Planning Commission - 02/24/2014 APPROVED MINUTES
EDEN PRAIRIE PLANNING COMMISSION
MONDAY, FEBRURAY 24, 2014 7:00 P.M., CITY CENTER
Council Chambers
8080 Mitchell Road
COMMISSION MEMBERS: John Kirk, Jon Stoltz, Katie Lechelt, Travis
Wuttke, Steven Frank, Ann Higgins, Mary Egan
STAFF MEMBERS: Mike Franzen, City Planner
Stu Fox, Manager of Parks and Natural Resources
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.
II. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
MOTION by Lechelt, seconded by Wuttke, to approve the agenda. Motion carried 7-0.
III. MINUTES
A. PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING HELD ON FEBRUARY 10, 2014
MOTION by Frank, seconded by Kirk, to approve the minutes. Motion carried
5-0. Egan and Higgins abstained.
IV. INFORMATIONAL MEETINGS
V. PUBLIC MEETINGS
VI. PUBLIC HEARINGS
A. VARIANCE#2013-10 by Allegis Group (CONTINUED ITEM)
Location: 6640 Shady Oak Rd, Eden Prairie, MN
Contact: Sean Coatney (651-307-1951)
Request for:
February 24, 2014
Page 2
• To permit a 176 square foot building identification wall sign on the north
elevation.
• To permit a 176 square foot building identification wall sign on the south
elevation.
• To permit a 50 square foot building identification wall sign on the east
elevation
City Code permits one building identification wall sign per wall per street
frontage not to exceed 50 square feet. Section 11.70, Subd. 4, C, 12 (a)
Franzen said that CORE, Commercial Real Estate Group would like to continue
this to the Marchl0, 2014 meeting.
MOTION by Higgins, seconded by Frank, to recommend a continuance to the
March 10, 2014 meeting. Motion carried 7-0.
B. COMMUNITY CENTER AQUATICS ADDITION
By: City of Eden Prairie
Location: 16700 Valley View Road
• Site Plan Review on 103 acres.
• Height variance from 30 ft. to 35 ft.
• Side yard setback variance from 50 ft. to 30 ft.
Jay Lotthammer, Director of Parks and Recreation, presented the proposal. He
utilized the overhead to show the proposed aquatic center. He stated the
expansion would consist of the following:
• A 25 yard eight lane pool with spectator bleachers primarily used for
swim practices, competitions, diving, and swim lessons.
• A second 25 yard eight lane pool primarily used for swim lessons, lap
swimming, swim practices, diving, deep water aerobics, climbing and
water polo.
• A zero-depth warm water pool primarily used for recreational
swimming, swim lessons and water aerobics.
• A small hot tub.
• Wet locker rooms.
• Two community meeting rooms.
• A dry-land training fitness room.
• An expanded group fitness area.
• An expanded cardio workout area.
Mr. Lotthammer stated there will be two phases to this project. Phase one
would be construction of the lower level and phase two would be the area with
the warm water pool with the water slides and hot tub. He stated building over
the entry way would allow expansion of the fitness center. Mr. Lotthammer
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said there will be a zero depth pool; which would be very warm. He also
showed the exterior elevation of the building. He stated tonight we would be
looking at the setback variance and the height variance. The waterslide
structure would be the highest elevation and could also end up being an
alternative plan if the cost of the project gets to be too high.
Chair Stoltz asked Franzen to review the staff report. Franzen said staff
recommendation is for approval.
Chair Stoltz opened the meeting up for public input. There was no input.
Kirk asked if the existing parking lot was adequate based upon the use of the
building. Mr. Lotthammer said behind the Community Center there is a lot with
approximately 70 spots that is used by the high school during school hours. At
night and on weekends the Community Center can utilize the lot. Currently the
employees are parking there. There is also a hard surface area where the Lions
tent is located for Schooner Days that can be utilized for parking. There is also
parking by the football field and also parking by Round Lake.
