Planning Commission - 06/25/2007 APPROVED MINUTES
EDEN PRAIRIE PLANNING COMMISSION
MONDAY,JUNE 25, 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,
Kevin Schultz
STAFF MEMBERS: Stu Fox, Manager of Parks and Natural Resources
Al Gray, City Engineer
Scott Kipp, Senior Planner
Julie Krull, Recording Secretary
I. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE—ROLL CALL
Chair Stoelting called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Absent: Rocheford, Stoltz, and
Powell.
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 JUNE 11, 2007
Seymour stated on page 1 he did not abstain from voting on the May 22, 2007 meeting
minutes. MOTION by Kirk, seconded by Schultz, to approve the minutes as amended.
Motion carried 4-0. Koenig and Pitzrick abstained.
IV. PUBLIC MEETINGS
V. INFORMATIONAL MEETINGS
VI. PUBLIC HEARINGS
A. VARIANCE#2007-15
Request to:
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Page 2
Permit 100% use of wood and glass as the exterior building finish for the
reconstruction of the Anderson School House on the site. Permit the
reconstruction of the Anderson School House, an accessory structure, within a
front yard. Location of property is 17255 Peterborg Road.
Betsy Adams, of 17523 Bearpath Trail,presented the proposal. She stated they
are requesting the variances to place an accessory structure within a front yard
and to have 100% wood and glass on the exterior of the building. They are
requesting use of both of these materials to reconstruct the historical significance
of the building. She pointed out this building will be of historical value to the
City of Eden Prairie and stated the Eden Prairie School District supports this
project.
Stoelting asked Kipp to review the staff report. Kipp said there are three options
on page 2 of the staff report the Planning Commission should consider.
Stoelting opened the meeting up for public input. There was no input.
Schultz stated he understood this structure would be in the front yard of Duck
Lake Road to provide security for the building but asked Ms. Adams what other
security measures would be in place for the building. Ms. Adams stated there
would be a security system located in the building. Schultz asked what capacity
this building would be used for by students and staff. Ms. Adams said it would
mainly be used by third graders, who would normally go to Cahill School in
Edina as an educational field trip. Also, the fifth and sixth graders will be
utilizing the school when they will be studying history.
Koenig asked if this building would be available for public events. Ms. Adams
said it is located on Eden Prairie School District property and they would be
delegating hours and accessibility of the structure. She did point out it would be
used mainly for school study purposes. Stoelting asked if it would be deeded to
the School District. Ms. Adams stated it would be deeded to the School District.
Kipp pointed out if the Planning Commission Members make a motion to approve
this variance request it should be based on the staff report dated June 6, 2007, and
not June 22, 2007, as stated in the staff report.
MOTION by Koenig, seconded by Pitzrick, to close the public hearing. Motion
carried 6-0.
MOTION by Koenig, seconded by Kirk, to recommend approval of the Variance
to permit 100% use of wood and glass as the exterior building finish for the
reconstruction of the Anderson School House on the site and to permit the
reconstruction of the Anderson School House, an accessory structure, within a
front yard setback based on plans stamped dated May 21, 2007, and the staff
report dated June 6, 2007. Motion carried 6-0.
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES
June 25, 2007
Page 3
VII. PLANNERS' REPORT
A. Guide Plan Update
• Chapter 5 - Transportation
• Chapter 7 - Utilities
• Chapter 8 - Community Facilities
Monique Mackenzie presented a Power Point presentation on the key points of the three
chapters.
Chapter 5 —Transportation
Met Council Requirements
1. Traffic Analysis Zone (TAZ) level analysis
2. Roadway plan
3. Transit Facilities and services
4. Aviation facilities and services
5. Bicycle and pedestrian facilities
Changes from Guide Plan
1. Maintain roadway/trail system as the City finalizes build-out
2. Respond to changing traffic patterns (county and city street system)
3. Identify future transit service (on the road) and transit-oriented development
opportunity around station sites.
Planning, Development and Growth
No significant land use change outside of two primary areas
1. Focus on creating a more efficient and dynamic mix of land uses in the core areas of
the Major Center Area (MAC) and the Golden Triangle Area (GTA).
Discussion/Key Questions
1. How and where should the City respond to traffic changes inspired by redevelopment
as transportation systems are expanded?
2. How can the City ensure it has adequate implementation tools and resources?
3. To what extent and where should the City maximize expanded walking/biking/transit
systems.
