Planning Commission - 07/28/2014 APPROVED MINUTES
EDEN PRAIRIE PLANNING COMMISSION
MONDAY,JULY 28, 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. Egan and Weber were absent.
II. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
MOTION by Frank, seconded by Kirk, to approve the agenda. Motion carried 6-0.
III. MINUTES
A. PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING HELD ON JULY 14, 2014
Higgins had a change on page 2, paragraph 2, second sentence; she would like
the word "complimentary" changed to complementary. She would like the
same thing done on page 2, paragraph 4, first sentence.
Wuttke had an addition to page 4, under Streetscapes. He would like the
following statement to read, "The other look that was appealing to Commission
Members was the street separated by the paver looking bike path; Wuttke was
not in approval of this.
MOTION by Frank, seconded by Wuttke, to approve the minutes as amended.
Motion carried 4-0. Kirk and Stoltz abstained.
IV. INFORMATIONAL MEETINGS
V. PUBLIC MEETINGS
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES
July 28, 2014
Page 2
VI. PUBLIC HEARINGS
A. VARIANCE#2014-04 by Mike Gresser
Location: 10611 and 10612 Cavallo Ridge
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.
Klima said the applicant is requesting additional time to review the proposal
with the neighbors. He would like to continue this to the August 25, 2014
meeting.
MOTION by Kirk, seconded by Pieper, to recommend a continuance to the
August 25, 2014 meeting. Motion carried 4-0. Kirk and Stoltz abstained.
VII. PLANNERS' REPORT
A. TOD ARCHITECTURAL MATERIALS REVIEW
Presented by Emily Osthus, Community Development Intern
Ms. Osthus stated she is here tonight to talk about architectural materials. The
question she stated that has come up in numerous meetings is how can Eden
Prairie make sure it has the best materials for the building projects. She said the
zoning codes need to be looked at to make sure the appropriate materials are
being used. She stated the materials for review are composite fagade, wood,
concrete, metal and panel curtain walls. The things to consider when picking a
certain material would be;physical density, texture, color,pattern, weathering
and the material life cycle. Aesthetic character also needs to be looked at. Ms.
Osthus showed a PowerPoint presentation of the different materials and their
use for exterior buildings. When she was done with the presentation she opened
the floor for questions.
Frank stated his basic understanding for doing this review is that there may be
newer materials out there since this was completed before and to see how they
will fit into our City. He asked if everyone was clear on the objectives before
we jump into a discussion this evening. What do we need to get done here and
what do we want the look of the commercial areas to be.
Klima said that as it was talked about internally at staff level, they came up with
the following, "what do we want Eden Prairie to look like in the future" and to
focus on three things when looking at material; sustainability, durability and
aesthetics.
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES
July 28, 2014
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Ms. Osthus said this presentation is specific but pointed out she was not looking
for a decision tonight;but just wanted to start a conversation.
Frank asked again if we are really clear when talking about comparability and
grade durability.
Klima said that we are looking for the Commission member's reactions to types
of materials, and aesthetically what looks appealing to you and then move ahead
with that information. Frank said as long as we end up with a set of expanded
materials that is fine.
Wuttke stated he is looking for substainability in materials and said to tailor it to
standardized use in the TOD area. Ms. Osthus said there is not a best practice
for materials in the TOD area,but rather standards in sub stainability. Wuttke
said it would be great if they could come up with a standard for materials, and
not just specific materials. Frank reiterated, stating we should first look at a set
of standards and then evaluate the materials using those standards. Wuttke
concurred.
Kirk said he likes the 75/25 percent mix and views this as positive. He likes the
way the City has developed it and does not really want to see this expanded too
much. He stated he would like to see innovation in regards to accents,but that
would be it.
Ms. Osthus said the conversation she wanted this to go was; yes, I like how the
City looks now aesthetically, or no, I don't like how the City looks. Higgins
commented that Eden Prairie has been changing and she is a traditionalist and
likes what she sees in the City. She pointed out it is possible to do new things
but some of the masking may be a little jarring to some.
Chair Stoltz said he agrees with the Commission Members in coming up with a
standard and drop the materials into those standards. Frank said when you
create standards you do create a huge project. And said if we could say what
materials would make up grade and quality that could be a short cut.
Chair Stoltz said when looking at the staff report are there any strong reactions
of what should and should not be there. Frank said he does not think Stucco
material looks good. Chair Stoltz concurred with Frank.
Wuttke asked Rue if there was a code term to have something more specific for
materials. Frank said there are words in the report that are specific in regards to
materials. Kirk said it would be difficult to narrow it down much more than it is
because we want developers to bring interesting ideas to us. Rue said he is not
familiar with how this is interpreted, but in regards to engineering it has certain
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES
July 28, 2014
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performance results it must pass and said that there are many variables in
regards to materials.
Kirk said in looking at the 75% list, composite is one that should be on the list.
Pieper said most composite pictures look contemporary, and asked if there is
anything more traditional. Ms. Osthus said most of the pictures she has gotten
have been from larger projects going on now and that it is hard to find
traditional pictures. Chair Stoltz asked Klima if she gets a lot of push back
regarding the 75/25% guideline. Klima said she does not.
Chair Stoltz commented the city staff has done a good job with keeping Eden
Prairie uniform and likes the way it looks.
Klima said in summarizing the comments tonight, she does not see any red flags
in what was presented tonight to the Commission. And how we continue to see
Eden Prairie flourish would be through good communication between City Staff
and the Commissions.
VIII. MEMBERS' REPORT
No Members' report.
IX. CONTINUING BUSINESS
No continuing business.
X. NEW BUSINESS
No new business.
XI. ADJOURNMENT
MOTION by Higgins, seconded by Kirk, to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried
6-0.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:12 p.m.