Planning Commission - 06/28/2010 APPROVED MINUTES
EDEN PRAIRIE PLANNING COMMISSION
MONDAY,JUNE 28, 2010 7:00 P.M., CITY CENTER
Council Chambers
8080 Mitchell Road
COMMISSION MEMBERS: John Kirk, Katie Lechelt, Jacob Lee, Jerry Pitzrick,
Kevin Schultz, Jon Stoltz, Travis Wuttke
STAFF MEMBERS: Stu Fox, Manager of Parks and Natural Resources
Michael Franzen, City Planner
Rod Rue, City Engineer
Julie Krull, Recording Secretary
I. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE—ROLL CALL
Chair Stoltz called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Kirk, Lechelt and Schultz were
absent.
II. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
MOTION by Lee, seconded by Wuttke, to approve the agenda. Motion carried 4-0.
III. MINUTES
A. PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING HELD ON MAY 24, 2010
Wuttke had a revision on page 5, second paragraph. Delete the comment, "and
Zoning District Change from Rural to R1-13.5 on 0.55 acres".
MOTION by Wuttke, seconded by Lee, to approve the minutes as amended.
Motion carried 4-0.
IV. INFORMATIONAL MEETINGS
V. PUBLIC MEETINGS
VI. PUBLIC HEARINGS
EDEN PRAIRIE PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES
June 28, 2010
Page 2
A. DON RICHARD REZONING (2010-04)by Awad & Koontz Architects
Builders Inc. Location: 12205 Sunnybrook Road
Request:
• Zoning District Change from Rural to R1-13.5 on 1.07 acres
Franzen presented this proposal and stated this lot meets the dimensional and
square foot requirements. Rezoning to R1-13.5 is appropriate for the following
reasons: The zoning is consistent with City policy to eliminate non-conforming
lots. The rezoning to R1-13.5 is consistent with the surrounding zoning. The
rezoning is consistent with the guide plan. The site and the surrounding area is
guided low density residential. Staff recommendation is for approval.
Stoltz opened the meeting up for public input. There was no input.
MOTION by Pitzrick, seconded by Wuttke, to close the public hearing. Motion
carried 4-0.
MOTION by Pitzrick, seconded by Lee, to recommend approval of the Zoning
District Change from Rural to R1-13.5 on 1.07 acres based on plans stamped
dated May 19, 2010 and the staff report dated June 25, 2010. Motion carried
4-0.
B. VARIANCE#2010-05 by Randy's Bobby & Steve's Auto World
Location: 8100 Flying Cloud Drive
Request:
• Variance Request#1 — To permit a dynamic display area of 34.5 square
feet for proposed Sign#1 V6. City Code permits 35% of 80 square feet or
28 square feet.
• Variance Request#2—To permit a dynamic display area of 15.6 square
feet for proposed Sign#2 V2. City Code permits 35% of 36 square feet or
12.6 square feet.
• Variance Request#3— To permit the distance between two free-standing
signs (proposed Sign#1 V6 and proposed Sign#2 V2) at 245 feet. City
Code requires 300 feet.
• Variance Request#4— To permit proposed Pylon Sign#1 V6 with a
setback of 10 feet' from the property line. City Code requires 20 feet.
• Variance Request#5— To permit proposed Pylon Sign#2 V2 with a
setback of 2 feet from the property line. City Code requires 15 feet when
parking occurs within the required front yard setback.
• Variance Request#6— To permit proposed Pylon Sign#2 V2 at 80 square
feet with dynamic display of 34.5 square feet and sign setback of 2 feet.
City Code permits the second free-standing sign at 36 square feet, a
dynamic display area of 12.6 square feet and a sign setback requirement of
15 feet.
EDEN PRAIRIE PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES
June 28, 2010
Page 3
Steven Williams, of Randy's Bobby & Steve's Auto World,presented the
proposal. He stated they are located on the corner of Singletree Lane and Flying
Cloud Drive. They have looked at the plans and signage and the placement of the
Town Center sign. The placement of the Town Center sign is of a concern to
them because they feel they are competing with this sign. Mr. Williams stated
because of this they are asking for the placement and size variances.
