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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.