CC SUM 2021 08 09CHANHASSEN CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING
MINUTES
AUGUST 9, 2021
Mayor Ryan called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. The meeting was opened with the Pledge of
Allegiance.
COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: Mayor Ryan, Councilman Campion, Councilwoman
Schubert , Councilman McDonald, and Councilwoman Rehm.
COUNCIL MEMBERS ABSENT: None.
STAFF PRESENT: Laurie Hokkanen, City Manager; Kate Aanenson, Community
Development Director; Charlie Howley, Director of Public Works/City Engineer;
Kelly Strey, Finance Director; and Andrea McDowell-Poehler, City Attorney.
PUBLIC PRESENT:
Tim Erhart 9611 Meadow Lark Lane
Dan Blake Black Cherry Development
Martin S chutrop Schutrop Building & Development Corporation
Mayor Ryan asked the City Council if there were any modifications or additions to the agenda.
After the roll call vote there were no changes to the published agenda.
PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENTS: None.
CONSENT AGENDA: Councilman McDonald moved, Councilman Campion seconded
that the City Council approve the following consent agenda items pursuant to the City
Manager’s recommendations:
1. Approve City Council Minutes dated July 26, 2021
2. Receive Park & Recreation Commission Minutes dated June 22, 2021
3. Approve Claims Paid 08-09-2021
4. Approve Purchase of Lift Station Pumps for Rehabilitation of Lift Station #2
5. Approve Fireworks Display at Chanhassen High School, September 24, 2021
6. Approve Temporary Modification of the Licensed Premises to serve Beer in Chanhassen
Brewing Company Parking Lot Area
All voted in favor and the motion carried unanimously with a vote of 5 to 0.
VISITOR PRESENTATIONS. None.
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OLD BUSINESS
1. Ordinance 674: Approve a Request to Amend City Code Chapters 1 and 20 to Define
"Agritourism"; Create Standards and Criteria for an Agritourism Use as an Interim
Use; Allow Agritourism Uses as an Interim Use in the Agricultural Estate District; and
Approve an Interim Use Permit for an Agritourism Use on Property Located at 9111
Audubon Road.
Community Development Director Aanenson noted the item was discussed at the last City
Council meeting and tonight they w ill review some of the changes and believes they are in
concurrence. She clarified that the new terminology to be used is “Agritourism” rather than
“Agritainment” and is for Interim Use. Tonight the City Council would be approving an
ordinance amending City Code sections 1-2 Definition of Agritourism; 20-252 Standards for
Agritourism and Interim Use; 20-576 adding Agritourism as an interim use in the A-2 District;
and an Interim Use Permit (IUP) for Agritourism use at 9111 Audubon Road. Ms. Aanenson
noted they revised the timeframe to 8:00 a.m. until ½ hour after sunset, outdoor music must
require a special event permit, the Applicant must maintain driveway easements for emergency
access to the property, and items promoting the establishments are permitted but retail space for
these items is limited to 300 square feet. The Applicant shall provide safety practices,
procedures, and locations. Ms. Aanenson said there are 19 A-2 parcels that meet the minimum
size standards of 20 acres, but must be on collector roads so only 6 of those comply, including
the Degler Farm. She showed the site plan on screen and walked the City Council through the
Interim Use including locations for hayrides, corn/bean maze, vendors, sledding hill, corn pit,
and parking. They also added to the interim use an annual report of the activities proposed for the
upcoming year and an updated site plan as the City wants to maintain that parking is being met
by August 1 of each year. Staff recommends staying with five years on the IUP and the
Applicant can always ask for an extension 60 days prior to the expiration date. Ms. Aanenson
shared that the Planning Commission voted 3-1 on a motion recommending adoption of the
ordinance subject to revisions discussed. Staff believes they have addressed the issues and are
ready to approve; there is still a list of things the Applicant must do to advance the IUP itself.
Councilman McDonald asked within the definitions of Agritourism did they narrow the field
down to what the Degler’s want on their property or is it broad enough for others who may want
to have activities on their property?
Ms. Aanenson replied they tried to make it broad enough to meet the Degler’s needs and broad
enough for someone else to also meet the criteria.
Councilman McDonald asked if they would waive fees on an extension of the five-year IUP.
