PC Minutes 11-18-2014
CHANHASSEN PLANNING COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING
NOVEMBER 18, 2014
Chairman Aller called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT:
Andrew Aller, Mark Undestad, Lisa Hokkanen, Kim Tennyson,
Maryam Yusuf, Steve Weick and Dan Campion
STAFF PRESENT:
Kate Aanenson, Community Development Director; Bob Generous, Senior
Planner; Sharmeen Al-Jaff, Senior Planner; and Alyson Fauske, Assistant City Engineer
PUBLIC HEARING:
7/41 CROSSING: REQUEST TO REZONE 5.01 ACRES OF PROPERTY FROM
NEIGHBORHOOD BUSINESS (BN) TO PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENT (PUD);
AND SITE PLAN REVIEW WITH VARIANCES FOR A 4,000 SQUARE-FOOT RETAIL
BUILDING WITH A DRIVE-THRU LOCATED AT 2401 HIGHWAY 7.
APPLICANT/OWNER: SCP PE CHAN, LLC (PASTER ENTERPRISES, LLC),
PLANNING CASE 2014-35:
Al-Jaff: Chairman Aller, members of the Planning Commission. The site is located southwest
of the intersection of Highway 7 and 41. Briefly some background on this application. Back in
1988 the City Council approved the first reading to rezone this property from office institutional
to neighborhood business. At that same meeting the City Council approved the subdivision of
the property into three commercial lots. Lot 1 contains, today it contains the Walgreens building
which is located at the northwest corner of the site. Lot 2 contains the 7 and 41 shopping center
which is a multi-tenant retail building. And Lot 3 contains SuperAmerica which is located at the
northeast corner of the site. In 2008 the City Council approved a site plan for the construction of
Walgreens. They also approved, basically re-facing this multi-tenant building and upgrading it.
They also approved a site plan for a multi-tenant building located where the proposed building is
intended to go. That building was never built. The applicant today met with us and requested
that they put a multi-tenant building again but with a drive thru. In order to accomplish this the
applicant, the City would need to rezone the site to a planned unit development since under the
neighborhood business district drive thru’s are not permitted. They also wish to construct a
3,915 square foot single level retail building. In order to rezone the site to a planned unit
development one of the things that we would need to look at is what is the site guided for under
the Comprehensive Plan and the Comprehensive Plan guides it commercial. Under that type of
use, commercial uses are permitted as well as different types of commercial zoning on the site.
That would make it consistent with the Comprehensive Plan which is a requirement in order to
rezone a property. One of the things that we also need to point out, we have run into very similar
situations as this one with several establishments within Chanhassen. The corner of Century
Boulevard and Highway 5. There is a planned unit development with a neighborhood business
underlying district. The owner of the property requested that they put in an establishment with a
drive thru and under the planned unit development they were permitted to do so. The drive thru
faces the highway and it’s removed from the adjoining neighborhood. With Crossroads of
Chanhassen we, again we have a very similar situation. McDonald’s came in probably about a
Chanhassen Planning Commission – November 18, 2014
year ago and we were able to again amend the planned unit development. With specific
locations and under the planned unit development we’re able to create specific conditions that
would allow something such as a drive thru to work and through the planned unit development
ordinance we’re able to regulate these types of uses. So staff prepared an ordinance and the site
plan that you will see before you is completely based on the ordinance that was written for this
development and approval of the site plan is contingent upon approval of the planned unit
development ordinance. So the proposed building is located along the easterly portion of the site
and it will back up to Highway 41. The building is a one story building. It is proposed to have
potentially two tenants. The first tenant would occupy about 2,500 square feet. The second one
1,415. There is a, under the planned unit development ordinance the development is allowed to
have up to 70 percent hard surface coverage and what the applicant is proposing is below that.
67.9 percent. One of the things that we are able to accomplish with this development is, to
continue the sidewalk connections within this development this is going to allow for a separation
of pedestrian traffic from vehicular traffic. Access to the site is off of Highway 41. You have
full access off of 41 and then a right in only off of Highway 7. One of the other things that needs
to be pointed out is the location of the trash enclosure. It is located southeast of the building but
what is also good about this location, there is approximately 6 foot drop between Highway 41
and this location. As such it won’t be visible as people are passing by it. Materials on the trash
enclosure will be identical to the building. There will be a retaining wall along the easterly side
of the site which is intended to be around 4 feet in height. That will help screen the drive thru.
