Loading...
12.05.2023 Planning CommissionCHANHASSEN PLANNING COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING MINUTES DECEMBER 5, 2023 CALL TO ORDER: Chairman Noyes called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. MEMBERS PRESENT: Chair Eric Noyes, Erik Johnson, Kelsey Alto, Perry Schwartz, Ryan Soller, Edward Goff, Steve Jobe. MEMBERS ABSENT: None. STAFF PRESENT: Rachel Arsenault, Associate Planner; Rachel Jeske, Planning Intern; Eric Maass, Planning Director; Laurie Hokkanen, City Manager, Joe Seidl, Water Resources Engineer PUBLIC PRESENT: Mark Undestad Eden Trace Corporation, 8821 Sunset Trail, Chanhassen MN, 55317 PUBLIC HEARINGS: 1. AFFINITECH SITE PLAN REVIEW – 2451 GALPIN COURT Rachel Arsenault, Associate Planner, presented an overview of the Affinitech site plan. Commissioner Schwartz asked if the architecture plans submitted match the elements of nearby properties. Ms. Arsenault stated the materials are limited in the development by the planned unit development standards so many elements are similar. Chair Noyes opened the public hearing. There were no public comments. Chair Noyes closed the public hearing. Chair Noyes shared the elements for the landscaping and architecture are appropriate for this area of the city, so he had no concerns. He invited the applicant to come and share comments. The applicant shared this is the last unit to be developed in this area. They are excited to keep Affinitech as a tenant and provide a permanent home for them in Chanhassen. He thanked staff for completing the reports. Vice-Chair Alto moved, Commissioner Jobe seconded that the Chanhassen Planning Commission recommend approval of the proposed site plan located at 2451 Galpin Court in the Chanhassen West Business Park, subject to the conditions outlined in the city staff Planning Commission Minutes – December 5, 2023 2 report and water resources reports and adopts the findings of the fact and decision. All voted in favor and the motion carried unanimously with a vote of 7 to 0. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: 1. APPROVAL OF PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES NOVEMBER 6, 2023 Commissioner Goff moved, Commissioner Schwartz seconded to approve the Chanhassen Planning Commission summary minutes dated November 6, 2023 as presented. All voted in favor, and the motion carried unanimously with a vote of 7 to 0. COMMISSION PRESENTATIONS: None. ADMINISTRATIVE PRESENTATIONS: 1. DISCUSSION ON MAXIMUM LOT COVER PRECENTAGE IN RESIDENTIAL SINGLE FAMILY (RSF) DISTRICT AND SHORELAND OVERLAY ZONING DISTRICT Laurie Hokkanen, City Manager, shared that the City Council has looked at hard cover lot requirements in City Code in working sessions. The City Council set policy direction to increase lot cover to 30 percent in residential and shoreland overlay districts as much as possible. Ms. Hokkanen stated there are exceptions, including planned unit developments. The Department of Natural Resources have made modifications and adjustments for the proposal for the shoreland overlay district lot cover. Eric Maass, Planning Director, shared the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has jurisdiction and needs to approve changes. City staff met with the Department of Natural Resources who would prefer vegetative buffer along the shoreline and made suggested changes to the current language provided in the packet. Chair Noyes asked what was driving the review of the hard cover lot requirements. Ms. Hokkanen shared the review is based on the requests from property owners. The City Council and Planning Commission rarely approve variance requests. There has been an increase in variance requests which has encouraged the City Council to evaluate current rules. Commissioner Schwartz asked for additional information of the vegetative buffers. Mr. Maass responded the best management practice would be offsetting activity for increased perviousness. The Department of Natural Resources wants to see a one-to-one ratio between the lot cover and vegetative buffers to offset increased runoff. Commissioner Schwartz questioned flexibility in the ordinance if a lot line is not straight. Mr. Maass shared the language from the ordinance. The width should not encompass more than 50 percent of the current shoreline, but they are trying to provide flexibility for residents to meet the required square footage. Planning Commission Minutes – December 5, 2023 3 Vice-Chair Alto asked about the long-term impact on the lakes would be if there was 30 percent lot cover on all the properties. Mr. Maass stated many residents do not meet the current limit for lot cover and thinks there would only be a handful of projects in a year that would exceed 25 percent of lot cover. Vice-Chair Alto encouraged the staff to consider the long-term impacts on nature. She stated other cities might make decisions based on lake home ownership rather than what is best for the community and nature. Mr. Maass shared the Department of Natural Resources is providing flexibility to lots created prior to January 1, 1976. Vice-Chair Alto asked what percentage of the lots fell into that category. Mr. Maass answered there approximately 60 percent of lots were created prior to January 1, 1976 and 40 percent of lots were created after January 1, 1976. Commissioner Schwartz agreed with Vice-Chair Alto. He shared the value of vegetative buffer is clear and he is concerned they are not considering best management practices to deal with runoff of lots going into the water. Mr. Maass clarified if an individual wants additional lot cover, they need to provide a vegetative buffer. Vice-Chair Alto asked about maintenance enforcement throughout the homeownership. Mr. Mass shared the vegetative buffer would require an easement to be recorded, posts to be placed at the corners, and an operation and maintenance agreement to be established to ensure the long- term function. Vice-Chair Alto questioned whether there would be a fine if property owners do not comply. Mr. Maass shared they are considering a monitoring program to ensure the vegetative buffers exist and are functioning. Vice-Chair Alto shared her concerns that if the only punishment was a fine, property owners would opt to pay the fine rather than comply with the requirements. Commissioner