Planning Commission - 01/26/2015 APPROVED MINUTES
EDEN PRAIRIE PLANNING COMMISSION
MONDAY,JANUARY 26, 2015 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. Kirk and Weber were absent.
II. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
MOTION by Higgins, seconded by Frank, to approve the agenda. Motion carried 6-0.
III. MINUTES
A. PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING HELD ON JANUARY 12, 2015
MOTION by Pieper, seconded by Frank, to approve the minutes. Motion carried
5-0; Stoltz abstained.
IV. INFORMATIONAL MEETINGS
V. PUBLIC MEETINGS
VI. PUBLIC HEARINGS
A. HIGH POINT AT RILEY CREEK 2ND by DR Horton
Location: 16540 Beverly Drive
Request for:
• Zoning District Change from Rural to R1-13.5 on 5.35 acres
• Preliminary Plat of 5.35 acres into 10 lots, 3 outlots and road right of way
on 5.35 acres
Planning Commission Minutes
January 26, 2015
Page 2
Mike Suel, developer and builder for the property owner, presented the proposal.
He said they would like to build 10 lots on 5 acres of land. This is a continuation
of a proposal from last year. Mr. Suel stated they have been in agreement with
the City Staff on everything except for the outlots and will work more with the
City on that.
Chair Stoltz asked Klima to review the staff report. Klima said on the golden rod
annotated agenda there is a change. The motion has been modified and staff
recommendation is for approval based on the conditions listed in the staff report.
Egan asked if the motion should include some different language than what is
listed. Klima said the golden rod annotated agenda includes the appropriate
language.
Frank asked what the pluses and minuses would be if the outlots are acquired by
the City. Klima explained using the overhead projector. She showed the two
outlots of concern; outlots B and C. The intent of outlot C to be deeded to the
City would be to ensure that it is included with future adjacent development in the
future. Outlot B would be utilized for a future connection to Prospect Road.
Chair Stoltz asked Mr. Suel what his point of view was on this issue. Mr. Suel
said with outlot B they have purchased this property and if it is not going to be
needed for the connection to Prospect Road they would like to add it in to the
adjacent lots. With outlot C it should stay with the land to the south. Mr. Suel
said he wanted to make sure the Commission and City were aware of their
concerns.
Egan asked if the motion should include the issue that both of these outlots are
still under consideration. Klima said they could be addressed in the motion.
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 6-0.
MOTION by Higgins, seconded by Frank, to recommend approval of the Zoning
District Change from Rural to R1-13.5 on 5.35 acres; Preliminary Plat of 5.35
acres into 10 lots, 3 outlots and road right of way on 5.35 acres based on the
preliminary grading alternate connection plan prepared November 14, 2014, plan
set prepared December 2, 2014, and the information included in the staff report
dated January 26, 2015; noting that condition number 2C may be revised as the
project proponent and City Staff work at revising issues related to the outlots.
Motion carried 6-0. (Vote added based on review of the tape of the meeting.)
B. VARIANCE#2014-08 by Gary Aulik
Location: 10625 Mount Curve Road
Planning Commission Minutes
January 26, 2015
Page 3
Request for:
• Permit a front yard setback for the parking lot of 14.8 feet at its closest
point, City Code requires a 35 foot front yard setback.
• To permit 24 foot drive aisles for the parking lot, City Code requires 25
feet.
• To permit 10 parking spaces to be 8 feet wide, City Code requires 9 feet.
Gary Aulik, representing Olympic Hills Golf Course, presented the proposal. He
started out by stating they have exhausted all possibilities in regards to parking.
They have 172 spaces and there is no storm water run-off. He stated they would
like narrow driver aisles than are required by City Code. They have been working
closely with the City Staff and are coming here tonight with three requests.
Chair Stoltz asked Klima to review the staff report. Klima said there are three
variances requested tonight and staff recommends approval based on the staff
report.
Wuttke stated they are at the minimal allowable size,but need more parking.
Egan said there was a private residence that may be impacted by the change and
asked if they were in agreement with the request. Mr. Aulik said they had a
meeting a few weeks ago, inviting all of the residents in the area. There were 25
residents in attendance but not the specific residence Egan referred to. Mr. Aulik
said the view of the wall will be broken up from the street. There will be an
abundance of planting that will take place.
Pieper asked if more trees will be planted. Mr. Aulik said yes, there would be
more trees planted, along with plantings and shrubs. He stated they have done
their best to provide for rain water drainage and landscaping.
Chair Stoltz opened the meeting up for public input.
Edward Getsch, who stated he lives directly across the street from the parking lot,
said what bothers him the most is changing the landscaping. He stated they are
going to be removing old evergreen trees to move the parking lot. The wall will
be 8 feet high and will stick out like a sore thumb. Mr. Getsch said if the project
proponent would remove the islands in the parking lot, there would be plenty of
room and they would not have to do anything.
