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Planning Commission - 02/27/2006 APPROVED MINUTES EDEN PRAIRIE PLANNING COMMISSION MONDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 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 Scott Kipp, Senior 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, Nelson, Rocheford, and Seymour. II. APPROVAL OF AGENDA MOTION by Koenig, seconded by Sutherland, to approve the agenda. Motion carried 5-0. III. MINUTES PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING HELD ON FEBRUARY 13, 2006 Koenig had a revision on page 3, sixth paragraph, last sentence. It should read, "What they would like to do is to take 5 or 6 parking spots out to create a rain garden." MOTION by Stoltz, seconded by Kirk, to approve the minutes as amended. Motion carried 4-0. Kirk, and Sutherland abstained. IV. PUBLIC MEETING V. INFORMATIONAL MEETING A. BANEBERRY HOLLOW by Curt Frethem. Request for: Planning Commission Minutes February 27, 2006 Page 2 An Informational Meeting to present a concept plan for a proposed multiple family use of property currently guided for low density residential. The plan includes 6 twin home buildings for a total of 12 units. Jay Hill, engineer representing Curt Fretham, presented the information for the proposed plan. He stated that this piece of land is a 2 1/2 acre parcel that is located at Lee Drive. They are proposing to extend Lee Drive and add two private drives to create 6 twin home buildings. He illustrated this concept using the overhead projector. Mr. Hill also showed where the extension of Lee Drive would be located, along with the cul-de-sac, and the creation of the two private roads for access to the 6 unit town homes. Mr. Hill stated that the builder has not drawn up actual footprints of the buildings but he did show some drawings of other buildings that would resemble the structure of this complex. Stoelting asked Kipp to review the staff report. Kipp stated that notices of this informational meeting were sent out to residents within 500 feet of the unit. Kipp stated that this is a concept plan that proposes a change to the guide plan to Medium Density Residential with a density of 4.78 units per acre and a rezoning to RM-6.5. The plan anticipates that the property to the east would develop in a similar fashion some time in the future resulting in eight additional units for an overall density of 3.5 units per acre. The Bluff Ridge development to the west, also guided Medium Density Residential, consists of 28 cluster homes, and 60 townhouse units. The townhouse portion that abuts the subject property is at a density of 6 units per acre. A single family development exists to the southeast of the site at 1.45 units per acre. Kipp also stated that the proposed concept can act as a transition for this area. He said that access to this site is proposed through Lee Drive and also pointed out that the Bluff Ridge development was approved with this in mind. Kipp pointed out that the tree loss will most likely be over 35 %. Kipp did state that this site can accommodate the twin home units but the question that needs to be addressed is how to handle this transition. Stoelting opened the meeting up for public input. Debbie Smaby, President of Autumn Ridge Town Homes Association, located at Arrow Wood Drive and Lee Drive made the presentation for her association. Ms. Smaby stated that the Autumn Ridge Town Home Association does own Arrow Wood Drive and the residents of this association are concerned with the increased traffic flow and maintenance. She also asked if signage could be put up on Arrow Wood Drive and Lee Drive to limit traffic flow. She also stated that they are concerned about the trees on Lee Drive and Arrow Wood Drive and asked how the development will affect these trees. She also pointed out that the residents are concerned that this development will create access to Pioneer Trail which would increase traffic flow. Jake Jacobson, President of Autumn Ridge Court Association, located on Lee Drive, stated that their residents have concerns with traffic safety on Lee Drive Planning Commission Minutes February 27, 2006 Page 3 and the damage the construction and increased traffic will cause to Lee Drive. He also voiced concern about this site being connected to Pioneer Trail and the amount of traffic this will bring into the area. Mr. Jacobson questioned why the City put in a left turn signal at the opening of Pioneer Trail. Mr. Jacobson also asked if speed bumps could be put into the area. Mr. Jacobson asked that their association be notified of any future notices in regards to this piece of property. Mr. Richard Day, of 101 Arrow Wood Drive, which is located 2 houses away from Lee Drive, stated that he and his wife moved here 5 years ago and chose this neighborhood because of its quiet atmosphere. Mr. Day said that he is concerned about the speed on Lee Drive and pointed out that the people that live in that area generally obey the posted speed limit but people that are not familiar with Lee Drive are usually speeding through this area. He feels that this new development will increase traffic flow and it could change the whole dynamic of the neighborhood. Stoelting summarized the key points as follows: 1. Signage on Lee Drive. 2. Traffic flow and access to Pioneer Trail. 3. Speed bumps. 4. Left turn lane on Pioneer Trail. 