City Council - 08/18/2015 - Workshop APPROVED MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP & OPEN PODIUM
TUESDAY,AUGUST 18, 2015 CITY CENTER
5:00— 6:25 PM, HERITAGE ROOMS
6:30— 6:55 PM, COUNCIL CHAMBER
CITY COUNCIL: Mayor Nancy Tyra-Lukens, Council Members Brad Aho, Sherry Butcher
Wickstrom, Kathy Nelson, and Ron Case
CITY STAFF: City Manager Rick Getschow, Police Chief Rob Reynolds, Fire Chief George
Esbensen, Public Works Director Robert Ellis, Community Development Director Janet Jeremiah,
Parks and Recreation Director Jay Lotthammer, Communications Manager Joyce Lorenz, City
Attorney Ric Rosow, and Recorder Lorene McWaters
Workshop -Heritage Room H
I. DESIGN STANDARDS
City Planner Julie Klima presented a PowerPoint and led a discussion on design standards.
The design standards discussion kicked off with joint workshop of the City Council and the
Planning Commission in September, 2014. At a joint workshop in October, staff presented a
visual survey to facilitate discussion around what the City Council considers representative
of Eden Prairie and what they would like to see more of. Based on input from those
meetings, staff formulated the proposed guidelines being presented tonight. Klima said the
City Council has stated it is looking for designs that have timeless qualities, encourage the
use of sustainable building materials and improve the pedestrian experience.
Architectural Standards
Staff is proposing a 75/25 rule. For commercial and multi-family residential buildings, 75%
of exterior finishes would be of at least three approved complementary materials with at least
one color variation. The remaining 25%would be of other approved materials. For industrial
buildings, 75% of exterior finishes would be of at least two of approved materials, and the
remaining 25%from the second list of approved materials.
Commercial/Multi-family Residential Industrial
75% 25% 75% 25%
Face Brick Wood Face Brick Wood
Natural Stone Stucco Natural Stone Stucco
Glass Vinyl Glass Vinyl
Cast Stone Metal Cast Stone Metal
Cultured Stone Plastic Cultured Stone Plastic
Architectural Precast Architectural Precast
Precast Concrete Panels Precast Concrete Panel
Rock Face
Precast Concrete Units
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August 18, 2015
Page 2
Klima said the Council could consider adding other materials to the approved lists, such as
fiber cement products, metal and sustainable materials that are locally harvested or
manufactured or LEED recognized materials. Nelson said she likes the look of some metal
exteriors, but she is not sure about Hardie plank. Aho said he understands Hardie plank is
very durable.
Other architectural elements included in the recommended standards are facade articulation
to create visual interest; facade transparency to minimize expanses of blank walls and help
create pedestrian friendly environments; and primary entrances that provide orientation and
add to aesthetic character.
Butcher Wickstrom asked if deviations from standards would be allowed. Klima said the
PUD process allows for deviation under some circumstances. Case said he would not have a
problem with a building consisting entirely of brick facing, and asked if there is a way to
allow for that. Butcher Wickstrom noted that the variance process would allow it with
Council approval. Tyra-Lukens said she would like the City Council to have input on
deviations from standards. Getschow said staff would like to set a baseline, but there will be
processes for dealing with departures. He noted that windows (glass)would count toward
one of the components required under the 75% rule.
Screening and Landscapes
Screening and landscaping requirements will promote compatability between land uses,
define public and private spaces, enhance the pedestrian experience, support stormwater
infiltration and improve groundwater quality.
Screening and landscaping features that help achieve these goals are understory vegetation
(shrubs and perennials), parking lots with islands and permeable pavement, and landscape
screening that provides pedestrian breaks.
Klima said currently only deciduous and coniferous trees count toward landscape
requirements. She asked if the City Council would like to add perennials and shrubs to the
list of allowed landscaping treatments. Nelson said she definitely wants to see perennials and
shrubs included. Tyra-Lukens agreed that perennials and shrubs are aesthetically pleasing,
but maintaining them can be difficult with our harsh weather conditions. She asked if
property owners can be forced to maintain those features. Klima said if they are included in
the developers agreement, the City can require that they be maintained. Case said perennials
are nice, but he would not want to see them take away from trees, which are more sustainable
over time.
