24-02 CC signed FOFCITY OF CHANHASSEN
CARVER AND HENNEPIN COUNTIES, MINNESOTA
FINDINGS OF FACT
AND DECISION
Application of Chanhassen Civic Campus Preliminary Plat, Site Plan Review and Rezoning.
On March 19,2024,Ihe Chanhassen Planning Commission met at its regularly scheduled
meeting to consider the application ofChanhassen Civic Campus for an ordinance rezoning from
Office Institutional District to Planned Unit Development District - Central Business District,
PUD, preliminary plat, and site plan review. The Planning Commission conducted a public
hearing on the proposed rezoning, preliminary plat, and site plan review was preceded by
published and mailed notice. The Planning Commission heard testimony from all interested
persons wishing to speak and recommended approval ofthe requested rezoning, preliminary plat,
and site plan review based upon the city ordinances in effect at the time. On April 15, 2024, the
Chanhassen City Council met at its scheduled meeting to consider the applications referenced
above and based upon the ordinances currently in place the City Council makes the following:
On February 16,2023,the City received a land use application for property legally
described as Schneider Park Second Addition, Lot l, Btock I . Schneider Park Second
Addition, Lot 2, Block l . S 204.98' ofB 424.72' of E 990' of SW % SW % ("Property")
for the fbllowing:
A. A proposed rezoning from Offrce Institutional District to Planned Unit
Development District - Central Business District, PUD;
B. A preliminary plat application for a 4 lot subdivision for Chanhassen Civic
Campus;
C. A site plan review for the construction of two government services buildings
prepared by BKV Croup and dated February 13,2024.
2. The property is cunently zoned Offrce Institutional District.
3. The property is guided by the Land Use Plan for Public, Semi-Public Use; Central
Business District Category.
IN RE:
FINDINGS OF FACT
Rezoning Request
Preservation of desirable site characteristics and open space and protection of
sensitive environmental features, including steep slopes, mature trees, creeks,
wetlands, lakes and scenic views.
Finding: The planned unit development preserves the desitable open spaces within
the property.
b. More efficient and effective use of land, open space and public facilities through
mixing ofland uses and assembly and development of land in larger parcels.
Finding; The planned unit development uses land more elfectively through the
placement of structures that would not be allowed in the Central Business District
Code.
High quality ofdesign and design compatible with surrounding land uses, including
both existing and planned. Site planning, landscaping and building architecture
should reflect higher quality design than is found elsewhere in the community.
Finding; The planned unit development Provides higher quality architecture with
significant design features that would not meet the Central Business District Code
d. Sensitive development in transitional areas located between different land uses and
along significant corridors within the city.
Finding: The planned unit developmenl o.ffers sensitive design in transitional areas to
surrounding dffiring land uses.
Development which is consistent with the comprehensive plan.
a
c
e
Finding. The planned unil dewlopmenl is consistent with the comprehensive plan.
f. Parks and open space. The creation of public open space may be required by the city
Such park and open space shall be consistent with the comprehensive park plan and
overall trail plan.
4. The Planned Unit Development ordinance directs the City to consider nine improvements in
quality ofthe development. The nine (9) improvements and our findings regarding them are:
Finding: The planned unit development provides expansive open space with amenities
to the public.
g. Provision of housing affordable to all income groups if appropriate within the PUD.
Finding: This improvement is not applicable to this developmenl as it does nol
provide housing.
h. Energy conservation through the use of more efficient building designs and sightings
and the clustering of buildings and land uses.
Finding: The planned unit development ffictively conserves energy through efficient
design and clustering.
Use of traffic management and design techniques including the provision of transit
and pedestrian linkages to reduce the potential for traffic conflicts. Improvements to
area roads and intersections may be required as appropriate. Where appropriate, the
use of transportation demand management strategies may be required within a
project.
Finding: The planned unit development provides ample pedeslrian linkoge for ssfe
and effective use of the property, as well as improvements to the vehicular areas
within the site.
Preliminary Plat Rpquqs!
5. The subdivision ordinance directs the City to consider seven possible adverse effects ofthe
proposed subdivision. The seven (7) effects and our findings regarding them are:
The proposed subdivision is consistent with the zoning ordinance including the
Central Business District lot standards:
Finding: The proposed subdivision proposes lots which adheres to the minimum
requirements required by the Cenlral Business District zoning standards.
b. The proposed subdivision is consistent with all applicable city, county and regional
plans including but not limited to the city's comprehensive plan;
Finding; The proposed subdivision as shown complies with the city's comprehensive
plan as well os applicable city plans
a
c The physical characteristics ofthe site, including but not limited to topography, soils,
vegetation, susceptibility to erosion and siltation, susceptibility to flooding, and storm
water drainage are suitable for the proposed development;
Finding: Based upon plans submitted to the city, the site characteristics including but
not limited to topograplry, soils, vegetation, erosion and Jlooding susceptibility and
stormwdter droinage are suilable for lhe proposed development
d. The proposed subdivision makes adequate provision for water supply, storm drainage,
sewage disposal, streets, erosion control and all other improvements required by the
subdivision ordinance, Chapter 18, and Water, Sewers and Sewage Disposal, Chapter
t9l'
Finding: The subdivision as proposed has adequate provisions for waler supply, storm
drainage, sewage disposal, streets, erosion control and all other improvements required
by chapter 18, subdivision ordinance, and Waler, Sewers, and Sewage Disposal outlined
in chapter 19.
