Planning Commission - 03/14/2016 APPROVED MINUTES
EDEN PRAIRIE PLANNING COMMISSION
MONDAY, MARCH 14, 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. Wuttke was absent.
II. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
MOTION: Higgins moved, seconded by Pieper, to approve the agenda. Motion carried
6-0.
III. MINUTES
A. PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING HELD ON FEBRUARY 22, 2016
MOTION: Kirk moved, seconded by Farr, to approve the Planning Commission
Minutes. Motion carried 6-0.
IV. INFORMATIONAL MEETINGS
V. PUBLIC MEETINGS
VI. PUBLIC HEARINGS
A. EDEN PRAIRIE SENIOR LIVING
Location: 10220, 10240 & 1038 Hennepin Town Road
Request for:
• Guide Plan Change from Low Density Residential and Office to High
Density Residential on 3.37 acres
• Planned Unit Development Concept Review on 3.37 acres
• Planned Unit Development District Review with waivers on 3.37 acres
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March 14, 2016
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• Zoning District Change from Rural to R1-9.5 on 3.37 acres
• Site Plan Review on 4.61 acres
• Preliminary Plat of five lots into one lot and one outlot on 3.37 acres
Klima said the applicant would like to continue the public hearing to the March 28,
2016 Planning Commission meeting to allow for additional time to revise their
plans.
MOTION: Weber moved, seconded by Farr, to close the public hearing. Motion
carried 6-0.
B. CAMP EDEN WOOD RESPITE CENTER
Location: 63501 Indian Chief Road
Request for:
• Planned Unit Development District Review with waivers on 51.81 acres
• Zoning District Amendment within the Public Zoning District on 51.81
acres
• Site Plan Review on 51.81 acres
Randy Boser presented the proposal. He stated True Friends is a non-profit
organization for children with physical, developmental and learning disabilities. He
stated they provide camping, respite and travel for kids. They would like to
construct a 12-bed respite cabin at Camp Eden Wood. The building will include
sleeping capabilities along with food service. This would be a two-story building in
the Historic District. Mr. Boser said the summer season is very busy so they would
like to begin construction in the fall and complete the project the following spring.
Chair Stoltz asked Klima to review the staff report. Klima said the project
proponent would like to construct a Respite Center at the Camp Eden Wood
property, which is included in the Glen Lake National Historic District. Staff
recommendation is for approval based on the conditions listed in the staff report.
Higgins said she spent time on the Heritage Preservation Committee and is pleased
to hear about this program but she also commented she would like the historic
presence saved. She would also like someone to comment on the existing building
that would be torn down.
Mr. Boser said the existing building is one story and is small; the building is not
utilized any more. They would like a 6,000 square foot building with this new
construction and it would be located at a spot where it is not visible until you get up
to the top of the hill. The building is quite a distance from the two main historical
buildings on site.
Chair Stoltz opened the meeting up for public input. There was no input.
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March 14, 2016
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MOTION: Higgins moved, seconded by Kirk, to close the public hearing. Motion
carried 6-0.
MOTION: Higgins moved, seconded by Kirk, to recommend approval of the
Planned Unit Development District Review with waivers on 51.81 acres; Zoning
District Amendment within the Public Zoning District on 51.81 acres and Site Plan
Review on 51.81 acres based on the information included in the staff report dated
February 9, 2016 and plans stamp dated March 7, 2016. Motion carried 6-0.
