Planning Commission - 10/08/2012 APPROVED MINUTES
EDEN PRAIRIE PLANNING COMMISSION
MONDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2012 7:00 P.M., CITY CENTER
Council Chambers
8080 Mitchell Road
COMMISSION MEMBERS: Steven Frank, 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
Vice Chair Kirk called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Fyten and Stoltz were absent.
II. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
MOTION by Wuttke, seconded by Schultz, to approve the agenda. Motion carried 7-
0.
III. MINUTES
A. PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING HELD ON SEPTEMBER 24, 2012
Pitzrick had an amendment to the minutes on page 5, paragraph 11. He would
like "on the land" added to the end of the sentence.
MOTION by Frank, seconded by Schultz, to approve the minutes as amended.
Motion carried 6-0. Lee abstained.
IV. INFORMATIONAL MEETINGS
V. PUBLIC MEETINGS
VI. PUBLIC HEARINGS
A. HOME DEPOT GARDEN CENTER EXPANSION/TRUCK RENTAL,
by Greenberg
Location: 13100 Valley View Road
Planning Commission Minutes
October 8, 2012
Page 2
Request for:
• Planned Unit Development Concept Amendment on 13.16 acres
• Planned Unit Development District Review with waivers on 13.16 acres
• Zoning District Amendment within the Commercial Regional Service
zoning district on 13.16 acres
• Site Plan Review on 13.16 acres
Dave Barrows, representing Greenberg Farrow, presented the proposal. He said
they would like to expand the garden center to the south. He utilized the
overhead projector to show where this expansion would take place. He said it
would be a 365 square foot expansion. With this they will be putting in
foundation, fixing sidewalks and putting fencing around the area. In addition to
the expansion, they would like to add the Penske Truck Program to the business.
They will rent out trucks to customers. In regards to parking, 32 stalls will be
eliminated with the garden center expansion and 16 spaces for the truck rental
area. This will still leave 580 spaces and code requires 560. They will also be
adding more trees to the area.
Vice Chair Kirk asked Franzen to review the staff report. Franzen stated staff
recommendation is for approval based on page 2 of the staff report.
Vice Chair Kirk opened the meeting up for public input. There was no input.
MOTION by Schultz, seconded by Wuttke, to close the public hearing.
Motion carried 7-0.
MOTION by Schultz, seconded by Frank, to recommend approval of the
Planned Unit Development Concept Review on 13.16 acres, Planned Unit
Development District Review with waivers on 13.16 acres, Zoning District
Amendment within the Commercial Regional Service zoning district on 13.16
acres and Site Plan Review on 13.16acres based on plans stamped dated
September 28, 2012 and the staff report dated October 5, 2012. Motion carried
7-0.
VII. PLANNERS' REPORT
A. TOWN CENTER LIGHT RAIL STATION ALTERNATIVES AND
OPERATION & MAINTENANCE FACILITY ALTERNATIVES
Presented by David Lindahl, Economic Development Manager and
Janet Jeremiah, Community Development Director
Janet Jeremiah stated they will be presenting alternatives tonight for the Town
Center Station and the Maintenance Facility. Planning is underway and the start
date for construction is late 2014/early 2015 and will be completed late
2018/early 2019. She stated they want to find the best locations for the LRT in
Eden Prairie. There are 5 locations currently selected.
Planning Commission Minutes
October 8, 2012
Page 3
1. Mitchell Station
2. Southwest Station
3. Town Center Station
4. Golden Triangle Station
5. City West Station
David Lindahl stated the criteria that were considered when looking into the
location for the Town Center Station were;ridership potential, and close
proximity to housing, entertainment and retail. There are three alternatives to
this location.
Alternative A
This would be located closer to the water tower.
Alternative B
This would be located north of the mall.
Alternative C
This would be located south by Burger King and the Wal-Mart property and
could be the most challenging station to put tracks in.
Mr. Lindahl stated over 53 property owners were talked to in regards to these
alternatives. Most property owners supported the overall project. Owners of
the housing,restaurant, hotel, and entertainment establishments wanted the light
rail near them. The retail and auto owners did not see much of a need for the
light rail. General Growth (mall owner) supports the overall project but does
not support having the station on their property. They are concerned about
security issues. All of the owners have concerns about the impact to having
access blocked,parking and construction impacts. The alternatives will be
evaluated in early 2013.
In regards to the Southwest Light Rail Operation and Maintenance Facility
(OMF), two locations were looked at. The first location, with is the preferred
location, is on the west side of highway 212,by the high school. This will have
minimal impacts to local businesses and no tax impacts. The second location
would be located by the Street Maintenance Facility. In 2012, the City met with
property owners around the potential OMF sites and their basic concerns would
be the noise and the taking of their property.
Ms. Jeremiah said the Draft Environmental Impact Statement will be released
this Friday. On November 29 h, there will be an Open House and Public hearing
that will start at 5:30 at the City Hall.
Frank stated it might help the City select locations if they knew the economic
impact of the LRT in the area.
Schultz said in regards to the Maintenance Facility, he would like to have it
looked at to see how it would disrupt other traffic (non-LRT) in the City. He
stated he is in favor of the preferred location.
Planning Commission Minutes
October 8, 2012
Page 4
Pitzrick said in regards to Alternative A,he would like to see it slide southwest
a bit, over to Bachmann's and Green Mill. He feels just a little shift in that area
would eliminate Wal-Mart being in the center of the station. hi regards to
Alternative C,place it by the Presbyterian Homes location. It will support the
development. In regards to the Maintenance Facility, the 2nd alternative would
limit the development of the facility.
Lechelt said what makes some stations successful is to have a niche for each
station; like an office station or retail station. Frank said that was a good point.
Vice Chair Kirk asked Franzen what role the Planning Commission has with the
LRT. Franzen said the Planning Commission should consider LRT as one very
large development project and the commission will make an advisory
recommendation to the City Council on the alignment and stations.
Franzen said there will be four items on the agenda at the October 22 Planning
Commission meeting.
VIII. MEMBERS' REPORT
A. CITIZEN ADVISORY COMMITTEE—LIGHT RAIL
IX. CONTINUING BUSINESS
X. NEW BUSINESS
XI. ADJOURNMENT
MOTION by Lee, seconded by Schultz, to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried
7-0.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 7:59 p.m.