Planning Commission - 02/08/2016 APPROVED MINUTES
EDEN PRAIRIE PLANNING COMMISSION
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2016 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
CITY STAFF: Julie Klima, City Planner
Rod Rue, City Engineer
Matt Bourne, Manager of Parks and Natural Resources
Julie Krull, Recording Secretary
I. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE—ROLL CALL
Chair Stoltz called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
II. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
MOTION: Kirk moved, seconded by Wuttke, to approve the agenda. Motion carried 7-0.
III. MINUTES
A. PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING HELD ON JANUARY 25, 2016
MOTION: Higgins moved, seconded by Farr, to approve the Planning Commission
Minutes. Motion carried 7-0.
IV. INFORMATIONAL MEETINGS
V. PUBLIC MEETINGS
VI. PUBLIC HEARINGS
A. OPTUM PUD AMENDMENT
Location: 13625 Technology Drive
Request for:
• Planned Unit Development District Review with waivers on 89.63 acres
• Zoning District Amendment within the I-2 Zoning District on 89.63 acres
• Site Plan Review on 89.63 acre
Dave Pelner, representing United Health Real Estate (UHG), presented the
proposal. He pointed out this is a 90 acre site off of Technology Drive. UHG
leases the property from AGNL Health and United Health Group owns the
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February 8, 2016
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western most property. The plan is to renovate two of the three buildings to add
additional employees. The proposal tonight is to construct two parking lots. The
north parking area would include 121 stalls and would be permanent. The south
parking area would include 335 parking stalls and would be proposed as
temporary. United Health Group intends to convert the south parking lot to
structured parking when the western parcel is developed.
Chair Stoltz asked Klima to review the staff report. Klima said the request is to
construct two surface lots. Staff is recommending approval subject to the
conditions outlined in the staff report.
Farr wanted clarification regarding proof of parking. Klima said the original
development did not include surface parking and the proposed parking structures
met the parking requirement.
Chair Stoltz opened the meeting up for public input.
Julie Heatherly, of 13994 Ervin Court,pointed out she lives next to the
development. Three months after she purchased her property she found out this
land could be built on. ADC did put up a berm and stated to her it would always
remain there. She said she met with Klima earlier and she confirmed it would
stay on the property. Klima said the trees on the southern boundary of the parking
lot are proposed to remain in place as shown on the proposed plan.
Bob Drake, of 13946 Ervin Court, asked if the lighting was going to shine into
their homes and also how will this project impact their property values.
Gretchen Schrader, of Westwood Professional Services, shared the lighting plan.
She stated the lighting will not be shining into the residents' homes and will meet
the city's requirements at the property line.
Chair Stoltz asked Klima to address the property values. Klima said there is an
approved development plan for the site. If UHG wishes to develop the property in
a manner different than what is approved, they would have to come back through
the public process for a PUD amendment and neighbors would have an
opportunity to review and comment at that time.
Farr asked how employees will get back and forth from the buildings to the
parking lots. The project proponent said they will have a shuttle bus for the
employees.
Wuttke asked what would happen in the future to the south side berm and trees.
Klima said the trees and berm are in the original ADC development agreement so
in the future if United Health Group proposed different development plans they
would have to come before the Planning Commission and City Council for review
and approval of the plans.
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Wuttke asked about the lighting on the southern side of the south lot if the poles
could be put on the north end and trees put up on the south end. The project
proponent said they will comply with any suggestions but pointed out they are
just concerned with the safety of their employees. Klima said she does not see a
problem if the project proponent wanted to transpose the trees and lights. Farr
suggested the south side could be on timers to shut off at 7:00 pm and the other
lights could stay on all night. Mr. Pelner pointed out there are times the
employees stay longer than 7:00 pm and he would be concerned with their safety.
Farr then suggested motion detectors and the project proponent said he would be
open to that.
Wuttke asked how long UHG would need the temporary lot. Mr. Pelner said he is
uncertain and could not state exactly how long it would be needed. Farr said if the
prior project got approved with less parking and now they are adding more, could
the City in the future make them keep the temporary lot. Klima said there are
three conditions listed in the staff report that address this. Kirk commented the
three conditions are very solid.
MOTION: Kirk moved, seconded by Pieper, to close the public hearing. Motion
carried 7-0
MOTION: Kirk moved, seconded by Wuttke, to recommend approval of the
Planned Unit Development District Review with waivers on 89.63 acres; Zoning
District Amendment within the I-5 Zoning District on 89.63 acres and Site Plan
Review on 89.63 acres based on the information in the staff report dated February
3, 2016 and plans stamp dated January 28, 2016. Motion carried 7-0.