C. HAMPTON INN
Location: 11825 Technology Drive
Request for:
• Planned Unit Development Concept Review on 1.7 acres
• Planned Unit Development District Review with waivers on 1.7 acres
• Zoning District Change from Commercial Regional Service to Town Center
Commercial on 1.7 acres
• Site Plan Review on 1.7 acres
Kevin Hansen, architect with Cities Edge and representing D & T Eden Prairie,
presented the proposal. Mr. Hansen said that Torgersen Developers are one of the
largest hotel developers with properties around the metro area. Through several
months of working on a plan, Mr. Hansen said they are here tonight to review their
proposal. He showed an overview of the site, which is located between Technology
Drive and Flying Cloud Drive and pointed out, in the future, this location would be
adjacent to the LRT. The site plan is 1.7 acres and is irregular in shape and not
conducive for a lot of surface parking. There is a utility easement on the north side
and a wetland easement on the south side of the property. They are proposing 106
parking stalls for the site and the City Code is 113. Seven stalls have been reduced
due to the wetland buffer requirements. There will be underground parking as well
as a pool located on the lower level. The main floor will have meeting rooms with
a large lobby space and an eating area. There will be 105 units. He stated they are
meeting City Code for the material requirement and showed the Commission the
materials they will be using. Mr. Hansen said they will work with City Staff on the
canopy issue.
Chair Stoltz asked Klima to review the staff report. Klima said this project
proponent is proposing a zoning change to Town Center Commercial and multiple
waivers are requested. One waiver is for parking, other waiver requests are
specific to the performance standards in the Town Center Commercial district.
Staff is recommending approval based on the staff report.
Weber asked why staff is recommending a waiver for transparency. He said we are
giving a cookie cutter proposal and the project could be adjusted not to fit in that
mold. Klima said for visibility is supportable due to the unique nature of a hotel
and the intent of the Town Center area. Weber said he disputes it because it is
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March 14, 2016
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within the 10 minute walkshed and feels the Commission is being asked to approve
too many waivers and he votes no for the project.
Farr said he noted it was a standard design with many waivers. One thing that was
noted was the sidewalk was closer to the road than the hotel and he would like to
see it closer to the hotel and bring it down the hill, making it more pedestrian
gauged. Rue said there would have to be trail easements and said he is not sure
how people would feel walking on a trail so close to the building and removed from
the active area of the street. The project proponent said if the trail is brought down
closer to the building it makes it harder in regards to the LRT crossing but said they
could look into it. Kirk said there may be a benefit taking it down and connecting
with Lake Idewild Trail.
Chair Stoltz opened the meeting up for public input.
Tom Oakes, of 6731 Wakefield Drive, asked if the building had to be 5 stories high
and if the project is reliant on the LRT to succeed. Mr. Hansen said in regards to
the height, the 5 stories is the bare minimum for the building in order to make a
profit. The project is also not reliant on the LRT to be successful,but views the
LRT as a benefit.
Mr. Hansen said it is a difficult site to work with but stated there is a lot of public
space to be viewed. They did modify the lay out of the lobby to face the lake and as
far as the cookie cutter design, it is an improvement to the exterior design which is
the Hampton Inn prototype.
MOTION: Farr moved, seconded by Higgins, to close the public hearing. Motion
carried 6-0.
MOTION: Farr moved, seconded by Kirk, to recommend approval of the Planned
Unit Development Concept Review on 1.7 acres; Planned Unit Development
District Review with waivers on 1.7 acres; Zoning District Change from
Commercial Regional Service to Town Center Commercial on 1.7 acres; and Site
Plan Review on 1.7 acres based on the information included in the staff report dated
March 4, 2016 and plans stamp dated February 12, 2016. Motion carried 5-1,
with Weber opposing.
VII. PLANNERS' REPORT
Klima said the City Council did approve appointments to the Planning Commission at its
March 8, 2016 meeting. There will be two new members joining the Planning Commission
beginning April 1, 2016: Mark Frieberg and Tom Paol; Ann Higgins was reappointed. Jon
Stoltz was appointed Chair and Andrew Pieper was appointed Vice Chair.
VIII. MEMBERS' REPORT
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A. COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE (CAC) REPORT
IX. CONTINUING BUSINESS
X. NEW BUSINESS
XI. ADJOURNMENT
MOTION: Farr moved, seconded by Kirk, to adjourn the Planning Commission meeting.
Motion carried 6-0.
Chair Stoltz adjourned the meeting at 7:42 p.m.