Frank asked, regarding the background, is it expanding because of more use to
the aquatic center. Mr. Lotthammer said this is a 30 year old building and the
aquatic center is the only part of the Community Center that has not been
renovated. He pointed out they have had a lot of demand for general time in the
pool and also lap swimming. This will be a better swimming situation for
competitive swimming. He said there are over 7000 members, 1200 being
Silver Sneakers. So there is a wide range of membership which will get spread
out during the day.
Margaret Gamble, a member from the audience, asked about parking and said
that most of the parking at Round Lake is high school students. Mr.
Lotthammer said that is correct; during the day they utilize the area closest to
the school. This would just be during the day, and the Community Center could
use it at night and on the weekends. Ms. Gamble said she is concerned about
the safety factor about kids crossing the street. Chair Stoltz said there is a bridge
they can walkover. Mr. Lotthammer said he would like to see the back lot
utilized a little more.
Wuttke said typically the Commission has been given very detailed information
on parking and said they did not get that tonight.
Franzen said with the last expansion there was a parking analysis and parking
was provided meeting code based on building use. Expanding the swimming
area did not trigger a need for more parking. Chair Stoltz asked if City Staff
had any concerns with parking. Franzen said they did not.
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Wuttke said he feels the expansion could create some parking issues. Mr.
Lotthammer said tonight there are two things brought before the Commission
and parking is not one of them because it meets the City Code. That is the
reason parking maps or studies were not brought before the Commission. There
are 100's of spots currently that are not being used. By expanding the pool it
would give more room for competitive swimmers.
Kirk commented he felt they received a good explanation of parking and is
comfortable with it.
Higgins said with the variety of new activity, sometimes there are a number or
cars coming and going at certain times, and that is something that may need to
be looked at.
Mr. Lotthammer said when they have big games; there have been traffic control
to assist.
Wuttke said he had a pool at college that had an adjustable wall and asked if
that is something the City is overlooking. Mr. Lotthammer said it would only
be used a small amount of time at the Community Center and can be very
expensive. It would not be the best use of the facility to have it as one large
body of water.
Frank asked Franzen what it means that we are approving the site plan review.
Franzen said it site plan review is a qualitative look at the building architecture,
site plan, and landscaping. Frank said we have a wonderful looking project but
we have not been informed of some of the details as the Parks Commission has
already done so, so this Commission is missing some background and better
understanding in the future could facilitate better discussion.
Chair Stoltz said in the future when other Commissions are meeting, could they
be notified when the meeting is taking place. Franzen said he would notify
them. Wuttke suggested a joint meeting like the ones they have done in the
past. He said he felt the site plan review was very broad. Mr. Lotthammer said
they have had a history of joint meetings and they are very broad with many
projects discussed. In the case of this project, this project has been discussed
thoroughly with the Parks Commission. He also pointed out this has been well
over a year that this project has been discussed to get to this point and we are 95
percent there.
Chair Stoltz said he does not want to move this project backward.
MOTION by Wuttke, seconded by Lechelt, to close the public hearing.
Motion carried 7-0.
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MOTION by Wuttke, seconded by Kirk, to recommend approval of the Site
Plan Review on 103 acres and Final Order#2014-02. Motion carried 7-0.
VII. PLANNERS' REPORT
A. TSAAP Presentation by HKGI
Jeff McMinimum, consultant from HKGI, facilitated the presentation. He stated
the TSAAP intends to promote opening day readiness for the LRT by bridging
the gap between existing conditions and future needs by identifying and
prioritizing infrastructure improvements such as sewer, water, sidewalks, roads,
trails and parking that enhance the existing businesses, support mixed-income
housing opportunities and encourage new development. Over the long term, the
goal is to help create unique, transit oriented stations along the SW corridor.
This has been a 14 month planning process, city by city, with numerous
meetings between TSAAP, engineering designers and the public. The outcome
was the manual, Southwest Corridor Investment Framework, which looked at
planningl7 stations.
In looking at Eden Prairie, the first station Mr. McMinimum addressed was the
City West Station. This station is the most northerly station. It is located by the
new United Health facility by Hwy 62 and 212. They would like to develop
pedestrian and bike connections, Kiss and Ride, Park& Ride, station amenities,
and possibly a plaza area with public art,bike facility and seating.
