Planning Commission - 03/27/2006 APPROVED MINUTES
EDEN PRAIRIE PLANNING COMMISSION
MONDAY, MARCH 27, 2006 7:00 P.M., CITY CENTER
COUNCIL CHAMBERS
8080 MITCHELL ROAD
COMMISSION MEMBERS: Ray Stoelting, Kathy Nelson, John Kirk, Larry
Kacher, Vicki Koenig, Peter Rocheford, Fred
Seymour, Jon Stoltz, William Sutherland
STAFF MEMBERS: Michael Franzen, City Planner
Allison Burr, Recording Secretary
I. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE - ROLL CALL
Vice Chair Nelson called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Absent: Ray Stoelting, John Kirk,
Larry Kacher.
II. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
MOTION: Koenig moved, seconded by Seymour, to approve the agenda. Motion
carried 6-0.
III. MINUTES
A. PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING HELD ON MARCH 13, 2006
Koenig noted she was absent from the March 13"'meeting and asked about the
motion made on page 5 regarding tree loss. She asked if tree loss can go higher
than 51 percent, which was the figure in the staff report.
City Planner Franzen responded he was not at the meeting either. But the intent
was once the building plans are in, to reevaluate the tree loss because it may be
higher than it was on the concept plans. He stated the project has to come back
before the Commission, and the tree loss and site plan will be reviewed at that
time.
MOTION: Stoltz moved, seconded by Sutherland, to approve the minutes for the
March 13, 2006 meeting. Motion carried 5-0, with Koenig abstaining because
she was absent.
IV. PUBLIC MEETING
V. INFORMATIONAL MEETING
Planning Commission Minutes
March 27, 2006
Page 2
VI. PUBLIC HEARING
A. Variances#2006-02 by Todd and Lisa Nelson at 15709 Park Terrace Drive.
Request:
• To permit a 30' front yard setback for a building addition. City Code requires
a front yard setback equal to or greater than the average of the principle
structures on either side or 36.4'.
• To permit a 13.25' side yard setback for a building addition. City Code
requires a minimum 15' side yard setback in the R1-22 zoning district.
Todd Nelson, 15709 Park Terrace Drive, displayed the site plans on the overhead
and stated he began this project two and a half years ago with plans to
substantially remodel the inside of the house. Mr. Nelson stated initially he
operated under the assumption that the 24 feet that is standard for a 2-car garage
would suit the needs of the additional living space above. The first step was to
look at a survey, and that is when he realized he was actually substantially over.
His architect came up with this proposed addition.
Mr. Nelson requested a 30 feet setback in the front yard and a 13.25 feet setback
in the side yard.
City Planner Franzen stated there are four reasons to consider the merits of the
proposal. First, the house is small by today's standard, so the addition makes it
more a normal size house for Eden Prairie. Secondly, there is a visual
improvement by the addition. Third, this is an investment in the property, which
is also an investment in the neighborhood. Lastly, the addition is a small
encroachment. It would not be apparent to someone driving by the home after
construction is complete.
Koenig asked the age of the house. Mr. Nelson responded it was built in 1979.
Stoltz asked how many garage stalls there are now. Mr. Nelson indicated
currently it is a two-stall garage.
Stoltz asked how many stalls there will be after the construction. Mr. Nelson
responded it will be a three-stall garage.
Nelson stated this looks like a relatively minor infringement so she does not see
any reason not to grant this variance.
MOTION: Sutherland moved, seconded by Koenig, to close the public hearing. Motion
carried 6-0.
Planning Commission Minutes
March 27, 2006
Page 3
MOTION: Sutherland moved, seconded by Koenig, to recommend approval of the 30'
front yard setback and the 13.25' side yard setback,based on plans stamped dated
February 17, 2006, and the staff report dated March 24, 2006. Motion carried 6-0.
VII. MEMBERS' REPORTS
VIII. CONTINUING BUSINESS
IX. NEW BUSINESS
X. PLANNERS' REPORT
City Planner Franzen stated he is almost certain there will not be a meeting held on April
10. The reason for that is there are about half a doze projects on the back burner right
now, none of which is in a position to come forward. There are design flaws to be
corrected or missing information to be added before anything is read to come before the
Planning Commission. The April 24 meeting will therefore probably be a long one.
XI. ADJOURNMENT
MOTION: Rocheford moved, seconded by Koenig, to adjourn the meeting. Motion
carried 6-0.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 7:12 p.m.