.
Kroiss stated pine trees will be put in on the line between buildings.
Nelson inquired about the size of the shortest lot.
Franzen said 76 feet. Lots 1-8 are 86 feet; 9-14 are 88 feet.
Koenig inquired whether monuments would be installed near the wetland as part of
wetland protection, so people don't mow in the area.
Franzen stated as part of ordinance they have to provide signs.
Koenig noted they have a lot of conifers but few deciduous trees.
Koenig asked if the landscaping is mainly conifers and Lindens.
Fox said it is mostly pines, some deciduous.
Motion by Stock, second by Foote to close the public hearing. Motion carried, 9-0.
The hearing closed at 8:20 p.m..
Motion by Stock, second by Foote to approve The Pines I by the Pines I, LLC.
Request for Planned Unit Development Concept Amendment on 5.17 acres, Planned
Unit Development District Review with waivers on 5.17 acres, Zoning District
Amendment within the RM-6.5 Zoning District on 5.17 acres, Site Plan Review on
Community Planning Board Minutes
August 27, 2001
Page 6
5.17 acres, and Preliminary Plat of 5.17 acres into 28 lots. Location: Southwest
corner of Pioneer Trail and Settlement Drive based on plans dated August 17, 2001
and recommendations in the staff report dated August 24, 2001. Motion carried, 9-
1, nay Nelson.
Koenig inquired about the market for these units.
Kroiss said mostly empty nesters,but also many single professional women.
V. PUBLIC MEETING
VI. MEMBERS' REPORTS
VII. CONTINUING BUSINESS
VIII. NEW BUSINESS
IX. PLANNERS REPORTS
A. Comprehensive Guide Plan Update Workshop
Franzen explained there was a modification of the schedule and the Planning Board
should adopt the new schedule.
Stoelting said October 9 is a Tuesday and so is October 23ra
Franzen said the dates should be the 8h and 22na
Motion by Stock, second by Koenig to adopt the new workshop schedule. Motion
carried, 9-0.
X. ADJOURNMENT
Motion by Koenig, second by Stoelting, to adjourn. Motion carried, 9-0.
The meeting adjourned at 8:30 p.m.