The next station would be the Golden Triangle Station. The land use for this
area is industrial and the recommendation is to put in better roadways;
extending W. 70th Street to west of Flying Cloud Drive. They would also like to
provide more walkable blocks, pedestrian and bike connections, bike parking at
the station, Park & Ride at the station and a Kiss & Ride.
The third station is the Eden Prairie Town Center Station. This area includes
retail and housing. Recommendation is for new roads around the area. Eden
Road would need to be extended west and Singletree Lane would need to be
built up from Main Street to Technology Drive. They would also like to build
new bike amenities. The Park & Ride would be necessary to reduce the hide
and ride. The Kiss & Ride would be by the station. Key considerations would
be a plaza near the station and making a sidewalk from the station to Singletree
Lane.
Southwest Station would be the fourth station and this is located by the current
Southwest Station. They would like to build more multi-use trails, sidewalk
enhancement, and bike facilities at the station. The Park & Ride may need a
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new ramp. The key consideration would be to orientate the buildings towards
the street.
The next station would be the Mitchell Station which would be located by the
City Center. The Park& Ride would be northwest of the City Center and more
bike facilities would be constructed. Key considerations would be to increase
light office and industrial, more food places by the station, and enhanced
mobility.
Chair Stoltz asked Franzen to address this presentation. Franzen said this
analysis is a good idea because it helps us and the private sector to be aware of
infrastructure needs and to incorporate them into future city and private sector
development, and helps the city with the preparation of station plans as part of
the next guide plan update..
Chair Stoltz asked if the Mitchell Station made the cut. The project proponent
said it was still up in the air and would be dependent on funding.
Frank said it was amazing how much detail was in the documents. He
commented, in regards to funding, there are different levels listed in the book.
The project proponent said there are cost estimates for opening day and long
term improvements.
Frank asked how Presbyterian Homes was taken into account. Franzen said
they did look at having the LRT closer to Presbyterian Homes,but it increased
the travel time and was more expensive..
Lechelt asked was it possible to construct the road on Singletree Lane without
having to take the Brunswick building. Franzen said they have had numerous
conversations with them so they can keep the building but replacing parking
will be challenging.
Chair Stoltz asked what the next step would be. Franzen said on March 4cn
there will be a City Council workshop where this presentation with be shown.
Then it will come back again to the Commission for approval. Chair Stoltz
asked if anything should be in public record. Frank said in the strategic plans,
you want a strong sense of where the City wants to go in the future. Franzen
said for the next guide plan update, we are going to have a joint meeting with
the City Council. We are doing that because we want to know if we are going in
the right direction from the start.
Wuttke asked how the re-routing out of Eden Road to Singletree happened and
why wasn't Prairie Center Drive utilized. The project proponent said because
Singletree Lane would be at the heart of the Town Center and a five minute
walk from the shopping mall. Wuttke said he can see the rational,but asked
February 24, 2014
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what is the direction we want to go in regards to the Town Center Station. The
project proponent said this is a fixed station and we cannot move it at this point.
Franzen said of the reasons for this location is due to the traffic impacts on
Single Tree and concerns from area business and property owners. .
Egan asked about the Mitchell Station and what would be the time frame for
making a decision to keep it or drop it. Neither the project proponent nor
Franzen knew the answer. Franzen said they would like to keep Mitchell
Station to accommodate more parking and minimize traffic increase on Prairie
Center Drive. Egan said she thought it would bring in more people from
Chaska and Chanhassen. Chair Stoltz concurred.
VIII. MEMBERS' REPORT
A. CITIZEN ADVISORY COMMITTEE—LIGHT RAIL
Lechelt said the next meeting will be this Thursday the 27 , at Hopkins.
IX. CONTINUING BUSINESS
X. NEW BUSINESS
XI. ADJOURNMENT
MOTION by Lechelt, seconded by Higgins, to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried
7-0.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:45 p.m.