Planning Commission - 07/10/2017 APPROVED MINUTES
EDEN PRAIRIE PLANNING COMMISSION
MONDAY,JULY 10, 2017 7:00 P.M., CITY CENTER
Council Chambers
8080 Mitchell Road
COMMISSION MEMBERS: John Kirk, Travis Wuttke, Ann Higgins, Charles
Weber, Andrew Pieper, Ed Farr, Mark Freiberg,
Michael DeSanctis, Christopher Villarreal
CITY STAFF: Julie Klima, City Planner
Rod Rue, City Engineer
Matt Bourne, Manager of Parks and Natural Resources
Julie Krull, Recording Secretary
I. CALL THE MEETING TO ORDER
Chair Pieper called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE—ROLL CALL
Higgins and Wuttke were absent.
IIII. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
MOTION: Kirk moved, seconded by Weber, to approve the agenda. Motion carried 7-
0.
IV. MINUTES
A. PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING HELD ON JUNE 26, 2017
MOTION: Weber moved, seconded by DeSanctis, to approve the Planning
Commission minutes dated June 26, 2017. Motion carried 7-0.
V. INFORMATIONAL MEETINGS
VI. PUBLIC MEETINGS
VII. PUBLIC HEARINGS
A. ELEVATE
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES
July 10, 2017
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Request for:
• Guide Plan Change from C-Reg-Ser to TOD on 2.93 acres
• Planned Unit Development Concept Review on 2.93 acres
• Planned Unit Development District Review with waivers on 2.93 acres
• Zoning District Change from C-Reg-Ser to TOD-R on 2.93 acres
• Site Plan Review on 2.93 acres
• Preliminary Plat of two lots into one lot on 2.93 acres
Scott Carlston,resident of 8150 Drexel Court and representing the project,
presented the proposal. He stated the last time he was before the Commission was
for Martin Blu project. He said his company is committed to keeping young
professionals here in Eden Prairie and that is why they are here tonight for the
Elevate at Southwest Station project. Mr. Carlston pointed out this is a challenging
project and they have partnered with Timberland Partners to create a beautiful
development in this area.
Ryan Sailer, Vice President of Development for Timberland Partners, discussed the
project in more detail. He stated they wanted to create a cohesive project. Mr.
Carlston had assembled the parcels and they are co-developing the project.
Timberland Partners is a real estate investment firm which owns and manages
apartment units so they have experience in developing and managing apartment
complexes such as this project. Mr. Sailer also pointed out they will be long term
investors in this development. Elevate will consist of 222 apartment units, with a
portion of these being affordable units. This will also be a mixed use project where
there will be 2 full service restaurants and 1 to 2 retail stores on the first level. In
regards to parking there will be 397 parking units; 287 will be in the garage and 110
will be surface stalls. Because it is TOD, they are supplying 175 bike parking
spaces. Mr. Sailer pointed out the project will be 500 feet from the proposed LRT
and next to the Southwest Station and across the street from the City park. Some of
the resident amenities include a rooftop area, fitness center and a dog spa area. In
regards to green design, there is 3500 square feet of green space on the roof. They
will also have a rain water collection system located in the garage which will be
used for irrigation. Permeable pavers will be in the parking lot and the apartment
units will have energy saving appliances. Mr. Sailer said they have worked with the
City, the LRT office and the Watershed District on project discussions and will
continue throughout the project. In regards to scheduling of this project, Mr. Sailer
said they would like to get this approved by the City Council in August and then
have it approved by the Metropolitan Council in October. The target date for
construction would be November 2017.
Colin Kaas, architect for the project, showed how the LRT will wrap around this
development and also different features for the project. He pointed out the plaza on
this site along Prairie Center Drive and Technology Drive. He stated there will be a
full service restaurant located in the area with outdoor seating. There will also be
an outdoor nature area, trees for streetscape, and an outdoor roof area for activities.
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They would also like a classy look on all sides of the building because it will be
seen on all sides. They have spent time on lighting as they want to make it the focal
point in the evenings.
Freiberg said he is familiar with the lot and said he knows the design of this project
was not an easy task for this area. He asked the project proponent if any retailers
have expressed interest in the development. Mr. Sailer said he has not had any
retailers express interest but is not concerned that the space will get filled. Freiberg
commented it was good to see the developer is setting aside 20% for affordable
units.
DeSanctis asked what preventative measures are being taken to address soil
conditions on the site. Mr. Sailer said there will be supportive units put into place
as they are aware of the soil conditions.
Chair Pieper asked Klima to review the staff report.
Klima said this proposed project would include the development of a Transit
Oriented Development(TOD)project that would integrate both residential and
commercial development. The City views this project as the opportunity site for
redevelopment as there were previous talks with the SWLRT project office about
the preferred location for the parking ramp expansion to allow for development
potential. The project also provides an opportunity to move pedestrians through
this site and to transit services. Klima pointed out in regards to the TOD
development, they are requesting to re-guide the property to TOD. In August of
2016, the City adopted the TOD Zoning District regulations. As a part of the
Comprehensive Plan Amendment to re-guide the property to TOD, a text
amendment to the Comprehensive Plan is necessary to establish the dialogue
supporting the TOD land use designation. There is a proposed comprehensive plan
language in the staff report to address TOD development generally and then
specifically for the Southwest Station area. It is anticipated with the Aspire Eden
Prairie 2040 effort that additional language will be drafted related to the other TOD
areas throughout the community. Klima utilized the overhead projector to show
where the plaza area would be located to draw pedestrians into the site and into the
retail area, which in turn would move them into the parking ramp. As part of this
development, it will incorporate benches, public art, decorative bike racks and
decorative surface to enhance the plaza and area. All of these things will create a
welcoming feel. The retail promenade will also move people through the site. The
developer is requesting PUD approval with 6 waivers. Staff recommendation is for
approval. In regards to park dedication, the City is working with the project
proponent.
