1e. Minutes CHANHASSEN CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING
MARCH 22, 1993
Mayor Chmiel called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. The meeting was opened
with the Pledge to the Flag.
COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: Mayor Chmiel, Councilman Wing, Councilwoman
Dockendorf, Councilman Mason and Councilman Senn
STAFF PRESENT: Don Ashworth, Roger Knutson, Charles Folch, Sharmin Al -Jaff,
Kate Aanenson, Todd Hoffman and Todd Gerhardt
APPROVAL OF AGENDA: Councilman Mason moved, Councilwoman Dockendorf seconded to
approve the agenda as amended by Councilman Wing who wanted to comment on the
' letter from Peter Olin under Council Presentations. All voted in favor and the
motion carried.
' PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Mayor Chmiel: We have a public announcement at this time and I'll entertain any
' additional public announcements that may be within the audience. If someone
wishes to do that. The proclamation for April 18th thru the 24th as Minnesota
Volunteer Recognition Week. Just alone within our community we have a lot of
volunteers, and I mean a lot of volunteers and this is always the time that we
show this recognition to those people and say thank you for what you're doing
and providing their valuable time into the needs of the city. I'm not going to
go through the proclamation per se but I do want you to know that we are
adopting that and proclaiming April 18th thru the 24th as the Minnesota
Volunteer Recognition Week. If there's anyone here that would like to address
that at this time, I'd entertain that. If not, is there anyone else that has a
11 public announcement?
Resolution 193 -21: Mayor Chmiel moved, Councilwoman Dockendorf seconded
proclaiming the week of April 18 -24, 1993 as Minnesota Volunteer Recognition
' Week. All voted in favor and the motion carried.
CONSENT AGENDA: Councilwoman Dockendorf moved, Councilman Mason seconded to
' approve the following Consent Agenda items pursuant to the City Manager's
recommendations:
a. Resolution 193 -22: Approve Plans and Specifications for Trunk Highway 101
' North Leg Railroad Crossing; Authorize Advertising for Bids, Project
88- 22B -1.
d. City Code Amendment Allowing Animal Control Personnel to Euthanize Animals,
Final Reading.
h. City Council Minutes dated February 22, 1993
Planning Commission Minutes dated March 3, 1993
Public Safety Commission Minutes dated March 11, 1993
All voted in favor and the motion carried unanimously.
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B. APPROVE AGREEMENT PROVIDING UTILITY AND STREET SERVICES TO PROPOSED
SUBDIVISION (DEER RIDGE) IN THE CITY OF SHOREW00D, PROJECT 92 -18.
Mayor Chmiel: The only thing I would like to see done with item 2(b), and this
is where we're making an approval agreement providing utility and street
services to the proposed subdivision called Deer Ridge in the city of Shorewood.
It's project 92 -18. I would like to move the adoption of this but with a
condition as well. And that condition being that we, the City, get something
out of this. What we're looking for is at least one residence within the
Hennepin County /Shorewood properties and that, by doing and requesting that we
at least have a minimum of one lot, will give us the opportunity to be able to
acquire the CBDG funds through Hennepin County. And although we're still
I working at that legislatively with the Federal government in adoption of that
and through HUD as well, we're just trying to get a back -up for those additional
funds and that amounts anywhere from $30,000.00 to $40,000.00.
I Councilman Wing: So you're approving the recommendation but changing that
approval of this annexation occur?
Mayor Chmiel: An approval of a friendly annexation. De- annexation agreement
for one of the particular lots.
Councilman Wing: I'll so second that.
Don Ashworth: May I make a clarification, if I may?
Mayor Chmiel: Yes.
Don Ashworth: I liked how the Mayor phrased that in terms of at least one. When
we make that presentation I will attempt to convince the Shorewood Council that
it should be 2 or potentially 3 homes and the reason is that that will become a
separate precinct and so for voting purposes, their hypothetically one vote or
if it's a single person home, where two votes will be known. The secrecacy of
the ballot is. The other part would be, I'm assuming that this means that it's
dependent on Shorewood agreeing to the friendly annexation. Shorewood is
probably not going to be the one who stops this from going through. Municipal
Annexation Board will assuredly give us a problem because it is not a contiguous
border. A lot of the things that they look at. Hennepin County will have a
lot of concerns on it. Emergency response. 911. You have a situation where a
South Shore police officer would be going to the residence. He has no
jurisdiction in Chanhassen. So you've got some issues that you've got to work
through and so I like the way you've worded this.
1 Councilman Senn: Don, a clarification. I guess what I had in my notes was
language contingent upon. Are we saying the same thing?
Mayor Chmiel: Yeah basically.
Councilman Senn: Okay, so I mean basically your motion.
Mayor Chmiel: As an additional condition.
IF Councilman Senn: That we approve this contingent upon.
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City Council Meeting - March 22, 1993
Don Ashworth: We have acted to cooperate over the years and I'd say that goes
back 20 years. Before my time.
Councilman Mason: With what's just come up here, I wonder if we can't reword
this somehow because I certainly would, I'm not, don't get me wrong. I'm not
doubting a thing you're saying here but I'd certainly, if those things were
said, I would have, at this point, personally, I'd have a little trouble putting
a contingency on this. What I would like to do however would be to pass some
sort of resolution hoping that the City of Chanhassen and the City of Shorewood
can work something out here. Because as has been stated, we, with those Block
Grant funds do support some activities that are going on in Shorewood and I
would hope that they would understand that if they chose not to help us out in
this, if we don't get the money, they certainly don't get any of those funds.
Mayor Chmiel: Yeah, that's a good point because we do contribute about
$4,000.00 to that from these CDBG funds.
Councilman Mason: Right, and so with that, I mean I have, knowing with what
Jeff has just said here, I guess I have a little trouble putting a contingency
on it but I don't have any trouble passing some sort of resolution hoping that
they'll work something out with us.
Councilwoman Dockendorf: But is Shorewood the obstacle? Or is it going to be
the other two major obstacles that you said?
Don Ashworth: I think it will be the Annexation Board personally, but I can't
guarantee you that Shorewood will respond. I'm hoping that the Mayor will join
me. We've had the opportunity over the last 3 -4 years of attending the South
Shore Center on a Saturday morning and having breakfast with the Councilmembers
from Shorewood. I think we've got a good working relationship with them and I
would hope that we can draw on that to convince them as to the need for this
approval. But again, I don't think that they're going to be the major stumbling
block. I think the Annexation Board will be.
Councilman Senn: Don, I wasn't here in December so it's a little hard to I
guess speak about that but I would really like to see the motion stand as the
way it is. But at the same time say to Mr. Williams that if for some reason
this doesn't proceed, that doesn't really necessarily close it off and (b), I
think we could have an open ear to talk with you. I mean the intent here is not
to damage you I don't think. And it's not to cause you unnecessary expense or
anything else. But at the same time, as one goes through these negotiations...
have to kind of have some basis to work from. So I'd really like to see your
motion stand and again just keep an open ear to Mr. Williams if this thing runs
into obstacles.
Mayor Chmiel: Roger.
Roger Knutson: Just a comment. We may have trouble with the Municipal Board
but I'm fairly optimistic that we wouldn't in the sense that we're providing
something here to that lot. Providing sewer and water. It isn't just like for
no reason at all we have to say we want to pick up the lot in the city of
Shorewood. There's some reasonable reasons we can put forward to them and if
Shorewood goes along. If Shorewood said no, and we had to fight it, is a
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contested hearing, then yeah, I'd have a heck of a problem. But with their
concurrence, I think we have a much better than even chance of getting it
approved by the Board.
Mayor Chmiel: Okay, I like that.
Councilman Wing: I think 911 can be switched over to that house specific can't
it, or does the border cut it off? Do you know Don?
1 Don Ashworth: I really don't know. I would hope that, well I would think that
in the case of paramedic service, that you would leave that with Hennepin County
and the same way with South Shore. The only issue is really one of jurisdiction
1 on calls.
Mayor Chmiel: Yeah, the only thing that could be involved in this too is that
Metropolitan Council is looking to have one specific area as a call area that's
going to contain all 7 counties into one station. And that then could be
delegated from one to the other. In other words, they know where it's at by
that particular address. They would take care of that.
Councilwoman Dockendorf: Mr. Mayor?
1 Mayor Chmiel: Yes.
Councilwoman Dockendorf: Is your motion contingent upon the City of Shorewood
approving the annexation or the annexation being approved by all parties?
Mayor Chmiel: No, I think that that is to have a friendly annexation/
deannexation agreement with them.
Councilwoman Dockendorf: With the City as opposed to the annexation being
approved by all parties?
Mayor Chmiel: Right.
1 Councilwoman Dockendorf: Is that how it's put then?
Councilman Wing: Well the annexation would have to occur, Shorewood would have
to approve it but it has to go through the process. So it'd be all parties
involved.
Mayor Chmiel: Yeah, sure. It is.
' Councilwoman Dockendorf: Oh, all parties.
Mayor Chmiel: But it's still.
Roger Knutson: So you're aware of the timing, so no one. The simplest
annexation you know, it can't be done in 48 hours. It probably, assuming
1 Chanhassen says yes tonight and Shorewood says yes tonight. It's got to go, the
paperwork has got to be put together and it's got to go to the Municipal Board
and it will take them 30 to 60 days to approve it. So just so you know, it will
take some time even if there's agreement with everyone.
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Don Ashworth: That's why I was hoping that by making it as a contingency, I
would just as soon that it probably wouldn't be, but then Jeff would know when
it went to the Shorewood City Council, that it was going up or going down. I
mean if there were later problems with the Annexation Board. With paramedic or
whatever, in my mind the issue would then be dead. I mean we would be providing 11 sewer and water and he could proceed under that basis. We simply will have
failed in getting that lot into Chanhassen but we will not have forced him into
waiting 60 days for Annexation Board, 90 days for somebody else. 90 days for
somebody else. I mean his project could be put on hold for a year if this is
contingency to approval by all of these other agencies.
Mayor Chmiel: Yes. Well I still would probably, in fact I was still going to
stay with the same motion as I did have.
Don Ashworth: But I thought in my clarification.
Mayor Chmiel: But with that as you had indicated previously, right.
Don Ashworth: Right, so this is subject only to approval by Shorewood. So I
mean if it's not approved by some other agency that has jurisdiction, then we
have simply failed in our attempt and he knows that he can have the sewer and
water and is under all these other conditions.
Councilwoman Dockendorf: That's what my question was.
Councilman Mason: Would that take a friendly amendment then to get it back on
Council immediately after Shorewood agrees or disagrees or is it just assumed
that it happens regardless?
Mayor Chmiel: Probably a friendly amendment would be in order. If you'd so
desire to do that.
Councilman Mason: Okay. I'll go along with, I would vote in the affirmative ,
for this knowing that Mr. Williams knows that if for some reason Shorewood
disproves of this, it comes immediately back to us and we work out any remaining
problems so we can continue. So I guess my friendly amendment is, if the City
of Shorewood denies annexation, this is put on the agenda at the earliest
possible date so as not to delay Mr. Williams anymore.
Mayor Chmiel: But yet would the City of Shorewood just automatically say forget
it and we'd still, one way or the other, I mean there's no leverage there
whatsoever.
Councilman Mason: Well, that's true. I guess what I'm hearing from the City
Manager is that he thinks our relationship is good enough...
Mayor Chmiel: Yeah, and I don't doubt that. I don't doubt that. ,
Councilman Mason: ...I guess is my concern.
Mayor Chmiel: As a motionee, I would accept that friendly amendment with that.
Councilman Mason: That it would come back on the agenda? ;1
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II Mayor Chmiel: Right. Would the second accept that?
I Councilman Wing: I'm starting to feel the City Manager could probably handle
this and if it didn't go our way, he'd immediately put a stop to it and put it
on the Council docket for formal action.
II Mayor Chmiel: Right.
Councilman Wing: This might be the easier way to go. I mean if you feel you
II can accomplish this based on our comments tonight, and then if in fact it
doesn't go and there's a need to put a stop to this, that would be easy to do.
I Mayor Chmiel: Well I think if we can meet with the Shorewood City Council, when
is their next meeting? Do you have any idea?
Don Ashworth: No. Surely they have one before the 22nd because they're on a
II similar schedule. In all likelihood it would be the 8th. I just subtracted 14
days.
II Mayor Chmiel: Yeah, right. Okay. Is that accepted by the second?
Councilman Wing: As long as this thing rolls along, sure.
II Jeff Williams: Could I just interrupt? I do have the Minutes from December
14th that weren't attached but the only thing I can say is, I'm not sure when we
went through City Council December 14th, I thought the process works according
I to December 14th. It seems to me like we're basically, I'm doing it over
exactly what was approved December 14th. Everything that we're doing, how I
proceed on this whole thing is with the agreement that it didn't matter if it
II was. I mean I can see your point why we want that lot in Chanhassen. I'd be in
total agreement with it but if I knew it was going to be this type of procedure,
I don't see what the December 14th meeting was really about except we're
basically back where I was December 14th. According to this letter it said
II that, or the Minutes. That the City Manager would go before the City Council,
Shorewood City Council with an appeal to acquire just one lot for the five to
qualify for this CDBG funds and the motion was all voted in favor and the motion
1 carried and it was not contingent upon this. I'm not sure that the process here
it was approved and now it's not approved. I'm not sure, can you explain that
procedure? It's the first time I've developed a piece of land but I thought
II that's what I've been, I've done everything exactly according to plan. Now I
have Sathre - Berquist, I've spent about $8,000.00 since the December 14th to this
point and as of Thursday I'm submitting all my materials to City of Shorewood
for final plat because both, since December 14th I have received preliminary
II plat approval through both Councils and now basically you're telling me I can't
proceed with my final plat. I feel like there's been a real injustice and I
would like, I think some explanation or some reason how they can do this. If
I this is how it works, I'll just sit down and go through the process but when the
City Council approved it December 14th, and I was told and also my, and excuse
me he's not here to verify it but my engineer was also told that it meant that
it was not contingent and we could go ahead with the development. I mean I just
can't understand it at all and if you could answer that. I mean I don't have
any, I mean if you could answer, I mean is this normal? You go to two City
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Councils for the same thing. That's what I'm asking I guess? Is this normal
procedure?
Roger Knutson: As I'm sitting here I don't recall the December 14th meeting or
whether I was even there to be honest with you.
Jeff Williams: Okay, well I do have the Minutes if you'd like to see them. 1
Roger Knutson: If you could just show them to me a second.
Jeff Williams: Sure.
Roger Knutson: My impression is they approved the concept that they're
finalizing tonight.
Mayor Chmiel: Was it a concept previously and not the final decision as is
tonight?
Don Ashworth: Well I don't see that it's unusual. I mean we've presented let's
say concept here as how a particular program would look and what not and the ,
Council will say yes or no. If they say yes, then we'll have the specific
document drawn up that parallels that concept. And at that point in time, the
concept did not include the contingency on it. The agreement parallels the
concepts that have been presented on December 14th but I don't know of any time
where the specific document itself, once it was drafted, has not been
re- presented to a City Council for final approval.
Roger Knutson: If I could just comment. It would have to be. No one has the
right to, other than you, to enter into this kind of agreements and you've never
seen this agreement before tonight. Obviously we couldn't just have the Mayor
and the Clerk sign it and be done with it. It had to come back to you for final
approval. For real approval if you will.
Councilman Wing: Mr. Mayor, I think that your motion can stand because a '
friendly amendment is clearly made that we intended to assist this gentleman and
see that it gets pursued and if there becomes hang -ups, it will be I think found
in his favor. But on the other hand, we need the negotiation power to get off
dead center here. I'd like to call the question.
Jeff Williams: Can I just say one more thing? '
Mayor Chmiel: One more.
Jeff Williams: Okay. I did talk to the City Planner from Shorewood before this '
meeting and he was also told verbally and he thinks he has it in writing, too
that he understood that because they wouldn't proceed on their agenda until we
had something in writing and they do supposedly have something in writing saying '
that everything was agreed upon and that annexation was not required. So that's
all I know and they were told the same thing as I was told.
Mayor Chmiel: You may have something in writing but it hasn't passed by
Council. That's where the little hang -up comes but I think from what we've
discussed here, and the points that have been brought forward, I think those
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issues will get addressed. So I think that with that I'd like to call the
question on this.
Mayor Chmiel moved, Councilman Wing seconded to approve the agreement to provide
utility and street services to the proposed subdivision (Deer Ridge) in the City
of Shorewood, Project 92 -18, with the condition that staff be instructed to
approach the Shorewood City Council and request their consideration of a
friendly deannexation /annexation process for at least one lot in Hennepin
' County. If Shorewood does not approve this annexation, that the matter be
brought back to the Chanhassen City Council for immediately consideration. All
voted in favor and the motion carried unanimously.
E. APPROVAL OF 1993 LIQUOR LICENSE APPLICATIONS.
Councilman Senn: I asked item (e) to be pulled because I guess I'd like to ask
staff what, it references background checks and this, that and the other thing.
What is entailed in that process and what is the criteria that they're supposed
' to meet to come through this process for approval?
Don Ashworth: It goes back to Carver County Sheriff's Department who then
actually runs it through FBI as well. It includes all of the corporate owners
that are shown on the application and if there are any criminal violations, they
are noted. They do not pick up speeding tickets, etc. Help me Roger in terms
of what other type of felonies or whatnot would trigger a review by the City
Council.
Roger Knutson: Well you do periodic reviews. Annual reviews to make sure that
the normal liquor law violations. Any felonies. Anything. Drug arrests. What
' have you. Anything that goes on the establishment. Do criminal histories on
that. And then Scott also looks to see if there's been any complaints against
the establishments that haven't been resolved. And if an issue appears, then
it's brought to your attention.
Mayor Chmiel: Or under age drinking and so on.
Roger Knutson: And you had one, was it last year Mr. Mayor, where you brought
someone in.
' Mayor Chmiel: Yes.
Roger Knutson: Because there had been under age drinking problem. 3 of them?
' Mayor Chmiel: That's correct.
Roger Knutson: You brought them all in here and you had a chat about how
serious you took that issue and got it resolved and gave them their license.
Councilman Senn: Okay but, as I understand it, those complaints haven't stopped
' at least on one of the operators. In fact it was my understanding that those
complaints were aired again as little as a week ago.
Roger Knutson: I haven't heard them.
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City Council Meeting - March 22, 1993
Don Ashworth: Scott's investigations found no complaints.
Councilman Senn: No complaints from other businesses around any of these
operators or anything?
Don Ashworth: They would have to have had put it on file with us. We don't go
out and knock on the door of businesses and say, do you have a complaint against
your neighbor. If they have registered some form of complaint, Scott would have
notified me of that.
Councilman Senn: I thought last week some of the abutting property owners were
in complaining again of Filly's at the HRA meeting asking that it be bought
again because of the happenings that are going on there. I believe I'm
quoting...
Mayor Chmiel: Those are past happenings that they were discussing. Of some
time ago but it wasn't anything which was most recent.
Councilman Senn: Okay. Then I guess, okay so none of that was recent.
Don Ashworth: There's another issue there and that is that those issues were
really relayed back through another property. In other words, the hotel people
had not registered that concern. There had been one from the previous year in
which the Council was made aware of the issues associated with that. But the
allegation of, and I think that the way Clayton said was, well you've got to do
something about this HRA because we continue to take and have them throw beer
bottles through windows, and we have no record of any beer bottles through
windows. The owners have never submitted that claim.
Councilman Senn: Then I'm assuming I won't see that referenced in any more
staff reports either then.
Don Ashworth: Huh?
Councilman Senn: I assume I won't see that referenced in any more staff reports
then either. I mean I've seen it referred to now in several staff reports
regarding the purchase of Filly's. That that's a constant problem there and I'm 1
hearing two different things.
Mayor Chmiel: I'm not sure exactly where you're coming from with that.
Councilman Senn: Well Don I'm coming from nowhere other than you're saying
let's approve a liquor license here and you're saying let's approve a liquor
license for an establishment that I've heard absolutely nothing but complaints
about referencing back to the purchase discussions over HRA.
Mayor Chmiel: But there are no commitments by the local enforcement agencies
indicating that those situations really did occur.
Councilman Senn: So there's none documented. 1
Mayor Chmiel: And that's what you have to have is documentation. I think you'd
have a lot of problem trying not to issue that particular license if you don't
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have the documentation.
Councilman Wing: Those comments were stated as this having happened a year ago
and that they don't like it there because they had an occasion a year ago where
someone threw a beer bottle through a window. That was a year ago and that may
be documented. It could have happened. I'm sure it was reported but it's
irrelevant to this report. So far in the future, and that was stated as a past
occurence. Not as a current problem. At the HRA meeting.
Councilman Senn: Second issue is, in relationship to the passage of liquor
licenses. I'm familiar with several other cities or town boards that have
denied liquor licenses continually on the basis of the providers being
significantly behind in back taxes. Is that a criteria that has gone into
looking at approval of these liquor licenses or not?
Mayor Chmiel: Not to my knowledge.
Councilman Senn: And should we be awarding liquor licenses to establishments
that are significantly behind in taxes?
Don Ashworth: I would ask the City Attorney to respond to that but in advance
of doing that, I'm sure that Councilman Senn is referring to again the bowling
center who just, I think they're coming out of Chapter 11 or whatever. They are
current on this year's taxes and I believe on 1992. They still have outstanding
1990 and 1991 which were both included as a part of the bankruptcy filings.
Your position.
Councilman Senn: The property tax data I had done Don was that they were 3
years behind. I don't know, maybe that's been changed here in the last couple
weeks or so by payment or so but you know to me that's fairly significant.
Roger Knutson: To the best of my knowledge, and I'm not sure of this because I
wasn't prepared for this issue. I don't think there's anything in our City
Code, and I'll check, that says non - payment of real estate taxes means you don't
get your license. I have drafted and I work in several cities that have such
provisions. This city does not, to the best of my knowledge. As far as the
effect of the bankruptcy, it is possible that would be effected by what the
bankruptcy court has done. I'm not a bankruptcy lawyer but I can find out the
answer to that for you. Whether they're in Chapter 11? 13?
Don Ashworth: The project's laying on my desk but it, the settlement agreement
is before the Court and it will be finally heard within the next 15 to 20 days.
It does include the arrear property taxes for I believe it's, I'm not sure if
it's '90, '91, or '89, '90, and '91.
Roger Knutson: Irregardless of the effect of the bankruptcy, you don't have
that...
Mayor Chmiel: Yeah, it's nothing within our ordinance per se. I don't think we
can enforce it from that standpoint. That might be a good point to look at.
Councilman Senn: Pull that one Mark. Just hold that for one meeting and get an
answer on it. Determine where we want to go on it. If nothing else, we can
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City Council Meeting - March 22, 1993
approve it at least. Maybe you want to make that change to our ordinance in the
future.
Councilman Mason: Well but that might be in the future. I mean we need to vote
on this so.
Councilman Wing: Well we can withhold that one.
Councilman Senn: I guess I'd like to, at least from my standpoint, hear a
little bit more about that in terms of our options.
Councilman Mason: Well that's fine. I mean if it's not in ordinance now, we
can't deny them this year. I mean it might be next year but we can't this year.
Mayor Chmiel: Yeah, I would agree with that. That position.
Don Ashworth: I would ask that if you would like to see the City Attorney's
office draft a new section to the ordinance that would make that, I think
Councilmember Mason is absolutely correct. That since it's not in a current
ordinance, I find it difficult in putting it back to the current owner. The
other point as noted by Karen Engelhardt is any application which is not
received by the department by March 30th, for every day of delinquency there is
a good chance that they will not have their license back by the 1st of May.
Which means they'd be out of business then, let's assume we took action on April
12th. There's a good chance that they would be not able to serve for the first
10 days in May. It requires them 30 days to process the application at the
State level. Maybe we could speed it up.
Councilman Senn: Okay, but when it goes to the State, the State does withhold
approval based on taxes being in arrears but not property taxes? Isn't that
correct?
Roger Knutson: Not property taxes, no.
Councilman Senn: No. I didn't say property taxes. I said taxes.
Roger Knutson: Sales taxes?
Councilman Senn: Yes.
Roger Knutson: I don't know that they have a...
Mayor Chmiel: Yeah. I would imagine that there would be something there but
what that is, I don't have the foggiest idea.
Councilwoman Dockendorf: So can we move approval on this with the item of
discussion at a future meeting?
Mayor Chmiel: I think that would be in the proper sequence to go right now. To
have that motion.
Councilman Wing: Did you make that motion?
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City Council Meeting - March 22, 1993
Councilwoman Dockendorf: Yes.
Councilman Wing: And I'll second that again contingent on us reviewing that
ordinance with possibly inclusion of that as other, as mentioned other cities
have that We may want to include that. I think that should be put forth.
Mayor Chmiel: Correct.
Roger Knutson: Just an editorial comment. I work in some cities where it's
amazing how taxes get paid on December 30th.
Mayor Chmiel: Okay. I'll call the motion.
Councilwoman Dockendorf coved, Councilman Wing seconded to approve the 1993
Liquor License Applications with the condition directing the City Attorney to
draft an ordinance regarding delinquent property taxes. All voted in favor and
the motion carried unanimously.
F. SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT, RIGHT- OF-WAY ACQUISITION FOR EXPANDED HIGHWAY 5.
(PREVIOUS BURDICK PROPERTY).
Councilman Senn: The acquisition, I guess I haven't seen this before so I was
just more curious than anything else. What it involves. Not in a lot of detail
attached.
Don Ashworth: We carried out the purchase of the Burdick property on Market
Boulevard. That's where the pond is and it was needed for the pond. In the
meantime MnDot started the construction on Highway 5 and as it turned out, we
ended up as the owner by the time they had concluded that process. They then
had to deal with us in actually acquiring that property. We felt that by the
condemnation court making an award to Mr. Burdick, that established reasonable
value for that property. We have debated this for the better part of a year,
year and a half with MnDot and I think we're about as far as we're going to get
them and we finally, the attorneys in talking with myself felt there is no sense
further pursuing this. We've got them to what we think is going to be the best
offer closest to the amount that we had paid for that property from Mr. Burdick.
Councilman Senn: Okay, and that's the $115,000.00?
Don Ashworth: That's correct.
Councilman Senn: And how many square feet of property are involved?
Roger Knutson: It's 30 feet wide. How long is it?
Don Ashworth: It's partially along Market but primarily along Highway 5 so,
I mean it's not just 30 feet wide. I'd have to grab the file. If you'd like to
move on, I hope I can find the file. Karen finds files for me.
Councilman Senn: Well my question Don is I guess coming back to how many square
feet are involved? I mean how does this compare to in effect what we did pay
for the property and what value are we getting for it now through the
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City Council Meeting - March 22, 1993
condemnation? I mean those are pretty basic questions but none of the
information is here so I'm not
Roger Knutson: The per square foot cost is somewhat less than we paid for the
whole piece but we're not selling the whole piece. We're selling a strip and
then when you consider in the cost, it would seem fair. I did not, the
condemnation lawyer in the office handled this. I don't have the numbers on the
top of my head but we can run upstairs. I can't. I don't know where they are.
Don Ashworth: Again, I could look for that in the file.
Mayor Chmiel: Is this really pertinent to your questions that you're asking?
Councilman Senn: Yeah, it is. I mean I have a little bit of a hard time just
approving this without understanding the background or the numbers behind it.
Don Ashworth: I mean this has gone on...
Councilman Senn: But again you can vote without me so you don't need me. I'd
like to see that before I would.
Don Ashworth: If we table this for one meeting, like I said, it's gone on for 4
years. One more meeting probably.
Mayor Chmiel: We might have it here now. We might be able to resolve it rather
quickly.
Don Ashworth: I'd say 1,500 feet by 25 feet. It could be if you want to pass
the map. See if somebody else can.
Councilman Senn: It's how much again? I'm sorry.
Don Ashworth: Approximately 1,500 by 25. Then there also is a construction
easement in there which generally is less value.
Roger Knutson: So it's about 37,000 square feet. Say 40,000 square feet.
Something less than an acre.
Don Ashworth: I recall the acquisition from Mr. Burdick was $2.80 and I know
this came in at less. I can't remember for sure Mark but I think it was like 20
to 30 cents but fighting this further, attorney fees in my own mind were eating
us up. No offense to Roger's office.
Roger Knutson: You know at something less than an acre and we're getting
$115,000.00 for it. So something less than $3.00 an acre.
Councilman Senn: Just less than.
Don Ashworth: But that's not correct because I know it's under the $2.80 that
was paid to Mr. Burdick but not enough so to be, to further warrant. The next
step on this process is to go into court and I just could not see that. It just
does not warrant a court process when you're that close.
15
City Council ffeeting -
Councilman Senn: Don, I'm not suggesting that. It's just when I get an action
put in front of me which is agreeing to acquire, I guess I'd just like to see
that kind of basic information that tells me. Geez, here's what we paid for it.
Here's what we're getting out of the condemnation for it. You know, at least
some reasonable comparison of cost.
Don Ashworth: And I apologize because I guess in my own mind, having this been
going on for such a long period of time, I just felt maybe we were kind of at
the end and I should have included those earlier documents. I apologize.
Mayor Chmiel: Yeah, one of the things I'd like to have done Mark, if you do
have those kind of specific questions, and we know we're not going to get them,
get a hold of Don and talk to him prior to the meeting so we can get that
resolved at that particular time.
Councilman Wing: Or get it pulled off the agenda. I don't want to get here and
staff putting this much effort into it and then tie up the meeting. We're going
to change the consent agenda later tonight.
Mayor Chmiel: Well hopefully. Consents work very well if you ask your
questions prior to, and they're not a highly controversial kind of item. What's
your pleasure?
Councilman Wing: Well I've been in on this one so I'll move approval.
Councilman Mason: I'll second it.
Councilman Wing moved, Councilman Mason seconded to approve the Settlement
Agreement of right -of -way acquisition for expanded Highway 5, (previous Burdick
property) as presented. All voted in favor and the motion carried unanimously.
G. APPROVAL OF ACCOUNTS.
Councilman Senn: I realize you like consent to be consent but on three
occasions now, including in writing I've asked for specific breakdowns on
expenditures. We're still not getting it.
Mayor Chmiel: Which ones are you concerned with?
Councilman Senn: Well I'm not going to, I've probably got 25 items listed here.
I'm not going to waste the time to go through them tonight. I'm not going to
vote for this. I would like staff to please start putting an explanation behind
the expenses as has been requested and not have all these blanks. And real
basic things like when somebody travels where they're going and what they're
going for rather than blank.
Councilman Wing: Pull it out and be specific will you Mark so I know where
you're going. It would be a better idea of what you want on this. If you've
got one in particular that we can look at.
Councilman Senn: Well, I mean Dick I've been very specific you know with these
on several times now and especially in writing. Going down, I'm just going down
some of these items. 51035. Outhouse Graphics. Printing and Publishing,
16
City Council Meeting - March 22, 1993
$4,400.00 for newsletters. Is that the City newsletter?
Mayor Chmiel: Yes.
Councilman Senn: Okay. There are several travel and training items on here
relating to, here's one for the Mayor. It just says travel and training. It
doesn't say to what. For what. Anything else here. Here's one for Don
Ashworth, travel and training. I thought we agreed that we were going to start
having a location and a purpose.
Councilman Mason: Mr. Mayor, if I could.
Mayor Chmiel: Yeah.
Councilman Mason: I think we were all at the same meeting and I don't recall
that there was an agreement that that would be done. What I understood was, is
if anyone had any questions at all about any of this, to be sure to check with
Jean, right?
Mayor Chmiel: Yes. Yeah, that was the discussion.
Councilman Mason: And if so desired, those folders could be pulled and checked
as opposed to anyone in the city having to take the time to type every little
thing out that's going on here.
Mayor Chmiel: Or you could even review the expense sheet that indicates where
it's been. Where we've gone. Mine was for, and I can think of it right off
hand, mine was for mileage to St. Paul, two different times at the Metropolitan
Council. Over to Chaska City Council. School District over at Chaska.
Councilman Senn: Don, I guess that's fine. My understanding is different than
Mr. Mason's. I left that meeting, I thought assured by Don that they were going
to be included. He was going to talk to Jean. If I wanted to, I could follow
up and talk to Jean about my specific requirements. I told Don that wasn't
necessary because as long as there was a general explanation of what it was and
where it was, I'd be happy. And I thought we had an agreement on that.
Don Ashworth: I still have some problem. For example again I'll go to the
Mayor's or my own but, I mean in both instances I would call them miscellaneous.
In other words there's been 10 meetings of under $10.00 each or $15.00. I mean
would that help if it said 6 meetings.
Councilman Senn: Miscellaneous mileage. Put miscellaneous mileage. I mean
that's different than an airplane ticket to New York. I mean you know, the
explanation you're giving here which is zero tells you nothing in terms of what
you're approving.
Don Ashworth: I think that Jean has been trying to include additional
information under each one and I think each time we're maybe learning a little
bit more as to what it is the Council is looking for under those. So again,
under the travel and training I will ask for if they can put in, if there's 6
miscellaneous, than it's 6 miscellaneous, or 6 under $15.00 or whatever the case
may be.
17
City Council Meeting - March 22, 1993
Councilman Senn: Yeah. What I specifically requested before was travel,
training, subscriptions, dues. Things like that that we list what they are so
we know.
Don Ashworth: I'm sorry. I was kind of looking for a list and I hadn't heard
it.
Councilman Wing: You know Mark's, I'm supposed to raise my hand.
Mayor Chmiel: Sure, go ahead.
Councilman Wing: I can sort of sense where Mark's coming from except being from
the Fire Department, I've seen Jean hammer us so bad so fast. I mean if there's
a hawkeye in this city, that's where it's at and you don't rent a car for $12.00
if you could have gotten it for $11.00. She won't pay it so you've got your
budget money and she watches those budgets and their numbers extremely close. So
when we get to this point, this is something that's been scrutinized already by
someone that's a lot more qualified to scrutinize it and knows the numbers
better than we are and I don't know if she has to then transpose all that
scrutinization so we can look at it arbitrarily and pick out one or two items
that may or may not work. And I guess to go with Mr. Mason. I think if you've
got a problem, a phone call to Jean is going to get your more information than
you want to hear.
Mayor Chmiel: And she'll be there.
Councilman Wing: And she'll be there. There's no question about it. They run
an extremely tight ship.
Councilman Senn: If that's the way we want to handle them, then that will be
understood.
Councilman Wing: Well I favor more information although there's more
information on here now, and be specific on what you want...50 pages here
because then I'm not going to go through it.
Councilman Senn: Again, I wrote a two page letter explaining that. I guess I'm
not going to, you know go pull it out of the file and read it again I guess. I
thought that would have been sufficient to explain what I wanted...one question.
Why are we paying the engineer on Minnewashta Parkway more money?
Councilman Wing: Which number is it?
Councilman Senn: 050985.
Councilwoman Dockendorf: As long as you bring up the issue. What was resolved
since the last Council meeting with the Parkway.
Councilman Wing: Fixed it.
Mayor Chmiel: We took care of it. Put additional rock. Graded it with a pitch
in the center so it has a slope and a drain off. It's still not the best but
it's the best we can possibly get as of right now.
18
City Council Meeting - March 22, 1993
Councilman Senn: Well you know listening to the past comments of Council, I
mean so far this project has turned into about the biggest disaster the City has
ever experienced. Both costwise and citizen wise, yet every, just about every
month there's another payment here to the guy who caused the disaster.
Mayor Chmiel: Well I think we've gotten a new insight on that. If we can't get
it completed by September, we're not going to move into October.
Councilman Senn: You mean we keep paying him until September Don? I mean just
a question. I get real confused because I come to these meetings and here these
very specific comments yet I don't see any follow thru.
Councilman Wing: Good. Well I'll help you pick that one out then. That was
which number again? 050?
Mayor Chmiel: What page were you on?
Councilman Senn: That is on page 3. 050985.
Don Ashworth: Charles should respond but this city entered into a contract with
the engineer. That contract is on a percent of work completed by contractor.
I'm confident, well Charles why don't you go ahead.
Charles Folch: As Don was eluding to, we do have a contract that we've entered
into basically with the consultant engineer which is based on a percentage of
the project cost and therefore as the project construction progresses, basically
the percent of completions typically mirror the percentage of payment that is
made. Partial payments that are made to the consultant. Actually we went with
Bill Engelhardt almost 9 months into the project back. Starting back from the
feasibility phase before we actually, before they actually submitted any payment
invoices from the city so from that standpoint certainly we aren't paying ahead
on anything and this is a typical contract as with any other consultant engineer
on a project in this city.
Councilman Senn: You know I guess I'd like to see this item pulled and I'd also
like some review by the City Attorney as to whether this company is in company
is in conformance with their contract or not. Or is in potential violation of
it. I'm going back to again a lot of what I've heard.
Mayor Chmiel: Let me ask a question before you go that far. So we don't spend
some more money over money that you're concerned about. Do you have any idea
Charles as to where we are with that contractor in the agreement?
Charles Folch: The actual percentage numbers right now, without going back and
checking a file, I couldn't tell you off hand but I guess maybe somebody needs
to inform as to what's been failed to be done or why we wouldn't want to proceed
with paying them for some services that they provided.
Councilman Wing: Well I think Mark spelled it out. It's been a disaster. The
grade wasn't done right. There wasn't enough material put on. The neighbors
have ruin their cars. Their clothes. Their driveways. It's the worst disaster
the City's ever faced as far as it's citizens is concerned and it's been really
embarrassing to me and I think Bill's got egg on his face. I don't think the
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City Council Meeting - March 22, 1993
present project got started too late. I don't think it was done in good faith.
I didn't believe it was going to be successful and none of the neighbors did.
Every letter that came out from Bill or you promised things that never occurred
on time tables that never happened and then we get to this spring and
engineering goes out and says, well it's flat. Well it should have done this.
It should have been graded. It should have had this on it. So finally after
Council puts the pressure on, somebody goes out and fixes it. Well maybe it
should have been done that way last fall. And if Bill was the engineer, he
should have been responsible. And the buck has to stop someplace and I guess
I'm with Mark. Maybe the buck's got to stop with Bill and we ought to pull this
item and look at the whole project. Although this payment may be from past
work. Maybe we're got to look at where we're going from now on because this
hasn't gone right and it hasn't been good.
Councilman Senn: ...quit getting calls and dry cleaning bills.
Mayor Chmiel: I know. I've been out there several times myself. And I didn't
charge the city for the wash jobs either. But that's probably true. Alright,
can we have an approval of this payroll check register as well as the accounts
payable and to review item 050985 by our engineering department to determine
what has really transpired on that particular project. And at this time I don't
want to give it to the City Attorney to spend some additional dollars at this
time.
Councilman Wing: I'd like to suggest that that item go to a work session, not a
Council agenda.
Mayor Chmiel: Alright.
Councilman Mason: I move approval of item 2(g) on the Consent Agenda.
Charles Folch: Mr. Mayor, if I might pose a question.
Mayor Chmiel: Yes.
Charles Folch: Is there, I mean what should we, what's your recommendation
staff do with future bills that come through for this project?
Mayor Chmiel: Well that's a very good question.
Don Ashworth: I think you have it on a work session so let's talk about it at
that point in time.
Councilman Wing: My intent would be to pay the bills. I want to look at the
process and what's occurred. If there was a problem, it would come out of that
discussion at that work session.
Mayor Chmiel: We're going to have that work session on the 27th. That's what I
had down. Did we change that?
Councilman Mason: The 7th of April is the work session.
Councilman Wing: And goals was on 27th.
20
City Council Meeting - March 22, 1993
Mayor Chmiel: Okay. You're right. 5:30 is the work session.
Don Ashworth: I had the 7th. 1 didn't have the 27th.
Mayor Chmiel: 8:00 a.m. In the courtyard.
Councilman Senn: 27th was a goals session was it not and then the work session
was the 7th of April.
Mayor Chmiel: That's correct.
Councilman Wing: I'd like to second the motion.
Councilman Mason moved, Councilman Wing seconded to approve the Accounts Payable
dated March 22, 1993. All voted in favor except Councilman Senn who opposed and
the motion carried.
Councilman Wing: Now does the meeting begin?
Mayor Chmiel: No. I've got to do a little apology here because I didn't know
that Susan Hurm was going to be here to speak on the Minnesota Volunteer
Recognition Week and I extend my apologies and I'd like to have you come forward
at this time to do that.
Susan Hurm: As he did mention, I'm the adult representative for the Youth
Commission and we were bringing the proclamation for Volunteer Week to the
Council to read as a proclamation. My youth person is here with me and I'd like
to introduce her. She is a junior at Chaska High School and she is kind of new
to the Commission also as I am. I am filling the position and will need to be
re- appointed by the Council again. And Natalie's going to tell, Natalie Rosini
is going to tell you what the Youth Commission has been doing the year that they
have been in existence and then I will assist her. So Natalie.
Natalie Rosini: Okay like Susan said, I'd like to tell you a little bit about
what the Youth Commission has been doing. This past January we sent in an
application to be recognized as a leadership plan and this is to Darrel Busier
at Mankato University. Eight school districts and four other sites for labs
were selected and Chaska, or District 112 was one of them. And basically it's
to learn how youth and adults work as partners on policy making bodies. And we
send information about what we do and then we get information about other
districts have been doing. It's just trying to pull it all together and give
other districts ideas. We also have two youth on our commission that are on the
Action for Children Youth Advisory Council which Governor Arnie Carlson has
started last spring. It's a take off from the Adult Advisory Council and I am
one of them and Chris Cerwanka who's a senior at Chaska High School is the other
representative. And there's 26 youth from across the state that are on this
Council. 26 were chosen out of 80 applicants so it's been a really rewarding
thing to be on. Our role is to create a vision for Minnesota's children and
families. That's a rod roll. Some of the things we've been doing is reviewing
legislation and policy. Right now we're working on a media summit and March '
31st and April 2nd, I'm not sure what channel it will be on but there's a
children's summit that we were just interviewed with the Adult Advisory Council
and President Clinton is going to be on there the third day talking about other
21
City Council Meeting - March 22, 1993
programs throughout the nation and stuff and the Action for Children Youth
Advisory Council was chosen for one of those so that should be pretty exciting.
