Planning Commission - 02/26/2007 APPROVED MINUTES
EDEN PRAIRIE PLANNING COMMISSION
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2007 7:00 P.M., CITY CENTER
Council Chambers
8080 Mitchell Road
COMMISSION MEMBERS: 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 Stoltz.
II. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
MOTION by Koenig, seconded by Seymour, to approve the agenda. Motion carried 6-
0.
III. MINUTES
PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING HELD ON FEBRUARY 12, 2007
Koenig had a change on page 7, paragraph 5, sentence 5. She would like to change
Conservation Community to Conservation Commission.
MOTION by Koenig, seconded by Seymour, to approve the minutes as amended.
Motion carried 5-0. Pitzrick abstained.
IV. PUBLIC MEETING
V. INFORMATIONAL MEETINGS
VI. PUBLIC HEARINGS
A. VARIANCE#2007-04
Request:
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February 26, 2007
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To permit a front yard setback of 23.l' for a garage addition from the front lot
line along Riverview Road. City code requires a 30' front yard setback.
Location: 10431 Riverview Drive East.
Debra Everson, architect for the homeowners, presented the variance request. She
stated the homeowners would like to add an 8 foot addition on the garage side of
the house to add more room for the mother-in-law moving in. Stoelting asked
Ms. Everson to explain the hardship issue associated with this variance request.
Ms. Everson said the hardship would be the house is skewed on the lot, so any
addition would ultimately go into the setback. She also said the house has two
front yards and is on a corner lot;hence the odd position of the house on the lot.
Stoelting asked Franzen to review the staff report. Franzen said there are four
possible actions that can be taken by the Commission. They are listed on page
two of the staff report.
Stoelting opened the meeting up for public input.
Kathy Maslyn, of 11656 Landing Road, stated her home lines up with the
property owner. She said last evening they had 17 neighbors get together to
discuss this situation. The neighbors are concerned the plans and materials to be
used have not been approved by the Association prior to this potential variance
request. Ms. Maslyn pointed out the homeowners are planning to place a green
house on the property and the neighbors do not feel it is a good fit for the
neighborhood. They feel it is a much larger structure than needed. Ms. Maslyn
stated she felt this could potentially decrease her property value. She requests the
variance be deferred or rejected until a plan for the green house is established.
She also pointed out her disapproval is not with the mother-in-law moving in but
with the green house.
Steve Sather, owns,but does not live in 11590 Riverview Road, which is across
the street, and one house east from this property. He said extending the garage
toward the street would affect the site lines down the street if this variance request
was granted. He felt the garage could be added to the east of the property and the
reason the homeowners are asking for this variance request would be to build the
green house on the property. He said he also felt this addition would affect the
property value of the house he owns.
Duane Bloem, of 11567 Landing Road, said in looking at the plans, he questioned
if the homeowners were putting in a hallway in the garage for wheel chair access
to the green house. He pointed out if the addition was closer to the street if would
cut down on the line of sight for people driving down that street, and felt that
safely was an issue associated with this variance request.
Stoelting summarized the comments made by the public.
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February 26, 2007
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1. Has the Homeowner's Association approved this project and will the correct
materials be used.
2. Concern over size of green house and addition.
3. Impacted property values.
4. Site lines —need for consistency and safety concerns.
5. Is this a four car garage or a hallway for wheel chair access.
Stoelting asked Ms. Everson to address some of these issues. Ms. Everson said
she would focus on the garage variance and not the green house. She stated the
materials used would be exactly the same as what is on the garage now. There
will not be a hallway put in the garage and it will remain a four car garage. The
granting of this variance should not affect property values. This addition would
not affect the site lines because none of the corner triangles are cut off.
Franzen said the association requirements are separate from City rules and is
enforced by the association board. The Commission has to determine if there is a
hardship issue associated with this variance request. Franzen pointed out the
proposed green house meets setbacks.
Steve Sather, owner of 11590 Riverview Road,reiterated again the hardship issue
has not been met because the homeowners could build onto the east side of the
building.
Ms. Everson pointed out there is no place to put an addition to the east side of the
building. She said they are not trying to make a bigger garage but want to expand
the living space.
Pitzrick said if the homeowner were able to relocate the functions to the east side
of the property it would not encroach on the setback. Franzen pointed out the
homeowners want to improve on the interior functions of the house and that is the
reason for expanding the garage to the north. To eliminate the variance, the
interior floor plan would have to change and relocate the kitchen, bath and pantry.
Koenig suggested possibly making the green house smaller. Ms. Everson said she
is not here to discuss the green house and it should have no impact on the variance
request. Pitzrick said the issue of the green house does have to be looked at and
suggested it should possibly be redesigned.
Stoelting asked Franzen if the Commission can dictate on the green house issue.
Franzen stated the entire change to the house can be reviewed by the commission,
including the interior, garage expansion and the green house. The commission can
ask for a different design if it is determined that a hardship has not been
established. If the applicant wanted to build the greenhouse only or expand the
garage to the west, the setbacks would conform and no variance would be
required
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Koenig said the issue of the green house is important because of the concern of
the neighborhood, and the variance request should be continued.
Pitzrick said the home owners should meet with the town home association and
come back with a different plan.
Stoelting asked the project proponent for any additional comments. Ms. Everson
said she would have to speak with the homeowners to see if they want to come
back or not. She said she is surprised the green house was taken into account
when it was not even on the variance request.
MOTION by Koenig, seconded by Pitzrick, to close the public hearing. Motion
carried 6-0.
MOTION by Koenig, seconded by Seymour, to reopen the public hearing.
