Planning Commission - 02/13/2006 APPROVED MINUTES
EDEN PRAIRIE PLANNING COMMISSION
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2006 7:00 P.M., CITY CENTER
Council Chambers
8080 Mitchell Road
BOARD MEMBERS: Larry Kacher, John Kirk, Vicki Koenig,
Kathy Nelson, Peter Rocheford, Fred Seymour,
Ray Stoelting, Jon Stoltz,William Sutherland
STAFF MEMBERS: Stu Fox, Manager of Parks and Natural Resources
Al Gray, City Engineer, Mike Franzen, City Planner
Julie Krull, Recording Secretary
I. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE—ROLL CALL
Chair Stoelting called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Absent: Kacher.
II. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
MOTION by Kirk, seconded by Koenig, to approve the agenda. Motion carried
8-0.
III. MINUTES
PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING HELD ON DECEMBER 12, 2005
MOTION by Stoltz, seconded by Koenig, to approve the minutes. Motion carried 5-0.
Nelson, Seymour and Sutherland abstained.
PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING HELD ON JANUARY 9, 2006
MOTION by Stoltz, seconded by Koenig, to approve the minutes. Motion carried 5-0.
Kirk, Rocheford and Stoelting abstained.
PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING HELD ON JANUARY 23, 2006
Koenig had a revision on page 3, second paragraph, third sentence. It should read,
"Stoelting asked Mr. Lintner if he needed those steps that were located to the right of the
hot tub."
MOTION by Nelson, seconded by Koenig, to approve the minutes. Motion carried 5-0.
Kirk, Rocheford and Sutherland abstained.
Planning Commission Minutes
February 13, 2006
Page 2
IV. PUBLIC MEETING
V. INFORMATIONAL MEETING
VI. PUBLIC HEARINGS
A. HORIZON PLACE by Commercial Horizons. Request for:
Comprehensive Guide Plan Change from Medium Density Residential to
Regional Commercial on 1.74 acres; Planned Unit Development concept Review
on 7.52 acres; Planned Unit Development District Review on 5.87 acres; Zoning
District Change from Rural to Commercial Regional Service on 1.74 acres; Site
Plan Review on 5.87 acres; Preliminary Plat of 7.52 acres into 1 lot and road
right-of-way.
Kim Larsen, of RSP Architects, located in Minneapolis,presented the proposal.
She stated that this was a continuation from the January 23, 2006 Planning
Commission Meeting. She utilized the overhead project to illustrate the changes
made to the proposal.
Stoelting asked Franzen to review the staff report. Franzen stated that Staff
recommends approval according to the recommendations on page 2 and 3 of the
staff report. There is one slight modification that would have to be met before
coming before the City Council and that would be to meet the one-half foot-
candle lighting requirement at the south property line between the loading dock
and parking lot and the neighboring residential use.
Stoelting opened the meeting up for public input. There was no input.
Nelson commented that the plans presented tonight looked quite a bit superior
then the previous plans submitted.
Koenig asked Fox if he was comfortable with the landscaping plan for this
project. Fox stated he was comfortable with the plan.
Stoltz asked Ms. Larsen about the tower that was taken out of the east elevation
and why that was. Ms. Larsen stated that Staff had given her two options for the
plans and one was with a tower and one was without. They chose to go with the
plan that did not have the tower. Stoltz asked if she had a diagram showing how
the building would look with the tower in place. Ms. Larsen stated she did not
have a diagram.
Franzen stated that two options were given to the project proponent and the one
presented tonight was one that was recommended.
Stoelting asked Ms. Larsen if there was any problem meeting the lighting
requirement. Ms. Larsen stated there would be no problem.
Planning Commission Minutes
February 13, 2006
Page 3
MOTION by Rocheford, seconded by Nelson, to close the public hearing.
Motion carried 8-0.
MOTION by Koenig, seconded by Seymour, to approve the Comprehensive
Guide Plan Change from Medium Density Residential to Regional Commercial
on 1.74 acres; Planned Unit Development Concept Review on 7.52 acres; Planned
Unit Development District Review on 5.87 acres; Zoning District Change from
Rural to Commercial Regional Service on 1.74 acres; Site Plan Review on 5.87
acres; Preliminary Plat of 7.52 acres into 1 lot and road right-of-way,based on
plans stamped dated January 30, 2006, and the staff report dated February 10,
2006. Motion carried 8-0.
B. PRIMROSE SCHOOL OF EDEN PRAIRIE by Primrose School Franchising
Company. Request for: Planned Unit Development Concept Review on 1.8 acres;
Planned Unit Development District Review with waivers on 1.8 acres; Zoning
District Amendment within the Office Zoning District on 1.8 acres; Site Plan
Review on 1.8 acres. Located at 7800 Eden Prairie Road.
Mark Pavey, of the Children's Design Group,presented the proposal. He started
out by stating that they are purchasing the existing doctor's clinic at 7800 Eden
Prairie Road and plan to renovate the existing building and add 3200 square feet
to make it a first class child care facility. Mr. Pavey pointed out that the existing
building was built in three phases in a modular structure. They would now like to
take parts of that building down to make it have more of a residential appearance.
He used the overhead projector to show illustrations of the building. He stated
that they have complied with all of the current zoning codes except for the
parking setback along Terry Pine Road. What they would like to do is to take 5 or
6 parking spots out to create a rain garden.
