PC 1993 04 07CHANHASSEN PLANNING COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING
APRIL 7, 1993
Chairman Batzii called the meeting to order at 7:37 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT: Ladd Conrad, Matt Ledvina, Joe Scott, Nancy Mancino,
Brian 8atzli, Jeff Farmakes and Diane Harberts
STAFF PRESENT: Jo Ann Olsen, Senior Planner
PUBLIC HEARING:
PRELIMINARY PLAT OF A PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENT AND SITE PLAN TO CREATE 27
TOWNHOME LOTS ON PROPERTY ZONED PUD. AND t, OCATED DIRECTLY EAST OF POWERS
BOULEVARD, ADJACENT TO LAKE SUSAN HILLS PUD, PRAIRIE CREEK TOWNHOMES,
JASPER DEVELOPMENT.
Public Present:
Name ~ddress
Jim Domholt
Andrew K. Olson
Gary Kassen
Tom VanAsh
Kirby & Susan Paulson
Ritra Halling
Don Patton
8251 West Lake Court
82-90 West Lake Court
8270 West Lake Court
8320 West Lake Court
8410 West Lake Court
Jo Ann Olsen presented the staff report on this item.
Batzli: One of our concerns last time was that we might be setting a
precedent for another one of the medium to higher density outlots from the
original PUD. Assume for a minute that we allow this one to go to 40~
impervious and the other outlot is built with a higher density project.
Do you think that they will also be able to go to 40~ impervious with a
higher density project based on what we do tonight?
Olsen: You mean if they'd be doing the 9 units per acre? If they'd be
doing like the stacked units?
8atzli: Yeah.
Olsen: Yeah. I do believe that you are setting a precedent. But to be
honest, those impervious coverages are really, low and for the size of
those units or the lots, it's going to be really tough to meet that. Like
the one, you have the long lot, outlot on the west side of Lake Susan or
Powers Boulevard. I believe that they probably will be pushing the 29~ or
whatever impervious is allowed on that site. They're all low. They're in
the 20's or the low 30's. So yes. I believe that you will be setting a
precedent. But most likely I. don't know that, it's hard for me to say
what the situation is but we might be even recommending that you, even if
a precedent hadn't been set, we might still be making a similar
recommendation.
Planning Commission Meeting
April 7, 1993 - Page 2
Farmakes: Does this wind up being a variance of a variance?
Olsen: What I recommend is that you amend the PUD contract to state that
Outlot C, you know change that.
Farmakes: It just applies to that specific outlot?
Olsen: Yeah. Or you could change it to all.
Mancino: No. I think the recommendation is that we change it to all,
according to the staff recommendations. It is to change all the outlots.
A, which is high density and B, C, and D which are medium, all to 40~.
That's in the staff recommendations.
Farmakes: Then do we modify the original? Is thatla modification then of
the '87 agreement and a modification of the '937
Olsen: No, that would be a modification to the '$7 PUD contract. But
then what are you saying, the '937
Farmakes: Nell, I understood part 6f the question here was you were
discussing that we're not gaining that much more by asking the applicant
to conform to '93 PUD standards versus '87. I understand the contract has
expired. But as a matter of practicality.
Olsen: Well it hasn't expired but it allows you to bring in new
regulations.
Farmakes: Correct. But as I understand it, there was a 5 year grace
period in there and what happens in the future. Does this just deal with
this particular, this development? I mean if we start, being that that's
expired. Or I'm saying it's expired. I don't know if that's the legal
term.
Olsen: Right, that's not the correct term but yeah.
Farmakes: Are we cutting a new deal here?
Olsen: Yes. As far as this site plan, yes you are.
Farmakes: Okay, is this going to come back to haunt us?
Conrad: It shouldn't. But the rationale sort of escapes me right now.
The standard for the R-8 district is 35~ impervious surface. So let's
just talk about R-8 districts. So what the staff is telling me is the
standard should be 40~. I don't care if this is part of this big PUD or
not. I'm just curious about an R-8 district and that's really the issue
here. What should the impervious surface ratio be.
Farmakes: Is the motivation though of this particular unit on this
particular piece of land, is that, should that be implied to other
developments?
Conrad: But if you like what you see, then we should.
Planning Commission Meeting
April 7, 1993 - Page 3
Batzli: Well we haven't been brought the rationale to adjust R-8's in
general.
Conrad: No.
Olsen: No.
·
Conrad: But we certainly can address this as this particular property
and I don't know that it sets a standard.
Batzli: See but I don't know that it does. I'd like to come up with a
rationale for why it doesn't but I'm still troubled by why we should amend
the density for the Outlot B and D until we see what's proposed on those
areas.
Olsen: Yeah, that's fine. I think one of'the reasons that we put that in
there was possibly so that if you were comfortable with it on this, that
you wouldn't be setting precedent throughout the rest of the PUD itself.
We weren't you know dealing with the R-8 district at all but there's no
problem to limit it just to amend that condition just for Outlot C.
Batzli: What scares me is that if they need a certain number of units on
this particular piece of land and they have to go 40~ impervious, if you
go with a lower priced medium density unit, of this style, you would need
a lot more units apparently to Cover than, and if we go to 40~, then I can
just picture the next one coming and saying, well now we need 45~ because
these ones aren't as expensive as the last ones. And I have a tough time
with that.
Conrad: Me too.
Batzli: And I'm willing I guess to go 40 on this provided that we can
demonstrate, at least to ourselves, that they've given us something that
wasn't in the original PUD. I mean kind of a quit pro pro here that you
know fine that there's a demand for this kind of housing. 'That's
wonderful but if they're giving us additional landscaping and they're
giving us things that weren't really in the original contract, I don't
have a problem I guess saying okay, we'll relax a little bit on the
impervious here because I don't know that 5~ is going to matter. Provided
that we have proper water drainage off of this site but, and I think we
have enough open space here but I really have a problem, and I guess I'm
relying on you to tell me that we have that and from the staff report it
looks like we have it but.
Olsen: Well there's no question that over the PUD contract they're
greatly exceeding the architectural design that we possibly could have
gotten and greatly exceedin~ the landscaping. They were only required to
provide 500 per unit. I guess I know it's way beyond that. He could
maybe even give you.
Mancino: Of course it was 6 years ago too.
Olsen: Correct, but that's all, you know that's the same we have with the
Lake Susan Hills 9th. That's still, that's $150.00 and yeah we know that
Planning Commission Meeting
April 7, 1993 - Page 4
that doesn't provide you anything now. So as far as those two issues, yes
and I guess that's one of the reasons staff was in favor of this project
was because they were, even to begin with, coming with those additional
architecture and landscaping.
Batzli: And the other side of the coin is that let's apply all of the new
standards to this particular parcel and then they probably can't do this
kind of development at all.
Olsen: No, not this one.
Batzl i: Okay.
Farmakes: Then what would have'to be done? You'd have to rezone the
property then?
Olsen: No.
Batzli: You'd end up with a different kind of unit.
Olsen: Right. Their project would not go.
Farmakes: A 3 story type?
Olsen: Yes. Because you really reduce, with the 50 and the 30 feet, you
reduce the size. But then you'll be reducing the density. They'd only
build 8 units per acre and 35~ sO it's just a different project.
