Loading...
Planning Commission - 07/28/2008 APPROVED MINUTES EDEN PRAIRIE PLANNING COMMISSION MONDAY,JULY 28, 2008 7:00 P.M., CITY CENTER Council Chambers 8080 Mitchell Road COMMISSION MEMBERS: John Cadman, John Kirk, Katie Lechelt, Jerry Pitzrick, Peter Rocheford, Kevin Schultz, Fred Seymour, Ray Stoelting, Jon Stoltz STAFF MEMBERS: Stu Fox, Manager of Parks and Natural Resources Michael Franzen, City Planner Alan Gray, City Engineer Julie Krull, Recording Secretary I. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE—ROLL CALL Chair Stoltz called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Absent: Rocheford, Seymour and Stoelting. II. APPROVAL OF AGENDA MOTION by Pitzrick, seconded by Kirk, to approve the agenda. Motion carried 6-0. III. MINUTES PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING HELD ON JULY 14, 2008 Schultz had an addition on page 4, paragraph 4, and sentence 1. He would like to add the words, "and attraction" after the word retention. Pitzrick had a change on page 5, paragraph 2, and sentence 1. He would like the words, "living units" changed to "living unit occupants". MOTION by Kirk, seconded by Schultz, to approve the minutes as amended. Motion carried 4-0. Lechelt and Stoltz abstained. IV. INFORMATIONAL MEETINGS V. PUBLIC MEETINGS VI. PUBLIC HEARINGS EDEN PRAIRIE PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES July 28, 2008 Page 2 A. SUPERVALU Request for: Planned Unit Development Concept Review on 13.5 acres; Planned Unit Development District Review on 37 acres; Zoning district Amendment in the Office District on 37 acres; Site Plan Review on 37 acres. Neil Libson, Director of Office Facilities for SuperValu, presented the proposal. He stated they are here tonight to talk about a small addition they would like to add to the building. The addition would be used as a conference center. Mr. Libson presented a PowerPoint presentation which displayed an overview of the proposed improvements. He did state many employees who work at SuperValu also live and shop in Eden Prairie. A decision was made to keep the headquarters in Eden Prairie after the acquisition of Albertson's. Because of this, they are planning improvements to the existing building. They have also moved 850 staff into the renovated Best Buy headquarters facility. Mr. Libson stated the reason for the proposed addition is because they are currently using hotels for training and meetings and this would not be a viable long term solution. Miles Lindberg, Senior Project Planner for Westwood Professional Services, utilized the map in the PowerPoint presentation to point out where the addition would be located. He stated the conference center would be located on the east side of the building. He stated they explored all the options and chose this location for the following reasons. It would provide minimal impact on the site visually, environmentally and functionally. The proximity to existing services, including food, deliveries, and elevators. The proximity to existing lobby and cafeteria areas, and the proximity to other existing conference rooms. They are here tonight for the variance request because the building addition would require a shoreland setback waiver from 200 feet to 70 feet. Mr. Lindberg stated they would also be going with a green roof for water run-off. Mia Blanchett, Project Manager for HGA Architects, utilized the PowerPoint presentation and showed the remodeling that would be done inside of the building. She pointed out again they would be using the green roof and a dark stone retaining wall, which would blend in well with the trees. Mr. Libson added they have worked very hard to conceal the building from the lake view. Stoltz asked Franzen to review the staff report. Franzen stated the shoreland setback waiver is from 200 feet to 50 feet. The reasons to consider the setback waiver are listed on page 2 of the staff report. The staff published this item in the paper and sent out notices as required by code,however the notification list was smaller than the one SuperValu used for their neighborhood meeting. The staff would like to send another notification using the SuperValu list and give the public an opportunity to comment on the project at the August 11 meeting. This project could still be scheduled for the August 19ffi City Council meeting. EDEN PRAIRIE PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES July 28, 2008 Page 3 Pitzrick asked if notifications went out to residents across from Bryant Lake. Mr. Lindberg said their notifications included those residents. Kirk noted that the City followed the code for publication and notification and that sending out notices to match the SuperValu list would be a good idea to give other residents another opportunity to comment. Stoltz opened the meeting up for public input. There was no input. Stoltz asked in the staff report, under Shore Impact Zone, what is the City's definition on limited clearing. Franzen said the code does not define limited clearing. Clearing is looked at by a case by case basis as to what is a reasonable view of the lake is. Stoltz asked if there were any discussions with the project proponent on this matter. Franzen stated the addition impacted less than 2 % of the shore impact zone and this was a limited clearing Schultz asked the project proponent, in regards to the green roof, if there will be any other initiatives completed with this project. Mr. Libson said some work is to be done with the parking lot and the addition of retaining walls. Pitzrick asked if they were structural retaining walls, and would trees have to be removed to add these. Mr. Lindberg said there would be 15 trees that would have to be removed. Pitzrick suggested using large boulders instead of the structural retaining walls. Mr. Lindberg stated using large boulders would have the same impact as the structural retaining wall. Cadman said in 1982 the setback was changed to 200 feet, and asked if there was a setback prior to this. Franzen said just the zoning setback in the office district. The City adopted the shoreline ordinance based upon standards of the Department of Natural Resources. Based upon the type of lake in Eden Prairie, the setbacks could differ. Cadman asked what the main drivers were for the initial setback. Franzen said he was unsure of the history of how the shoreland ordinance came about,but the rules were drafted by the DNR, and reviewed at workshops and hearings around the state to get feedback from property owners, and cities. Cadman asked if there were environmental concerns, such as water quality or erosions. Franzen said in 1978 there was an environmental assessment worksheet completed, and the setback to the lake may have been a result of review environmental factors. There was also 1994 EAW. These documents evaluate environmental impacts and prescribe mitigation relating to tree cover, wetlands, and water quality. Mr. Lindberg said there are some other items they plan on doing with the project. The manicured lawn area on the east side of the lake area is going to be converted back to natural vegetation. There is also a patio area that is currently on a paved surface that will be placed on a sand area with drainage, so run-off from that will be treated before it even gets to the lake. And lastly, a rain garden will be installed in the patio area for water run-off. EDEN PRAIRIE PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES July 28, 2008 Page 4 Kirk said he was surprised with the project proponent using aluminum versus natural material. Ms. Blanchett said it is just a small area they plan on using it on; it would just be the pop-up area of the auditorium. Kirk stated he thinks this is an excellent project. Stoltz said he appreciates all SuperValu has done with this project, such as the green roof. He also appreciates that they are staying here in Eden Prairie. Pitzrick concurred with Stoltz. MOTION by Kirk, seconded by Schultz, to recommend a continuance to the August 11, 2008 meeting. The Commission directed staff to publish and notify the same population that SuperValu contacted for their neighborhood meeting, and publish this item for the August 19ffi City Council meeting. Motion carried 6-0. VIII. PLANNERS' REPORT Franzen said there will be three items for the August 11 meeting. They will be the continuation of the SuperValu project, a revised location for the Verizon cell tower, and a plat for Windsor Plaza. Stoltz said he had a flyer about, "Your Role as a Planning Commission Member" and asked Franzen to address that. Franzen stated it is a one day seminar that is located up in Duluth. If anyone is interested please contact Lori Creamer. IX. MEMBERS' REPORT X. CONTINUING BUSINESS XI. NEW BUSINESS XII. ADJOURNMENT MOTION by Schultz, seconded by Pitzrick, to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried 6-0. There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 7:46 p.m.