Motion carried 6-0.
MOTION by Koenig, seconded by Seymour, to recommend a continuance to the
March 12, 2007 meeting and to revise the development plans according to the
staff report and other requirements as identified by the Commission. Motion
carried 6-0.
VII. PLANNERS' REPORT
A. GUIDE PLAN UPDATE
Greg Ingraham, of Hoisington Koegler Group Inc. (HKGI), presented the Guide
Plan Update for Land Use.
1. Chapter 3 Land Use
The intent of the Land Use Chapter is to guide public and private decision and
investment regarding land use, development, and redevelopment. Areas studied
and what was addressed in each of the areas are listed below.
Major Center Area Land Use
1. Redevelopment Policy Area
2. Town Center Land Use Designation
3. Town Center Guidelines and Mixed-Use Ordinance
Golden Trianzle Area Land Use
1. Redevelopment Policy Area
2. Market-based Approach
Airport and Golf Course Land Use
Major change is from public land use to a specific golf course land use.
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Airport is not an industrial use so it would need to be guided as airport land use.
SW Neighborhood Commercial Study
Sites of Study:
1. Riley Lake Road
2. Dell Road
3. Marshall's Farmers Market
4. Mitchell Road
Mr. Ingraham pointed out the focus group is requesting the Commission's input
on this category as to what sites should be included in the study; should more be
added or some of these taken out.
Growth Forecasts
Change from 2006 to 2030
• Population +13,885
• Households + 8,603
• Employment +16,362
Questions for the Planniniz Commission
1. Should any of the potential southwest Eden Prairie neighborhood commercial
sites be brought forward in the draft plan or at subsequent community
meetings?
2. Are there other specific land use changes that should be shown on the plan
map or discussed in the text?
Pitzrick said in regard to the Town Center Area, there is a huge power line which
goes through the area that will need to be addressed. Mr. Ingraham said they are
aware of the power line and it should not be much of a problem, they will position
the new road around it. Powell made the comment that the issue of the power
lines need to be dealt with. Mr. Ingraham said they could do a study on power
lines but they would have to see if it would be economically feasible. Seymour
asked if at a future meeting examples of other sites with power lines could be
displayed. Mr. Ingraham said they will bring examples to a future meeting.
2. Housing
Jeff Miller, of HKGI,presented the Guide Plan Update for Housing.
The intent of the Housing Chapter is to assess the City's current housing
stock/options, estimate future housing demand, and identify implementation
strategies and programs to achieve the City's future housing goals and needs.
Community Guidance for 2030 Plans
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1. Current 2020 Comprehensive Plan
2. 2010 Livable Communities Action Plan
3. Senior Issues Task Force
4. Metropolitan Council Report; 2011-2020 Regional Affordable Housing Needs
5. Redevelopment Area Plan Studies
- Major Center Area(MCA) Plan
- Golden Triangle Area(GTA) Land Use Study
6. 2030 Comprehensive Plan Housing Focus Group
7. Planning Commission Input
Existing Housing Stock/Options
Biggest change is greater growth in multi-family housing versus single family
housing.
1. Percent of Renters vs. Owners, 2006
Owners - 73%
Renters - 27%
2. Housing Unit by Affordability
- Subsidized rental units - 756 (12% of rental units)
- Subsidized owner units —775 (4.3% of owned units)
Future Housinz Demand
Eden Prairie recognized the need for 685 housing units.
Strategies for Meetinz Future Housinz Needs
1. Development of Land Guided for Residential (primarily SW EP)
2. New housing near employment centers
3. Mixed-Use Redevelopment(MCA, GTA)
4. Planned Unit Development(PUD) Tool
5. Neo-Traditional Neighborhoods
6. Land Acquisition
7. Existing Land Use Regulations
8. Reinvestment in Existing Housing
Stoelting said he did not see a lot of clarity in regards to senior housing. He
pointed out there was a substantial amount of work in breaking down affordability
of housing, but he did not see options for seniors addressed in this chapter. Mr.
Miller stated it was in the affordability section of housing.
The question was brought up if the group should continue with the SW Area
Commercial Site Evaluation. The Commission said no, they should not continue
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with the evaluation but to leave them open and let the market dictate what
happens.
The Commission said they would like more detail on senior housing and power
lines in the MCA and Golden Triangle Area.
B. TOWN CENTER DESIGN GUIDELINES
Greg Ingraham, of HKGI, presented the Town Center Design Guidelines. He
passed out a hand out to the Commission Members with multiple designs
pertaining to the Town Center for the following categories:
1. Site Development
2. Streetscapes and Plazas
3. Parking and Transit
4. Buildings
5. Signage
6. Lighting
He asked the Commission Members to mark if they liked or disliked each design
and when they were completely finished he asked them to pick five favorite
images and five least favorite images. Mr. Ingraham said they will have the
results for the next Planning Commission meeting.
C. REVISED GUIDE PLAN UPDATE SCHEDULE
Franzen said due to the Memorial Day holiday on May 28, there will need to be a
change to another date for the Planning Commission meeting. The other possible
dates are May 21, 22 or 29.
D. JOINT PLANNING COMMISSION CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP-
GUIDE PLAN UPDATE
Franzen stated the meeting is March 6h at 5:00 pm.
Franzen stated the next meeting, on March 12, will have 9 items on the agenda.
VIII. MEMBERS' REPORT
IX. CONTINUING BUSINESS
X. NEW BUSINESS
XI. ADJOURNMENT
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MOTION by Koenig, seconded by Rocheford, to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried
6-0.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 10:17 p.m.