Planning Commission - 08/08/2016 APPROVED MINUTES
EDEN PRAIRIE PLANNING COMMISSION
MONDAY,AUGUST 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, Mark
Freiberg, Tom Poul
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. Pieper and Poul were absent.
II. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
MOTION: Higgins moved, seconded by Kirk, to approve the agenda. Motion carried 7-0.
III. MINUTES
A. PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING HELD ON JULY 11, 2016
MOTION: Farr moved, seconded by Freiberg, to approve the Planning Commission
Minutes. Motion carried 7-0.
IV. INFORMATIONAL MEETINGS
V. PUBLIC MEETINGS
VI. PUBLIC HEARINGS
A. CEDAR RIDGE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Location: 8905 Braxton
Request for:
• Zoning District Change from Rural to Public on 23.19 acres
• Variance to exceed the 30 foot maximum height requirement for the existing
structure.
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Klima said in 2010, the City Code was updated to eliminate the term public
facilities and in its place public infrastructure was listed as a permitted use in all
zoning districts. The definition of"public infrastructure" was limited to
infrastructure and did not include schools. The adoption of the new terminology
and definition unintentionally resulted in schools becoming a non-conforming use.
The City Staff is proposing to remedy the situation by adding schools as a permitted
use in the Public district and rezoning of certain school properties from the Rural
District to the Public District. The Planning Commission previously recommended
approval of a text amendment to add schools as a permitted use in the Public zoning
district. The City Council is scheduled to review the amendment at its August 16th
City Council meeting.
Klima also stated ISD 272 owns multiple properties within the City and three of
those are zoned public and the remaining 4 sites are proposed for rezoning from
Rural to Public. The adopted Comprehensive Plan guides this property for Public
use; and therefore, the rezoning request is in compliance with the Comprehensive
Plan.
Staff is also recommending Commission to approve the variances for the existing
conditions of the sites. No new development or expansions are being proposed with
these requests so there will be no site plans to review. Existing conditions that
require attention due to the proposed zoning change include the existing height of
the buildings. The recommended variance would apply only to the existing
conditions.
In regards to the variance request for Cedar Ridge Elementary School, the Rural
district allows a building height of 40 feet, so at the time of construction, the height
of the building was compliant with City Code. The Public district has a maximum
building height of 30 feet, so staff is recommending approval of the variance to
allow the existing condition in order for the site to maintain its conforming use.
The tallest portion of the building at this site is 37 feet tall. No setback variances
are necessary for this site. Staff recommendation is for approval.
Wuttke asked why we are not waiting for the Code change to be approved by the
City Council. Klima said the Planning Commission is an advisory commission to
the City Council and so are just giving recommendations this evening. Wuttke
asked what would happen if the Council does not approve these requests. Klima
said there would be follow-up with the school district and different actions would
have to take place. Wuttke said he is concerned about approving these variances as
the code amendment has not yet been approved by the Council. Klima said the City
would like to remedy this as soon as possible so school district properties are
conforming.
Farr asked if schools would expand in the future, how that process would work.
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Klima said the schools did not discuss expanding,but if they did, they would have
to go through public review as required by City Code.
Chair Stoltz opened the meeting up for public input. There was no input.
MOTION: Kirk moved, seconded by Weber, to close the public hearing. Motion
carried 7-0.
MOTION: Kirk moved, seconded by Weber, to recommend approval of the
Zoning District Change from Rural to Public on 23.19 acres and Final Order 2016-
06 based on the information included in the staff report dated August 3, 2016.
Motion carried 7-0.
B. OAK POINT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Location: 13400 Staring Lake Parkway
Request for:
• Zoning District Change from Rural to Public on 23.05 acres
• Variance to address the existing setback requirements.
Klima said this variance is for parking lot setbacks and no changes are being
proposed for this site. Staff recommendation is for approval.
Chair Stoltz opened the meeting up for public input. There was no input.
MOTION: Weber moved, seconded by Kirk, to close the public hearing. Motion
carried 7-0.
MOTION: Weber moved, seconded by Kirk, to recommend approval of the
Zoning District Change from Rural to Public on 23.05 acres and Final Order 2016-
07 based on the information included in the staff report dated August 3, 2016.
Motion carried 7-0.