Chair Stoltz asked Klima if the islands could be removed. Klima said removing
the islands would require a different variance request. Staff did communicate to
Mr. Aulik that a certain amount of parking space would have to include island
areas.
Chair Stoltz asked Mr. Aulik about removing the islands. Mr. Aulik said they
wanted more green space so that is why the islands were included. He said they
could remove them but it would require a lot of reconfiguration. Egan said if the
Planning Commission Minutes
January 26, 2015
Page 4
islands could not be removed then could construction be eliminated on the wall.
Mr. Aulik said that would not be possible. He also stated the golf course does
have a right to build a retaining wall. They will make sure it is beautiful because
they do not want to create an eye sore for the golf course.
Frank said the purpose of the parking islands is to bring green space to the
parking lot. Mr. Aulik concurred that is correct. Frank said if he was a neighbor
and his visual was to go from natural to artificial,he would not like that. Frank
asked if there would be any way to keep it more natural. Mr. Aulik said they have
worked with many alternatives with the City and this is what they came up with.
He stated that a retaining wall is definitely needed. Mr. Aulik utilized the
overhead projector to show what this area would look like. He showed the
setback areas and said without the green spaces in the parking lot they could
manipulate the corner and move the retaining wall back just a bit,but then they
are dealing with the storm water issues. In order to raise the grade of the parking
lot, they would have to include the retaining wall in the plan. Frank asked if they
could do a better job of masking the retaining wall.
David Patton, landscape architect for the project, said the existing trees taken out
are Blue Spruce. The ones they would be planting would look more new and
appealing. They are taking out 5 evergreens and putting much more in. Mr.
Patton showed where the trees would be located and prefaced they would provide
screening. Frank asked if there could be more screening by the neighbors' views.
Mr. Patton said they could accommodate that request and plan to plant numerous
plantings in the area. The retaining wall will be covered with vines. He reiterated
that they will work with the neighbors' concerns. Chair Stoltz asked what percent
of the retaining wall would be seen. Mr. Patton said it would be between 20-25%
visible.
Mr. Getsch said it makes him mad because they are talking about making the
parking lot green,but then they are going to put up a retaining wall. He stated he
was not concerned with the light,but is concerned with the wall and how close it
is to the street. He asked why they cannot make more space for parking by going
south into the golf course area.
Mr. Aulik said there really are not any more alternatives for parking. He stated
they have to make sure all spots are ADA accessible. He pointed out they are
trying to make this project more visually pleasing.
Pieper asked if the islands were taken out, would the retaining wall still need to be
built. Mr. Aulik said the wall would still need to be constructed.
Klima reiterated the requests to be considered tonight are the three variances.
Pieper asked if the Planning Commission would ever review the request to build a
retaining wall. Klima stated the retaining walls are reviewed administratively.
Planning Commission Minutes
January 26, 2015
Page 5
Chair Stoltz asked Rue if there was another alternative besides a retaining wall.
Rue said because of the grade difference in the parking lot, he does not see
another alternative.
Wuttke said it looks like there had been considerable effort by the City and Mr.
Aulik to adequately screen the area. The only question would be what type and
amounts of plantings would be in the setback area. Mr. Aulik said it would be
predominately grass. To break up the wall, it would be a lot of plantings around
the area itself and stated there will be a lot of large plantings in the area. Wuttke
said natural grasses would help with rain water. Mr. Patton showed a visual of
the plantings that would go into the area. He stated the intent is to mask or
balance the wall and plantings.
MOTION by Wuttke, seconded by Egan, to close the public hearing. Motion
carried 6-0.
MOTION by Wuttke, seconded by Egan, to recommend approval of the Final
Order 2014-008 based on plans stamp dated January 20, 2015 and the information
included in the staff report dated January 26, 2015. Motion carried 6-0.
C. PUD AMENDMENT FOR THE APARTMENTS AT CITY WEST by City
of Eden Prairie
Location: City West Parkway
Request for:
• Planned Unit Development Amendment with waivers on 13.5 acres
• Zoning District Amendment on 13.5 acres
Julie Klima presented this proposal. She said the City West apartments received
approval back in 1985. As a result of Shady Oak Trail, this may impact a loss of
5 stalls on the site. They are asking the City to amend the PUD.
Wuttke asked in the future could we have another discussion about parking stalls.
Klima said 7 stalls have been impacted and 2 have already been relocated. The
property owner has not expressed concern with losing the 5 stalls; they want to
make sure they have the proper City approvals.
Chair Stoltz opened the meeting up for public input. There was no input.
MOTION by Wuttke, seconded by Egan, to close the public hearing. Motion
carried 6-0.
MOTION by Wuttke, seconded by Frank, to recommend approval of the Planned
Unit Development Amendment with waivers on 13.5 acres and Zoning District
Amendment on 13.5 acres based on plans dated April 22, 2014, and the
Planning Commission Minutes
January 26, 2015
Page 6
information included in the staff report dated January 26, 2015. Motion carried
6-0.
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 Higgins, seconded by Frank, to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried
6-0.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:45 p.m.