We've also worked with the Community Education Advisory Council in Chaska and
they came to us because they wanted a youth member on their board and asked us
to take care of selecting a youth for that so we've been working with them. And
another thing that the Youth Commission is doing right now is we might
participate in the Minnesota Youth Summit which is brand new this year. It's
of, by and for the youth and it's a one day deal in April and just discussing
topics of, current topics I guess is what we'll be discussing there. Then the
Youth Volunteer Service Directory, that's another project that we've worked to
create. We put this together. I can't say I because I came in after they put
this together but basically what they did is went around to the communities and
asked them to put their input in and give ideas of, or went to businesses and
asked you know, do you need, do you have room for some volunteers. And so then
they came back to us and we put it all together and that's the Youth Service
Directory. So if you want, if a student wants to volunteer for something or get
community service hours or whatever, they can just go to the book and look it up
and choose what they'd like to do. And so that's, we've been distributing that
book throughout the community and that's how Susan I think found out about this
and came to call the Youth Commission because we were looking for someone to
fill the position for the Chanhassen representative. Right now we are currently
working with the League of Women Voters to set up Growing Up Female. That's
their program which will take place next Monday night. So if any of you would
like to come. We were asked, the Youth Commission was asked to come and talk
and answer questions just on growing up female. That's their topic. And also,
the last thing is that we've been working with Tanya Bishman who is the Carver
representative I think with the steering committee for the Community Learning
Center. Have you heard about that? It's a proposal that the District was
offered a grant and we are competing with 22 other sites around the country for
this planning grant. It's to set up, it's not a new school but it's kind of
confusing but it's a community learning center. That's what it's going to be
called. And then also we are thinking about participating in the National
Service Learning Conference but we haven't really decided. That's just too
revitalizing education or renewing communities. So that takes place in April
also. But basically the Youth Commission, we serve as a link between the
community and youth so we're here to help other programs and facilitate other
things.
Mayor Chmiel: Good. Thank you Natalie. Appreciate that.
Susan Hurm: One more thing before we give up the mic. This year we will be
updating this Youth Directory. We'll be doing this every year and if you look
through here, there isn't a whole lot from Chanhassen for the youth in
Chanhassen to do. So we will be going around again as they did last year
looking for volunteer opportunities for our kids in this community and so we
would certainly like to have your help in locating those kinds of things for the
kids to do.
Mayor Chmiel: Great. Thank you very much. It's always a pleasure to see a
younger individual within this community take an active role in what you're
doing and we certainly appreciate it.
Susan Hurm: She did a nice job.
22
City Council Meeting - March 22, 1993
Mayor Chmiel: Yes, an excellent job.
Councilman Wing: What's happening to this book? I mean there's really, just
paging through it, there's some tremendous information here. I didn't know half
these things existed. How is this being disseminated? Where is it going? How
many copies are out? It deserves some publicity.
Susan Hurm: Well we have them in the high school. We've got them in the middle
school and I'm taking them over to St. Hubert's. We're just trying to get them
to the youth as best we can. And I know that it's not well know. That this is
available.
Councilman Wing: We have the Chanhassen Villager is our local paper. Maybe
they should get a copy of this just to see what's available.
Susan Hurm: It wouldn't hurt, yeah. We would like to get a lot more PR and
each one of the youth members, representatives and the adult representatives are
going to the City Councils so they'll be going to Victoria and they'll go to
Carver and so hopefully we'll get more information out to everyone. But they've
worked real hard and they've accomplished a lot in a year. And they are a good
voice that needs to be heard. And there is now a youth member on the School
Board so they've made some inroads and they do have really strong leadership
skills which we are trying to develop. So we hope that someday maybe they'll be
on your Council.
Mayor Chmiel: The leaders of tomorrow.
Natalie Rosini: You were asking about when, what was your last question about
if that was being distributed or with the paper?
Councilman Wing: Well just the distribution of this I think is important
because there's a lot of information. I've got a, I just happened to pick one
out here. My daughter is doing some work, graduate work right now and there's a
couple things in here that just fit right in. I'm going to show this to her and
she's going to be excited to call these numbers.
Natalie Rosini: Because there's our President, or our Chairperson, excuse me,
is going to, I think he just wrote up an article to send in to the paper but
that was kind of a slow process because we've been working with other things.
There's many things.
Councilman Wing: Well Chanhassen Villager is our local paper and they're right
here in town and sometimes we can, under pressure bend their arm a little bit to
get support for things.
Natalie Rosini: That'd be great.
Mayor Chmiel: And I think we have him sitting here.
Susan Hurm: Well we appreciate anything you can do for us because they are a
good body.
23
City Council Meeting - March 22, 1993
VISITOR PRESENTATIONS:
Mayor Chmiel: Mark, may I just ask that hopefully you will get through this
without too much problem and hopefully if there's anything that we've discussed
previously, at the last meeting, I would appreciate that as well. And I'd like
to give you a shorter period of time this time than you did the last time.
Hopefully you can wind up within 5 or 10 minutes at the most.
Mark Halla: I'll do my best. I don't think there will be any problem with that.
Councilman Senn: Excuse me Don. Just a point. Do we have an item under
Visitor Presentation too that's scheduled?
Mayor Chmiel: No, that's item number 3.
Kate Aanenson: That's a visitor presentation item.
Mayor Chmiel: Oh 3, okay. Yes. We'll get to that. It is.
Mark Halla: Thank you for allowing me to speak here tonight. I've basically
written a speech and I'll just read it through and that was in the interest of
trying to save as much time as possible. I know my pursuit of this issue has
angered some of you but I appreciate you allowing a political process to
continue nonetheless. I wish to point out that you, the City Council, have the
opportunity to make a decision that will effect the city forever. You're
unfortunately in a position that pits you either against city or against local
business. You also jeopardize your own political goals if you make an unpopular
decision. I don't envy your position. I hope you consider your decision from
all sides before you finalize it. This issue to me has become one of principle
rather than simply economics. I've always agreed with the goals of reforesting
our city but I also believe you must not do this at the expense of local
business. The Tree Preservation Board by name is preservation. Not
reforestation. However, reforestation is obviously a major goal of all of us.
It's also the goal of the federal government. There are federal monies
available that by law must be spent through local business. Not in competition
with or against local business. Your decision on this matter should take into
account the actions by the federal government. To decide to compete with local
retailers in any fashion by selling anything at any price may have legal
ramifications. You are to use our dollars to improve our public land, not our
private. If you want more trees, require more when subdividing. Plant them on
boulevards. Improve landscaping on city property but don't sell them. The use
of our taxes to compete with local retailers or to sell anything for private use
is conflict of interest. It is wrong, unfair, probably illegal, contrary to the
standard government practices and should not be done. When we proposed to the
Tree Board that we may be willing to offer a discount to Chanhassen residents,
and that was all three of the local garden centers. If they match that discount
they said, the City does not intend to spend any money on this project. That is
not up for discussion. This has been labeled a top priority but there are no
funds available to promote it? Every single day, 365 days a year, I spend money
to operate my business. I pay taxes, insurances, utilities, payroll, the list
goes on. I realize that I must sell my product at a higher price than I pay for
it in order to survive. I risk my livelihood every day. If I don't make money,
I and 20 to 30 other people lose their jobs. As any entrepreneur in business
24
City Council Meeting - March 22, 1993
for himself or herself would agree, the competition from other retailers is
expected. They have similar cost and overhead and therefore similar pricing.
Competition from a city that does not have these other associated costs is
unexpected, unjust and immoral. The end does not justify the means. The Tree
Preservation Board would be better off seeking local retailers support rather
than alienating them. It was expressed at our meeting last Monday night that
the Arbor Day celebration itself was an important aspect of this program. It
was mentioned that the local retailers could donate trees or possibly even move
one with a tree spade for the city celebration. That would help bring a crowd
and also get us some exposure but they would still sell their trees. Halla
Nursery has in the past donated goods or services to the city and may do so in
the future but the incentive to do so would be greatly reduced if this program
continues. The lack of support in this instance is overwhelming. I'm disgusted
that the city in which I operate would even consider selling anything for any
reason to private citizens for their own private use. This program does just
that and should not continue. The city has 3 garden centers that local
residents can go to for landscaping, trees, shurbs, related products. The
competition between these garden centers will naturally keep pricing fair. You
may believe the prices for these products are too high but that isn't your
concern. Each one of us in this business is competitive not only with each
other but with the general Twin City marketplace for similar goods. We would
not be in this business if we didn't strongly support your end goal of
reforestation and beautification of our environment. That's the unquestionable
truth. I think we all agree on that. Please help us achieve this goal through
education, city programs that stress the value of trees, recycling, legislation
to require more trees, etc, but not through selling to the public. As you
already know, the 3 local garden centers have written support of more than 40
local businesses. I believe that was mailed to each of you. In addition I have
here some more signatures bringing the total support against this program
upwards of 50 local businesses. All of these are either owners or managers. I
also have some information on the federal tree planting program. It outlines
the method of promoting reforestation as well as the fact that it can only be
used through small business and on public land only. I wish to point out that
I'm representing the viewpoint of not only myself but over 50 other business
people. We've used the political process as it was meant to be used and we have
no animosity towards any member of the city or the Council itself, and hope you
feel the same. I know that your decision will be based on what you believe is
best for our communit and I don't fault you for that. I admire you for it. This
will be a late night and I know you're all doing the best you can. I thank you
for hearing me out and I have some paperwork that I think might help in your
decision. Who would you like me to pass it out to?
Mayor Chmiel: Good, thank you. Why don't you just bring those and give those
up here to the Council. Whatever you have.
Councilman Senn: Don I have a question if I could.
Mayor Chmiel: Sure.
Councilman Senn: Last meeting when this came up I asked that these guys go back
and meet with the Tree Board. It sounds like that's occurred but it sounds, if
I'm interpretting the comments correctly, that it kind of went nowhere or did
nothing?
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City Council Meeting - March 22, 1993
Mayor Chmiel: No. My understanding is that the other two nurseries or the
other two people who were in business within the city, maybe Todd can answer
that particular question.
Todd Hoffman: To answer your question Councilman Senn. I did carry out the
City Council's directive. Called a special meeting of the Tree Preservation
Board with the retailers. Mr. Halla, Mr. Jay Kronick and Mr. Jim Wilson. As a
result of that meeting the board, boardmember Schroers moved and Eiler seconded
that they made a motion to sponsor as a part of the Arbor Day celebration,
specifically on that day, that Saturday morning, a tree sale offering 50 inch
and one half, balled and burlapped sugar maple trees in observance of the city's
emblem at considerably reduced prices. That would be on a first come, first
serve basis as part of the event. Single tree per person. In addition to that,
that local vendors are invited to participate in the process or the event as
they choose and we suggested that we could distribute sales flyers or
information to the residents and participants of that celebration from each of
the individual businesses. So the tree sale as occurred last year was
dismantled. It was not suggested that that would continue. Upon calling Mr.
Halla, Jay Kronick and Jim Wilson the morning after the Tree Board meeting to
inform them of this position, Mr. Kronick and Mr. Wilson responded favorably to
the process, and at least neutrally if not favorably to the outcome. However
Mr. Halla continued to express his displeasure with the issue.
Councilman Senn: And when does this recommendation from the Tree Board come to
the Council for consideration, or doesn't it?
Todd Hoffman: It was my understanding that the City Council asked that the Tree
Board resolve the issue and this is their resolve.
Mayor Chmiel: Yeah, and I think that was the direction we had given at that
time.
Councilman Senn: Well I think that we asked that they meet and see if they
could resolve the issue. From what I'm hearing it wasn't resolved.
Councilman Mason: Well no, two of the people involved in the nursery business
at least gave tacit approval to this time around because it was a little too
late to stop it. An I correct in assuming that Todd?
Todd Hoffman: Correct.
Councilman Mason: Now I had a chat with Jay Kronick after that and I suggested
to him maybe after the first of the year we sit down and see how we can, for
years previous get all this worked out. And he was amenable. So I believe that
2 of the 3 were, like Todd said, at least in tacit agreement.
Mark Halla: Let me point out.
Councilman Wing: Let's just keep going here.
Mayor Chmiel: We're just having it right here at Council yet. I also had
discussions with Jay and basically what you said is what he said to me as well.
And I think the intent as we indicated a long time ago was the fact, not trying
26
City Council Meeting - March 22, 1993
to_take business away from existing nurseries or businesses. The intent behind
it was to promote the planting of trees which was the main intent and what we
indicated at that time to be selling the trees for cost, was just that fact of
putting trees in. To get them planted and hopefully helping the environment as
well in cleaning it. But I know that the position that we had taken at that
time and clarification that I had made at that particular meeting was that we
know that they weren't going to be making money on this but hopefully we were
looking at it from the Council standpoint to promote an exposure to those
businesses, or whoever that successful bidder was last year. And that was where
we were really coming from with this whole situation. I don't think this
Council nor myself would take a position to try to run in competition with any
other businesses in this community. If anything we do, we support those
businesses and do that rather strongly.
Mark Halla: That's exactly why I got the petition together.
Mayor Chmiel: That's right. That's right. And many of those people who had
even signed that petition had called me and said, can you tell me really what
I really signed. They still had some concerns.
Mark Halla: I wouldn't now that.
Mayor Chmiel: But nonetheless, I just wanted to make that clarification.
Richard do you.
Councilman Wing: I just might clarify what we did that night because I was
there and I agreed with the business and the retail group that were there. They
had some valid points and I think we listened intently and we listened hard and
I think that's the reason was called in the first place. What we did was stop a
month long process with a tree sale that went over weeks and weeks and weeks and
tried to sell as many trees as we could and unknown number and I think last year
we sold 60. What we decided to do was just have an Arbor Day and some way to,
you've got to get people in the door somehow to this Arbor Day celebration. So
we decided to pick one tree a year. This year it just happened to be a maple
because it's our signature. Limit it to 50 trees total and use those trees to
bring people in on an educational process. I guess our goal here was urban
reforestation. This is a long term decade after decade type goal. It's not,
the retailers came in and were talking about today and me and I and what's best
for me today and how it's going to effect me today and I started to shut it out
because there was no talk about the city and it's future. It's growth and how
they might help and present a better program. So as an attempt to compromise in
this environmental issue, we simply cut it down to one day, no more than one
day. 50 trees, which is fewer than...local community in it's entirety with
brochures, with trucks, set up stands if they want to and give away discount
coupons. Pass out brochures. Whatever they want to but I see this as
bolstering the local business community. Not hurting it. I was, frankly Mark
when you come up here and start talking about being against local business, I
think I'm being supportive of local business. When you start talking to a guy
like me that's heart and soul on this Council, and talk about political goals
and political decisions, you're out of line. That really, if I'm turning red,
I'm glad I'm tan because I'm not a politician and I'm working for the city and
I'm trying to be visionary long term and business is our local community and I
don't agree with your position or your statement at all. And I think if you've
27
City Council Meeting - March 22, 1993
chosen to get on this band wagon, Halla Nursery could have become famous in this
thing. So I just can't agree with what we're going. Now the one question I do
have is the legality. This seems to be a real common thing in a lot of cities.
In our community and certainly out East is where we got this started our idea.
Is this illegal for us to have a few trees on a Saturday morning and pick them
up at wholesale and sell them to the community?
Roger Knutson: I don't think so.
Councilman Wing: I don't think so either.
Roger Knutson: The DNR's been selling trees for, forever might be too long but
for a long time.
Councilman Wing: So I don't agree that it's illegal. I think you're wrong.
Vernelle Clayton: I just have a suggestion. It's not original with me. It was
Brad's idea a long time ago and I didn't follow up on it. It seems to me that
we have a good thing going here. That the city's trees could be sort of like a
lost leader and Market Square, we manage the shopping center. That's I
understand where the give away is going to be taking place. We would certainly
be happy to invite the nursery folks to come and have a few of their wares to
display as well. Come and get the free trees as a sort of incentive to come out
and then see their pretty things and buy them I think could be a win -win all the
way around and you're welcome to come and I'd be happy to invite the others.
Mayor Chmiel: Could you please state your name just for the record.
Vernelle Clayton: Oh, for the record I'm Vernelle Clayton.
Mark Halla: I'd appreciate that opportunity and we'll probably take you up on
that. I've always stressed that I firmly believe in this end goal. For 50 some
years we've been in business doing this same thing. We've been out here for
nearly 30. And Richard I apologize if I've offended you in any way because I
certainly did not mean that, but I can state the facts for what they are and
there's 50 signatures on that petition stating they believe the program as it
stands is incorrect. Don in reference to whether they signed it and then read
it afterwards, I can't say that. I can only say that you or I would probably
read something before we signed it and each of them seemed to have read it
before they signed it. As you can see, a lot of them are faxed in. They're all
hand written in their own writing so I believe strongly in the issue and I
pursued it and if I've angered any of you, I apologize for that. That wasn't my
intent. It simply was to say I disagree with the process here. To do the best
that I could to change it and if I can't change it, then it's like voting for
President. I'm going to get behind the new person or the new program and try to
support it. I think it's wrong. There's no question about it. It is wrong.
You have no business in being in the free market enterprise system. It's not
right.
Don Ashworth: Mr. Mayor, I'd like to bring up one last point because I did have
an opportunity to talk with Mark. I guess I felt happy about the process in
that the City Council listened to the concerns of the retailers. Asked that the
item be submitted back over to the Tree Board, which is represented by S
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City Council Meeting - March 22, 1993
citizens. Each of the retailers were given an opportunity to speak and give
their thoughts. The Tree Board listened and then they voted. I guess that's
what I think government's all about. It's a democracy. It's an opportunity for
people to express their views. You present those to a neutral group and a
decision is made. That Tree Board did not have the latest information which is
now this survey of businesses. I think where the Council finds themself pressed
between a rock is that at our last meeting, at the meeting at which time we sent
it back to the Tree Board and asked them to reconsider, we knew that we were
running short of time if you were going to have a program for 1993. To now
again come back with additional new information, I think that would surely kill
the program for '93. I suggested to Mark that although he did not get all of
the things he was looking at through the Tree Board, I thought that they had
made major concessions towards the retailers. And I encouraged him to continue
to work through that group and hopefully earlier than we did this year to
potentially make it better for '94, '95. I mean I do not know why, whatever the
program is this year has to be exactly what we do in '94. This is not the same
as 1992 and again I would think '94 would even...further.
Mayor Chmiel: Yes and I just might add a little bit to that. I also talked to
a couple members on the Tree Board and they'd be willing to sit down and
re- review what could happen for 1994. I think as they had put it, it's sort of
'a put and take kind of situation. To hopefully get this thing resolved within
that particular commission. So if we can do that, I think maybe everybody's
going to be happy in the long run. Mark.
Councilman Senn: From all the stuff I've seen I guess going back and forth on
this, I think given the fact that it's already been published, etc, I think what
they've gone back and worked out appears to be a good quick solution for '93.
But beyond that I guess I'd like to reiterate the comments I made last time and
that is, while I'm not necessarily in full agreement with anyone in specifically
saying, I do think that we should seriously examine our role in this and I think
our role is really education and promoting the planting of trees and stuff and
not selling them and I think we ought to really take a hard look at that as it
relates to future years.
Mayor Chmiel: And that is what the discussion will wind up being with the Tree
Board. Come up with a conclusion as we've discussed, right?
Todd Hoffman: Correct.
Mayor Chmiel: Okay, thank you.
REQUEST FOR SMALLER AVERAGE LOT SIZES IN THE PUD ZONE TO ALLOW FOR AFFORDABLE
HOUSING. DOLEJSI PROPERTY NORTH OF LAKE RILEY AND BANDIMERE PARK, TERRY FORBORD,
LUNDGREN BROS.
Terry Forbord: Your Honor, members of the City Council. My name is Terry
Forbord with Lundgren Bros, 935 East Wayzata Boulevard in Wayzata. And a point
of clarification. We are not here specifically this evening to be site specific
about a particular piece of property. It was probably my error. I may have
misinformed staff of that but I am here this evening to talk about for your
consideration a review of the zoning ordinance related to lot size and also the
PUD ordinance as recently adopted and it's inflexibility for creativity in the
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City Council Meeting - March 22, 1993
development of neighborhood communities. I have with me this evening John Uban.
We're going to be very brief with a presentation to you regarding this. It was
2 years ago Saturday that I appeared before the Planning Commission at their
request when they were discussing the PUD ordinance. In fact it was a member of
Dahlgren, Shadlow and Uban that participated in that presentation at the
Planning Commission with me and interestingly enough, a different PUD ordinance
was adopted. But we will be very brief in this. We just ask for your
consideration on this matter. At this time I'm just going to let John give you
an overview.
John Uban: Thank you Terry. John Uban, I'm a planning consultant and both in
the private sector and the public sector and we've been helping Lundgren Bros on
many different projects really in the western suburbs. And what we'd like to
have the city consider is a review of the PUD ordinance and so we can have more
flexibility in developing Lundgren type neighborhoods in the community. What
we're finding is that you have a PUD but it doesn't quite give the flexibility
that we think is needed. We have developed some neighborhoods that have a
certain level of housing but we'd like more diversity. We're looking for more
diversity. There's more pressure because of environmental concerns and so forth
to have a lotting pattern that is more efficient and more cost effective. So
we're really would like to give that cost effective housing product to the city
and we want to look at it in different ways. We need to look at trying to get
to some lot sizes, about 9,500 square feet in a way that we can still provide
all those amenities in the Lundgren Bros style. Buffering busy highways. Adding
other special amenities within the neighborhood. Doing a really good job of
mitigating environmental effects on the property. There are a variety of things
that really speak to having a quality neighborhood developed on every parcel.
Now every parcel in the city is not necessarily subject for smaller lot sizes.
We think this should be carefully considered but should be looked at very
specifically on PUD's that come through and have performance ratings that would
really promote good housing. What we see is people, typical housing or a client
or a new resident, income $40,000.00 to $50,000.00 looking at a house in the
range of $100,000.00 to $150,000.00. Coming into the community. How can they
afford the best house possible and this is what we're trying to give them. If
we're kind of locked into a larger lot size, larger lot width, there's a
singular cost associated with that and so they'll always try to maximize the
best house possible on the lot. If we can bring in smaller lots that are still
excellent lots in the community but smaller with amenities with them, then we
can offer something to them where they can put in a higher quality house. Maybe
a larger house than they normally would be able to afford. So it's that whole
package to build quality in the neighborhood that should be looked at. Not have
a singular goal of just larger lots or a certain size lot but to allow
flexibility so there is a method of getting quality neighborhoods and a quality
house. We think people really want to have an efficient product that speaks
well toward that neighborhood. Sort of the thing that we want to leave you
with, and is this idea that this kind of housing project will develop the best
neighborhoods, the best tax base, and the best diversity and flexibility that
the city can really look at to provide all those housing opportunities that you
should have in the city. We're finding that this sort of move up from different
styles of houses within a community is an important part of becoming a member of
a city so that there's lot of different levels of opportunity and we want to
offer that in our types of development. So we would like to have you consider
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City Council Meeting - March 22, 1993
this. Have staff look at it. We'd like to participate and hopefully bring this
before you for some consideration.
Terry Forbord: Your Honor, as many of you well know and I think some of you are
participating, there are two legislative items this session regarding these
types of issues. One is the Community Stabilization Act offered by
Representative Orfield. And another one is offered by Senator Mondale. I'm not
here to judge the merit of every one of those and I'm not, I certainly have my
own personal opinions of both of those and I don't necessarily believe that
they're in the best interest of the community. However I do know, after meeting
with both those people out of curiousity to find out what their motives are.
Some of the things that they do say have some merit. It's the methodology of
how they go about it that probably disturbs most people. But in my presentation
to the Planning Commission 2 years ago, one of the things that I discovered to
my surprise was the Planning Commission told me that they, number one, had never
allowed a PUD in the city. And number two, they certainly had never allowed lot
sizes smaller in the range certainly below 15,000 square feet. I was very
surprised. At that time I put up an exhibit of the Near Mountain Planned Unit
Development which is developed by Lundgren Bros and is now almost complete.
There are 144 lots in Near Mountain that are under 12,500 square feet. They
range from as low as 8,500 square feet to 12,500 with lot widths as low as 65
feet. And interestingly enough, Chanhassen and this project were selected in a
national award. I'm not here just to toot Lundgren Bros' because this is a
community award and it was on this project and it was in the front page and a
foldout section of Builder Magazine in 1984. So it was almost 9 years ago that
the City of Chanhassen had the vision to provide a diversity in both housing
product and price range. And it's only been in recent memory through the
revision and amendment of the Planning Unit Development and Zoning Ordinances
that larger lots became what they are today. What we're telling you is that in
order for us to provide more affordable housing, lot sizes have to get smaller.
What we're also telling you that on certain sites that may be next to highways,
that may be flat as a pancake without a tree on it. In order to take a site
like that and mitigate the impact of the highway, to plant a lot of trees, to
create hills where there are no hills, to put in ponds where there are no ponds,
that costs a lot of money and the only way one can do that is by increasing the
density. The net result is a finer neighborhood community. The density and on
these 144 lots, is 2.2 dwelling units per acre at Near Mountain. It's already
there. It's been there for almost 10 years. There's a brand new neighborhood
community right adjacent to the Chanhassen boundary in Eden Prairie. Right off
of Dell Road just south of Highway 5 called Windfield North that we are
developing with the Pemtom Corporation. The density in there is 2.7 dwelling
units per acre. All that we're asking for you to do is we merely request that
the City Council direct the staff and the Planning Commission to open public
hearings. To review the existing zoning ordinances related to lot size and the
PUD ordinance. Right now you might as well not have a residential PUD
ordinance. It has virtually no flexibility whatsoever and it's impossible to
achieve really what I understood the ultimate goal of it to be. So we're just
asking you at this time, being that we will be coming to the city in the near
future with two more requests for Planned Unit Developments, that we ask you to
consider reopening those public hearings so we can give you a more elaborate
presentation with more facts and more details hopefully to persuade the city to
allow a greater diversity of housing product within the community. Thank you.
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City Council Meeting - March 22, 1993
Mayor Chmiel: Thank you Terry. Any discussions? Richard.
Councilman Wing: I would, Terry you've been here my two years and you're aware
that we just completed this process. The Planning Commission physically gave up
on lot size and sent them to the Council. And we debated this for at least the
2 years Mike and myself have been here and we just now, we held up a PUD
ordinance for a year and a half on lot size and we finally decided to stay with
15,000, although some of us wanted to go higher.
Councilman Mason: Some of us wanted to go lower.
Councilman Wing: Some of us wanted to go lower, and we compromised where we
are. I think we went down to 10 or 9,500.
Mayor Chmiel: No, 12.
Kate Aanenson: The lots can go down to 11,000 but they have to average 15,000.
Councilman Wing: 15, right. And so we just got done with that after 2 years of
arguing. My proposal was the same thing I just said. If we're going to really
talk about affordable housing. I mean if we really are concerned about
affordable housing, our PUD isn't going to do that and a 15,000 foot subdivision
doesn't do it. And Lakeville has projects that are 50 x 150 foot lots. 7,500
square foot lots and maybe there's some need for that. But I went to the
extreme, I said I want a 22,000 square foot lot size average and in a PUD you
can go down to a 7,000 if you want to. There's some flexibility. But density
became the word and nobody could define density and nobody could come up with a
density formula so we kind of stayed where we were. So to open this up again is
denying that we just completed the process. I mean literally within the last 2
months, 3 months we just completed the process. And 1 hear what you're saying.
It's not flexible enough.
Councilman Mason: What's moderate priced housing for Lundgren Bros? No
seriously.
Terry Forbord: Well I think the other, the scope of this, we all need to
understand that the engine that drives the machine, and I've testified at the
Met Council until I'm blue in the face on this and they will never admit it.
When you have a restricted urban service area the price of land goes up. It's a
supply and demand. Right now land in Chanhassen for residential purposes,
depending on the school district you're in. If you include Minnetonka and
Chaska school district, prices of land are going to be anywhere from
approximately $18,000.00, $19,000.00 at the very low end to $35,000.00 to
$45,000.00 per acre on the high end. And that would be in the areas in the
Minnetonka School District. So it's almost virtually impossible to provide any
sense of what most people would call affordable housing when they're on 15,000
square foot lots.
Councilman Mason: But Terry, you're not answering the question. I mean what do
you folks consider. I mean we do have some very, I think important issues and
it's going to come up on the next, for number 5. For what we do with Block
Grant money in providing moderate to low income housing and I guess what I want
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City Council Meeting - March 22, 1993
to know is Lundgren Bros serious about providing moderate cost housing for
people with moderate incomes?
Terry Forbord: Okay, we can provide as moderate a price of housing as what the
raw land price and the lot size will dictate. For example, and I can only use
living example and you don't have to believe me. You can go there yourself.
Eden Prairie. Windfield North. Homes there, the base price starts at about
$135,000.00 and then it goes up from there.
Councilman Mason: But that's not moderate priced housing though.
Terry Forbord: It depends on who you're talking to.
Councilman Mason: Terry, for people with moderate or low incomes, $135,000.00
is on the high end. Now I think we really need to talk serious in definitions
here. I'm not saying I'm in disagreement with smaller PUD's or anything like
that but I'm hearing some awfully alturistic stuff right now.
Terry Forbord: And I'm not here suggesting that we're providing low income
housing. Not at all because that's impossible to do in Chanhassen. It will
never happen unless it's subsidized. Impossible.
Councilman Mason: That very well may be.
Terry Forbord: But moderately priced housing certainly is in the range that I'm
telling you.
Councilman Wing: But I don't want to be market driven either. Maybe we don't
want to provide 7,500 square foot lots and Orono is what? Maybe we want to be
in Orono. What do you say to the Orono Council? Do you try to get them down
from 2 acres to an acre and a half?
Terry Forbord: Orono doesn't have sewer and water so it's a different issue.
Or the majority of it doesn't. And all I'm asking this evening is for
consideration. I realize you just went through a lot of this and I came here
and volunteered my time, certainly more often than once, and tried to share with
you purely from a planning standpoint and from a housing standpoint, of the
problems associated with the proposed amendment to the PUD ordinance. And it
wouldn't work and it doesn't work. Now all I'm suggesting is maybe it should be
reviewed and maybe you can take a proactive stance rather than a non- proactive
stance and say, you know. Do we want to be a community where $200,000.00 is the
minimum price range, base price range or do we want to try to get into that
$140,000.00 - $135,000.00 range and work up from there? And by allowing smaller
lots, it allows you to do that. And you've already done it and it's already
been very successful. Now if you were to look back of me and say that wasn't
successful, it's a slum and it's in this city and the reason it's a slum is
because they were small lots, then I'll walk away.
Councilman Wing: No but some of the comments on record stating that we don't
particularly like the area, or like the density and the appearance of those
small lots and we have had consistently problems with small lots. The project
was wonderful. It won an award. I don't like it. I drive down TH 101 and I
go, geez could we cram any more houses in there. So I don't like the small lots
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City Council Meeting - March 22, 1993
Terry and I've got to be upfront and honest about that. I prefer much less
density and it may rule my kids out buying a house in Chan or I might have to
move out someday.
Councilman Mason: Personally I'd like to hear what's said because I know, and
I think Paul Krauss has talked about this too. The difference between urban
sprawl, or suburban sprawl and density and there's a trade -off I think as our
city is growing by leaps and bounds that we really need to take a look at.
Councilman Wing: I don't think we resolved it with what we did. It was an
effort to compromise and I think affordable housing is the key word and I agree
with Terry. The only way you get that down is land cost by today's standards
and that means smaller lots but not if it gives up density. That's where I get
hung up here.
Mayor Chmiel: And it's that moderately, even reaching moderately priced. What
is a moderate priced house?
Councilman Mason: And maybe that's something we need to grapple with too.
Councilman Senn: When you did go through the past review in the PUD ordinance,
was any thought given to a lower density but on a rationing type of basis? Like
for every x lots you develop you're allowed 1 lot of 7,5000 square feet or you
know that type of thing. I have seen that used effectively in some other cities
where in effect it deals with the problem Dick that you mentioned which is
letting the density get carried away but at the same time it does provide for
and allow for types of situations which Terry's talking about. It controls the
total numbers in relationship to some overall size or plan so to speak.
Mayor Chmiel: Some of the problem with that being too, of course is what that
footprint's going to be on that existing proposed lot of whatever it's going to
be. I think we're running into some difficulties with that with people wishing
and wanting to put decks on their homes.
Kate Aanenson: If I could just add to that. What we did is we came up with the
standard home pad size is because what happened is we approved those and then we
constantly were innundated with variances on that so we came up with the
standard home size. Allowing for deck, front yard, rear yard and then we said
the minimum and then an average square foot.
Mayor Chmiel: And I too like Richard, have been an advocate of having larger
lot sizes only because of this being a young community. A young community needs
kids off the streets rather than in the streets and in their yards. If you have
it too small, there's not that availability for those kids to do what they want
to do and play. Whether it be football or softball or whatever. But I just,
I've taken that position of saying that 15,000, I too had that in mind at the
time and wanted to see that brought into the city because of those concerns.
I too look at some of those, the areas in Near Mountain. I think those houses
are very close to each other as well. I'm not exceptionally excited about it
but I would take still, yet the position of saying that if were to bring these
down to what you're looking for, I guess I'm still where I'm at with the 15,000
and having that adjusted for the PUD.
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City Council Meeting - March 22, 1993
Terry Forbord: Your Honor, the interesting thing, I was going to prepare this
exhibit for the benefit of the Council and I didn't get it don but I can, I
think I can graphically represent it to you verbally. What the current
ordinance prefers me to do would be to take a piece of property. I have right
now a piece of property in Chanhassen that's about 77 acres. There's no trees.
There's no hills. There's no wetlands. What it encourages me to do is to grid
it out. It encourages me not to do any landscaping. It encourages me not to do
any ponding. It encourages me not to do any buffering. It tells me to put in
the straightest streets as I can because they're the cheapest. Make all the
lots 90 feet wide and make them 15,000 square feet and meet the letter of the
ordinance and make it a vanilla subdivision. Just like all the other uncreative
subdivisions in the United States that have been done. That's what the
ordinance is telling me that Chanhassen wants. Now I know each one of you
enough and I've worked with you enough that you're going to say geez, that isn't
really what we want for Chanhassen. And what I'm saying to you is that you put
in the pressure on the developer to give you nothing more than what I've
described to you. The PUD ordinance, in using your words during the public
hearing, it should be a carrot and stick. And if we're willing to take unusual
situations and bring something in creative. Remember you throw out the ordinance
book with the PUD and everything's up to you. You have the authority to approve
it or deny it. And so we bring in something to you and we say we're going to
take a cow's ear and make it into a silk purse. Let's work together. Let's try
to do that and it gives the city the ability to do that where right now when you
say that you can be as small as 11,000 square feet but they all must average
15,000 square feet and they all must be 90 foot wide at the setback, you've just
thrown away any creativity that one can do.
Mayor Chmiel: I guess this really has come into the fact that this has been a
request that has been brought forward and I think it's going into a debate more
than it is a request. And I think that I feel that whatever, do you have any
specific concerns Colleen?
Councilwoman Dockendorf: Well I think we're all grappling with the same issue
which is...diverse community and yet we want a lot of open space and they're
working against each other. I'm not sure what the solution is and I tend to sit
on the side of larger lots but how do you accomplish that. Either you've got
single family homes in the $200,000.00 range and apartments and there's no
inbetween. Or you've got suburban sprawl so I guess all I want to say is I
don't know. I think we're all struggling with the same issue.
Mayor Chmiel: I don't think we're going to take a position on this this
evening. Maybe we should discuss this too at our workshop.
Councilwoman Dockendorf: It's a good time to talk about it.
Mayor Chmiel: And see that if we can come up with some conclusions on it either
yes or no. Or at least see what it is and what it looks like. Mark, did you
have anything more? Okay. Thank you.
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City Council Meeting - March 22, 1993
PUBLIC HEARING: METES AND BOUNDS SUBDIVISION OF A 40,823 SQ. FT. PARCEL INTO
TWO PARCELS, 1950 CRESTVIEW CIRCLE, WAYNE POPPE.
Public Present:
Name Address
Wayne Poppe 1950 Crestview Circle
Julie Thorndycraft 1940 Whitetail Ridge Court
Daniel Delaleese 1940 Whitetail Ridge Court
Mayor Chmiel: My understanding the two lots would consistent of 19,535 square
feet and 21,888 square feet.
Kate Aanenson: That's pretty much the staff report. I'll just add that one
issue that we did look at was, we need additional right -of -way on Galpin so the
part of the condition of this will be requesting that the additional 17 feet of
right -of -way be granted. The other issue is the Crestview Drive itself.
Normally we only allowed 4 homes off that. The engineering departmenting in
looking at it felt that under the circumstances, that 5 homes would be okay and
that improvement of the street is not necessary at this point. There is sewer
available. Sewer and water available for both lots. The existing home will
meet the setback requirements except that it already is in non - compliance to the
front setback off of Crestview Drive. By splitting it in no way changes that
setback requirement. So with the condition of the additional right -of -way,
staff would recommend approval.
Mayor Chmiel: Thank you. We were just having a short discussion here regarding
some of the things we were talking about.
Councilwoman Dockendorf: I'd just like to clarify one thing which Mike did
answer for me but I wanted to put on the record. I thought a couple of months
ago we had said no more metes and bounds descriptions would be. And this was in
the hopper before that decision was made and that's why we've got a metes and
bounds description?
Mayor Chmiel: Kate?
Kate Aanenson: That's a good question. I raised that same issue. Because it
was my understanding that we weren't allowing those either. We can allow for a
simple lot split when it's straight forward. Clean as far as the legal
description when it goes from metes and bounds to another metes and bounds. I'm
assuming Jo Ann worked with Roger on the interpretation of that and it just goes
to City Council.
Roger Knutson: I discuss lots of planning requests every day and this one
doesn't stand out in my mind but I assume what they're doing. There's a
procedure under your ordinance, not for city staff to approve a metes and bounds
subdivision. There are two procedures. First, in a limited way the city can
approve, city staff can approve administratively certain simple subdivisions of
property. There are only 2 or 3 of them that you allow and city staff can do
that without ever bringing it here. It's right in the Code. What was being
36
City Council Meeting - March 22, 1993
proposed for change, and the ordinance you rejected, would have opened that up
from 2 or 3 to a lot.
Kate Aanenson: I can reference the section of the Code. It's under Chapter,
Subdivision Chapter 18. What it allows is dividing a simple metes and bounds.
What it exempts them from is the platting process. They're still coming before
you for the subdivision. What they're exempting though is what we were looking
at too is the expense of going through the whole platting and all that so.
Councilwoman Dockendorf: So you can still have metes and bounds because it's
straight.
Kate Aanenson: One lot split. Right, straight forward. Simple. Without going
through the platting...
Roger Knutson: That is right in the Code today. But that's what city staff can
do and if that's what were happening here you wouldn't see this. But there's
also a provision in the city code that allows you to waive the procedural
requirements of platting...then approve as a metes and bounds subdivision.
Councilwoman Dockendorf: So should part of this be to waive that?
Councilman Senn: Kate, just point of clarification though. I thought when we
took that action we were directing staff to change that so that there was no
administrative ability to do metes and bounds. Everything was now going to be
platted.
Roger Knutson: No, as I understand. Excuse me, maybe I misunderstood but an
ordinance memo was brought to you to amend what we currently have to open it up.
To allow.
Councilman Senn: Right, which we denied.
Roger Knutson: Which you denied.
Councilman Senn: And I thought then we directed, maybe I'll go pull up the
Minutes but I thought we directed staff at that point to simply get rid of metes
and bounds splits. Period. I may be wrong but again, that's my memory.
Roger Knutson: I don't recall that but I think there's some simple things you
could see.
Councilman Senn: I remember staff arguing that but I remember the Council going
the other way on it is my memory.
Councilwoman Dockendorf: I don't have the same recollection.
Councilman Senn: Well maybe we should follow up on it.
Roger Knutson: Sometimes a neighbor is selling 10 feet to a neighbor. Not
creating any new lots.
Councilman Senn: That was brought up and discussed. I remember.
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City Council Meeting - March 22, 1993
Roger Knutson: And that's in the City Code and allowed.
Councilman Wing: The City Manager's recommendation was that we send this to the
moon. The metes and bounds.
Councilman Senn: Because his recommendation was different though.
Councilman Wing: And I think we nuked it.
Roger Knutson: You nuked the new ordinance.
Councilman Wing: Why would we not simply have this surveyed? Why stay with the
metes and bounds? Why not just approve this but do it on a survey so it's?
Councilman Mason: There is a survey.
Councilman Wing: But a metes and bounds description.
Mayor Chmiel: Yeah, this is done right here by a registered surveyor.
Councilman Wing: But it's this 3 page thing that goes from generation to
generation versus one paragraph with a few numbers. Right?
Mayor Chmiel: Right.
Don Ashworth: What I would suggest, I agree with the Attorney's interpretation
in that you denied the ordinance that would have loosen it up. If you would
like staff to bring back what currently is allowed for you to examine whether or
not we want to continue to allow let's say staff to do a what we call a simple
subdivision. We can do that.
Councilwoman Dockendorf: Basically, I mean you guys work with this. You know
you want the simplest way to define lots. I don't feel the need to move on
that.
Don Ashworth: I think that this one is well enough along that I would feel very
uncomfortable denying the applicant because I'm sure that they did visit with
staff. This type of description I still think is pretty unweildy and I guess I
would like to meet with our staff in terms of how do we stop this in the future.
Councilman Wing: I thought we decided that.
Councilman Senn: Yeah, I thought we decided that and I guess I don't think we
cut off the ability of the staff to do simple subdivisions. I thought we just
said they had to be platted. I mean they could still do the small ones, and I
thought that was discussed. If there was a 2 or 3 or something they could still
do it.
Roger Knutson: City staff can't approve plats. There's no possibility of that.
Councilman Senn: Okay, so they would have to come back in here then?
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City Council Meeting - March 22, 1993
Roger Knutson: Absolutely. There's no such thing as a minor plat. A plat has
to go to the Planning Commission. It's got to come here. Staff can't approve
plats.
Councilman Senn: Is that by our ordinance?
Roger Knutson: It's by ordinance and State law.
Councilman Senn: By State law outside or superceding our's?
Don Ashworth: But there is a minor subdivision.
Roger Knutson: Yes. There's a difference between a subdivision and a plat.
Councilman Mason: And this is a minor subdivision.
Don Ashworth: So for example, a person wanted to sell the east 10 feet of Lot
1, Block 2, Western Hills, you could do that without having to come back before
the City Council.
Roger Knutson: If you were adjoining it to your neighbor.
