CC MinutesCity Council Minutes – April 10, 2023
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Mr. Generous does not have the details, however, it would be oriented to the drive-through area
rather than off-site.
Councilman McDonald moved, Councilman Kimber seconded that the Chanhassen City
Council adopts the SouthWest Village Planned Unit Development – Mixed Use/Transit
Oriented Development, PUD, amendment ordinance and site plan approval for a 12,600
square-foot, one-story commercial building with a drive-through coffee shop subject to the
conditions of approval in the Planning Commission staff report, and adopts the Planning
Commission's Findings of Fact and Recommendation. He would like to add language that
signs along the side of the retail buildings are allowed without an actual entrance, and to
allow the monument sign expansion. The motion carried with a vote of 3-2. Councilman
von Oven and Mayor Ryan voted nay.
3. Ordinance 706: Xcel Service Center - Rezoning from A-2 to PUD, Site Plan Review, and
Wetland Alteration Permit, 1891 Arboretum Boulevard
Senior Planner Generous gave a summary of the item noting that the city will be re-addressing
the site due to access from the south and the buildings will be A through D for fire purpose
designations. The existing site is a farm field with a small wetland in the south-central area and a
wetland running diagonal from the northeast corner ending with a stream into a tributary into
Bluff Creek. Mr. Generous explained the PUD district is specifically designed for the Xcel
Service Center development and the proposed rezoning is consistent with the Comprehensive
Plan. Staff recommends approval. He explained the project and showed design plans on screen.
The PUD has been amended so that any wall signage on the south elevation will not be
illuminated. Screening fences are proposed for the storage areas with additional landscaping
between the building and Coulter Boulevard. Mr. Generous walked the council through
architectural materials on the buildings and a proposed communications tower. Due to co-
location difficulties with another tower, the city recommends Xcel be permitted to have a tower
but also provide co-location opportunities for the future. He shared about landscaping,
stormwater improvements, grading and erosion control, and sanitary sewer on the site. Mr.
Generous explained wetland alteration with credits from Sibley County and the Army Corps of
Engineers’ approval of wetland credits which is in process. Staff and Planning Commission
recommend approval of the rezoning and site plan approval.
Leigh Stoakes, Project Engineer with Xcel Energy, stated they are looking forward to this project
and have been working on it for many years. He thanked city staff for their cooperation and
support.
Councilman Kimber asked if the EV charging stations on the site are for Xcel Energy or for
residents.
Mr. Stoakes replied it would be strictly for Xcel Energy.
Councilman Kimber asked whether there would be a gate on the property.
Mr. Stoakes replied there are two security gates.
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Mayor Ryan thanked Xcel for the change regarding the lighting impact in the neighborhood and
asked for clarification regarding the communications tower, the location, and the visual
perspective. She noted a concern regarding letting other people lease structures onto that tower.
Mr. Stoakes explained that as a requirement for Xcel to have the tower, they are to design it to
allow another user onto the tower.
Mayor Ryan asked if that adds other equipment to the tower.
Mr. Stoakes replied in the affirmative, they would need to add an antenna or other device needed
on the tower, as well as to lease space from Xcel for the supporting equipment.
Mr. Generous noted it is because of City Ordinance.
Mayor Ryan asked if the city has to allow it.
Attorney McDowell-Poehler explained the theory that in order to avoid having separate, large
cell towers throughout the city, there is a requirement that they must co-locate within a certain
distance. Therefore, there would be one large tower with multiple antennas upon it.
Mayor Ryan asked how big the structure could ultimately get.
Mr. Stoakes replied it is called a monopole structure which is 150 feet tall with one antenna
extending another 20 feet. Overall, it is roughly 170 feet high.
Mr. Generous explained the other antennas would be at lower elevations.
Mr. Stoakes clarified that the antenna allows radio communications between dispatch and crews
in the field and is a critical operational function. He shared that the other tower noted in the Staff
Report was too low to provide the coverage Xcel needs. In co-locating to that tower, they would
need to extend the tower, the estimate was another 60 feet, and below the tower was not enough
physical space for an equipment shed and backup generator Xcel would need.
Mayor Ryan noted the aesthetics of the communications tower is a concern in that area. She
asked about the number of vehicles in storage, maintenance on the trucks, and proximity to Bluff
Creek, runoff, and wetlands.
Mr. Stoakes replied there will be spaces for 34 vehicles, and a fleet maintenance garage to do
repairs, they have stormwater and spill-management plans through Xcel’s environmental group
so as not to impact the environment and creek.
Mayor Ryan asked about the height of the daycare center.
Mr. Generous replied it is approximately 50 feet.
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Mayor Ryan asked about the building in the plans.
Mr. Generous noted it is about 63 feet.
Councilman von Oven thinks there are always concerns regarding the tower and the city is in the
current situation because the previous tower did not plan for someone like Xcel to come in. He
thinks these facilities need towers and the city is doing the right thing by looking at it this way.
As a city requires that, he thinks there is ample space at the top and bottom of the tower for co-
location, so the city does not need to do this again. He noted an earlier “dumb” question about
why, with modern technology, they need a tower that is this high, then he realized Xcel is an
energy company and needs it when the electricity goes out.
Mr. Stoakes replied in the affirmative, noting it is also a safety thing when crews are in the field
and something is not right or expected, they can communicate back to dispatch and know to
check in to be sure they are not doing something they shouldn’t. Communication both ways is
very important.
