PC 1997 08 20CHANHASSEN PLANNING COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING
AUGUST 20, 1997
Chairman Peterson called the meeting to order at 8:30 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT: Alison Blackowiak, Craig Peterson, LuAnn Sidney and Kevin Joyce
MEMBERS ABSENT: Ladd Conrad, Allyson Brooks and Bob Skubic
STAFF PRESENT: Kate Aanenson, Planning Director; Bob Generous, Senior Planner; Dave
Hempel, Assistant City Engineer; Cynthia Kirchofl] Planner I; Jill Sinclair, Environmental
Resource Specialist; and Phillip Elkin, Water Resources Coordinator
PUBLIC HEARING:
PRELIMINARY PLAT TO REPLAT OF LOTS 1-9, 16 AND 17, BLOCK 1, AUTUMN
RIDGE 2N~) ADDITION INTO 21 LOTS LOCATED AT THE SOUTHWEST CORNER
OF HWY. 5 AND GALPIN BLVD., AUTUMN RIDGE 3RD ADDITION, D.R. HORTON,
INC.
Bob Generous presented the staff report on this item.
Peterson: Any questions by commissioners?
Joyce: The question I have is why they don't need fire sprinklers.
Generous: The building code I believe is the number of units on the lot.
Joyce: So they're not adding anything?
Generous: They're not adding anything. They put the lot line down the common wall between
the back to back units.
Joyce: Oh, okay. So there's not as many units per lot.
Generous: Per individual lot.
Joyce: I see.
Peterson: Bob, we talk about extending the berm, and also as we talk about extending Highway 5
down the road, is that going to be affected at all?
Generous: No. It won't even be close to...
Peterson: Okay. Other questions? Is the applicant or their designee wish to address the Planning
Commission?
Planning Commission Meeting - August 20, 1997
Don Patton: Yes. My name is Don Patton with D.R. Horton. We appreciate the stafl~s support
on this. Just a word of clarification. It is really more of a square footage rather than number of
units in doing this, and by putting a, I don't know what, 2 or 3 hour wall between this, but it
creates a separate entity so it is an accepted method of dividing it. The other reason that this is
important, one of the State Statutes in setting up townhouses and condominiums, there are
different laws and regulations so the 2nd Addition had I think it was 15 townhouses and 82
condominiums in it so this is also a way of clarifying those association documents. Were there
any other questions for me?
Peterson: Questions?
Don Patton: Thanks very much.
Peterson: Thank you. This item is open for a public hearing. May I have a motion to open it so
and a second please?
Joyce moved, Blackowiak seconded to open the public hearing. The public hearing was
opened.
Peterson: This is a public hearing. Anyone wishing to address the Planning Commission, please
come forward and state your name and address please. Seeing none, may I have a motion to close
and a second, the public hearing please.
Joyce moved, Blackowiak seconded to close the public hearing. The public hearing was
closed.
Peterson: Kevin, any thoughts?
Joyce: Ah no. It looks pretty straight forward. I don't see any problems with it.
Sidney: No problem. I'm happy to go along with the staff report.
Blackowiak: No comments.
Peterson: I have no comments either. With that, may I have a motion and a second please.
Sidney: I'll make the motion. The Planning Commission recommends approval of PUD #93-5 for
Autumn Ridge 3rd Addition to replat Lots 1 through 9, 16 and 17, Block 1, Autumn Ridge 2nd
Addition into 21 lots as shown on the plans prepared by Brandt Engineering and Surveying dated
July 18, 1997, subject to the following conditions 1 through 4.
Joyce: And I'll second that.
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Planning Commission Meeting - August 20, 1997
Sidney moved, Joyce seconded that the Planning Commission reconunends approval of
PUD #93-5 for Autmnn Ridge 3''a Addition to replat Lots 1 through 9, 16 and 17, Block 1,
Autmnn Ridge 2"a Addition into 21 lots as shown on the plans prepared by Brandt
Engineering and Surveying dated July 18, 1997, subject to the following conditions:
The proposed extension of the berming along Galpin Boulevard eliminates one tree. This
tree shall be replaced by two conifers with a minimum height of seven feet.
