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
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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
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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.