Planning Commission - 10/23/2006 APPROVED MINUTES
EDEN PRAIRIE PLANNING COMMISSION
MONDAY, OCTOBER 23, 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: Kirk and Pitzrick.
II. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
MOTION by Koenig, seconded by Stoltz, to approve the agenda. Motion carried
7-0.
III. MINUTES
PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING HELD ON OCTOBER 9, 2006
MOTION by Stoltz, seconded by Powell, to approve the minutes. Motion carried
4-0. Koenig, Rocheford and Seymour abstained.
IV. PUBLIC MEETING
V. INFORMATIONAL MEETINGS
VI. PUBLIC HEARINGS
A. TWIN CITY CO-OP FEDERAL CREDIT UNION by Twin City Co-op
Federal Credit Union. Request for:
Planning Commission Minutes
October 23, 2006
Page 2
Planned Unit Development Concept Review on 4.22 acres; Planned Unit
Development District Review with waivers on 4.22 acres; Zoning District
Amendment within the Commercial Regional Service District on 1.48 acres; Site
Plan Review on 1.48 acres; Preliminary Plat of 4.22 acres.
Jeff Pflipsen, architect for Twin City Co-op Federal Credit Union, presented the
proposal. He started out the presentation by stating that they have come to the
meeting tonight with three different options to the proposal. He said that Option 1
is close to the original design. Option 2 is a hybrid option of a flat roof option
and Option 1. Option 3 is a flat roof option, which he pointed out was requested
at the last meeting. Mr. Pflipsen utilized the overhead projector to illustrate all
three options. Mr. Pflipsen stated that he feels that Option 1 and 2 have a little
better outlook from Highway 212 but that Option 3 turned out to be a little bit
higher than expected and said because of that it would also fit in the area. He also
said that they are planning to have rain water gardens, and will be working with
Office Max to create this, along with parking issues and landscaping. Mr.
Pflipsen stated that they will be working with the City and Office Max for cross-
access easement. Mr. Pflipsen said that out of all three options,he felt that Option
1 would be the best choice for the area.
Stoelting asked Franzen to review the staff report. Franzen stated that Staff
recommends approval of Option 3,based on pages 2 and 3 of the staff report.
Stoelting opened the meeting up for public input. There was no public input.
Stoelting asked the Commission Members for their preferences.
Stoltz stated that he liked Option 1,but in staying with the right fit for the area he
would choose Option 3. Powell stated that he concurs with Stoltz. Seymour
stated that his choice would be Option 3, as did Koenig. Duckstad stated that he
liked Option 1,but would be willing to go with Option 3; Rocheford agreed with
Duckstad. Stoelting pointed out that he liked the flat roof design.
Koenig asked Franzen about the status of rain gardens on this property. Franzen
stated that there is an agreement with both property owners to implement this and
it will be included in the developer's agreement.
Koenig asked if cash park fees are required and would it need to be put in motion.
Franzen stated that he was unsure,but that it could be put in the motion.
MOTION by Powell, seconded by Koenig, to close the public hearing. Motion
carried 7-0.
MOTION by Koenig, seconded by Stoltz, to approve the Planned Unite
Development Concept Review on 4.22 acres, Planned Unit Development District
Planning Commission Minutes
October 23, 2006
Page 3
Review with waivers on 4.22 acres, Zoning District Amendment within the
Commercial Regional Service District on 1.48 acres; Site Plan Review on 1.48
acres and Preliminary Plat of 4.22 acres based on Option 3, flat roof, the staff
reports dated September 8, 2006, October 6, 2006, and October 20, 2006 and
plans stamped dated October 20, 2006, and the following conditions: that Staff
determine if cash park fees are required. Motion carried 7-0.
VII. GUIDE PLAN UPDATE
Jeff Miller presented the Guide Plan Update on the following topics.
• Light Rail Transit
There is an Open House for Light Rail at Southwest Metro Station on November
2, 2006 from 4-7 pm. The light rail map shows route 3C serving Eden Prairie
through Golden Triangle to Southwest Station.
• Affordable Housing
The Affordable Housing memo explains the difference between affordable
housing as defined by Livable Communities and affordable housing for Guide
Plan Update.
Mr. Miller pointed out that the median family income in 2005 was $77,000.