Councilman von Oven noted there are cell phones so why is a communications tower needed?
Mr. Stoakes is not the radio expert but noted the system is built around the radio system. Yes,
there are cell phones and they are perhaps used for some part of communication. The radio
allows dispatch to talk to multiple crews at once so everyone is hearing the same thing; crews
can also talk to other crews. With a cell phone, it is one-to-one, while a radio allows talking to
multiple people at once.
Councilman McDonald stated the city has faced this problem before and noted studies many
years ago regarding bad cell phone coverage at Bluff Creek. A cell tower was put in place for
cell usage. To Mr. Stoakes’ point, cell phones do not go everywhere, and in an emergency, that is
what radio communications are for, and that is why Xcel has a generator to back things up and
stay in communications. The tower does not bother him as much and he shared previous
concerns regarding a tower in a rural area near the Eden Prairie airport, and he has not heard any
complaints since that time about the tower. He thinks the city required the tower to be painted a
certain color. He also thinks cell phones would be the tenants to add to the tower which is critical
for the city to have good communications. He is in favor of the project and the tower.
Councilman McDonald noted by relocating to the other tower would put the height at 210 feet
and would be much more of an eyesore.
Mayor Ryan appreciates the Council’s questions being answered and the discussion as she
anticipates the questions of “what were you thinking” in the future after the tower is built. She
thinks having a better understanding of the need and the use is helpful. She clarified Xcel is
building the tower to maximize height for their needs.
Mr. Stoakes replied in the affirmative noting they would not need to be any taller.
Councilman von Oven moved, Councilman Kimber seconded to adopt an ordinance
rezoning the property to Planned Unit Development – Office Industrial Park, PUD, site
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plan approval for five buildings, a communication tower and screened outdoor storage,
and a wetland alteration permit, subject to the conditions of approval in the Planning
Commission staff report, and adopts the Planning Commission's Findings of Fact and
Recommendation. All voted in favor and the motion carried unanimously with a vote of 5
to 0.
COUNCIL PRESENTATIONS.
1. Report on City Manager's Performance Review
Mayor Ryan gave a verbal report from a closed session on March 20, 2023, regarding City
Manager Laurie Hokkanen. City department heads were asked to provide feedback about Ms.
Hokkanen’s city and staff leadership, communications skills, opportunities for professional
growth, and an open-ended question for additional comments. The feedback from the team was
overwhelmingly positive and Mayor Ryan shared comments including Ms. Hokkanen restoring
trust and allowing open and honest conversations, she takes each employee’s strengths and uses
them, encourages feedback and that staff is being listened to, is an advocate and supporter of
employees and devoted to creating and maintaining a positive working environment as an
employer of choice. The City Council also provided extensive feedback regarding
communication, strategic planning and budgeting, leadership and innovation, policy, and
problem-solving. Mayor Ryan stated that the City Council could not have been more positive
regarding how the past two years have gone and explained Ms. Hokkanen’s team environment
and positive culture with staff, support of City Council initiatives, and incredible depth of
knowledge, is hard-working and transparent, and has instilled trust from residents, staff, and
Council. Mayor Ryan noted the City Council voted to approve both the cost-of-living and step-
increase for this year. She thanked Ms. Hokkanen for all she does for the city.
Councilman McDonald gave a salute to Mr. Ruegemer and the Recreation Department on the
Easter Egg Hunt. He was amazed at the number of children and families that came, everyone had
a good time with lots of laughter and happiness. He appreciates everything city staff did.
ADMINISTRATIVE PRESENTATIONS.
1. Receive 2022 Park and Recreation Department Annual Report
Recreation Supervisor Tandon gave a summary of the Annual Report with a brief presentation.
She shared the Park and Recreation Department mission statement, and spoke about a
Community Day held in August, the 55+ Senior Expo, a summer concert series, and expanded
youth and adult programs. Ms. Tandon highlighted trail and facility projects including the Lake
Ann Park Preserve project, the Park Equipment Replacement Fund, new playground equipment
for Roundhouse Park, and $34,520 in concession revenue. She noted the Park and Recreation
Department hosts 10 events throughout the year with over 80,000 attendees across all events.
Ms. Tandon shared about the Senior Center attendees and events, the Park and Recreation
Center, inclusion support for youth and adults, park maintenance, and partnerships with
organizations throughout the community.
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Mayor Ryan thanked staff for everything they do and stated they do a great job and are the
reason that Chanhassen is recognized as being a great community.
2. Implementation of Electronic Sign-in Process for Visitor Presentations, Public
Hearings, and Open Houses
City Manager Hokkanen stated the city is introducing a new process for those that which to
speak at a City Council meeting. She noted two iPads in the chambers to provide electronic sign-
in for those attending public hearings, listening sessions, and visitor presentations. Benefits go
both ways, as the city will capture correct and legible spelling for the Minutes, and have the
opportunity to add someone to the city’s email list. The person coming to speak will also have a
clear way of understanding how to participate in a City Council meeting and Ms. Hokkanen
wants to make sure it is a good experience for the public.
CORRESPONDENCE DISCUSSION.
1. 2023 Building Permit Activity
Councilwoman Schubert moved, Councilman von Oven 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 8:52 p.m.
Submitted by Laurie Hokkanen
City Manager
Prepared by Kim Meuwissen
City Clerk