Mancino: Right now it's 5.2. The density is 5.2 units per acre.
Olsen: Well it's lower than that now with the one removed.
Batzli: Okay. Does the applicant wish to address the Commission?
Larry Harris: My name is Larry Harris. I'm an attorney in Waconia. I
represent the applicant and I want to address, I'll try to short circuit
my presentation because it appears that the Commission and staff may have
come to an understanding on some issues but I want to address some points.
First of all in relation to Outlot D. I don't know that the Planning
Commission is aware that my client holds an option on Outlot D and
assuming this project goes, and my client anticipates it will, sometime
approximately a year from now, my client will be back before this city's
Planning Commission with a development plan for the same, I don't want to
say they're exactly the same units because there may be cosmetic
differences. There may be slight floor plan modifications to accommodate
conditions in the market, but I want to be real upfront and address Mr.
Batzli's concerns about what type of precedence are being set. For this
type of a project on Outlot D, you're going to be looking at approximately
the same types of densities. I can't give you exact percentages, whether
it will be 38~ or 39~ but I want to be up front with you that it won't be
the 31~ that's in the 1987 PUD agreement because this type of development
cannot work at that. I cannot speak to the other outlots. That is not
part of my client's concern, although I do know that Outlot A, at least
according to the way I read the planned unit development agreement, is
Planning Commission Meeting
April 7, 1993 - Page 5
anticipated for much higher density than that which is being sought here.
I think it's important 1=or the Planning Commission to understand that my
client has attempted to work with, not only with stat=t= but the adjoining
property owners to come up with a development that works with what already
exists in that neighborhood. This is not an economic issue. It= economics
were the motivating l=orce here, my client could meet all ol= the current
P-8 requirements and get 39 units in that property. The problem is
they're going to be, that there will be under a 35~ density but they're
all going to be stacked. They'll have a garage and a halt= and they'll
probably sell in the $85,000.00 to .$90,000.00 range as opposed to the
$130,000.00 to $140,000.00 range. That's not the type ot= project that my
client 1=eels is appropriate 1=or this site. But one o1= the things, I think
it's important 1=or the Planning Commission to realize is it would generate
more pro1=it to build that type o1= a project. A couple other issues that I
think it's important 1=or the Planning Commission to realize. In relation
to the impervious coverage issue. There have been some changes. While
one unit has been reduced in this area, additional impervious coverage has
been added because in recognition o1= a suggestion by sta1=1=, parking
spaces, 1=our guest parking spaces have been added. Secondly, the city has
indicated they want 1=low thru tra1=1=ic because o1= public'sa1=ety concerns.
They wanted an area such as this widened. It all makes it a better
project. It makes the project look better but the problem is it generates
a higher impervious sur1=ace. Un1=ortunately everything is a trade o1=t=. But
this project is considerably below what maximum density is according to
the ordinance, the PUD agreement and your comprehensive plan. The-problem
is 1=or this style and this con1=iguration ol= a lot, it being long and
narrow, the nature is you're going to have long looping streets and it
generates a lot o1= impervious sur1=ace area. I think it's important to
realize that the di1=1=erence between 35~ and 40~ in impervious sur1=ace area
here is less than 10,000 square 1=eet in an 20,000 square 1=oot development.
And the issue here really isn't necessarily open space. When the 1987 PUD
agreement was entered into the developer, Dunn and Curry at that time,
dedicated a considerable amount o1= property to the city 1=or parks and open
spaces. I recognize, the impervious requirements is designed to
accomplish two things typically in a city's ordinances. One, to guarantee
open spaces within the development. Two, to indicate that there's land
available 1=or dedication. That there will be parks and open spaces. The
second requirement has already been complied with here because in 1987, at
the time the original PUD agreement was entered into, there was an
appropriate parkland dedication. One o1= other issues I think is important
1=or the Planning Commission to realize is that when the PUD agreement was
entered into in 1987, no one knew exactly what type o1= developments were
going to be proposed 1=or the multiple unit outlot. The PUD agreement le1=t
the nuts and bolts to be worked out when the actual development plans came
in. They suggest that i1= an actual development plan had been come 1=orward
in 1987 at the time the PUD agreement was negotiated, that the impervious
sur1=ace density requirement probably would not have been the 31~ they were
in the agreement. That's not to say it was a bad agreement. It's just to
say that there wasn't a plan in 1=font o1= city stat=1= and the Planning
Commission or the Council at that time where they could sit and layout and
see. Okay, this is how a development would lay out.-This is how we need
to sit these types o1= impervious sur1=ace requirements. I think there's
one other issue, at least as 1=ar as the developer is concerned. We are.
here tonight, Greg Hollings the engineer the developer has retained is
Planning Commission Meeting
April 7, 1993 - Page 6
here. Mark 3effries, the landscape architect who's put together the
landscape plan is here and I'll have him make a brief presentation to the
Planning Commission to show you how the project is landscaped. To show
you that the project is landscaped in a manner that exceeds the
requirements of your new ordinance and clearly exceeds what is required
under the 1987 PUD agreement. We are prepared to answer any questions
that the Planning Commission might have tonight but because of time tables
and development pressures that Jasper Development is under, we'd like the
Planning Commission to make a decision tonight. Thank you. First of all,
are there any questions that I can answer for the Planning Commission?
Batzli: We might have some for you later. Thank you.
Mark 3effries: My name's Mark 3effries, Minnesota Landscape Products and
I'm a landscape designer, not an architect... Some of the changes that
we've made, 3o Ann eluded to. We added one boulevard tree to Lake Susan
Hills Drive. Generally, have beefed up the landscape throughout because
we were given a little bit more room to do that when they got rid of a
couple units. Along Lake Susan Hills Drive you see 4 bermed areas that
were added that were not there. Along the property line which adjoins the
neighbors, there was these 3 trees were added and there were some Black
Hills Spruce trees added this way and everything kind of slid that
direction, which I think there was a concern about screening in that area.
We did have a detail the last time we made the presentation on these
typicals up here and down here which gives you a pretty good idea of, this
is a typical, a bermed area which flows from some spruce trees into some
deciduous trees which is different from a bermed area which kind of stands
on it's own. One other change that we made, since we were kind of back to
the drawing board on this, we decided, we kind of rethought the ornamental
trees on the inside and I don't know how closely you go through the
landscape plan but the quantities stayed the same but the number of
species were decreased from 5 or 6 to 3. And that was just a design
decision. Generally deciduous trees, evergreen trees were, numbers were
added and then the berms along here.. Those 4 berms were added that were
not there. This is the typical that was a part of your last packet. Well
I don't know if you had it. I think I showed it at the last meeting and
this is the typical berm along Powers Boulevard and this is the one over
on the adjoining lot line. Just to give you a look at what a profile of
those typicals would look like...trees and lower growing shrubs underneath
the deciduous trees and over here, 3o Ann talked about some Of the plants
that would be planted in this bermed area. Some of them are quite large.
And that has not been a change but some of these plantings along here are
shrubs that get anywhere from 5 to 15 feet high so some are really like
small ornamental trees...That's about all I have to add unless you have
any questions.
Batzli: I'm having a mental block. We talked to the other, did we talk
to the other applicant about salt spray or was it this one?
Olsen: It was the other applicant. And we have sent, met with the DNR
Forester to confirm what's good and what's not good as boulevard trees.
