Planning Commission - 08/08/2011 APPROVED MINUTES
EDEN PRAIRIE PLANNING COMMISSION
MONDAY,AUGUST 8, 2011 7:00 P.M., CITY CENTER
Council Chambers
8080 Mitchell Road
COMMISSION MEMBERS: Matt Fyten, John Kirk, Katie Lechelt, Jacob Lee,
Jerry Pitzrick, Kevin Schultz, Jon Stoltz, Travis
Wuttke
STAFF MEMBERS: Michael Franzen, City Planner
Rod Rue, City Engineer
Stu Fox, Manager of Parks and Natural Resources
Julie Krull, Recording Secretary
I. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE—ROLL CALL
Acting Chair Schultz called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Kirk, Pitzrick and Stoltz
were absent.
II. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
MOTION by Lee, seconded by Lechelt, to approve the agenda. Motion carried 5-0.
III. MINUTES
A. PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING HELD ON JULY 11, 2011
MOTION by Lee, seconded by Wuttke, to approve the minutes. Motion carried
5-0.
IV. INFORMATIONAL MEETINGS
V. PUBLIC MEETINGS
VI. PUBLIC HEARINGS
A. VARIANCE#2011-05 by Lance and Barb Burger
Location: 6710 Vermar Terrace
Request to:
• Permit a front yard setback from Edenvale Boulevard of 17 feet. City Code
requires 30 feet.
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES
August 8, 2011
Page 2
• Permit a front yard setback from Vermar Terrace of 29.75 feet. City Code
requires 30 feet.
Lance Burger, owner of the property, presented the proposal. He stated they
would like to add a third garage stall to the property. The size would be 12 feet
by 15 feet, which would be an additional 11 feet on the rear side for storage.
They are here tonight to get a variance for this request.
Acting Chair Schultz asked Franzen to review the staff report. Franzen stated the
variance requests meet the 3 part hardship test and staff recommendation is for
approval.
Acting Chair Schultz opened the meeting up for public input. There was no
public input.
Lechelt asked Mr. Burger if he had discussed this variance request with his
neighbors and had gotten their approval. Mr. Burger stated he discussed this
variance request with his neighbors.
MOTION by Fyten, seconded by Wuttke, to close the public hearing. Motion
carried 5-0.
MOTION by Fyten, seconded by Lee, to recommend approval of Final Order
2011-05 based on plans stamped dated July 26, 2011 and the staff report dated
August 5, 2011. Motion carried 5-0.
B. UNITED HEALTH GROUP by United Health Group
Location: Hwy 62 and Shady Oak Road
Request for:
• Planned Unit Development Concept Review on 71 acres
• Planned Unit Development District Review with waivers on 71 acres
• Zoning District Change from Rural to Office on 71 acres
• Site Plan Review on 71 acres
• Preliminary Plat on 71 acres into 1 lot
Lee excused himself from this proposal as he is an employee of United Health
Group.
Dennis Spalla, Senior Director in charge of Development at the United Health
Group Real Estate Division,presented the proposal. He started off by stating
there are pleased with the reception they have received from City Staff. He
wanted to point out the construction of this facility will be the largest of their
facilities. As eager as they are to get into the building, they realize it needs to be a
very thoughtful approach.
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES
August 8, 2011
Page 3
Thomas Oslund, of Oslund Associates, utilized the overhead projector to display
photographs of the project. He stated they would like to take full advantage of the
site and they are keeping it very green.
Bill Blanski, of HGA Architects, stated they are constructing three parking
structures and four office buildings. He utilized the overhead projector to show
diagrams of this. He stated the construction will be done in phases.
Mr. Oslund stated they have worked with the wetlands and trails on this site and
there will be a trail running north and south through the conservation area.
Mr. Blanski stated the master plan has the future LRT in its plan. He also showed
the exterior of the project and the materials that they will be using; architectural
pre-cast products.