The developer shall execute an addendum to the development contract for the Second
Addition to incorporate the Third Addition.
The applicant shall provide a copy of the final soils report for the subdivision as well as a
copy of the final grading plan for the entire subdivision prior to issuance of any building
permits.
The building designer should meet with the Inspections Division review staff to discuss
design and permit requirements before finalizing building plans.
All voted in favor and the motion carried.
PUBLIC HEARING:
AMEND A CONDITION OF THE INTERIM USE PERMIT TO ALLOW FOR A 32 SQ.
FT. MONUMENT SIGN AND AN 8 SQ. FT. VARIANCE FROM THE 24 SQ. FT.
MONUMENT SIGN REQUIREMENT~ 850 FLYING CLOUD DRIVE~ DICK HENNING.
Cynthia Kirchoff presented the staff report on this item.
Peterson: Questions of staff'?
Blackowiak: Sure, I have one question. There's a statement in here talking about the interim use
Terminating one year after the availability of water and sewer. When is that estimated termination
date?
Aanenson: That's something that will be discussed as part of the comprehensive plan update. The
staging of sewer and water improvements. This area will probably be the last area to be brought
in as far as sewer and water. If you looked at the consultants growth strategy, 2020. Our city
will probably be developed by then. So it could be 10-15 years out.
Blackowiak: Okay, so then it still would be considered an interim use even though it's 10 to 15
years?
Aanenson: Correct. Yeah.
Blackowiak: That's it.
Planning Commission Meeting - August 20, 1997
Joyce: Kate can we, when we make this motion... ?
Aanenson: That's what the City Attorney advised.
Sidney: What are the actual dimensions of...
Kirchofl2 The site plan that was submitted, I think was a general sign. If it is approved, I believe
he said it would be 8 x 4.
Peterson: Part of the frustration that I have is, is the additional 8 square feet going to substantially
change, I mean we're going through a lot of process here for 3 square feet and is it truly personal
opinion of the applicant and then it goes into you know stafl's opinion. Is it big enough? Is it not
big enough? Where do we draw the line? Is it 1 square feet? Kate, you know where I'm going
with this. It's just a matter of, we get these things and we're bending a lot. My preference is to
not bend. But this is the way it is and this is the code and why vary.
Kirchofl2 Staff felt that since it was an interim use and it was on a major highway, 212, that the
applicant, you know stated that people are passing him by and missing the turn so that he felt the
additional 8 square feet would be worthwhile, would be the worth the process to go through.
Aanenson: And as Cindy indicated, because it will be eventually some higher, better use that will
support it... There was an existing sign with the original application... I guess like Cindy said,
because it will eventually be something else in the future.
Peterson: I think it's just putting you guys in a difficult spot. You make a variance for this,
because you always, somebody will always have a reason. It's just a matter of how legitimate it
is.
Joyce: And I'd have to echo that just from the fact that, that's not going to be the sign I assume
because you already said it can't be the sign.., will this is what would have to fit on the sign and it
will only do it, it has to be this size. But they're saying, they just want a bigger sign. I can see
the discomfort. I assume the applicant's going to show us something. This is what we're looking
at here? I'll wait and see.
Peterson: Other questions? May I have a motion and a second to open it to public hearing.
Excuse me. Moving right along, does the applicant or their designee wish to present their
comments to the Planning Commission? If so, please come forward.
Applicant's Representative: ... to be perfectly honest with you, I thought we just wanted a sign. I
didn't realize that the 8 square feet was, we just need something that says on there that our
location is 850 Flying Cloud because at the moment there's no way to know that. People pass us
by constantly. They have no idea what our address is or who we are.
Peterson: Could you state your name and address please just for the record.
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Planning Commission Meeting - August 20, 1997
Applicant's Representative: My home address? 21051 Elkview Circle, Richmond, Minnesota.