Batzli: Did we decide that the Black Hills Spruce, there's a lot of them
a long Powers Boulevard there, are there not? Are those good with salt
Planning Commission Meeting
April 7, 1993 - Page 7
spray or are we so far away we don't care?
Olsen: Well right now we're so far away we don't care. What we're doing,
we're meeting with the County next week and we'll be finding out then
exactly how close the street will be coming. You know there's still that
alternative that we might get some land back. But I do have that list now
of what's good as boulevard and we're going to be comparing that.
Batzli: Did the tree committee look at that?
Olsen: No.
Batzli: Is that something they want to look at? Looking at our list?
Olsen: Oh. the list, yeah.
Batzli: Yeah. They're going to review that?
Olsen: I thought you meant each specific plan.
Batzli: Did anyone get that information from that seminar?
.
Mancino: Yeah, I've got it. In fact I had some questions.
Farmakes: Oh there were staff, city stat~f members at that seminar.
Olsen: Yes. And then we also.
Farmakes: I think Sharmin was at the seminar.
Olsen: Yes, and we've had the DNR Forester go through the list that we've
got to say what's good and what's not as boulevard versus interior. So
yeah, we have that now and I'll cross check that with what's here.
Mark 3effries: It's still my understanding that there's a bike path
between here.
Olsen: Yeah. I don't know that they salt those but.
Mark Seft"ries: ...mentioned that could be a problem.
Mancino: Well I do have a question about the sugar maples on the
interior. The landscaping. They are very close to the roadway and I
think that when you plow that private street in the interior of the
development, there may be. Do you see between I think 10 and 117
Mark 3effries: Here?
Mancino: Yes. There's a sugar maple and across the street from that
there are two. And I see those land areas as being the places where snow
will be plowed to and if that snow has salt in it, it will destroy the
sugar maples because the sugar maples are very sensitive to salt in the
soils.
Planning Commission Meeting
April 7, 1993 - Page 8
Mark Jeffries: Yeah. Those are ali concerns I guess. You know, when you
do a design you have to come up with all this criteria and maintenance is
one of those things but as we looked at it, we felt there was adequate
room for piling snow in other areas and in those areas to prevent that.
Mancino: But there's still going to be snow there and there's still going
to be salt in the snow and eventually, if you do that year after year, the
salt will build up into the soil so that it will kill the tree because a
sugar maple is listed as being very sensitive to salt in the soil. There
are other trees like a black locust or a burr oak that will withstand the
salt in the soil. So that's a recommendation and you can work with 3n-Ann
on that.
Mark 3effries: Right. Yeah. I think although city streets get quite a
bit of salt and sand.
Olsen: I don't know if private drives do.
Mark Jeffries: ...for a private street. Usually contractors that use
salt sand, just use enough salt to keep the sand from freezing. They
don't use salt on their roads like the 'State or the-City might'to melt ice
off the roads so it's probably not nearly the problem that it would be for
instance out on Powers Boulevard or somewhere else.
Mancino: I agree. I'm just concerned of the build-up and you don't want
to plant this lovely tree and then have it die in 5 years.
Mark Jeffries: I agree, absolutely.
Batzli: Jo Ann, do we normally include a condition regarding a homeowners
association type thing in a development like this?
Olsen: You mean as far as maintaining the private drive?
Batzli: Yeah.
Olsen: .Probably. Well yeah, because we're tying it with the outlot. So
yeah, we probably should. Even just add it to number 1. Add that this be
a homeowners association to maintain Outlot A. Outlot A will essentially
be the private drive and all the landscaping within the open spaces.
Yeah, that should have been added. I'm sorry.
Batzl i: Okay.
Harberts: Mr. Chair, I just have a comment on landscaping. A comment to
staff. Do with it what you want. With maple trees, again in the front,
I've seen them run into problems with the utilities that service the
individual units. Within 5 years the trees have to be removed because
their roots are interferring with the utilities, water, sewer, whatever.
I'll just throw that out. You might want to look at that.
Olsen: You're talking about in front of the units?
Harberts: Yeah, I'm talking front of units.
Planning Commission Meeting
April 7, 1993 - Page 9
Batzli: Okay. Larry, is the applicant finished?
Larry Harris: We are clearly here to respond to any questions the
Commission may have but...anything more in the way of a formal
presentation.
Batzli: Okay, thank you. This is a public hearing. If there's anyone
that would like to address the Commission, you may do so at this time.
Please come up to the microphone and give us your name and address. Is
there anyone that would like to address the Commission?
Tom VanAsh: My name is Tom VanAsh. I live at 8320 West Lake Court. I am
one of the homeowners with the property just adjacent to the proposed
development. I guess when we moved to Chanhassen 3 years ago we knew that
there was going to be proposed'townhomes developed and our concerns really
were of the idea in our mind that we would have exactly what it appears
this Commission is more in favor of and that is of the 35~ or 31~
impervious coverage. And I guess my thought on that is that's exactly
what I do not want here and that really concerns me because what we're
seeing I think from this developer is a very valid concern for the
homeowners in this area. Our concerns were expressed at the last
commission meeting and I think he did address those concerns that we had
to a point that I guess I'm surprised. I would ask that this Commission
do approve this developer for what he is proposing and I guess for right
now that's all I have to say.
Batzli: Okay, thank you. Just to respond to that a little bit. I don't
know that the Commission favors a 3 story development over this or not.
Something we try to do in Chanhassen is to get a mix of housing for
different types of incomes and different types of densities and different
styles of housing. And when this PUD was originally passed, it didn't
envision that type of a unit and what they're proposing is changing it,
and that's why I think we're moving so cautiously. I don't think it's
because we favor that but by looking at what's been done in the past, it
appears that that's what was envisioned as a part of this larger
development. And so I appreciate where you're coming from. That this
looks better perhaps and may be favored by a lot of the people surrounding
it, and that's one of the things obviously that's sitting here in the back
of our minds as well. But we're kind of wrestling with some other things
on it's changes to an agreement and we're trying to come up with rationale
and whether it makes sense. But I appreciate your comment. Would anyone
else like to address the Commission?
Andrew Olson: My name is Andrew Olson. I'm at 8290 West Lake Court. My
concern would be on their north end, on their park view and the
landscaping they've made their improvements with the trees and stuff but
there's still a big space they have left in there and that's a space, from
my house I look down in that area. And when I went over and looked at the
ones in Waconia, I took the pictures,-the Polaroid pictures that you
looked at last time, and I was concerned about the blandness. And the
shutters and the window treatments they've done have improved that but it
wouldn't hurt to add two more trees in that space in there just to break
up the view for me and that would give those lots additional landscaping
for themselves, or spread something out.
Planning Commission Meeting
April 7, 1993 - Page 10
Batzli: Would you point on this map to where you're referring to? Are
you referring to units, the back of units 5 and
Andrew Olson: This one. I'm up over here. I look down right in here.
Batzli: Jo Ann, is the reason that we didn't put any, is that where.
Andrew Olson: ...parking on here?
Olsen: No, actually it's my understanding that the views and your views
were still cover ed.
Mark Jeffries: Jo Ann, that's the old plan.
Olsen: Right, I know...They've added. This is the new one. The colored
map...