Goff asked if a homeowner did not want to comply with the requirements if a homeowner could request a variance. Mr. Maass shared a property owner could apply but they could not receive a variance around a process. Commissioner Goff stated there are many odd-sized lots around the lake which has provided the need for variances. He asked if these requirements are meant to eliminate the need to request variances with the Planning Commission. Mr. Maass shared a property owner would possibly need to request a variance for certain reconstruction. The proposed ordinance is for existing homes looking to add additional lot cover. Planning Commission Minutes – December 5, 2023 4 Chair Noyes shared his concern regarding these requirements, providing an example that if a property owner was reconstructing and using the maximum lot cover percentage, it might require additional variances, such as side yard setback. Commissioner Soller asked for a timeline to remind the Commission of the history leading up to this discussion. Ms. Hokkanen shared it started in February with the Planning Commission based on an analysis of the variance requests. In July, the Planning Commission received a proposal for the Shoreland Overlay District to use pervious pavers for five percent lot cover. Commissioner Soller confirmed that there is a public hearing January 16th and that this is a proposed ordinance. If there is a vote that does not pass with the Planning Commission, it is a recommendation against the ordinance to the City Council. Chair Noyes asked if there would be a possibility to separate the Shoreland Overlay District and the residential single-family district would be separate voting matters on January 16. Mr. Maass confirmed this information. Commissioner Schwartz asked why there was an interest in pervious pavers, as over time they become impervious. Ms. Hokkanen stated this is a City Council driven issue and introduces additional options along with pervious pavers for lot cover, such as rain gardens or rain barrels. 2. CIVIC CAMPUS PROJECT UPDATE Laurie Hokkanen, City Manager, shared an overview of the Civic Campus Project Update. There will be an open house next Tuesday, December 12, from 4 to 6 PM in the Senior Center. She reviewed the locations and uses of the buildings and discussed the complimentary architectural materials implemented throughout the Civic Campus. Commissioner Schwartz asked about ADA compliance and ramps near the pavilion. Ms. Hokkanen shared that there are ADA options to access every route. She shared there is consideration to implement an elevator, but this is budget dependent. They have received multiple price quotes on the elevator and are trying to clarify the costs. Commissioner Schwartz asked about trees throughout the site. Ms. Hokkanen shared there are high priority areas where they will invest in more mature trees, and they are prioritizing pockets for greenery. Commissioner Schwartz encouraged consideration of lighting in the bandshell for the performers. He also asked if the furniture would be secured so individuals cannot walk away with the furniture. Ms. Hokkanen shared this information is not yet finalized. Planning Commission Minutes – December 5, 2023 5 Vice-Chair Alto asked where the farmer’s market would be located. Ms. Hokkanen reviewed options for the location, including the main parking lot or the green space. They are including power options in both places for the farmer’s market or food trucks. Commissioner Jobe questioned if there would be security cameras and asked if there would be a staff member who would oversee the rentals of spaces and equipment. Ms. Hokkanen shared they do not envision there being a full-time manager for this site. She shared outdoor yard games are popular parks and they will continue to investigate options for equipment use. She confirmed there would be security cameras. Commissioner Soller asked if this space would be subject to traditional park closing times and if the fireplace areas would be gas and push-button operated. He asked if there would be a possibility to expand public Wi-Fi options so individuals can use the seating to work. He shared newer playgrounds are often geared towards children with different types of abilities and asked if this playground would fall into this category. Ms. Hokkanen shared the playground would not be the top option for accessibility due to space constraints. She confirmed the fire pits would be open to public use before the 10 PM park closing. She answered the Wi-Fi options are budget dependent, but they are considering these options. Commissioner Soller asked how close these images are to the final design and wondered about a targeted grand opening. Ms. Hokkanen shared they are close. They are having a construction manager look through the plans prior to opening the plans to bid. She said they are currently in the cost estimate phase. There is a goal to complete the plan by July 2025. Commissioner Schwartz questioned how the project is being funded. Ms. Hokkanen answered the project is being funded by levy-dollars and they are issuing general obligation debt for the project. There will be a 6.5 to 7 percent levy increase over the course of multiple years. Commissioner Schwartz shared concerns about rollerbladers, families walking, and strollers using the same concrete walk and encouraged city staff to take these concerns into consideration. Eric Maass, Planning Director, communicated that Xcel Energy is reviewing the plans to ensure the building is energy efficient and meets rebate options. Commissioner Schwartz asked if there were plans for solar panels. Ms. Hokkanen shared the building would be solar-ready and installation would be dependent on budget. There would also be sections for car-charging dependent upon budget. CORRESPONDENCE DISCUSSION: Planning Director Maass updated the Commissioners, noting that Bob Generous would be retiring in January 2024. He celebrated 30 years with the City in September 2023. ADJOURNMENT: Planning Commission Minutes – December 5, 2023 6 Commissioner Jobe moved, Vice-Chair Alto seconded to adjourn the meeting. All voted in favor and the motion carried unanimously with a vote of 7 to 0. The Planning Commission meeting was adjourned at 7:12 p.m. Submitted by Eric Maass Planning Director