Ms. Aanenson noted they do not waive fees and she cannot bind a future City Council to waive
the fees.
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Councilman Campion asked requiring the IUP to be updated every five years, if nothing is
changing, why make the Applicant pay to apply again?
Ms. Aanenson noted that is what they do for all interim uses and typically an interim use is not
found on a piece of property that has a municipal service to it. Usually it is an area in transition
so higher and better uses want to come in.
Councilman Campion asked in that case would it be a conditional use rather than an interim use?
Ms. Aanenson replied a conditional use runs forever with the property and interim use stays at
the five years.
City Attorney McDowell-Poehler believes this use is not completely consistent with what the
Comprehensive Plan has it guided for.
Ms. Aa nenson noted that is correct and that that is another reason for the IUP as they are trying
to find middle ground to allow them to do something so the interim use is bridging that.
Attorney McDowell-Poehler stated this is new to the City and it gives the opportunity for the
City to review how this is operating and whether it wants to continue or make changes due to the
newness of this type of activity within the City.
Councilwoman Rehm’s understanding is if it is a five-year IUP they are looking at $200 per year
which seems pretty reasonable. She believes notifying the neighbors would use up that $200
pretty quickly.
Mayor Ryan thinks it was shared at the previous meeting that it was very expensive to reapply
and asked if that is the case.
Ms. Aanenson replied no, it is a nominal fee of $200 per year but she thinks it is less than that
because they added in the Code Amendment. She does not have it in front of her right now.
City Manager Hokkanen said Staff calculated that it would be about $997 in current dollars, so
the average over five years would be about $200 per year.
Mayor Ryan asked if in five years the City Council reviews it and nothing has changed, does the
Applicant still have to pay the fee?
Ms. Aanenson replied they would have to extend the interim use for another five years.
Mayor Ryan clarified they would be paying for the next five years. At that time if the City
Council decides to change it to a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) would that be a consideration
for fees at that time?
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Ms. Aanenson said yes, although she would want to give it a bit more thought as they would be
keeping a farm operation that is inconsistent with the Comprehensive Plan.
Mayor Ryan noted in five years if the Council wanted to approach this differently they could
evaluate fees at that time.
Ms. Aanenson replied in the affirmative.
Attorney McDowell-Poehler said if it is something the Council wanted to consider making more
permanent, they would need to do a Comprehensive Plan Amendment at that time and rezone the
property to allow it to be a Conditiona l Use Permit activity and then it could continue
permanently.
Mayor Ryan noted something was mentioned about a commercial parking permit administered
by the County and at the last meeting restriping was mentioned. She asked to circle back on
traffic clarifications.
Director of Public Works/City Engineer Howley said regarding the permit from the County, they
have a standard permit for access. An intensified use is a trigger for the Applicant to get a
commercial driveway permit and they simply have to apply.
Mayor Ryan said regarding special event permits, if there is an increase in volume, a traffic and
site plan still needs to come before the City.
Ms. Aanenson noted once they get the permit, the City would work through the administrative
things to get all the permits in place.
Mr. Howley said the County is doing a resurfacing project on Audubon and their design staff in-
house made some modifications to the formal striping plan and have incorporated that into the
project based on what they know about this project.
Mayor Ryan asked if there are traffic concerns from residents, does that come to the City or the
County.
Mr. Howley believes it would be a County response.
Councilman Campion moved, Councilman McDonald seconded that the City Council
Approve Ordinance 674 to Amend City Code Sections 1-2, 20-252, and 20-576 regarding
Agritourism; Approve an Interim Use Permit for an Agritourism Use on Property Located
at 9111 Audubon Road; and Adopt the Planning Commission’s Findings of Fact. All voted
in favor and the motion carried unanimously with a vote of 5 to 0.
PUBLIC HEARINGS: None.
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NEW BUSINESS:
1. Ordinance 676: Approve a Request to Rezone Property from Agricultural Estate
District (A-2) to Single-Family Residential (RSF) and Subdivision of Property into 21
Single-Family Lots with Variances at 775 West 96th Street
Ms. Aanenson noted Planning Case #2021-12 Erhart Farm went before Planning Commission on
July 20, 2021 and Black Cherry Development is making the request. She showed the subdivision
first phase which terminates on a temporary cul-de-sac and noted there was a wetland alteration
permit and the site is heavily wooded. The Applicant is requesting the rezoning which is
different from the first phase and is straight single-family minimum 15,000 square-foot lots.