Don Ashworth: Right. And he met then all the ordinances. They can't create
non - conforming uses and all those things. And I don't have a problem with
those. It's the longer descriptions.
Councilman Senn: But doesn't that Don create a lot of longer descriptions? I
mean that 10 feet can start meandering all over the place depending on the line.
Don Ashworth: It has to parallel the line. So I mean just in my example, the
east 10 feet of Lot 1. It can't be starting at the corner of Lot 1 and
meandering over to the tree and then back again. It's got to be 10 feet of Lot
1.
Councilman Wing: I still agree with Mark that we want to avoid these and I'll
move approval of this one but I want a clarification on what we decided and
where we ought to go because I think we want to avoid these. I think that was
the Council's overall decision that night. To avoid metes and bounds as much as
possible.
Mayor Chmiel: Okay. Is the applicant here?
Wayne Poppe: Right here.
Mayor Chmiel: Is there anything you wish to add to the discussion that we've
had already?
Councilman Senn: You made a motion didn't you? I'll second it just to.
Mayor Chmiel: For discussion. But we have to close the public hearing before
we take a vote.
Councilman Wing: Sorry, I was out of order.
39
City Council Meeting - March 22, 1993
Wayne Poppe: Well then, for the record my name is Wayne Poppe. I live at 1950
Crestview Circle. We've got a little bit less than an acre lot there and my
wife and I would like to split it and build a new home there at some point in
time. It's as simple as that and metes and bounds and surveys all aside, I hope
you got the paperwork you need.
Mayor Chmiel: Very well put. Thank you. Is there anyone else wishing to
address this at this time?
Councilman Wing moved, Councilman Mason seconded to close the public hearing.
All voted in favor and the motion carried. The public hearing was closed.
Mayor Chmiel: Now if you'd like to make your motion, I'd be more than happy to
accept it.
Councilman Wing: We got off on discussion before we asked for the public input.
I'd move approval of item number 4, subdivision.
Councilman Senn: Second.
Mayor Chmiel: It's been moved and seconded. Any other discussion?
Resolution $93 -22A: Councilman Wing moved, Councilman Senn seconded to approve
Request #93 -6 Metes and Bounds subdivision as shown on the plans dated February
16, 1993, with the following conditions:
1. The applicant shall pay park and trail fees at time of building permit
application.
2. Provide required drainage and utility easements for Parcels A and B.
3. Dedicate 17' of right -of -way along the westerly lot line of Parcel A.
All voted in favor and the motion carried unanimously.
Councilman Wing: And one clarification on that. Staff will give us a laymen's
review of what we did and where we're going.
PUBLIC HEARING: CONSIDER THE ALLOCATION OF YEAR XIX FUNDS FOR THE URBAN
HENNEPIN COUNTY COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM, FUNDED UNDER TITLE I
OF THE HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT ACT OF 1974 AS AMENDED.
Public Present:
Name Address
Esther Steller 6311 Steller Circle
Emma St. John 1621 West 63rd Street
Sally Hebson Sojourn, 4151 Hwy 7, Excelsior
Mayor Chmiel: Paul being not here, who will address this? Sharmin.
40
City Council Meeting - March 22, 1993
Sharmin Al -Jaff: CDBG funds normallyvare used for programs of benefit to low
and moderate income households, handicapped individuals, and senior citizens.
This year we received $43,792.00. The City Council would have to allocate these
monies. South Shore Senior Center has requested some funding. Many of, or a
number of our senior citizens still attend the South Shore Senior Center and we
have been funding that center. Sojourn Adult Daycare Center is requesting to
purchase a van and requested some funding. Dawm Lemme's salary, a portion of it
to work with the seniors, coordinating the Senior Center is also funded by the
CDBG fund. And the rest of the money is proposed to fund handicapped facilities
at Lake Ann and Lake Susan Park. We are recommending that the City Council
approve a resolution allocating these funds as outlined in staff's report.
Mayor Chmiel: Okay, thank you. As I had mentioned, this is a public hearing.
Is there anyone wishing to address this at this time? Please state your name
and your address.
Sally Hebson: I'm Sally Hebson and I live at 4270 Circle Road in Excelsior. My
business is the Sojourn Adult Day Program and Sojourn Early Learning Center,
which is located at 4151 Highway 7. Has an Excelsior mailing address and I
think it's in the Chanhassen city township. I've been told that and then I've
also been told that doesn't exist so I'm not exactly sure where we are. But we
are in Carver County and in Chanhassen in some way. I'd first like to thank the
City of Chanhassen for their very generous donation toward the Sojourn Day
Program in the last 2 years of the Community Development Block Grant monies for
several items. I did send a letter to each one of the Council members outlining
our request for the 20% match on the small bus that we wrote a grant proposal
for through the Minnesota Department of Transportation. I think each one of the
Council members received that. At least I hope you did. What we're asking for
is a donation from the City of Chanhassen for a portion of the 20% matching part
which is our local contribution and that's $6,000.00. This small bus will be
used for the participants in the Adult Day Program, for the children in the
Early Learning Center and also as part of this grant application process, we
needed to show coordinated efforts with other community agencies and have this
vehicle available for church groups, youth organizations, and whomever wanted to
use it in this community and the other communities that we serve.
Mayor Chmiel: Thank you.
Sally Hebson: Thank you.
Mayor Chmiel: Is there anyone else at this time? Yes, please come forward and
state your name and address please.
Emma St. John: I'm Emma St. John. I live in Chanhassen at 1621 West 63rd
Street. I have an Excelsior address. One of those that didn't want to change.
Esther Steller is with me here and she also lives in that same area. We want to
thank the Chanhassen city for supporting the South Shore Senior Center which has
been going now for 10 years. We were in it when it was started and appreciate
all the help that they have given us. And we will hope that we will be getting,
according to Paul Krauss there was a figure of $4,000.00 something that we would
be getting from them this year and we want to thank you for that too.
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City Council Meeting - March 22, 1993
Mayor Chmiel: Good. Thank you Emma. Maybe I might just like to impose a
question to you in regard to the prior discussions that we had regarding the
CDBG funds. Maybe have you accompany us to the City of Shorewood to just say
exactly what you said to us right now. Give us a what for reason. Would you
like to do that?
Emma St. John: Sure.
Mayor Chmiel: Great. Appreciate it. Is there anyone else? Can I have a
motion to close.
Councilman Mason moved, Councilman Wing seconded to close the public hearing.
All voted in favor and the motion carried. The public hearing was closed.
Mayor Chmiel: Can I have a motion for discussion? Mark.
Councilman Senn: Just a couple of questions. I guess nothing on the South
Shore Senior Center. As far as the van goes and the contribution then is,
that's just for the capital purchase of the van? Okay, so basically we don't
contribute in effect to the ongoing costs or anything?
Sharmin Al -Jaff: No.
Councilman Senn: Why is the portion going to Dawn's salary going from $8,000.00
to $17,000.00? Does that reflect that more of her time is going to senior
activities?
Sharmin Al -Jaff: I believe we funded her for half a year at the beginning.
This year it will be a full year and then she was part -time and now she is full
time. So all of this was adjusted and the number reflects what she gets paid
now.
Councilman Senn: Okay, so essentially a half time to a full time?
Sharmin Al -Jaff: Correct.
Councilman Senn: Alrighty. And then one last question. On the handicap
facilities at Lake Ann and Lake Susan. I saw we had $8,000.00 in last year. To
that now we're adding $18,000.00 more. Is that an extension of those programs
or I mean is our handicapped access bill going to keep going up on this? You
know which looks like it's now $26,000.00 and running or?
Sharmin Al -Jaff: There will be additional work done at different places in the
park. Not all of the work was completed with last year's funds. So additional
work will be done this year and that's the amount that would be required to
complete that work.
Councilman Senn: Todd, could you help me out and just tell me a little about
what that is?
Todd Gerhardt: I don't know the details of what Todd's work is but we're
starting a survey now on the handicapped accessibility throughout the city. ADA
requirements and I know Todd has been working each year in trying to upgrade all
42
City Council Meeting - March 22, 1993
his park facilities to meet ADA requirements. But I can't tell you what
specifically he has...
Mayor Chmiel: And he has left.
Councilman Senn: That's it.
Mayor Chmiel: Okay, Michael.
Councilman Mason: I'm certainly in favor of the funding proposals that stand.
At the last HRA meeting we talked extensively about the need for perhaps not low
income but certainly moderate income housing in the city of Chanhassen and I do
know that that's part of the, one of the reasons for the CDBG grant. I'm
certainly not going to stand in the way of anything here because obviously I
think they're very good causes but I do think that if we get this grant again,
regardless of whether we get this grant again, I think we need to start taking a
look at that and certainly using these grant monies could be a way of going at
that.
Mayor Chmiel: Good. Thank you. Colleen.
Councilwoman Dockendorf: Well, Mark asked most of my questions. I have an
additional one and that's about the HOME program. I don't know exactly to whom
I should addrets this but I understand what it is but why don't we need anymore
funds and aren't we being active in that program?
Sharmin Al -Jaff: We have $5,000.00 left in that fund from last year. We
haven't used up all that money.
Councilwoman Dockendorf: Is that because of programming isn't very active or
it's just deficient or?
Sharmin Al -Jaff: It's been, there are months were there is a lot of demand and
then all of a sudden it slows down. So for some reason they haven't used up all
that money.
Mayor Chmiel: And then stops sometimes. Okay. Did you have your questions
answered?
Councilwoman Dockendorf: Yes.
Councilman Wing: Well only one place I got stuck here was on the 20% match for
Sojourn. Don have we got.
Mayor Chmiel: It would be $6,000.00.
Councilman Wing: And that's an additional request?
Mayor Chmiel: Right.
Councilman Wing: I sat through the Park and Rec discussions of playground and
handicapped and ADA requirements and so on and so forth. I can't debate or
argue that but I asked what percent of our community actually uses that
43
1
City Council Meeting - March 22, 1993
equipment and while this $18,000.00 was going to support what percentage of the
community. It was so infintisimal I just kind of withdrew you know with all due
respect. Sojourn happens to be in my neighborhood and accordingly I get in the
door and Sojourn is the seniors senior center. I mean when the seniors can no i
longer get to the senior center, Sojourn steps in. And I would say the majority
of their people are perhaps not ambulatory and they're really providing an
incredibly critical service to the elderly elderly if you will. And so because
I've seen their operation, some we've been real good to our seniors here in the
downtown area and so when they come to me on this grant and say they could use
$6,000.00 for a van, it maybe is going to cut down on the use of taxicabs
running back and forth and so on and so forth and move some of these people
around that need some very, very intense personal care. And if I ever am old,
I hope this program's in effect because they're really bailing some people out
of some troubles. And as long as I'm ambulatory, it wouldn't matter to me but
this group goes beyond. So I would like to consider letting ADA kind of ride
another year and follow through Park and Rec's budget and pull that money out of
that $18,000.00 and give Sojourn the match. That would be my preference. Divide
this money up but we're still going to be able to move ahead on some of the park
projects but if we're going to.
Councilman Senn: Dick, just a clarification. I thought we were already doing
that in this proposal. I thought your increase here from $2,700.00 to $4,000.00
covered all...of the van. Am I misinterpretting that? You're going from
$2,700.00 to $4,000.00. I thought you were just citing the $6,000.00 figure as
a balance which needs to be picked up from the other communities. Isn't that
correct?
Sharmin Al -Jaff: Correct. The $6,000.00 will be picked up from other
communities.
Councilman Wing: Is that correct?
Councilman Senn: Yeah, see we're paying $2,000.00 towards the van in the
proposal.
Sharmin Al -Jaff: We're paying $4,000.00.
Councilman Wing: Oh I stand corrected. I misunderstood. I thought that the
proposal from Sojourn then said they need an additional 20% match. That's an
error.
Sally Hebson: The local 20% match is $6,195.00. We serve the whole south shore
area of Lake Minnetonka as well as the city of Chanhassen and so we have
requested funds from other cities also. And as much as I appreciate your
generous offer, we don't want to get more money than we need or we'd really be
in big trouble. So I think when I talked with Mr. Krauss, he felt that
$4,000.00 from the City of Chanhassen and then monies from other cities that
have been promised and have been working with Larry Blackstad on this also. I
appreciate that generous offer but I think we would mess things up.
Councilman Wing: I stand corrected and I appreciate your...
Sally Hebson: And believe me it breaks my heart to turn down money.
44
City Council Meeting - March 22, 1993
Mayor Chmiel: Thank you. I think everything's been said. I would entertain a
motion.
Councilman Wing: I'll move approval.
Councilman Mason: Second.
Mayor Chmiel: It's been moved and seconded. Additional discussion.
Councilman Senn: Just to follow up on Dick's point though. I guess I'm really
all for the accessibility to the parks and stuff but I mean, this looks like
it's becoming fairly significant dollars and growing. I guess I'd like to see
staff at least give us a little better understanding. Since that can't be
answered tonight as to what's really required by ADA as it relates to the park.
You know are we meeting the minimum requirements? Are we going overboard? I
mean what are we doing?
Mayor Chmiel: Some of the requirements we haven't met. One specific one I'm
aware of is Lake Ann Park. We had a fishing pier put in by the DNR that is not
handicapped accessibility.
Councilman Senn: Well tell the ONR to come back.
Mayor Chmiel: Well we should on that but we didn't ask them. But anyway, what
we had to do was get a path from the point of the park...path to it so those
people could get out there and get that fishing done. And we did do that.
Councilman Senn: I'd just like to see again a full answer or at least
explanation to that question earlier if we could.
Mayor Chmiel: Sure. That I think we can find.
Resolution X93 -23: Councilman Wing moved, Councilman Mason seconded to approve
the resolution allocating Year XIX funding as follows:
1. South Shore Senior Center - $4,160.00
2. Sojourn Adult Day Care - $4,000.00
3. Chanhassen Senior Coordinator - $17,000.00
4. Handicapped Facility at Lake Ann and Lake Susan Parks - $18,632.00
All voted in favor and the motion carried unanimously.
Councilman Wing: Mr. Mayor, I'd like to just request that item number 6 be
switched with item number 7 because I've got some questions on it and I think
it'd be fair if we get these people in the audience out of here.
Mayor Chmiel: Okay. I might add too that this is not a public hearing on 6 as
so indicated. It was brought to my attention that this is not a requirement for
public hearing. So if Council agrees to move to item number 7 first before we
get to item number 6, I would be more than happy to make, ask for a motion.
45
II City Council Meeting - March 22, 1993 `
Councilman Wing moved, Councilman Mason seconded to amend the agenda switching
II items 6 and 7. All voted in favor and the motion carried.
CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT AND SITE PLAN FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF AN ABRA FACILITY,
I LOCATED SOUTH OF HIGHWAY 5, NORTH OF LAKE DRIVE EAST, AND EAST OF THE CHANHASSEN
EMISSION CONTROL STATION.
I Public Present:
Name Address
II Bill Griffith 1500 NFC Tower, Bloomington
Vernelle Clayton 422 Santa Fe Circle
Jim Benson 15036 Cherry Lane, Minnetonka
II Don Hagen 1589 Highway 7, Suite 203,
Al Beisner 7549 Mariner Point, Maple Grove
Tom Kotsonas Chan Estates
II Gerard & Lindsay Amadeo Chan Estates
Sharmin Al -Jaff: The Abra site plan appeared in front of the Planning
Commission 3 months ago. They approved it and recommended that before it
II appears in front of the City Council, the architectural design of the building
be redesigned, and that's what the applicant has done. The materials of the
building are decorative integral color concrete block. The west, north and
I south elevations have a pitched element to them. The garage on the north
elevation facing Highway 5 is recessed behind the pitched element. All services
will be conducted entirely inside the building. At the last meeting when you
approved the Goodyear facility you recommended that brick be used on the
I exterior of the building and we believe that based upon that action, that the
Abra facility should have brick exterior as well. We're also recommending that
additional landscaping be provided on the Abra site. And those conditions are
I reflected in the site plan conditions. With that we are recommending approval
with conditions outlined in the report.
II Mayor Chmiel: Does the applicant wish to make his proposal once again to us?
With revisions if they're there. Okay, go ahead.
Al Beisner: I'm Al Beisner. I'm the developer, 7549 Mariner Point in Maple
II Grove. I feel like I've been here a long time. We are in agreement.
Mayor Chmiel: Would you like to move here?
II Al Beisner: Well, I don't know. Only if I can have a small lot or a big lot.
If I have to put brick on my house, I don't know but. No, we think we've
II revised everything. We are in agreement with the staff recommendation. I have
a representative from Abra here. If you have any questions of their business or
their operations, what's going on, he'd be more than happy to answer them for
you. Otherwise I'm open to questions. This is our number 8 design that we've
II been through and we will put brick on it.
Councilman Wing: What did you say?
II
II 46
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City Council Meeting - March 22, 1993
said will. this is will Beisner: I s we it I said thi s our eighth design and we 11 put
brick on this. Is that okay?
Councilman Mason: Just about a cardiac arrest back here.
Councilman Wing: No, I misunderstood where they were going. ,
Councilman Senn: Did I misunderstand Sharmin though that that was the
recommendation?
Mayor Chmiel: That's correct.
Al Beisner: That was their recommendation and we are in concurrence with that.
Councilman Senn: It will be all brick or what?
Sharmin Al -Jaff: Yeah. It will be all brick.
Mayor Chmiel: Is there anyone at this time wishing to make any statement to
us? And if there's something that we've said before, we have, believe me all
the notes and all the statements that have been made so if there's something
new, we'd be more than happy to listen to it at this time. Okay, thank you.
Mark.
Councilman Senn: If this is going to go ahead I guess I would ask or like to
see a couple of additional conditions put on it. Which are essentially the same
ones I think we put on the Goodyear which related to no outside banners or
temporary signage. And then the hours I believe was from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
If I remember right. I'm going by memory here but I think those were the two.
Councilman Mason: The hours are in here.
Councilman Senn: Are they? I don't know. Beyond that, I guess I'm not sure
I'm in concurrence with the general issue of standards because I find myself
reading through these and having a hard time allowing that this will not be
detrimental or endanger the neighborhood. I also find it hard to believe that
it will not be hazardous or disturbing to the existing neighbors or
neighborhood. I guess I could kind of go on and on but I guess I've said my
piece enough that we have enough of these uses out on the east end and I have a
hard time supporting any more of them. 1
Mayor Chmiel: Okay, thank you. Michael.
Councilman Mason: It's been a very long and involved process and I kind of feel 1
we might have a vote tonight, one way or the other. I think the new design I
think looks good. I think with brick it will look even better. I'm glad that
staff added landscaping and I know that this is not the lot closest to the
neighborhood. My concern is, and I think it does tie in with this, is what kind
of buffering do we need. Will there be. Should there be additional buffering
when that third site comes in along the south side there. More trees. A berm.
A big hill, whatever. Is that being looked into now? Or will it be?
Sharmin Al -Jaff: It will be.
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City Council Meeting - March 22, 1993
Councilman Senn: Yeah because those will be in probably next month.
' Councilman Mason: And that's why I want people to know that right now I guess.
' Sharmin Al -Jaff: There is a buffer right now between Lake Drive and the
residential.
Mayor Chmiel: But there's not enough.
' Councilman Mason: There is not enough there, I agree with that and I think
personally, you know well. We need more of a buffer there but I think, I mean I
' said my piece on that and I guess maybe that's a battle we'll be fighting when
the next site is used up.
' Mayor Chmiel: The only reason I remember that is we as a Council had gone out
to do a litter pick -up all through that area. All the way up and down that
service road and some of those specific areas where this is addressed, there
needs additional kind of buffering. For whoever or whatever goes in there.
Sharmin.
Sharmin Al -Jaff: When we approved the, when you approved the.
Mayor Chmiel: What's this we business?
Councilman Senn: Well let's give it to her.
' Sharmin Al -Jaff: When you approved the emission control station, one of the
requirements was that they build a buffer and then they add landscaping between
Lake Drive and the residence and that's what they did. It was a condition of
approval, correct.
Councilman Wing: See that's where we get trapped because by definition they
build a buffer. Baloney. That's not buffered. Sitting out in an open field.
It's not landscaped. Aye yi yi.
Councilman Mason: And you know I don't think, maybe that's a discussion not to
be.
' Councilman Wing: Excuse me Michael.
Councilman Mason: No, I just want to get this one over and done with to tell
you the truth. But I do, I mean it is a conditional use permit. They're meeting
the requirements whether we like it or not. I guess I've been saying that all
along and I'm hoping that this will work out for everyone, particularly if the
city or the applicant for site number 3 or whoever, does some serious looking at
' the buffering and berming for the neighborhood there. But let's move on it.
Mayor Chmiel: Okay, Colleen.
Councilwoman Dockendorf: Yeah, we've discussed this ad nauseum. Just a couple
comments. I was really happy with the hours. They look great. And I apologize
for being gone but it looks like it's brick now? And would that include the
' trash enclosure? But it's still a chainlink fence? At the gate.
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City Council Meeting - March 22, 1993
I
Sharmin Al -Jaff: Yes it is
Councilwoman Dockendorf: Well I'm not going to hold it up for that reason but I
don't... The trees on Lot 3 will be left for now. Right?
Sharmin Al -Jaff: Correct. 1
Councilwoman Dockendorf: And the signage, is it agreed that the signage will be
on one monument? '
Sharmin Al -Jaff: Correct. For all three parcels.
Councilwoman Dockendorf: Alright, nothing further. '
Mayor Chmiel: Thank you. Richard.
Councilman Wing: The last time we looked at this I asked that we have a
landscape plan that we could look at and with all due faith and I trust Sharmin,
I think she's done her best. Mark said everything I wanted to say about this
really isn't in my our best interest and Mike, you've got it down and the
comments have all been made. Key words. That rear lot is going to be a big
issue and buffering is going to be a new word in this city and I'm hopeful that
the new ordinances and our land use review and our zoning review, the
comprehensive plan review is going to be at least paralleling that lot and maybe
making some headway on this issue on what we're going to allow in there. So as
soon as you've made your comments Mr. Mayor. 1
Mayor Chmiel: I guess the only thing that I really would have to say in regard
to this. There was a letter to the editor and I think it was sort of self
explanatory with the newspaper making a comment. That he did as such and I
would like that person to know that this Mayor is concerned what happens to it's
residents, but he's also concerned as to how it's going to affect the city if we
were to deny a situation as such. Which would mean that there'd be litigation
between the city and I don't want to do that nor do I want to cost the residents
of this community additional dollars. But I know what their feeling might be.
At one time I lived very closely to Highway 100 in Golden Valley. Unbeknownst
sometimes I think it's buyers beware when you're purchasing property to see
what's going to be developing in and adjacent to your proposed purchase of a new
home or to build a home or purchasing an existing home that's there. These
things do come up and it's something that we have to act upon and I believe
that's what we're going to be doing this evening.
Councilman Wing: Could I just be a little supportive on that. I thought the
editorial and your comment as quoted was out of context and unfair. But I think
it's also fair to state that any member of this Council or anybody in the city
has the right to say I want that business there. I think it's going to be a
good business. I happen to like it with brick. I think we should put an
automotive center there and I think as a Mayor, if that was your feeling, you
had a right to make that statement without being faultered and I guess that's
another viewpoint.
Mayor Chmiel: I think I've really said enough. So with that I would look for a
motion to accept the conditional use as well as the site plan review. '
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City Council Meeting - March 22, 1993
1
Councilman Mason: Does it make any difference which one we do first?
Mayor Chmiel: Well we have on the list as the conditional use but it doesn't
really matter. It can be either or.
' Councilman Mason: Okay, I'll move approval of Conditional Use Permit to allow
an auto service facility in the BH district.
' Councilman Wing: Second.
Mayor Chmiel: It's been moved and seconded. Any other discussion?
' Councilman Mason moved, Councilman Wing seconded to approve the Conditional Use
Permit for Abra Auto Service Facility on Lot 2, Block 1, Chan Haven Plaza 3rd
Addition subject to the following conditions:
1. No public address systems are permitted.
2. No outdoor repairs to be performed or gas sold at the site. Garage doors
are to be kept closed except to allow vehicles to enter or depart.
3. No parking or stacking is allowed in fire lanes, drive aisles, access
' drives or public rights -of -way.
4. No damaged or inoperable vehicles shall be stored outside overnight on the
' Abra site.
5. No outdoor storage of materials shall be permitted at the Abra site.
' 6. Noise level shall not exceed OSHA requirements or Minnesota Pollution
Control agency guidelines at the property line. Doors will be kept closed
or no more than a 12" opening.
7. Environmental protection shall meet standards set by the Minnesota
Pollution Control Agency.
B. Compliance with conditions of approval for Site Plan Review #92 -3 and
Subdivision #90 -17.
All voted in favor except Councilman Senn who opposed and the motion carried
with a vote of 4 to 1.
Mayor Chmiel: I think you probably have clarified that enough. The second part
we have to act upon is the Site Plan Review. Can I have a motion for that?
1 Councilman Mason: I'll move approval of Site Plan Review for an Abra Auto
Service Center, 6,494 square feet. With conditions as stated in the staff
report.
Mayor Chmiel: Approval of Site Plan Review #92 -3 dated November 30th?
Councilman Mason: Yeah.
1
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City Council Meeting - March 22, 1993
Councilman Senn: Would you accept that thing on the banners?
Councilman Mason: Oh sure. ,
Councilman Senn: Banners and temporary signage.
Councilman Mason: Sure.
Mayor Chmiel: Okay, in addition to that items, it'd be 14 and 15. One being
banners and the other Mark.
Sharmin Al -Jaff: Hours of operation.
Councilman Senn: Was that in your conditions already though?
Mayor Chmiel: No.
Councilman Mason: That's fine. I don't have any trouble with 14 and 15 added.
Mayor Chmiel: Okay. Is there a second to that? '
Councilman Wing: Second.
Councilman Mason moved, Councilman Wing seconded to approve Site Plan Review
#92 -3 as shown on the site plan dated November 30, 1992, subject to the
following conditions:
1. Obtain a sign plan approved by the Planning Commission and City Council.
2. The applicant shall provide staff with a detailed cost estimate of
landscaping to be used in calculating the required financial guarantees.
These guarantees must be posted prior to building permit issuance.
3. The applicant shall enter into a development contract with the city and '
provide the necessary financial securities as required.
4. The applicant shall provide a flammable waste separator as required by '
Building Code.
5. Provide a complete, final set of civil engineering documentation to staff
for review and approval.
6. Meet all conditions outlined in the Fire Marshal's memorandum dated October
8, 1992.
7. The applicant shall post "No Parking - Fire Lane" signs along the south 11 curb line on Lots 1 and 2, Block 1. Signs shall be placed at 100 foot
intervals and the curb painted yellow.
8. Concurrent with the building permit, a lighting plan meeting city standards
shall be submitted.
1
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II City Council Meeting - March 22, 1993
1 9. The applicant shall pay $7,580. into the Surface Water Management Program x
fund for water quality treatment downstream of the site. This fee will
cover Lots 1 and 2 only.
1 10. No signage will be allowed until sign plan approval is obtained from the
Planning Commission and City Council.
' 11. The applicant shall provide eight additional Black Hills evergreens along
the east and four along the south side of Lot 2, Block 1, Chan Haven Plaza
3rd Addition.
II 12. Brick shall be used on the exterior of the Abra building. Plans shall be
developed to staff approval. The brick shall be designed to incorporate
highlighting treatments similar to or better than the current proposal.
' Also, the applicant shall introduce architectural elements such as dormers
along the eastern roof line to break the long mass of wall along the east
elevation.
13. Compliance with conditions of Subdivision #90 -17 and Conditional Use Permit
#92 -2.
II 14. No outdoor banners or temporary signage will be permitted.
15. Hours of operation will be from 7:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m..
II All voted in favor except Councilman Senn who opposed and the motion carried
with a vote of 4 to 1.
II WEST 78TH STREET DETACHMENT PROJECT 92 -3:
A. APPROVE PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS; AND AUTHORIZE ADVERTISING FOR BIDS.
II B. RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE ACQUISITION OF EASEMENTS AND /OR QUICK TAKE.
Don Ashworth: Mr. Mayor, if I may. The reason that we had shown this under
' public hearing is there was a concern as to whether or not we had in fact
notified all of the owners as a part of the original hearing and that's the
reason it is shown under public hearing. Those areas of concern have been met
as far as contacting owners. So this would include the two items shown as well
II as actually the authorization for the project itself. So somewhere in the
process I would suggest that you do officially open the public hearing for
comments. Probably in advance of that we should have the engineers provide a
1 report on the two items.
Mayor Chmiel: Okay. Charles, would you like to do that now?
II Charles Folch: Mr. Mayor, members of the Council, our project engineer Mr. Jim
Dvorak of Strgar - Roscoe - Fausch is here tonight to give a presentation reviewing
what the project elements are.
II Mayor Chmiel: Good, thank you.
II Jim Dvorak: Thank you Charles. I'll try to be brief...This project has gone
through many changes since we started looking at it about a year ago. And what
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City Council Meeting - March 22, 1993
I've done is I've tried to mount representative plan sheets that kind of show
you the entire plan. Just shows the basic elements of the project. So starting
with this one, this is the plan sheet that shows the West 78th alignment is
right here. West 78th here, Powers at this point and then we are proposing to
construct a water quality treatment pond in the, it would be the southwest
quadrant of Powers and West 78th to treat the water that comes from this area
prior to entering the DNR wetland that's on the Eckankar site. As you can also
see, we're showing a trail connection being made along Powers from West 78th and
in addition, there is some problems with the existing trail that goes to the,
I believe it's Lake Ann Park to the west. We are also proposing to do some
maintenance and overlay on that trail all the way to the entrance of the park.
That's why that is highlighted here. That's an existing trail that we're just
going to upgrade a little bit and do maintenance work on. This is a copy of the
landscape plan for the West 78th. Starting at the west side, here again
is Powers. At this location we've highlighted the trees and shurbs as proposed.
As most of you are aware, we have landscaping. We have lanes. We've added an
irrigation system to maintain this in addition to the roadway, utility and
signal system improvements. The trees are relatively well spaced to provide a
somewhat more open feeling than we have at the other end of town. We've also
taken into account that the Target site landscaping, which would be in this
area, they've proposed a walk kind of outside of the right -of -way. We've
matched basically what we've done there with what the Target folks have
proposed. We have street lighting to illuminate the roadway and sidewalks. And
we've also proposed some brick paving treatment at the noses of the medians to
kind of dress that area up a little and have a low maintenance effect also.
Then continuing down here, this would be the main entrance into Target. The
building would sit down at this location. There's another entrance being
proposed here to the north. And then Kerber, there's another thing I guess
I should point out that there's a signal being proposed here and at Powers and
West 78th. And again here at the main entrance to the area to the south. One
of those tenants being Target, or the building that's under construction. We
also have a signal proposed here at Kerber. West of Kerber then, in the
existing area, we worked quite a bit with staff trying to coordinate what we
need to do, where we need to do it with the widening to create some additional
lane width in areas that are perceived as needed. One of these areas is along
Kerber on the north side. Where anywhere you see the red curb highlighted is a
new curb line where we're widening out to two thru lanes instead of the one thru
lane that is out there today, or one wide thru lane. In this area where we're
doing the widening, any of the existing landscaping that we're disturbing will
be replaced. As the curb gets pushed back in the sidewalk then, we would redo
that landscaping there also. And then at the very east end of town, continuing
on we have much the same situation where we have widening in this area and this
area with that widening going where the existing landscaping is. We will
replace that behind the sidewalk and new curb line. In addition we are
proposing to do a little bit of work at the median noses to facilitate some left
turn movements and some new turns. When we do that we are also proposing the
brick paving treatment at the nose so that we get in effect some continuity
throughout the roadway. Continuing on then there's a little bit of work at the
west end...east end of town and then at the Great Plains intersection we are
proposing to lengthen out this median and do a little geometrics working of that
intersection in conjunction with the new signal which is proposed there. And
then because the median gets quite narrow and is actually too narrow to plant,
we would then again continue to...paving scheme throughout these medians as
53
City Council Meeting - March 22, 1993
The project also has been expanded slightly on Trunk Highway P 3 P 9 Y hway 5 to 9
incorporate an emergency 3M vehicle system so that for...fire, ambulance, police
can trip the signal and proceed on through instead of waiting at the red light.
Our project estimate at the feasibility stage was approximately *3.1 million.
I believe that Charles included my latest letter to him in your Council packet
' that showed the latest total project cost at about $3.3 million. There are a
number of things added to the project as it developed. One of the things was
the maintenance of the trail to Lake Ann. We had it overlaying of old Monterey
' or Kerber to the south of West 78th and then we added an irrigation system.
That is the reason that the project costs have gone up approximately
*200,000.00. That's all I have with that. I'd be happy to answer any questions
that the Council has or anyone in the audience.
Mayor Chmiel: Maybe what we can do is we'll come back to you in regard to
questions that we may have. Right now I would like to see if there's anyone who
1 would like to address this at this time this evening. If there's any real
concerns or whatever their concerns might be. If you would just please state
your name and address one more time.
Charlie James: I'm Charlie James with the T.F. James Company. I'd like to make
three points tonight. I guess number one, I'd like to, I guess all this is a
repetition of what points I've made in the past but number one. I think this
project is very welcomed and long overdue but it would be an impossible burden
without the TIF district and so in our acquiessence to this project I guess
we're really counting on TIF being there when we need it. When the time comes.
1 Second point is that there was some discussions in the past about addressing
issues relating to the impact of this project to my property with regard to
grades and there hasn't been any further discussion about that and I spent the
better part of the morning with my engineers, Jim Hill, trying to review this
matter and we do have some issues. There's nothing that's going to get solved
here tonight but there are some impacts there and I would hope that there would
still be time in this process here to look at some minor design changes that
might facilitate the grade transitions on our side of the street. As you all
know the street was lowered from what was originally designed to accommodate
Target to lower the grades into their driveway and that had the effect of
' raising the grades on our property. Steepening the grades so if there's
anything that can be done before this whole thing's set in cement to help
alleviate that situation, we'd appreciate that. And the third and last point
is, this probably isn't the time or isn't the place but I guess it is the time
and the place. I guess I'd like to ask the Council one more time to consider
the effects of closing our access point. I believe that this decision in the
past was more of a political decision than an engineering decision and what
' we're finding is that in attempting to come up with some sort of format and some
sort of scheme so that we can begin to market our property out there, we've had
to consider numerous plans for frontage roads to connect our full access point
back to the corner and it's a mess and I'm not just posturing. We have got a
multitude of problems out there and this frontage road is going to be a
necessity out there. Even with the replat so that's very much of a detriment
and impact to us and I don't know if there's still time to consider making that
' opening or not. I think that Jim has testified in the past that engineering
wise it could be made to work but there were other, as I say, I don't know if
that's a proper word but I'll say political consideration. But now that the
city's closed on that land and is the owner of the land that they have acquired
54
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City Council Meeting - March 22, 1993
I -
from Mr. Burdick, maybe we could revisit that issue. I don't know but and I
realize we're not going to solve that tonight but I just wanted to be here
tonight and express my concerns. Thank you.
Mayor Chmiel: Thank you. Is there anyone else? If not, Charles do you have
any respective answers to Mr. James in regard to item number 3 that he had
brought up.
Charles Folch: Related to the access issue? Well, as we've been through a
number of meetings on this before, I think we've kind of beat that one to a dead
horse but staff continues to support the position that there should be no
intermediate full access between the proposed signalized intersection
immediately east of County Road 17 and County Road 17. I think Strgar's
engineers have also spoken to the safety issues and some of the problems that
may be involved in opening up a full access there. So we continue to support
the position. '
Mayor Chmiel: Thank you. It's our turn...
Councilman Senn: To start with I guess, could Don or somebody run through these ,
numbers in terms of, you know there's an estimated cost of roughly $3.3 million.
Is that correct?
Mayor Chmiel: It was $3.1 and it's now $3.3.
Councilman Senn: $3.3. Okay, so there's $3.3 million in total costs and I go
back to the breakdown on what is being assessed and what isn't being assessed
and the total is $2,324,800.00? It shows that $884,000.00 is being assessed and
$1,440,000.00 isn't? Okay. Where is the remaining bucks?
Don Ashworth: Tax increment. The rate of the assessment was established at the
same level that all of the downtown improvements, or I should say that first two
phases of downtown were assessed at. And generally we assessed the cost of road
improvements and that was to, I can't recall, 48 foot street or 52, sewer and
water. Other items such as sidewalk cost, landscaping, lighting, storm sewer
was a 50% rate. And those were felt to be reasonable costs to be paid by tax
increment and so again to treat this portion of the project equal with the first
half, we assigned the same assessment rate for that portion of the project as
was established for this part of the project. So whatever you see as a
differential between assessments on this end, it was the same differential on
the east end.
Councilman Senn: So a million bucks is TIF and that's covering only that
portion in effect west of Kerber Boulevard then? Am I interpretting that
correctly?
Mayor Chmiel: You're saying everything west on 78th Street from Kerber to 1
Powers Boulevard?
Councilman Senn: Yeah. I mean you tell me everything else down here was '
treated this way and now we're going this way so we're treating it the same way.
Is that a correct statement? So a million dollars of TIF is going to cover the
area from Powers to Kerber?
55 1
City Council Meeting March 22, 1993
Jim Dvorak: Yeah. The assessments that are proposed only cover that portion of
West 78th between Powers and Kerber.
Councilman Senn: That's the 884?
Jim Dvorak: That is what is proposed to be assessed.
' Councilman Senn: Correct.
Jim Dvorak: Okay. The balance of the project, as I understand it is going to
' be funded through TIC' monies. Now I think the reason that you're confused,
when you look at the feasibility report versus what's shown in the plan. As I
stated before, the project has gone through several iderations and changes.
' Initially when we started the project it was only going to be Powers Boulevard
and West 78th between Powers and Kerber. Those are the numbers, that's the $2.3
million that you see in the feasibility update, or in that table. If you notice
' at the bottom of our revised cost estimate, there's a little caveat if you will
about the cost of roadway and signal improvements between Kerber and Great
Plains of $784,000.00. That is that differential. That is what was added to
the project as things evolved and we thought it would be clearer to just kind of
separate that out from that segment of the project that was getting assessed.
Councilman Senn: That's that $1.58 million? Am I on the right?
' Jim Dvorak: I guess I'm not sure.
Councilman Senn: This has cost estimate segment.
Jim Dvorak: Okay. That 3.3 is the total project. That's just the segment's
broken up. In other words, Powers is $900,000.00. Powers to Kerber is $1.3
million and then that extra million is west of Kerber to Great Plains.
Councilman Senn: So $1.58 million is the portion from Kerber to Great Plains
then?
Jim Dvorak: Correct.
Councilman Senn: Not the $700,000.00?
Jim Dvorak: Right. The $784,000.00 was that amount in the feasibility report.
This is where most of the extra work is taking place.
Councilman Senn: Am I correct in assuming, by reading this that the funding
sources for this project are $884,000.00 where 25% are coming from direct
assessment. $1,441,000.00, I'm using round numbers here, is coming from general
obligation bonds.
Jim Dvorak: Not to my knowledge. I guess I wasn't aware that there were any
general obligation funds in there. I thought it was all tax increment beyond
the assessed amount.
' Councilman Senn: Well then I flip the question over to Don. Why does it say on
here general obligation amounts on both of, on both of the project summaries?
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City Council Meeting - March 22, 1993 II
Don Ashworth: What page?
Councilman Senn: Well there are no page numbers so I can't help you. It's the 1
two project summaries. City Project #92 -3 and #92 -3, basically the same thing
where the first column says, if you go to the second page of that or the back
side of it, it breaks down assessable amount versus general obligation amount
and it says assessable amount $884,000.00 and then it says general obligation
amount $1,441,000.00. Not it's the first time I've ever seen general obligation
money being. 1
Jim Dvorak: If I could answer that Don. We are the ones that prepared that
table and we were not aware at the time that it was prepared that this was going
to be financed through tax increment. I believe that the Mayor, in my initial
presentation corrected me when I had mentioned general obligation. That the
funds that were being used for this are indeed tax increment and not general
obligation funds. I guess you could consider that a typo, if you will.
Councilman Senn: Okay, well that's what I'm just trying to get to understand.
So 884 is being assessed and 2 million 440 roughly is coming from TIF.
Don Ashworth: Is coming from TIF. Part of the misunderstanding is all of the
projects in the downtown have been completed as 429 public improvement projects
and technically have been referred to as general obligation funds. The
underlying source of funding, other than the special assessments has been TIF.
So TIF has come in and paid what would be the general obligation portion but
they were still sold as general obligation bonds.
Councilman Senn: So TIF doesn't pay them. The taxpayers are responsible for
general obligation bonds?
Don Ashworth: That's true in literally any type of bond that you would sell.
An exception would be...
Councilman Senn: And so the TIF portion of this project. Okay, if you look at
the assessment roll, the assessment roll only deals with the end of the project
from Powers to Kerber. Right? 1
Don Ashworth: The assessment, that's correct.
Councilman Senn: The assessment is, okay. So taking that assessment portion 1
out of the other $2.4 million, okay. Part of that's going towards, of course
that segment and part of it's going to the rest. Now didn't we already use TIF
on the other portion and for the other projects once already?
Don Ashworth: Yes.
Councilman Senn: In downtown. So we're going back and doing it again?
Don Ashworth: To the extent that you're adding signals. Carrying out widening
from Kerber back to Great Plains and what other type.
Councilman Senn: Well all the proposed improvements is what we're talking
about. Because I mean I'm not hearing any other funding source. Okay, so TIF
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City Council Meeting - March 22, 1993
1
is going to be spent a second time then to basically redo that area where it's
already been spent once?
Don Ashworth: Yes.
' Councilman Senn: Okay, and so I don't understand the comment that was made
earlier as it relates to how we're using TIF on this end because it equals out
with TIF on the other end. You lose me there because we've used TIF twice now
1 to put in the same improvements on this end and we're putting them on this end
once. How does that equal out?
Don Ashworth: What I was trying to say is, the business owners on the east side
were assessed at exactly the same rate as we're proposing to assess the property
owners on the west side. To the extent that we are going back today and making
lanes wider that should have been maybe been made wider to begin with, we are
not charging that cost back to that owner on the east nor to that owner on the
west.
Councilman Senn: So, okay. And so what you're saying is, if you take Powers,
let's say if you take Kerber east. Okay. There you're in effect charging,
you're not charging people anything?
