Planning Commission - 09/24/2018 APPROVED MINUTES
EDEN PRAIRIE PLANNING COMMISSION
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2018 7:00 PM—CITY CENTER
Council Chambers
8080 Mitchell Road
COMMISSION MEMBERS: John Kirk, Charles Weber, Ann Higgins, Andrew
Pieper, Ed Farr, Mark Freiberg, Michael DeSanctis,
Christopher Villarreal, Carole Mette
CITY STAFF: Julie Klima, City Planner
Matthew Bourne, Manager of Parks and Natural
Resources;
Rod Rue, City Engineer
Kristin Harley, Recording Secretary
I. CALL THE MEETING TO ORDER
Chair Pieper called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Villarreal was absent.
II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE—ROLL CALL
III. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
MOTION: DeSanctis moved seconded by Higgins to approve the agenda. MOTION
CARRIED 8-0.
IV. MINUTES
MOTION: Freiberg moved seconded by Kirk to approve the minutes of September 10,
2018. MOTION CARRIED 8-0.
V. INFORMATIONAL MEETINGS
VI. PUBLIC MEETINGS
VII. PUBLIC HEARINGS
ASPIRE EDEN PRAIRIE 2040—COMPREHENSIVE PLAN UPDATE
Klima presented a PowerPoint and gave an overview of the two-year history of the Plan
update. The City pursued an energetic and dynamic community involvement effort
including focus groups, technology such as interactive maps, outreach to specific
community organizations, and a DIY meeting kit. In addition, an existing conditions
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analysis of the community and policies was done, and marketplace trends, past practices
and policies, and the strategic plan informed the process. More detailed studies were
completed to support housing, transportation and special area studies of Martin Drive and
the Crosstown Industrial areas. The draft plan was available on the City's website for
review and comment.
The organizational structure of Aspire Eden Prairie 2040 was divided into two pieces: the
plan chapters, which dealt with more traditional topics and the call-outs, which focused
on local priorities: social equity and diversity, community health, and sustainable
resiliency. These were also consistent themes in the focus groups and other feedback.
Demographic changes (age, ethnicity, etcetera), community growth, maintaining Eden
Prairie's image of high quality and robust economy, environmental sustainability were
other consistent themes.
In drafting the plan, the City and Houseal Lavigne drew from other resources, such as
local and regional studies and plans in addition to the community feedback.
The Eden Prairie Today chapter described where the City was in terms of these issues.
The Eden Prairie Tomorrow Chapter was a vision statement incorporating feedback and
data for a plan of responsive change. The Land Use chapter guided individual properties
for development types. Mixed use, Flex Service, Industrial Flex Tech, and Eco-
Innovation were new development categories. Commercial categories, revised density
ranges for residential development, infill and specific development, and Transit Oriented
Development(TOD) guides were also included.
The Housing and Residential Areas chapter provided an overview of the existing housing
inventory, affordability levels and product types that might be underrepresented and
systems for improvement, housing implementation strategies, and draft Inclusionary
Housing Policy recommendations. The Economic Competitiveness chapter identified
economic drivers (retail, corporate headquarters, the industrial base), opportunity
markers, and business development and growth strategies.
John Houseal of Houseal Lavigne Associates presented the Transportation and
Accessibility chapter, the Community Facilities chapter, the Parks and Open Space
chapter, and the Water Resources and infrastructure chapter. The requirements of and
edits by the Metropolitan Council helped inform the Transportation and Accessibility
chapter with regard to additional text and graphics regarding roadways, cycling and
walking, freight, and aviation. The Community Facilities chapter highlighted Eden
Prairie's public facilities including police, fire, schools, library, heritage sites, and others
to ensure all community members were appropriately and equitably served.
The Parks and Open Space chapter focused on the park-related amenities in Eden Prairie,
which were a defining characteristic of the City, with the goal of creating a robust
connectivity between them so that all Eden Prairie residents were equitably served. This
supported the more detailed Parks Plan. The Water Resources and Infrastructure chapter
was also being informed by the Metropolitan Council's edits to dovetail with the City's
other cities' efforts. This included text and tables on the City's sewer system.