Staff believes this is the most appropriate zoning district. The subdivision is creating 21 single-
family lots and one of the lots is the existing farmstead, extending the sewer and water to the
properties, and access via West 96th Street. Ms. Aanenson noted some questions from one of the
property owners that thought extension of the street was crossing her property; they did get the
documentation that it is unimproved City right -of-way. The property is heavily wooded and that
was a concern regarding development, so there is tree preservation plan and the Applicant must
increase the tree planting to meet all those requirements and are part of the conditions of
approval.
Mr. Howley spoke about grading and drainage, and showed onscreen a place where there are
currently wetland spoils which must be removed. He noted this is an important cog in the overall
Comprehensive Plan for utilities, they will extend water main on the map all the way through,
stub it at West 96th Street, and stub it at the end of Eagle Ridge Road, and said the portion of the
main running down the spine will be a 12-inch trunk main and the rest will be 8-inch main.
There is currently a temporary lift station at the end of Eagle Ridge Road at the temporary cul-
de-sac and a new lift station will be constructed and the temporary one will be abandoned. He
explained current and future lift station plans within the area. Mr. Howley spoke about storm
sewer and noted all collection will be via gravity and goes into a storm water best management
practice (BMP); the Applicant still needs to go to the Watershed District and get formal
approvals. He spoke about collector roads, local roads, and nature trails and said the plan is to
ultimately extend Eagle Ridge Road as the collector all the way to Powers Boulevard, and there
will be sidewalks on the streets as that is the City’s standard. Mr. Howley stated in the 2040
Comprehensive Plan it shows the need for another water tower in the City and noted a blue dot
on screen for an ideal potential location, although they are a long way from putting in that water
tower. He noted after the subdivision goes in, it is a perfect time to redo West 96th Street and
they put it on for 2026 although that date could change.
Ms. Aanenson noted some neighbors were concerned about streets and the City does not know
how that will be platted out. Another question that was asked earlier is whether this would
require an Environmental Assessment Worksheet (EAW) and because it is under 250 residential
units they will not need to. Ms. Aanenson walked the Council through variances and stated the
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Planning Commission held a public hearing on July 20, 2021 and voted 6-0 to recommend
approval of the project subject to conditions of the Staff report.
Mr. Howley shared concerning the future project on West 96th Street, it would be a public project
that the City would assess for which is typical. He noted residents there already have sewer and
would not be assessed for that, and would not be charged a hook-up for sewer; they would be
assessed for the roadway reconstruction and the City will put in storm sewer and water main. He
clarified people would be assessed 100% for the water main and 40% for the roadway costs. He
estimated about a $15,000 assessment total over 10 years. Residents could hook up to water at
their pleasure and there would be a hook-up fee charged.
Ms. Aanenson noted Staff is recommending approval.
Councilma n McDonald asked regarding the narrow road and it was stated there would be no
parking; is that overnight parking the same as it is throughout the City or is that 24 hours/day?
Mr. Howley clarified it would be a permanent no parking on one side of the str eet but people
could park on the other side of the street.
Councilwoman Rehm asked if there will be a sidewalk on that street.
Mr. Howley replied the engineering recommendation is to put a sidewalk there because of the
reduced street width. He thinks there is flexibility there and he would like to hear feedback.
The Councilmembers discussed a sidewalk on the smaller yellow loop road (7-8 houses) on
screen.
Mayor Ryan asked regarding stormwater management, will the City be able to get access to
those backyards?
Mr. Howley replied Staff is comfortable with the access and showed it on screen.
Mayor Ryan has a real concern regarding construction traffic on West 96th Street and noted it is
narrow and not in the best shape. Building out road, curb and gutter, grading, and the many
trucks and workers going down the street, she thinks they must be very thoughtful as it will be a
problem.
Mr. Howley replied this development will attach to two public roadways and the job
superintendents and those in charge will let the construction route be known; however , many will
go whatever is the quickest way to get there. He does not know that they can say definitively that
not many will use Eagle Ridge and noted West 96th Street is probably the shortest way. Mr.