C. EDEN LAKE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Location: 12000 Anderson Lakes Parkway
Request for:
• Zoning District Change from Rural to Public on 23.46 acres
• Variance to address the existing setback requirements.
Klima said the variance requests are for parking lot setbacks and building height.
No changes are being proposed for this site. Staff recommendation is for approval.
Chair Stoltz opened the meeting up for public input. There was no input.
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MOTION: Higgins moved, seconded by Kirk, to close the public hearing. Motion
carried 7-0.
MOTION: Higgins moved, seconded by Weber, to recommend approval of the
Zoning District Change from Rural to Public on 23.46 acres and Final Order 2016-
08 based on the information included in the staff report dated August 3, 2016.
Motion carried 7-0.
D. FOREST HILLS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Location: 13708 Holly Road
Request for:
• Zoning District Change from Rural to Public on 23.31 acres
• Variance to address the existing setback requirements.
Klima said the variance request is to allow reduced setbacks for the existing
building and parking lot. No changes are being proposed for this site. Staff
recommendation is for approval.
Chair Stoltz opened the meeting up for public input. There was no input.
MOTION: Farr moved, seconded by Kirk, to close the public hearing. Motion
carried 7-0.
MOTION: Farr moved, seconded by Kirk, to recommend approval of the Zoning
District Change from Rural to Public on 23.31 acres and Final Order 2016-09 based
on the information included in the staff report dated August 3, 2016. Motion
carried 7-0.
E. HENNEPIN TECHNICAL COLLEGE
Location: 13100 College View Drive
Request for:
• Zoning District Change from Rural to Public on 104.38 acres
• Variance to address the existing setback requirements.
Klima said the existing buildings and parking lots crossover the three lot lines of the
properties that the Hennepin Technical College campus site occupies. There is an
existing setback of 0 feet from the various lot lines. There are also other reduced
setbacks from the front, side and rear lot lines of the properties. City Code requires
a building setback of 50 feet from the front and rear lot lines and a minimum of 50
feet from the side lot lines and a total combined side yard setback of 150 feet in the
Public District. City Code also requires a parking lot setback of 50 feet from the
front lot line and a 10 foot side and rear lot line setback from the lot lines of the
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property in the Public District. No changes are being proposed for this site and staff
recommendation is for approval.
Kirk asked if Hennepin Technical College was in agreement with these requests.
Klima said there were no issues raised by Hennepin Technical College.
Farr asked why they have multiple properties with a single building. Klima
commented without the history she was unsure but stated at some point Hennepin
Technical College could possibly consolidate the three parcels. Farr said he was
unsure why the variance requests would go through now when they could
potentially consolidate in the future. Klima said the City is recommending the
variance to address existing conditions. Kirk commented if they were to do a lot
consolidation they would have to invest a lot of time,research and money. Klima
concurred it would take a lot of time and money to do the consolidation. Farr asked
if this project was to get redeveloped for alternative use, would it get rezoned to
PUD. Klima said if the properties were to redevelop there would be a separate
Public process. A redevelopment for another use would require a Comp Plan
Amendment and rezoning.
Chair Stoltz opened the meeting up for public input. There was no input.
MOTION: Weber moved, seconded by Higgins, to close the public hearing.
Motion carried 7-0.
MOTION: Weber moved, seconded by Kirk, to recommend approval of the
Zoning District Change from Rural to Public on 104.38 acres and Final Order 2016-
10 based on the information included in the staff report dated August 3, 2016.
Motion carried 6-1 (Farr).
VII. PLANNERS' REPORT
Klima said the Spirit of Eden Prairie Award Nomination Forms are on the City Website.
VIII. MEMBERS' REPORT
Wuttke said he noticed the parks are heavy trafficked now by users of augmented reality
video games and would like to encourage users and parents of kids to be safe and also
know and be respectful of the public property and private property rights. Higgins
commented there is a lot of pedestrian traffic in the Purgatory Creek area that is causing
traffic issues.
Chair Stoltz asked if anything has been addressed with this issue. Bourne said the City has
talked to Pokemon Go about the park rules and stated the situation is being monitored.
IX. CONTINUING BUSINESS
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X. NEW BUSINESS
XI. ADJOURNMENT
MOTION: Weber moved, seconded by Kirk, to adjourn the Planning Commission
meeting. Motion carried 7-0.
Chair Stoltz adjourned the meeting at 7:30p.m.