PC SUM 2017 04 04 WS
CHANHASSEN PLANNING COMMISSION
WORK SESSION MEETING
SUMMARY MINUTES
April 4, 2017
Chairman Aller called the meeting to order at 6:08 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT:
Andrew Aller, Nancy Madsen, Mark Randall (arrived at 6:12), John
Tietz, Mark Undestad and Steve Weick.
MEMBERS ABSENT:
Maryam Yusuf
STAFF PRESENT:
Kate Aanenson, Community Development Director; MacKenzie Walters,
Planner; and Robert Generous, Senior Planner
PUBLIC PRESENT:
Gary and Maryanne Halama, Don Halla
Chairman Aller wanted to recognize the incredible amount of people who came out and applied
for the various commissions and their willingness to serve the community. He then welcomed
John and Mark back to the commission.
A. OATH OF OFFICE
Chairman Aller administered the Oath of Office to John Tietz and Mark Undestad who both
answered with “I will.”
B. ADOPTION OF PLANNING COMMISSION BYLAWS
Chairman Aller introduced the Planning Commission Bylaws. Commissioner Nancy Madsen
moved and Commissioner Mark Undestad seconded a motion to adopt the bylaws. Chairman
Aller then asked if there was any discussion. There was none. The commission voted 5 – 0 to
adopt the Planning Commission Bylaws.
(Commissioner Randall arrived at this point.)
C. ELECTION OF CHAIR AND VICE-CHAIR
Chairman Aller asked if there were any nominations for chair.
Commissioner Weick nominated Andrew Aller for Chair. There were no further nominations.
The commissioners voted 6 – 0 to appoint Commissioner Aller chair.
Chairman Aller then asked if there were any nominations for vice-chair.
Commissioner Tietz nominated Commissioner Weick for vice-chair. There were no further
nominations. The commissioners voted 6 – 0 to appoint Commissioner Weick vice-chair.
Planning Commission Summary – Page 2
ADJOURNMENT
Having addressed the aforementioned items, Chairman Aller requested a motion to adjourn.
Commissioner Madsen moved and Commissioner Undestad seconded the motion to adjourn.
The commission voted 6 – 0 to adjourn.
D. 2040 COMPREHENSIVE PLAN – DISCUSSION
Kate Aanenson introduced the 2040 Comprehensive Plan and discussed the idea for the work
session, provided a detail of the process that the city would undertake as part of the update and
pointed out that a tentative schedule for review of the chapters was included in the packet. She
advised the commissioners that they had been provided a three-ring binder containing the
Metropolitan Council’s minimum requirements for each element, and that as each chapter is
presented they should add it to the binder.
LAND USE
Kate Aanenson presented the Land Use element of the comprehensive plan. She noted that most
of the land uses had already been established with major amendments taking place in 2015 with
the CSAH 61 corridor study and land use amendments that took place in conjunction with that.
She stated that the Metropolitan Council had established projections of housing, population and
employment for the city based on its land use plan and that the city was classified as an emerging
suburban edge, which required residential development densities averaging between 3 - 5 units
per acre. She discussed that we had prepared land use consumption in five-year increments and
that, while development may happen in stages with some years having more development and
others less, it was possible to provide estimates over five-year periods that would average out the
development.
Kate noted that there were four potential land use amendments that would be reviewed with the
comprehensive plan update:
1.Tim Erhardt’s property located south of Highway 212 on Powers Boulevard,
2.Don Halla’s property located south of Pioneer Trail east of TH 101,
3.The Halla property located at the Mustard Seed Garden Center; and
4.City-owned property northwest of Pleasant View Road on the west side of Powers
Boulevard.
For the first three properties, the property owners had submitted their requests and narratives and
that staff would prepare an analysis for the proposals in conjunction with the review of the land
use element.
Commissioner Tietz asked how and if the development paid for the infrastructure; specifically,
sanitary sewer and whether the land uses were appropriate. He also asked what the city got from
the Metropolitan Council and what power do they have to assure that the city meets the housing
goals?
Planning Commission Summary – Page 3
Kate Aanenson told him that the sewer was sized appropriately to the proposed development of
the land use and that it was the Metropolitan Council who provided sewer processing at the Blue
Lake Plant. And they could potentially limit development by withholding the ability to connect
to the sewer system.
HOUSING
Kate Aanenson presented the Housing element. She stated that the city uses the Carver County
Housing study to evaluate housing demand in the community and how this helped the city direct
the type of housing development that takes place. Housing demand is determined based on
demographic assumptions which drive growth, including housing availability and employment
opportunities. It is important for the city to think of life-cycle housing and provide a variety of
housing types to satisfy this demand, since this also makes for a healthy community.
The Carver County housing study provides a snapshot of housing in the community as well as
projection of the housing need in the future. She pointed out the background material in the
handout that talks about tenure of housing, owner vs. rental, and that historically, housing in the
city has been 80 percent ownership. She also pointed out that there is a pent-up demand for the
provision of rental housing within the city and that market rates for rentals have been increasing.