Mark 3effries: Maybe we've got a little disagreement as far as what the
sight lines are here. Our intent was to screen those.
Olsen: Screen all the sight lines.
Mark 3effries: I thought that was done with this. And the way we had, we
actually stood out on the property and tried to determine that and to the
best that we could determine, those were the sight lines. I thought the
sight lines were coming off this direction and we didn't want to
completely close that area off. We wanted it to be open the sight lines
up for the people who live here'out towards Powers Boulevard. Or out
towards that parkland that's out there. $o from my mint of view, I would
not be opposed to tweaking some of these to do that if they're not drawn
exactly in the right spot.
Batzli: 30 Ann, let me ask you something. I know that we were talking
about having kind of a temporary pond in that area on the city property.
By moving those trees, is that moving it within an area that's going to
stay pretty soggy?
Olsen: We don't have the detailed plans on the'design of that pond so I
can't answer that. But I don't believe it's going to be...yeah but as far
where the soil will be saturated and the depth,-I don't have those.
Batzli: I'm just thinking white pine might be the exact kind of tree you
want there.
Mark Jeffries: Well those are all you know, concerns when you get to the
installation, there's also...design and quite likely, when the site is
graded, you will make some adjustments with maybe species and where an
island may sit or whatever...That's very true.
Batzli: Okay, thank you. Did you have anything else sir?
Andrew Olson: No, that's it.
Batzli: Does anyone else? Okay.
Planning Commission Meeting
April 7, 1993 - Page 11
Gary Kassen: My name is Gary Kassen and I live at 8270 West. Lake Court
and I'd like to start off by complimenting the builder on how well he
responded to our concerns at the last meeting. I'm really pleased to see
the changes that he's made and I think they're very nice townhomes. If
we're going to put townhomes in there, I think they're nice townhomes.
The concern that I had was, or maybe it's a question, is the type of trees
that you're going to have along Powers Boulevard and the plan that I
picked up from Jo Ann last week listed, correct me if I'm wrong, Black
Hills spruce, Austrian pine, white oak and sugar maple. Is that correct?
Mark Jeffries: That's correct.
Gary Kassen: Okay. I contacted the Forestry Department at the University
of Minnesota and 3 of those 4 are very tolerant to salt. The sugar maple,
like was mentioned earlier, is not very tolerant. And they recommend
within 60 feet of a highway that you do not use sugar maple. So I would
assume that would be within 60 feet.
Olsen: We now know that too and we will be working with that. Adjusting
that.
Gary Kassen: As a possible alternative you may want to consider a Norway
maple. They look about the same and they're very tolerant to salt.
That's all I have.
Batzli: Okay, thank you. Anyone else like to address the Commission?
Thank you very much sir for your comments. I was feeling sorry for the
landscape designer here. We're all trying to redo his design. Would
anyone else like to address the Commission? Is there a motion to close
the public hearing?
Conrad moved, Mancino seconded to close the public hearing. Rll voted in
favor and the motion carried. The public hearing was closed.
Batzli: 3elf, do you want to start?
Farmakes: Why not. I'll be over with first then. I too feet that the
developer has responded well to all the points that we talked about last
meeting. I'm not as concerned with the 5~. Looking at that as a problem.
But I am concerned about it as a precedent. And I'm not, I have to admit
I do not understand the legality commitment that the city made in '87 as
well as I should. I read the history and so on but it didn't leave me
with a good confidence level that I understand the philosophical
commitment that the city made. I understand the practical commitment .and
so on. I am a little nervous though about how long term the city commits.
How long do we commit when we change these ordinances over years? Where
we start to become more practical to solve the problem. The problem of
developing a large expanse of land and that takes a certain amount of time
to develop hundreds of homes upon. Where we leave with the old ordinances
and where we begin with the new. And what our attitude is towards that
once it's expired. Do we pick and choose or, that leaves me. a little
uncomfortable. I would prefer that when that type of event happens, that
there's a better sequence of what we go to, maybe we should be looking at
that farther down the line here. But getting back to this project,
Planning Commission Meeting
April 7, 1993 - Page 12
obviously up in the corner there against the single family zone, the
developer has responded well to those concerns. I'm not going to get into
picking and choosing trees. I think that the staff can work that out
between the Arboretum and the stuff that was brought back and so on.
Obviously in the long run it would save us a lot of time if we would
develop a list of trees that are in restrictive areas.. Restrictions in
weather and salt and leave that up, like we did with the primary list and
let them choose from that. And I'm glad that the homeowners are pleased
with this. We sort of had a series I think of a couple of developments
here in a row where the builder has worked to his neighbors concerns and
it seems to have worked out well. And it gives me hope and optimism so
that's the end of my comments.
Batzli: Thank you. Nancy.
Mancino: I just have a couple of questions and a few concerns and I also
would like to branch off a little bit about the...of this proposal because
I think that there are some good strengths in it. The questions I have.
3o Ann, I'm concerned about the limited number of visitor parking spaces.
I mean if I lived here and I'm going to have people over for, my husband's
family over for Christmas, one day occasionally, and the family reunion,
where do people park? I mean. I can see the 4 spaces and I see the 2 in
front of our garage. And let's say I have lO cars and Lake Susan Hills
Drive is now going to be restricted parking. So do people end up going to
the West Lake Court and parking their cars?
Olsen: Well it's wherever they can park, I mean a lot of the private
drive itself in here is going to be signed no parking also and, I mean
that's always a concern. Actually we don't have anything that requires
even the 4 visitor parking. That's something that we just kind of threw
in. They're meeting all the parking requirements just with their garage.
Harberts: It's called public bus.
Olsen: So it's a good concern. I don't know, it was an issue where we
decided yes we do need some visitor parking but we don't have any equation
that says how much per unit. Yes, there's going to be always times when
there's not going to be parking that's acommodated. Also, just the fact
that the impervious coverage was already so tight, we didnt' want to add
10. It's just we wanted the more green space there so, you know what
we've done to address that is to mark the places where we don't want
people to park. I think we realize that there are going to be cases where
there will be parking along the streets and so we're being proactive and
saying okay, if that happens, this is where 'we absolutely don't want it.
We don't want parking, on street parking. And that's as far as we've
gone.
Mancino: Is this a reason to amend the R-8 and some of the multi density
to that standard for visitor parking?
Olsen: Yes.
Mancino: Because you know I can see at Christmastime, you have your whole
family and have a family reunion over, and they're trapsing from West Lake
Planning Commission Meeting
April 7, 1993 - Page 13
Court to your particular unit here.
Olsen: Especially when it's a private drive. Yeah, and they're narrow.
Yes. But again, you have to understand that that's going to demand more
for you to amend the impervious coverage possibly. I don't know.
Underground parking lots.
Man¢ino: Thank you. My other issue is, I'm still having a hard time
moving from 35 to 40 impervious coverage. I like open space. There are
only 3 reasons to me to justify to move and I'm'still not sold and one of
those is the low density of the, I had thought it was 5.2 units per acre.
Is that still?
Olsen: Well now it's, I don't have my calculator but now it's 24 units.
Mancino: And that's the gross density?