Stoltz said he will read each variance separately and discuss each one
individually. After reading the first variance request, Stoltz asked Franzen to
review the staff report. Franzen said the variance is for a larger dynamic display
sign. Staff is recommending conformance with the code in order to be consistent
with the dynamic display signs that have been approved in conformance with City
Code. The same logic would be for variance request#2.
Jim Hoeft, of 6035 235th Street, Farmington,representing Randy's Bobby &
Steve's Auto World, addressed some of the signage issues. He stated the Holiday
Stores all have 4' x 6' signs. Bobby & Steve's are in order with their 4' x 8'
signs. He stated they are asking that these signs be this size for consistency for
Bobby & Steve's also. They all use the 4' x 8' signs and it would be expensive to
change that size. All they are trying to do is to make all the signage at all of the
Bobby & Steve's consistent.
Stoltz asked what the price difference would be to create a 28ft. sign. Mr. Hoeft
said the content creating would be $150 an hour and the size of the display would
be an additional $500.
Stoltz said he would like to see drawings or content of the signage to see why
there is a concern for the variance request.
Pitzrick said he would like to see where the City signs would impede on the
Bobby & Steve signs. He would like the project proponents to do a picture
analysis of the different sizes of sizes; the 28 foot sign and the 34 foot sign.
Stoltz concurred the visual aspect would be helpful.
Wuttke said the visual would create a level of certainty if signage would be a
traffic hazard. Mr. Hoeft said he has done signage for other companies and there
have been no cases to date that the signs are traffic hazards. He pointed out the
target audience would be traffic coming from Flying Cloud Drive. Their plan is
to make the signage large enough not to cause gawker slow down. Mr. Hoeft said
the size they are asking for fits into the scope of electronics.
Pitzrick stated he would like to know where the City plans on putting up their sign
and feels it is a little presumptuous to put a Town Center sign up right now when
it is not yet developed. Mr. Hoeft utilized the overhead projector to show where
EDEN PRAIRIE PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES
June 28, 2010
Page 4
the signage would be located. Pitzrick stated his biggest concern is the City's
sign and asked why it cannot go somewhere else.
Stoltz asked Franzen if in fact the City sign could be moved. Franzen said he
would have to check into that. Stoltz asked if the City sign could not be moved
would they consider making the sign smaller. Mr. Williams said the bigger sign
would be able to conform with the signs at the other Bobby & Steve's that are
located throughout the metropolitan area. Stoltz said he would also like to see the
different signage and asked if this request could be continued to the meeting in
order to get a visual on the signs.
Franzen said another option, since this is a two story building, would be to put the
dynamic display sign on the building. Mr. Hoeft said to put display signs on
building is not a good idea because it diminishes creativity. Franzen said the City
and project proponent would figure something out before the next meeting.
Stoltz said on variance 3, 4 and 5, there is no conflict with the City. Franzen
concurred that was correct. Mr. Williams said he had a conflict with variance#4.
With that being said, Stoltz decided to table all variances to the July 26th meeting.
Mr. Hoeft said he wanted the Commissions thoughts on variance#6. Stoltz read
the variance and asked Mr. Hoeft what he was concerned with. Mr. Hoeft said
there is only one entrance to the gas facility and he feels the 36 sq. ft. sign would
be a little bit small. He pointed out if people do not see it right away, after
making the corner, they could potentially slam on their brakes to get into the
entrance. A bigger sign would let people know a little more in advance. Franzen
said the road improvements are going to be made, including a dedicated left turn
lane. He feels it is not necessary to have a larger sign. Mr. Hoeft said the bigger
signs identify the building as a gas station because the pumps are hidden by
pylons. He stated people need to see the gas price sign.
Pitzrick said in regards to variance "6,he would like to stick with City code.
Stoltz opened the meeting up for public input. There was no input.
MOTION by Pitzrick, seconded by Wuttke, to recommend a continuance to the
July 26th, 2010 meeting. Motion carried 4-0.
VII. PLANNERS' REPORT
Franzen stated the July 12th Planning Commission Meeting is canceled. The July
26th meeting will have a total of 4 variance requests, including the return of
Randy's Bobby & Steve's Auto World.
VIII. MEMBERS' REPORT
EDEN PRAIRIE PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES
June 28, 2010
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IX. CONTINUING BUSINESS
X. NEW BUSINESS
XI. ADJOURNMENT
MOTION by Wuttke, seconded by Lee, to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried
4-0.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:01 p.m.