Planning Commission - 05/23/2016 APPROVED MINUTES
EDEN PRAIRIE PLANNING COMMISSION
MONDAY, MAY 23, 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: Beth Novak-Krebs, Senior Planner
Rod Rue, City Engineer
Matt Bourne, Manager of Parks and Natural Resources
Julie Krull, Recording Secretary
I. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE—ROLL CALL
Vice Chair Pieper called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Stoltz was absent.
II. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
MOTION: Kirk moved, seconded by Higgins, to approve the agenda. Motion carried 8-0.
III. MINUTES
A. PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING HELD ON MAY 9, 2016
MOTION: Higgins moved, seconded by Farr, to approve the Planning Commission
Minutes. Motion carried 8-0.
IV. INFORMATIONAL MEETINGS
V. PUBLIC MEETINGS
VI. PUBLIC HEARINGS
A. PRAIRIE VIEW ENCLAVE
Location: 12701 Pioneer Trail
Request for:
• Planned Unit Development Concept Review on 10.71 acres
• Planned Unit Development District Review with waivers on 10.71 acres
• Zoning District Change from Rural to R1-13.5 on 10.71 acres
• Preliminary Plat of 18 lots and 1 outlot on 10.71 acres
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May 23, 2016
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Ian Peterson, representing the owner, presented the proposal. He stated they would
like to develop 18 single family units on approximately 10 acres. Mr. Peterson said
there were a few concerns raised from the May 3rd neighborhood meeting. The
concerns were related to traffic and it was requested to look into the possibility of
having additional access from County Highway 1 (Pioneer Trail). Because of this
request, they have been working with Hennepin County and City Staff to discuss
the possibility of full access or right in/right out onto County Highway 1. There
was also a concern regarding storm water. There is an existing easement on site
and they will have a catch basin on site tied to the sewer system; they will have to
remove a portion of the fence and a tree. Mr. Peterson said he reviewed the staff
report and they are in agreement with everything except the continuance.
Farr asked the project proponent is he could show the alternative accesses. Mr.
Peterson utilized the overhead projector to show the extension to Surrey Street, the
right in/right out option off of County Highway 1 and stated if the MAC proposal
would go through this would change to full access on the MAC property with a
connection to this project. Poul asked if there were other impacts to development if
this was continued. Mr. Peterson said yes, it would be a delay in construction
because there is only one council meeting in June.
Vice Chair Pieper asked Novak-Krebs to review the staff report. Novak-Krebs said
this is an 18 lot single family subdivision with 2 cul-de-sacs that provide access.
Both cul-de-sacs are longer than what is allowed by the City so that is why the
proponent is asking for a waiver. On May 17, the proponent gave City Staff a
potential solution for the secondary access point onto County Highway 1. Staff
would like additional time to review this with the County. Staff is recommending a
continuance of the public hearing until June 13, 2016 to allow time for further
discussion and review of this issue.
Kirk asked if this secondary access would be permanent or temporary. Rue said it
would be temporary until things would change with the MAC property.
Farr commented this proposal was submitted in February but not completed until
the end of April, and asked if that was applicant or City error. Novak-Krebs said
there were a number of issues that delayed this proposal. One issue was the field
verification of the wetland delineation, which could not be looked at until the spring
when the snow melted. Traffic issues with the secondary access also delayed this.
Farr asked if there were changes to the design. Mr. Peterson said there were no
changes to the design. He said they had to wait until April 23rd so the wetlands
could be verified. They have continued to work with the storm water issues.
Tonight they would like to be granted approval with the access out of County
Highway 1 to keep the project moving.
Farr asked Staff what choices of actions the Commission has this evening. Novak-
Krebs said it can be moved forward in regards to the secondary access but City
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES
May 23, 2016
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Staff would like a little more time to work with the County and the other option is
that is can be continued. If it is continued, the public hearing can be opened tonight
and left open until the next meeting, which is on June 13th.
Vice Chair Pieper opened the meeting up for public input.
John Fedora,residing at 9820 Tree Farm Road, said traffic in this area is a huge
issue and commented if we can do a right turn in and right turn out that would help
and it should be a permanent solution. hi regards to safety zones by the airport, the
topic of the distance of 1,000 from the radar has never been discussed. Also, traffic
should be the main concern with this project and is should be continued so this gets
addressed. Vice Chair Pieper asked staff to address the issue of the safety zones
and distance from the radar. Novak-Krebs said this plan was sent to MAC for
review and comment and they did not say anything about it. She stated she can
specifically ask them about this situation.
Clark Wicklund, civil engineer working on this project, said they made an
application with the FAA, who in turn, will provide review and commentary in
regards to this project.
Padina Bandanpalie, of 9692 Tree Farm Road, stated she has concerns about the
storm water issue because they will be digging 20 to 25 feet by her house. They
will be digging up her property and she would like them to replace the sprinkler and
fence and any other damage they do. Mr. Peterson showed the location of the
sewer connection and where they would be digging. It would impact the fence and
lilac bushes in the area. He said the disturbance will be minimal and they will be
replacing a portion of the fence, sod and the irrigation system.