Golden Triangle Transportation
1. Reduce peak period traffic congestion.
2. Increase transit use and use of alternative transportation modes.
3. Concentrate higher density redevelopment around a future LRT station site.
Major Center Area Transportation
1. Locate the appropriate amount of density at the right location to maintain the current
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June 25, 2007
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roadway system.
2. Take advantage of light rail transit to support higher density development.
Pitzrick commented the section on light rail transit was very good. He asked if the Dial-
A-Ride program still exists in Eden Prairie. Kipp said he was unsure. Ms. Mackenzie
said she will check into the status of this.
Schultz asked Gray to give a brief update on the light rail issue and explain how Eden
Prairie will interface with Hennepin County. Gray had Randy Newton address this
subject. Mr. Newton said Hennepin County is in the process of developing a Request for
Proposal. They will also be coordinating an advisory committee and Eden Prairie will
have six individuals on this committee.
Seymour asked Gray what"transportation utility"is. Gray stated the one infrastructure
that does not have a utility fee attached to it is transportation. He pointed out if there was
a transportation utility charge, there would be revenue to apply to transportation costs
versus things like special assessments.
Chapter 8 —Community Facilities
Met Council Requirements
1. Map and plan for facilities are included in the regional parks policy plan
Changes from Guide Plan
1. Designate additional park land in areas planned for redevelopment(Major Center
Area, Golden Triangle Area)
2. Maintain portions of existing trail system to serve transportation trips and recreational
activities.
Discussion/Key Questions
1. Should the City consider additional efforts with others to develop public facilities or
preserve cultural/natural resources?
2. To what extent should new development actively participate in park facility
development? Does proposed policy guidance (Section 8.4) meet this goal?
Pitzrick asked if the City is taking advantage of the Healthy Living Grant. Ms.
Mackenzie said they used some of the grant money for research into the Comprehensive
Guide Plan.
Kirk commented the parks in the City are a core value of Eden Prairie. Koenig said a
continuing issue with parks is how they should be funded for maintenance. She pointed
out cash park fees are finite resource and different types of funding should be addressed
in the future.
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Chapter 7—Utilities
Met Council Requirements
1. Water Supply (review function only)
• Emergency Response Procedures
• Water Conservation Plan
• Water Supply System Description and Evaluation
2. Wastewater Plan Elements (approval)
• Population and Flow Estimates
• Inflow /Infiltration Reduction
• Management of Individual Sewage Treatment Systems (STS)
3. Surface Water Elements
• Management Plan adopted by cities demonstrates how to protect the quality
and quantity of surface and ground water
• Eden Prairie submitted its plan in 2004: review by Metropolitan Council
indicated it met all requirements
Changes from Guide Plan
1. Redevelopment in MCA and GTA to multi-family residential use may create
additional sewer flow than Council has allocated.
2. Ground water wells should be expanded (additional five wells forecasted if growth
is realized).
3. This component of the plan will require buy-in from Metropolitan Council
Discussion/Key Questions
1. How should the City secure financial or technological resources to implement
regular investment of water/sanitary systems.
2. What innovative strategies should the City consider to implement the Local Water
Management Plan.
Pitzrick commented other cities are using recycled waters and would like Eden Prairie to
look at this alternative method. Pitzrick also stated under Implementing Strategies,he
would like to see language addressing rain gardens and permeable driveways. Koenig
said we need to educate residents and businesses on protecting their open space; and said
an example of this would be rain gardens.
Pitzrick stated the economic impact of the power line needs to be studied. Including how
much additional property could be developed if the power line is relocated, and what
would be the cost to relocate the power line either above ground or below ground. I
would suggest getting input from a consultant that has significant current experience in
the design and construction of underground high voltage transmission lines.
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Pitzrick also stated the section of the Guide Plan which includes the information on the
airport data does not appear to be completely accurate and the Commission would
suggest a thorough review to be done to make sure it is consistent with current policy of
the City.
Next Steps —Schedule
• Chapter 9 Implementation - July 23, 2007
• Revisions to Chapters 3-4, 11 - July 23, 2007
• Final revisions to Chapters 5, 7, 8 - August 27, 2007
• Review of Guide Plan Document - September 24, 2007
B. Cummins House Reuse Study
Kipp said there was a memo in the packet addressing questions brought up at the
last meeting.
VIII. MEMBERS' REPORT
IX. CONTINUING BUSINESS
X. NEW BUSINESS
XI. ADJOURNMENT
MOTION by Koenig, seconded by Pitzrick to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried 6-0.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 9:05 p.m.