He stated that the future definition of affordable housing for the 2030
Comprehensive Plan Update process would change from 80% to 60% of the
metro median family income.
Mr. Miller stated that the final meeting for Affordable Housing will be November
14, 2006. Some of the key issues addressed at that meeting will be the following:
1. Monitoring and preserving existing affordable housing.
2. Shortage of affordable single-family detached homes.
3. Workforce housing.
4. Senior housing.
5. Distribution of affordable housing within the City and the impacts it will
have on the schools.
6. Address the issue of"can your kids live in Eden Prairie".
• SW Eden Prairie Neighborhood Commercial Study
There are two questions. Is there a need for neighborhood commercial in SW
Eden Prairie? If so, are there good locations for a neighborhood commercial
area? Five sites have been identified. Access and surrounding land uses will
impact each site.
Planning Commission Minutes
October 23, 2006
Page 4
Jeff Miller presented the five potential Neighborhood Commercial Sites. They
are:
1. Riley Lake Road and Pioneer Trail—4.4 acres
2. Dell Road and Pioneer Trail—5.7 acres
3. Marshall's Farm Market—3.6 acres
4. Grace Church—4-8 acres
5. Mitchell Road— 8.6 acres
The criteria that needs to be looked at to find the neighborhoods is:
1. Size/Orientation
2. Visibility
3. Access
4. Proximity to Neighborhood
5. Compatible/Supportive Land Uses
In looking at neighborhoods and criteria, this is how the neighborhoods were
rated: (the ratings ranged from poor to moderately poor to moderately good to
good)
Visibility - Riley Lake Road—poor
Marshall's Farm Market and Grace Church—good
Access - Riley Lake Road and Marshall's —moderately poor
Dell Road and Grace Church—good
Compatibility— Riley Lake Road—poor
Dell Road and Marshall's Farm Market—good
Size - Riley Lake Road and Dell Road—moderately poor
Marshall's Farm Market—good
Neighborhood—Riley Lake Road - poor
Grace Church and Mitchell Road—good
Stoelting asked how many options the City would be choosing. Franzen said that
the City has not decided on a specific number of sites,but that would be
determined after evaluating each site in more detail to see what could fit with
proper buffering to the surrounding properties . They will decide what would be
the best for the neighborhood areas.
Stoelting asked Franzen what direction the City needs from the Commission
Members. Franzen stated before a public meeting is scheduled with area residents
and property owners the staff and the commission need to narrow the number of
sites to the best two or three. Stoelting clarified to the Commission that
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October 23, 2006
Page 5
recommending 2 or 3 out of the 5 areas and getting neighborhood input would be
the direction to go.
Powell stated that all the sites should be changed to neighborhood commercial
because this should be done to supply versatility to the residents. Rocheford
agreed that just a few locations should be looked at,but that we should not
assume that all of these sites would contain gas stations.
Koenig believed that Riley Lake Road should be eliminated because of the
proximity to the golf course and park. Seymour agreed with Koenig.
There was a discussion among the Commission Members as to which sites to
eliminate. It was agreed not to eliminate any this evening.
Stoelting stated that with all the discussion this evening that the staff would come
back and give recommendations as to what site(s) would be a good neighborhood
commercial area.
Guide Plan Open House
This is scheduled for November 16, 2006 in the Heritage Room of the City
Center.
VIII. PLANNERS' REPORT
Parking Study
A. Franzen stated the Planning Commission should consider the report as a
work in progress. The data provided so far suggests that less parking may
work. Additional field work during the holidays is needed to look at peak
parking demand. Parking lots that are not full during holiday peak is a
clear indication that parking can be reduced without creating impacts such
as parking in fire lanes, parking on commercial streets, or parking on
residential streets next to neighborhood commercial sites. The staff is
seeking your input to determine if we are headed in the right direction and
if there are other items you feel should be included as part of completing
the study.
Meagan Beekman, Community Development Intern, gave the parking
presentation.
The purpose of the parking study is as follows:
1. Identify negative affects of both undersupply and oversupply of parking.
2. Use a multi-faceted approach.
3. Examine mixed use approach.
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October 23, 2006
Page 6
4. Find a way to address parking needs over time.
5. Address parking impact of restaurants on mixed uses.
The City's current parking Code allows for:
1. A graduated parking ratio for retail parking.
2. Restaurants are required to have one parking stall for every three seats.
Ms. Beckman pointed out some of the problems with oversupply of parking; such
as environmental issues, increased cost of project development and decreased
property values. She also discussed the concept of shared parking and pointed out
that it could be an appropriate alternative for MCA and Golden Triangle areas.