1 Don Ashworth: That's correct.
Councilman Senn: Okay. And on the area from Kerbers to Powers, you're charging
the people what you charged the people on the other end to put in the single
lane?
' Don Ashworth: That was still based on the equivalent of a 48 foot street. It
did not have a center island. So I mean what we assessed for on the east side
we're assessing really the same cost on the west side.
' Councilman Senn: Okay well, I understand, I think I understand the concept of
what you're looking for as it relates to let's call it the east side. Because I
mean there you've already put road improvements in and you've assessed the
people for them. They have not produced traffic which in effect requires you to
upgrade those roads. I assume that's correct. Because the road was designed to
meet what was there in the first place and that's what is there. Okay, now
' you're designing a much bigger road to follow these improvements down to the
west with the Target and stuff but you're not proportionately assessing you know
the need and demand. Are you?
Mayor Chmiel: No. No.
Councilman Mason: I don't think the changes from east of Kerber are due in
' total to Target and I might add nobody that's sitting behind this area right now
was present when the initial plan went through for downtown. I think there have
been some ongoing problems with downtown ever since the doggone thing was put in
and we're looking to change that. I don't know that that part of downtown is
being changed because Target's coming in.
Councilman Senn: No, I didn't say that Mike. The question I asked was, why are
we only assessing the west end though for a single lane road, which is
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equivalent to what you said is already installed downtown. In the rest of
downtown. Why aren't we assessing the west end for really the full cost of
those improvements and then going down and charging the east end only the
difference to what they've already been assessed? I mean I don't understand the
rationale to carry it all the way back to Powers.
Don Ashworth: I asked the Jim, and I'll make the statement first and then he'll
come back and say, no Don. You're wrong. But my recollection was is we were
assessing the west end for what would be the equivalent of a 48 or 52 foot wide
street, which is really for a 4 lane.
Jim Dvorak: That's correct Don. I guess I don't remember exactly how wide it
is but the assessment is based on some standard width roadway that would serve a
commercial /industrial area. The traffic that is going to be using West 78th is
not totally generated by the businesses that abut the road but there's also
quite a bit of thru movement also. The turn lanes and all the amenities that
are into the cost of the project, whether that would be appropriate to assess
back to the abutting properties or not, I guess that's more a policy decision.
But the rationale behind the assessments was some type of 9 ton collector type
roadway, whether it be 36, 48 or whatever we use, I guess I don't recall that at
this time. But in checking this assessment that's proposed here, as Don has
pointed out, it matches very closely to what was previously assessed to the 11 folks to the east.
Councilman Wing: My mind was so clear on this. We've got the west end of town.
It's a whole new project. It's a new world. The sun is shining and we're
assessing it. It's just simple. It's just a basic simple assessment. I don't
have any problem with that. The east end, in our 2 years Mike, and I won't
speak for you, it's clearly a screw -up. It's a disaster. It hasn't worked and
we're fixing it. Am I wrong in separating these two projects out? To my way
it's Kerber to Powers and we're handling that with an assessment. To the east
we're going to fix the problem that should have been fixed 10 years ago and it's
going to be done with tax increment money. Do I have to go any further on that?
Is that too narrow or is that a reasonable way to approach this?
Councilman Senn: Dick, that's too narrow. Because if you look at the numbers
here, that's not what they say. You can't say that $884,000.00 of assessments
is covering almost $2,200,000.00 in costs for the west end.
Councilman Mason: No, it's not $2,200,000.00. '
Councilman Senn: Well that's what it says here. Powers Boulevard, West 78th,
Powers to Kerber. That tells me there's $2,200,000.00.
Mayor Chmiel: No.
Don Ashworth: $1,376,000.00. I don't think it's fair to add the $864,000.00
for Powers as though it's a cost of 78th Street.
Councilman Senn: Well then let's separate it into three segments but Dick was ,
just separating into two and what I'm saying is, when you separate into two,
that's what it comes back and tells me. Because you're assessing $884,000.00
but that end of the project is cost $2.2 million.
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City Council Meeting - March 22, 1993
Don Ashworth: Well, and Roger might want to comment here but I think if we were
to go about assessing County 17, Powers Boulevard in that section, especially
' with what we're attempting to do, I don't think we'd sustain that assessment.
I mean we're assessing that portion that we reasonably can assess which is West
78th Street detachment which means we're assessing $860,000.00 out of $1.3
' million. Which is approximately, is the same ratio that occurred in the
downtown. So if the assessments there were $800,000.00, the cost of the project
was $1.3 million.
' Roger Knutson: Take a stab at it.
Mayor Chmiel: One more time. Go ahead.
Roger Knutson: The basic rule of assessments, which I think you all know is you
can't assess more than the amount more than the project causes the market value
of that property to increase in value. And what's been done here, as I
' understand it, is we looked at what you call a commercial equivalent. How much
street sense does this project really need and how much is created by being part
of a bigger road network and that was the number that he came up with. Taking
' those two things into consideration.
Councilman Senn: Okay but then the $2.2 million that you're talking about plus
interest, in effect, or I guess it's not really $2.2 million. The $2.4 million
that you're talking about in effect being the TIF money plus interest becomes
then in effect a public subsidy that's going back to the taxpayers because
rather than that money going on the tax rolls to control taxes, that money is
going to be going to pay this roadway back there. Correct?
Roger Knutson: That's correct.
' Councilman Wing: Why do we create a TIF district? I thought that's why TIF was
created.
' Roger Knutson: You can see in a lot of communities that don't have this kind of
TIF money available, I'll tell you what happens because I work in some of those
communities. The roads just don't get built. Because you can't assess it.
Councilman Senn: Yeah and this is only a fraction of the TIF cost though going
into that overall area of the project. Mr. James came up here earlier and said,
' he hopes he can rely very heavily on TIF when he builds his project. Target,
the outlots, everything else, they were already getting heavy TIF subsidies. The
roadway here is an additional issue relating to the area. You cannot tie it
back into any of those TIF deals correct?
' Don Ashworth: Say that again?
' Councilman Senn: The road, this roadway issue that we're dealing with here,
which is a $3.3 million has absolutely nothing to do with TIF subsidies that are
already being given to Target, the outlot or Mr. James expects or whatever?
Those are going to be separate TIF deals other than the road deal?
Don Ashworth: No. You calculate the full amount of dollars that a project is
eligible to receive. In this caes Target was roughly $1 million. You subtract
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City Council Meeting - March 22, 1993
off of that any public improvement costs that are proposed to be carried out,
the streets, etc and that's exactly what we did with Rosemount and Target. The
remaining amount of what would be up to 3 years of taxes can be used for a land
writedown, which was the case with Rosemount. Or in this case, we had
additional costs of preserving the trees, insuring that we had the additional
landscaping, and all the rest of that stuff as it was associated with Target. So
included in that, and I think it was $986,000.00, the first thing subtracted out
of there was the amount out of this assessment roll which is proposed to go
against Target. Which I agree is a minor amount. $100 and do you know off hand
Jim the amount that's proposed to be assessed to Target?
Jim Dvorak: About $180,000.00.
Don Ashworth: I was going to guess 160. ,
Councilman Senn: So the $800,000.00 assessment number is truly then basically
an adding up of the numbers you expect to have remaining out of that TIF money
to go back and pay for the assessments?
Don Ashworth: As all of the properties in that area would develop, you would
anticipate that they would be able to achieve a writedown in the special
assessments against them. I think that Mr. James may be one of the first ones
to the microphone saying, you know he participated in a conversation regarding
trunk water assessments against his property and he liked this conversation
about potentially reducing his costs because of development that could be
eligible. The problem was, it really didn't come in the timeframe that he was
hoping it would come and he has ended up paying those principal and interest
payments himself. Not been able to fully take advantage of that program. I'm
sure he would hope to be able to fully take advantage of it as it deals with
this $864,000.00 assessment, not all of which would go against him. But a 11 portion, $300.
Councilman Senn: So if I'm understanding you, I think I just got what you said.
The $884,000.00, or whatever it is, is a total of what you would expect to get
in off of that TIF formula for the abutting properties.
Don Ashworth: If they can bring development to the table and we enter into a
development contract whereby then the HRA would take over that $884,000.00
because of the new development that they're bringing into the community.
Councilman Senn: If they don't they have to pay it themselves? ,
Don Ashworth: That's correct.
Councilman Senn: So we're telling them they'd better get in here with a project
and ask for more TIF dollars so we can pay them back for the public improvements
with our TIF dollars?
Don Ashworth: Well, if they don't bring a project to the table, they eat the
costs. '
Mayor Chmiel: Any other questions Mark?
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City Council Meeting - March 22, 1993
Councilman Senn: That's it for questions.
II Mayor Chmiel: Okay. Michael.
Councilman Mason: No. I've been privy to all this stuff for the last couple
II years.
Mayor Chmiel: Colleen.
I Councilwoman Dockendorf: Well I haven't been privy to all of this for the last
couple of years and I kind of feel like I'm coming in on the bottom of the 9th.
' These pictures in here aren't showing me clearly what's happening. You know,
probably out of my own ignorance and fault I haven't looked into this enough but
I'd like, particularly where the, I'd like to see where the semifores are going.
II Mayor Chmiel: You're more concerned with the semifores...
Councilwoman Dockendorf: I. understood on the left we've got one at Powers and
II at the Target entrance and then the next one is Kerber.
Jim Dvorak: This would be Powers at this point. Okay, and then here's the main
entrance into the Target site.
Councilwoman Dockendorf: And you're got 2 lanes there plus a left turn?
II Jim Dvorak: Actually there's a left turn, 2 thrus and a right...
Councilwoman Dockendorf: While you're on that. Is right now the way CR 17 has
been done, it's really bad when you're taking a left turn. You can't see
anything. Is that going be graded so the sight lines will be better?
Jim Dvorak: Yeah, some of that will be, sight lines will be taken care of...
Councilwoman Dockendorf: And again we've got 2 lanes plus a couple left turns
or what do we have there?
Jim Dvorak: When we're at Kerber, we're into the, on the east side we're into
the existing area. One of the problems that we have is...again at Market and
another...widening at this point. Here we've added another left turn movement
south of Market. Then down at Laredo is another signal proposed. Here again
some widening at this point and then continuing on and get to this area.
Basically in front of the Medical Arts businesses, there will be a widening...
1 Councilwoman Dockendorf: Okay. I hate this. I realize it's necessary but I
just, it reminds me of what I consider the mistake that was made on Highway 5
which is stoplight after stoplight after stoplight and it certainly doesn't give
me the feel of a boulevard which is what we're trying to do with that Highway 5
corridor study. But I understand the traffic concerns. Are we doing anything
11 interesting with the semifores to make them unique?
Jim Dvorak: Interesting?
11
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City Council Meeting - March 22, 1993
II
Councilwoman Dockendorf: I have no idea what I have in mind but are they going
to be, I mean they're not going to be posted on the size. They're going to
be...
Jim Dvorak: They'll be basically a standard signal with a mast arm that's in
the corner, comes up. There's a light on top of the mast arm and then it arches ,
over and supports...
Mayor Chmiel: You're looking for a more unique kind of a fixture? '
Councilwoman Dockendorf: Yes. I'm looking at something that coordinates with
our street lights.
Charles Folch: I might add that, we are intending to the finish and the
coloring for these signal poles and mast arms are, we're intending to have them
look and be compatible with the corten steel lighting that will be going out
there. So they'll be kind of a brown tint to dark corten color. They won't be
like your standard MnDot green base with a yellow pole and aluminum, brushed
aluminum mast arm. They'll be all like a dark corten light. 1
Councilwoman Dockendorf: And we have to have the standard red, green, yellow?
Mayor Chmiel: All we need is a skyhook so they can... 1
Councilwoman Dockendorf: Well, there's nothing I can do about it. Thank you.
Mayor Chmiel: Okay, thank you. Richard.
Councilman Wing: Engineers wear pins Colleen that say stop lights are your
friends. We'll just time them. But good Councilmembers have a pin that says
it's the lights stupid, and they are a problem. Don, I'd like to talk about
just this east end. Specifically the east end. I don't want to talk about tax
increment or anything else. I want to talk about the east end. We all know
that, those that have been on the Council, that there's been an incredible
number of complaints and traffic's coming to a standstill and cars can't pass
and emergency vehicles, they're having problems and the stop lights were
requested by the neighborhoods that exist. What we've had 1, 2, 3 requests for
stop lights specifically plus whatever development has brought in. So they're
here. But my concern is, is that this is becoming our Lake Street and our
future has nothing but growth and development. It's not going anyplace but up
sky high and more people are coming in and who knows what surprises Mr. James
has for us in his development but maybe it's going to be a Mills Fleet Farm and
a Wal Mart both right across from Target. What I'm getting at here is we're
going to be drawing into this community more and more and more and are we, this
was poorly done. It was done wrong. We know it was done wrong. We know it's
been a problem. We know cars can't pass. We know traffic can't flow, etc, etc,
etc. We can't run two lanes of traffic. Fire equipment can't pass cars when
they pull over the way they're supposed to. And I hate to have staff turn to me
and say, will he never be satisfied. But I've got to ask the question because
my concern is, is that if I want to be visionary and look to what the city is
going to be in 10 years, 15 years, even though it's costing a million dollars to
fix what we should have never done in the first place, and to take out stuff
that probably should never have been put in in the first place, and widen lanes '
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I City Council Meeting - March 22, 1993
II that should have been wider in the first place and those engineers don't work in
the city anymore, wherever they are. Is this a bandaid just to cut down public
opinon? Is this a short term fix with no hope for the future? And is this a
' long term disaster? This one's on my shift now so it starts to bother me a
little bit. We can add a little turn lane here and a tiny bit of curb cut here
so the aerial truck can actually make the turn, and widen this area so that if
the signs are right, the truck can squeeze by the car that pulls over. But when
I we start looking at our city develop, is this going to be another impassable
road that we're going to have to in 10 years say, this is hopeless. We can't
move traffic on West 78th Street. It's got to be a 4 lane road or we simply
t need an 18 foot lane. Is this the time to buy the land, widen the thing out,
admit that maybe we can't fit some of the landscaping in. Maybe we can't take
that...traffic studies 10 -15 years from now and never deal with this again. Or
are we going to bandaid it and is this in fact a bandaid and is it on our shift?
I Are we going to be looked back on the guys that didn't have the foresight to
move traffic down West 78th Street?
Don Ashworth: Jim should respond but I would like to go through my
recollection. That was the first step we took was to employ Strgar. Take a
look at the projections and flow for this road. To design what would be the
I ultimate roadway through the community. One in which they felt would
comfortably handle the traffic as far as they could reasonably foresee into the
future. Then as far as particular improvements we said, yes. We are going to
go back and do the whole thing to insure that trucks leaving the station,
II turning at Laredo and heading west have the full lane configuration. They've
got the ultimate design now. As it dealt with that segment to the east, we said
alright. Yes you may come back in some of these sections such as right in front
I of the furniture store. And go into their existing parking, eliminate that
entire row of parking stalls but is that necessary for today's traffic needs?
And so the design in front of you is not going to be one in which we go back and
' we tear everything out. There are small parts of it that we maybe move further
back such as right in front of the hotel. That's a problem because we've got
the retaining wall. Jim, have I properly paraphrased all of the work efforts?
Jim Dvorak: Yeah, I think so Don. I guess I'd just like to add a thing or two
here. Roadways have a certain life and as engineers we design for basically a
20 year lifespan. We try and use traffic projections that will take us through
' that 20 years. Hopefully you'll get more than 20 years out of your roads. Maybe
you'll get 30. Here you have a road that was recently built. I guess I'm not
even sure when it was constructed but in our mind it doesn't make any sense to
take and remove those things that you've already had built and have paid for
II unless it's absolutely necessary. We think we should get a little use out of
that roadway and then when the problem is becoming apparent, then make the full
improvements as Don said. You know use what you have. Use what you've paid for
I and then plan for in the future and we have, as Don pointed out, have an
ultimate plan through the area and all of these things that we're doing are kind
of part of the plan. You're right there will probably need to be other things
I done in the future but we think you should use what you've already paid for, for
as long as possible.
Councilman Wing: But Jim my problem is, I have no problem with what you're
II saying at all and I agree with that and the 20 year life, but I think I've been
on some heated discussions here in the last 2 years where it's been determined,
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City Council Meeting - March 22, 1993
at least the Council at that time, that the project was a poor one to begin with
and it simply didn't meet the city needs and it didn't allow for traffic flow.
And so even though we've got some minor fixes coming in, and forget the fire
department. If a city sweeper is going down the street, I guess I still see
traffic held up. If a city truck is parked, cleaning trees or doing whatever
they're going to do, or fixing the road, we've got lane closure. I mean West
78th Street is shut down. We don't have traffic flow on West 78th Street. So I
admit, we can use what we built and then in 10 or 12 or 15 years still have to
condemn the property, rip out the parking lots, at a much greater cost, maybe
today is the time you maybe ought to look at the road for it's entirety and just
say we made a mistake. Why don't we fix it right once and for all. I mean I'm
going to have a hard time going along with this because there's little bandaids.
A little corner here and a little width here. We've still got this narrow
little road that's our main east /west Lake Street and it's certainly not, if you
need it 4 lane to the west, you're probably going to need it 4 lane to the east.
Maybe, I'm just suggesting and I'm not, this isn't an ax I'm carrying other than
saying maybe now's the time to be looking at doing this project upfront once and
for all and meeting the future needs once and for all and building for the
future. Not putting a few bandaids on just because we did it wrong a while ago.
That's my only comments. I think we're short sighted in what we're doing and
I'm not so sure we shouldn't be going all the way east to west. Doing the whole
road right now. It's going to be harder to move it. Harder to condemn it.
Parking is going to become more accustomed. Walls are going to be built.
Businesses are going to be established. Then we're going to come roaring down
there with bulldozers to make a road that's mandatory so, those are just my
comments and thoughts. ,
Councilman Senn: Dick are you talking about, I mean the whole length or really
where the bottleneck so to speak occurs to the east?
Councilman Wing: Kerber east.
Councilman Senn: So really the eastern bottleneck. ,
Councilman Wing: Just the eastern bottleneck. Just the part that was done that
hasn't worked. '
Councilman Senn: Which is being redone but you still have the bottleneck down
to the east.
Councilman Wing: Yeah, they're trying to open up the bottleneck with some of
the little turn lanes and some widening here and there so at least if a car
stops, another car can get by and it doesn't have to be a firetruck. It could
be anybody. If a street sweeper breaks down, can we get by? Well, I think what
you're saying is there's enough width occurring that we're going to have a,
we're going to be able to pass two trucks now? 1
Jim Dvorak: In quite a few areas we've attempted to give some additional width
so that you do have two lanes but you are correct in stating that there are
still some areas that only have what is existing today with this plan.
Councilman Wing: Alright, so then in fact, then I'll bring up the fire
department. So the fire department will still in effect then, if a car pulls 1
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City Council Meeting - March 22, 1993
over and stops like it's supposed to, and they do. We're still then going to
have a bottleneck for that piece of equipment. A truck, no matter what the stop
lights say, a car pulls over and stops by State law, and they do on West 78th
Street, whenever an emergency vehicle approaches, and that's our main
' thoroughfare east and westbound, so the fire department has the same problem, at
least going eastbound that they're going to bottleneck up then. And have to
come to a halt or drive up on curbs to get through cars. We're not fixing the
' problem. We're only bandaiding some specific areas.
Jim Dvorak: There are areas that are remaining the same, that's correct.
' Don Ashworth: I don't know if I would totally agree with that, if I may. First
of all remember that we're still proceeding with the idea of the firemen being
able to activate the button. Basically it's going to turn this signal green for
them and stop any further traffic from coming through.
Councilman Wing: Don, I don't want to aggravate you here. Let's leave the fire
11 department out of it. Let's just work with x vehicles but wide sized vehicles
that might be stalled or trying to pass.
Don Ashworth: Through this segment in here, we're bringing the curb back to
11 have sufficient distance to pass a plow, whatever the case may be. As you pull
into this segment, you notice this is the turn over toward the Riveria. So this
curb...so you still maintain that passing condition down through this segment
and one area that's a real problem is right in here. But this is the area right
in front of the Dinner Theatre and to take out that entire row of parking, I
mean yes. If there's a stalled vehicle there, and a stalled sweeper, you've got
a problem. But if you're simply following that sweeper, that small, I mean it's
' not as though you're having to follow it all the way through the downtown. You
follow it for 200 feet before it opens back up again. And it's not an issue, I
mean at some time yes, we will take and bring this one back out. But I don't
know that it warrants the expense at this time and the removal of a lot of
landscaping in that process might...and I think there were certain compromises
that were being made in terms of the loss of landscaping in comparison to
insuring that you have that 2 lane condition.
Councilman Wing: That clarifies my question Don, thank you.
Mayor Chmiel: Any other questions? I think it would have been simplified more
if we could have had the exact widths on the north and south side of those roads
as well as extending from east to west to have alleviated some of the concerns
' that we're talking about. That was some of the questions that I had as to what
the widths were and I don't think I'm going to pursue that now because some of
that's been explained even though I don't know what those widths basically are.
' One of the other questions that I had is regarding the Department of
Transportation Carver County. Have they reviewed this and come up with an
approval for the areas that are going to involve them?
Jim Dvorak: We have received comments from Carver County and have incorporated
those comments into the plan. We do not anticipate any further major changes
from Carver County. State Aid is basically reviewing the plan because Carver
County wants to keep this on their system and receive some type of funding for
it. They may have some things to do with content and format of the plan but the
11 66
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City Council Meeting - March 22, 1993
e =
basic design I do not believe they will have much to say about. We cannot get
their final approval until the city approves the plans and Charles signs the
plans and Carver County engineer signs the plans and then we send it back to
them for their final approval. They have a draft set that they are reviewing at
this time.
Mayor Chmiel: Okay. Some of the other things that I'had regarding the
easements. Some of these, some of the easements are temporary. Some are
perpetual. Some are outright acquiesce. On each of these parcels that we have,
have we started any negotiations with any of the parcels at this time? Or have
none of these been approached yet?
Don Ashworth: I guess I would leave that back over to, do you feel comfortable 1
answering that Charles?
Mayor Chmiel: And let me just add a little bit more to it. Some of these 1
temporary easements that we're getting. Should they be a permanent easement
rather than just that temporary in some of these specific parcels?
Roger Knutson: Well the temporaries are to be used for construction purposes.
Mayor Chmiel: Right.
Roger Knutson: And to this date we get our descriptions from an engineering
firm and I see no need for it.
Mayor Chmiel: Alright. Okay. Next time what I'd like to see, if and when we
go through the process again, I'd like to see who the actual parcel owners are
on each of these parcels rather than just showing the perpetual easement of the
roadway for such and such.
Roger Knutson: ...that information is available and we can share that with you.
Mayor Chmiel: Alright. That was the other question I had.
Councilman Senn: Don? I'm sorry, I didn't know we were asking questions on B.
I had just one there. Is the action then that we're taking, I mean if I
understand the action, we are actually authorizing the acquisition of the
easements and the quick takes. To me to do that I think we need the list
exactly that you asked for of the property owners and the amounts of money that
we're offering.
Mayor Chmiel: I guess this is all part of the total dollar package. Is that 1
correct Jim?
Jim Dvorak: The easements that are required. 1
Mayor Chmiel: Or is that in addition to it?
Jim Dvorak: The costs were not reflected in the dollars shown in my letter for 1
easements. So those would be additional.
1
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II City Council Meeting - March 22, 1993 .
Roger Knutson: But to point out the obvious. That we do is obtain an appraiser
I and the appraiser gives us the numbers. We offer the appraised amount. But any
approval of a settlement, you know if we come back and someone wants $5.00 or
$500,000.00 and whatever we agree to has to come back for your approval. Nothing
II is done without your approval.
Mayor Chmiel: Yeah, right.
II Councilman Senn: In concept I don't understand why we're going out and buying
temporary construction easements and why we're not getting them free when we're
turning around and suggesting that we're paying all of these people's assessment
II costs.
Mayor Chmiel: Well maybe we could be getting them free on some of them.
II Councilman Senn: Well and I guess, but that's what I'm saying. 1 mean when
we're authorizing this to proceed, I think we should know what we're authorizing
II versus this kind of blank check approach that says go out and negotiate the
fields. I think our policy should be that if we're paying their assessments for
them, then we should be getting at least the temporary construction easements
for nothing. And I think that should even maybe even looked further into
II permanent easements depending on what the situation is. I mean we're talking
about spending big bucks for these property owners. Our residents probably wish
they could achieve the same when their streets go in.
II Roger Knutson: In a lot of these cases, like in the case of Mr. James'
property, if we're going to pay the assessments, Mr. James, that depends upon
what Mr. James builds and when he builds it. You may or may not pay his
II assessments. And our experience in the past is most people want to get paid.
I've never.
II Councilman Senn: Well then let's assess him too. Assess him the full value of
the improvements. Let's assess the east end the value of their improvements.
If we're going to turn around and pay him for the temporary easements and the
I easements.
Don Ashworth: The only way that I could see that working, and Roger is correct.
I mean we've got to do the project which means we've got to get the easement.
I You've got to pay compensation to obtain that. Now in a subsequent action, if
the property is developed and they come back and look to an incentive package
because they have brought whoever to the plate, you may want to see the
II incentive package show that one of the things we'll get back first will be any
monies that we spent for easement acquisition.
I Mayor Chmiel: That's a good point.
Councilman Senn: That's a good point but I don't see that included in here at
all and I guess I'd like to see it as a matter of policy included.
II Don Ashworth: Right but where it would need to be included would be in the
HRA's redevelopment plan because it's the HRA's redevelopment plan that spells
II out what form of assistance you're going to provide to the individual owners.
The other problem may be, and I haven't thought the whole thing through, is
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City Council Meeting - March 22, 1993 II
you've got an existing owner. Let's say the people that own the property here
in front. The Mithune's. Well if we pay Mithune's for the acquisition of that
I/
right -of -way, they end up selling it and it's ABC Companies, is it really right
that we're going to reduce the incentive offer to ABC Companies simply because
they bought the property from Mithune. ,
Councilman Senn: No. Normally when you sell a piece of property, especially
commercial, you have to pay those assessments before it goes forward. If
there's any outstanding assessments. I mean that's pretty standard policy on
commercial property.
Don Ashworth: Okay. 1
Councilman Senn: I mean I'd rather see you go back and at least as getting
maybe a motion halfway there, have the HRA adopt that kind of a policy before 11 you come back and have us adopt assessments.
Mayor Chmiel: That could be a recommendation from Council to HRA to do that
when it comes to their particular part of it. ,
Councilman Senn: Well Don, I guess what I'm saying is I'd rather see that
policy before I agree, or at least as one person sitting up here agree to go
spend money to buy these easements.
Mayor Chmiel: Well in order to make the improvements you have to go out and
purchase those easement rights and spend those dollars accordingly.
Councilman Senn: I understand that.
Mayor Chmiel: So if we take a position right now and say that we would like HRA
to reconsider some of the previous things that they have done before, but to
include into this those easement portions into that agreement, I think that
would take care of your concerns.
Councilman Senn: No it wouldn't because I'd like to see.
Mayor Chmiel: Well it would mine. I/
Councilman Senn: I'm just saying from my perspective I'd like to see the policy
in place from the HRA in place before we take an action, saying we're going to
go buy these easements.
Don Ashworth: If I may Mr. Mayor. Let's assume that the Council tonight made a
motion saying that you would like to take and see the HRA modify it's
redevelopment plan to include a new policy whereby any payments made to property
owners for easement acquisitions would be a first reduction out of any subsidy
offered to them. Okay. You're talking about modifying the plan itself, so I
mean you're talking, the draft work necessary to actually carry that out. The
formal notices back over to the School District and the County, back to the HRA.
I mean what is a typical process Todd? That's 6, 8, 10 weeks?
Todd Gerhardt: The notice part is 30 days...School Board, County Board, and the
public hearings through the HRA, Planning Commission back to the Council.
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Don Ashworth: You delay this 2 months and this project will not open when
Target opens. If this project, including the lights are not opened when they
open, I think we're in big trouble.
Councilman Senn: So your answer is is we should go spend both amounts of money?
Don Ashworth: I see nothing wrong with the Mayor's suggestion that you direct
the HRA to make that plan modification under the premise that they in fact will
comply with what it is you ask them to do.
Councilman Senn: But all these will be in the hopper before you do that which
I means you're going to come back with the next argument which is, we can't effect
the properties that were already in the hopper. Well I mean that's what we keep
coming back to all the time on these deals.
Don Ashworth: If this were to be applied back to Target, I might agree with you
but we've already taken the additional lands that we need for Target. If
somebody walked in the door tomorrow, I just don't see anyway in which you're
going to have a owner be paid today and not subject him to what would be this
new policy in 60 or 90 days.
Councilman Senn: Well you could. I mean the way you could do that is you can
give them in effect the purchase price or whatever of the easement or whatever
but you can say write back into the assessment agreement that gee, if we don't
get credit for that, you get assessed for it because we also have the right to
assess them for it. We don't have to forgive the assessment and use public
subsidy to pay their assessments. You know Don, I'm no wonderful genius on this
stuff. I don't know why it wasn't really thrown out before but I look at this
1 thing and it's just like a bottomless pit of money. Everything I look in here
is just the money going out, out, out, out.
' Councilman Mason: First of all, I think once again we're getting mucked down in
the mire here and I'm not quite sure why. This stuff about bottomless pit Don,
I believe I heard you say not too long ago that 1992 put Chanhassen in the best
financial position it's ever been in.
Don Ashworth: I was talking about all of your funds, yes.
Councilman Mason: All of the funds, so I question the bottomless pit. I do
know my property taxes are still continuing to go down. Not very much but my
city portion is going down so it seems.
Mayor Chmiel: I'm glad you said that.
Councilman Mason: Oh, hey. I mean I think this banter could go on for quite
some time. I'm ready to make a motion to approve this here.
Councilman Wing: The plan modification Mike, I think that in due respect
to Mark's comments, I agree with some of his comments. I'd like to see this
plan modification looked at by staff. Reviewed by staff and a recommendation
made to Council before it goes to the HRA because I'm not convinced that I'm in
agreement with Mark. But Don, I think Mark's comments are well taken. I think
11 that this plan modification should be reviewed and a recommendation made from
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your office prior to going to HRA. I'd like to see it handled that way and I
will second. Did you make a motion? I got lost here.
Mayor Chmiel: Yes he did.
Councilman Wing: I'll second that. West 78th Street's got to get rolling. 1
Mayor Chmiel: You're right and what Don had said, if we don't start on this, I
probably shudder more than anybody else here when I think of the amount of
dollars that are going to be expedited on this. But I know that we have to have
this done by the time Target is in or we're going to have people running after
us with whatever those things fasten around the neck and get tight. But I think
that we do have to go with that but I'd like to see all the things that were
discussed and the conditions as such to come up with and I'll call the question
in regard to this. All those in favor of approving the plans and specs for West
78th Street detachment and downtown improvements and authorize for bids 1
regarding the project 92 -3 and West 78th Street Detachment Project resolution
authorizing the acquisition of easements and /or quick take.
Councilman Mason moved, Councilman Wing seconded to approve Resolution 193 -24, 1
approving the plans and specifications and authorizing advertising for bids; and
Resolution 193 -25, authorizing the acquisition of easements and /or quick takes.
All voted in favor, except Councilman Senn who opposed, and the motion carried
with a vote of 4 to 1.
Don Ashworth: For clarification. So that motion was both A and B? 1
Mayor Chmiel: That's correct.
Councilman Wing: Can you put in your notes to get us a Manager's recommendation 1
on Mark's comments.
Mayor Chmiel: Yeah, he has that down. 1
DISCUSSION OF SEASONAL ROAD WEIGHT RESTRICTIONS.
Public Present: 1
Name Address
Nancy Lee Shakopee
Patrick Blood Shakopee
Chris Boatright Aagard West
Gary Lano Chaska Sanitation
Tom Moline Woodlake Sanitation Service
Charles Folch: Mr. Mayor, members of the Council. As some of you may be aware 1
of, each spring the City imposes along with the Minnesota Department of
Transportation and the County Highway Department, seasonal road weight
restrictions during the spring thaw period. This typically lasts about 2 months
or so and each spring the Carver County Sheriff's Department will cite a number
of violators of these road restrictions. Last year some of the violators that
were actually caught were companies that provide garbage service to the 1
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1 community. About a month ago 3 of these haulers representing Aagard West,
Chaska Sanitation and Woodlake Sanitary Service, contacted staff and we sat down
1 and had a meeting to discuss some of the issues surrounding this matter and I've
included some of the discussions, information from that discussion in the staff ,
report. From what staff's been able to determine, it appears as some of these
I heaulers are able to provide service with equipment that meets the weight
restrictions in the spring and whereas others have equipment on their fleet that
if loaded in providing a service, they're not able to readily meet the weight
restrictions. As I've eluded to in the staff report, we're very concerned about
1 our roads in Chanhassen. We deal with the issue of maintaining our streets with
an annual maintenance sealcoating, crack filling, overlay program. From time to
time we're also faced with considering major street reconstruction projects
1 which are always a very difficult battle for neighborhoods to go through, not
only from an inconvenience during construction standpoint but also potential
cost assessment standpoint. So we're looking to at least develop some sort of
I solution to this problem. Being that these weight restrictions is an ordinance,
staff, as I explained to the haulers here, we could not staffwise could not
administratively grant them a permit to run overloaded during this period.
That's something that the Council would have to grant. I've provided a couple
II alternatives that in this short period that we've kind of devised as potential
options to deal with this or investigate further to deal with the solution. A
number of the haulers are also here tonight to provide some information on their
I concerns with the problem and how we might potentially arrive at a solution.
Mayor Chmiel: Okay, thank you Charles. I noticed today I had my pick -up from
Woodlake and I noticed that they did have a much smaller truck for pick -up on
1 city streets. But I also think that, or I like the fact that we're looking at
maybe potentially assigning, I don't know how we'd do this but, and I don't like
getting mixed up into somebody else's business but rather than having one truck
1 go through, or 3 or 4 or 5 trucks go through my particular neighborhood, maybe
just having 1 vehicle or 1 company and somehow split these things up but I know
how protective each of those haulers get with that. I'd like to suggest too
I that we involve the Solid Waste Committee that we have on this to at least
funnel some of that information through them and then get back to Council with
it as well. But I do understand the problems that we have with the roads and
I know that the cost of these roads, as you mentioned in here, the investment is
II over $60 million in roads and of course those heavier vehicles are the ones who
really cause most of the problems within the city. So with that I will open
discussion.
1 Councilman Wing: What do other cities do? We've talked about this before. Do
a lot of other cities limit or contract or is it kind of a free for all overall?
1 Charles Folch: Well from what we can tell in talking to other communities,
there is quite a few that apparently impose the seasonal weight restriction.
Some of them, even though they put up signs, they may tend to look the other way
II for certain types of vehicles such as, well by State law school buses are exempt
but other vehicles such as garbage hauling and such. They may tend to just look
the other way and primarily concentrate on construction vehicles and things like
II that.
Councilman Wing: How about the cities Charles that have gone to a contract
system where just one carrier with one truck with 2 or 3, is that real common?
II
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1
Charles Folch: Well, actually the only, speaking from my own experience, the
only community that I am familiar with that has, that I've been involved in that
has a citywide contract for garbage hauling is the city of Hastings and they
actually, because of the soil types being real sandy, do not have a problem with
road restrictions in the springtime but there may be other communities out there
that also do a have a citywide program that I'm not aware of. 1
Councilman Wing: I guess I'd be interested in hearing from some of the haulers.
(At this point the quality of the recording became very poor and was hard to
hear what was being said.)
Mayor Chmiel: ...major concerns that we had back when we originally initiated ,
this was to, not put anybody out of business but I think we have what totally,
11 haulers?
Charles Folch: 11 licensed haulers currently. ,
Mayor Chmiel: It'd be nice if they'd be able to work those things out
themselves. That sometimes is not the problem...past business of working for
NSP, I know there becomes quite a problem for the haulers... I'd like to, if at
all possible...I don't know. I don't have any real solutions to eliminating,
and I don't like eliminating businesses per se. But Mark do you have something? 1
Councilman Senn: Yeah, I don't, well Don I agree with you 100% and I don't
think we need to eliminate business. Our neighborhood fias one truck come in
once a week. Gary can speak for himself but I think it's a good deal for our I/
neighborhood and I think he thinks it's a good deal too because he told me up
front, it's wonderful to be able to come in and pick up 40 houses in just a
couple blocks. That lowers the rates plus raises his margin. Now to me we
ought to put the garbage haulers...sensible ones versus the non sensible ones
but we ought to keep the senisible ones together with staff...system could be
designed out. Districtize or whatever, that kind of a system because at least
from what we've done in our neighborhood, that's what we do. Gary probably
won't like me to say this but I'd match rates with any one of you. So I think
there's benefits for everybody but again I'd rather see something like this
designed by the experts in the industry working with staff and seeing if they
can come up with...that they could both live with and then come back to us with
a recommendation.
Mayor Chmiel: Well I just see a few of these here on the list, commercial and
construction debris. There are three only and they wouldn't have to haul during
that period of time so...just automatically take three off there. i
Councilman Senn: The big concern becomes the regular...
Mayor Chmiel: Yeah, right. And that's I think... 1
Councilwoman Dockendorf: Yeah, this whole discussion goes beyond city
roadways...and contrary to what Charles is saying...we don't want that but
there's...
Mayor Chmiel: Michael, do you have something?
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II Councilman Mason: I'm just listening. What I'm hearing sounds good so far. I
do have a little trouble with 6 different haulers going down Woodhill Drive...
II but that's a real tough issue. If there's someway the haulers can coordinate. Of
course then you're going to have...one sanitation service for 10 years are going
to be yelling and screaming when they have to change so, it's a can of worms but I
I I think it's something we need to slowly start dealing with. f
Mayor Chmiel: And I think too, if we bring in all these licensed haulers to a
Council meeting, maybe we can get a little better handle on it as well. From
II their perspective...
Charles Folch: Mr. Mayor, we do have a couple of haulers out in the audience
II tonight if you'd like to take some testimony from them.
Mayor Chmiel: Yeah, we're getting close to our bewitching hour but we'd be more
II than happy if you sat here this long with us, we could take on a minute or two
to listen to you.
Tom Moline: Thank you Mr. Mayor. Council. My name is Tom Moline. I'm
II operations manager for Woodlake Sanitation. Just briefly, after our meeting
with the city staff, city engineer and so forth, we explained our position which
was actually resources. Putting your resources. What resources do you have
II where you have them? We took a look at the city's concerns. I felt real good
coming away from there because by, I almost started jockeying things around. We
are trying to comply totally with the road restrictions, even down as far as 4
and 5 ton under this open system we have here and I was under the impression
II that all the haulers were going to try and jockey their resources around. It's
also true for us in the private sector here that we have to watch our resources.
These trucks aren't cheap and we can't get them right away so it's something
II relatively new to the industry and so we're trying but it takes time and it
takes capital but currently we're working in different parts of the city, only
on 2 days of the week, Monday and Tuesday, with three small trucks and our big
I truck we're limiting to the, when it's empty a 7 ton road and then the 9 ton
road. We are not going on any 4 or 5 ton roads. Period.
Mayor Chmiel: Yeah, that's why I had mentioned your smaller truck made my
II pick -up this morning. I noticed that immediately because I had read this prior
to, it was good to see.
II Tom Moline: Yeah, so we are trying to work with the city and staff here. Any
other questions?
II Mayor Chmiel: I guess not. Thank you. Anyone else? Okay. Action on this
Charles. You're looking for one of the four options that you've indicated.
Charles Folch: Or any other option which you feel merits further investigation.
II Mayor Chmiel: Yeah, I'd like to get some of that citizen input as well.
I Councilman Mason: Yeah, I'm curious Charles. It's great to hear that about
Woodlake. Is anyone else, any of the other haulers trying to work with that?
II
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II
Folch: Well I did receive a call today from Gary Lano from Chaska, Y Y 7 and
he apologized. He couldn't make it to the meeting tonight but he did state that
you know he is, they're trying to do what they can to stay within the limits but '
he's being honest in stating that he's not able to do that in all cases. In
looking at he was, I basically sent a copy of the staff report to all the
haulers and he just wanted to go on record as saying that the only option that
he really opposed was option number 3 I believe which is organizing the city
into districts and such which he felt would really hurt his business, being a
small company. He didn't feel he'd be able to compete on a big city wide
contract basis. Chris Boatright from Aagard West.
Councilman Senn: A clarification. City wide contract.
Charles Folch: Or districting a city wide contract. A large district type
contract. Mr. Chris Boatright of Aagard West, he's kind of been the spearhead
man from the beginning on this. Unfortunately he was going to be here tonight.
I'm not sure why he's not but he is also in a situation where unfortunately his
fleet, his size of fleet, he does not have the ability evidentally to use
smaller vehicles or free up smaller equipment and increase manpower for the
short period of time to be able to meet the weight restrictions on all streets.
So those are basically the three haulers who we've been working with that have
raised the issues and concerns and have been cooperatively working with staff.
Mayor Chmiel: I've seen some of these little Cushman pick -ups with bins in the
back. They would pick -up maybe 2 or 3 homes and then scoot back out to the
highway and dump it back in the big truck and come back in. I've seen that in
several other communities. I know it's an additional cost but so are the roads.
I have concerns with those roads as well.
Don Ashworth: BFI picked mine up this morning and they had the smaller truck. 1
Councilman Senn: I would move that we direct staff to pursue option number 3...
back to us with a recommendation.
Charles Folch: Would you also recommend that that involve the Solid Waste
Committee that we have?
Councilman Senn: Yes. I assume that's a tie in thru staff, I'm sorry.
Councilwoman Dockendorf: I would second that. 1
Councilman Wing: That's one of the recommendations but I think that this, if we
start imposing weight restrictions and enforcing them, it's going to put people
on guard that they simply can't tear the streets up. Even though it's a
necessity and people are contracting for it. Maybe it's going to force some of
the truckers to start looking at that realistic in their planning and thinking
of purchases for the future. Now obviously...if we were to go out and just
enforce it wide open, it'd shut everybody down but I think that we ought to
start letting them know how bad off they are and it's not acceptable and
something's going to give because of it. I don't think we ought to ignore the
enforcement aspect of it.
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City Council Meeting - March 22, 1993
Charles Folch: No. At this point we will continue to enforce the restrictions.