5. Tree impacts to neighboring property Mr. Hill stated that they have not discussed traffic flow during construction but he will speak with the County in regards to access to Pioneer Trail and will ask them if they can utilize this street during construction so they do not have to use Lee Drive. Stoelting asked Mr. Hill about the mud on Lee Drive and how would the current street be maintained. Mr. Hill stated that there will be dirt on the street but that they will be responsible for cleaning it up. He pointed out that they will also have catch basins to catch salt and muddy water. Gray addressed the issue of speed bumps and stated that the City does not have them on residential streets. He pointed out that the speed bumps can cause more damage than good; that in slippery conditions they tend to cause more accidents. He also said that they are very expensive to build and maintain. Gray used the overhead projector and pointed out where the left turn lane was located on Pioneer Trail. He stated that the reason there was a westbound turn lane on Pioneer Trail was because there are three houses along Pioneer Trail that currently take access from this road. These houses will ultimately be removed as part of the developer's plans. These houses were in existence before Lee Drive was constructed. He said that he does not see Lee Drive being connected to Pioneer Trail. He said that Lee Drive will end in a cul-de-sac. He pointed out that with the additional development the increased traffic would be very minimal. Planning Commission Minutes February 27, 2006 Page 4 Stoelting asked Gray to address the issue of signage. Gray stated that there could be a "No Outlet" sign put up on Lee Drive. The City would not put up any signs on Arrow Wood Drive because it is a private drive. Mr. Jacobsen pointed out that Lee Drive is not a thoroughfare and that people think that they can get through to the other part of Lee Drive. He said that when the park is open there is a lot of traffic coming down on Lee Drive looking for parking. Gray stated that to eliminate unwanted traffic by people who are looking for the other side of Lee Drive, the residents might want to consider changing the name of Lee Drive. Gray also pointed out that there are two construction phases. The first phase would be to construct the roads and bring in the utilities. He said that this phase could be done from access off of Pioneer Trail initially and then it would eventually be closed. The second phase of the construction would be to build the twin homes. Mr. Jacobson asked how much the homeowners would be responsible for in regards to damage done to the street. Gray stated that it is a public street and because of that the City would be responsible for all maintenance and repair. Koenig asked Fox if he could address the issue of the tree loss on the new property. Smaby interjected and asked where the trees would be going down and if it would be on their association's property. Fox stated that no trees would be taken down on association property. Koenig asked Fox if, besides the evergreen trees, could other trees be transplanted. Fox said that the only problem with transplanting trees is that it consists of a juggling act to try and move the trees around because of the times of the year that they can be transplanted and the area to which they are moved to. He pointed out that it can be successful but that there are a lot of factors that come into play. Kirk asked if there is an estimate of the increased traffic on Lee Drive. Gray said that is could be 120 trips additional a day; which he said is not substantial. Stoelting asked the Commission if there were any concerns from changing this from low density to medium residential. The Commission members felt this was not an issue. Mr. Jacobsen voiced additional concern over the added traffic to the area. Gray pointed out that residential streets in Eden Prairie run between 500 to 1000 vehicles a day; and stated that even with this amount of traffic it would not affect the character of a neighborhood. He pointed out that even if this current area goes from 300 to 500 vehicles a day, it would still not change the character of the street. Mr. Day asked if there would be a public hearing and would notification be broader than 500 feet. Kipp said that the State law requires 350 feet notification from property but that the City uses 500 feet as its standard. He said he would include notification to the associations in the neighborhood. Planning Commission Minutes February 27, 2006 Page 5 Stoelting summarized to Mr. Hill what he would like to see brought back to the next Planning Commission meeting. He would like to see Mr. Hill address the issues of construction traffic and street maintenance and also have a detailed tree inventory map in place. He would also like Mr. Hill to work with Staff to address the issue of increased traffic flow. Mr. Hill said that he will address the issues when he comes back before the Planning Commission. VI. PUBLIC HEARINGS VII. MEMBERS' REPORTS VIII. CONTINUING BUSINESS IX. NEW BUSINESS X. PLANNERS' REPORTS Kipp stated that there will be one public hearing and one informational meeting at the March 13, 2006 meeting. The public hearing is in regards to a 2 lot subdivision on ERS Estates. The informational meeting is to present a plan for a proposed multiple family use of property currently guided for low density residential. This property is located at the NW corner of Baker Road and St. Andrew Drive. XI. ADJOURNMENT MOTION by Stoltz, seconded by Koenig, to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried 6-0. There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8:10 p.m.