Sustainability
Klima said that energy systems such as solar panels, wind turbines and geothermal systems
are currently permitted only as accessory uses. She asked for City Council input on defining
solar, wind or geothermal construction as primary uses, and what height and visibility
standards should be applied. Nelson said some height and visibility requirements would be
advisable. Case said he would like to see the City be active on both sides of this. He would
like to be open to changing technologies while also providing guidance.
Public Art
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August 18, 2015
Page 3
Klima outlined several areas for Council consideration relating to public art incentives or
requirements:
o Development cost thresholds that would trigger public art requirements
o Percentage of development costs
o Value (every development vs. fewer most prominent pieces)
o Visibility of pieces
o Public oversight
Tyra-Lukens said it would be helpful to know what other cities are doing. She does not
know what type of requirements would be considered reasonable. Aho said public art is not
necessarily appropriate for all venues. He can't see requiring it. Nelson would like to see bike
racks, benches and tables for employees at commercial and industrial sites. Case said he
would not want to see government requiring public art, but incenting it is a good idea.
Commercial Improvements
Klima said staff is applying to Hennepin County for grant funds that could be used for
improvements in qualifying commercial buildings. Staff is also evaluating feasibility of a
low interest revolving loan to match any grant funds that are received. The grant funds
would support exterior improvements to building facades, sustainable upgrades and
accessibility upgrades.
IL 2016/2017 BUDGET
Getschow gave an update on the 2016/2017 budget process. He said the council must
approve a preliminary budget by September 15. Staff is hoping the preliminary levy will be
approved by Council at their September 1 meeting. Getschow noted that the final levy can
be lower than the preliminary levy, but not higher. The City Council will be able to make
further adjustments to the budget up until final approval on December 1. Staff is kicking off a
citizen engagement process on the proposed budget through the City website's interactive
feature.
Getschow said fiscal disparities information has been received, and the revised increase in
the 2016 levy is 2.9%. He said Eden Prairie is the only City in the area he knows of with a
proposed increase under 3%. He is seeing numbers in the 4%to 5%range, with Bloomington
coming in at about 7%. The projected general fund budget increase is 3.5%. The tax impact
on the median value home (valued at$360,300 for pay 2016)will by about 1% or $11 for the
year. Apartment properties will see a 1.7% levy increase and commercial properties will see
a decrease of 2.1%.
Open Podium- Council Chamber
III. OPEN PODIUM
A. Kevin Adams —Light Rail
Adams said he has been a user of public transit for 20 years. He is not in favor of
LRT. He said his concern is mainly fiscal. He said there are sufficient ways for
people to get around the community, including Southwest Transit. He said the
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August 18, 2015
Page 4
cost of LRT is 30% higher than for buses. He does not feel commuters who
currently ride the bus will use LRT.
B. Donna Azarian—Light Rail
Azarian said she is fed up with the cronyism and nepotism in City government.
She noted that the City is about to consider municipal consent for LRT for the
second time. She believes Mayor Tyra-Lukens is "deeply entrenched" with the
Metropolitan Council as evidenced by her past membership on the Corridors of
Opportunity Committee as well as other LRT-related committees. She noted that
Tyra-Lukens applied for a seat on the Met Council board in 2007. Tyra-Lukens
said she does not agree that applying for a Met Council spot while she was not
Mayor means she is deeply entrenched. Council Member Nelson said it is
common and even expected that a mayor serve on a wide variety of committees as
a representative of members of the community.
C. Steve Smith—Light Rail
Smith urged the City Council to vote no on LRT. He said LRT will require
digging of tunnels, cutting down of trees and acquisition of businesses. He said
our community can better use that money in other ways. He said LRT would cost
too much money for too few riders, and buses work better for less money.
D. Roxann Johnson—Light Rail
Johnson said she has lived in Eden Prairie since 1976. When she worked
downtown, she rode the bus and that worked well. She said LRT will cost
millions of dollars per station. She asked the City Council to reconsider their
decision and to stop LRT.
Council Member Case said he would like to remind everyone that the City not
granting municipal consent will not result in the project not going forward. The
City Council is being asked to grant municipal consent only for the revised budget
and the cuts that apply to Eden Prairie.
IV. ADJOURNMENT