' Only you have the authority to grant permits or waive that otherwise.
Mayor Chmiel: Yeah. Well we have a motion on the floor and I'd like to make a
il friendly amendment to that to also include citizens within the community come up
with some suggestions that they may have, and offer those suggestions as well.
If that's acceptable to the...and the second.
Councilman Senn: I would assume the Solid Waste...
Mayor Chmiel: Right, and have them go through that process. Okay, any other
I discussion?
Councilman Senn moved, Councilwoman Dockendorf seconded directing staff to look
into reducing the number of garbage trucks on local streets by establishing city
garbage service districts and bidding out annual or biannual contracts by
meeting with haulers and the Solid Waste Committee with citizen input. All
voted in favor and the motion carried unanimously.
II Mayor Chmiel: I'd like to probably go to the next item and I'd like to suggest
that we table 12 and maybe if Dick's not going to take too long.
II Councilman Wing: I'll wait until next meeting. I want Paul to be here.
Mayor Chmiel: Good. That'd be Dick's Council Presentation as well. So we'll
II go to item number 11.
CITY COUNCIL REQUEST FOR INFORMATION CONCERNING AUTO RELATED USES AND POSSIBLE
OVERLAY DISTRICT ORDINANCE.
Councilman Senn: Can we table that one too?
II Mayor Chmiel: We're getting very close to the bewitching hour which is 12:00
and I don't know if this can be done within 15 minutes or not. Kate, do you
want to give us.
II Kate Aanenson: Yeah, I'll be very brief. What we're really looking for is some
further direction from the Council. What Paul did here was kind of based on the
work session that you had. Tried to point to you in some direction and that was
one, looking at the auto related uses. Eliminating them from certain uses from
the zone or adopting the PUD overlay district which we had proposed previously.
What we've included in this packet is all the zones along the corridor and what
II the uses would be that may be objectionable as far as auto related. To have you
look at those. Paul points out in his memo that a lot of the vacant property is
being absorbed and there isn't a lot of so called hot spots. We do know of one
II that was raised tonight and we have heard talk of a car wash going on that site.
The other issue is to, we've had requests for them for downtown too. The other
issue too is if we eliminate them entirely from the city, where is the
' appropriate location for these type of uses. We all are users of them. If they
can't go along the so called highway orientation, where should they belong.
Should we create a special district? So I guess what we see as the alternative
is going through the districts and maybe outlining for you those lots that we
II know are vacant and have potential of something happening and giving you the
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options of each of those lots. What could happen. This kind of ties in with
what we're doing with the Highway 5 corridor. Mike was at the last meeting
where we talked about architectural standards. We've kind of got that draft put
together. Beefed up those standards. Next we'll be working on setbacks and as
we look at each of those ordinances we'll be passing them through, the task
force will be looking at those and then we'll pass them onto Planning
Commission. We're not going to wait until they're all one piece. We'd like to
get those into the process as soon as possible so we can react to those. So
that is ongoing too but if you'd like for direction, then going back, if you
want us to pull out some of those vacant lots that may have potential of uses.
We talked about Target, that was an indication that a possibility of two fast
foods going on there. Identifying all those so you can look at specifically
which ones you have concern about and then talk about rezoning. So if you want
to give us direction as far as modification of the zones now or looking at the
PUD overlay. So I guess what we'd want is further direction from you as to
which way you want to go.
Mayor Chmiel: Yes.
Councilman Wing: But I think that this, I think this is one of those items 1
belongs on a work session where we can sit down in a round table with staff and
throw out this ordinance bit and say, we don't like these items. Let's cross
them off and here, where are we going to put these people with a map in front of
us. So we don't have to go through this packet trying to put stuff together.
Councilman Mason: I wonder if it wouldn't be helpful to have a list of those
lands before we did anything.
Kate Aanenson: That's what I'm saying. It might be helpful to show you which
lots are vacant. 1
Councilman Mason: ...might get a little better handle on it.
Kate Aanenson: What's permitted with each of those vacant sites. Okay. Do you
want that for like a work sesson?
Councilman Senn: ...wonderful starting point but I'd really like to, I think '
the idea of a work session specifically dealing only with this issue and
throwing...got to move this along because next month the next proposal's going
to be in. I mean by the time we finish this, they're all going to be built
anyway.
Councilman Wing: At the last minute ask for specific...zoning, land use,
comprehensive plan. This is what we're talking about.
Councilman Senn: Yeah, we take these uses and say okay, now what are we going
to do with them. '
Kate Aanenson: So you're telling me the one component you want to see first is
the vacant lands and what potential uses can go on all those?
Councilman Senn: Right. And the existing land...for these type of uses.
1
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Kate Aanenson: Okay. So existing ones too.
' Councilman Wing: April 7th, I don't want to discuss it at the Council meeting.
I don't want to sit here and be bogged down with these issues at a Council
meeting.
Mayor Chmiel: Okay, is there anything in addition to that that you'd like to
see? There is no need for any action to be taken on this anyway. It's just
' direction that you're looking for and I think we can go with that direction.
Okay.
' Bill Griffith: If you'll indulge me for 60 seconds, I'll be terribly brief but
I have been sitting here for several hours.
Mayor Chmiel: Well, if you gave us all that time we'll give you some time.
Bill Griffith: Okay, thank you sir. Mr. Mayor, Council members. My name is
Bill Griffith. I'm representing the property owners of the Mason parcel which
' you approved a project his evening. They asked me to essentially enter their
objections on the record and the basis for this. If this overlay district is
intended to apply to the project area. The remaining parcel 3 let's call it.
The main reason is because of the long history on this parcel of development
limitations including a 2 1/2 year development moratorium. Two lawsuits. The 6
months process that we just went through and I think a practical limitation is
that auto related uses have been allowed pursuant to a great deal of planning
and study on this property and now the horse is essentially out of the barn. The
area's developed in auto related uses and essentially the reasonable or only
compatible use of the parcel is an auto related use. So we will continue to
follow the process closely. I realize this isn't a public hearing and continue
to object and possibly ultimately challenge application to this parcel. Thank
you.
AMENDMENT TO CITY CODE REGARDING PEDDLERS, SOLICITORS, AND TRANSIENT MERCHANTS,
FIRST READING.
' Mayor Chmiel: So with that I would like to suggest we table item number 12. Do
I have a motion on that?
t Councilman Wing: Except I've read that and this is, okay I just happen to like
it so I'd be happy to approve it.
Councilman Senn: Which one are we on? I thought we were still on 11.
Mayor Chmiel: 11 we just gave direction.
Councilman Senn: I'm sorry. I misunderstood. Okay, but so on 11 are we going
to.
Kate Aanenson: We're going to follow up.
Mayor Chmiel: They're going to follow through with what's necessary to do with
what we proposed to her.
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Councilman Senn: Can we do that at our April 7th meeting or not?
Kate Aanenson: That's my question. 1
Mayor Chmiel: Depending on what time we have and if the time is available, I'd
say...
Kate Aanenson: Paul and myself are both going to be out of town.
Councilman Senn: Our work session is what I'm talking about. I mean we have to
set an agenda for that night I'm assuming.
Kate Aanenson: Paul and I'll be on vacation. Did you want to have someone else
do it ?...
Mayor Chmiel: Okay, next item. Can I have a motion to table item number 12?
Councilman Mason moved, Councilman Wing seconded to table the first reading of
the amendment to City Code regarding Peddlers, Solicitors and Transient
Merchants until the next meeting. All voted in favor and the motion carried. 1
Councilman Wing: Mr. Mayor, before we go home tonight, I would like to once
again state my request that we meet at 7 :00 prior to Council meetings. Round
table upstairs specifically on the consent agenda. Review issues, ideas,
thoughts.
Councilman Senn: Is that a motion? 1
Councilman Wing: I'm making that a motion.
Councilman Senn: I'll second that.
Councilman Mason: And I will once again say, when I have questions about the
consent agenda, which I did and I made two calls to the city and I had my
questions answered and that's why I didn't need to pull any items from the
agenda. So I don't, coming at 7:00 you know, I'll be honest with you. I'm
already putting in a lot of time with this job but I can get my homework done on
the phone at City Hall without having to take an hour for a Council meeting for
consent agendas or taking staff's time at 7:00 to take care of those issues. I
don't see the need personally.
Mayor Chmiel: Okay, there's a motion on the floor with a second to meet at
7:00. I sort of feel like Mike does, just so you know where I'm coming from.
Because I do go through that process of getting my questions answered...and I do
get them answered. I either come in or I call. One of the two. I may even do
that on Friday when I get the packet and I of course have that luxury of all day
to be able to sit and read but we do have a motion on the floor with a second to
meet at 7:00.
Councilman Senn: Don? One point of discussion. I think the rest of you need
to know maybe where I think Dick and I are coming from...and Dick probably has a
similar situation to mine. When I can do that, I do that but I'm flying in and
out all the time just like Dick's flying in and out all the time. Yeah, I get a
79
i
City Council Meeting - March 22, 1993
packet Thursday night. Sometimes I don't even get a chance to even review the
packet until Monday before the meeting because I'm not home to get it and I'm
not flying until Monday. Well I don't work, excuse me, an 8:00 to 5:00 or a
9:00 to 5:00 job and I'm gone for days at a time and I do everything I can to
come back for these meetings but I can't always figure it out on the basis that
' I'm going to get here to get all of that contact time either done on Friday or
Monday.
Councilman Wing: Well and then things come up. I see it as a work session. We
could spend a half hour just on lot size.
Councilman Mason: Look, I don't have an 8:00 to 5:00 job either and I took this
' job on knowing that there were some things I had to do outside of the Council
meeting. And that's where I stand on that...
' Mayor Chmiel: ...when in my better haydays, I was gone all the time too. Put 8
hours, 10, 12, 13, 16 hours, blah, blah, blah and there is a motion on the floor
with a second to start at 7:00.
' Councilman Wing moved, Councilman Senn seconded that the City Council meet at
7:00 prior to City Council meetings for review of the agenda. Councilman Wing
and Councilman Senn voted in favor. Mayor Chmiel, Councilman Mason and
' Councilwoman Dockendorf voted in opposition and the motion failed with a vote of
2 to 3.
Councilman Wing moved, Councilman Mason seconded to adjourn the meeting. All
voted in favor and the motion carried. The meeting was adjourned at 11:55 p.m.
Submitted by Don Ashworth
City Manager
Prepared by Nann Opheim
11
80
11
1 CHANHASSEN PLANNING COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING
MARCH 17, 1993
I Chairman Batzli called the meeting to order at 7:35 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT: Brian Batzli, Ladd Conrad, Nancy Mancino, Jeff Farmakes,
II Matt Ledvina, Joe Scott, and Diane Harberts
STAFF PRESENT: Paul Krauss, Planning Director; Jo Ann Olsen, Senior
Planner; Kate Aanenson, Senior Planner; and Dave Hempel, Assistant
I I City Engineer
I PUBLIC HEARING:
PRELIMINARY PLAT OF A PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENT FOR 93 SINGLE FAMILY LOTS
ON 76.47 ACRES AND A WETLAND ALTERATION PERMIT TO CREATE HOLDING PONDS ON
PROPERTY ZONED PUD, AND LOCATED EAST OF POWERS BOULEVARD AND SOUTHWEST OF
I
LAKE SUSAN HILLS 9TH ADDITION, ARGUS DEVELOPMENT.
Public Present:
II Name Address
I Riley F. Kopp
Don Patton Argus Development
RCI
Ron Isaak Argus Development
Wayne Tauer Pioneer Engineering
II Phil Jungbluth Argus Development
Scott Montgomery 8260 West Lake Court
Andrew K. Olson 8290 West Lake Court
II Tom Nilsson 1060 Lake Susan Hills Drive
James Domholt 8251 West Lake Court
Gary Kassen 8270 West Lake Court
I Tom Dotzenrod
Pete Kurth 8280 West Lake Court
1040 Lake Susan Hills Drive
Randy Koepsell 1110 Dove Court
Kirby & Sandy Paulson 8410 West Lake Drive
1 Ron & Ann Kloempken
Tom & Pat VanAsh 8311 West Lake Court
8320 West Lake Court
Don & Annabelle Diamond 1131 Dove Court
II Randy Marquette 1101 Dove Court
John & Karen Engelhardt 8645 Chan Hilis Drive No.
Thomas A. Rasmussen 8531 Merganser Court
Chris Miller 8401 West Lake Drive
II Gary & Mary Nussbaum 8391 West Lake Drive
Don Wisdorf 8639 Chan Hills Drive No.
David Flaskerud 8411 West Lake Drive
II Tom Burns
Jim Pehringer 1551 Lake Susan Hills Drive
1010 Lake Susan Hills Drive
Robert Smithburg 8651 Chan Hills Drive No.
I Dave Durnmer
Rod Annis 417 Santa Fe Trail
8625 Chan Hilis Drive No.
Jo Ann Olsen presented the staff report on this item.
II
Planning Commission Meeting
March 17, 1993 - Page 2
11 Batzli: Does anyone on the Planning Commission have any questions they
want to ask Jo Ann or Dave before we ask the applicant for their
' presentation?
Harberts: I have one. Could someone just explain the rationale with
regard to the front yard setback reduced to 25 feet. This is number 1 in
the recommendations.
Olsen: It's adding flexibility. It's not a requirement. We're allowing
them to do that and what that does is, along what's shown as Mallard Court
is that it can pull the house up 5 feet closer and a lot of the trees were
in the rear of the lot and so that would help.
Harberts: Okay, so it's a matter of saving the landscape.
' Olsen: Right.
Ledvina: Do we want to restrict that 25 foot setback or allow the 25 foot
setback to a certain number of lots?
' Olsen: You can do that.
' Ledvina: As you've written the recommendation here, this applies to the
entire subdivision. Is that correct?
Olsen: Right.
' Mancino: On page 6 Jo Ann, you talk about the City can require caliper
replacement of tree. Staff is recommending that the applicant work with
' staff and the DNR Forester to develop a reforestation plan. That is not
put in the recommendations.
' Olsen: Yeah, that was a mistake. Is that page 6 did you say?
Mancino: Well, yeah.
1 Olsen: Right, okay.
Mancino: So did you mean to leave that out of the.
1 Olsen: No, I think I just forgot to put that one in.
Mancino: Because I think that's...is that we will be asking for
reforestation of the lost trees.
Scott: Excuse me Jo Ann. On this Mallard Court is the longer cul -de -sac
that's on Block F?
Olsen: Right.
Scott: I just took a look, I know we've got a new cul -de -sac length
ordinance. I think it's 600 feet. Did someone calculate the length of
that cul -de -sac because if it's non - conforming with the new cul -de -sac
' length ordinance, that has to be pulled up. And I just took a look at it.
Planning Commission Meeting
March 17, 1993 - Page 3
1
Olsen: I think the 600 foot minimum is.
Scott: Or maximum. '
Olsen: Maximum, right. Is if it could be connected with another street
or if it should be a thru street. It's not necessarily saying that you
have to pull it back to that distance. What the ordinance is saying is
that there's a reason, a physical reason why that street cannot be
connected to another subdivision, to another phase, then it can be a
longer distance. I don't know that we've ever used it to require that
cul -de -sac to be, you know that has to be a cul -de -sac to be reduced.
Batzli: Okay. Would the applicant like to give us a presentation or tall
to us about the conditions?
Wayne Tauer: Good evening. My name is Wayne Tauer from Pioneer '
Engineering. I'm representing the Joe Miller Homes. Argus Development
tonight. We have a couple people from Joe Miller Homes here tonight who
can also answer questions. I think before we move on I've got some
literature that I would like to probably hand out just to expand on a
little bit as to what I'll be talking about tonight. Maybe I could ask Jo
Ann or somebody to take these. Okay, everybody got one? Jo Ann, maybe i
you could rotate that to the left making kind of north up. Maybe we can
just get a better feeling making Powers Boulevard go, yeah. Well, back a
little bit more. Well I mean rotate it. Doesn't Powers kind of run
north /south there? Something like that. Now we're getting close. Okay.'
Generally speaking, running through the points on page 11 I guess. The
conditions of approval. We have basically no major problems with that.
Jo Ann touched on a park problem that we will have to go back to the Park'
Board and talk about. I think an assumption was made in a preliminary
drawing that possibly shouldn't have been made and I guess maybe that's
about all I need to talk about it tonight. Where we were putting a pond
on city park. Well, we didn't think it was city park. We were just goinil
to be basically nice guys and give more park away is what we were going t
do but we are going to give all the park that the PUD and the preliminary
concept program did recommend so therefore, everybody's going to be happy'
hopefully, after the Park Board meeting. Just talking, a couple of minor
exceptions or revisions, possibly typos in the staff report. On page 5,
I believe, it talks about average lot size. In the middle of that larger
paragraph, about 2/3 of the way down where it says the average lot size i�
13,658. Actually it's much larger than that. It's closer to 17,500.
Between 17,000 and 18,000 based on how you figure it out. So we are above
the average or the minimum lot size by far. That City requirement is of I
course 15,000 square feet.
Farmakes: Is that taking into account the setbacks and the land areas an
so on?
Wayne Tauer: Well that is the lot specific.
Farmakes: The average size.
Wayne Tauer: The average size of every lot, right. Not including street.
or.
Planning Commission Meeting
March 17, 1993 - Page 4
Farmakes: Where you can't build?
1 Wayne Tauer: No. I don't know. Now Jo Ann, is that a.
Olsen: When I did the calculation, I just did the lot areas themselves.
1 Farmakes: So what you're saying is that there's a 4,000 square foot
discrepancy here on the average lot size?
1 Wayne Tauer: Well it depends on how you calculate it I guess. We're
talking about the boundaries of the lot here. That's what the boundaries
of the lots area. 17,550 square feet.
Olsen: We can recalculate that.
' Conrad: Why is there a difference Jo Ann?
Olsen: I don't know if we know why there's a difference.
1 Conrad: A lot size is a lot size.
Wayne Tauer: Yeah. Yeah. Yeah, I went back actually through each number
' on one of your handouts here and averaged those up. Actually it came up
higher but that's what we have on our preliminary plat is 17,550 so I'm
going to stay with that. But no, we are not under 15,000 for average lot
size. We are above 15,000 and that's I guess the only thing I wanted to
point out. Okay, one of the other things I wanted to talk about a little
bit was the landscape plan along Powers Boulevard, County Road 17. There
was a recommendation in there that we should abide by the City's primary
deciduous tree list. One of the problems we had with that, and we knew of
the list when we did it but the thing that we have a problem with is the
fact that virtually every tree on that list is not salt tolerate at all.
Either they're very sensitive to salt spray or very sensitive to salt in
their root structures. Therefore that's why we changed some of the tree
types along County Road 17. Anytime you have a major thoroughfare where
' speeds exceed 40 to 50 mph, you're going to have a problem with that,
especially a county road where they salt quite heavily. I can see that
primary list being a good list for anything that is residential in nature
where it's 30 mph or less and not a major amount of salting is done. In
' the handouts that I gave you, maybe just for your own information, I did
some research. Actually I've had it in my files for a long time and
that's where some of the design work that we do was based on. On those
' particular recommendations by the University of Minnesota. So maybe just
for your own information you can walk through those and see the trees that
are salt tolerate and salt sensitive. And that's why we're changing it.
Now again, we can work with the city staff and work out a reasonable
solution to this. Maybe not all primary trees. Maybe some on the
secondary list are more appropriate. Also I know one of the problems or
one of the things that people who are here tonight are going to look at,
11 as far as the plat goes is the tree removal process and how much we are
actually going to remove. We have an exhibit that I think most of the
neighbors have seen at the neighborhood meeting Monday night but for the
Commission's viewing, we're going to pull it out here. Where would be the
best place to put this? Right here? North is being that way of course.
Planning Commission Meeting
March 17, 1993 - Page 5
The trees that ou see in green here are the ones that are being saved.
Y g g
Unfortunately I guess I didn't highlight the ones that are being lost. Th
major, there are some being lost right in here obviously where the cul -de
sac is and where the house pads are ultimately going to be. This is wher
we worked with the staff to move the cul -de -sac to the west basically.
We're moving this road over. We're asking for a 5 foot front yard setbac
here. That allows you the 5 feet. We're asking for a 5 foot setback
here. That allows you to...we've adjusted the grades in here so we get
down and match the grades better. So the trees there were in the I
backyards are now being able to save. The ones that are actually on the
pads are real hard to save obviously. We did pull this cul -de -sac back,
therefore most of the trees on the pine knob are being saved. And then a
nice band along here being saved and virtually every tree, except for jusli
a few right here, are being saved along Lake Susan. So there's a major
band here. Major group here and a band here that are being saved. And a
group that are between the two groups...are being saved. We worked up till
numbers and that's on the handout that we gave you. There's a total of
938 trees...specifically shot from here over. And out of those trees
we're leaving 279, which turns out to be 29.74 %. Of those trees, you can
see the breakdown. 30 are oaks and 30 are elms and 27 basswoods and so o ll
and so forth. Now amongst that group we did not go down to this area and
count these trees at all or this group in here. We have no idea I guess
basically as far as what count is down there. But as you can see, it's all
fairly major group and it's trees that obviously are the parks but we're
not taking them out. So if you're talking about an overall average,
I mean probably 29% is not a real number based on what trees on the entir
project that we're saving. It may drop dramatically. I supposed we could
go out and get a count down there. We didn't think it was necessary. In
fact we are saving 70% of the trees on the site I think is probably pretty
good for a residential development. I guess basically that's about my
only concerns that I had about the staff report. Was those minor changes
in the square footage and to let you know what we're doing as far as tree
removal, or saving trees, as far as that goes. I'll be glad to answer
questions.
Batzli: Let me ask one about your issue with the primary versus secondar
list. In the conditions what staff is asking for is 50% from the primary
species list. You want to change that from 50% so that you can choose
more than 50% from a different list?
Wayne Tauer: No, I don't know if I want to do many from the primary list '
at all because those trees will be dead in a few years. I'm saying that
they are not salt tolerate and maybe for a year or two they might survive"
or until such time as the... You know they may survive for a while
because of the fact that there's only 2 lanes at this point in time. But
as soon as 4 lanes go in and the salt tolerance probably comes into effect
when the high speed develops. I mean I'm not saying that we're not going
to put in nice trees. I just don't, I want to kind of get away from the
primary list a little bit so that when we develop, trees that will
ultimate survive in this area. '
Batzli: So you're thinking about landscaping along the road there and not
internal to the project? That's where you're concerned?
' Planning Commission Meeting
March 17, 1993 - Page 6
11 Wayne Tauer: We will also put $150.00 worth of landscaping per lot.
That's also part of our program. It's hard to show any kind of a
' landscape plan due to the fact that you have no idea where the trees are
really going to be. Once you determine where the houses are going to sit,
where the driveway's going to be and where these surfaces are going to go,
' it's just a condition of approval we prefer and we would put that $150.00
per lot into each lot yet. That's not a problem. We're not disagreeing
with that.
' Batzli: So do you have a problem with putting species from the primary
list internal to the development?
' Wayne Tauer: No. Internal's fine.
Batzli: Jo Ann, on this condition, were you thinking that all of these
species were going to go along the county road there?
' Olsen: No, not necessarily. They have to provide additional landscaping
within the subdivision itself. You know with the boulevards plantings and
so no. We do not want Russian Olives and trees like that. Wayne talked
to me about this and we can look into that and I'm going to research to
see whether those trees are salt tolerate or not also. But the 50% can
easily still apply within the plat itself.
Mancino: Is this $150.00 for landscaping just include plant materials?
' Olsen: It doesn't state what it's really going towards. I mean the
$150.00 doesn't buy you whole lot.
1 Scott: It's like one tree.
Olsen: That was '87.
1 Ledvina: That's a question that I have. Is it appropriate to adjust that
for inflation which has occurred over the last 6 years? I mean that would
be about 25% or 30% over that time to get a comparable landscape or tree
' or whatever as was originally intended with the PUD contract.
Olsen: Today we require $750.00. It's $500.00 for sod and $250.00 for
trees.
Scott: Especially since a major issue of this development has to do with
trees and reforestation, that appears to be quite appropriate in this
instance.
Batzli: What's the ramification of adjusting that Paul? Any?
Krauss: Well as long as we're allowed to do it within the PUD guidelines,
which I think we may be.
Olsen: Well, the PUD contract stated it was $150.00 per lot. There was a
5 year grace period for the PUD contract that stated that any new
regulations you couldn't apply but that 5 year grace period ended on
' December of 1992. So we can look into that but technically I think you
Planning Commission Meeting
March 17, 1993 - Page 7
can now pull in any other regulations that you wish to do. Or else you
could even just recommend that the PUD contract be amended and go that
route too.
Krauss: I should also pointed out that the way the $750.00 is applied
elsewhere in the city is it's, if you already have mature trees on your 1
property that are being saved, you're not obligated to put any more in.
So at that point you just have the $500.00 for seed and sod... So you
wouldn't be getting more trees in that area...
Scott: Yeah, because that looks like at least 50% of the lots don't have
any trees on them, or won't have any trees on them.
Batzli: I thought it was a regulation that the developer had to either II
seed or sod all disturbed areas.
Krauss: We put that into the development contract. The developer is
obligated to do that with the major grading and such but what happens is
oftentimes, it probably won't happen in this case because...but a lot of
times lots are sold off to other builders and they're brought in 2, 3, 4
years from now and we typically have that $750.00 provision in there to
make sure that each individual home as it states is taken care of.
Mancino: Mr. Chairman, I have a question.
Batzli: Go ahead. ,
Mancino: 670 of the oak will be removed. Where is that on your drawing?
Where is the bulk of the 67% that will be removed?
Wayne Tauer: 67% of the trees being removed are oak. Of 30 %. Well, I
don't know exactly where every one is.
Mancino: Okay, so there is no one major place? '
Wayne Tauer: Well, I suppose generally most of them are right in here an
I suppose there's a few over here. We do have a plan that typically
points out where every tree is. We have a number. We actually went out
and counted a tag on every tree out there has a number and it corresponds
to a list. I believe that's in your particular handout. But I guess I I
didn't memorize it. I don't know exactly. Ron, you went through that a
little bit. Generally, can you tell me where most?
Ron Isaak: They're generally scattered all throughout but the more bigge1
trees are up on the hill.
Farmakes: I have a question also. What type, on Block 1, Lots 1, 2 and ,
8, what type of house do you plan on putting in there? That would be a
lot area of 12.6, 12.8 and 12.7. That's your smaller lots. Particular 1
has a fair amount of contour there.
Wayne Tauer: Okay, which number? You're in Block 1 you say?
Farmakes: Block 1, Lot 1, Lot 2 and Lot 8. ,
Planning Commission Meeting
March 17, 1993 - Page 8
Wayne Tauer: ...not a major amount of contour in there.
' Farmakes: It looks like 1 has a fair amount. More than 10 feet.
Wayne Tauer: Well existing, there might be a definite break there due to
' the fact that I think some of the artificial grading has gone on when Lot
3 over here was built. It looks like a very definite slope. We're going
to come in and probably flatten that out a little bit but generally the
lot will be flat except for...
Farmakes: What square footage house do you estimate that you'd be putting
on there?
' Wayne Tauer: ...what square footage house will go on the lots on this end
building right here.
Phil Jungbluth: Well there's architectural controls which we have yet to
set. And one deals with developing this...square footage, whether it's a
multi -level house, single level house... At this point we can't really
' say what the square footage of any particular house is going to be on any
particular lot.
' Farmakes: Is there a structure on Lot 3 at the moment? Is there a
structure on Lot 3, the adjacent lot?
Wayne Tauer: I guess I'm not sure. Probably. Those lots...are sold out?
' Phil Jungbluth: Oh yeah.
' Farmakes: But is there a home on that lot? I didn't view that particular
lot when I went out and looked at the property... That lot is how many
square feet? That 3, the adjacent lot next to 1? Do you have any idea?
' Is it scaled off?
Wayne Tauer: I suppose we can get a comparison. How big is Lot 1...?
' Olsen: Lot 1, Block 1?
Wayne Tauer: Yes.
Olsen: 12,600.
Wayne Tauer: 12.6? I suppose that might be about 14,000 then.
' Farmakes: Is that homeowner here tonight by any chance? That's you?
Resident: Yes.
Farmakes: Can you tell me, what is the square footage of your property
there on 3?
Resident: About 135 feet by...
Batzli: I don't think we have a definitive answer.
1
Planning Commission Meeting
March 17, 1993 - Page 9
Farmakes: Depending on how fluid the land is there isn't it?
Batzli: If you asked me, I'd have no clue what mine was. ,
Farmakes: Alright. I'm assuming that we're going to hear...vague as it
is.
1
Mancino: His house is 2,000 square feet.
Farmakes: I didn't mean your house, I meant your lot.
,
Batzli: Did you have anything else?
Resident: No.
Ledvina: I had a question. Regarding the stockpiles of soil that are on '
the site. Will those just be graded in overall?
Ron Isaak: My understanding is that's part of our...
Ledvina: Okay, so those topsoil stockpiles will be completely removed?
guess what I'm concerned about is the possibility that those areas haven't
been, if they're going to remain, that they haven't been adequately
compacted. So those would be cut out entirely and back to the native
ground and then compaction as necessary would be done and if there's fill
in that area?
Ron Isaak: If it's in a controlled fill area, yes. It will be
compacted... I
Batzli: Okay, thank you very much. We'll probably have questions after
we close, get done with public comment. This is a public hearing. If
anyone would like to address the commission, please come forward to the II
microphone and give us your name and address for the record. Do you have
one for the staff?
Robert Smithburg: No I don't. I'm sorry.
1
Batzli: Why don't you give this one to them so that it can go in the
record.
1
Robert Smithburg: My name is Robert Smithburg and I live at 8657
Chanhassen Hills Drive North, which is across from the southwest corner oll
the proposed development. I'm here to raise a serious concern about this
development and I ask that the Planning Commission not approve of this
development plan until this concern has been satisfactorily addressed.
The concern I have is to present, or excuse me, to prevent the destructioll
of valuable old growth trees. These trees, which are 80 to 150 years old,
are an irreplaceable resource. I want the Commission to know that I
received a letter on March 2nd from Joseph Miller informing me that they II
have made several design changes in order to address this concern. I
thank Joseph Miller and the developer for taking this matter into
consideration with regards to saving old growth trees. However, their
changes do not go far enough. From the neighborhood meeting on Monday
Planning Commission Meeting
March 17, 1993 - Page 10
t night, I estimate the elimination of over 50% of the old growth trees and
we disagree. Tonight their presentation I think was somewhat deceiving.
' Batzli: Can you please put the map back up on the easel? Thank you.
Robert Smithburg: The tree loss, there will not be as they pointed out,
there won't be tree loss along Lake Susan because that is not, that site
is not developable. We have a major stand of old growth trees right here.
I'd say at least 100 to 200 yards wide so you'll have major loss here and
' this whole area of the hill right here where the road comes in off Powers
Boulevard is all trees also. I have reviewed the 1987 development
agreement. In Attachment A, clause 6(B), which I have in my back page,
the developer is obligated to not remove trees except as approved per plat
by the city. I ask the Commission to exercise it's authority to not
approve this development until the destruction of these valuable trees has
been prevented. I also ask the Commission to investigate whether this
' plan violates Chanhassen's Comprehensive Plan, the Tree Preservation Act
or any other city ordinances. And please refer to Attachment C9. I
believe the Planning Commission has the opportunity and the responsibility
' to protect these old growth trees and the environment by what it does here
tonight. I also believe the developer has an opportunity and obligation
to act responsibly. The standards of the 1987 PUD agreement are minimums
compared with current standards. I am asking you, the developer, to in
' good faith go beyond the minimal contractual obligations of 1987 and meet
the current standards of 1993. Thereby showing the citizens of Chanhassen
you are a consciencious and environmentally sound developer who will be
1 encouraged to develop in Chanhassen in the future. Thank you very much.
Batzli: Thank you. Would anyone else like to address the Commission? Yes
' please.
Don Wisdorf: My name's Don Wisdorf and I live on 8639 Chanhassen Hills
Drive North. I have similar feelings to the previous speaker, Bob. That
' stand of trees, I don't know if you've had a chance to go out there and
take a look at it but you gain a quick appreciation for the age of those
trees and the size of those trees. What the developers pointed out as far
' as putting in, I also am opposed to to a certain degree. We do appreciate
the concessions he's made to, at least it's in the right direction but we
feel it's quite a distance yet from really what needs to be done to save
this old growth of trees. Bob had mentioned that they're about 80 to 150
' years old. Depending on size and also type of soil they're in, they could
be even older than that. One thing that's not shown on here is the number
of trees that are being removed and if you take a close look at the
circles that are here, if we were to fill those all in with red, on the
inside, you'd really get an impact about what's really being removed.
There is a lot of trees along the shoreline which is not developable. Both
' take a look at the trees that are in this area and here are some
photographs I'd like to pass around to give you an idea in regards to size
of these trees. What's really going to be devastated.
Farmakes: In your discussions with the developer did you have discussions
with regards to specific lots or...?
1
Planning Commission Meeting
March 17, 1993 - Page 11
Don Wisdorf: We had questions on specific lots but our feelings are is II
that the entire development needs to have more in appreciation for the
trees that are there. For example, the ones that are along Powers
Boulevard, that's a very large stand of trees. That is completely being
wiped off where the development's going in there. There's about 1,000, o
about 950 tags on those trees and our best estimate is that it's more
like, of the ones that are going to be removed, are the larger sized
trees. We realize that the builder has a right to be able to develop thall
property and we welcome development into the neighborhood, since it is
zoned for residential development. We appreciate his efforts to be able
to try to improve the impact upon the trees but I think it has to go
further than a few lots being custom graded and the Mallard Drive being
moved. They moved it about 5 feet to the southwest. I would suggest at
the minimum that you consider moving that Drive more than 5 feet because
if you move it more to the southwest you'll be able to save a significant
area of trees within that area. There's about, I counted about 13 lots
that were deemed to be custom graded and as you know with custom grading
you still have a major amount of devastation but if we could, if they havil
more lots that could be custom graded rather than the 13, in fact that
gives us almost half of those lots have old growth trees standing on them"
I'd strongly urge your consideration of more than just 13 lots. I'd say
all of the heavily wooded lots, which is about maybe 40 or 45 lots that
are there should really be custom graded. That would be another thing
that would be able to at least help this development be more friendly to I
the trees. This is an issue not just of the area, neighbors in the area
but it's also an issue in regards to Chanhassen. As you know we've got
the Tree Board that's just starting to get developed. Our particular II issue we're dealing here tonight is going to be very similar to ones we
have in the future and I think it's important that we pay close attention
to try and preserve these old trees throughout our city which have really
been here longer than the city itself and in some cases longer than what II
the State of Minnesota has been established, and I think we need to be
very sensitive to that. Thank you.
Batzli: Thank you for your comments. Would anyone else like to address II
the Commission?
Tom Rasmussen: Good evening. My name is Tom Rasmussen. I live at 8531 II
Merganser Court. I'm directly across the street on the west side of
Powers Boulevard and if you came into my living room and looked out, you'
see the entire development from left to right. So I've got a good view
here. I guess what I've got is a couple of other concerns, more in
regards to the plan when I reviewed it. I was just wondering if the
Engineering Department has had a chance to look at the slopes leading to II
the NURP detention ponds. They appear to be fairly steep and what I'm
concerned with is that if anybody is there with children or whatever,
future down the road, as somebody goes ahead and buys these plans and the
kids are playing, they could slide right into those ponds. And if those II
ponds don't have a bench, by bench I mean having a slope that's fairly
mild so that they can stop before they go sliding in all the way down,
that there's the potential for some drownings and some accidents. I just"
want to point that out as a concern to your attention. The other thing i
access to these ponds. These ponds require maintenance by heavy equipment
and there needs to be a route for machinery and stuff to get there and toll
Planning Commission Meeting
March 17, 1993 - Page 12
r do access and I just want to bring up that point too to make sure that
they can go ahead and clean these ponds so they're effective. If they
fill up with sediment, then they're essentially worthless. My second area
' of concern is dealing with the speed limit along County Road 17. It seems
like every day I'm having more and more of a problem turning left out onto
CR 17. The posted speed limit there is 50. I have a hard time believing
that most of those cars are doing that. I think they're doing 55 or
greater and we're essentially coming from a dead stop out into that and
sometimes they're just boom, right up on your tail and you're just trying
to go up to TH 5, a short distance. I guess what I would like to request
' that the City, on behalf of my neighbors and myself, is to reduce the
speed limit. There's about a 9/10 of a mile segment that's 50 mph and
reduce that down to 40 mph. And what this would do, it would only add 16
' seconds to the commute time but what I would like to, I just think for a
safety reasons, I guess what concerns me is they're proposing a fairly
large park across the street and as the kids on the west migrate across,
they essentially could be crossing with cars traveling in excess of 50 -55
r and even 60 mph and I don't think anybody would want their children
crossing that street. I guess what I'm requesting is that that be reduced
down to 40. For the safety sake. My third area I'd like to briefly just
' talk about is that Monday night the developer mentioned moving some of the
trees instead of devastating them and cutting them down. Moving some. I
guess what I would like to see is a specific number of trees that they're
planning on moving. Where they're planning to move them to and it would
be nice to get those nicer trees up along Powers Boulevard. And if you
raise the, if the slope comes up from Powers Boulevard and at a distance
with the reduced speed on Powers Boulevard, then maybe salt isn't such an
r issue anymore. Like he had mentioned, 40 mph seems to be the major point.
So thank you for your time.
Batzli: Thank you. Dave, would you address some of Mr. Rasmussen's
concerns regarding slopes and erosion and the speed limit.
Hempel: Certainly Mr. Chairman. The retention ponds are proposed to be
built to NURP standards. That type of design allows for a bench around
the pond that has a 10:1 slope, which means the first foot of water will
be a gradual, the first 10 feet of the pond it will only be 1 foot deep.
r After that I think it goes at about 2 1/2 to 1 slope. So there will be a
bench around each one of the NURP ponds. As far as the speed issue along
Powers Boulevard. Powers Boulevard is a county road and all speed
' modifications and so forth is under the jurisdiction of MnDot. The City
can certainly petition the County to also petition MnDot to perform a
speed study on Powers Boulevard to see if the speeds are accurately posted
for warrants. My initial thoughts out there, it's 50 mph north of Highway
' 5 along Powers and we have built up conditions north of Highway 5 along
Powers also. It would be of some interest to check with the State and see
when the last speed study was done along Powers Boulevard there since we
have had quite a few residential developments go in the area. On another
note, the city and county will, in approximately 5 to 10 years enter into
a joint construction project for the widening of Powers Boulevard. It
r will be widened to approximately a 52 foot wide urban section. That's
with curb and gutter. At that time most definitely the speed limit would
be lowered I would assume in the range between 35 and 45 mph. Mr.
Rasmussen brought up a valid point as far as children crossing Powers
r
Planning Commission Meeting 1
March 17, 1993 - Page 13
ci Boulevard to reach access to the park and continue on to Chan Hills, sin
there will be a trail connection there. It may be wise to consider also
pedestrian crossing anyway and again that would have to be approved
through the State of Minnesota. Followed up by the Carver County Highway'
Department. So those are a couple issues that we can certainly pass on to
the County to look into as well as the State.
I
Batzli: Would you address one other thing and that is erosion control.
The conditions related to that.
Hempel: Certainly. The applicant /developer will be required to prepare
an erosion control plan in accordance with the City's recently adopted
Best Management Practice Handbook, which will address erosion control II needs, slope stabilization and so forth throughout the development.
Batzli: Thank you. Would anyone else like to address the Commission?
Pete Kurth: Good evening. My name is Pete Kurth and I live at 1040 Lake'
Susan Hills Drive. That is the First Addition of the Joe Miller
properties. The first development on Lake Susan. I guess I'd like to
share with you some of my experiences that we had with the reforestation '
process on Phase 1, and I'm sure many of these restrictions were in place.
What the developer had done was to take trees that were native to the are
and transplant those on our lot in a very unnatural setting. For example
I had 3 trees in a row placed directly on the property line. And these
were scrub trees. They met the reforestation requirements that were
placed upon them but they were trees that were also planted in a very II unnatural setting and then during the construction process of our home,
they were further damaged to the point that it was necessary for me to
remove them once the home was completed. The developer met this
obligation to the PUD development but I, as a property owner didn't have II
anything. My concern is the trees in that we physically protect those.
We mandate silt guards to prevent the erosion into the lake. I think tha
we need to take that one step further and protect our trees. We need to
identify the grade that these trees are currently at and make sure that
they're not damaged during the construction process. My concern there is
that Joe Miller is the developer but he's not the person who does the
actual construction. And those developers or contractors may or may not
share his ecology values. They're concerned about production. If those
are damaged during the construction process, which they often are,
susceptible to damage during delivery of materials, excavating, placement'
of driveways and what have you, they're lost forever. So I think we're
protecting the waterlands by mandating silt guards. I think we need some
kind of physical barrier on these trees to make sure the trees are not I
damaged. And that's my concern.
Batzli: Thank you very much.
II
Olsen: Just real quickly to answer that. We do require the trees that
are going to be preserved do have to have snow fencing. It's whatever th
crown is, we do half again that size. The diameter around the trees so
they cannot get the trucks in there and dump soil or anything on the root
system so we do provide that protection.
II
II
Planning Commission Meeting
March 17, 1993 - Page 14
'
•
Batzli: Would anyone else like to address the Commission?
Jim Domholt: Good evening. My name is Jim Domholt. I'm at 8251 West
Lake Court. I'd like to set this up for a moment if I may. I don't
border this area but I don't notice any of the neighbors who are here
tonight and I did raise some concerns about this at the meeting on Monday.
This area right across here, there's been a, as was mentioned, a very
large mound of dirt compiled out there during earlier phases of
construction, and it has caused a tremendous amount of water problems for
the homes that are already built there that border to the west and border
' to the north. And I think it's a concern of those residents that
something pretty definite be stated as far as what's going to be done with
that mound. If it's going to be brought back to the original grade, that
1 that be stated pretty clearly so that after this row of homes is done and
it wasn't brought back to the natural grade, there's nothing can be done
at that point in time. And there have been a lot of water control
problems on the original phase because of the way the contouring
originally had been done. Thank you.
Batzli: Thank you. Dave, are you aware of that problem that they have
right there on, is it the northwest corner?
