Planning Commission - 06/09/2014 APPROVED MINUTES
EDEN PRAIRIE PLANNING COMMISSION
MONDAY,JUNE 9, 2014 7:00 P.M., CITY CENTER
Council Chambers
8080 Mitchell Road
COMMISSION MEMBERS: John Kirk, Jon Stoltz, Travis Wuttke, Steven
Frank, Ann Higgins, Mary Egan, Charles Weber,
Andrew Pieper
STAFF MEMBERS: Julie Klima, 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. Frank was absent.
II. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Chair Stoltz said there is a difference between Public Hearing items D and E in the
Agenda and Letter of Transmittal; and the meeting with follow the Agenda.
MOTION by Wuttke, seconded by Kirk, to approve the agenda. Motion carried 7-0.
III. MINUTES
A. PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING HELD ON MAY 12, 2014
MOTION by Wuttke, seconded by Egan, to approve the minutes. Motion
carried 6-0. Stoltz 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
Planning Commission Minutes
June 9, 2014
Page 2
Request for:
• 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)
Gary Pilstrom, attorney representing Central Bank, presented the proposal. He
stated that he is representing Central Bank, who is the major tenant in the
building. He stated they have reached a compromise with Aerotek and they will
remove their logo from their existing signs which will reduce the size to 112.5
square feet each. Aerotek has also agreed to remove their logo from their
proposed sign which would reduce the size to 31 square feet.
Chair Stoltz asked Klima to review the staff report. Klima said that both parties
have reached a compromise and this meets the three part test for reasonable use,
unique circumstances and neighborhood character. Staff recommendation is for
approval.
Kirk said he is happy to see this compromise. Chair Stoltz concurred with Kirk.
Chair Stoltz opened the meeting up for public input. There was no input.
Wuttke asked Klima if the sign ordinance needs to be looked at for
modification. Klima said the staff has begun work on the TOD ordinance which
may address signage as well.
MOTION by Wuttke, seconded by Weber, to move to close the public hearing.
Motion carried 7-0.
MOTION by Wuttke, seconded by Kirk, to recommend approval of the Final
Order 2013-10. Motion carried 7-0.
B. VARIANCE#2014-03 by Lawrence Sign
Location: 6355 Point Chase Road
Contact: Shari King (651) 488-6711
Request:
Planning Commission Minutes
June 9, 2014
Page 3
• To permit a free-standing sign 0 feet from the front property line. City Code
requires a15 foot minimum front yard setback in the Neighborhood
commercial Zoning District.
Shari King, representing Super America, presented the proposal. She said with
the Shady Oak road project, they would like to relocate their sign. They are not
changing the height of the sign but are just moving the pylon.
Chair Stoltz asked Klima to review the staff report. Klima said this is a result of
the Shady Oak improvement project and it does meet the three part test for
reasonable use, unique circumstances and neighborhood character; staff
recommendation is for approval.
Wuttke asked if there were differences or similarities with this and the Bobby
and Steve's sign. Klima said she was unaware of that project. Kirk said that
variance was granted because of the lack of space in regards to the location of
the sign. In regards to this proposal, Kirk said this seems to be logical given the
road improvements.
Chair Stoltz opened the meeting up for public input. There was not input.
MOTION by Kirk, seconded by Egan, to close the public hearing. Motion
carried 7-0.
MOTION by Kirk, seconded by Wuttke, to recommend approval of the Final
Order 2014-03. Motion carried 7-0.
C. VARIANCE#2014-04 by Mike Gresser
Location: Riverview Road, 1/2 mile west of Hwy 169
Contact: Mike Gresser(612) 518-5380
Request:
• To permit a 16 foot wall and fence along Riverview Road across Cavallo
Ridge. City Code maximum height is 6 feet.
Chair Stoltz said the applicant would like to request a continuance to the July
28, 2014 meeting.
MOTION by Higgins, seconded by Kirk, to recommend a continuance to the
July 28, 2014 meeting. Motion carried 7-0.
D. EDEN HEIGHTS EAST by Stewart Land Partners LLC
Location: Southwest corner of Pioneer Trail and Eden Prairie Road
Planning Commission Minutes
June 9, 2014
Page 4
Contact: Terry Schneider(612) 720-7667
Request for:
• Zoning District Change from R1-22 to R1-13.5 on 1.7 acres
• Preliminary Plat on 1.7 acres
Stew Stender, of Stewart Land Partners, who is the applicant of this proposal,
did the presentation. He said they purchased the two lots last year with the
intent to subdivide them. The past two months they have been working with
City Staff on this project.
Chair Stoltz asked Klima to review the staff report. Klima said City Staff
recommends approval of this project. All lots meet the zoning requirements.