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Klima presented the Special Area Studies chapter which focused on two local areas: the
Martin Drive Area and the Crosstown-Industrial Area south of Highway 62. These local
studies examined the current uses, market realities, trends, and impacts of site features,
and proposed improvements for long-term development scenarios.
Houseal presented the Implementation chapter, which detailed direct actions of and
specific recommendations to City staff,residents, and businesses, as well as an
implementation matrix highlighting a specific need, how and when a recommendation
would address that need, and what tools could be used for this. Klima summarized the
outreach to solicit feedback on the draft plan and gave a timeline for approval.
Pieper asked what the next steps were. Klima explained it would go before the City
Council to be approved in draft form, and once staff had incorporated any changes, the
draft will be submitted to the Met Council prior to the December 31, 2018 deadline.
Following Met Council approval, the plan would be formally adopted by the City
Council.
Farr thanked staff and Houseal for their hard work and lauded the document. Regarding
the Land Use chapter he observed the TOD definitions were a half mile around stations
"and transit corridors," and suggested the casual reader may need further explanation.
Regarding the Special Area Studies chapter, he noted the Minnesota Vikings Training
Camp was a missing piece in this. Regarding the Community and Facilities chapter, Farr
noted the School Board's findings on declining enrollment in Eden Prairie schools were
stated as triggering a negative economic impact,but no goal or strategy was given to
address this, which could leave the questions of families unanswered. Klima offered to
look at the TOD corridor language. There was specific discussion on the Winter Park site
as a potential hotel site in the draft plan. Houseal offered to take a look at possible
language to address decreasing school enrollment. Klima replied the school district would
also submit feedback on this Plan. Some possible solutions could be found in tangential
strategies, such as in planning for"lifecycle housing." She suggested staff could tie these
ideas together more effectively for readers of the Plan.
Higgins asked if Klima was looking for actual language or concepts to insert tonight.
Klima replied now was the time for feedback, including specific suggestion, and if
necessary staff could wordsmith general ideas. Higgins expressed concern that the
strategies address existing, aging rental housing. Eden Prairie was losing the opportunity
to continue to have the resources for people to stay in those homes. She urged the City be
more comprehensive in such results, such as getting at the real problems superficially
addressed and/or improved piecemeal by inspections and other efforts, especially at
apartment complexes. This also linked with schools, as residents may have to move when
rents increase, perhaps in the middle of the school year. Klima agreed this issue was
important and replied the best place to address this concern is through the
Implementation chapter, rather than the Housing chapter. Houseal added with
coordination and effort this could easily be implemented. Higgins added she saw a need
for protections for tenants who are newer immigrants and are struggling with resources
and the cultural capital to know where to get help, especially those residing in older
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properties. Houseal replied this was a good illustration of the issue the Community
Facilities chapter addressed: accessibility, and barriers to resources. He offered to revisit
the language to make sure it is clear.
DeSanctis noted a statement encouraging residents to shift away from turf and toward
native grasses, and asked if this was an actionable item. Klima replied the
implementations of this were included in the sustainability callouts and actionable items
would be in the implementation chapter. Houseal added the City has initiatives far more
detailed than this such as Sustainable Eden Prairie. The specific charge with the
Comprehensive Plan is to support and echo those initiatives.
MOTION: Weber moved, seconded by Higgins to close the public hearing. MOTION
CARRIED 8-0.
MOTION: Farr moved, seconded by Kirk to recommend approval of the draft Aspire
Eden Prairie 2040 Comprehensive Plan update, based on information based on the staff
report dated September 21, 2018. MOTION CARRIED 8-0.
Kirk also lauded the document and the efforts that went into it.
VIII. PLANNERS' REPORT
IX. MEMBERS' REPORTS
X. CONTINUING BUSINESS
XI. NEW BUSINESS
XII. ADJOURNMENT
MOTION: Weber moved, seconded by Kirk to adjourn. MOTION CARRIED 8-0.
Chair Pieper adjourned the meeting at 7:56 p.m.