Peterson: Thanks. Any other questions for her before she? Thank you.
Applicant's Representative: Okay.
Peterson: This is a public hearing. May I have a motion and a second to open to the same please.
Blackowiak moved, Sidney seconded to open the public hearing. The public hearing was
opened.
Peterson: Anyone wishing to address the Planning Commission, please come forward. Seeing
none, may I have a motion to close the public hearing and a second please.
Blackowiak moved, Sidney seconded to close the public hearing. The public hearing was
closed.
Peterson: Thoughts from commissioners. Alison.
Blackowiak: You can look at this two ways. It's only 8 square feet, which is not a lot of space.
But by the same token, it's going to be there for a long time. Even though it's interim use, we're
talking, if we talk 2020 plus a year, we're talking 25 years that this sign is going to be there and I
don't think that, in my mind that's not interim use. Interim use is maybe under a year or
something. That to me is an interim. I don't know. I don't know if I'm really comfortable going
forward with this increased size because it is going to be there and I think that the applicant really
feels strongly that they need a sign that's going to be larger and to attract customers, that they
need to come back before the Planning Commission with a definite sign plan and let us see
something a little more concrete before we can, before I feel comfortable actually going forward
and approving something.
Peterson: Thank you. LuAnn.
Sidney: I feel somewhat uncomfortable about this. Maybe not so much from the standpoint of the
size of the sign but I felt like I didn't have enough information, really in the packet here to make
any decision and I had questions about the height, the materials, the base. You know materials.
Is it going to be aluminum? Is it going to be wood? What is, you know what is the sign going to
be like and I did not feel comfortable with the information that we have tonight. It just is too
sketchy. I'd like to see more.
Joyce: I feel, we've had variances like this in front of us before where we've turned them down
and they've been a lot more comprehensive as far as materials and exactly what's going to be on
the sign. And right now as we speak we don't even know what the sign's going to say on it. So
if it's not that important for them to show us what's going to be on that sign for that additional 8
feet, it's not that important for me to clear the variance. I'm opposed to it.
Planning Commission Meeting - August 20, 1997
Peterson: Okay. My thoughts are probably the same. I don't think there's a compelling reason to
grant the variance. Enough said. With that, may I have a motion and a second please.
Blackowiak: Okay. I move that the Planning Commission recommend denial of the amendment
of Interim Use Permit #96-2 for an 8 square foot variance from the 24 square foot requirement for
the construction of a 32 square foot monument sign. Do I need to add more or do I, can I let it
go? Okay. That's it.
Joyce: I will second that.
Peterson: Any discussion?
Blackowiak moved, Joyce seconded that the Planning Commission reconunends denial of
an amendment to the Interim Use Permit #96-2 for an 8 square foot variance from the 24
square foot requirement for the construction of a 32 square foot monmnent sign. All voted
in favor and the motion carried.
Peterson: Stafl} are you comfortable with the direction?
Aanenson: Yeah. I think.., reasons.., materials. What they were looking for, address.
Peterson: All right, thank you.
PUBLIC HEARING:
AMENDMENT TO THE CITY CODE TO PROHIBIT ENCROACHMENTS ON
SETBACKS THAT HAVE BEEN GRANTED FOR VARIANCES.
Cynthia Kirchoff presented the staff report on this item.
Peterson: Questions of stafl~
Joyce: The second part of that, no further encroachments are allowed. Is that going to be in there
also?
Aanenson: Right. It's in Section 20-908. Under 5. We put that in bold.
Joyce: Yeah. I got. Just the one sentence then right?
Aanenson: Yeah.
Joyce: Okay.
Kirchofl) The sentence is in bold.
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Planning Commission Meeting - August 20, 1997
Joyce: Oh all right, all right. I'm sorry. I thought you were putting it somewhere else, okay.
Sidney: Why wasn't that a separate point?