She noted that the Metropolitan Council has allocated Chanhassen with 806 units of affordable
housing as its share of such housing within the Metropolitan Area. The city can show that it has
guided a sufficient amount of multi-family land to at least provide the potential for meeting the
number of affordable housing units.
Commissioner Tietz asked if the city would permit smaller housing units to meet the demand of
young people.
Kate Aanenson stated that the code already would permit it. However, the provision of such
housing is market driven and demand was linked to other amenities.
Kate then mentioned that the city has been tracking housing development and pointed out the
Residential Development Statistics table included in their packet which shows the density of
development that has taken place. Overall density comes in at 3.5 units per acre on a net basis.
Kate then told the commissioners that MacKenzie Walters will be working on the housing
element as it comes forward.
TRANSPORTATION
Bob Generous presented the Transportation element. He pointed out the maps included in the
packet which show area roadway system deficiencies and also the functional classification map
for area roadways, which represent the hierarchy of roadways from the local streets to the
collectors to the arterials to the principal arterials (TH 7 and U.S. Highway 212). The
Transportation element will then provide a description of all these roadways.
Planning Commission Summary – Page 4
The Traffic Analysis Zone map and summary sheet were then discussed, which take all the land
uses within the community and project development in ten-year increments based on
assumptions of the location, timing and intensity of development and historical knowledge of
development densities from tracking of development in the community over time.
Commissioner Madsen asked why Bluff Creek Drive did not show up as a deficient roadway.
Bob Generous responded that we would look into it prior to bringing the item back.
Bob Generous pointed out the future realignment of TH 101 from Pioneer Trail to CSAH 61 and
the local access option along CSAH 61 as that area develops in the future, which were both
included in the binder.
Kate Aanenson mentioned that the city was working with Chaska and Carver County in the
future potential realignment of CSAH 61 to connect to Engler Boulevard and follow part of
Stoughton Boulevard.
WASTEWATER
Kate Aanenson present the Wastewater element. The existing and future sewer facilities map
was shown. Trends in sewage use show an increase in the amount of sanitary sewer use. All the
usage ties back into the land use analysis which was done based on the Traffic Analysis Zones
data which evaluates the type and intensity of development. The city still has a significant
amount of housing on septic systems. However, the plans do show how these areas could
potentially be served with sanitary sewer.
WATER SUPPLY
Kate Aanenson presented the Water Supply element. The plan contains a map of the city’s
existing and proposed water distribution system. The annual water supply report has been sent to
the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources for review. The big issue in water supply is
about water conservation measures. The city efforts include a tiered water rate, odd-even
watering restrictions, the WaterWise education program, working with homeowner associations
on ways to reduce water use, requiring six inches of top soil as part of new developments, and
working with adjacent communities as a regional water resource group to monitor and develop
conservation measures. The goal is to provide an option to connect, but not to compel
connection.
Commissioner Tietz told of his visit to the Eden Prairie water facility and how he was told that
there was a difference in water use of approximately eight million gallons per day between
winter and summer water usage.
SURFACE WATER
Kate Aanenson presented the Surface Water element. The city is located in four watershed
districts. While surface water is related to natural resources, it is provided as a separate element.
The plan will provide an overview of surface water issues and efforts within the community.
Planning Commission Summary – Page 5
PARKS & TRAILS
Kate Aanenson presented the Parks & Trails element. The comprehensive plan is piggybacking
on the Parks & Trail Master Plan effort which is currently under development by the city. The
plan relies on the evaluation of park service areas to determine any deficiencies within the city.
It also looks at connections to other communities.
Commissioner Tietz asked about trail connections to Shorewood and other communities and was
told that we try to build our trails to the city boundary, but there are funding issues regarding
their continuation in other cities.
NATURAL RESOURCES
Kate Aanenson presented the Natural Resources element. The plan will review the natural
resources within the community and evaluate what can be done to maintain them. Emerald Ash
Borer and the city’s efforts were discussed and how the city had a contract for our efforts and
that residents would be able to be under the program to treat their own trees. The plan
encourages the diversification of tree species, discusses pollinator-friendly practices, and the
preservation of natural resources.
IMPLEMENTATION
Kate Aanenson presented the Implementation element. This element will contain the capital
improvement plan. It will also highlight any potential code amendments that will need to be
made to implement the plan.
ECONOMIC COMPETITIVENESS
Kate Aanenson presented the Economic Competitiveness element and noted that it is an optional
element to the plan. This element would highlight assistance the city can and has provided. It
would also outline available tools to assist with development.
GENERAL DISCUSSION
Kate Aanenson highlighted upcoming agenda items for the Planning Commission on April 18
and May 2. There will be a joint meeting with the City Council on April 24, 2017. We will send
City Council a copy of the 2016 year in review and the major commission items for 2017:
Comprehensive Plan update and Avienda. She advised the commission that the city was looking
at undertaking a downtown study. She also requested that the commission challenge staff as we
move forward in the comprehensive plan update process.
The Planning Commission Work Session ended at 8:10 p.m.
Submitted by Kate Aanenson
Planning Commission Summary – Page 6
Community Development Director
Prepared by Robert Generous