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.