Aanenson: Well there's two different ways to handle it and one would be just to make
clarification. Every time that would come up, and every motion to make sure that you say that no
other encroachments could occur. Just to make sure it doesn't fall through the cracks and that's
not left off in ambiguity. We had another one that came up on Lake Riley where actually.., came
down. They were allowed to have overhang and in order to make the second story more usable,
they actually encroach in the setback so again they were kind of given an extra benefit beyond the
variance. And the neighbors felt that they had a freebie on that. So what we're trying to say is if
you're getting relief from the ordinance, you shouldn't allow the additional encroachment, or you
should ask for that. In this instance, which is a bay window and fireplace... The normal setback
line is what we take the measurement from so what happened with the added bay windows and
the fireplaces, it seemed like they were getting additional from the ordinance. Plus it may or may
not.., but that's the way the ordinance...
Sidney: ...tack on variances atthetop...
Aanenson: Well actually I think within the ordinance, she had three or four different approaches
to... and we thought that this would probably be the easiest way to, right at the beginning instead
of at the end. Or actually the original code I think had three or four different... Instead of putting
it at the end we want to make the point in front... And again, we're trying to make it... put in the
ordinance too so I mean when... Cindy was to do a variance request, put it in and not have it in an
encroachment, just in case it falls.., we've got a fallback...
Peterson: Okay. Other questions? May I have a motion and a second to open up the public
hearing please.
Joyce moved, Blackowiak seconded to open the public hearing. The public hearing was
opened.
Peterson: This is a public hearing. Anyone wishing to address the Commission please come
forward and do so now. Seeing none, may I have a motion to close the public hearing and a
second please.
Joyce moved, Blackowiak seconded to close the public hearing. The public hearing was
closed.
Peterson: Discussion. LuAnn.
Sidney: I really don't have any questions.
Peterson: Alison.
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Planning Commission Meeting - August 20, 1997
Blackowiak: No comments I guess.
Peterson: Kevin.
Joyce: I'm just impressed how good you guys are. Fill a loophole with just one sentence. Wow.
Aanenson: Go Cindy.
Peterson: I'm impressed too but enforcing that could be a bigger challenge so with that may I
have a motion and a second please.
Joyce: I'll make a motion the stafl~ excuse me, that the Planning Commission approve the
ordinance amendment set before us. Is that enough?
Blackowiak: Second that.
Peterson: Any discussion?
Joyce moved, Blackowiak seconded that the Planning Commission recommends approval
of Ordinance Amendment to Section 20-908, yard regulations, to prohibit additional
encroachinent once a variance has been granted as presented by staff. All voted in favor
and the motion carried.
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN DISCUSSION-NATURAL RESOURCES.
Sinclair: Thank you Chairman and commissioners. Reviewing the third section of the
comprehensive plan, the natural features chapter, and the good news is that much has been
accomplished in this chapter. Possibly more than was anticipated at the time it was written. Just
from reading it it seems that, it appeared that you know a lot of challenges were based in passing
some of them were, and accomplishing some of the goals but many of them were done fairly
even. And now the challenge is to create a comprehensive.., for the protection and enhancement
of the natural resources of Chanhassen. Some of the things that staff decided that the tree cover
section of the chapter could be expanded. Since we have adopted a tree preservation ordinance,
we have done an inventory. There's been many issues that have come up with development that
have also expanded our wisdom and knowledge of tree preservation and enhancement within the
City. The wildlife section also hasn't been addressed that much. Wildlife doesn't become an
issue too often, but I think it is important that we do consider identifying areas that do have good
habitat and wildlife. Since they are a valuable and important component of the big environmental
picture of Chanhassen. So now I think we've, the City's become more sophisticated in it's
environmental awareness and this entire section could be updated and try to look to the future to
find the next challenges for the next century. Phil has the water stufl~
Elkin: Basically my, what I cover, as you know are lakes, wetlands and creek corridors,
including the Bluff Creek. Most of the goals set forth in the original plan were met with the 1994
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Planning Commission Meeting - August 20, 1997
Surface Water Management Plan. The Plan classified, identified all the wetlands, the larger
wetlands within the City. Classified them as far as their condition. Ultimate developed conditions
were calculated for the city wide in determining the amount of runoff that will be generated. How
much we need to store. What kind of treatment we need to provide for this. We also started a
lake monitoring program and lake management plans were established through this. Shoreline
ordinances were put in place to protect recreational lakes and other water bodies. And the Surface
Water Utility was implemented to fund the program. Now we look to where we go from here and
what the new goals are for the City in protecting our lakes and natural resources. The lakes still,
our target is to continue to look for point source pollutants going into the lake. At the time this
report was done, the concern it was, the concern was failing septic systems and businesses that
were dumping industrial waste directly into the lake. Now it's gone. We've identified those
sources and closed those ofl~ Now we're looking at places where we have storm water pipes
bringing untreated storm water directly into the lake. Trying to reduce the amount of sediment.