Chair Stoltz opened the meeting up for public input. There was no input.
Wuttke asked Rue about the rain garden in the southwest corner of the property
and said he assumes it is a storm water connection between the pond that is
south of this property and asked if there was thought of the necessity of a rain
water garden in such a close proximity with the grade differential of only 2 feet.
He stated there seems like a lot of intrusion on one parcel of land just for a rain
water garden and asked if there was any thought given to using the existing
pond.
Rue said the existing pond is sized to accommodate the drainage and pointed
out any new development will have to supply a new infiltration system. There
are requirements for such a system and they are rate control, infiltration
requirements, and volume control. The existing pond covers two of these but
not the third, so that is why the raingarden is included.
Chair Stoltz asked the project proponent about the two lots east of the cul-de-sac
if they are for future development. Mr. Stender said the lots were for future
development.
MOTION by Wuttke, seconded by Weber, to close the public hearing. Motion
carried 7-0.
MOTION by Wuttke, seconded by Egan, to recommend approval of the Zoning
District Change from R1-22 to R1-13.5 on 1.7 acres and Preliminary Plat on
1.7acres. Motion carried 7-0.
E. TELECOMMUNICATIONIS - Verizon Wireless—Combination Light
Pole/Cell Tower at Eden Prairie High School by Verizon Wireless
Location: 17185 Valley View Road
Planning Commission Minutes
June 9, 2014
Page 5
Contact: Paul Harrington at Buell Consulting, Inc. (612) 810-8174
Request for:
• Site Plan Review on 67.33 acres. Replacement of a 100' light pole
overlooking stadium with a 116' monopole and 3' lightening rod for a total
height of 119' to accommodate wireless antenna and a12' x 30' equipment
shelter structure.
Paul Harrington, representing Verizon Wireless, presented the proposal. He
stated they want to replace the existing stadium light pole fixture with a cellular
tower to be constructed on the south side of the stadium at the Eden Prairie High
School football field. The 116 foot cellular tower and 3 foot lightening rod
would be used in place of the existing 100 foot stadium light pole. This tower
will provide improved cellular coverage for the surrounding area.
Chair Stoltz asked Klima to review the staff report. Klima said, as the project
proponent stated, they want to accommodate replacement and staff is
recommending approval.
Kirk said he needed some clarification on the request of this project. Is the site
plan review on 67.33, as the agenda and transmittal form state, or is it 66.55,
which is what is in the staff report. Klima said she will clarify this before it
goes to the City Council.
Wuttke asked what the height is of the T-Mobile monopole that is located on the
northeastern side of the property. Klima said T-Mobile went through the same
process a few years ago as Verizon is currently going through and their tower is
approximately 120 feet. Wuttke commented the Verizon tower will then be 119
feet overall. Klima concurred; it would be 119 feet in height.
Chair Stoltz said it was his understanding the ventilation system is underneath
the bleachers. He asked if this will affect the people sitting in the bleachers.
Mr. Harrington said there will be no exhaust coming out of this. The only time
exhaust would come up through the bleachers would be if the generator would
be on for more than 8 hours, and the school district would receive notice prior to
that happening.
Pieper asked if it was common for two carriers to be so close to each other.
Klima said it was not uncommon for two carriers to be so close to each other
and for that matter it is common to see it around churches or schools.
Wuttke asked if there was fencing around this structure. Mr. Harrington said
there is a chain link fence around the building, plus it is locked.
Planning Commission Minutes
June 9, 2014
Page 6
Chair Stoltz asked where the monopole was compared to the citizens. Mr.
Harrington said the monopole is away from the bleachers.
Egan asked if additional equipment would fit in the area. Mr. Harrington said
there is additional space if opportunities arise. Egan asked if that was up to the
school. Mr. Harrington said it was up to the school because they control the
ground space.
Chair Stoltz opened the meeting up for public input. There was no input.
MOTION by Higgins, seconded by Egan, to close the public hearing. Motion
carried 7-0.
MOTION by Higgins, seconded by Egan, to recommend approval of the Site
Plan Review on 67.33 acres and replacement of a 100' light pole overlooking
stadium with a 116' monopole and 3' lightening rod for a total height of 119' to
accommodate wireless antenna and a 12' x 30' equipment shelter structure.
Motion carried 7-0.
VII. PLANNERS' REPORT
No Planners' report.
VIII. MEMBERS' REPORT
No Members' report.
IX. CONTINUING BUSINESS
No continuing business.
X. NEW BUSINESS
No new business.
XI. ADJOURNMENT
MOTION by Kirk, seconded by Weber, to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried
7-0.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 7:33 p.m.