DeSanctis had a comment in regards to pedestrian access between the park and
retail centers to the south and east of the property development. He stated his
concern is when 222 residential units are constructed along with eating
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July 10, 2017
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establishments and are across the road from a beautiful park there is an issue with
transit between the park,retail center and housing with respect to the elderly,
handicapped and children. He would like to know what the City is doing to address
this issue, such as building bridge across Technology Drive. Klima said as part of
the LRT project there will be improvements to the area and intersection. She
pointed out any improvement and access will have to be ADA compliant.
Kirk stated this project is intriguing because the area has historically had parking
and traffic flow problems and asked what has been discussed on this issue. Klima
said the City staff is aware of the traffic issues, specifically during the noon hour.
The development is also aware and is working to attract users that will compliment
rather than duplicate existing uses on site. In addition, after 6 pm the parking garage
would be open for public use. Kirk asked if the City is comfortable with the
parking plan. Klima stated staff is comfortable with the plan.
Villarreal asked if the pick-up station for Southwest Transit is to be expanded.
Klima showed where the drop-off areas would be for the LRT and Southwest
Station. Rue stated on this site there will be LRT improvements. There is a bus and
an LRT platform. The entrance off of Technology Drive would be full access with
left hand turns,but there would not be a signal at that intersection. Weber stated
that could potentially be a problem. Rue said there will be some reduction in traffic
there as Culver's will be gone. Weber said it is difficult to drive east and west in
the parking lot. Rue said there were some recommendations to this area to alleviate
some traffic issues. There will also be two access points to get out of the parking
ramp versus just the one which is there now.
Farr said in regards to the designation of the TOD zoning district and what it would
be rezoned to, he said the three options discussed were TOD-R, TOD-MU, and
TOD-E. Building off of Commissioner Weber's comment, Farr questioned if the
TOD-MU would be more appropriate than TOD-R. Klima commented that TOD-
MU and TOD-R are very similar in performance standards. The intention behind
TOD-R is because there is more significant impact with the residential use than
mixed use for this project. Farr said staff gave adequate answers to support TOD-R
Farr asked if this project is contingent on the LRT coming into the area. Klima
stated, since the site has current service by a bus station, it qualifies as a TOD area.
Villarreal asked if there would be plans for electrical vehicle charging stations. Mr.
Sailer said they have not put that into the plan yet.
Villarreal asked how many garbage stalls would there be and will the retailers have
access to them. Mr. Sailer said there will be three garbage containers and two
recycling containers and the retailers will have access to these.
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Farr asked in regards to delivery vehicles and moving vans how will this work. Mr.
Sailer said they would have the ability to stage the timing on this.
Chair Pieper opened the meeting up for public input.
Jeff Strate,resident of 15021 Summer Hill Drive and member of the Southwest
Light Rail Transit Advisory Committee, stated he applauds the project and would
like to see it receive approval.
Farr said in regards to parking, there may be a demand for reserve parking signs and
he would like this thought out prior to construction versus being an afterthought. In
regards to service parking,perhaps they could be color coded to show what retail
areas they may belong to. Farr stated the project proponent did a great job on
fagade design but he would like a main identifier for the entrance to the apartment
unit. He also asked, in regards to the parking ramp, that previously has been a focal
point and now it will be hidden by this project; has there been a concern regarding
signage by the Southwest Station. Klima said signage for the transit services will
be addressed with the SWLRT project. Farr said overall, this is a great project.
Kirk concurred with Farr and commented the project blends in with the City's
vision. Freiberg concurred and said it was a great project for the City. Klima stated
if this project moves forward this evening she recommends language addressing
park dedication payments be added to the motion.
Villarreal commented he would like to see electrical vehicle chargers set up on this
project. Farr said he would like to build on that concern because there will be a
demand for these in the future. Mr. Carlston said in Martin Blu they did put in two
stalls and currently they are not being used.
Chair Pieper stated he is in favor of this project.
MOTION: Kirk moved, seconded by Villarreal, to close the public hearing.
Motion carried 7-0.
MOTION: Kirk moved, seconded by Weber, to recommend approval of the Guide
Plan Change from C-Reg-Ser to TOD on 2.93 acres; Planned Unit Development
Concept Review on 2.93 acres; Planned Unit Development District Review with
waivers on 2.93 acres; Zoning District Change from C-Reg-Ser to TOD-R on 2.93
acres; Site Plan Review on 2.93 acres and Preliminary Plat on two lots into one lot
on 2.93 acres; TOD Comp Plan language; and finalization of park dedication fee
based on final, PUD and TIF agreements, based on plans stamp dated June 30, 2017
and the information included in the staff report dated July 6, 2017. Motion carried
7-0.
VIII. PLANNERS' REPORT
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES
July 10, 2017
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IX. MEMBERS' REPORT
X. CONTINUING BUSINESS
XI. NEW BUSINESS
XII. ADJOURNMENT
MOTION: Weber moved, seconded by Freiberg, to adjourn the Planning Commission
meeting. Motion carried 7-0.
Chair Pieper adjourned the meeting at 8:35 p.m.