The amount of nutrients that these old storm sewer systems are creating. Another goal is
continued public education. We have a number of exotics that have been introduced into the lakes
such as Eurasian Water Milfoil is the most famous one that the State, both the City and the State
are not really sure how to deal with at this time and there's a lot of controversy on that. We also
want to continue our public education on the best way for lakeshore owners, of what they can do
to provide water quality, or ensure water quality, or protect water quality and to make it better by
changing the way they use the lake and how they landscape their yards. And we're also looking
long term at some major restoration projects on lakes such as Lake Susan, Rice Marsh Lake, that
have large amount of phosphorous in them and some drastic measure to get these lakes that
provide you know water quality of these lakes such as alum treatment and those are quite cosily
but the long term goal is to get fish back into Lake Susan and into Rice Marsh Lake so it's not a
major point of nutrient loading into Lake Riley. And bringing those lakes together helps the chain
of lakes and ultimately provides better water quality for Lake Riley. Moving onto wetlands. We
have, if you've read the report, the change in the Wetland Conservation Act now have allowed for
a provision for individual cities or local governing units to develop their own comprehensive plan.
Comprehensive wetland management plan. The requirements for this were met with our Surface
Water Management Plan. That we've identified all the wetlands in the city. We've classified
them and so we're very close to having our own plan approved by the State of Minnesota. And
what this means is that we will no longer need to, we will stand our own. Won't have the State
reviewing all our wetland plans. All our, we won't have to go to State for permits and approval
on our wetland management .... when the State stepped in, or the Wetland Conservation Act, they
implemented stricter regulations as far as wetlands within the State of Minnesota. Now we are,
we can't be any more lenient but if we want we can identify areas that are worth protecting and
evoke stronger regulations and impacts to those and restoration requirements. Another goal of the
comprehensive wetland plan is, in our Surface Water Management Plan we divide wetlands into
four categories. Pristine would be the calcareous fen that are a very important biological resource.
Natural wetlands. Wetlands that have not been influenced by development or farming and that are
in their natural state. Have a lot of natural habitat. Ag-urban wetlands. Wetlands that have
wetland characteristics but have been influenced by the farming or development. And utility
ponds that are basically storm water ponds with new developments. 75% of the wetlands within
the city fall into the ag-urban category and the goal we want to work towards now is to evaluate,
as a sub-category or a rating system of ag-urban wetlands to see which ones are affordable.
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Planning Commission Meeting - August 20, 1997
Which ones are in good condition and which ones are in poor conditions and work on goals
towards restoration of those wetlands. And finally, this fresh creek corridor. We are still working
with the Bluff Creek management plan. Working with the watershed district trying to preserve,
get the watershed district to help us acquire land. To do restoration and the erosion that's
occurring on the blufl~ and to meet our water quantity goals and as far as water quality goals, the
protection of the Bluff Creek. Ground water. Finally ground water protection. We are working
on a plan, we're required to by 1999 to develop our own ground water protection plan. That is in
the works. It's not completed yet but we're hoping to have that by 1999. That concludes mine.
If you have any questions.
Peterson: Questions of stafl~
Joyce: I'd just congratulate you on being picked as one of those LGU's for the comprehensive
wetland plan. I think that's great. Would you be responsible then for that? Is it just the planning?