Olsen: Yes. We do gross density here because it's all, you really can't
take out the, otherwise you just have the townhome units itself. It's not
like they have a lot and a public street to take out and wetlands. So it
was gross acreage. So it'd be 24 units divided by the gross acreage. $o
I did not recalculate that for the 24 units so I'm sure it's less than 5,
if it was 5 with the.
Mancino: Well no. According to the last staff report, which is from the
17th, you had calculated it.
Olsen: 5.9. Oh okay. So 5.2 is the new one.
Mancino: Now when the original agreement was written in '87 and it had
9.33, was that also gross density? So are these comparable?
Olsen: Yeah, that was gross density. And what that was doing is that
they had mentioned, during the concept plan review was say like Outlot C
was going to have 42 units and Outlot D was going to have you know 56
units so what we did was go back and 4.5 acres with the 46 units and
that's where we came up with the densities for each one. Again I'm not
sure where the 31~, 29~ impervious coverage came from.
Mancino: But for the going to 40~ we get the lower density. We're also
getting one level units and you know the other thing about this Outlot C
is that it does abut Lake Susan Park so that there is open space abutting
it. There is a parklike space. So you know, that's still an issue for me
and I haven't really decided. But I do know that if we change this
particular outlot to 40~, I don't agree with the recommendation to change
the others. I think that each outlot developer should come before us and
give a direction.
Olsen: And prove his case, yeah.
Mancino: Some of the strengths that I think this development brings to us
is that it's targeting a very important housing market and housing
alternative, and that is the need for empty nester housing. And I did see
that in the comprehensive plan that it is one of the segments that the
Planning Commission Heeting
April 7, 1993 - Page 14
comprehensive plan said that we have a current need for. And that is that
55 to 64 year old empty nesters and I think it does a good job of
targeting them. I think the architectural design is of high quality. I
think with the changes that were made. I think the landscaping is
excellent. Very good. A few changes but I like the landscaping. And I
also think that it's compatible with adjacent single family home
neighborhoods. I think that the owner/occupied townhomes are of high
quality design which fits with the single family homes in the area. And I
think it will be creating a good mix of homeowners as far'as there's going
to be families. There's going to be singles. There's going to be
couples. It's just a nice mix. And the...is another strength is just the
densities. The low density of 5.2 acres. So that would be a good reason
for the development. And that's all.
Batzli: You initially said you weren't sold on the 40~ but you,ve got a
lot of strengths here that made it sound like you're leaning a different
way. Are you not sold enough on the 40~ that you would vote against the
project the way it currently stands? Do the strengths not outweigh the
40~ for you?
Mancino: I would like to hear some other viewpoints. At this point they
outweigh.
Batzli: Okay. Fair enough. Joe.
Scott: Without repeating anybody. I'm kind of coming at this looking at
how this particular development would fit into the housing continuum that
I see in Chanhassen and we do a really good job of getting poeple into
town who can afford $130,000.00 and up and that doesn't leave a lot of
room for new residents. And where I live, right across the street there
are twin homes and judging by how long they're on the market when they
sell, there seems to be a pretty strong demand for, and I think these are
probably under $100,000.00. $o I guess where I'm coming at this is
something that, this is a piece of property that could be utilized for a
more affordable housing and I'm kind of, I think Ladd and I may be hung up
on the same thing. When we take a look at the impervious surface number
and then say well, for those of us who are concerned with that, looking
for compelling reasons to move off of that very easy to'understand issue
and have the development proceed as proposed. So I still haven't, in my
mind I still haven't seen what are we getting that's unique. What's
interesting. How does this enhance what I call the housing continuum. So
I mean that's what's getting in my way. So I would say based upon what
I've heard right now, I still see the 35~ is the stumbling block.
Ledvina: Generally I would, I also feel that the other outlots, Outlot
and D...I don't think they should be included with this at this time.
This is a difficult issue to wrestle with in terms of affordable housing
and all that. I think we have other opportunities in this area with
Outlot A being designated as even a higher density with R-12 so, and I
look at the overall development so far and I think this arrangement with
Outlot C is going to blend in very nice. And I do think the developer has
added value to this plan beyond what would normally be expected so I'm
going to support it as it's proposed and as staff has recommended.
Planning Commission Meeting
April 7, 1993 - Page 15
Batzli: Thank you. Ladd.
Conrad: I think the developer's done a good job of responding to some of
the neighbors comments and it's good to see the neighborhood supporting. I
think I would too if I had an option of 8 units or 9 units per acre versus
what is being proposed. I think I'd be lobbying for what the developer is
asking for. I 'm struggling, there are a lot of pros and cons. There are
more pros than cons in this one. I think the units are nice. Obviously
when you increase the price by $40,000.00 or $30,000.00 over what it might
have been, you're going to get better units. I think the landscaping is
good. The city may make some money on the taxes. I think the support is
good. The housing type is maybe new for Chanhassen. Negatives is the
impervious surface and the setbacks and what We may call affordable
housing. You set out a zone or a district and you kind of say hey
neighbors, so when people move in you understand there may be some higher
density there and that's what we try to do in some areas. So people can
plan on higher density. And then when the market's not there you sort .of
wonder well, if the market's not there for the higher density, should we
let it go. I guess I don't have a problem letting the higher density go.
Sooner or later we'll have that problem. Sooner or later we're going to
have to find a place because the market's going to be there and then we're
going to surprise a lot of people by changing the zoning. They'll be real
irritated because they bought it before we changed the zoning. Here's a
case where we kind of said hey, it might be higher density. The
developers saying market's not there. As I look at this, it does meet a
need for empty nesters. I can't allow it to set a precedent unless staff
comes back and tells me that 35~ impervious surface is wrong. They're
telling me that it's wrong right now.
Olsen: For this site plan. For this style of homes.
Conrad: You know philosophically, I guess the bottom line is I need staff
to, I need you and Paul, 3o Ann to come back in and tell me why we like
35~. Why 40 isn't right. The logic is, I thought, to have some space for
people to be outside the'ir home. No matter how high we stack them or
whatever, you can go outside and there's a place for you to sit down, have
a lawnchair and a picnic table. That's why Chanhassen sticks pretty much
to the 15,000 square foot lot sizes. We don't particularly don't try to
go under that, even in the development in the PUD. We really have a tough
time going under 15. We're trying to create open spaces where nobody is
and people can enjoy it in common and we're also trying to create space'
for residents. Residential use in your own yard. I look at this and I
say, well when people go outside their house, and this is what I'm
struggling with. When people go outside their house, where do they go?
Maybe they don't care. 8ut with roads and the footprints of the housing,
there's not a lot of space to be in. And that's really what bothers, but
then I'll play the flip side. Will the other 5~ really make.a difference?
10,000 feet.
Batzli: Divide that by 24 units.
Conrad: It wouldn't. If it was in one spot...
Planning Commission Meeting
April 7, 1993 - Page 16
Batzli: But you know where they're going to be. They're going to be in
their backyard if they've got a deck. They're not going'to be in the
frontyard where all the driveways and stuff is and is there enough room in
the backyard to put a picnic table?
Conrad: That's the issue in my mind. What do we think?
8atzli: There's as much room in their backyard as there is in mine, and
I live in a PUD.
Conrad: And what do you think about your backyard?
8atzli: That's where we spend all our time. I don't know-. If you wanted
a bigger backyard, you'd live somewhere else, and I had that option.
