Planning Commission - 05/08/2006 APPROVED MINUTES
EDEN PRAIRIE PLANNING COMMISSION
MONDAY, MAY 8, 2006 7:00 P.M., CITY CENTER
Council Chambers
8080 Mitchell Road
BOARD MEMBERS: Jon Duckstad, John Kirk, Vicki Koenig,
Jerry Pitzrick, Frank Powell, Peter Rocheford,
Fred Seymour, Ray Stoelting, Jon Stoltz
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: Koenig and Rocheford.
II. SWEARING IN OF NEW COMMISSION MEMBERS
Jerry Pitzrick was sworn in by Mike Franzen.
III. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
MOTION by Stoltz, seconded by Kirk, to approve the agenda. Motion carried 7-0.
IV. MINUTES
PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING HELD ON APRIL 24, 2006
MOTION by Seymour, seconded by Kirk, to approve the minutes. Motion carried 5-0.
Pitzrick and Stoltz abstained.
V. PUBLIC MEETING
VI. INFORMATIONAL MEETING
Planning Commission Minutes
May 5, 2006
Page 2
VII. PUBLIC HEARINGS
A. VARIANCE#2006-03 by Steven and Judith Drkstra. Request to:
Permit a side yard setback variance of 8 feet for an addition. Location of the
property is 15603 Summit Drive.
Matt Prettyman, representing Von Companies, presented the proposal. Mr.
Prettyman stated that the main reason for this addition would be to have Mrs.
Drkstra utilize more of the main floor in their home. He stated that she has some
medical issues with her knee that would constitute a hardship. Mr. Prettyman
pointed out that this proposal would encroach 100 feet into the side yard setback
or 12 percent of the total addition.
Stoelting asked Mr. Prettyman to explain the unique circumstances of the property
that would warrant a hardship to the owner. Mr. Prettyman stated that the unique
issues of this lot would be its shape. He pointed out that the home is located at
such an angle that there is little room for movement.
Stoelting asked Franzen to review the staff report. Franzen stated that there are
additional reasons that are not included in the staff report to approve this project.
The first would be that the size of encroachment is only 100 feet out of 817 feet.
The second reason would be that the existing house is an older, under sized house
and that this addition would make it a normal size house; it would also enhance
the outer appearance and would be a betterment for the neighborhood. Franzen
also stated that there is no other way to get more feet on the first floor without this
addition.
Stoelting opened the meeting up for public input. There was no public input.
Stoelting asked Mr. Prettyman if the neighbors have been contacted and if so, are
they in favor of this proposal. Mr. Prettyman stated that the owners did contact
the neighbors in excess of 500 feet away and they were in approval of this project.
Kirk asked if the neighbor at 15601 Summit Drive was in favor of the variance.
Mr. Dykstra stated that he did speak with this neighbor and he is in favor of this
variance.
Duckstad asked Franzen if Staff was in favor of this project. Franzen stated that
Staff was in favor of this project.
MOTION by Stoltz, seconded by Seymour, to close the public hearing. Motion
carried 7-0.
Planning Commission Minutes
May 5, 2006
Page 3
MOTION by Stoltz, seconded by Kirk, to approve the side yard setback variance
of 8 feet for an addition based on plans stamped dated March 31, 2006, and the
staff report dated May 5, 2006. Motion carried 7-0.
B. EDEN BLUFF BUSINESS PARK PHASE 2-4 by United Properties. Request
for:
Planned Unit Development Concept Review on 28.11 acres; Planned Unit
Development District Review with waivers on 28.11 acres; Zoning District
Change from Rural to Office on 26.38 acres and from Rural to Neighborhood
Commercial on 1.73 acres; Site Plan Review on 28.11 acres; Preliminary Plat of
28.11 acres into three lots and one outlot. Location of the property is Charlson
Road and Highway 212.
Bill Katter,representing United Properties,presented the proposal. He stated that
this is a proposal for a three story office building on the bluff adjacent to Highway
212 and this would be the headquarters for C. H. Robinson. He said that C.H.
Robinson also intends on acquiring additional land for future growth which would
constitute an additional 400,000 square feet of office space. There would also be
9,000 square feet of retail space. Mr. Katter stated that he understands that Staff
sees a need for higher retail space and that they are willing to work with the City
to come up with this additional space.
Stoelting asked Franzen to review the staff report. Franzen stated that the Staff
and City have looked at Eden Bluff Business Park numerous times over the years
and it is the consensus that this change is a good move before the residents move
into the west of the project. Franzen also pointed out that in the staff report it
points out that the City would like to see more commercial area to this project
without taking parking away from C.H. Robinson. He stated that the graph shows
where the additional lots could be located. Franzen stated that the Commission
could direct developer to revise the plan to increase commercial space by 2000
square feet. Franzen stated that Staff recommends approval based on the
recommendations on page 4 and 5 of the staff report.
Stoelting opened the meeting up for public input. There was no public input.
Pitzrick asked, in regards to the commercial area, if there was a gas station would
there be enough area for circulation and could it accommodate another restaurant
in this area in regards to parking. Mr. Katter stated that he would have to work
with the City in regards to this matter.
Stoelting asked Franzen if the height of the office building would interfere with
the airport. Franzen stated that it would not interfere with the airport. Franzen
also commented on the gas parking stating that the City would give credit for
parking as to where the pumps are located.
Planning Commission Minutes
May 5, 2006
Page 4
Mr. Katter utilized the overhead projector to show an illustration of the office
building.
MOTION by Seymour, seconded by Stoltz, to close the public hearing. Motion
carried 7-0.
MOTION by Seymour, seconded by Kirk, to approve the Planned Unit
Development concept Review on 28.11 acres; Planned Unit Development District
Review with waivers on 28.11 acres; Zoning District Change from Rural to Office
on 26.38 acres and from Rural to Neighborhood Commercial on 1.73 acres;
Preliminary Plat of 28.11 acres into three lots and one outlot; Site Plan Review on
28.11 acres;based on plans stamped dated April 19, 2006, and the staff report
dated May 5, 2006. Motion carried 7-0.
VIII. MEMBERS' REPORTS
Kirk commented that he attended the Way Finding Committee and talked about MCA
issues and in the future would like to take back to this Committee any ideas the Planning
Commission would have that would be beneficial to this cause.
Seymour stated that in March he attended the Commuter Challenge put on by the 494
Commuter Committee and found it very informative. He stated that builders are going to
be constructing facilities for commuters utilizing other forms of transportation; one
example would be facilities for bikers.
IX. CONTINUING BUSINESS
X. NEW BUSINESS
Franzen stated that the May 19th Joint City Council Meeting has been postponed.
XI. PLANNERS' REPORTS
Franzen stated that in regards to the Lone Oak Center development, the drug store will no
longer be located there. Franzen pointed out that the City is fine with these changes as
long as the Commission is comfortable with the changes. MOTION by Seymour,
seconded by Stoltz, to accept revision. Motion carried 7-0.
Franzen stated that the meeting on June 19th, 2006, is a change. It has been moved up
one week. He also stated that the public data sheet was included in the packet.
Franzen stated that the May 22nd, 2006, meeting will include two items; a minor deck
variance and Hennepin Village Site B. (Oak Creek at Hennepin Village)
XII. ADJOURNMENT
Planning Commission Minutes
May 5, 2006
Page 5
MOTION by Kirk, seconded by Stoltz, to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried 7-0.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 7:37 p.m.