Miles Lindberg, of United Health Group, stated there will be 13 acres of wetland
area on this project. They will be working out all of the requirements with the
Watershed District. Some of the storm water improvement plans include storm
treatment ponding on the site. In addition, the Watershed District has infiltration
requirements and they will meet them through service infiltration basins. Another
technique is the use of underground pipe improvements. He also stated another
area of the planning process would be street improvements to W. 62nd Street, City
West Parkway and Shady Oak Road. They would be adding turn lanes and
improving the roadway.
Mr. Spalla stated he appreciates the hard work by Staff and the Commission for
their help. He pointed out they are in a fast track but are focused to do the right
things.
Acting Chair Schultz asked Franzen to review the staff report. Franzen stated the
staff recommendations approval based on the items on 10-14. Items a-t need to be
completed prior to City Council review, some are plan changes and some are
studies. The second page includes procedural requirements before grading and
building permit issuance. Page three are performance standards conditions,. The
last page is the list of waivers that staff finds acceptable.
Acting Chair Schultz opened the meeting up for public input. There was no input.
Wuttke asked Staff if there was a concern with the utility structures on the
wetlands. Rue stated there is some concern on the ability of this site to support
those structures and some issues with access for maintenance vehicles, but they
will be working with the project proponent on this.
Lechelt asked how great of a concern is breaking the clay layer. Rue said there
are some concerns with this,but again, they will be working with the project
proponent and Watershed District on this to make sure it is developed correctly.
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES
August 8, 2011
Page 4
Fyten asked if there was public participation in this project. Mr. Spalla stated
they have not had any neighborhood meetings,but they would be happy too.
Wuttke asked about private versus public trail systems. Mr. Spalla said the public
trail system would be along the outside of the site, closest to the roadways. The
internal trails would be private and are located inside the site. Walking on trails
inside the site is for employees. There is a sidewalk along City West Parkway
that can be used for biking or walking.
Lechelt asked Staff about zoning and has there been more discussion with
MNDOT or Hennepin County for road improvements. Rue stated they have
talked with Hennepin County and it is not on their roadmap yet,but they are
working with them on this project. Lechelt asked if the City would require a
transportation bond. Rue stated there would be some sort of security associated
with this.
Vice Chair Schultz commented he is in favor of this project.
MOTION by Fyten, seconded by Wuttke, to close the public hearing. Motion
carried 4-0. Lee abstained.
MOTION by Fyten, seconded by Wuttke, to recommend approval of the Planned
Unit Development Concept Review on 71 acres, Planned Unit Development
District Review with waivers on 71 acres. Zoning District Change from Rural to
Office on 71 acres, Site Plan Review on 71 acres, and Preliminary Plat of 71 acres
into 1 lot,based on plans stamped dated August 3, 2011 and the staff report dated
August 5, 2011. Motion carried 4-0. Lee abstained.
C. CODE AMENDMENT VARIANCE STANDARDS
Request for:
An ordinance of the City of Eden Prairie, Minnesota amending City Code Chapter
2 and 11 by amending Section 2.26, 11.45 and 11.76 relating to the Board of
Adjustment and Appeals and variances, and adopting by reference City Code
Chapter 1 and Sections 2.99 and 11.99 which, among other things, contain penalty
provisions.
The code change is incorporating the current variance language in the Minnesota
Statutes into City Code. Staff recommendation is for approval.
MOTION by Fyten, seconded by Wuttke, to close the public hearing. Motion
carried 5-0.
MOTION by Fyten, seconded by Wuttke, to recommend approval of the code
Amendment Variance Standards. Motion carried 5-0.
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES
August 8, 2011
Page 5
VII. PLANNERS' REPORT
Franzen stated there will be one variance request at the Planning Commission Meeting on
August 22.
VIII. MEMBERS' REPORT
IX. CONTINUING BUSINESS
X. NEW BUSINESS
XI. ADJOURNMENT
MOTION by Fyten, seconded by Wuttke, to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried
5-0.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 7:50 p.m.