Hempel: Yes I am Mr. Chairman. There's some existing stockpile of
' topsoil and excess material that creates some additional drainage going
towards the existing homes there to the west. It's my understanding based
on the grading plan that that material will be removed and those lots will
be graded in the fashion that the front part of the lot will drain out
towards the new street and the backyards will continue to drain towards
the west along that drainage swale. It appears that the drainage area
that contributes to that westerly area right now will be reduced with this
' new development once those existing dirt piles are removed.
Batzli: So more of the water will be moved towards the east once that
' pile's removed?
Hempel: That's correct. As the homes are built out there, the lots will
be graded so the drainage area is reduced.
Batzli: Thank you. Does anyone else have any comment for the Commission?
If not, is there a motion to close the public hearing?
' Conrad moved, Scott seconded to close the public hearing. All voted in
favor and the motion carried. The public hearing was closed.
Batzli: Nancy, why don't we start with you if we can.
Mancino: I had a few more questions. In looking at the trail map we have
here, it designates D and E on the western side of Lake Susan. Are we
going to lose more trees due to the trail going in there?
Olsen: Well actually I think that trail's there isn't it? I think we'd
just be redoing that trail along the lake there.
Planning Commission Meeting II
March 17, 1993 - Page 15
II
Hempel: A portion of that trail is in place, that's correct. There's
already an existing sanitary sewer line that runs along part of the lake •
there also.
Olsen: Where we did look at, where they were going to trail would have
resulted in some more tree loss, I believe we were working with Todd to I
relocate that between two of the lots that didn't have trees and so we
were working on that too.
Mancino: Okay. So that's like segment F? 1
Olsen: Well no, that was one of the fingers coming up from E. Cutting
into a lot of the trees.
II
Mancino: Where does segment F go?
Olsen: Pardon? ,
Mancino: Where does segment F cross and go into the neighborhood which i
the southwestern corner of Lake Susan Hills Drive?
Olsen: This is really, it kind of depends on where the park property and
the ponds go and also I believe that that segment F was connecting in wall
that cul -de -sac and that was there. Now that that cul -de -sac is not
there, I believe that they weren't even going to do that section.
Mancino: So segment F is eliminated? 1
Olsen: Right.
Mancino: Okay. So we won't be going through...forested area with a traiII
anyway.
Olsen: Oh yeah. That's one of the things we were looking at with the II
trail.
Mancino: Outlot H, which is a...3.9 acres, what's there?
II
Olsen: Nothing.
Mancino: Do you know is it a passive or natural park? II
Olsen: Nothing's there yet. They're going to be putting in like a totloll
and simple things like that.
Mancino: So there's no way to switch parcels of land? II Olsen: Into?
Mancino: To build on H and take those 3.9 acres and.
II
Olsen: For the trees?
Mancino: Yeah, for the trees. Kind of do a land swap.
II
II Planning Commission Meeting
March 17, 1993 - Page 16
I Olsen: Well, I believe that that park was going to be used for active.
So you'd probably be removing some of those trees with the park
I development.
Mancino: Has anybody looked at that?
I Olsen: No, nobody's looked at that. No. I'm sure the developer would
have comments on that. But I don't know that you could require it.
I Mancino: Do you think that's a possibility at all?
Olsen: Well if you're talking like to replace that with Mallard Court?
II Mancino: Or the, I'm thinking of the southwestern section where Lot 4 and
when you get down to Lots 28 thru 38 and also Block 5, Lots 20 thru 28
where there's a lot of tree loss. Massive tree loss. If you took that
I area and put that into park, which already abuts Outlot E and just make
that, make the park bigger and save those trees and then the development
of single homes could go in Outlot H.
1 Olsen: Well, I don't know how we'd get street connections. You'd have to
have another access. Well you might be able to pull the cul -de -sac.
1 Mancino: We could do a cul -de -sac through 11 and 12 or you know, I don't
know how but.
I Olsen: If it's going back in front of the Park and Rec, I guess they can
look at that. I don't know. We've never done something like this.
I Krauss: You know we really don't know what the determination was of the
Park Board when they picked that in the first place. However, if it's
consistent with their other decisions, they have sought flat open ground
where they can build facilities and if it wasn't flat and open, they would
1 make it flat and open. It probably wouldn't meet your goals.
Mancino: Except that if you go back to the neighborhoods and say what do
I you want. Would you rather have flat and open or would you rather have
these landmark trees kept.
I Olsen: But the neighborhood you'd be going back to would be Lake Susan
Hilts. Right, you're not going to Chan Hills. They have their flat and
open park.
I Mancino: Well I would like to bring it up in front of the Park and Rec
Commission. That's all.
II Batzli: Okay, Jeff.
Farmakes: I'm trying hard to like this development but I'm not being very
successful with it. It seems to me a couple things I'd like to point out.
I
It seems that the last few PUD's that we've seen we're getting in the
presentation I think kind of stilted way of presenting the information.
Leaving pretty much important presentation areas modified. So that the
il presentation favors a particular direction of the applicant. I think in
Planning Commission Meeting II March 17, 1993 - Page 17
this case one of the major features is the issue of tree loss. It seems I
to me that we have a very weak presentation. We have a big listing here
of all the trees and so on, but we don't have very good graphic
representation. I think certainly we could have better graphic II representations since this is a key issue here. Particularly along the
slope there next to the lake and the two problem areas that some of the
citizens discussed here. It would certainly go a long way in
interpretting this. It seems to me it's difficult to take information ofil
of a page or a listing of how many trees and try to associate it to an
area when somebody's verbalizing that they're spread out there and you're
looking at the total development. That's pretty loose information and I II
feel real uncomfortable with that. I also am asking myself, what are we
benefitting here as a PUD from. To me when we're listing these properties
as total square footage, one's next to the lake anyway on the entrance II side. Off of Powers. I don't see how they'd be building in those areas
anyway with the slope that's there. Perhaps they could do some serious
grading but I'm not, and I'm not sure how that fits in with our II restrictions. I can't recall that if they went with the normal
development, how well they could tear up that area. But it seems to me
that this is an awfully tight use of this property and in a couple of
sensitive areas, it just seems to me that that's the reason we were
reforming our PUD standards. In an attempt to get more aggressive in IF
saving these trees. And this seems like sort of a half solution or that's
how it appears to me. I'd like to be more aggressive with it. I'd like
to, I think that that direction is there from the City Council and I thin il
that we should pursue that harder. The other issues that the citizens
brought up I think are being talked about. The NURP ponds and so on and
the issue of County 17 speeds. You might want to pursue that further. W
really don't govern that here but I agree it's been a while. There's bee
a lot of development along CR 17. Although I do live on CR 17 and
visibility seems to be the issue of coming out. Your visibility's II restricted. For the person who's driving 50 mph, that then, that's a
concern certainly. But I've lived on there for a decade and it's good to
have that corridor route to be able to go 50 mph as long as it's not a
safety concern. I'm also very concerned about the lots that are listed 1'
2 and 8. Particularly 1. It seems to me just proportionately it doesn't
seem to be, compared to the home next to it in the previous development.
If they have a 2,000 square foot house on their lot, I'm a little worried"
about what's going to be going next door on 1. And I'm also concerned
about the issue of the PUD. The average lot size. Didn't we work out
where that was going to be 15? I'm concerned about the difference of
I
opinion here as to what that works out.
Olsen: Well, with the new PUD regulations yes. Under this PUD, you just '
had to have the average of 50% with 15,000.
Farmakes: This is going back to the '87 issue here?
Mancino: But isn't it a 5 year life? '
Olsen: Right. And that's true. You can choose to, because of that 5 yea
life, if you wanted to, to bring in the whole new regulations. We talked
with the Attorney's office about, because of course staff had the same
il concerns. If this would have come in today, that concept plan wouldn't b
II
Planning Commission Meeting
March 17, 1993 - Page 18
approved as it shows today. We would have know better to save those trees
PP Y
and to have those protected. But that concept plan was approved. To
' preserve all those trees, you're removing, essentially you're moving
Mallard Court. You're losing quite a number of very precious lots to the
developer also. So there was a question whether or not we should pull in
1 the PUD regulations and we, with what was, the background on this, we've
always used the old ones.
Krauss: The legal issue too isn't entirely clear. I mean we have a
developer who had legitimate approvals and who has made constant progress
on building out the project that was approved 6 years ago. The language
that says the thing is voided out after 5 years is a little bit ambiguous
and we felt that to the best of our abilities, it's reasonable to try to
honor that original approval. We have pushed the developer I think as far
as we reasonably could within the context of that and as Jo Ann points
out, with 20/20 hindsight, if we could do the whole project over again,
not just this phase, it might be done differently knowing what we know
now, 6 years later. But the fact is, there's a lot of dies cast and
there's a lot of obligations real and tangible and legal and otherwise
that are already in place.
Farmakes: Getting back to my comments. I think we should be more
' aggressive with that. I think there's a difference between '87 and times
change. I'm no lawyer and we certainly have somebody on staff to deal
with that but I don't think that this is following in lines with what we
had discussed at great length what we were going to use the PUD for. And
it seems to me that we've been discussing that for certainly a number, at
least a few years now. I don't think that this proposal is where the
current city's at. Like I said before, I'd be real remiss to give my
1 approval to it.
Batzli: Do you have anything else?
Farmakes: No. I think that I've addressed them. I had some questions
and again, I would like to table this until we can get some of these
' questions answered. And I also would like to reiterate that we not accept
any further presentations that do not address the heart of the issue that
we know is going to come up. For an example, I don't think Opus should
have been in here making presentations showing parkland that isn't part of
the development on their presentation. That was a major issue of that
presentation. However, it kind was brushed over that they didn't own
that. And the issue here is again, tree removal and a lot of numbers with
very little visual impact being shown on the presentation.
Batzli: Do you think that's the responsibility of the developer or staff
to show us that?
Farmakes: Well again, I'd defer. I know that you can use some of your
suggestions to direct that or maybe we should address that issue. I mean
I really see this as a Truth in Housing type of situation. We should be
seeing these things we're making decisions on and it should be relevant
information. We shouldn't be getting what I would call a directed
11 statistical review or if we're leaving something out of here hoping we're
Planning Commission Meeting
March 17, 1993 - Page 19
not going to notice it. It's not overt but I think it's leaving
information from us that we need to make prudent decisions.
Batzli: Okay. Thank you. Joe. '
Scott: I'd have to agree with Jeff. I'd like to see a legal opinion on ,
updating or amending the PUD to current standards. Also with regard to
trees, I sat down and colored in with magic marker all the trees that are
going to be removed and that was very striking visually so my personal
opinion is that this project needs more work and should be tabled. That'll
the real extent of my comments.
Batzli: Okay, Matt. ,
Ledvina: Well I had a couple of specific things that I'd like to ask some
questions on. One of the conditions discussed is the oversizing of storm.
drainage improvements. Has the city staff been able to resolve any of
this with the applicant at this point?
Hempel: No, we have not. '
Ledvina: If you haven't, what would be the schedule for doing that?
Hempel: We would hope to get together, we were just talking about it her"
late this afternoon. They're trying to get together with Carver County
Highway Department to discuss this project as well as the next developmen
on the agenda tonight. So I would hope that we could put something
together or meet at least within the next 2 weeks here to discuss right -
of -way situation and trail location.
Ledvina: Okay. And I was wondering also if it might be appropriate to 1
define which lots we would want, or which lots we would allow a reduction
of setback limit to 25 feet. I think we don't want to blanket this across
the development. I think that where we feel it's worthwhile, we should
specifically identify that. So I think that should be done. Also as it
relates to the landscaping I would support updating the provision for
landscaping to provide a requirement for $750.00 per lot. I think that
just should be done. And I guess overall, this site, there's a lot of
grading that's going to have to occur. Just almost every, well a large
percentage of the area has up to 10 feet of cut or fill on it and again, ,
we talked about bringing back the Opus situation and we were concerned
about the grading on that property and comparing that to what our PUD
standards mean in terms of evacuating sensitive parcels and I think if we
can, I'd like to see that amount of grading be reduced. I think the othell
issues with the tree loss are also very important. So I would support
tabling this item.
Batzli: Okay. What do you think Ladd? '
Conrad: Dave, how much grading is there? Is there a lot for this type o
area?
Hempel: The site is somewhat difficult. It is very rolling terrain.
There's wetlands and there's the isolated groups of wooded vegetation so II
1 Planning Commission Meeting
March 17, 1993 - Page 20
II in order to follow the street grades set by the City of Chanhassen, up to
a 7% grade, which they're doing. They're falling within that guide. It
I comes to the point of balancing the earth work too. So you don't have to
import dirt or you don't have to export dirt. I don't know if the
applicant has done final numbers on the earth work yet. I think they've
I just pulled together some preliminary numbers. Maybe they can address it
a little bit more whether or not the earth work actually balances or not.
But I'm sure there's probably some fine tuning that can be still done to
make street grades and building pads less cut and fill maybe.
I Conrad: I'm just a general sense that the lots for this wooded land are
too small. It doesn't seem right to me and I think for a perspective. If
I the numbers are right, and the developer is telling us maybe 1 out of 3
trees are going to go down, that's probably what happens in a typical
development in Chanhassen. In fact that may be even good. On the good
I side. Even our better developers that are doing, I'm not saying, I'm not
making a comment that this is a good or bad development but the more
expensive developments, when they're going in and saving trees it still
ends up taking out significant trees. So no matter what, unless you
I preserve it as park, it's going to be tough to make a big dent in the
number of trees that we take down. Even though I said that, I'm not
comfortable with this. It just doesn't seem like it's the right size
I properties. There are more, it appears based on the concept plan that we
saw 5 years ago, there are more lots on Lake Susan than there were years
ago. I counted, well it just looks like they're cramming a little bit
II more in there. And I don't know that we're going to make a big dent but
I'd like to see what we can do. And again I think the only way to solve
that is by making the lots bigger. I'm not comfortable with smaller lots
in wooded areas. My feeling is that's how you save trees. How many we
I can save? I think that would be up to staff and the developer to tell us.
I'd like to see what we can do. I don't have a better design here except
the fact that I think the lots should be bigger. Jo Ann, right now maybe
II they're a little bit over 20 lots that are under 15,000 square feet? 20
out of 90. Is that a mix that we've followed in the other additions? Is
that typical and what were our guidelines when we allowed the PUD? What
did we?
I
Olsen: Well the real guidelines were that you had to have at least, that
half, more than half could not be under 15,000.
1 Conrad: More than half.
I Olsen: And generally the other phases had I think a higher percentage of
the smaller lots than with this one actually. The lots are, even though
these are small, the whole PUD had a lot of small lots.
I Conrad: Okay. Well, I'll just wrap it up on my comments. Again, for
this type of area, I'd like to see larger lots. I think for the trees and
for the nature of all the grading and the rolling area, it's just not what
I I'm use to approving over the last 10 years here.
Batzli: What do you think about the $750.00 issue?
1
Planning Commission Meeting
March 17, 1993 - Page 21
1
Conrad: That has to be done. But there's some negotiating in this too.
This is a PUD. The developer's coming in here with a perspective of what
he can do and what we kind of led him on when he signed a contract like
this so we have to respect his rights in this process. So when I say tha
has to be done, I think there's some give and take on the tree issue. If
they can be saving some trees, and again it's quality trees that I'm
talking about. When I see the pictures here, I'm looking at some 24 inch
plus trees. I'd be real disappointed if we're cutting down a big
percentage of, 67% of the trees we're taking are of a real quality nature'
That bothers me a whole lot. Right now I don't know. I don't know if
we're cutting down 10 inch trees or 24 inch trees. That's why I kind of
need to know what it is that we're talking about here. And again we're
not going to save all of them. I think we just have to make a best effort
to save the, to keep the essence of what we've got there. I think Nancy
had a good idea. If we could be trading some land with the park. But
that's not what the developer wants. Your land with trees, even though 1
you cut a few down, is still worth quite a bit more in the marketplace.
So I'm not sure he wants to do that.
Batzli: Okay. Diane. 1
Harberts: I just want to flag just one comment. Everything else has been
covered. Page 4. Jo Ann, this is the second paragraph. It talks about I
how the lot lines have been adjusted with regard to...trail so the lots
were not within the park property. So I guess the only thing I wanted to
flag is, as I'm reading this that the ponds are not on city property yet.'
So it's something that still has to be worked out or has that been
addressed?
Olsen: I think you're reading it kind of vice versa. What happened
originally with the ponds were shown within the outlot that's going to be
right here. Technically that's taking away the parkland that was supposed
to be dedicated. So now the plans are showing the lot lines to cover, oil
they're encompassing the pond and your question was whether or not that
was taking away.
Harberts: Well the question was, so what you're saying is that the ponds'
are now within the single family lots and not on the city lots so it has
been accomplished?
Olsen: Right. But what we're trying to verify is whether or not by them 1
extending the lot lines, have they taken away parkland. So if the pond
really is still on. 1
Harberts: Right. So I guess like I said I'm just flagging it. That's
it. 1 Batzli: Would you be in favor of tabling this to look at trees? Is that
why you're not commenting on anything else?
Harberts: I would agree with that. I guess my primary concern was with 1
the 25 feet setback. The idea of having it apply to the entire
subdivision here. I like trees but I guess it's the balance of with
development. I have to agree with Ladd that with some of the trees too,
1
1 Planning Commission Meeting
March 17, 1993 - Page 22
1 don't have quite a handle on the size that we're looking at. If we can
save the more larger ones, I would be in favor of tabling it until we did
1 have a little bit higher comfort level...
Batzli: Okay. And how do you feel about raising the requirement on the
I amount of landscaping to $750.00?
Harberts: I would support that.
I Batzli: I have a couple of technical questions Jo Ann. I had a comment
on the first condition. Rather than limiting it to a number of lots, my
recommendation was to say at the end of that sentence, but only preserve
1 mature stands of trees or to reduce grading. In other words, it would be
limited to what we're trying to accomplish here. Preserving the natural
features of the land which is what the essence of the PUD was originally
I intended. The condition 6. The applicant's engineer shall review the lot
grading. What I would prefer to do is that they would somehow review that
in connection with our engineering department as well. In other words,
tell them that they should look at it. I guess I'd rather have them look
I at it and tell us what they find to see if we think that it's reasonable.
On number 11. When they're going to oversize and I know Matt asked and I
don't think I understood the answer. Did we decide that they're going to
I try and oversize? Or haven't we decided?
Hempel: There's really no preliminary design really yet for County Road
17 so it's difficult to say whether or not we can incorporate runoff from
I
future Powers Boulevard through this development but we'll certainly take
a look at it and if we can, we'll negotiate with the developer to do that.
I Batzli: Okay. I guess I would like to see a finessing of that condition
then regarding compensation. In any event. On number 13. Has Mallard
Court already been renamed?
1 Olsen: Not on the plans, no.
Batzli: Okay. I would prefer that it reads, Mallard Court shall be
I renamed to either Drake Court or some other street name acceptable to city
police and fire officials. I believe that's who reviews it, isn't it or
does Paul review it and just pass it by them? Okay. On 14. Are we going
1 to want 5 foot concrete sidewalks? Is that right?
Olsen: Okay, that can be removed. Well, you're getting Dove and Drake
mixed up. Is Dove the one that was removed or Drake?
I Batzli: Dove is the one that's still in there next to the park. Where
you're putting a 5 foot concrete walk from the main drive through the
I development to Dove Court so they can get into the park without walking on
the street. Is that what you're intending to do?
1 Olsen: That's still showing up on the plan so.
Batzli: Out of curiousity, which side of West Lake Drive would that be
111 going on?
1
Planning Commission Meeting
March 17, 1993 - Page 23
Hempel: The existing sidewalk along the West Lake g l g existing W ake Drive north
of Dove Court. There's a small segment sidewalk heading southeasterly
along West Lake Drive and deadends south of Dove Court. We'd like to see'
that sidewalk extended. I believe it is shown on the plan 5 -10 plan
sheet. On this drawing. Previously it was not shown.
Batzli: It's shown on plan 5? '
Hempel: The dashed line I believe represents the sidewalk.
Batzli: Oh. And it deadends just at Dove Court. That's the one you wan
to extend?
Hempel: Previously the plans did not show that sidewalk extending up the
proposed West Lake Drive to Dove Court. They do now so that condition
probably could be deleted.
Batzli: Out of idle curiousity, why do you want it on that side of West
Lake Drive? Isn't the access to that totiot is going to be through Dove
Court?
Hempel: That's correct. That would be an on street walkway with there's
a trail between the, at the end of Dove Court.
Batzli: Right. But then, so you have to cross the street and walk up
Dove Court to get to the totiot that you're putting the sidewalk on that I
side?
Hempel: No, the sidewalk is on the southerly portion. South side of the
proposed West Lake Drive. '
Batzli: Okay. Okay. I'm looking at it now. That makes sense. On your
condition 18 Jo Ann.
Olsen: Right. It should be 18(a), (b). Well go on.
Batzli: And (c)? So numbers 19, 20 and 21 would become a, b and c?
Olsen: Right. And then everything...before a station plan.
Batzli: Okay. (b) I think needs to be changed a little bit to reflect
your discussions with the developer regarding the primary species list.
It doesn't sound like there's disagreement. Obviously we don't want to
require the developer to put in trees that can't handle the overspray fro
the County Road there. Those are my comments on the conditions. It
sounds like to me that the Commission would like to see this come back
with a, in order to get a better handle on what trees are being lost and I
if there's a way that something could be done to further minimize that.
Whether that be site specific grading. I don't think, do we normally put
the requirement for snow fences around the trees in the conditions Jo Ann"
I think we have in the past.
Olsen: It's always in the development contract and then the conditions.
I don't usually point it out as a specific condition in here but it can't
Planning Commission Meeting
March 17, 1993 - Page 24
1 hurt, you know to put it in here but it always is covered in the standard
conditions.
Batzli: And it sounds like the Commissioners, at least right now, would
like to see the monetary amount for landscaping increased.
' Olsen: Per lot.
Batzli: Per lot. Which according to my rough calculations is increasing
it $600.00 per lot times about 90 lots is $50,000.00 with one stroke of
the pen. I guess I would like to give the applicant, if we choose to
table this, an opportunity obviously to respond to that and I'd either you
or the applicant, if we choose to table it, to provide us some detail. A
little bit more on the tree loss. Have you, I assume, maybe I shouldn't
assume. Have you gone out there with the Forester, any of those kinds of
' people to look at which trees might be worth saving and whether we're
trying to protect the right ones?
Olsen: No, I have not. The Forester is just now coming back after an
illness so I have not dragged him out onto the site yet. We visited the
site but I haven't, but that's something. He's back at work now and we
can, I'm sure he'd be glad to do that.
' Conrad: I'd like to see a list of the quality trees that are saved and
the quality trees that are not. And I don't know what the word quality
means Jo Ann but I'm really not interested in some of the scrubbier kind.
That's inmaterial. I don't want that to count.
Olsen: They're mostly high quality.
' Scott: I noticed that the trees don't get any bigger than 50 inches. Is
that a limitation of the caliper that they use?
Olsen: I don't know. Did you have a limitation on the size? ...I'll see
how he is about that. He's recovering from a heart attack so I don't want
to push him too hard but probably next week we could probably get out
there and get those details for you.
Batzli: Well okay. I would appreciate having that kind of expert input
as to whether we're doing a good job of, obviously if we have several
hundred quality trees, we can't save them all without buying the lot. Some
of them are going to have to go in order to develop this but I'd like to
' think that we're making a good effort at preserving the natural features
of this which includes kind of wetlands. A little bit of rolling and some
trees and I don't know that the commissioners have a whole lot of comfort
level, at least from their comments so far. So having said that, is there
a motion? Is there a motion to table?
Conrad: A motion to table Case 87 -3.
Batzli: Is there a second?
Farmakes: I'll second it.
1
Planning Commission Meeting
March 17, 1993 - Page 25
Batzli: Discussion. Have we made it clear enough on the record what we
are tabling this for and what we need to see? Is there an uncomfort leve
by the Commissioners that their particular concerns haven't been made
clear so we address those at the next meeting?
Conrad: Well the direction to staff is strictly on trees right now. A II
little bit on landscaping cost but is there anything else besides trees?
Scott: PUD amendment to bring it up to the standards of the comprehensivil
plan that's in place now.
Olsen: A legal opinion.
Scott: Yep.
Conrad: I don't think speed on Powers is an issue that we're dealing wit l
right now.
Batzli: No, although I'd like to see that addressed by the City.
Conrad: And I guess I would like staff's opinion as to, I don't know how
it's coming back other than just looking at trees and I suspect we're I
going to see the same plan. I guess I'd like staff's opinion as to when
it comes back if there's significant tree loss, the quality of trees. If
they have any further recommendations.
Batzli: Meaning? 1
Conrad: What's going to save it, yeah. What's out within reason. And I'
guess I go back to lot size.
Batzli: Okay. Yeah, because your concern was that you thought that with
an increase in lot size. 1
Conrad: It's going to save more trees. Without just totally changing
road systems and what have you, lot size will do it and again lot size,
within this property. With the number of trees and the rolling nature, I II
think lot size is the only thing that will make a difference but I'm
curious what staff's opinion is.
Batzli: Okay, is there any other discussion?
Conrad moved, Farmakes seconded that the Planning Commission table
Preliminary Plat No. 87 -3 for further review. All voted in favor and thell
motion carried.
Batzli: This matter is tabled to our next meeting? i
Krauss: Well Mr. Chairman, we were going to propose that you cancel the
April 7th meeting since there were no other items on it. But if you want"
this one to be on that meeting, then you have an item on that meeting.
Batzli: Yep, let's do it. I suppose 7o Ann had already scheduled
vacation.
1 Planning Commission Meeting
March 17, 1993 - Page 26
II Olsen: Let me look at the calendar real uicki just to see if that gives
4 Y J g
us time to come back with what you want. If the reports have to go out
I next week, you won't get it.
Krauss: That's a fairly short turn around. We also should contact the,
I speak to the developer. Why don't we agree that we will re- notify
everybody by mail of the hearing date as soon as we know.
II Batzli: Okay. So this may be on the agenda for our second meeting in
April?
Krauss: Which is the 21st.
1 Olsen: It most likely will be. Otherwise the report would have to go out
next Wednesday and I don't know what I would get the answers that you
1 want. As far as like the tree inventory.
Wayne Tauer: We'd like to comment on that. We would like to have it done
II in 2 weeks. You know we're on a, we're in Minnesota. We have but a few
months to do all we have to do and we have to get started in the spring to
get it done. So I guess if we have any choice or if we have any say in
this thing, we'd certainly like to get it done in the next week and be
II back on the April 7th, or whatever the date was to get back and go.
Batzli: Okay, what I think you should do is probably coordinate with Jo
I Ann and see what works between your two schedules because we'll obviously
make every effort to schedule the meeting. Okay, thank you very much
everyone for coming in.
I PUBLIC HEARING:
PRELIMINARY PLAT OF A PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENT AND SITE PLAN TO CREATE 27
I TOWNHOME LOTS ON PROPERTY ZONED PUD AND LOCATE DIRECTLY EAST OF POWERS
BOULEVARD, ADJACENT TO LAKE SUSAN HILLS PUD, PRAIRIE CREEK TOWNHOMES,
JASPER DEVELOPMENT.
1 Public Present:
Name Address
II James & Jay Jasper Jasper Development
Greg Holling Jasper Development
II Mark Jeffries Minnesota Landscape
Don Patton RCI
Scott Montgomery 8260 West Lake Court
Andrew K. Olson 8290 West Lake Court
II Tom Nilsson 1060 Lake Susan Hills Drive
James Domholt 8251 West Lake Court
Gary Kassen 8270 West Lake Court
I Tom Dotzenrod 8280 West Lake Court
Pete Kurth 1040 Lake Susan Hills Drive
Kirby & Sandy Paulson 8410 West Lake Drive
I Ron & Ann Kleompken 8311 West Lake Court
Tom & Pat VanAsh 8320 West Lake Court
Planning Commission Meeting II
March 17, 1993 - Page 27
1
Thomas A. Rasmussen 8531 Merganser Court
Name Address
I
Chris Miller 8401 West Lake Drive
Gary & Mary Nussbaum 8391 West Lake Drive
Don Wisdorf 8639 Chan Hills Drive No.
I
David Flaskerud 8411 West Lake Drive
Jo Ann Olsen presented the staff report on this item. Chairman Batzli
called the public hearing to order.
Greg Holling: I'm Greg Holling, representing the applicant, Jasper I
Development. James Jasper and Jay Jasper are also here if there's other
questions that come up. As far as this plan, what's been done is there's
two units that were dropped out. If you look here, there was a 4 unit
building in the center of Powers Boulevard. Close to Powers Boulevard we
took one unit out there and spread these apart. And then we also took on
unit off from the 4 unit building which was closest to Lake Susan Hills
Drive and Powers Boulevard. And in doing that then we pulled the drive
over approximately 20 feet to give more green space between the units tha�
were tight between units 22 and 3 is what's shown on this plan. As Jo Ann
mentioned, that reduces our coverage down to actually we figured 42.9% or.
approximately 43%. When we first submitted these plans we had somehow 1
gotten our information twisted as far as how much coverage we could
actually have and thought we were meeting the Code when we submitted our
initial plan. And when Jo Ann notified us after we had submitted them, I
well then it ended up being just too tight as far as the timing to get
revised plans. Get all these plans revised. I think the report covers
pretty much most of the other things fairly well. It is very important i
for us to get these number of units to make the project feasible and
essentially what's being proposed I think makes a much nicer development
than trying to get a larger number of units and having to stack them up.
This is a typical, this is a 75 foot berm...from 1 to 3 feet high and as
you can see it's planted very heavily. I also have a list of plants that
will go on this berm. Would you like to see the list of those plans?
Batzli: Sure. II
Greg Holling: So if you have this, this is a deciduous tree on the berm
right here that rolls into these 3 evergreen trees. And this is somewhat"
typical of berms around the project as is this one. Even though they're
all a little bit uniquely different, I think it gives you a pretty good
picture of what...project. So there will be substantial screening all till
way around this project...and we need some sight lines into the project
obviously but most of these berms are very close. Sometimes...deciduous
trees we'll be able to see under to see the project and other times the
sight lines will be pretty much restricted by the berming and the
planting. The plants generally on the berm are large, ranging from 3 to
feet to as high as 15 feet at maturity.
Batzli: What do you think about salt spray? 11
Greg Holling: From roads?
II
1 Planning Commission Meeting
March 17, 1993 - Page 28
1 Batzli: Yeah.
1 Greg Holling: Well that's always something that can happen to plants...
Batzli: So the Amber Maples and those kind of things are hardy enough to
1 withstand that?
Greg Holling: I don't know how close we are to the road. How close are
we to the road? This is kind of arbitrary as to where that path is going
1 to be so all we have to work with was putting that path inside the
property line and there's a fairly small area inbetween buildings and the
path to get it landscaped so. We're taking all this into consideration...
II probably works the best.
Batzli: Okay, thank you. Have you had an opportunity to look at the
I conditions in the staff report?
Greg Holling: Yes.
II Batzli: And do you have any disagreement with any of those conditions?
Greg Holling: I guess as part of the original report, the main objection
I we would have would be the losing of the 3 or 4 units and I think...did
address that. Staff felt comfortable dropping out 2 units. Otherwise I
believe...that was a real problem. I guess the one thing would just be
I tabling the project. If that's a consideration, when we had originally
been talking with Jo Ann, we were led to believe there would be another
Planning Commission meeting in 2 weeks. And from what I understand, there
isn't going to be now so we'd certainly appreciate it if it would be
1 possible for you to consider the project.
Batzli: Would you prefer a negative recommendation to table?
II Greg Holling: I guess it depends. I guess we're really in a sense
expecting a negative one on how the plans were originally submitted. As
far as if you would consider a recommendation on going down to 25, would
1 that be what you're referring to?
Batzli: Well I'm not sure how the other commissioners feel but I'm just
1 saying, if you need us to act on it tonight, would you prefer that we give
you a negative recommendation than to table it to study it?
1 Greg Holling: As far as the 27 units, I guess we would probably prefer to
be tabled. I guess either one of them we'd prefer to be tabled rather
than turned down because we do feel that we have a project we can work
with and that the staff supports the project and that we can work that
II out.
Batzli: Okay, thank you.
II Greg Holling: Thank you very much.
II Conrad: Before he sits down, can I ask him a question?
1
Planning Commission Meeting
March 17, 1993 - Page 29
1
Batzli: Sure.
Conrad: Thank you Mr. Chair. Really our district standard for R -8 is 3511
impervious surface and you really haven't made a compelling argument to
change it other than it's not financially feasible but I think in the PUD
you should. So I think why don't you take a few seconds here and tell us '
why we should change it from the 35. Even though the contract says 31, I
think we could all rationalize a 35 because that is our standard. You're
coming in at 45. I think you should be telling us why we should consider'
that.
Greg Holling: Essentially what we are doing is building a project that w
feel is a very high quality type project. The types of units that we'll
be building are in the range of 1,200 square feet per floor and we're
looking at 2 floors but not 2 stories so we're still looking at a lower
type building. The basic units that are being proposed are in the
$150,000.00 type range for the sale price and these are units that are toll
be lived in. They're not rental type units. They will be, I'm sorry not
lived in. Of course they're all going to be lived in but owner occupied.'
And I think perhaps history would show that these types of projects,
townhome type projects are better maintained when they're owner occupied
than a rental unit. So we are looking at building very nice units that
are we think fit in quite well with the neighborhood. Each unit will be I
individually designed. They'll have different textures on the front of
the buildings. Stucco, brick and some cedar. We are...I don't know how
much more landscaping. Do you know how much we're exceeding the minimum 1
standards?
Mark Jeffries: It would be at least 2 1/2%...
Olsen: That's commercial /industrial.
Greg Holling: A big reason that we're exceeding the minimum percentage oll
coverage is because of the size of the units. Each individual unit that
we're building. And so in order to build a nice, larger unit that's very
attractive for the type of people that are being marketed, it takes on
more coverage. And as was mentioned by Jo Ann, it was allowed to go up t
9.3 units per acre but with a lesser coverage essentially the only way you
can do that is by having 2 story above the normal grade in order to get
that and try to get your square footage stacked on top of each other. Anil
so that's why we're at the percentage that we're at. I would say that's
basically the compelling reason that we exceed that percentage.
Conrad: Thanks. '
Jay Jasper: Excuse me, I'm Jay Jasper with Jasper Development. Could
I just make a clarification of that?
Batzli: Sure. Why don't you come up to the microphone.
Jay Jasper: When we were looking at this piece of land initially, it has"
a very unique shape and we were looking for a piece of land not to do
starter family or entry level townhomes, because there are a lot of
builders doing that out there and obviously you could stack them in there'
1
II Planning Commission Meeting
March 17, 1993 - Page 30
II and do that We've done this project before in other communities and
there's a strong demand for professional people and empty nesters. I
I think the trade -off between higher coverage is lower number of units and
the higher selling price. The overall value of that project. You're not
going to see rental units. You're not going to see lots of cars outside.
I You're going to see well maintained improved projects and you'll see over
a period of about 3 to 5 years that these projects typically improve upon
themselves. They'll be adding landscaping. They'll be keeping up the
painting. They'll be doing all those sorts of things. I think you'll
II
find that in the long run the trade -off for coverage or number of units,
lesser number of units will be well worth while.
I Mancino: Jay, I have a question. You said that they won't be, you won't
be able to rent these units?
1 Jay Jasper: We can't prohibit someone from doing that but because of the
market price, we've not seen any of them that we've built previously
rented out. I suppose if someone's living here 6 months out of the year,
they could rent it out to somebody for 6 months out of the year. We're
II not targeting investors. We're not keeping any of them as rentals and the
past sales history on the other projects we've done has been professional
people and empty nesters.
II Mancino: Okay, but your covenants do let the owners know that they can
rent?
II Jay Jasper: They can rent. The rent would be awfully high on a
$150,000.00 townhouse.
I Scott: Jay, have you developed properties similar to, not the land but
built townhomes similar to this in this area that we could take a?
II Jay Jasper: Actually with the neighborhood meeting I went through this,
we could all maybe get a bus and go out there. We did a small 10 unit
version identical to this in Waconia.
II Scott: Oh where?
Jay Jasper: Where in Waconia?
II Scott: Yeah.
II Jay Jasper: It's on East 2nd Street. If you come up from Main Street,
you go over 1 block and you go as far east, it deadends at this project.
And it's a combination of single family and multi - family. We had both
these types of units. We have the small and the large and it was a mix of
II them. We sold just as many small as large. And it's virtually, they're
all sold out. Half are completed. You could see color schemes and all
those sorts of things. We're going to be duplicating that identically as
I far as exterior, floorplans. There will be more landscaping because
Waconia's ordinances doesn't have as much requirements as Chanhassen's
does and the market's a little bit different. But we're going to be using
those actually as, after the project is approved to help us with pre -sales
because most of those people will let us in. We do have a model left
Planning Commission Meeting
March 17, 1993 - Page 31
that's sold, or on contingent that we can use and so that would be a good
project to go look at. I don't know if anyone in the audience went to
look but that was discussed at the neighborhood meeting that I'd be happy 1
to meet anyone out there to take a look at it.
Batzli: Okay, thank you. Did you have anything else? 1
Greg Hollings No. Thank you.
Batzli: This is a public hearing. Is there someone in the audience that'll
would like to address the Commission? I ask that you come up to the
microphone and give us your name and address for the record. 1
Pat VanAsh: Are we allowed to do this as a team?
Batzli: Sure, you can tag team. 1
Tom VanAsh: My name is Tom VanAsh. This is my wife Pat. We reside at
8320 West Lake Court, and if I can show the map here. We're one of the
more affected homeowners in that this is our property right here. So you.
can see that the back side of our property lines up with 3 townhomes.
Well 3 complete townhomes and a fourth one right behind it. One of the
proposals that was set forth at the neighborhood meeting was that this wa
going to be done in two phases. With the initial phase being done out
there towards Powers Boulevard and the second phase to be completed in
approximately 2 to 2 1/2 years, and that being the phase that adjoins our"
property. We would ask that that proposal be reversed to allow the
homeowners, especially along here to see a more gradual change and not
such an abrupt change in the landscaping. And that we would be under
total construction for 2 1/2 years. With that proposal reversed and this'
would be completed right away, which by the way we were told the townhomes
would begin at about $110,000.00 and go up to $150,000.00 to $155,000.00.
We're assuming that those, all those in the back here that are walkouts.
Which are right at the 25 foot setback, so they're very close to our home.
But with these to be completed originally at the outset, we feel it would
give anybody becoming a potential homeowner, a townhome, a better idea ofill
what the flow will be between neighborhoods. So that is one of the thing
that we are concerned with. Overall I'm very comfortable with the
developer and the builder from what I've seen in Waconia. I do think the
did do a nice job over there. We do have some cosmetic ideas that we'd
like to suggest by some of the other neighbors.
Jay Jasper: Just a clarification on two points he made. The ones in II Waconia were $110,000.00 to $150,000.00. Not a representation that the
Chanhassen ones would be $110,000.00 to $150,000.00. And the other ones,
the 2 1/2 years represented the other outlot that is available across the'
road in Lake Susan Hills and that is a future possible development...two
phases but that would be 2 to 2 1/2 years down the road. Just a
clarification.
Batzli: So you envision constructing this all this summer, if it was
passed?
1
1
Planning Commission Meeting
March 17, 1993 - Page 32
Jay Jasper: We didn't...doing it in two phases because by the time we get
roads and grading and all that stuff done, we're going to be, to start
' work our goal would be to have a unit ready for the Parade of Homes.
I mean that's pretty optimistic but we're not going to get it all done in
a year. So we would probably try to split our construction...
Batzli: You'd be splitting it right now with the one that isn't approved
yet that you haven't brought in front of us?
' Jay Jasper: No. This, we would just split into two kind of phases of
construction.
' Batzli: Oh, okay.
Pat VanAsh: Okay, so then...how long expect for this particular
development that's before us tonight from beginning to finish? How long
' do you expect it to take?
Jay Jasper: Probably one year would be realistic. It could take a little
longer and then it could take a little less than that. It depends on how
long it takes to put the improvements in and what the...conditions are.
But the comment was 2 1/2 years for the parcel across the street.
' Pat VanAsh: Okay. So then what you're saying is that at this point you
would expect to have this entire development finished by the end of the
construction season this year?
Jay Jasper: No. Next year. Because we're not going to be able to barely
start construction...until probably July.
Pat VanAsh: So basically what you're saying then is if you start this
spring and go through until the fall, or whenever, that next spring you'll
begin again.
Batzli: Well I think what he's saying, if you can try to address me a
little bit so that we don't get into an argument back and forth here. I
' think I'll paraphrase what I think he's saying and then I'll give him an
opportunity later to clear it up if I'm saying it wrong. By the time they
get done grading and putting in the improvements, they're towards the fall
of this year. They would expect then to in 1994 to build the units. The
' majority of the units and then be completed by the end of 1994.
Tom VanAsh: Excuse me. The original model home that he talked about was
to be out towards the front of Powers Boulevard... We're asking that they
reverse that and build that back in here instead of this area, and develop
between the existing homes.
' Batzli: You want them to build in your area first? Is that your major
concern there?
' Tom VanAsh: ...two phases that he was talking about. The first phase was
this portion and the second phase would be this portion. We're just
asking them to reverse that since the streets and the grading all have to
be completed prior to the first units going in.
1
Planning Commission Meeting 1
March 17, 1993 - Page 33
Pat VanAsh: Basically that will allow us to have the property, their
property that adjoins our's, that area would be finished first so that
from our point of view we wouldn't have to look into the entire
development and see the entire construction process starting in the
outlying areas and working towards us. Instead it would be reversed and
that would provide somewhat of a buffer between us and the construction
zone if it were reversed. If they started on our property line and...
Batzli: Okay, anything else?
Pat VanAsh: Yeah. As far as landscaping, that was somewhat addressed anill
that was another concern that we felt the landscaping between their
property and our's on the lot line wasn't heavy enough. That it didn't I
provide or because if the 2 story walkout...are right across the back of
our house, that we felt the landscaping wasn't heavy enough there to
provide a buffer. I also was concerned that the type of landscaping
because it isn't, they are 2 story, that the type landscaping that they di
in there would provide for some, instead of the smaller evergreens and
what not, to provide taller trees that eventually would provide a nice
deep umbrella. You know further than 15 feet off the ground. That was I
another thing. As far as the number of units. Our initial reaction was
the number of units was too high. And they have proposed to lower that
but at the same time, you know it may be something for whatever is down
here but it doesn't help us out any. We've got a solid wall...