B. STARBUCKS
Location: 11190 West 62nd Street
Request for:
• Guide Plan Change from Low Density Residential to Regional
Commercial service on 0.44 acres
• Planned Unit Development Concept Review on 1.38 acres
• Planned Unit Development District Review with waivers on 1.38 acres
• Zoning District Change from R1-13.5 to Highway Commercial (C_HWY)
on 0.44 acres
• Site Plan Review on 1.38 acres
• Preliminary Plat of three lots into two lots on 1.38 areas
Trent Mayberry, representing TOLD Development, presented the proposal. He
showed the existing condition of the building that is located on Shady Oak Road
and Hwy 62, and showed the proposed site plan of Starbucks. He stated they
would like to construct a new car wash and update the existing building so that all
four sides will have exterior materials to match the new car wash. The Starbucks
will consist of a 2,000 sq. foot building with 22 parking stalls, which exceeds City
code. Starbucks will have an outdoor seating area and a drive-thru. He pointed
out Starbucks will never share parking with the gas station and showed the
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landscaping that will shield the car wash. The trees will also be shielding the
drive-thru and garbage facility. They will also be adding a sidewalk on the
southern border of the property.
Chair Stoltz asked Klima to review the staff report. Klima said the request is for a
guide plan and zoning change. In addition, there are PUD waiver requests. These
waivers are for existing conditions. Staff is recommending approval subject to
the conditions in the staff report. Staff has requested additional information on
stacking for the drive-thru. The applicant has proposed a contingency plan for
drive through stacking to accommodate all stacking on the Starbucks site.
Farr asked what the status was on West 62nd Street and was it contemplated to
extend this. Rue said this parcel was for the LRT or for a fourth building for
Optum. Farr asked if 62nd Street would be widened. Rod said it would not be
widened.
Farr questioned if there was a traffic study done due to the stacking. Rue said
there was not a study done and that is why a contingency plan has been prepared.
Wuttke asked if the project proponent of the first project could discuss traffic into
Starbucks. Dave Pelner said they have two shops in their buildings that serve
coffee and tea so he would suspect the employees would still use these facilities
and stated he does not know how many people would go to Starbucks.
Chair Stoltz opened the meeting up for public input. There was none.
Wuttke asked,in regards to stacking, if this will be a daily situation. The project
proponent said if there are any issues with stacking they will deal with it
immediately. They can put additional signage up and redirect traffic circulation.
He did point out there is room for six stacking and he did contact Starbucks and
they were pleased with that number.
Wuttke questioned if there would be a lot of pedestrian traffic on 62nd Street.
Wuttke said he is concerned with people crossing the street. Rue said they are
installing a stop light at that intersection.
Farr said in regards to lighting, there are eight large lights on the building and
thirteen on the car wash and asked if the wall packs are necessary. Kathy
Anderson, from Architectural Consortium, said they are going with wall packs
versus light poles and the wall sconces serve a decorative purpose.
Farr asked about the car wash and said the brick is a mix in color and stated there
is a lot going on with this and asked if the green strip is needed. Ms. Anderson
said the slope of the roof would not fit in with the car wash and that is why they
are going with the green strip to look like BP. There is one more tone of brick
added to the car wash and two tones will be added for BP and Starbucks.
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In regards to landscaping, Farr said his concern is where there is a retaining wall
opening by Hwy 62. There is 8 feet of trees which will conceal the fence but
asked if larger shrubs could screen the opening. Also, there are two evergreen
trees by the trash receptacle that do not really shield it and asked if higher trees
could be put up in the area. He also asked if a screening hedge could be put up by
the pumps.
Mike St. Martin, civil engineer for the project, said in regards to the gap, the
property line is very narrow and it would be hard to fit more trees in that area. In
regards to the lack of trees in the southwest corner,he suggested taking trees from
other areas and planting them there.
Farr said the trees screening the retaining wall could be moved to a different
location. Chair Stoltz said because of the topography of the land, it is difficult to
move more trees around.
Wuttke commented he liked the rendering of the drawings but in the future would
like to see them in seasonal changes.
MOTION: Kirk moved, seconded by Pieper, to close the public hearing. Motion
carried 7-0.
MOTION: Kirk moved, seconded by Pieper, to recommend approval of the
Guide Plan Change from Low Density Residential to Regional Commercial
Service on 0.44 acres; Planned Unit Development Concept Review on 1.38 acres;
Planned Unit Development District Review with waivers on 1.38 acres; Zoning
District Change from R1-13.5 to Highway Commercial on 0.44 acres; Site Plan
Review on 1.38 acres and Preliminary Plat of three lots into two lots on 1.38 acres
based on the information included in the staff report dated February 3, 2016 and
plans stamp dated January 27, 2016. Motion carried 7-0.
VII. PLANNERS' REPORT
VIII. MEMBERS' REPORT
A. COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE (CAC) REPORT
Pieper stated at the last meeting the Project Office showed depictions of the future
LRT stations. The plans have not been updated to reflect the recommended
changes to the SW Station parking ramp. Klima said staff will be working with
the Project Office on these recommended changes.
IX. CONTINUING BUSINESS
X. NEW BUSINESS
XI. ADJOURNMENT
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MOTION: Weber moved, seconded by Higgins, to adjourn the Planning Commission
meeting. Motion carried 7-0.
Chair Stoltz adjourned the meeting at 8:23 p.m.