Planning Commission - 05/11/2015 APPROVED MINUTES
EDEN PRAIRIE PLANNING COMMISSION
MONDAY, MAY 11, 2015 7:00 P.M., CITY CENTER
Council Chambers
8080 Mitchell Road
COMMISSION MEMBERS: Jon Stoltz, John Kirk, Travis Wuttke, Ann
Higgins, Charles Weber, Andrew Pieper, Ed Farr
STAFF MEMBERS: Regina Rojas, Senior Planner
Stu Fox, Manager of Parks and Natural Resources
Rod Rue, City Engineer
Julie Krull, Recording Secretary
I. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE —ROLL CALL
Vice Chair Kirk called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Stoltz and Weber were absent.
II. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
MOTION by Higgins, seconded by Farr, to approve the agenda. Motion carried 5-0.
III. MINUTES
A. PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING HELD ON APRIL 27, 2015
MOTION by Farr, seconded by Pieper, to approve the minutes. Motion carried
4-0. Kirk abstained.
IV. INFORMATIONAL MEETINGS
V. PUBLIC MEETINGS
VI. PUBLIC HEARINGS
A. VARIANCE #2015-02 by Lisanne Oster; J M& B A Kirtland Trustees
Location: 9008 and 9010 Riley Lake Road
Request to:
• Permit a lot size of 1.26 acres. City Code requires a lot size of 10 acres
in the Rural Zoning District
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May 11, 2015
Page 2
• Permit side yard setbacks less than 50 feet for one side and a
combination of 150 feet for both side yards in the Rural Zoning District
Lisanne Oster, owner of the property, presented the proposal. Ms. Oster said
the family bought the property in1951. Since then, they have spent their
summers in the cabin that is on the property. The cabin is not winterized and is
in need of repairs as the structure is sinking. She said they would like to
demolish the cabin and build a home. They tried to fit the home into the 9010
lot but it is too narrow, so they would like to join the lots together. Ms. Oster
said they were initially told by the City they have two options; which were to re-
plat and rezone or join the two properties together. A few months later they
were given a third option; combine the two lots and keep it rural but request a
variance, which is the option they are taking and the reason for being at the
meeting tonight. Ms. Oster said they would like a continuance to get a variance
from the lake, as they are 65 feet back from the lake and the City requires100
feet.
Vice Chair Kirk asked Rojas to review the staff report. Rojas said prior to the
meeting this evening, Ms. Oster asked, based on location of the house, if they
could take more time to develop a new house plan that would preserve trees and
preserve the slope. Rojas said the shoreland setback is 64 to 65 feet and that
would require a variance. Recommendation is for the Commission to continue
the meeting to the June 8, 2015 meeting to allow time for staff to work with the
applicant to finalize the location of the house to fully evaluate the full request.
Vice Chair Kirk asked if Ms. Oster was comfortable with coming back in June
for the variance request. Ms. Oster said she is comfortable with coming back to
the June 8th meeting and then they will do all three variance requests at the same
time.
Vice Chair Kirk opened the meeting up for public input. There was no input.
Farr said he likes the idea of a new house plan for the property. One thing he
did notice was the tree replacement trees were red oak and red maple that were
being taken down and asked if Ms. Oster would replace them with like kind of
trees.
Wuttke stated the Natural Resource Guidelines state the setback from the lake is
75 feet and asked why the City is more restrictive. Rojas said the last shoreland
ordinance was developed by the DNR and she will have to look into this more.
She did state if there are properties on either side, then the setback would be 88
feet. Rojas said she will look to see if the DNR changed the ordinance.
Farr asked Fox about the trees on the property and asked if there would be
problems with new trees growing in the forest area. Fox said it is a difficult site
Planning Commission Minutes
May 11, 2015
Page 3
for trees, but the City and forester will work with the project proponent to pick
the correct trees that will thrive in the area.
Wuttke asked what the individual lot widths were. Ms. Oster said the widths
are on the hand out and they are 84 feet and 109 feet.
MOTION by Wuttke, seconded by Pieper, to recommend a continuance to the
June 8, 2015 meeting. Vice Chair Kirk said there will be republishing because
of the third variance request. Motion carried 5-0.
VIL PLANNERS' REPORT
A. BOARDS & COMMISSION'S BANQUET
Wednesday, May 13, 2015, at 6:00 pm in the Garden Room at City Center
VIIL MEMBERS' REPORT
A. COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE—LIGHT RAIL
Pieper had nothing to report.
IX. CONTINUING BUSINESS
No continuing business.
X. NEW BUSINESS
No new business.
XI. ADJOURNMENT
MOTION by Higgins, seconded by Pieper, to adj ourn the Planning Commission
meeting. Motion carried 5-0.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 7:37 p.m.