Farmakes: Excuse me. Could you place that. We've got too much of a ber
here. We can't see that.
Pat VanAsh: There's a solid wall of units right across our back yard here
and if the number of units is to be lowered, which I personally would likli
to see that happen, that one be taken out of here. Originally my
suggestion was to take one off of here and one off of here or something.
Or somewhere, somehow or in other words they did rearrange a little bit '
but if did that, it may have allowed these units also to be moved in
further because they are...back yards, which I thought was awfully close.
...awfully close to the back yard. I mean not only for us but for the
people who are going to live in there. '
Batzli: Okay, anything else?
Pat VanAsh: Yes. I had another question concerning the exteriors. With'
the stucco exterior. The solid, and he addressed the front of the units,
which we personally did go and view them. Everything always looks great '
on paper, which your initial sketches did, but when you see them in
person, you know like reality check. They were attractive from the front.
They were, I felt they were not attractive from the back. The back is
solid stucco with no detail. They basically on the four units that are '
connected that I saw, they all had basically the same decks. And then I
also had a question concerning the stucco material itself. That it
requires higher maintenance. My experience with any stucco that I've ever'
seen is that it looks great when it's freshly painted. After it's
weathered for a year or two, it ends up looking dingy and dirty if it
isn't maintained_. To me it seems to be a high maintenance type thing and
I guess I'm also questioning does the stucco and what not fit in ,
Planning Commission Meeting
March 17, 1993 - Page 34
aesthetically with the rest of neighborhood. That's another
y est the neig h od. T concern.
We also have a question concerning the drainage pond. It seems that it
was unresolved exactly where that was going to be...and I think that needs
to be determined before the plan goes any further. We need to now
exactly where that's going to be placed. Whether it's down further in the
' swampland or whether it's going to be done on the...
Olsen: It's definitely in the parkland, not on their land but Dave can
give you more details on that.
Hempel: Staff is recommending that with this development that a temporary
sedimentation pond be constructed just to the north of this development
' within the city parkland on a temporary basis until the permanent regional
pond is developed further on downstream in the Lake Susan Hills Park,
which is further on to the north in an area that is yet to be designated
' exactly. We've got to go out and look at the areas so we're not
destroying any wetlands or removing any trees. So our overall
comprehensive storm sewer guide has shown a regional pond in that area to
' the north of this development in Lake Susan Hills Park. Timeframe is
unknown at this time though. But there will be a small sedimentation pond
at the end of the storm sewer that they're extending to the north property
line of this development.
' Pat VanAsh: And then a point that was brought up in the previous meeting
was that...
' Hempel: All the retention ponds in the city are maintained by city
maintenance, public works crews so they do take periodic cleaning and
there are easements for access for ponding areas for city crews to provide
the maintenance.
Batzli: Is there anything else?
Pat VanAsh: I think that's it.
' Tom VanAsh: Thank you.
Batzli: Okay, thank you very much. I'll let you comment after everyone's
had their say. Would anyone else like to address the Commission? Please
come up to the microphone. Give us your name and address for the record.
Andrew Olson: I'm Andrew Olson, 8298 West Lake Court. I live 3 doors
' down from VanAsh's and I'm the one that took the pictures of the Waconia
townhomes. They look nice from the front. I don't like the back and the
back side is what we'll be seeing from Powers Boulevard, from Lake Susan
' Hills Drive and from our homes along that West Lake Court. I would like
to see something changed for color or material or something in the back
sides because then it's not as attractive as they might be from the rear.
It's just a solid wall of stucco with a few colors in for deck. If
' something can be done. And then I would also favor that less density. I
don't like the 27. I don't like the 25. I would favor 23 or 24. Just
for that little more greenspace to get that greenery in there and a buffer
' between existing townhomes and trails and whatever in there. And the pond
is also an issue for me. I don't want to have a temporary pond there and
Planning Commission Meeting 1
March 17, 1993 - Page 35
then find out that there's no way to get that water to a permanent pond I
someplace because of the creek going through there and I don't know how
you can legally change the course of a creek or how would you get water I
downhill and over that creek to another pond without a culvert system or
something. That creek is in the way. So getting it to a regional pond is
something I'd like to see covered here before any permanent approval is 1
given. Thank you.
Batzli: Thank you. I'm almost afraid to ask Dave but, we've had a couple
comments about pond and I know you responded to that. Do we have, can yoll
put a map up. Can you explain to us where the temporary pond...
sedimentation basin is going to go?
Hempel: As a part of this development, or I should point out first.
There's an existing storm sewer line that discharges approximately 75 fee
north of Lake Susan Hills Drive. It...runoff from the wetlands across th
street. That pipe would be extended as a part of this project to outlet
to the north end of this development. The developer would be extending a
line off of that proposed storm sewer to serve the internal development,
the storm runoff from the interior streets and housepads, and that would I
be conveyed then through the pipe system down to the north end. And we
felt that some sort of treatment needed to be done to try and collect some
of the heavy sediments that would be collected throughout the year from
the sand on the roads and so forth, instead of just discharging them into '
the grass meadowland. It's much easier for us from a maintenance
standpoint to clean out sediment traps than try and collect sediment as it
is washed further downstream. On top of that, without sediment traps
I
there, it could also lead to future erosion problems like...washout
condition all the way down to the stream that was spoke of earlier. As
far as the regional pond, the permanent regional pond in the area, again I
we do not have the specific location of it. I have a feeling that the
existing stream area and some particular area may be modified and widened
to adapt for the additional ponding. We also want to treat the stream an
water coming from the upstream into this regional ponding before
discharging into Lake Susan. Again, once our comprehensive storm water
plan is developed...will be taken care of but in the interim measures, we
felt that a sediment trap would be very useful for collecting sediments I
from the street.
Batzli: Who owns the property that we're dumping the water on?
I
Hempel: That is city land, it's the park property.
Batzli: And will it affect the neighbors' land? Have you taken a look all
the impact?
Hempel: It is somewhat treed and wooded up in this area...sediment trap I
is a dry pond system. Within a few days after a rain it becomes dry.
Batzli: But you're going to be taking whatever the size of this
development is and right currently it has over 40% impervious, if I'm not"
mistaken. You'll be dumping a lot more water over there.
1
1 Planning Commission Meeting
March 17, 1993 - Page 36
I Hempel: That's correct. That's another reason for the sediment trap. To
also disperse the energy generated in the storm sewer so you don't have
I the washout and erosion problems.
Batzli: What's the impact of going from 43% to 35% coverage on the amount
11 of water being dumped over there?
Hempel: I've not seen the overall drainage calculations yet but it would
reduce it somewhat in the rooftop area and in the driveways so it would be
I a small percentage of the overall impervious...
Batzli: Okay, thank you. This is a public hearing. Would anyone else
I like to address the Commission? Before you start talking, can you take
that down? Thank you.
I Tom Rasmussen: Again, my name is Tom Rasmussen. I live at 8531 Merganser
Court. The reason why I'm interested in this property is because kitty
corner from this lot is another strip of property that's zoned exactly the
same way. And I guess what I don't want to see come happening 2 -3 years
I from now is someone saying, well gee you allowed them 43% impervious.
What are the current standards? Gee, are you going to let me do that? So
on and so forth so I guess my main point is, I would like you to be
I consistent from setbacks, percent impervious or whatever because otherwise
if you allow this development to do it, what's to stop another developer
from coming in and saying hey, they did it. I want to do it too. On the
I other hand, I did live in a townhouse for 5 years and I agree with what
they said concerning the market value. The market value of our homes were
about $100,000.00 to $110,000.00. My next door neighbor to us, it was
rental. It turned into a HUD. It was a disaster so I came out to
I Chanhassen to buy a single family home. So I agree with what they said
and they are going after the proper market for that and stay away from the
$100,000.00 townhomes. You're asking for trouble. Thank you.
I Batzli: Thank you. Would anyone else like to address the Commission? Is
there a motion to close the public hearing? Oh, I'm sorry. One more.
I Gary Kassen: My name is Gary Kassen and I live at 8270 West Lake Court
and 1 just wanted to expand a little bit on the temporary holding pond.
There are several trees in the area and I'd like to see a little bit more
I information on how many of those trees we lose and the size of the holding
pond...
I Hempel: Mr. Chairman, members of the Commission. That was staff's
recommendation for the developer to incorporate the sediment trap pond.
We did give him an approximately size of the pond that we would need and
it's based on the amount of contributing drainage area. That pond size is
I between .3 and .5 acre feet. The sediment pond that we intended, we don't
foresee removal of any of the existing trees. The Park Department won't
I'm sure let us do that. So it will be an area that's pretty much void of
I significant trees. There may be some underbrush of course that would be
removed in those areas outside the major tree areas.
I Gary Kassen: How long is this temporary pond going to be there?
Planning Commission Meeting
March 17, 1993 - Page 37
1
Hempel: I knew he was going to ask that.
Batzli: You danced around it very nicely up til now. '
Hempel: Well, part of it would dictate on the development pressure around
the areas as it becomes developed as it slowly but surely is. That would'
be a priority area to look at. Part of our surface water task force, or
course we've prioritized some areas in town to construct storm water
improvements. We are limited, very limited in funding. I don't know I
where this area plays in the order of storm water improvements however.
As this area develops, the developer will be providing the city a cash
contribution to put towards this regional ponding area. So this develope
and the developer across the street and upstream will also, if they canno
provide on site a necessary retention pond from both the quality and
quantity standpoint, will be required to pay a cash contribution into the
surface water utility fund to help pay for the downstream ponding. '
Batzli: But that money that they donate is not earmarked for this
particular problem. It goes to the overall surface water quality fund.
Hempel: That is correct.
Batzli: So the time is indeterminate. 1
Gary Kassen: Alright. I guess the second issue I wanted to talk about a
little bit more is the appearance. I guess I do like the front of the
townhomes. I think they look very nice. What I'd personally like to see'
is maybe some of the cedar or maybe even some of the brick be added to the
back side because that's the side most of us will see driving by on Count
Road 17 and driving on Lake Susan Hills Drive and also from the homes...
Thank you.
Batzli: Thank you. I promised you a moment of rebuttal. Did you have I
something in response to some of these comments?
Jay Jasper: More clarifications than anything. To address the concerns,
one of the evils of having people look at a project to see what units are '
going to look like. The project in Waconia is very new. The landscaping
in the backyards hasn't been developed yet. Some of it isn't in and so t
take a look at 5 or 10 units and say gee, that looks stacks. Well yeah,
we don't have any landscaping in there. It's in a totally different
setting than this is and so I don't think that's really a fair analysis of
that project. When you look at single family back, the backs of single
family houses, we don't talk about brick and extra cedar and those sorts
of things. I don't see why this project's any different than that. If
anything, we've got a consistent, well maintained, uniform, color II coordinated backyard as opposed to 10 or 15 different colors in various
states of repair and if anything, that's going to be an improvement. The
other thing is stucco is very maintenance free and it isn't painted. It's
just more a point of clarification. 1
Batzli: Let me ask you two questions though, because I think they may be
fair criticisms and you can maybe convince me otherwise. But you have a
self contained development here so that the entire, and it looks nice fro
1
I Planning Commission Meeting
March 17, 1993 - Page 38
I the internal side but the people driving along Lake Susan Hills and the
county road there, they're looking at the backs of every unit. They don't
I see a single front of a unit.
Jay Jasper: If that were single family, you wouldn't either. You
I wouldn't put fronts along Powers Boulevard because I'm sure you can't put
driveways there. You wouldn't put fronts on Lake Susan Hills Boulevard
because that's I gather a collector street. I don't think there's
driveways allowed on there. So what you would see with single family
t would be all different backyards.
Batzli: But you don't see the mass.
II Jay Jasper: But these are broken up into small groups. I mean we could
do 2 story manor homes, vinyl siding, crank the density. Don't worry
I about the impervious surface.
Batzli: I don't think you could crank the density anymore but, okay. But
so you're reply is really that you're no different than single family.
1 We're not worried about it. We're going to sell these babies.
Jay Jasper: No, it's no different than single family and you've got a
I controlled maintained backyard and back of the units. Color schemes all
coordinate. Not house x, house y, house z where it's pink, orange and
blue. You've got something that all blends. I think we're going to be
I very attractive. Plus we've got a lot of landscaping.
Batzli: Thanks. Okay.
I Pete Kurth: My name is Pete Kurth and I live at 1040 Lake Susan Hills
Drive. This addition doesn't come as a surprise and I'm not opposed to
townhouses being put there. I guess I would like to go on record as being
I opposed to the density and I've got a question as far as, we've talked
about runoff water. That's a real wet area out there. I know that we
have got a drainage problem in our back yard. Of about 4 or 5 properties
there on Lake Susan Hills and on West Lake Court there's also a water
I problem there. I notice that they did some cordingly out there in this
area that's going to be developed. Is there something subterrean there as
far as a higher than average water table or an underground stream or, is
I there something in that area? I mean it's between two lakes and there's a
lot of water problems that we seem to be addressing per addition. We
talked about it in the other addition earlier and now we're talking about
I it again. Is there something there that is affecting the entire area?
Hempel: Mr. Chairman. Chanhassen in general has very wet conditions
sporatically all over. There's a lot of draintile systems. This
I particular site did have some soil borings taken on it. There was 3
borings that did show a very high water table and whether they're seasonal
or not, I think that's part of the reason why the low area to the north up
I there is why they're fining 5 to 8 feet of material. Also to build
walkout type houses but also to build the house pad up above the water
table enough so they avoid any kind of future water problems. Yes, that
t is a low lying area. There's a natural drainageway. The ag fields used
to drain that way forever. There is a drainage system on the west side of
Planning Commission Meeting
March 17, 1993 - Page 39
Powers Boulevard that conveys drainage via a culvert underneath Powers
through the site which they'll be addressing with the site grading.
Further to the north is the major I believe Bluff Creek tributary. Or
excuse me, it's a tributary stream anyway that goes into Lake Susan so
it is, the surrounding neighborhoods all drain to this way so it just was
that characteristic will give you the wet soil conditions.
Pete Kurth: My concern would be that we address maybe the worst case
scenario for drainage. Maybe put in some kind of drain tile or mandate
some type of drain tile to handle let's say the worst case scenario. I
know we had a lot of problems in our back yard after it was landscaped and
everything else. Bringing it to the attention of the developer was kind I
of like well, too bad.
Batzli: One of the conditions in the staff report currently, and you're
at a disadvantage is that these things need to be addressed and run by out'
engineering department. I don't know that we can do anything else right
now because we don't have the data. We have to do that but that type of
information will need to be given to them and they'll take a look at that
Pete Kurth: Okay. Again, my concern was I guess is that, are we looking
at this as an individual project or are we looking at it globally for the'
whole area? It seems to be, and again I was a resident out there for 3
years, the whole area has got a drainage problem and so the water table is
very high and maybe we need to take a look at something other than just
surface drainage for the area. Thank you.
Batzli: Thank you. Yes sir. Do you have something new that hasn't been
discussed?
Jim Domholt: I do.
Batzli: Okay. '
Jim Domholt: Jim Domholt, 8251 West Lake Court. Just a comment. The
comment was made that the reduction as far as the units, part of it was
going to be at this end and shift everything. It was just a comment that
...look at in the placement of this road in terms of where it empties
right onto the...so it doesn't empty right on a curve and might become a I
hazardous entrance out there onto Lake Susan Hills. It sounds like it's
going to move closer towards the crown of the curve. I don't know, I'm
not an expert on road designs but I'm concerned of moving that outlet
right on the curve.
Batzli: Okay, thank you. And that would be looked at as well. These
plans are so new, I'm not sure that our engineering department has had a III
to look at that. But that would be one of the factors looked at.
Does anyone else have any comments for the Planning Commission? Is there
a motion to close the public hearing?
Ledvina moved, Scott seconded to close the public hearing. All voted in
favor and the motion carried. The public hearing was closed.
Planning Commission Meeting
March 17, 1993 - Page 40
Batzli: Ladd, you've had a long history of looking at development of this
particular PUD.
' Conrad: I can't remember any of it.
Batzli: What do you think about the late breaking developments and what
' do you think about the overall density and the water problems here, in no
particular order.
' Conrad: In no particular order. Jo Ann, the 31% density. Why was that
there?
Olsen: I don't know. I went back through the whole file and we've got
different percentages for all the other outlots. They're unusual.
Conrad: Impervious surface.
1 Olsen: There's 29% and some, to be honest where the 9.3% came from, I
can't answer that. That's one of the few things I went to look at.
' Conrad: The higher density on this parcel, was that based on a
comprehensive plan that began and the developer incorporated it into their
overall PUD? Or was that based on the developer coming in here many years
ago and saying here's our PUD and we want some higher density areas?
Olsen: You mean the 9.?
' Conrad: Yeah, when we put in the three outlots. We knew they were going
to be higher.
Olsen: Well we knew that these were going to be medium density and we had
another one higher density but yes, because it was part of the PUD, they
were also looking at it having higher than the normal density within that
R -8 district.
Conrad: But was it our initiative? Was it our lead or was it the
developers?
Olsen: I'm sure it wasn't our lead.
Don Patton: Jo Ann, can I address that? ...me to give the background?
Olsen: Sure.
' Don Patton: My name is Don Patton. I worked, I remember Ladd was on the
Planning Commission when we brought this thing through in 1987. The plan
' was done incorporating a comprehensive plan with, the comprehensive plan
usually uses some common sense. You don't want single family up against a
road if you can help it. You want higher density. That was R -8 in this
case, which is the case really of both sides of the road. The single
family, again you've looked at the comprehensive plan. It's really a very
abstract guideline. The plan that we took on that, there were several
things. As a part of the plan we could have had lake lots. We could have
taken the lots down to the lake. There wouldn't have been Lakeshore.
Planning Commission Meeting 1
March 17, 1993 - Page 41
There wouldn't have been a city path along there. We chose to go with thII
PUD to accommodate the city. When I went through the numbers, again I
realize tonight we're looking at two projects. This was 300 acres that III
was planned in conjunction with city park and the people that were here all
the time. As a part of that we gave over 50 acres of the 300 to the city
for parkland, which is certainly a lot more generous than is normally II requested. We thought that we had worked out issues to give the city
pathways along the park, to get densities. As a part of this particular
project we, at the time of that, one of the, you've got to build what's
going to sell. At that time manor homes were very popular. We were II looking at stacking. If you look at the other outlots, as we've called
them on the PUD, they're 2 and 3 story units that were planned with a lot
higher densities. Lot lower coverages. The thing that's happening today
and if you'll look at your market, the society is aging. People are goin�
back, rather than two story units, multi -story units they want one level
living. I think we've got to live with the time. I think the proposal
that's been made tonight with 25 is reasonable with the market and the II intent of the PUD that we worked out with the city and the staff back in
'87 and I think it's reasonable that you approve it.
Conrad: So Don, was it your lead on the high density or was it the City'
lead on the high density?
Don Patton: The City's.
I
Conrad: Basically we've always been trying to find, and when I say high
density, it may mean medium density or high density. It's just greater II
density than single family. We're always looking for a place to put it.
This area seemed to be a likely place to put it and we were, I really
don't have a problem with higher density as getting, it's closer to the
city. Downtown area and I think we were probably leading the way in term
of finding some places to put medium and high density housing. But always
thinking it was to satisfy needs for affordable housing. Affordable is a
real key word. Always under pressure from Met Council to do that. And I'
think we all feel in Chanhassen to some degree that it's good to have
affordable housing for the mix of people that we want in our city. This,
I'm looking at, I see some contradictions of the 31% obviously versus whall
they came in at with what our standard is. And 1 also know that we don't
want to set a precedent unless we're willing to set that precedent.
Whatever we do here will be done on the other outlots. There's no doubt II
about it and I think what Mr. Patton is saying is they're responding to
market conditions here. It's probably not achieving what we originally
thought would be achieved on this parcel. So anyway, who cares? Well, I
guess we've got to, I have some reactions to it. 1 like the design of thl
units. I think the stucco is just fine but I do have a problem with the
density and I do have a problem with the impervious surface ratio. I'm
looking, I would really like the developer to persuade me, they didn't
come in and really do a very good job tonight in persuading me. Not at II
all. If I wanted to go beyond a standard that was in a development
contract, which was 31, which everybody knows you've got to come in and 11
tell me why, and 1 didn't hear that. We kind of said we're going to
upgrade the units. It wasn't a compelling case so until I hear that reall
compelling case, other than profit, I really have to, I can slip a
II
II
1 Planning Commission Meeting
March 17, 1993 - Page 42
II development contract but I can't really at this time slip our zoning
standard that we have. I don't have any comments on the drainage.
1 Batzii: So what would you like?
11 Conrad: Well I guess, I look at this and it just looks like there is no
open space. It looks like we've got a lot of pavement and that bothers
me. That's not what we're trying to do. And again, I'm guessing and I'm
not looking at numbers and sometimes little sketches are deceiving but
I it's just, again I think the density is, it seems like a contradiction. I
wanted higher density but I guess I want higher density with open space or
where we're not really cramming people on top of, you know I'm looking for
II areas that people can go and be and I don't see that in this. So again, I
think the developer to me didn't make that case tonight and maybe they'd
like the opportunity to make a better case for it but I guess the only
thing I see right now is to reduce the density.
I Farmakes: In 1987 was there an issue made with the, the claim is that
higher density is what was being asked for that was adjacent to single
II family homes.
Conrad: And we were thinking stacking. We were thinking of putting, we
I were thinking affordable housing. We're thinking put more units up but
we're thinking, make sure there's some green space around. Now I can't.
Farmakes: ...affordable housing at $150,000.00 a unit.
II Conrad: Well it's not. $150,000.00 a unit.
1 Farmakes: That's what the developer just said.
Conrad: Right.
II Farmakes: But in 1987 that wasn't part of the presentation, is what
you're saying?
I Conrad: I don't know what the presentation was. All I can tell you is
that back in that time we were concerned with where can we put some higher
density housing and how can we make housing more affordable.
1 Batzli: So you don't like the fact that there's a totlot going in down
the street at Dove Court here, that doesn't count for open space? You
want open space on this site, not as part of the overall PUD concept? You
I know what I'm saying? We're looking at this under a microscope as opposed
to the larger overall PUD which is what this gentleman suggested that
we're not really doing here. We're focusing in on the tree rather than
II the forest here.
Conrad: And it's a real valid, yeah. Absolutely. We've got to look at
II it in context of the overall thing but then if we are doing that, then we
hold to the 31% impervious surface that we had in the development
contract.
II
II
Planning Commission Meeting II
March 17, 1993 - Page 43
II
Mancino: Well also across the street from it's going to be high density
so it will even be more dense plus you have industrial on the north side II of the high density. So we've got park, medium, single family and a lot
of high density there too.
Batzli: See I guess I've long possibly been the strongest advocate of
open space in the most nebulous use of the term on this commission for th
last several years and yet I didn't get that feeling looking at this that
that's what I wanted more of. It doesn't help me to put 3 units on there '
with 3 stories and having a little bit of grass around there. You're
going to end up looking at a parking lot or something.
Conrad: Back 5 years ago we negotiated a development agreement and the
developer has the right to go up to 9 units per acre here but also has to
stay in at that 31% impervious surface.
Batzli: But do you want to see, you know assuming there's a market for all
3 story townhome deal, if there is such a thing or 2 stories and you cram
them close together and get some grass growing around the edges. Is that"
what you'd rather see?
Conrad: Brian I don't know but I do know that when you want to change the
agreement, I think a key. All of a sudden, when you do want to change II what the agreement is, I think you should make a compelling case and all
of a sudden we're focused right on this parcel. So again, if we want to
change it from a 31% impervious surface ratio, then I think the developer
have to persuade me that this is a much better plan and that we're gettin
something for going up to a 45 %. So in other words, I think I don't have
to look at the rest of the parcel right now because that was already
negotiated and they have their rights to do a high density.
Batzli: So you would kind of make this equivalent to Lundgren Bros coming
in and saying we don't want condos up on the Summit area. We're going to
put in single family and make a compelling case to change the developmentll
agreement, because they're changing it on this particular lot.
Conrad: And I think in Lundgren's case they did and we listened and we 1
changed it. But here it, I didn't hear a good case.
Batzli: Would you like to address the Commission? 1
Don Patton: Well if I could just, Don Patton again. If I could just ask.
I think the homeowners, ask them. Would they rather have a 3 story unit I
with 31% coverage in their back yard or what's being proposed like this,
which is one story. Which, most of these I think they could probably see
over because of the change in elevation.
II Pat VanAsh: I'll respond to that. When we were talking about this
earlier and we said, if I understood you correctly. To start with, that
you were proposing to lower the number of units or that you were agreeing"
with the fact that the number of units should be lowered.
Conrad: Because, to open up the space. To get the impervious surface II ratio that we agreed on.
II
Planning Commission Meeting
March 17, 1993 - Page 44
' Pat VanAsh: However, lowering the number of units, I guess somewhere
along the line you lost me. When you were talking about lowering the
' number of units yet you're increasing the density.
Conrad: You increase density by going up. You increase density by either
making houses smaller or putting them on top of each other. So this land,
absolutely when this was thought, when you say this is zoned for up to 9
units an acre, that means they go up because only 31% of the land could be
covered by impervious surface. So the intent 5 years ago was to go up.
That was the agreement. You know there's a mix. When you put in a PUD
there's just a mix. As Mr. Patton said, they gave up some rights to put
some things on the lake and the city gave them rights to go into smaller
lot sizes so it's a whole combination of stuff. But now they're asking us
to change that. And then it gets kind of.
Pat VanAsh: So what was good 5 years ago, good today? That's the
' question...as far as Brian saying that he felt that they should...become
more aggressive as far as saving those trees and more aggressive on
whatever pushing the law or whatever it takes to do that. Okay, that same
point to me would hold true in this case. Just because it was good 5
years ago...5 years ago we decided this. It's too much work to change it
or whatever, and just streamroll ahead with it regardless of whether it's
good for us or who it's good for. That doesn't make sense.
' Conrad: I don't know that we've changed our impervious ratio. In
Chanhassen we kind of like open spaces and we sort of strive for that so
that's a standard that we have set for the entire city. So that one kind
of is something that I don't like to give up a great deal. Yeah, there's
a negative out there and you're obviously approaching it. Instead of
having 27 families as neighbors, you could end up with 45 families as
neighbors, you're right.
Pat VanAsh: Right, and that's what I'm saying.
Conrad: And you don't want that.
Pat VanAsh: Exactly. No.
Conrad: And I'm not willing to set a precedent to change a zone. I guess
that's the other thing. There's a potential to set a precedent here,
especially within the PUD. It would be hard to tell the next developer
no.
' Pat VanAsh: And there's also another point to make here as far as if you
go higher you know and less land coverage or whatever the term was that
you use the 31%, whatever that was and start going up. Okay, that's going
I to reduce the price of each individual unit or whatever. That is not in
keeping with the property values in that surrounding neighborhood. In our
neighborhood.
Batzli: Okay. Your point is well taken. You need to keep in mind also,
and think about this, in case we table it, that your comments earlier were
directed towards forcing them to do what you're now saying you don't want.
That's something you've got to keep in mind too.
Planning Commission Meeting
March 17, 1993 - Page 45
Pat VanAsh: No, I understand. I understand what you're saying. However
my comment was, that we would like to see less density. I did not say
that I wanted to see it go up.
Batzli: But by reducing units you're going to end up increasing density,
reducing impervious. ,
Pat VanAsh: However that part of the point was not being discussed in my
previous comments. As far as the units going up. You understand what I'11
saying?
Batzli: Yeah, I know.
Farmakes: Is there a height limitation in medium density?
Batzli: I don't know. I'm sure there is. '
Mancino: Do you know what it is?
Batzli: We've closed the public hearing. These were all Ladd's comments"
Ladd, are you done with your comments?
Conrad: I'm done. '
Batzli: Okay, Diane.
Harberts: I'll give it a shot. Self contained is a very good word for II
this development. You know I guess as long as the developer feels he
knows his market, he's going to bear the risk in terms of if he's going til
sell this. My former residence, I came from a zero lot line. I didn't
care for it and I'll never live in there again. In a zero lot line. I
guess my comments are going to be directed towards, in looking at the
landscape, it looks like there's trees on each one of the front yards. I�
that correct?
Olsen: With the individual ones? ,
Harberts: Yeah. That's how I'm interpretting that.
Olsen: Yeah. 1
Harberts: We've got signage going in. We've got evidentally some
lighting will go in. It's quite a bit of stuff for this area. I guess I�
question, you know trees are nice in the front yard but are we getting to
much? I have a concern with some of the site. Sitings you know with the
2 way traffic. If you're putting trees all over. You've got your light
poles. You're going to put your signage. Are we getting too much in
something like this?
Olsen: Within the park and drive area...? '
Harberts: Yeah, for the internal traffic control. I have a little
concern. Evidentally Safety must have looked at it. This one driveway.
Let's see over by unit number 25. I'm trying to envision how a car will II
Planning Commission Meeting
March 17, 1993 - Page 46
back out trying to maneuver itself if at the same time we've got a car
coming in. Making sure again the sighting so I guess I'm really concerned
with the amount of landscaping, our signage, our lighting. All of that
' that's going to be put into this contained area. My other concerns again
with the internal traffic flow. If you look at units number 7 and number
18, from the fire safety and I guess I'm looking at it from the transit
perspective...goes down the wrong way, how does it turn around? I'm
guessing they're going to have to back it up around.
' Olsen: They designed that so the trucks don't even have to go down it.
They can back around in there but also that's why they have the loop
street now...so all are within 150 feet where the truck can be 150 feet
away and still service that.
Harberts: Okay, so there's not the concern about the... I guess it's
just really directed towards everything that's going to go into this area
with landscaping, signage, lights, of that nature. This is getting, are
we going to start affecting some of the siting for the internal traffic.
Some of the safety things. Trees are nice but maybe a bed of flowers is
' just as good considering how tight this is. Oh, one other thing. I'm
sorry. With regard to item number 15. They talked about the revised site
plan shall include one visitor parking space per 6 units. Boy I'd like to
know where you're going to put that 1 parking spot per 6 units.
Olsen: Their revised plan has shown 4.
Harberts: Is it on there?
Olsen: Yeah.
Harberts: Oh okay. Okay, I missed that one. Sorry.
Olsen: Well you obviously haven't seen it since we just got it this
' afternoon.
Harberts: Well I can tell you that the coloring of the, I guess the open
' space provided me a little bit more comfort level. You know I came to
Chanhassen and I live just off of Frontier and I have 3/4 of an acre and
as far as I'm concerned it's not enough space for me. But I guess it
helped me with the comfort level but if this is zoned for medium density,
that's what it says and I guess I like the plan from that perspective.
But again, my issues are really run along the internal circulation and
safety with everything that has to go in there from the city perspective.
r Batzli: Okay. Matt.
' Ledvina: I'm going to be brief here. I agree with Ladd's assessment and
I would support this proposal if we reduce the impervious surface to 35%.
We could move it along if we changed condition number 2 on the
recommendations to read that. And the other thing, as far as the
conditions are concerned would be number 3. I think that is really not
the developer's issue as it relates to our interaction with Carver County
and I would suggest that we handle that on a separate basis.
1
Planning Commission Meeting II
March 17, 1993 - Page 47
II
Batzli: Has anything been done about that?
Olsen: Well we're hopefully going to meet with them next week. The I
reason we added that as a condition was just so as this goes through the
process we could see if the Council and Planning Commission is in support
of petitioning that. We're going to meet with Carver County again II hopefully next week. They're going to discuss whether or not even just
the trail can be located in the right -of -way. How much right -of -way is
necessary and if the unnecessary right -of -way can be vacated. So II nothing's been done at this time. The City has the ability to petition
such a request.
Batzli: What does it do to their impervious coverage if they either
II
vacate some of it or remove the trail?
Olsen: Oh it helps.
II
Batzli: How big of a percentage? Are we talking 1 %? 5 %?
Olsen: Well you'd have to measure it by the length. I think I asked you
to look at that didn't I? You were going to work that out. The trail ha
already been removed from the impervious coverage percentage. It began at
49% so we're not including that.
II
Batzli: Okay, so they're not going to gain anything?
Olsen: As far as the trail, no. But if they vacate right -of -way, then
that land that's vacated becomes, they have the potential of up to 15 fee
time, whatever it is. The distance on Powers Boulevard.
Batzli: Is there a likelihood that that's going to happen? 1
Olsen: I don't know. You know nobody's ever very anxious to give up
II
right-of-way that they might use.
Batzli: Okay. Did you have anything else Matt?
Ledvina: That's it. I
Batzli: Joe. 1
Scott: I think the points are well taken and I would concur with the
other commissioners. One thing, just to comment for city staff is that,
don't particularly like to see the negotiation situation where it's, a
developer says this many units and the city staff says no, this is what
we're looking at and then they come in here. I mean you're in a situation
where you say hey, this is the deal. If you want the deal, this is the II
number. And if you can't get the number, it's no deal. Okay. And I'm
seeing this over here, over here. I mean but anyway, no more comments.
Olsen: So you're saying 35% max or 31% max? ,
Scott: What I'm saying your recommendation which was not 40 but 35. II Actually it was stated at 32 in the original PUD but 35 I think is, 1
II
II Planning Commission Meeting
March 17, 1993 - Page 48
II think 35 will work.
Batzli: Okay, Jeff.
1 Farmakes: First question I have is, this is part of the 5 year agreement
like on the previous development?
II Olsen: Yes.
Farmakes: The major question I would have again is, it would seem to me
1 that we certainly should be consistent on how we treat that. If we get a
legal opinion whether or not we're dealing with 1987, which I am very
uncomfortable with, versus 1993 which we're all here and now. I do not
I understand why we would enter a development agreement of that length. If
we look at the city, 5O% of our population has increased in that amount of
time. Certainly the world is a different place in half a decade and our
standards have changed. We've held elections. Several elections since
1 then. I'm sure half of our commissions have changed since then. We have
a difficult time remembering the history of these projects and what the
motivation at the time was. And certainly from the aspect of real estate,
1 I think the applicant himself said that what sold then isn't what sells
now. Times change and so do governments and so do applicants. I would
certainly recommend that we get that sorted out as a first block and until
we do that I would recommend tabling this. It seems to me that we would
II not want to soften our position on that until we know what that is. By
selectively approving a part of the PUP on '87's terms versus '93's and
vice versa on another part of that development. I am going to continue on
1 the basis that we're going on '87 on my comments, just to give you my
opinion. The level of density that I'm looking at here, whether it's
fitting or not, seems to me to be more high than medium. At least from an
I appearance of an overhead... I would certainly expect at least if we go
ahead with this to follow Ladd's comments in regards to the impervious
surface. I also am uncomfortable looking at these plans with a couple of
units scribbled off on my plans that I'm looking at and so on. It's
1 difficult to assess that. I'm also very concerned about what the thinking
was on the part of the property units, I believe they're listed as 4, 3, 2
and 1. Possibly 5 that are adjacent to the single family homes. It seems
1 to me that very little thought there in softening the connection there was
given to the adjacent property owners and they have legitimate concerns
there. It seems to me that if you're looking at softening that type of
I thing, the detail on the back of these homes, flower boxes, shutters,
awnings, da, da, da, anything would at least conform to help these homes
in the rear which there's a lot of in these type of developments. Would
help them conform better to the front of the home. And I don't think it's
1 our place here to start specifying what that is but I think that if you
can soften those issues where it looks like the front of your building is
well developed, well thought out, and you get to the back of it. Well,
II that's supposed to be where nobody's supposed to see it or that's next to
the trash dumpster and not a penny goes into that. Certainly the
consideration against the properties that face the single family homes
and I believe actually following all the way around, the properties that
1 would face to the rear along the walkway of Powers Boulevard, certainly
would be a visual impact of the development. And coming back again to the
philosophical question here. I was not sitting here in 1987 and when I
1
1
Planning Commission Meeting 1
March 17, 1993 - Page 49
look at PUD's and I ask myself, what are we gaining here. And it seems t�
me that I'm having a hard time buying the argument, although it may very
well be true, in 1987 that we wanted more higher density homes. That
hasn't been my experience sitting here. I can't recall ever sitting here l
and hearing the Commission saying, we really want more density. Give it
to us. It's always been the opposite. And in looking back at that, I'm
asking myself what are we gaining here from a PUD? We aren't saving any I
trees. We're not, we're perhaps offering an alternative form of housing
which is being brought forth. The older population, although the average
age is going up into the 40's I believe which is certainly not immobile I
yet. At least that I know of. And the other issue of course is
addressing the price of the home. Now we're looking at the price of
$150,000.00 for these houses so I don't see us serving, that's above the
medium price home I believe in Chanhassen. So I don't see that we're
serving any range there. So I'm asking myself over and over again, what
are we getting here and although it may be frustrating for the applicant
that in 1987 he heard something else, the world changes. I'm looking at II
this in 1993 and I think that's the way that I should be looking at it.
Batzli: If it comes back, what do you want to see? What do you want to II
see addressed?
Farmakes: The issues that I listed. I believe I categorized which ones
that if this does go ahead, which ones we'd be looking at. I think there
should be less density. Less impervious surface but in the end result I'
have to say that I have a real problem seeing the need for this as a PUD.
As part of that PUD and that commitment and I go back again, is this a
commitment that the city has still made because I think if it hasn't, we II
should take a long hard look at this in 1993.
Conrad: Excuse me Jeff, but just remember when this is part of a big ,
project.
Farmakes: No, I understand that. ,
Conrad: And we negotiated other stuff that the city got, including
parkland and things like that. '
Farmakes: I understand that but it had a finite commitment as I
understand it. I'm awaiting a legal opinion on that. Certainly in real
estate you do have finite contracts and the issue of performance, we have 11
a lawyer here and I'm not going to get into that with my standpoint but
the question is, how open ended is that commitment? 20 years from now do
they come forward and haven't developed a chunk of land and are we still I
going to be developing by '87 standards? I'm not suggesting that we be
unreasonable here but it seems to me that that requires a legal opinion
here before we start doing that. And how this affects the other
development.
Mancino: Mr. Chair I have nothing new to add.
Batzli: Okay.
Tom Reese: Mr. Chairman?
II Planning Commission Meeting
March 17, 1993 - Page 50
1 Batzli: Yes sir.
I Tom Reese: I appreciate the house and I'd just like to make a comment.
My name is Tom Reese and I'm with Lake Susan Hills Partnership. I've been
at this since 1972 and I've seen a lot of different faces. I recognize
I Ladd. I appreciate all your volunteer work. Believe me. I think I can
add something of credibility that might help some of you with your
thinking at the moment and that is very basically, this could have been a
single, total single family development. That's what the mode was in the
I 70's. I could go back and give you history, which I won't for time but at
one time U.S. Homes had a contract on all this for single family homes.
And part of developing, Al Kiingelhutz, and I can go back but for the sake
I of conclusion, the PUD was put together with the city in concert and they
insisted on high density. I underscore insisted high density. You
probably remember some of that. So this land was planned accordingly so
I the City of Chanhassen would have high density. They were emphatic about
it. There was no two ways about it so this planned unit development has
been progressing for a good number of years. Revised again in 1987 and as
each addition to the Planned Unit Development continues you see what
I happens. We're tonight talking about a unit that has a density
requirement far greater, as you know than what's being proposed tonight.
Now once the single family's put together and you're trying to bring
I together something that would form continuity as best you can. You've
tamed about what could be zoned. If someone were to bring a project here
that would be 36 unit density with the proper space and stacking and so
on, you would approve it correct? Given it met all the rest of the
II requirements. Is that a correct observation?
Batzli: We're not going to say yes for fear that we might see it next
1 week.
Tom Reese: ...with threatening discussion, it's hopefully enlighting some
II of the folks that are asking for what happened in the past. Is that
understood?
Batzli: Yeah.
I Tom Reese: Okay. I don't think that that has in continuity with what the
neighborhood as it was developed. When it was developed and while we're
I trying to put it together so I'd like to consider some of the history.
I'd be happy to talk in detail at another time if anybody would wish. But
it's difficult to work in a partly cloudy scenario and I think that's what
II some of what we're hearing tonight is bringing up all those partly
cloudy's when it was really emphatically demanded by the city. The
concessions given to the city to go along with it to make the PUD as it is
today. I hope, I've tried to enlighten a bit about it and then you.
II Batzli: Okay, thank you.
II Farmakes: Could I make a quick comment to that?
Batzli: No.
II
II
Planning Commission Meeting II
March 17, 1993 - Page 51
Farmakes: Real quick? Two seconds. I think that the issue that I was II
talking about was with several points that weren't relevant to what you
just talked about. Although I agree with what you said. I think that thil
points that I was making went beyond that. If you want me to clarify it
further I will, otherwise I'll withdraw it.
Batzli: No. I think we need to move on here. I have several comments II
but I'll agree with what Ladd said and that was, they're changing what's
in the contract currently. We can argue whether we should look at that
contract or not. I personally believe that we need to take a look at wha
was done in the overall scheme of things and not focus so intently perhap
on one density. But the fact of the matter is, they are changing the
density here. I don't believe they've made a compelling case to change
that and the fact that they're changing it means, that's why we've focuse�
in on this particular piece of property. So what I would like to see done
is bring this back and give the applicant a second whack at it to tell us
why they should increase the impervious from what was agreed originally.
And they may be lowering the density down, whatever, but the impervious i
really I think what kind of bothers me. Going from the 32 or whatever it
was agreed, up to I don't know where, somewhere in the 40's. 35's our II current standard. We've not really heard a compelling reason other than
profit motive and this is what's going to sell. Well, you know, we're
concerned here about setting precedence in other parts of this PUD or II perhaps in other parts of the city and we're trying to do what the
residents want around us want. We're trying to get a good development.
We're trying to do something that will sell because it doesn't help us to
build two units and then it just stops right there. But the problem is
that we're faced with a couple of different issues and one of those thing
is in fact setting a precedent that we're, the next guy comes in, we can't
stop him or her from doing the same thing. So what I would like to see iI
potentially a motion to table this. I know that we just spent an hour an
a half and it seems like we're putting off the decision but I think we
need a couple of things. One is, for Jeff I think we need a definitive
answer from the attorney regarding whether we can just start from scratch 11
and use '93 standards. I think probably a majority of the people on the
commission maybe don't feel like they need to impose the brand new
standards but they would at least like to hear a more compelling case as I
to why this development makes sense and it's not in compliance with the
agreement from '87. So is there a motion?