Ms. Beckman stated that in comparison to some other cities around the area, such
as Chaska, Chanhassen, Anoka, Woodbury, Edina, and Bloomington, it would
appear that Eden Prairie has a higher parking ratio for retail uses and lower for
restaurant uses.
Ms. Beckman presented some of the following recommendations:
1. Retail should be reduced to five parking stalls per 1,000 sq. feet. and
assume up to 49% restaurants.
2. At 50% restaurants increase ratio to 5.5 stalls per 1,000 sq. feet.
3. In regards to stand alone restaurants, increase parking for restaurants of all
types. As can be seen by the following:
Type 1 - Fast Food type restaurants — 1 stall per 2 seats
Type 2 - Restaurants that do and do not serve alcohol— 1 stall per 2.5
seats.
Type 3 - Tavern/Entertainment type of establishments — 1 stall per 2 seats.
Ms. Beckman pointed out that the majority of retail centers would not be affected
by the change but rather new projects would more likely be affected.
Stoelting stated that this concept would basically free up some land for additional
uses, like rain gardens or more green spaces. Ms. Beckman confirmed Stoelting's
comments and pointed out the following:
Potential Benefits of Reduced Parking:
1. Provides an area for rainwater gardens.
2. Provides an area for trails or sidewalks.
3. Provides an area for public art.
4. Create an economic benefit by allowing more building.
Stoelting asked Franzen what his opinion was on the parking situation in the City.
Franzen pointed out that the City needs to make sure the number of parking spots
is not reduced too low to make parking an issue. He added that whatever the
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October 23, 2006
Page 7
parking number is and the accompanying rules it should be clear, not to require
more staff time to enforce, and flexible enough for owners to lease space without
having to review parking each time the uses in the building change.
Janet Jerimiah stated that she wanted to offer her support for this project. She
stated that currently the City is over parking retail and under parking restaurants.
Koenig brought up the issue of looking at the parking issue by eliminating nurf
gardens and implementing more rain gardens to save land. Franzen stated that
concept could be a recommendation for the guide plan.
Powell asked if there could be an incentive program for builders to use something
else besides impervious road surfaces. Franzen stated that this would relate to
water run-off and could be addressed in the future meeting that discusses rain
water gardens.
• Final Order Variance#2006-12 Camp Bow Wow
Franzen stated that the Planning Commission must state in writing the reasons for
denial at the time it denies the project. The correct procedure would be to adopt
the final order and have it signed by the chair. This action can be accomplished at
a subsequent meeting provided the 60 day review period has not expired and there
is still time for the applicant to appeal the decision to the City Council and for the
Council to hear the appeal.
MOTION by Stoltz, seconded by Seymour, to adopt Final Order#2006-12.
Motion carried 6-0. Koenig abstained.
• November 13, 2006 Agenda
Franzen stated that this meeting will be about golf courses. He said that there will
be 5 public hearings. The first hearing would be to consider amending the City's
Comprehensive Land Use Guide Plan to create a new land use category called
"Golf Course" and that Chapter 11 of the City code be amended to create a "Golf
Course" zoning district.
Franzen pointed out that these changes would provide consistency between the
guide plan and zoning and allow only golf-course related development. Golf
course related development would be golf holes, practice ranges and greens,
tennis courts, club houses, swimming pools, maintenance and storage buildings,
pump houses and wells, shelter houses, cart paths and irrigation facilities.
Permanent or temporary residential use or transient hotel use would not be
permitted.
Planning Commission Minutes
October 23, 2006
Page 8
He stated that the next four hearings are changing the City's Comprehensive Land
Use Guide Plan designation for Bearpath, bent Creek, Olympic Hills and Glen
Lake to Golf Course and rezoning each of the golf courses to GC-Golf Course.
IX. MEMBERS REPORTS
X. CONTINUING BUSINESS
XI. NEW BUSINESS
XII. ADJOURNMENT
MOTION by Koenig, seconded by Stoltz, to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried
7-0.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 9:56 p.m.