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Planning Commission - 02/23/2015 APPROVED MINUTES EDEN PRAIRIE PLANNING COMMISSION MONDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 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. Frank and Kirk were absent. II. APPROVAL OF AGENDA MOTION by Higgins, seconded by Pieper, to approve the agenda. Motion carried 6-0. III. MINUTES A. PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING HELD ON FEBRUARY 9, 2015 MOTION by Pieper, seconded by Wuttke, to approve the minutes. Motion carried 4-0; Egan and Stoltz abstained. IV. INFORMATIONAL MEETINGS V. PUBLIC MEETINGS VI. PUBLIC HEARINGS A. WAGNER PROPERTY by Pemtom Land Company Location: 10841 and 10861 Blossom Road Request for: • Planned Unit Development Concept Review on 6.5 acres Planning Commission Minutes February 23, 2015 Page 2 • Planned Unit Development District Review with waivers on 6.5 acres • Zoning District Change from R1-22 to R1-13.5 on 6.5 acres • Preliminary Plat of 6.5 acres into 12 lots and road right of way Dan Blake, representing The Pemton Land Company, presented the proposal. He stated they did have a neighborhood meeting last month with approximately 30 people in attendance. Mr. Blake utilized the overhead projector to show where the property was located on the map. He pointed out there are 12 single family lots on 6.5 acres. There is also a lot of topography on this site. A good portion of trees are cedar, along with some oak. Mr. Blake said he would rather answer questions from the City Staff, Commission and the public. Chair Stoltz asked Klima to review the staff report. Klima said the need for the waiver is the necessity to connect all of the roads through the project. Staff recommends approval subject to the conditions listed in the staff report. Chair Stoltz opened the meeting up for public input. Kathy Mason, (unknown address), asked who it was that stated they did not want a cul-de-sac. Klima said when Mr. Blake came in to talk to City Staff, the Planning and Engineering Staff said that the roads should connect on this property consistent with city plans. Higgins asked Mr. Blake about the tree replacement program and that there are some red pines slated to be removed. In regards to the history of this property, she asked if these trees could be saved. Mr. Blake said he would be open to reviewing this and would keep the trees where ever possible. MOTION by Weber, seconded by Egan, to close the public hearing. Motion carried 6-0. MOTION by Weber, seconded by Egan, to recommend approval of the PUD Concept Review on 6.5 acres; Planned Unit Development Review with waivers on 6.5 acres; Zoning District Change from R1-22 to R1-13.5 on 6.5 acres; Preliminary Plat of 6.5 acres into 12 lots and road right of way based on plans stamp dated February 11, 2015, and the information included in the staff report dated February 23, 2015. Motion carried 6-0. B. CODE AMENDMENT RELATING TO FENCE HEIGHT by City of Eden Prairie Request to: • Amend City Code relating to the maximum fence height. Klima presented this code amendment. She stated the current City Code restricts fence height to 6 feet. The Minnesota Building Code recently revised their Planning Commission Minutes February 23, 2015 Page 3 height restriction to 7 feet. The City would like to be consistent with this code and staff recommendation is for approval. Chair Stoltz opened the meeting up for public input. There was no input. Wuttke asked if the limitation is 7 feet or could it be higher. Klima said the Planning Commission and City Council can approve a higher fence restriction. In the past, if someone wanted a higher fence, it was first analyzed by staff to see if it is appropriate to ask for a variance request. Chair Stoltz asked if the Commission has ever said no to a variance request. Klima said as long as she has been with the Planning Department she has not seen a variance request turned down. She pointed out Staff will work with the project proponent to fine tune the variance request to a point where it is favorable to city standards. Wuttke asked if there has been any thought on district differences, in regards to fence height. Klima suggested reviewing item G, it addresses general screening. The way it was written, 6 feet was the same for all the districts and 7 feet would be the same. Egan commented even though the State is changing their guideline, Eden Prairie does not necessarily have to follow what they do, as then everyone will be putting up 7 feet fences. Klima said the fences would not be required to go to 7 feet,but they would have an opportunity. Egan said she is concerned with a 7 foot fence and asked it that height is really needed. Klima said this is a request to amend the code to keep it consistent with the Minnesota Building Code. The Commission should discuss if this amendment is appropriate for Eden Prairie. Wuttke said most of the fences are built for 6 feet sections. Klima said with the new restriction for the Minnesota Building Code, she anticipates the fence sections will be built to 7 feet. Wuttke asked if the LRT will need fences and how high they would be. Klima said they have not gotten into that detail yet in regards to the LRT. Wuttke asked if Staff has thought about delineation by districts. Chair Stoltz asked if it was done by zones, would it make it easier for staff. Klima said the issue of height variance has primarily been an issue in the residential areas. Wuttke said he would like to see what has been requested in the past 10 years and to see what other cities are doing. Higgins said she would like more information on this and is not prepared to move forward with this tonight. Pieper also agreed he would like some more background information on this. Chair Stoltz said it appears the majority of the Commission would like more information on this topic. Planning Commission Minutes February 23, 2015 Page 4 MOTION by Wuttke, seconded by Higgins, to recommend a continuance to the March 23, 2015 meeting. Motion carried 6-0. VII. PLANNERS' REPORT No Planners' report. VIII. MEMBERS' REPORT A. COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE (CAC) REPORT Weber stated the meeting that was held a few weeks ago discussed the design of the stations. The next Community Advisory Meeting will be held on February 24tn. IX. CONTINUING BUSINESS No continuing business. X. NEW BUSINESS No new business. XI. ADJOURNMENT MOTION by Weber, seconded by Higgins, to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried 6-0. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 7:37 p.m.