Stoelting asked Franzen to review the staff report. Franzen stated that the project
conforms to all of the district regulations with the exception for the 10 foot
setback, which represents an existing condition, and because of that they need to
plant the additional trees around the perimeter of the building to provide
screening. Franzen stated that Staff recommends approval based on page 3 and 4
of the staff report.
Stoelting opened the meeting up for public input. There was no input.
Nelson asked about the play areas around the building and what kind of fencing
would be used to enclose these areas. Mr. Pavey stated that there will be fencing
around the whole perimeter of the building. He said it would be a 6 foot wrought
iron fence. He also pointed out that there would be landscaping from the parking
area to the convenience store. Nelson asked if the fencing would go around the
whole building. Mr. Pavey stated that it would go around the whole building.
Nelson asked if the kids would be able to get thru the fencing. Mr. Pavey pointed
out that the spacing in the fencing is 3 1/z" apart and there would be no possible
way the kids would be able to get thru the fence.
Planning Commission Minutes
February 13, 2006
Page 4
Stoelting asked about the sloping in the play area and if the project proponent
planned to level off the area. Mr. Pavey stated that they would flatten the berm in
the play area. He used the overhead projector to illustrate this.
Stoltz asked the Commission if they felt that there was too much roof line on the
east elevation and could more peaks be put in the back of the building.
Stoelting clarified what Stoltz was commenting on and stated that the peaks were
of concern. Stoltz stated that he was just concerned with the peaks on the back
side of the building.
Stoelting asked Mr. Pavey to discuss the elevation on the back side of the
building. Mr. Pavey stated that they did not enhance this area with peaks because
it faces the back side of the convenience store. He used the overhead projector to
illustrate this. Stoltz asked if one of the gables could be put up in the north area.
Mr. Pavey stated that is could.
Koenig pointed out that this was a nice transition for the neighborhood.
MOTION by Kirk, seconded by Rocheford, to close the public hearing. Motion
carried 8-0.
MOTION by Kirk, seconded by Rocheford, to approve the Planned Unit
Development Concept Review on 1.8 acres; Planned Unit Development District
Review with waivers on 1.8 acres; Zoning District Amendment within the Office
Zoning District on 1.8 acres; Site Plan Review on 1.8 acres, based on plans
stamped dated January 26, 2006 and the staff report dated February 10, 2006, with
the addition of an architectural feature on the north end of the building. Motion
carried 8-0.
C. EDEN PLACE APRTMENTS CLUBHOUSE by RREFF. Request for:
Planned Unit Development Concept Amendment on 32.7 acres; Planned Unit
Development District Review on 32.7 acres; Zoning District Amendment within
the RM-2.5 Zoning District on 32.7 acres; Site Plan Review on 32.7 acres.
Located at: 8680 Magnolia Trail, 8675 Marigold Circle, 1300 Dahlia Circle.
Brian Cluts,representing RREEF,presented the proposal. He stated that the
project involves a consolidation of fitness rooms and community rooms from
eight separate locations into one central location, which would be the fitness
center clubhouse. He said that they tried to use the elements of the existing
building to combine them into the new clubhouse facility. He pointed out that the
same brick, siding, roof pitches, gables and colors would be used. He used the
overhead projector to illustrate the clubhouse.
Stoelting asked Franzen to review the staff report. Franzen stated that this project
does conform to standards and Staff recommends approval based on
recommendations on page 2 and 3 of the staff report.
Planning Commission Minutes
February 13, 2006
Page 5
Stoelting opened the meeting up for public input. There was no input.
Nelson asked about the community rooms and how would the change impact the
existing rooms. Mr. Cluts stated that there would be four community rooms in the
new clubhouse. Nelson asked if the clubhouse would be available for rental to the
residents. Mr. Cluts stated that it would be available for rental. Nelson asked if
the main community room could be closed off to the fitness center and Mr. Cluts
stated that it does close off to the fitness center.
Seymour asked Gray if there were two rain gardens on this proposed plan. Gray
confirmed that there would be two rain gardens on the property. Seymour asked
what kind of ongoing maintenance this would involve. Gray stated that there is
some ongoing maintenance but the apartment complex would hire professional
maintenance to handle the aesthetics of this situation.
Stoltz asked Mr. Cluts if the rent would be going up in order to build the new
clubhouse. Mr. Cluts stated that he did not think the rent would go up due to the
building of the new clubhouse.
Nelson pointed out that in the rendering drawings there are flowering plants and
bushes and asked if they would be included in the clubhouse. Mr. Cluts stated
they would but probably not to the extent that the drawing displayed.
MOTION by Sutherland, seconded by Koenig, to close the public hearing.
Motion carried 8-0.
MOTION by Sutherland, seconded by Nelson, to approve the Planned Unit
Development Concept Amendment on 32.7 acres; Planned Unit Development
District Review on 32.7 acres; Zoning District Amendment within the RM-2.5
Zoning District on 32.7 acres; Sit Plan Review on 32.7 acres;based on plans
stamped dated February 2, 2006 and the staff report dated February 10, 2006.
Motion carried 8-0.
VII. MEMBERS' REPORTS
VIII. CONTINUING BUSINESS
IX. NEW BUSINESS
X. PLANNERS' REPORTS
Franzen stated that there will be one item on the agenda for the February 27, 2006,
meeting. It will be an information meeting about a guide plan change from low density
residential to medium density residential on a vacant piece of property at the east
terminus of Lee Drive.
XI. ADJOURNMENT
Planning Commission Minutes
February 13, 2006
Page 6
MOTION by Stoltz, seconded by Koenig, to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried
8-0.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 7:40 p.m.