The proposed subdivision will not cause significant environmental damage;
Finding: The proposed subdivision will not have adverse impacts causing significant
environmental damage.
f. The proposed subdivision will not conflict with easements of record; and
Finding: The proposed subdivision does not creale conflicts wilh existing easements of
record.
e
ll.
iii.
iv.
The proposed subdivision is not premature. A subdivision is premature ifany ofthe
following exists:
Lack of adequate stormwater drainage, which are available and being installed
with the development.
Lack of adequate roads. Access is to an existing, collector public street
Lack ofadequate sanitary sewer systems, which is available to the development.
Lack ofadequate off-site public improvements or support systems.
Finding; The proposed subdivision is not premature as il provides adequate stormwater
drainage, adequate accessibility and availability ofroads and sanitary sewer systems to
lhe developmenl as well as offsile support systems.
6 Applicant has requested approval ofthe site plan dated February 13,2024, prepared by BKV
Group.
Site Plan Request
7 The zoning ordinance directs the City to consider nine possible adverse effects ofthe
proposed site plan. The nine (9) effects and our findings regarding them are:
a) Is consistent with the elements and objectives ofthe city's development guides,
including the comprehensive plan, official road mapping, and other plans that may be
adopted.
Finding: The site plan is consistent with the elements and objectives oJ the city's
development guides, comprehensive plan, and ofiicial road mapping.
b) Is consistent with the site plan review requirements.
Finding: The site plan is consistent v)ith the site plan review requirements.
c) Preserves the site in its natural state to the extent practicable by minimizing tree and
soil removal and designing grade changes to be in keeping with the general
appearance ofthe neighboring developed or developing or developing areas.
Finding: The existing site is not in a natural state currently that requires
preservotion. The existing nalural resources ore a manicured installment from the
pr ev io us construct ion proj e c I s.
d) Creation of a harmonious relationship of buildings and open spaces with natural site
features and with existing and future buildings having a visual relationship to the
development.
Finding: The proposed design creales a harmonious relationship between existing
buildings lhat shall remain, nalural site features, and proposed landscaping.
e) Creates a functional and harmonious design for structures and site features, with
special attention to the following:
Finding; The proposed site plan does creale an inlernol sense of order./br the
buildings and uses on lhe sile lhrough the balance ofopen space, landscaping,
material applications, and circulation .for pedeslrians and vehicles
i. An intemal sense oforder for the buildings and use on the site and provision ofa
desirable environment lor occupants, visitors and general community;
ii. The amount and location ofopen space and landscaping;
iii. Materials, textures, colors and details ofconstruction as an expression ofthe
design concept and the compatibility ofthe same with adjacent and neighboring
structures and uses; and
iv. Vehicular and pedestrian circulation, including walkways, interior drives and
parking in terms of location and number ofaccess points to the public streets,
width of interior drives and access points, general interior circulation, separation
of pedestrian and vehicular trallic and arrangement and amount of parking.
f) Protects adjacent and neighboring properties through reasonable provision for surface
water drainage, sound and sight buffers, preservation of views, light and air and those
aspects ofdesign not adequately covered by other regulations which may have
substantial effects on neighboring land uses.
Finding; The site plan as proposed does prolect adiacent and neighboring properties
for surface waler drainage, sound and sight buffers, preservation of views, light and
qir that could have subslantial ffias on neighboring land uses.
g) Mthin the HC districts, consistency with the purpose, intent and standards of the HC
districts.
Finding: The proposed site plan is not v)ilhin lhe Highway Corridor District
h) Within the BCO district, consistency with the purpose, intent and standards of the
BCO district.
Finding; The proposed site plan is not within the Bluff Creek Overlay District
i) Maintain an acceptable road system level of service.
Finding: The proposed plan does not affecl the road system level ofservice and
inlernally in the site improves upon items that could affect lhe road system, such as
par king and pede s lr ian c irc ul at ion.
8. The staff report presented to City Council on Aprit 15l&,2024,and prepared by Eric Maass
is incorporated herein.
The City Council approves the proposed rezoning, preliminary plat, and site plan revtew
based on the findings offact included herein, and subject to the conditions of the staff report.
ADOPTED by the Chanhassen City Council trris I 5 aay of A7'r I )011
CHANHASSEN CITY COUNCIL
BY:
Its Mayor
BY:
Its City Manager
DECISION