Olsen: And there's no children here either. Not that that should matter
but.
Conrad: Why do you say that?
Farmakes: Are you putting that in the ordinance?
Mancino: Well there may be. By the time that they, if they added on the
bottom level, 2 more bedrooms and you've got 4 bedrooms.
Olsen: It's my understanding that children won't be in here but.
Conrad: So the recreation space is on the outside of the property towards
the road.
Batzli: They have as much backyard as I do. Except tha% they're sharing
it with somebody right next door, to some extent. But that makes it
bigger and smaller I suppose at the same time.
Ledvina: I think the access to the public facilities here is pretty good
so that counteracts that situation too.
Conrad: To a degree, yeah. And that's a positive.
Farmakes: I also think with this type of design, it's kind of ambiguous
where front and back is.
Batzli: If there are kids, they'll be in the street anyway. They're in
the street in our neighborhood.
Olsen: Or the driveway. They don't like the grass.
Batzli: If you've got to bounce a ball or ride a bike, they're not going
to be in the grass anyway.
Farmakes: But the agreement does allow for a park close-by.
Conrad: $o why are we so concerned in Chanhassen about 15,000 square foot
lots?
Planning Commission Meeting
April 7, 1993 - Page 17
Olsen: We just discussed that tonight.
Conrad: What is it that compells us to provide every resident with that
kind of space, which Brian I know you're committed to.
Batzli: Yeah.
Conrad: And wanting space for people to be and if we're saying with this
one we don't need it.
Mancino: Well no, the majority of people may, I mean I wouldn't buy in
here because it doesn't have enough space for me. I'm a gardener. I want
land, more land around me. So I wouldn't buy it but I think that there
are some people, and I'm willing to say there are some people that don't
care about that. I don't know what the percentage is.
Batzli: I view it as a visual thing. I view it in this case as I'm
getting enough in trade with increased landscaping and berms and sight
lines that I don't need that additional 50 feet per unit or whatever I get
if I demanded that 5~. I view it as a safety issue. As enough space for
people and a visual thing and in this case I just, I don't know, it
doesn't bother me. · What I would like to do, and I agree with you is,
we've set certain limits somewhat arbitrarily in order to have a limit and
to give guidance to developers. And if we think 35 is the right number,
we should know why we think it's the right number as opposed to 40. And
it shouldn't change based-upon what kind of unit you can build based on 35
or 40~.
Conrad: Right. Absolutely.
Batzli: That's the only thing the troubles me here except that I look at
the other side of the coin and I say, well in this case it doesn't bother
me. They're giving me enough that I can justify it in my own mind and
I don't think I'm setting a precedent unless they're willing to give me
the exactly same things on another lot where they want 40~. And they're
going to have to give me a lot of landscaping. They're going to have to
give me enough sense of openness that you're getting at least as much if
you were buying a single family house in a PUD. Which is what they're
doing here so.
Conrad: Okay. Why are they giving, how are they giving you enough
openness?
Batzli: Well I'm just saying in these backyards it's as much as I have
and I'm saying.
Conrad: All your lot is in the front yard.
Batzli: Well I know but it's around the street so I don't go there so
maybe that's a problem with this design being along Powers Boulevard. But
that's why I don't go in the front yard. Because you feel like you're in
a fishbowl.
Planning Commission Meeting
April 7, 1993 - Page 18
Conrad: The only absolute is in our recommendation, whether it's pro or
con is that, and I think the Commissioners have said it already in point
number 2 here. I'm not willing to talk about the 40~ for the other
outlots. And I guess I thought we asked legal counsel to tell us whether
we set a precedent doing that for the rest, and 3o Ann said we did. Now I
don't know if that.
Olsen: Well within this PUD I think you.
Conrad: No, we can do anything we want within the PUD so 40~ here and 35~
in another parcel in a PUD should not set a precedent. Should not in my
mind but again I'm not a lawyer.
Olsen: With other R-8 districts, simple R-8 districts, no you're not
setting a precedent.
Conrad: Right, right. But I would make that real clear if we did decide
to go along with that. That our intent is not to set a precedent for the
other outlots. The only other question 3o Ann, on point number 7 under
recommendations. We had storm sewer calculations for a 10 year storm
event. Why is that 10 years? I thought we always used lO0 years.
Olsen: It's with a whole new surface water management and I know that we,
at all those meetings that we have, the SWMP meetings, with the new
design, I'm really not the person to be answering this but the 10 year is
now preferred over the 100 year and exactly why I can't.
8atzli: Ladd, that must have been the meeting you and I missed.
Ledvina: If you sized for the 100 year storm, you'd be making 5 foot
culverts all over the place. And when you're talking about just physical
structures, even if they wash out once in a hundred years, the cost of
building that additional sizing is just not worth it.
Conrad: That got by us didn't it?
Batzli: Yeah, I don't remember that.
Conrad: Yeah, well it's understandable.
Batzli: We could just build these houses on stilts.
Conrad: We've had a couple hundred storms in the last couple years and
that can screw up everything you've done for the previous 9 years or
whatever.
Batzli: Don't know how that got in.
Olsen: The 10 year now is what Bonestroo is recommending.
Batzli: This isn't our Best Practices Handbook kind of stuff now? Okay.
Olsen: The 10 year, I can't tell you...but they now come up with the
design and 10 year is what they're proposing.
Planning Commission Meeting
April 7, 1993 - Page 19
Batzli: Did you want to address this?
Greg Hailing: I could answer that question a little bit because I'm an
engineer. The 10 year, like he said, is the pipe design. If you look at
100 year storm and design like swales between buildings and that sort of
thing so it can go over the curb, so it will be deeper in the street, that
type of thinQ, on your bi~ storm. On your ponds normally there's some,
the ponds are sized for 100 year storms but the structures, which is the
pipe leading out is a 10 year. That's what they're referring to.
Batzli: Yeah, and that makes sense then with this condition because what
it's talking about is the storm sewer. Did you have anything else Ladd?
Conrad: That's all.
Batzli: Okay, Diane.
Harberts: I'm going to be supporting staff's recommendation with the
exception of number 2 as was discussed by the other commissioners. I
guess just a general question is, what is affordable housing? There's
current legislation right now down at the State Capitol that will
basically penalize cities if they don't have a certain percentage or
whatever of affordable housing. It could also dictate what roads
will be built and what roads will not be built and 212 is one of those
that may not be built depending on, I guess it's really a question to the
city or whatever in terms of some guidance here. What's affordable
housing?
Conrad: This is not it.
Harberts: No, this isn't it.
Scott: The Met Council will define that. That's the unfortunate thing.
Farmakes: Maybe we can ask the legislators in St. Paul.
Scott: Well it's already to the House.
Harberts: It's on the Senate floor.
Mancino: Where do we have affordable housing? Medium density.
Olsen: Well we're getting some now with the Oaks. Were you involved with
that?
Mancino: Is that the one's across the street from Target, up on the hill?
Olsen: Right. And then the apartment units downtown are affordable.
Batzli: But we can't, other than setting aside some zoned areas, what do
we do? Do we have to build it if we don't have enough?
Olsen: Usually you have to subsidize. That's what's happening with those
two cases. It's being subsidized.
Planning Commission Heating
April 7, 1993 - Page 20
Farmakes: Does the City though become involved in that?
