25-04 Staff Report PC
Application: Requesting Preliminary Plat
(Planning Case #2025-04)
Staff Report Date: April 29, 2025
Drafted By: Eric Maass, Community Development Director
Planning Commission Review Date: May 6, 2025
City Council Review Date: March 12, 2025
SUMMARY OF REQUEST: The Applicant is requesting plat approval to subdivide property to
create one buildable 13-acre parcel and three outlots. The purpose of the buildable lot is
intended for the future site of the Chanhassen Bluffs Community Center. The Applicant is not
currently seeking site plan approval of the facility but will do so in the future following plat
approvals.
LOCATION: Outlot E, Avienda Townhomes
PID: 25.0960440
APPLICANT: City of Chanhassen
PROPERTY OWNER: Level 7 Development
PRESENT ZONING: Planned Unti Development (PUD)
2040 LAND USE PLAN: Office/Commercial
ACREAGE: 22.76
DENSITY: N/A
PROPOSED MOTION:
“The Chanhassen Planning Commission recommends approval of the requested preliminary plat
and adopts the attached Findings of Fact and Decision.”
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LEVEL OF CITY DISCRETION IN DECISION-MAKING:
The city’s discretion in approving or denying a preliminary plat is limited to whether or not the
proposed plat meets the standards outlined in the Subdivision Regulations and Zoning
Ordinance. If it meets these standards, the city must approve the preliminary plat. This is a
quasi-judicial decision.
APPLICABLE REGULATIONS
Chapter 18, Subdivision
Chapter 20, Article VIII, Section 20-509, Standards and guidelines for regional/lifestyle center
commercial planned unit developments
Ordinance 696, “Avienda Planned Unit Development”
PROPOSAL/SUMMARY
The Applicant is proposing the subdivision of the property into one 13.00 acre buildable lot (Lot
1, Block 1) and three outlots (Outlots A, B, and C). The purpose of the subdivision is to establish
the property necessary for the construction of the Chanhassen Bluffs Community Center. The
City is not seeking site plan approval at this time and that application will come forward at a
future date. Currently the City is only pursuing approval of the preliminary and final plat.
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DISTRICTS
• Wetland Protection – No wetlands on site.
• Bluff Protection – No natural bluffs on site.
• Shoreland Management – Not within a shoreland management district.
• Floodplain Overlay – Not within a floodplain overlay district.
LAND USE DESIGNATION
The property is assigned as both Office and Commercial designations by the 2040
Comprehensive Plan.
LAND USE – ZONING CONSISTENCY
The existing Planned Unit Development (PUD) Ordinance regulating the zoning of the site is
consistent with the properties future land use designation.
The proposed plat proposes a singular buildable lot and that lot conforms to the PUD minimum
requirements as well as the PUD site plan. That area is identified as “District 3” within the PUD
and that area is intended to be developed as amusement/recreation/entertainment uses.
SUBDIVISION REVIEW
When considering a subdivision application, City Code directs the City to consider seven (7)
aspects of the proposed subdivision. The seven (7) considerations and findings are as follows:
a) The proposed subdivision is consistent with the zoning ordinance.
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Finding: Subdivision meets all of the requirements of the Avienda Planned Unit
Development “PUD” zoning ordinance.
b) The proposed subdivision is consistent with all applicable city, county and regional plans
including but not limited to the City's Comprehensive Plan;
Finding: Subdivision is consistent with applicable city, county and regional plans including
the City’s Comprehensive Plan.
c) The physical characteristics of the site, including but not limited to topography, soils,
vegetation, susceptibility to erosion and siltation, susceptibility to flooding, and stormwater
drainage are suitable for the proposed development;
Finding: The subject property is suitable for the proposed development.
d) The proposed subdivision makes adequate provision for water supply, storm drainage, sewage
disposal, streets, erosion control and all other improvements required by the subdivision
ordinance;
Finding: The development plans adequately demonstrate the ability to serve the site with
sanitary, water, stormwater utilities and erosion control.
e) The proposed subdivision will not cause significant environmental damage subject to
compliance with the conditions of approval;
Finding: The proposed subdivision conforms to City Code and will not cause significant
damage to the environment.
f) The proposed subdivision will not conflict with easements of record;
Finding: The proposed subdivision does not conflict with easements of record following the
City releasing the existing drainage and utility easement over the entirety of Outlot E,
Avienda Townhomes plat.
g) The proposed subdivision is not premature. A subdivision is premature if any of the following
exists:
1) Lack of adequate stormwater drainage.
2) Lack of adequate roads.
3) Lack of adequate sanitary sewer systems.
4) Lack of adequate off-site public improvements or support systems.
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Finding: The proposed subdivision is not premature as it has adequate access and space for
stormwater drainage, adequate roadways, sanitary sewer systems, and public
improvements and support systems.
ENGINEERING AND WATER RESOURCES PROJECT OVERVIEW
The Applicant is requesting preliminary and final plat approval to subdivide the property legally
identified as Outlot E, Avienda Townhomes. The consulting firm, WSB, developed the
Preliminary and Final Plat which has been reviewed by city staff. The plans provided show the
establishment of one buildable 13-acre lot and 3 outlots. The outlots will be used for
stormwater management and future development.
STREETS, GRADING, STORMWATER MANAGEMENT
The preliminary plat does not propose any new public or private streets or include proposals to
modify the site grading and associated stormwater management facilities. Private roads and
stormwater management will be identified and reviewed by city staff with the future site plan
submittal
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends approval of the preliminary plat as proposed and adopting the findings of
fact and recommendation.