Howley hopes they do use West 96th Street and the reason is that Eagle Ridge Road is a brand
new road and they do not really want to add more stress to that road. Most construction traffic
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will be coming in and coming out as a one-way through; one could argue that 50% of the traffic
will be on both roads. He clarified they are talking about 21 homes and while West 96th Street is
currently narrow, there are not many people that use that street. Mr. Howley stated it is
unreasonable and unfeasible to tell them to build a construction road from Powers Boulevard as
it is half a mile away. The City is somewhat stuck and must do their best through permitting,
inspections, and communication to mitigate the issues that come with construction traffic.
Tim Erhart, Applicant , noted the idea is to try to preserve the feeling of trees and forest on the
property and that is why they did not propose to put a sidewalk on the road.
Mayor Ryan asked what they can expect when it comes back for Final Plat approval.
Ms. Aanenson said there is anot her piece on the south that will be added so the Applicant will
come back for Preliminary Plat approval. These will be custom-graded lots rather than mass
graded which allows for the homeowner to pick the trees they want to save and build their house
desig n around them. She clarified if the City Council wants to leave out the sidewalk they would
have to strike that condition.
Councilwoman Rehm asked the timeline for the project.
Dan Blake, Black Cherry Development, said it is unlikely they will get the entire neighborhood
built this year, but they would like to get the grading done. He cannot imagine they will get the
streets done until next spring. Regarding construction traffic, they do not anticipate things
happening at the pace of a Lennar neighborho od where all of the homes are built within a close
timeframe. He said it could be 2-3 years from the time the first house is built until the last house
is done and noted the market controls a lot of those things.
Councilwoman Schubert moved, Councilman McDonald seconded that the City Council
approve O rdinance 676 rezoning the development from Agricultural Estate District (A-2)
to Single-Family Residential District (RSF); Preliminary Plat with variances for street
width, front yard setback (Lot 1, Block1), wetlands setback (Lot 1, Block 1), and street
frontages (Lots 3 through 9, Block 1) subject to the conditions of the Staff report
eliminating the sidewalk requirement; and adopts the Planning Commission Findings of
Fact. All voted in favor and the motion carried unanimously with a vote of 5 to 0.
2. Ordinance 675: Approve a Request to Rezone Property from Agricultural Estate (A2)
to Single-Family Residential (RSF); and Resolution 2021-44: Subdivision Approval of
Two Lots and One Outlot with Variances for a Private Street and Private Street Width
at 9197 Eagle Ridge Road
Ms. Aanenson noted this went before the Planning Commission on July 20, 2021 and the
Applicant is Schutrop Building and Development Corporation. The subject property is off Eagle
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Ridge Drive and there is an existing home immediately to the west. The existing site is served by
a private drive that serves two homes and by adding the additional home, the request by the Fire
Department is that a turnaround be put in place. Public utilities are stubbed but they will have to
connect and provide for storm water treatments. Ms. Aanenson walked the City Council through
variance findings including private street standards, wetland preservation, trees, and existing
retaining wall. The Planning Commission voted 6-0 to approve subject to conditions of the Staff
report.
Mayor Ryan asked regarding the maintenance of the storm water pond.
Mr. Howley replied it will be privately owned and maintained so there will be an agreement and
the City will not have to worry about it.
Councilman McDonald motioned, Councilwoman Schubert seconded that the City Council
approve O rdinance 675 rezoning the property from Agricultural Estate District (A-2) to
Single-Family Residential (RSF); approve Resolution 2021-44 approving Preliminary and
Final Plat for a two-lot, one outlot subdivision with a variance for the use of a private street
and private street width subject to the conditions of the Staff report; and adopts the
Planning Commission’s Findings of Fact. All voted in favor and the motion carried
unanimously with a vote of 5 to 0.
COUNCIL PRESENTATIONS. None.
ADMINISTRATIVE PRESENTATIONS.
Ms. Hokkanen reminded the City Council about the budget work session on August 16, 2021.
CORRESPONDENCE DISCUSSION.
1. 2021 Building Permit Activity July Year To Date
Councilman Campion moved, Councilwoman Schubert seconded to adjourn the meeting.
All voted in favor and the motion carried unanimously with a vote of 5 to 0. The City
Council meeting was adjourned at 8:28 p.m.
Submitted by Laurie Hokkanen
City Manager
Prepared by Kim Meuwissen
City Clerk