Olsen: The City does get involved.
Farmakes: Should we be involved in specifying market prices of homes? I
don't think so. I don't see where we're.
Conrad: We just have to make sure there are some forecasts to new.
residents who are moving in so they can understand where we might be
tempted to put it so they can make a calculated because when they build,
that there's a chance that affordable housing might be next to them.
That's our obligation.
Ledvina: Just so the Commission is aware, the Carver County Housing 'and
Redevelopment Authority has contacted out city staff and asked to work
with our HRA in seeking out projects for high density and subsidized. So
there are some joint efforts, that are being initiated.
Farmakes= I don't think Chanhassen has been anti high density as far as
apartment buildings. We have some large apartment complexes that are
quite old in the community. The question then becomes though, do we build
a building and there's no market for it. And it won't be the first time
the government has specified that something be built and there's no one to
fill it up.
Conrad: You really want the market demand to be there first. Or at least
I'd like that to be. Yeah, if you took a vote of Chanhassen residents,
not many people are going to ask for high density.
Scott: No but if you look at the reverse commute issue and you see how
many people are working in that part of town or that kind of housing and
coming here to work. So is there a market? I don't know.
Farmakes: There's also, is there precedent though? We get into, we're
getting off the issue here but,
Batzli: Diane, did you have anything else?
Harberts: No..
Batzli: I, on a kind of more technical basis here, I would like to see
our first condition changed to talk about requiring some sort of
homeowners associations in order to take care of the common drive and
outlots to the extent there are any on this property. And condition
number 2, I would like to see Outlots A, B, C and D kind of deleted and
say instead something like, this site cannot exceed 40~. I'd also like to
see a 15th condition which talks about sight lines to the north and to
review the species of trees for salt tolerance, etc but I'm willing to,
you know I'd like to see their landscape designer work with staff just to
make sure that those issues are covered and not need to get into so much
of a requiring what they do. Our knowledge is that we're at the formative
stages I think of our knowledge and that's dangerous. I think the
professionals should be looking at that. You've been to one seminar I
mean .
Planning Commission Meeting
April 7, 1993 - Page 21
Mancino: I mean I've got my list here. I'm all prepared.
Batzli: Anyway, so we're working on that but I appreciate your patience
with us and we have a concern which should at least, I think that
demonstrates our heart's in the right place anyway. On a more big picture
level, I believe that this doesn't set a precedent. I think there's been
kind of a give and take here that at least that would be required in the
other areas, like Outlot D for example where apparently'this developer has
an option. That we would have to see something at least as good as this
before me relax it as we did in this Case. I think in the PUD we're safe
that way and since the PUD doesn't generally apply to an R-8, we're not
setting a precedent outside of the PUD. So I don't see that as a problem.
I think that this development, you know Ladd and I kind of bounced it back
and forth there. What is different about this that makes it okay for me
and I don't know what it is. I can't really put my finger on it other
than I feel that we're getting enough in berming and landscaping and there
is enough area in the back that for people that want to live in this type
of a unit, I think we're giving them enough space. And only time will
tell. If they sell and they're successful and they're well kept for, we
did a good job you know. This is not an exact science. 8ut I think,
looking at this, that it is, they did a pretty good job on this design and
I think they've met a lot of the neighbors concerns and so I'm going to go
with the staff recommendation to go to 40~, although I would like us to
take a look at that in a bigger picture. Not just focusing in on the
microcosm of this development and see if 3S~ is too low and if we're
trying to hold them to too tough of a standard. Or, did we come up with
35~ based on the 3 story kind of thing and if we want R-$ and the 3 story
kind of units to both fit into an R-S, what is the right percentage that
we talk about then? $o, having said that, is there a motion?
Farmakes: ...why don't you make the motion?
Batzli: I can't make the motion. I would certainly entertain a motion
that the Planning Commission recommends approval of Prairie Creek
Townhomes as shown on revised plans with the conditions 1 thru 14 amended
by number 1 reading, change Lot 25, 8lock 1 to Outlot A and homeowners
association By-laws shall be submitted to staff for approval and filing
against the subject site. Number 2 would be amended to read, after the
word coverage of this site cannot exceed 40~. And a new condition 15
.
would read, the applicant shall submit sight line detail for the northern
portion of the development and work with staff to agree on species of
trees along Powers 8oulevard and internally to the project. I'd love to
entertain a motion that said something like that.
Ledvina: So moved.
Farmakes: I'll second it.
Batzli: It's been moved and seconded. Is there any discussion?
Conrad: Can you do what you just did?
Batzli: I didn't make the motion?
Planning Commission Meeting
April 7, 1993 - Page 22
Ledvina: I made the motion.
Harberts: Is this normal precedence that the Chair makes the motion, he
can if that's what's usually been followed?
Batzli: No, the By-laws say I can't.
Conrad: Sure can't.
Olsen: But there's no reason they say that. I mean we can change that.
There's no reason. Next meeting we'll change that.
Batzli: Well, did I make the motion Ladd? Do you think I made the
motion?
Conrad: Yes.
Batzli: I can't withdraw it because I really didn't make i%.
Ledvina: Do you want a friendly amendment?
Conrad: No.
Batzli: Is there any other discussion?
Ledvina moved, Farmakes seconded that the Planning Commission recommend
approval of Prairie Creek Townhomes as shown on the revised plans dated
March 25, 1993 with the following conditions:
1. Change Lot 25, Block I to Outlot A and Homeowners Association By-laws
shall be submitted to staff for approval and filing against the
sub3ect site.
2. Amend the PUD Contract to state the impervious coverage of this site
cannot exceed 40~.
The city shall petition Carver County to vacate any unnecessary
right-of-way along Powers Boulevard (CR 17).
4. The townhome units shall conform to. the design and. architecture as
proposed by the applicant in their attached narrative dated March 24,
1993.
5. The applicant shall enter into a development contract with the City
and provide a financial security to guarantee installation of the
public improvements and compliance with the conditions of approval.
6. The proposed walkway along Powers Boulevard shall be constructed
within the development in accordance to the City's typical 8 foot
wide bituminous trail standards, unless it is to be relocated within
the County right-of-way by Carver County and City.
7. The applicant shall supply detailed sewer calculations for a 10 year
storm event for the City Engineer to review and approve.. The
Planning Commission Meetin~
April 7, 1993 - Page 23
applicant shall construct an interim sedimentation basin at the storm
sewer discharge point (Outlot C). The basin shall be sized based on
contributing area and land use, approximately 0.30 to 0.50 acre/feet
in size. In addition, the applicant shall pay a cash contribution
into the City's storm water management program in lieu of
constructing a retention pond on site for water quality purposes. The
City's surface water management consultant, Bonestroo & Associates,
will determine the cash contribution amount.
8. The applicant shall suppy detailed construction plans for sanitary
sewer, watermain, street access points and storm sewer improvements
for the City to review and approve. All utility improvements shall
be constructed in accordance with the City's 1993 Standard
Specifications and Detail Plates.
9. The applicant shall be responsible for obtaining and complying with
all necessary permits such as MWCC, Health Department, Watershed
District, PCA and Carver County Highway Department.
10. Parking shall be prohibited along Lake Susan Hills Drive ad3acent to
this development, the City will proceed in preparing a resolution
restricting parking along Lake Susan Hills Drive.