Elkin: We have a plan. Basically what we have to have now is public hearings and go through
the process of notifying the various state agencies that work.., plan and have hearing dates and a
line of goals. We've been working with the Board of Water and Soil Resources and following the
guidelines of the law to make sure that we're meeting all the goals set out. We're meeting all the
requirements set out by law.
Joyce: If this is approved, then Phil would you be the one that would handle all the requests that
come in from the contractors or whoever... ?
Elkin: Right, yeah. That's pretty much the same. It would operate the same way as now but
right now I have to still notify the Department of Natural Resources, Board of Soil and Water
Resources, Army Corps and get their comments on it, and if they say, I mean they can tell me that
okay this restoration plan is not good enough. We want .5 more acres, but they won't, it's
like.., they'll just get our notice but they won't require any more...
Joyce: Oh, so it sounds like it's good the other way around too where it's just that you know
we're going to, you know.
Elkin: Right, and what it allows us to do is be, you know if we had, unfortunately some of the
short comings I see are wetlands that we have within the city. Villages on the Pond is a good
example of that. Have just formed through activity, you know farming activities, the road
activities, back when they didn't care about that and they're low quality wetlands. They're
located in such locations that there will never be, you know the unrestorable. They're just going
to stay low quality wetlands and it makes us, or you know we have to mitigate that regardless. I
mean how low quality so we still have to treat those where, I think a more reasonable approach is
we identify the high quality wetland. Increase protection around those. You know do the
mitigation there. Replace any wetland, we're taking the low quality 1 to 1 but not go to the
extreme measure of protecting and preserving the low quality wetlands just because they're there.
So it could be better but yeah, I'm happy. We're moving in the right direction.
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Planning Commission Meeting - August 20, 1997
Joyce: So good.
Peterson: As we talk about informing the public, in many ways it's not that dissimilar to trying to
inform the public about recycling. Maintaining water quality. Do you have a plan developed to
begin that process of information and try to get that paradyne shift started?
Elkin: I've started a lakeshore journal for, that would go to riparian homeowners. People who
live on the lake to specifically talk about the condition of the lake. It's information that, you know
recycle but just trying to beat home that this is your, the City is doing this but you also have a
responsibility for, you know because you live on the lake, to work towards water quality. We're
trying, you try to get away from Kentucky Bluegrass lawn all the way and then 50 feet of sand
and then a huge boat dock, huge boat house. We're trying to provide some sort of buff'er before
the lake and reduce the amount of sand. You know you get people think well, do you really need
sand from one property comer to property comer. Are you using that, you replace it you know
every 5 years because it goes, when you replace it it's because the sand is now in the bottom of
the lake. And just keep beating that home. I think that's, and continue our efforts in being visible
and working with the homeowners associations on doing projects related to the lake. Trying to
improve water quality. Because if they, you know iflakeshore owners don't see the City doing
anything, they're not going to do anything. And hopefully we get one neighbor to do it and
they'll...
Joyce: Some way of putting a reward system in there which, lowering property taxes comes to
mind.
Peterson: Give them sign variances or something.
Joyce: But I mean that's, you know that's how the recycling thing did it. You know there is a bit
of a reward for recycling. You don't have as much trash out there and they don't need, yeah.
Sinclair: Additionally, Chanhassen is part of a University of Minnesota research project. They'll
also be doing work on this subject as well. Teaching homeowners how to landscape their yard.
... to use to reduce pollution in their runoff to storm sewers, to wetlands in their back yards, any of
that. And out of that project they will set them up with outreach educational materials for cities
like Chanhassen and you know throughout the metro area to give to the residents so we'll have
help.., as well for this education perspective.
Peterson: You also mentioned that we now have the ability to become more restrictive than the
State. Are there any immediate plans to do that or is that something that we're going to?
Elkin: No. I would first.., getting a plan and I would work up, talk to people. Find some
proposals before it would be reasonable. You know what would be acceptable.
