Planning Commission - 03/26/2007 APPROVED MINUTES
EDEN PRAIRIE PLANNING COMMISSION
MONDAY, MARCH 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 Seymour called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Absent: Rocheford and
Stoelting. Koenig arrived at 7:12 p.m.
II. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
MOTION by Kirk, seconded by Stoltz, to approve the agenda. Motion carried 5-0.
III. MINUTES
PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING HELD ON MARCH 12, 2007
Pitzrick had one change on page 4, paragraph 10. The paragraph should read, "Pitzrick
asked the project proponent who built the 2 car detached garage. Mr. Sitzman stated it
was the previous owner who built the garage.
MOTION by Powell, seconded by Kirk, to approve the minutes as amended. Motion
carried 5-0.
IV. PUBLIC MEETING
V. INFORMATIONAL MEETINGS
VI. PUBLIC HEARINGS
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March 26, 2007
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VII. PLANNERS' REPORT
A. GUIDE PLAN UPDATE
1. Chapter 4—Housing
Franzen presented this Guide Plan Update.
He pointed out on page 4-7 of the handout there are eight items from the
Senior Issues Task Force addressing the issue of senior housing and posed
two questions to the Commission.
1. Do the goals identify what should be accomplished and do we need
other goals?
2. Do the policies identify the method of action for implementation and
do we need other policies?
Seymour stated in referring to the Senior Housing Task Force, it does not
appear they addressed the goals or implementation strategy. Franzen said
chapter two addresses these items and added the staff could also put
housing goals and policies in the housing chapter as well.
Pitzrick asked, in regard to page 4-12, paragraph L, is The Livable
Communities Demonstration Account(LCDA) something the City has
used before. Franzen stated that is something the City would have to
apply for in order to use it. He said the City applied for it in regards to
Southwest Station to help pay for structured parking or affordable housing
on the project. Pitzrick asked in regard to page 4-13, paragraph 4, Planned
Unit Development Process, it states, "talking about case by case basis, the
City will consider the granting of bonuses and incentives to allow for
higher density developments with a greater percentage of affordable
units", is that something the City has done before and what kind of
incentives have we used. Franzen stated the City Ordinance allows 17
units per acre. By allowing 38 or 40 units per acre, the greater number of
total units you have in the project above the base point, the greater
percentage of affordable units would follow.
Powell stated after reading these chapter updates presented tonight,he
feels the redevelopment seemed to be in the whole City, and not just in the
two defined areas. He does not feel there is a plan or incentive in place to
help manage the redevelopment of housing. Franzen said a city wide
redevelopment is a good long term goal for the city but would be difficult
to accomplish in a short period of time with in the context of the currant
guide plan process. Since the guide plan is not static and should be
reviewed periodically, a city strategy for redevelopment could be looked
at in the future. Powell stated he would like to know what the plans are
for the next decade and what the Commission can do to help with these
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plans. Kirk concurred with Powell and said it would be an excellent topic
to have a workshop with the City Council.
2. Chapter 2—Vision, Goals, and Policies
Monique Mackenzie presented the Chapter 2 Update.
Proposed Housinz Policies: Fit into Goals
1. Work to ensure there is physical and economic diversity in the type of
housing available to seniors of all ages.
2. Promote the continued development of low- and no-maintenance
housing in appropriate locations in Eden Prairie.
Definitions
1. Goal - A general statement of community aspirations and desired
objectives indicating a broad social, economic or physical state of
conditions that the community officially agrees to achieve.
2. Policy—A course of action or method intended to be pursued to
implement the community goals.
Chapter 2 —Goals and Policies
1. Focus on goals and policies in the following areas:
- Planning and Development
- Housing
2. Topics Addressed:
- Additional growth City Wide (more jobs,people and housing)
- A redevelopment plan for the MCA
- A redevelopment plan for the GTA
- Affordable housing
- Senior housing
Additional Goals
1. Planning, Development and Growth Goal 4:
Focus on creating a more efficient and dynamic mix of land uses in the
core areas of the Major Center Area (MCA) and the Golden Triangle
Area (GTA).
2. Planning, Development and Growth Goal 5:
Encourage redevelopment in the Major Center Area and Golden
Triangle Area that is compatible with the MCA Study and the GTA
Study.
3. Housing Goal 2:
Promote and support the development of new affordable housing units
to meet the community's share of the regional affordable housing
needs as well as the community's affordable housing goals.
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4. Housing Goal 5:
Promote and support reinvestment in older housing stock and
neighborhoods that are approaching the life spans for some utilities,
equipment and structural elements.
5. Housing Goal 6:
Promote and work to locate new housing with convenient access to
basic services, including stores, restaurants, services, transit and parks.
Key Questions for the Planning Commission
1. Do these goals identify what the City wants to accomplish? Are there
any goals missing?
2. Do the policies included in the draft text identify the right methods or
course of action to direct implementation? Are other policies needed?
Powell stated at times it does not make sense to reinvest in the older
housing stock and would rather see the City reinvesting in the older
neighborhoods. Ms. Mackenzie said it would be possible to change the
language from housing to neighborhood.
Pitzrick commented that on page 2-6,regarding safety issues, it
specifically focuses on the GTA and MCA area and asked if we should not
have this happen everywhere in the City. Franzen concurred with Pitzrick.
