Findings of Fact
CITY OF CHANHASSEN
CARVER AND HENNEPIN COUNTIES, MINNESOTA
FINDINGS OF FACT
AND RECOMMENDATION
IN RE: Planning Case #07-05
Application of Martin Woody Architects and Coeur Terra, LLC for Site Plan Review for a
31,200 square-foot office warehouse expansion to an existing 101,600 square-foot building with
a variance to permit only 10 percent building transparency on the northern building elevation. 0
On March 6, 2007, the Chanhassen Planning Commission met at its regularly scheduled
meeting to consider the application of Martin Woody Architects and Coeur Terra, LLC for a site
plan review with a variance for the property located at 7975 Century Boulevard (Lot 1, Block 1,
Arboretum Business Park). The Planning Commission conducted a public hearing on the
proposed site plan with variance was preceded by published and mailed notice. The Planning
Commission heard testimony from all interested persons wishing to speak and now makes the
following:
FINDINGS OF FACT
1. The property is currently zoned Planned Unit Development, POO.
2. The property is guided by the Land Use Plan for office/industrial uses.
3. The legal description of the property is: Lot 1, Block 1, Arboretum Business Park.
4. Site Plan Findings:
a. The proposed project is consistent with the elements and objectives of the city's
development guides, including the comprehensive plan, official road mapping, and
other plans that may be adopted as well as the design standards for Arboretum
Business Park;
b. The proposed project is consistent with the site plan review requirements;
c. The proposed project preserves the site in its natural state to the extent practicable by
minimizing tree and soil removal and designing grade changes to be in keeping with
the general appearance of the neighboring developed or developing or developing
areas;
d. The proposed project creates a harmonious relationship of building and open space
with natural site features and with existing and future buildings having a visual
relationship to the development;
1
e. The proposed project creates a functional and harmonious design for structures and
site features, with special attention to the following:
1) An internal sense of order for the buildings and use on the site and provision of a
desirable environment for occupants, visitors and general community;
2) The amount and location of open space and landscaping;
3) Materials, textures, colors and details of construction as an expression of the
design concept and the compatibility of the same with adjacent and neighboring
structures and uses; and
4) Vehicular and pedestrian circulation, including walkways, interior drives and
parking in terms of location and number of access points to the public streets,
width of interior drives and access points, general interior circulation, separation
of pedestrian and vehicular traffic and arrangement and amount of parking.
f. The proposed project protects adjacent and neighboring properties through reasonable
provision for surface water drainage, sound and sight buffers, preservation of views,
light and air and those aspects of design not adequately covered by other regulations
which may have substantial effects on neighboring land uses.
5. Variance Findings:
a. Literal enforcement of the zoning requirements for fa~ade transparency would cause
an undue hardship since this area of the building is proposed for warehouse not office
use.
b. The conditions upon which this variance is based are not applicable, generally, to
other properties in the Planned Unit Development district which are not proposed for
office or retail type uses.
c. The purpose of the variation is not based upon a desire to increase the value or
income potential of the parcel of land.
d. The alleged difficulty or hardship is not a self-created hardship, but is a function of
the proposed use of the building.
e. The granting of the variance will not be detrimental to the public welfare or injurious
to other land or improvements in the neighborhood in which the parcel of land is
located.
f. The proposed variation will not impair an adequate supply of light and air to adjacent
property or substantially increase the congestion of the public streets or increase the
danger of fire or endanger the public safety or substantially diminish or impair
property values within the neighborhood.
2
6. The planning report #07-05 dated March 6, 2007, prepared by Robert Generous, et aI, is
incorporated herein.
RECOMMENDA TION
The Planning Commission recommends that the City Council approve the site plan with
variance for fa<;ade transparency for the 31,200 square-foot expansion.
ADOPTED by the Chanhassen Planning Commission this 6th day of March, 2007.
CHANHASSEN PLANNING COMMIS ION
3