Peterson: I mean the Bluff Creek area would be probably.
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Planning Commission Meeting - August 20, 1997
Elkin: The Bluff Creek, the fen. Any of the remaining natural wetlands would be candidates for
increasing the buff'er zone but again the Bluff Creek plan you know has got all these things
overlapping... Walnut Grove. How could I forget? Little House on the Prairie. The Walnut
Grove development, getting our setbacks from the creek increased and so we're working that
development. You know we're working that way. We've got several different flows so, I don't
know. It would have to be, it'd just have to be very cautious on how we, first thing may be
require further classifying the wetlands. Defining the highest as high quality and a rating system.
I really haven't even thought about how to go about it. I mean thought that much about it.
Peterson: And clearly now would be the time to do that versus having a developer come in
thinking that he's operating, that they're operating under certain restrictions and then all of a
sudden we just change our minds and we want higher setbacks.
Elkin: Right, right. No, that's. We're running into the same thing with Bluff Creek.
Development along the creek. We're letting them know about, they'll ask what are the setbacks
and we'll tell them... Yeah, there's a lot of public education to go along with it.
Peterson: Other questions or comments? Nice job.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Sidney noted the Minutes of the Planning Commission meeting
dated August 6, 1997 as presented.
ONGOING ITEMS:
Aanenson: I just wanted to let you know, on your meeting on the, City Council meeting last
week. Halla was the request for entry, kind of portico was tabled until he gets into compliance
with some of the issues of the stipulation agreement. That has been done to date as far as there
was illegal signs there. The Villages, Building No. 17... materials there. That's going to play into
our discussion as far as what's on the next Planning Commission agenda which I'll talk about in a
minute. And they also approved the final plat for Highover which is Jerome Carlson's plat on TH
41. Tying back to the Villages Building No. 17 which is the office building. The most southerly
office building. There was some concern about the use and the material selected in that. On the
September 3rd meeting the Famous Dave's is coming forward.
Peterson: Go back to, what were some of the.
Aanenson: Stucco. Whether or not stucco was, the amount of stucco and that cut face block.
There was a problem with that.
Peterson: It was felt it was too contemporary?
Aanenson: No. That maybe it should have been more brick. More brick in the building. As a
matter of fact the council did recommend approval of the building with brick instead of the cut
face block on the bottom. The Famous Dave's which will be coming on the September 3rd
meeting to date, it doesn't meet what we believe is kind of the vernacular of the European kind of
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Planning Commission Meeting - August 20, 1997
design. It tends to be more Western flavor so it may not be on the 3rd agenda if we can't, or if it
goes forward the way it is, we won't be recommending approval so... on that. And the Valley
Sales will be on for the September 3rd meeting and then also Villages. That Building No. 4 which
will be a retail building. Famous Dave's and Building No. 4 will both be up ending. The east
comer of that project. Up adjacent to Highway 5 and Great Plains. And then just a reminder in
our first meeting in October, we'll have a work session and I'm planning on having Roger
Knutson, the City Attorney come to that one and just talk about some issues there.
OPEN DISCUSSION:
Peterson: We have a guest this evening. Maybe have some open discussion.
Mayor Mancino: ... to talk to see if you have any questions... I don't know just a few comments.
We're going to be going to the budgeting.., resume this fall. Of course I think October is winter
but anyway. In our work sessions we do every other Wednesday and so we'll be doing that for
the next 2 or 3 months. Looking at different departments and trying to lower our... What have we
been doing? Thank you for the work on the Villages on the Pond. The last office building that
Kate was referring to as far as your comments on outside area.
Aanenson: A plaza. The street plaza.
Mayor Mancino: The plaza, yeah. It's going to be on main street and what is their?
Aanenson: Actually that is Main Street. The main.
Mayor Mancino: That's what they're going to call it?
Aanenson: You didn't get to see that but it was your recommendation that and it turned out very
nice. Some street furniture and some nice landscaping to really warm up that entry. It turned out.