Pitzrick stated in regards to Housing Goal 3, we should increase affordable
housing in the City,but maybe not in the middle of the MCA. Powell
concurred with Pitzrick. Koenig disagreed with Pitzrick and felt the MCA
needs more diversity of housing since it is partially that already. Pitzrick
agreed is should be a mix, but since there are apartments and affordable
housing, there needs to be upper end housing. Kirk stated we need to
encourage a diverse community and if we micro-manage this, it could
create conflict in the future. Pitzrick agreed with Kirk. Koenig stated
residents of affordable housing, low income housing, or senior housing
most likely would want to be placed by amenities. Powell said we should
let the market drive the development. Kirk said we should support
affordable housing throughout the City and not just in the MCA or GTA.
Koenig said on page 2-15, under Natural and Cultural Resources Goal 2,
she would like to add the following statement as number 6: Maintain
communication and education with citizens regarding City owned property
and encroachment by private property owners and enforce ordinances in
regards to maintaining public property. Powell said in regards to Koenig's
comment we should define incentives for using permeable surfaces on
driveway and sidewalks and have a goal for this.
3. Chapter 11 —Redevelopment
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Monique Mackenzie presented this Guide Plan Update and gave a brief
overview of the following four primary topics that were presented in the
Chapter 11 handout.
Four Primary Topics
1. Major Center Area
2. Golden Triangle Area
3. Transit Oriented Development
4. Citywide Economic Development Policy
Kirk said that he is conflicted regarding Transit Oriented Development.
He said the light rail would be a benefit for Eden Prairie,but it is far from
being a done deal and there is a finite chance it may never be developed.
He questioned how to support that in the plan if it may never happen.
Powell said that we should assume it will come and plan accordingly.
Pitzrick said the City should make mass transit a major goal. Kirk said it
should be known that we support LRT but if it does not happen we will
still continue on with the redevelopment of MCA and GTA.
Powell also commented on page 11-4 and 11-5, there is nothing that
addresses the power poles and it needs to be included in the Guide Plan
stating who will remove these.
City Wide National Development—3 key points
1. Quality of life (broadest definitions)
2. Jobs, tax base, and physical development.
3. Communications and relationships between investors and decision-
makers.
Ms. Mackenzie pointed out there are 14 points of Policy under the City
Wide National Development section.
Key Questions for Chapter 11
1. Does the chapter identify what we want to accomplish? Are there
other topics that should be included?
2. Do the policies identify the method or course of action to be followed?
Are other policies needed?
Ms. Mackenzie asked if there were other things the Commission would
want developed.
Koenig stated there should be something in the Guide Plan to address the
way-finding issues in Eden Prairie.
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Pitzrick said he would like a brief synopsis of how our redevelopment
section separates us from other cities.
B. TOWN CENTER DESIGN GUIDELINES
Grey Ingraham, a consultant of HGKI,presented the results of the survey and
status update on guidelines.
Mr. Ingraham said in regards to the survey, out of 170 slides there were 30
consensus slides. He showed the Commission Members the 30 slides and asked
what they liked about each slide.
Slide 12: Winding street, parking, friendly and inviting, and material on
buildings.
Slide 13: Courtyard atmosphere, variation in buildings, architectural
developments, and high quality of materials on buildings
Slide 16: Wide sidewalks and brick look.
Slide 23: Seating areas and water incorporated in the area.
Slide 30: Material of sidewalk and seating area.
Slide 33: Well defined outdoor space.
Slide 37: Transit structures adjacent to rails and bricks around tracks.
Slide 41: Rain gardens.
Slide 42: Soothing area, and water area seems safe for kids.
Slide 45: Sidewalk material.
Slide 53: Water and bridge.
Slide 54: Nice area where public can go and see performances.
Slide 55: Same concept as slide 54.
Slide 80: Concept of taller structures fitting in with smaller structures.
Slide 96: Uniqueness of canopy and bridge over top of street.
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Slide 97: Multi-level aspect of building and bridge. Pitzrick commented he
would like to see a monumental bridge over Hwy 212 to define Eden Prairie and
the downtown area.
Slide 109: Different levels of buildings.
Slide 113: Bay area.
Slide 114: Sculptures and architectural design.
Slide 115: Materials of buildings.
Slide 121: Curvature of building.
Slide 124: Nice architecture and good use of windows.
Slide 131: Variety of architectural design.
Slide 140: Tall doors,roof design, and plants on trellis area.
Slide 143: Unique sign, ornate and simple.
Slide 146: Nice and inviting. Like the earth tones.
Slide 150: Classy wood design.
Slide 156: Canopy.
Slide 167: Soft lighting and water.
Slide 169: Uniqueness of the lamp posts.
Conclusions
1. Strong desire for a green, highly landscaped area.
2. Liked larger sidewalks.
3. Liked indoor/outdoor seating areas.
4. Liked water features.
5. Liked California style of architecture.
6. Desire to hide parking structures.
7. Dislike concrete.
8. Dislike plain front buildings.
He stated the guidelines and zoning ordinance will address three sub-districts for
this area:
1. Vertical or mixed-use area
2. Commercial area
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3. Residential area
Future Steps
1. Refine design guidelines
2. Prepare Town Center ordinance draft
3. Staff review
4. Commission review
5. Council review
6. Public hearing
VIII. MEMBERS' REPORT
Powell stated he would like the Commission to talk as a group about corner lots and how
to handle them in the future. Franzen stated it could be put on a future agenda.
Franzen asked the Commission Members to pick an alternative date for May 28, due to
the Memorial Day holiday. The options are May 21, 22, or 29.
IX. CONTINUING BUSINESS
X. NEW BUSINESS
XI. ADJOURNMENT
MOTION by Kirk, seconded by Stoltz, to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried 6-0.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 9:59 p.m.