11. The applicant shall incorporate the City's Best Management Practice
Handbook for site restoration and additional erosion control measures
during the construction process.
12. A cross access eaesment should be conveyed to all the lots for use of
the private street.
13. Fire Marshal conditions:
a. The marking of fire lane on private and public property shall
designated and approved by the'Fire Chief [pursuant to
1988 UFC Sec. 10.207(w)]. See site plan submitted by Fire
Marshal for exact location.
b. 'INo Parking Fire Lane" signs shall be installed as per indicated
on submitted site plan [pursuant to Chanhassen City Policy
~06-1991 ( COpy enclosed)] .
c. A 10 foot clear space shall be maintained around fire hydrants,
i.e. NSP transformers, telephone, cable boxes, all landscape
trees and shurbs. Pursuant to Chanhassen City Ordinance.
d. Submit a Fire Marshal approved "Pre-Fire Plan", pursuant to
Chanhassen City Policy #07-1991 .(copy enclosed).
e. Add and/or relocate fire hydrants as indicated on submitted site,
pursuant to 1988 UFC Division 3.
f. Fire apparatus access road shall be designed, built and
maintained before and during construction of the townhouse units.
Planning Commission Meeting
April 7, 1993 - Page 24
The driving surface, must meet Chanhassen Engineering
specifications, pursuant to 1988 UFC 10·207(f).
g. Premise identification Policy ~29-1992 (copy enclosed).
14. Building Official conditions:
a. Indicate lowest floor elevations and garage floor elevations for
each house pad on the grading plan prior to final plat approval.
b .
Submit details on corrected pads including compaction tests,
limits of the pads and elevations of excavations to the
Inspections Division. A general soils report for the development
should also be submitted to the Inspections Division. This must
be done prior to issuance of building permits..
C ·
Adjust property lines, building sizes, wall openings or a
combination of all three to comply with the building code prior
to final plat approval·
d. Provide easements for driveways and private roads to a public way
prior to final plat approval·
e. Submit proposed street name(s) for review prior to final plat
approval.
15.
The applicant shall submit sight line details for the northern
portion of the development and work with staff to agree on species of
trees along Powers Boulevard and internally to .the pro3ect.
Ail voted ~n favor except Conrad who opposed and the motion carried with a
vote of 6 to 1.
Batzli: Nas there any other no votes? Okay. And your reasons Ladd?
Conrad: Really the issue of impervious surface and space. Enough space
in this particular design for people. I'm not convinced as we shrunk our
setbacks, I'm not convinced in this design that we have people space built
in.
Batzli: Okay. That's a valid concern. The motion does carry. When does
this go to City Council?
Olsen: It now goes to the City Council on April 26th.
Batzli: Okay. Thank you very much for coming in.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Chairman Batzli so noted the Minutes of the Planning
Commission meeting dated March 17, 1993 as presented.
OPEN DISCUSSION:
8atzli: Jo Ann, did you want to talk to us about this urban wetland
coalition memo at all?
Planning Commission Meeting
April 7, 1993 - Page 25
Olsen: No. It's pretty self explanatory.
Batzli: Okay. Open discussion. Let me just ask this question Ladd.
We're in open discussion. This is our last item and then we can get out
of here. I would be happy from refraining from doing what I just did if
it bothers the Commission. In fact, even if it doesn't bother the
Commission. If even one Commissioners is bothered by what, by me stating
the motion and asking if someone would like to make a motion like that, I
would be happy to refrain from doing that.
Conrad: I think Brian when it facilitates, when you recognize a confused
Planning Commission and you think you can condense it, I think that's real
valid to do it. On the other hand the negative is, it doesn't make us
think about, Planning Commissioners think about making that motion.
Batzli: I would agree.
Conrad: And I think that's real important. Your job is not to, it's our
job to make that motion and your's to make sure we can do it somehow.
So I've said both things but I think in some cases, when you have a good
grasp of the situation, I think you should be, that's okay with me. 8ut
it's really, the Chairman cannot make a motion and that's in Roberts Rules
or whatever.
Harberts: It depends on what the precedence in previous meeting.
Olsen: It's in our By-laws.
Batzli: It's in our By-laws and I don't want to amend our By-laws...it's
been the precedence of this group that the Chair does not make the
motions. The reason that I did it, and this is not to be condensending or
anything else but the group, to a large extent has not had a lot of
activity in making motions such as this and that's why I did it. I was
trying to facilitate. If people don't agree with the motion and want to
change it in any way, they should do that. I'm not trying to ram anything
down anyone's throats other than to kind of go through the motion process
until people feel more comfortable doing it themselves.
Scott: Well in my case, I mean I wasn't particularly nuts about the
situation anyway so I wasn't going to be making the motion on it. But
you're right, because I'll look at some of these things and I'll go, okay
I'll give it a shot. And you kind of go through it and I know where
you're coming from because then in a lot of instances, even when I'm in
favor of a particular item, I find it somewhat awkward to sit down and go,
kind of go through this but I'm always willing to do it because that's,
I think that's causability to go, now what are we really agreeing to here
and I recall one time when I went through that and then you asked a really
good question about something. And then Ladd, and discussed it a little
bit more and I think after going through that effort, we got to be real
comfortable with what we were actually trying to accomplish. $o you
know, I personally don't have a proble~n with if you go and state that.
Batzli: Well I'm going to do it, ~"11 tell you right now, I'm going to do
it very minimally but I thought I had heard a consensus that we were going
Planning Commission Meeting
April 7, 1993 - Page 26
to go on this and when no one really jumped into the fray, I just kind of
did it. So I apologize if it offends anyone.
Conrad: I think I should do it Brian. I guess in this case I wish you
didn't because I was interested in who was going to say what. And I don't
have any, ! have no problem sitting here for 5 minutes waiting for
somebody to do it and I really don't and we shouldn't feel that pressure
to do it. I think it's just a good exercise for us to be thinking about
that. And we have no problem if the motion doesn't get a second. I don't
think people shouIdn't be afraid...
Scott: Or if you're not really convinced enough that something should
happen to make the motion, because I sure wasn't.
Conrad: See that's what the silence was telling me a little bit but I was
interested in who was going to step forward. And it was you.
Batzli: And I wrecked it for you.
Conrad: Mr. Large Lot steps forward and makes the motion.
Batzli: You wanted to get out of here early Ladd.
Conrad: I've got to go but yeah.
Farmakes: I think as a matter of practicality he Just went through, at
the end how he would change the ordinance. It summed up, I thought what
the majority of the opinion was so I didn't see any reason to repeat it.
Other than a technical, maybe we should make an ordinance about this.
Olsen: There's no reason why you can't amend the By-laws. I checked that
with Roger and there's no reason why the Chairman.
Batzli: I don't want to amend the By-laws. I don't want to make motions
but I was just trying to facilitate. Do we have a huge meeting for the
next time?
Olsen: No, but you've got Lake Susan Hills 9th.
Scott: That's a huge meeting.
Ledvina moved, Farmakes seconded to adjourn the meeting. ~11 voted in
favor and the motion carried. The meeting was adjourned at 9:07 p.m.
Submitted by Paul Krauss
Planning Director
Prepared by Nann Opheim