Mayor Mancino: Good. What else have we? Any other questions that you had things we looked
at from the Planning Commission? Questions about.
Joyce: It's been a slow summer.
Peterson: It's been a real slow summer.
Mayor Mancino: It doesn't feel like it.
Peterson: Where are you at with, I really don't think we have anything specific...
Mayor Mancino: We are kind of doing, certainly not at the level that you are, talking about and
going out and visiting the southern part of, as far as how to bring in the MUSA line and some sort
of a, somewhat of a schedule. Timing schedule and looking at it and what that means as far as
water, sewer and financially how that will impact the city. Because we have had some people ask
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Planning Commission Meeting - August 20, 1997
about that. Bring sewer and water from Chaska or from Eden Prairie, etc. And kind o£.. all
getting our development down in the south and so we are as a Council, we've gone out and we're
discussing that more conceptually, philosophically, the details. What else are some of the things
we've done lately? We heard a presentation from the several volunteers that are on the library
board in Chanhassen feeling that our present library needs to be expanded. We're a growing
community. And we'll be talking about that or setting up a task force or whatever. What else has
come up lately in our work sessions... The no wake ordinance. Phillip... a wake ordinance for us
to look at. We've had many phone calls from people who live on Lotus Lake and Lake Riley,
Minnewashta, concerned about the shoreland, the erosion problems. So we are developing an
ordinance about that so we can get to it right away when we are having rains like this year. Have
some sort of policy to follow. And how we enforce it is the other problem. It seems like it's been
very, very busy.
Peterson: Where are you at with the strategic plan as it's defined or as it will be defined?
Mayor Mancino: Well strategically what we're trying to do with our work sessions and the City
Manager, Don Ashworth and I are trying to do it so that our work sessions are now made up of
half the work session is doing things more strategically, from a strategic standpoint. And yet we
still work on issues, things that come along and so that's why we're looking at this lying more
strategically.., different standpoint. From the fiscal, financial standpoint. Sewer and water.
Bringing it in. We still have some questions about where to build the homes and where that goes
into the southern part of the city. So... all sorts of things.
Peterson: Well we appreciate the feedback.
Joyce: Yeah, that's nice.
Aanenson: I had one other item, I'm sorry. We have advertised for a planning commission
vacancy. Haven't had any submittals yet. A couple of inquiries.
Peterson: Consider doing a referral fee or something.
Mayor Mancino: Auto dealership, just to take one second. We have had a lot of phone calls.
Not a lot of letters.., have had two or three and I did suggest to people to write letters versus just
calling. You know putting things down and thoughts... It is also, and I'm sure that you're getting
them too, it's just sitting and taking time and explaining to the process because everybody's
confused about the process and it's almost like, now did we invite these people to apply and how
the process happens and etc. And making sure that they know that there is a staff report for them
to read prior to coming to the Planning Commission, etc. So I can tell you.
Joyce: I was going to say, before the neighborhood meeting, get a couple phone calls, they think
that's the meeting. Their meeting, not ours.
Aanenson: Yeah, we have a neighborhood meeting set up. That will be going out August 27th.
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Planning Commission Meeting - August 20, 1997
Blackowiak: Is that Valley Sales holding that list as well?
Aanenson: Yes. Yes. Yeah. That's all the information I have. I'm sure they'll be sending letters
out again.
Mayor Mancino: And it is.
Aanenson: Wednesday. An off Wednesday.
Mayor Mancino: As you know, it's really helpful as far as I'm concerned, to attend...I mean you
get what everyone says there and I also think on both the applicant and the neighbors knowing
that.., as elected or appointed officials or... that means a lot to them.
Peterson: Thanks again.
Mayor Mancino: Thank you.
Aanenson: That's all I had.
Peterson: Cool. How about a motion and a second to adjourn?
Joyce moved, Sidney seconded to adjourn the meeting. The meeting was adjourned at 9:25
p.m.
Submitted by Kate Aanenson
Planning Director
Prepared by Nann Opheim
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