Kelly Artz, of 9636 Ridgewood Drive, said he had a question about the traffic
counter that was placed in the area and asked what the results were. Rue said a
counter was set up and there were 172 weekday trips anticipated with the 18 lots.
Existing traffic was looked at and with 72 units traffic was counted for two days
with a total county of 804. This was slightly over what was anticipated, which was
around 700. With the additional units, it would be 172 more a day.
Kevin Johnson, of 9672 Ridgewood Drive, said he is concerned about traffic and
safety and pointed out there is a neighborhood to the east that uses the same access
road to avoid the light. He commented, having the additional traffic coming in is a
lot. The right hand turn coming into the development should be a minimum, but a
full access would be best.
Kirk asked in regards to the MAC intersection, can anything happen until that is
developed. Rue confirmed nothing can happen until MAC would like to develop on
the property. Kirk said what would be acceptable to the neighbors is the right in
and right out and confirmed the City needs more time to develop. Rue confirmed
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that the City has more work to do on this project and needs more time in order to
present it to the County. Mr. Peterson stated that is not completely accurate. They
have been in contact with the County in regards to the right in and right out. In
regards to access points, Homeward Hills has full access and there are many
additional access points out there. Mr. Peterson pointed out that the County said the
right in right/out option would be best located furthest to the west. He also stated it
seemed unfair that the picture that is painted is there is a lot of work still left to do
and pointed out they were discussing the issues just this morning and the County
was agreeable to the access issue.
Vice Chair Pieper asked if the Commission puts a condition on the right in and right
out, would that impact anything. Rue said it would not impact anything but the City
would like more time to discuss the access issues.
Farr asked the project proponent to show the entire neighborhood on site, including
the four access points already there and asked if they were on the margin and if a
fifth access point is required. Rue said when this project came in months ago; it
was discussed to have a secondary access point. After the neighborhood meeting,
the project proponent was asked to address this. Farr stated he did not want the
applicant to be charged with solving traffic issues in the area. Mr. Peterson said
when they started the project and up until the neighborhood meeting, everyone
knew traffic would be an issue. He stated they are where they are today from the
direction giving by the City since August 3rd of 2015. They have been working on
it and are here tonight seeking approval. The reason they are in a PUD situation is
because of an over length cul-de-sac. They were forced into a PUD because Staff
said there would be no access point to Pioneer Trail.
Kirk commented it had been a good public hearing and the Commission needs to
put a balance between staff, developers and neighbors. What he is hearing from the
neighbors is that they would like a secondary access off of County Highway 1. The
question for the Commission is to continue the project or move it on to City
Council. He point out this is only an advisory decision to Council. Freiberg asked
how long it would be for the County to get back to the City and project proponent in
regards to the secondary access. Rue said they have a meeting every Tuesday but
will need more detail to approve the connection.
Vice Chair Pieper asked Freiberg where he was in regards to approving this project.
Freiberg said he acknowledges the need for a continuance but would like to see
what can be moved on gets moved on to City Council. Farr commented he does not
want to see the secondary access be forced.
Wuttke stated he cannot see the rational for the right in/right out access with all of
the other access points so close to each other and does not think it is reasonable.
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Higgins stated she is satisfied with the conversation tonight and does not want to
hold up the project but said she wanted the City Council to be aware there may be
an issue with the right in/right out access. Kirk also agreed to move the project
forward and let the City Council know there may be discussions in regards to the
secondary access. Poul said he is in favor of moving forward but is not in favor of
the secondary access.
Novak-Krebs said if the Commission decides to move this project forward to the
City Council, they have conditions for the City Council. Novak-Krebs distributed a
sheet to the Commission listing all of the conditions. Kirk commented it would
have been advantageous to have these conditions prior to the meeting.
MOTION: Farr moved, seconded by Freiberg, to close the public hearing. Motion
carried 8-0.
MOTION: Farr moved, seconded by Poul, to recommend approval of the Zoning
District Change from Rural to R1-13.5 on 10.71 acres; Planned Unit Development
Concept Review on 10.71 acres; Planned Unit Development District Review with
waivers on 10.71 acres; and Preliminary Plat of 10.71 acres into 18 lots, 1 outlot
and road right of way, based on plans stamped dated April 29th, 2016 and a
recommendation to the City Council that a secondary vehicular access from the
development to Pioneer Trail be provided if feasible and approved by City Staff and
Hennepin County; as well as the 5 conditions itemized in the City Staffs written
report distributed to the Planning Commission. Motion carried 7-0-1 abstention.
VII. PLANNERS' REPORT
VIII. MEMBERS' REPORT
IX. CONTINUING BUSINESS
X. NEW BUSINESS
XI. ADJOURNMENT
MOTION: Kirk moved, seconded by Wuttke, to adjourn the Planning Commission
meeting. Motion carried 8-0.
Vice Chair Pieper adjourned the meeting at 8:33p.m.