Ledvina: I move that the Planning Commission table Case No. 87 -3 PUD II
until a later date.
Mancino: I second. 1
Batzli: Is there any discussion?
Ledvina moved, Mancino seconded that the Planning Commission table the II
Preliminary Plat #87 -3 PUD for Prairie Creek Townhomes, Jasper Development
for further review. All voted in favor and the motion carried
unanimously.
II
II
II
II Planning Commission Meeting
March 17, 1993 - Page 52
II PUBLIC HEARING:
NON - CONFORMING USE PERMIT FOR SCHMID'S ACRES RECREATIONAL BEACHLOT.
1 Public Present:
II Name Address
Gary Carlson 3831 West 62nd Street
Dale Keehl 3841 West 62nd Street
I Kate Aanenson presented the staff report on this item. Chairman Batzli
called the public hearing to order.
II Gary Carlson: Good evening. My name is Gary Carlson. I live at 3831 West
62nd Street. I live in the original homestead on the Schmid's Acres
Tracts. It was built in 1895 and I've lived there for the last 23 -24
II
years. I want to wish you all a Happy St. Patrick's Day, although I don't
know if he'll forgive you for not celebrating with only an hour left in
the day. I appreciate the work that you do for the city. You do a good
I job. I just wish there was a way that those that just want to go for
quick swim could have an earlier meeting and let the large problems of the
city be worked out in the later hours. The Schmid's Acre beachlot was
II established in 1914. We simply wish to comply and obtain a non - conforming
use permit for Schmid's Acre recreational beachlot. We describe the
nature of the use in our application, so if you would look at that, I'll
go through the application quickly. The number of homes is approximately
II 25. The length of our shoreline is 50 feet wide and we're 50 foot wide
from the shoreline all the way to Minnewashta Parkway. That's the new
improved parkway that you're adding. That you're improving. Our useage,
I which you want us to define to you, is one dock and the length at times
is, or whenever it was made in '81 but we do have extra sections and the
legal limit for Minnewashta, we've never used the full length. We're only
I asking for the one dock unless the lake goes low, and then we may put out
the full whatever. I think it's 100 feet on Lake Minnewashta but we
typically only put out about 50 feet. But we may put out more feet. We've
had one dock since 1914. It's a pre - existing use. It's a grandfathered
I use. We just simply want to let you know what that use was and we want
to, we understand the City's interest in restricting the use of the lake.
We want to, that is also our interest is to continue.
II Batzli: Can you comment on two or three particular things.
Gary Carlson: Yeah, run down quickly.
II Batzli: On our survey we have very little use made in 1981, which is the
year that we have been attempting to limit your use to that level of use
1 in 1981. You asked for several things which go over and above that use
and maybe if you can just comment on these 2 or 3 things. One is you'd
like to add a canoe rack. You want to increase the number of boats which
II are docked and you want to put a couple of the boats on land. Were those
things done in 1981 that you had boats on land and a couple on the dock?
Gary Carlson: Like I say, it's a lake access that's been there since 1914
II and some years it's used more than others. Some people that have the use
II
Planning Commission Meeting
March 17, 1993 - Page 53
of it have never even set foot on it. Some people that have the use of
are down there every weekend. But it's a very limited use and there is
no, hardly any physical evidence that it is a lake access because it is,
the creek is entirely enclosed within that 50 feet.
Batzli: But in the past has there been 2 boats on land, 2 on the dock?
Gary Carlson: Okay, let me run again down these. One dock. So that's
only one dock. We're not saying.
Batzli: We're going to give you the dock. I don't want to talk about thl
dock.
Gary Carlson: Okay. Number of boats, 1 or 2. The reason for that is noll
to continue. We never have continually moored boats there. We're not
asking to moor any in the lake as other accesses do. Other accesses you
look at their access, all you'll see is 12 boats moored out from nobody's
home.
Aanenson: Maybe I can make a clarification. The ordinance only addresses
if you're going to put them overnight. If you're going to launch them at"
the boat launch and store them during the day, run to the house and get
lunch, that's fine. We don't care about that. The ordinance only
addresses if you're going to leave them there overnight. '
Gary Carlson: Okay. The other thing I wanted to ask you is the boat
launch, canoe rack of exceptional size or parking lot. Those would all II require us to come to you and ask for a building permit. If we were to
build a parking lot or build...
Aanenson: No. You have existing. You can drive onto that right now.
Gary Carlson: No, existing is, the reason we're asking for 1 or 2 docks
is okay, if we want to leave the boat there overnight and usually.
Batzli: The ones on the dock you want to leave there overnight?
Gary Carlson: Well we have in the past at the dock but it's not a full II
summer's dockage. You know what I mean?
Batzli: Right, but there has been use during the summer of you leaving II
boats there overnight?
Gary Carlson: Yeah. We have left boats there overnight. And it's only, 11
if you and your brother are going to fish today and Sunday.
Batzli: I leave my boat there overnight and then I pull it out.
Gary Carlson: You leave the boat overnight and then we pull it out. 1
Batzli: And how many have been on land during the summer in the past?
Gary Carlson: Because it's a non, it's next to undeveloped land and the
one owner to the right, you don't have any security there. We haven't in
1
Planning Commission Meeting
March 17, 1993 - Page 54
the past and we don't want to in the future. We just, if the occasion
runs that we're going to go waterskiing Saturday and Sunday, and somebody
in the association elects to leave their boat there, we don't want to be
out a permit or we don't want to have a citation.
Batzli: So you're looking at boats that are fishing boats and /or boats
that you can pull a skier with?
Gary Carlson: Small ski boats, yeah.
Batzli: And in the past have you launched from that property or is this
something that you would want to build?
' Gary Carlson: No. The reason I have a canoe rack is because
traditionally we've chained it to a tree and as the lots on either side of
us develop into a home, they might say a little stand that you can lock
your canoe down. And that again is just if the kids are on summer break
or they're going to canoe for the full two weeks or one week. But if
anyone leaves their canoe there for a month it will be gone you know.
' Batzli: So there have been canoes left there chained to trees?
' Gary Carlson: Chained to trees, yeah.
Batzli: But how about launching your fishing boats or your small ski
boats.
Gary Carlson: Okay, that's the next point. It also states in the history
report there was no swimming beach but you know.
Aanenson: The ordinance doesn't address that. That's really a moot point
because we don't regulate that. We're not going to stop anybody from
' swimming there.
Gary Carlson: It's a hard sand beach so we swim there and that's the only
reason we go down there is to swim there and so it does have, has always
had a swimming beach. The boat launch, if you've looked at the access,
it's a straight little gravel road and it will have a new approach off
Minnewashta Parkway. They'll be improving that approach. And the little
gravel driveway goes straight into the lake and it's not an improved
launch and we don't want it to be a launch where 12 boats launch there
every Saturday or night. The only reason we use the launch is if the
public thing is full. You know they only allow 40 some boats over there.
And like I say, it's a very small access and there's only 25 or so people
that have the right to use it. I have yet to see more than 3 people, 3
different families there at one time in all the 23 years I've been there
so it's very limited useage boat area. The only thing is if I'm going to
have waterskiing and I didn't get up by 9:00 and get over to the public to
launch and there's no place on Minnewashta to launch, the public I can't
leave my, so then I back in. I put my boat in. We have a little gravel
driveway that goes straight into the lake. It's not an improved. We're
not going to put in a cement boat ramp.
' Batzli: We probably wish you would but okay.
Planning Commission Meeting
March 17, 1993 - Page 55
Mancino: How long has it been there? How long has the boat
g g launch been
there?
Gary Carlson: The road has always been there since I've been there.
Mancino: Okay, but according to this inventory, there isn't one. There II
wasn't one in 1981, 1986 or 1991.
Gary Carlson: It depends on the lake level. It depends on what the ice
heave is that year and unless I go down there with my skidster loader and
remove that ice heave, then you can't make a smooth launch. So only a
person with a 4 wheel drive would launch there.
Batzii: Okay. Do you understand the position we're in here. What we're 1
looking for actual documentation of increased use over what our survey
said was there in 1981. And we have your best recollection but we don't II
have anything we can kind of sink our teeth into.
Gary Carlson: Well I can bring, a lot of the people that use it in the
7O's and 80's have retired and moved off of the lots. We have new
families in there and they haven't launched there yet. So we have always
launched a boat there but we're not going to be a launch for 25 homeowners
and then they're calling their aunts and uncles and friends and relatives
If I can get into the fact that it can only be used and we would like thaill
use to continue, it can only be used by the heirs and assigns of Schmid's
Acre Tract. And by the way, can only be used for the private use of the 1
heirs so that means I can't invite the public. In fact the City of
Chanhassen owns one of the Schmid's Acre tracts and so does the City of
Shorewood owns one.
Batzli: Do you have covenants amongst the tracts?
Gary Carlson: The thing is on this particular parcel. We're coming in all
a courtesy to the city to get this permit. It's grandfathered number onell
Number two, it lies entirely within a private person's property. It's as
if Kathryn owned a lake lot and she gave us permission from now on for th
other people who live across the street from her to use and come onto her
property. This is privately owned by a private party, not me. So it's
not like the normal lake access where the people hold it in common.
Batzli: I believe it.
Gary Carlson: We have the right to come on to Kenneth Durr's property,
the 50 feet wide strip to ingress and egress the lake and that was set up 11
by Schmid and his heirs in 1914 when he platted. So that his relatives
that owned off lake could use that and we now live on his properties and
we don't want to expand it beyond the 25 families who now use it. 1
Batzli: Okay. We may have questions for you when we, thank you for
coming. It's an interesting one. 1
Gary Carlson: We want to leave it with it's current nature and there's no
improvements we can put on it without going through a permitting process 1
of the city so it's basically so that you can have that defined and not
1
Planning Commission Meeting
March 17, 1993 - Page 56
let it get expanded. We don't want to expand it. What we're asking for
is just the minimum. I mean you've got to be able to put one dock there
occasionally and you have to be able to go swimming there and you like to,
if we need to launch a boat, the road goes right into the lake.
Batzli: Okay, thank you for your comments. Is there anyone else that
would like to address the Commission? Yes please.
Dale Keehl: My name is Dale Keehl. I live at 3841 West 62nd Street. I
just purchased the house cast fall from a Mr. Gelsich who I've worked with
for the past 24 years. As far as I don't, I've never used the access. It
was one of the reasons that I bought the house was because I have two
young boys and we like to fish and stuff and I thought it would be a nice
way to get to the lake and not necessarily use it as a boat launch. I
don't need that or to leave a boat on the lake. I just like a place I can
get to the lake. Like I said, I've known the Gelsich's for 20 some years
' and how they used it with their boys and as far as leaving boats there and
that, it was just an overnight thing and that, I was on the access a
couple times with them and I would just like to see it kept so I could use
it with my boys. Thank you.
Batzli: Thank you. Would anyone else like to address the Commission? Is
there a motion to close the public hearing?
' Scott moved, Mancino seconded to close the public hearing. All voted in
favor and the motion carried. The public hearing was closed.
Batzli: Okay Jeff, why don't you start.
' Farmakes: I've been consistent on this thing and I want to remain
consistent.
Batzli: I know. I really shouldn't have started with you should I.
Farmakes: I think the ordinance is pretty clear and I'm really not going
to go on. The applicant knows apparently from discussing it here what the
' ordinance, the intent of the ordinance is to do and what we're arguing
about here perhaps is not access but expanding the use. If the city took
a survey there, was down there and one of the boats happened to be missing
' from the dock, I could take that as a plausible event, and I don't think
that that's being inconsistent. The City's tact with that survey was not
totally inclusive and I think that there's some reasonable leeway there.
The difference of what you're asking seems to me to be pretty slight and I
would be fine with the extra boat versus the survey. The issue of
storage, I don't think that we've gotten super critical with the issue of
storage off of the dock itself. The issue of access though, I'm not sure
if I, that would seem to me to be an expansion of use. If you were to
improve that and utilize that for a true boat launching and that would
seem to me to be inconsistent with what we can do. That's it.
Batzli: But you would agree that they should have a boat launch?
Farmakes: No. That would be an expansion of use. And that would be
inconsistent with what we've been doing.
Planning Commission Meeting
March 17, 1993 - Page 57
i
Batzli: Let me ask one question. On the issue of launching. You can
still launch your boat over at the public launch. You just can't park
over there. Or do they actually cut it off after 45 people have launched'
Gary Carlson: I think after so many boats and trailers have gone through
the gate. Otherwise they can't...or you have to wait for a boat and
trailer to leave the park. I supposed, I don't know if at the gate you
explained to the person at the gate that you just wanted to launch and
take the boat somewhere else. I'm not sure on that either. I guess II I didn't cover the parking either. We don't all go down and park our
cars. If it's the 4th of July and he has all his relatives, all 14 of
them. In other words, if there's a little family picnic there and you
park your cars...and they park all the way to the driveway out, there will,
be 10 cars there but we're not asking to have any cars parking. We're not
asking to expand on the parking. So if there's 10 cars down there...but
we're not asking for a 10 car parking lot either. '
Batzli: Did you have something?
Dale Keehl: I do think you can launch over there and drive out. I used II
to know the guy that took care of it over there and I do think that is
possible.
II
Aanenson: I think that's what a lot of the other associations do too.
They can't dock overnight.
Batzli: Right. Joe. II
Scott: I don't know. This is a personal comment and not necessarily mad
as a Planning Commissioner but this is my first shot at a lake situation.
I don't know. Has there been any problems with how these people have been
using the dock? I mean it seems like we're trying to go back into the I
history and nobody really has a good beat on it and the one day survey's
not an indication of use I guess. Has there been any reason to, or any
indication that these people have not been utilizing this piece of land
for whatever it's supposed to be utilized, I mean has there ever been any II
problem with these people?
Aanenson: Not to my knowledge.
II
Scott: Well, and I don't expect you to know full knowledge. As far as
I'm concerned, I think we should just, they don't have a tremendous amount
of space to work with. It doesn't seem like there's heavy use. I think II
we should grant them their non - conforming use. That's the end of my
discussion.
Batzli: So do you feel comfortable with what they've asked for in view of
what we think they've had in the past?
Scott: We don't really know what they've had in the past and I don't
II
think you can determine it from a one shot aerial photograph or somebody
wandering down there so I'd take them on their word and let it go with it.
1
1
i Planning Commission Meeting
March 17, 1993 - Page 58
Batzli: Okay. That's a fair assessment. I think Matt may present the
opposing viewpoint here though. Go ahead.
' Scott: Which is fine.
' Ledvina: You know I feel that we do have to evaluate the survey and take
what we can from that survey. I agree with Jeff's position. A boat can
be out on the lake. We've gone over that many times. I don't need to do
that here. So I would be in favor of allowing one boat to be docked
11 overnight at the dock. The other conditions are fine but I would draw the
line at the boat launch because I think there's other issues that are
associated with a boat launch that relate to environmental effects and
control and things like that. So I would not support approving the boat
launch.
Batzli: Parking's okay? Boats on land are okay?
Ledvina: That's all fine. Everything else is fine as far as I'm
concerned. And again the major issue that we've been dealing with is
' boats docked and I would see that 1 would be a reasonable situation for
this beachlot.
Farmakes: Well it's 1 or 2.
' Batzli: Well we've got to come up with a number eventually.
11 Ledvina: I would support 1.
Farmakes: There's a 50% difference.
Batzli: Or 100% if it's 1. Okay Ladd.
' Conrad: I don't believe the boat launch is acceptable. I think the other
requests are okay. Boats docked can be, well it's not docked. Boats on
land. I think we're asking how many can be on land, right?
1 Aanenson: Yeah. Some of those associations, I think it was like Pleasant
Grove, they had actually boats for fishing that they left on land and they
just brought the motors down. So it's question of should we qualify that.
They're always there. That's kind of what they do here. They tie them up
or chain them up to a tree.
Conrad: So again, I think I'm okay with everything other than the boat
launch.
Batzli: Do you want 1 or 2 boats?
Conrad: 1.
Batzli: Both cases? On land and on dock?
Conrad: I think we're only, I was responding to a recommendation that,
I didn't think we were making a recommendation on the dock.
Planning Commission Meeting II
March 17, 1993 - Page 59
II
Aanenson: Well you have to decide if you feel it's consistent. They're
saying that they had one dock. We're saying, whoever did the survey in
'81 saw one dock. The 45 feet again, that can fluctuate with the level o
the lake. What the ordinance says is 50 feet maximum or to get a depth o
4 feet. So really if you feel like that's consistent that they had a
dock, and he says they had a dock, if you feel that's. 1
Conrad: The dock's fine. Boat on land. One boat on land. Boats on dock
overnight, no. Swimming beach is okay. I find a conflict between the on
1981 inventory where we showing off street parking of 5 to 6 and on our
inventory in '81, '86 and '91 showing no, no, no. I don't understand
that. But on the other hand, I'm not hearing any neighbors complaining sil
I guess I could accept the off street parking.
Batzli: Okay. Diane.
Harberts: Just no to the boat launch. Everything else I agree with. I'll
like 2 boats so I know where he's coming from.
Batzli: Okay. ,
Mancino: Well after hearing you wise people, I'm for the dock. 10 off II street parking. No boat launch. 1 canoe rack. 1 boat on land. 1 boat
docked. Is there anything else? I think that's it.
Batzli: Okay. I think what you're hearing so far is that we don't have 11
problem with your use other than the launch and what you need to do is,
what we're going to about to do, I get the feeling, is we're going to make
a recommendation. If you can present evidence to the City Council that II
your property was used as a launch back in 1981, you will probably
convince them to also include the launch but you haven't given us enough
evidence to feel comfortable giving that to you here tonight. If you can
find pictures. If you can have people come in. Whatever. What we've
been trying to do is put the burden on the applicant. If it's above what
we thought was there, you have the burden to prove to us that it was used
in that way. We're not trying to take it away, something that you've bee.
doing but you need to give us something so that we can hang our hat on it
and say yeah, go ahead and continue to use it that way. So between now
and when this goes to City Council, if you have a picture of somebody
launching their boat, whatever you know.
II
Harberts: Can it just be a written letter?
Batzli: Well we've gotten those from people as well. We've gotten II
affidavits from people saying.
Aanenson: Pictures, yeah. 1
Batzli: Pictures, whatever. But we didn't get really much of anything
and I think there was just a level of discomfort that by making it a
launch, you've increased the intensity. Whereas a couple boats on there,
fishing boats, things, that's not a real intense use. And that's what
this whole thing is intended to do is to keep these small beachlots from 11
II
Planning Commission Meeting
March 17, 1993 - Page 60
becoming real intense and irritating the people around them and over
crowding the lake. Okay?
Gary Carlson: I think we should accept your recommendation...
' Batzli: Okay.
Gary Carlson: Because two things will happen. First of all, when you say
launch, a boat and trailer...If someone sees that it's a, the only people
who will launch will be my neighbor...but if you say launch and I tell
everyone there's going to be a launch.
' Batzli: Well we're going to say no launch in a minute so don't worry
about that
Gary Carlson: If you say no launch, fine.
Batzli: Okay. Do we have a motion?
' Ledvina: I would move that the Planning Commission recommend the approval
of the Non- Conforming Recreational Beachlot permit application by Schmid's
Acre according to or consistent with the request and specifically with
' these exceptions. The number of boats docked to 1. Number of boats on
land being 1 and an exception to the request for a boat launch. No boat
launch.
11 Batzli: Is there a second?
Mancino: Second.
Batzli: Is there any discussion?
Ledvina moved, Mancino seconded that the Planning Commission recommend
approval of Non - Conforming Use Permit for a Recreational Beachlot for
Schmid's Acres with the continued use of one dock, 1 boat parked at the
dock, 1 boat parked on land, off street parking for 10, 1 canoe rack, and
' no boat launch permitted. All voted in favor and the motion carried
unanimously.
Batzli: When does this go to the Council?
Aanenson: It should be on April 12th.
PUBLIC HEARING:
CONCEPT PLAN TO REZONE PROPERTY FROM BG, GENERAL BUSINESS TO PUD, PLANNED
UNIT DEVELOPMENT FOR EXPANSION OF AN OFFICE AND MANUFACTURING FACILITY
LOCATED AT 7900 MONTEREY DRIVE. WEST ONE EXPANSION, DOUG HANSON. WEST ONE
PROPERTIES.
Jo Ann Olsen presented the staff report on this item. Chairman Batzli
called the public hearing to order.
Doug Hanson: I'm Doug Hanson. I live in Minnetonka.
1
Planning Commission Meeting II
March 17, 1993 - Page 61
11
Batzli: I'm sorry. Before you start in, I have one more question of Jo
Ann. Are you done with the rest of your staff report?
II Olsen: I was just going to finish to say that there used to be 5 users i
this building. As Chaska has expanded, they've pushed them out. He, Doug
Hanson who will be explaining that he is proposing with this expansion
that he will locate his own construction business there also and I believ
a plumber. So I think we need to have it clear exactly who would be using
that site. i
Farmakes: Can I ask for some additional site plan, I guess this isn't
site plan review but some concept on how this is in relationship to the
Burdick property that still remains behind Target and that road going in.
I believe we might have a few drawings in the back of there of Target, bu
we don't see that on any of this. The relationship of this building to
the area behind Target and the drive in, the service road that goes back II
behind there.
Olsen: Right here is...Market Square... This is Pica Drive and this is 11
where you get into Target...
Farmakes: But there still are some lots I believe behind Target. There's
2 lots. 1
Olsen: ...where the trees are?
Farmakes: Okay, down there by your stomach. 1
Batzli: But is this contingent upon, I mean looking at Don's comments II here. Is this all contingent upon, rezoning this PUD can be made
contingent upon the HRA selling this hunk of land?
Olsen: Well they have, they own it and they have total control now. 1
Batzli: Yeah but I don't want to rezone this PUD.
Olsen: If the HRA.
II
Batzli: Well it says here, isn't this hunk, is this a proposed expansion?
Is that going on land that's owned by the HRA right now? 1
Olsen: Correct. Right.
Batzli: So can we make this contingent, because I don't see in any of th1
conditions that this is contingent upon them getting all the property
under common ownership.
II Olsen: Sure you can.
Batzli: If they don't do that, then there's no point in us rezoning thesil
individual little parcels PUD.
Olsen: Exactly. 1
II
Planning Commission Meeting
March 17, 1993 - Page 62
Batzli: Okay. Please, go ahead.
1 Doug Hanson: I'm Doug Hanson. I was one of the builders, the partner of
Tom Klingelhutz back in '78. We had about 5 previous people as tenants in
there. It was office /warehouse. DayCo Concrete was in there. Vernco
Maintenance. Frontier Meats. There was an auto body shop in there and
there's another one but I can't think of what it was. But eventually
Chaska Machine has taken over the whole operation and they're in a
position to expand. They would like to stay there if they could. We
would, I have a company, Hanson Hometech. We do residential remodeling. I
work with my two sons. Steinkraus Plumbing would be another tenant and we
would share a small area in the very end of this building. About 2,000
square feet. We would share the office and the secretary /receptionist.
That type of thing. Otherwise it's mainly for Chaska Machine. And the
future expansion area would be for them also as they grow. There's 5,400
' square feet in the proposed expansion... The highway is here and the
railroad tracks is here...
Batzli: Okay. Does anybody have any questions?
Harberts: I have a comment. Chaska Business Machines as well as the
Target area, if you recall when Target came before the Commission there
was a transit element involved and it's simply because of the amount of
traffic and trips that would probably be generated in the Target area.
Chaska Business Machines is one of the businesses that are being targeted
for reverse commute opportunities. Basically bringing people from the
inner city out to a possible location such as Chaska Business for
employment. And because of the location, and what could potentially
happen with these other areas, my comment is that I would like to have
Southwest Metro involved in the, if this thing goes forward, to add that
transit element in here because I see a potential high demand for public
bus service to bring potential workers out to this area. Especially with
Target...and what I'm seeing right now is basically maybe just adding like
a bus shelter or a bus stop or something in that turn around area. That
circle, that cul -de -sac little thing. So I'd like to encourage that
Southwest Metro become involved with this conceptual site plan design to
insure that it's transit friendly and that it continues to fill that
reverse commute strategy.
Olsen: By transit friendly you mean that a bus can get in there or a van?
Harberts: More a van but just basically putting maybe a bench or a bus
shelter or something. Simply, you know with Chaska Business Machines is
expanding. They're going to expand their work force. They've already
been identified as a company out in Chanhassen to promote reverse commute.
5o I just think that they're a top candidate to really focus in on making
sure that this facility is transit friendly. That would be basically the
same concept that you see presented to you when you looked at the Target
site plan.
Batzli: Any other comments right now? Okay. Did you have anything else?
Doug Hanson: I'm here to answer any questions.
1
Planning Commission Meeting
March 17, 1993 - Page 63
1
Batzli: Okay. We'll probably ask them in a minute. Is there anyone else
from the public that would like to address the Commission? Okay. Is
there a motion to close the public hearing?
Ledvina moved, Scott seconded to close the public hearing. All voted in
favor and the motion carried. The public hearing was closed. 1
Mancino: I have one question.
Batzli: Go ahead. 1
Mancino: My big question is, is that the comprehensive plan that was don
in 1992 designated this property as commercial even when Chaska Machine
and Tool were there at the time. I'd just like to hear the rationale
behind that. Why did they not, when Chaska Machine and Tool were in there
at the time in 1992, designate it as industrial? Or light manufacturing. 1
Batzli: Because we're trying to get all the manufacturing out of the city
and we assumed that once they were ready to leave or we'd buy them out, i
would be commercial property. It's downtown.
Farmakes: But the ensuing developments that occurred basically boxed in
that property from any reasonable access or for potential client, retail
client to see it. It just isn't going to happen. You're going to have t
know it's back there because you're not going to see it from anywhere
else. 1
Mancino: So commercial, is that only retail or could that be office?
Farmakes: Well it possibly could be office. 1
Mancino: It could be an office. So it could still be commercial and not
be retail but be. 1
Farmakes: That's correct.
Batzli: And that's the big issue. 1
Farmakes: Except most of our office buildings are retail. We've heard
arguments about that before too. That's what they wind up being.
Harberts: But isn't the office industry also telling us that it's going
to be another 10 years before that market comes back around? 1
Farmakes: That's how things progressed in development of the city.
Eventually come the lawyers...
Mancino: The industrial is an anomaly there. The way it looks right now
and to keep adding onto it and make it even bigger, it just doesn't fit.
That's all I have. 1
Batzli: Jeff.
1
1
Planning Commission Meeting
March 17, 1993 - Page 64
Farmakes: It would depend on how they would revision that building. I
' have I think real sympathy that that particular piece of property would
not work as a retail and I'm not sure that the foreseeable future if it's
feasible to consider it as a business area. It is sort of a little hold
' over pocket from a failed development many years ago of, I remember
seeing, I will build on this site your company sign, I don't know a decade
at least. I never saw one of the properties being sold. I'm not sure
that this is going to be something that's going to be easy for the City to
deal with as to what they're going to do with this This may be a
reasonable alternative. It isn't very low impact area. It's going to be
basically surrounded by other buildings and the only way you're going to
be able to see it is for a very brief time as you drive over the bridge.
Certainly one of the possibilities is giving it a facelift and eliminating
any of the types of objectionable industrial use that'd be incompatible
such as on site storage of machinery or materials that would be
objectionable. Expanding that type of useage I think would be the wrong
way to go. But I think from a conceptual point of how we're looking at
this, I wouldn't turn it down flat and say that's not a reasonable
alternative to use this property. I'd leave that up to the applicant as
to how they would soften that connection of an industrial use with what is
on the plan that designates it as a commercial area. In other words, the
more you could make it look like a business building, office building, the
better off a case could be made that that was being done as a solution.
That's my comment.
i Batzli: So right now you'd be willing to look at it as a PUD or wouldn't
you be willing to vote on the concept and rezoning?
Farmakes: As I understood it, what we're looking at here today is just
the concept itself...correct?
' Batzli: Right.
Farmakes: We're not voting to make this a PUD today? Conceptually yeah.
' Harberts: What message are we sending to the HRA though?
Batzli: Yeah.
Farmakes: Well we really don't.
11 Batzli: If we vote on it conceptually that we like it, then they're going
to get the impression that we'll approve it or something soften down the
road.
' Harberts: Or we cave in on something.
Farmakes: That's difficult to do here because we're really looking at a
very preliminary concept. What we're looking at here. We're not looking
at any detailing or what they're planning on doing with the building other
than expanding the connection use.
Batzli: But it sounds like, I've heard one person say this isn't
appropriate. You say maybe, if it's done right.
1
Planning Commission Meeting
II
March 17, 1993 - Page 65
Farmakes: Correct. II
Batzli: Okay.
II
Doug Hanson: Could I say something?
Batzli: Sure.
II
Doug Hanson: I plan to follow the building that's there. It's a 20,000
square feet building there and I just, all you're seeing is another 30 II foot and a turn and another 60 foot. And so there's really not much
different on the front so I would follow the same site, the same
architecture that's there right now.
Farmakes: In long term use for downtown and if you're looking at where iII
the long term in the market developed for business /office type market,
which is not, I don't believe here yet or we haven't seen that II demonstrated by our developers. We do have a fairly limited amount of
space downtown where that would go so that's another thing for
consideration in reviewing this. I'm just saying that it's how far down 11
the line you wish to look for this type of useage. This is a possible
solution for the existing building and I don't think that I've got enough
information to go one way or the other.
Scott: If from a manufacturing standpoint, could you tell us, and I
especially me, what happens in that building? What do you do in there?
When you manufacture. Manufacturing... 1
Doug Hanson: Okay, it's Chaska Machine and Tool and punch presses and
they make parts for machines. They're shipped all over.
I Scott: Custom fabrication.
Doug Hanson: Yeah. Just small, mainly small parts. 1
Scott: So you guys basically take, your raw materials are metal?
Doug Hanson: Yep.
II
Scott: Metal castings?
Doug Hanson: No metal, sheet metal. II
Scott: Pretty much sheet metal?
II
Doug Hanson: Stamped parts and machine parts and things like that.
Scott: Okay. So as far as any sort of, and then the scrap, basically a II
scrap hauler takes it away and recycles it or something?
Doug Hanson: Yeah, it's recycled. Right.
II
Scott: Okay. And then as far as, is there any sort of hazardous material
that we could probably get some fumes?
I
II
Planning Commission Meeting
March 17, 1993 - Page 66
Doug Hanson: No.
Scott: You know when I was down there, it was hard for me to tell but my
' opinion is conceptually I don't have a problem with this at all. Granted
there's some architectural features on some adjacent buildings that need
to be considered but I figure, it seems like this property is probably not
11 that useful for something else and if these guys happen to grow out of it
or, I mean office warehouse is pretty useful space. But then you've got
an industrial, a couple of things in the TIF district that have some of
that empty space anyway. So I mean you're right, the market isn't there.
But conceptually I don't have a problem with it and from a standpoint,
they've got a business running here. They're looking at expanding. It
looks like a logical alternative, so that's my opinion on it.
r Batzli: Okay, Matt.
Ledvina: I share the same sentiments as Joe here. I think this seems to
be a reasonable extension of the existing use. I guess in looking at some
of the conditions in the staff report here, we have on number 3 the
expansion of the building shall match the architectural design of the
11 existing building. And we looked at, recently we looked at, was it...and
we changed that building to, or we suggested the developer change the
building to include some pitched roof elements and I think you could
' easily do the same thing for the expansion and make it work. Because much
of the building is, you know has a flat roof and then you can have an
entrance or something like that that has a pitched element to improve the
architecture or increase the standard or whatever. So I think we could
' change that to say matching and enhance the architectural design. But I
guess other than that, I agree. It's kind of a weird little corner and if
it can be expanded to an increased use by...use, I think it should be
' done.
Batzli: Okay. Ladd.
' Conrad: I saw an interesting figure tonight. An acre of commercial land
sells for 8130,000.00 in Chanhassen. An acre of industrial land is a
little bit over 840,000.00. And so what's the implication of value. As
you talk industrial, there's a gap between that and what commercial
property is valued at. How does this impact our decision?
Olsen: Well in the value of it, and all of that kind of gets back to the
HRA. It's their final decision whether or not to sell it, and that's
where we got involved in this because of the HRA wanting to know, is this
an option. What were the options and so the Manager's comment is right.
Which one goes first. If they choose to not sell it and feel that they
could sell it commercial and receive more money, that's their decision I
think. As far as us, I don't know that we're involved in that.
Conrad: Okay. From a planning perspective, I have no problems with that
at all.
Batzli: That's it?
Conrad: That's all there is.
1
Planning Commission Meeting II
March 17, 1993 - Page 67
Batzli: Okay. Diane. II
Harberts: I have no problem with it. Again, I just want to recommend II there be some transit planning, and that's for the future.
Batzli: Okay, is that it? ...Ladd's remark that from a planning
perspective I have no problem with this at all. I'm more on Jeff's
II
wavelength. It probably could be done if it's done right and I guess I'd
give it a shot at a conceptual stage and let the HRA determine whether
it's a smart move to sell it for a third of the price that they could II maybe get doing something else. Given it's location. Maybe they can't.
I would add one condition that any approvals that we're doing tonight is
contingent on the applicant's purchase of the land, which it's shown on. II
The plans we're looking at. The additional lands.
Olsen: So you would not like to see this proceed until he's actually
finished that deal? The conceptual plans. 1
Batzli: Well, I find it difficult to move too far down the road if the
HRA isn't willing to do it.
II
Olsen: Right, I agree.
Doug Hanson: I've given them a purchase agreement and they're just
I
holding it until it goes through here.
Batzli: Right. But I'm just saying that if the HRA at their next
II
meeting, after we approve this says they're not going to sell you the
land, then one of our conditions was that they sell you the land.
Doug Hanson: Yeah, I agree. I can't do anything otherwise. 1
Batzli: Okay. Is there any other discussion? II Ledvina: I move that the Planning Commission recommend approval of
Concept Plan Request to Rezone Lots 3, 4 and 5, Burdick Park from BG,
General Business to PUD with the following conditions as outlined in the II
staff report subject to the following modifications and additions.
Condition number 3 should read, the expansion of the building shall match
and enhance the architectural design of the existing building. The II addition of condition 7 which would read, prior to rezoning and
development, the applicant shall purchase the property in question. And
condition 8, that transit planning be incorporated into the development.
Batzli: Is there a second? '
Harberts: Second. i
Batzli: Is there any discussion?
Ledvina moved, Harberts seconded that the Planning Commission recommend II
approval of the concept plan request to rezone Lots 3, 4 and 5, Burdick
Park from BG, General Business to PUD, Planned Unit Development with the
following conditions: 1
II
Planning Commission Meeting
March 17, 1993 - Page 68
1. The applicant shall receive and meet the conditions of the following
approvals:
' a. Preliminary and Final Plat approval combining Lots 3, 4 and 5,
Burdick park into one lot with appropriate easements.
11 b. Comprehensive Plan amendment changing the land use designation
from commercial to industrial.
c. Site Plan approval for the building expansion.
d. Rezoning approval from BG, General Business to PUD, Planned Unit
Development.
2. The site plan shall have to maintain the proposed concept plan, with
the proposal being an expansion of the existing building for use by
the existing use, light manufacturing. A higher intensity industrial
use will not be permitted at this site.
3. The expansion of the building shall match and enhance the
architectural design of the existing building.
4. There shall be no outdoor storage permitted.
5. All rooftop equipment shall be screened.
6. The hard cover surface of the site (the three lots) shall not exceed
1 70 %.
7. Prior to rezoning and development, the applicant shall purchase the
property in question from the HRA.
8. Transit planning shall be incorporated into this development.
All voted in favor and the motion carried unanimously.
PUBLIC HEARING:
ZONING ORDINANCE AMENDMENT TO THE CITY CODE TO DEFINE DOCK SETBACK ZONES.
Public Present:
Name Address
Jeff Kvichang 6681 Horseshoe Curve
(The following people signed the public hearing sheet but had left by this
' point in the meeting.)
Randy & Rayma Smith 429 Pleasant View
Greg & Barb Hedlund 748 Lake Point
Donald & Beverly Hanson 8516 Great Plains Blvd.
1
Planning Commission Meeting 1
March 17, 1993 - Page 69
Batzli: Do we want to tackle the dock setback? 11
Aanenson: I've had a lot of phone calls on this. Everybody on all the
lakes in the city.
Batzli: And we have one person. And we made him stay here until
midnight.
Aanenson: I took at least 50 phone calls on this. If I notice it again,
we have to notify everybody on the lakes again and go through that whole II
process, what happens? I'd really prefer.
Batzli: Commissioners, are you up for one more? I hate to do this. '
Scott: Just as long as it isn't a filibuster.
Kate Aanenson presented the staff report on this item. Chairman Batzli II
called the public hearing to order.
Farmakes: How does this conform to the DNR criteria for lot extensions II
beyond the high water mark?
Aanenson: Well in this instance, as far as the 100 foot.
Farmakes: But the angle of the property lines as they extend into the
lake. How does that?
Aanenson: There's no jurisdiction there.
Farmakes: The DNR has no jurisdiction there? '
Aanenson: Below the ordinary high water mark? As far as the dock going
out the 100 foot, that's in compliance with this. The jurisdiction going
100 feet. Above the ordinary high water mark is our jurisdiction. I
guess I'm not really clear what you're.
Farmakes: If the angle of the property continues, in other words, that
property line, does it continue beyond out into the water.
Aanenson: 100 feet. That's all they care about. They don't care how well
measure it. That's really based on the complaints that we've had of
people that have descending lots, pie shaped lots. The people that have
cots that are increasing in size, pinching off the neighbors. It's really
just to make a good neighbor policy for the city. That's where that camel'
from. It's driven by us. The DNR really doesn't care how we.
Farmakes: This isn't conflicting with their's? '
Aanenson: No. No. What we're trying to do is make a good neighbor
policy is really what it's about. And we really want to get this in plac
before we get into the summer months and boating. Before people put their
docks out. Another reason why we wanted to get it forward on the agenda.
By the time it gets through Council and we can have it adopted, people
putting their docks out this spring will be able to comply with this. '
' Planning Commission Meeting
March 17, 1993 - Page 70
Farmakes: Is this going to be enforced on a complaint basis?
Aanenson: Yeah. We've never, to my knowledge, the City hasn't gone out,
' although I volunteered, to go out and boat each lake. To make sure
they're all in compliance. To go out and actually take a transit and go
out and try to survey these, it's pretty difficult but we do try to do
them on a complaint basis. I had 2 or 3 of them last summer where I went
out and checked. And again, we just try to work with the neighbors to be
a good neighbor kind of a policy.
1 Batzli: Explain to me on the one where you extended the lot line then on
the little inlet there. Why the person gets, no to the left. Yeah. Why
that person gets such a narrow line and the other guy has such a big line.
' Aanenson: Well if you do that at a right angle like this, the... The
same with this one here. Actually this lot goes all the way around...
Batzli: Okay but, if you draw the line straight from the house to the
north, you get that small pie shape. Shouldn't the actual line then be,
so there's an area of overlap on that particular case.
Aanenson: Yeah. What it does is split the difference between the
overlap.
' Batzli: Yeah but it doesn't look like you split it at all in that case.
Aanenson: I didn't show...
Batzli: What I'm saying is that particular lot, if this is the result,
that particular lot is getting the raw deal compared to the guy to the
1 north.
Aanenson: Yeah.
Batzli: Well, it looks to me like those, if this is what happens, then I
don't like it. If the dock setback is a little bit less of an angle,
then I agree with what you're doing.
1 Aanenson: See this...
' Batzli: I know. I'm just saying, this doesn't go far enough if that's
the result. Because if the guy to the north can put his boat closer than
he should to the person to the south from just a fairness aspect. We
haven't gone far enough then.
' Aanenson: Yeah, there are a few instances. I tried to find some that
have real anomolies on the lake. There are a few instances that are even
' more severe than that. Where people have very narrow frontages and
they're in a...or something like that.
Batzli: Okay.
Jeff Kvichang: You still can't block access.
Planning Commission Meeting
March 17, 1993 - Page 71
Aanenson: No, you still can't block access. '
Batzli: You can make it very uncomfortable.
Aanenson: And enjoying the other person's right when they're using their'
beach property and swimming and you're cutting back and forth to get to
your dock. '
Batzli: My father's situation, which has absolutely nothing to do with
this because he's in Tonka Bay. In years when the water is up they put a
sailboat with a big keel so that you have to kind of wind your way betweell
his dock and the sailboat. And so you just pray for water that year.
Anyway, this is a public hearing. Would you like to comment on this?
Jeff Kvichang: Just pass it. It makes sense to me. '
Batzli: He stayed the whole time to say pass it. It makes sense to me.
This is a dedicated Chanhassen resident. Can we have your name for the
record.
Jeff Kvichang: Jeff Kvichang, 6681 Horseshoe Curve. 1
Batzli: Thank you. Is there a motion to close the public hearing?
(Ladd Conrad had left the meeting at this point and was not present for 1
the voting on the remaining items.)
Ledvina moved, Mancino seconded to close the public hearing. All voted
favor and the motion carried. The public hearing was closed.
Batzli: Diane, any comments?
Harberts: No.
Batzli: Okay, let's do it. Our one public comment, let's pass it. And'
how many negative phone calls did you receive?
Aanenson: No, I just had a lot of questions and interpretting it and the"
wanted a crack at it because they want to make sure that they're in
compliance in the summer.
Batzli: Okay, do I have a motion? '
Scott: I move that we close.
Batzli: How about a motion that we recommend approval of the dock setbac
zoning ordinance amendment in accordance with the staff report dated March
8, 1993. 1
Scott: I'll move.
Mancino: I'll second. '
Batzli: Any discussion?
Planning Commission Meeting
March 17, 1993 - Page 72
Scott moved, Mancino seconded that the Planning Commission recommend
approval of the proposed amendment to Sections 20 -1, 6 -1 and 6 -22 of the
Chanhassen City Code concerning dock setbacks as presented by staff. All
voted in favor and the motion carried.
1 APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Chairman Batzli noted the Minutes of the Planning
Commission meeting dated March 3, 1993 as submitted.
Scott moved, Harberts seconded to adjourn the meeting. All voted in favor
and the motion carried. The meeting was adjourned at 12:13 a.m..
1 Submitted by Paul Krauss
Planning Director
1 Prepared by Nann Opheim
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