Also the parking lot is located west of the building and the building will help screen the parking
lot as well. So the building elevations that you see before you, it has pronounced entrances. It
utilizes durable exterior materials. It exhibits articulation. There will be a tower along the
northerly portion of the site. It’s also where the drive thru pick-up window is located. The
proposed materials on the building are what you see along, on the left hand of the site. What we
did was we also pulled up the materials from the 7 and 41 Crossings retail building just to show
you a comparison. So majority of the materials are the same. However there is the introduction
of the cast stone on the tower so there will be materials that will compliment what is out there
but there will also be the addition of other materials that will allow this building to stand alone
and be different. Signage is permitted on two sides of the building only. The west and the east
elevations. A monument sign is also proposed along Highway 41. 6 feet in height. It will utilize
the same materials as the building. Roof top equipment will be screened via parapet walls. One
of the other things that we are gaining with this a patio. Outdoor seating area north of the site
and it will contain some bike racks and benches. We believe that this is a good development. It
will add a nice element to this development and we are recommending approval with conditions
outlined in the staff report and I’ll be happy to answer any questions.
Aller: Anybody have any questions at this point? I guess what I would like to know is, have we
done a traffic study with regard to the potential number of expected visitors or customers for that
size of development?
Fauske: Chairman Aller, a traffic study was not included with this proposal since the zoning, the
land use didn’t really change with what was originally, what was originally approved. In
particular, one thing that did come up during the staff review and you’ll note in the conditions of
approval was the location of the pedestrian crossing across the entrance. Upon review staff and
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Chanhassen Planning Commission – November 18, 2014
the applicant’s engineering consultant have been in discussions as far as where that should be
placed so that we can try to provide the safest crossing possible for pedestrians.
Aller: Anything else? Everybody familiar with the reports and the material so we hear from the
applicant at this point if the applicant wants to come forward. Welcome sir. If you could state
your name and address and representation.
Ken Henk: Good evening. My name is Ken Henk. I’m with Paster Properties. Up until 2
weeks ago we were Paster Enterprises and we recently changed our name. I reside in Eden
Prairie. 15386 Village Woods Drive. Paster Properties, Paster Enterprises started in 1948.
We’ve been in business for more than 65 years. We own, manage and develop retail shopping
centers primarily. Some of our projects that were built in 1950’s are still in the portfolio so
we’re glad to be a part of the Chanhassen community. We take pride in being a good corporate
citizen in the communities where we have shopping centers. We purchased this property in July
of this year. The Walgreens building itself was purchased by another party in I believe in April
of this year and like I said we’re glad now to be a part of Chanhassen. We’re looking at adding a
building similar to the one that was approved in 2008 with the addition of the drive thru. Brady
Bosselman with Sambatek, our engineering consultant is also with me this evening. We’ve both
reviewed all of the comments from the staff report. We’re in agreement with it. There’s a
couple things that need to be worked out and we know we can accomplish that and we stand both
of us for any questions you may have. Thank you.
Aller: Great, thank you. Anything? The report’s fairly complete. I guess the, the big concern I
have in reading the report is there’s the school right next door. It’s kind of a good thing and a
bad thing at the same time because you have a lot of traffic there. You have the possibility then
for parents to bring their kids over and eat or shop or do whatever while there’s soccer going on
and tennis going on and those things or before and after school but at the same time I want to
make sure that the kids are safe so, what kind of thoughts have you given to that?
Ken Henk: That’s a very good question. I’m trying to think if we have a similar situation at any
of our other properties. I’m sure we do. It’s something we’re going to have to look into. Look
into further. Two of the people that work for the company, their kids play at those soccer fields
down there on 41 and they’re well aware of those as well and we’ll certainly address those
issues.
Aller: Great, thank you. Based on the responses or presentation, any other questions? None?
Okay, thank you sir. Anyone wishing to come up and make a comment either for or against the
item can do so at this time. I’ll open the public hearing portion of the presentation. Seeing no
one come forward I’ll close the public hearing portion of the item and we’ll go to commissioner
comments and discussion.
Tennyson: Looks very nice.
Hokkanen: Very familiar with the property so.
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Chanhassen Planning Commission – November 18, 2014
Aller: Yep. The materials and it looks like they’re taking, due attention to traffic and safety and
snow removal and those issues and the nice thing about this is we have a PUD so it does give us
the ability to control some of those items to what we want so, rather than just taking something
that fits the commercial zoning in and of itself. So with that any other discussion? Or I’ll
entertain a motion if someone wants to make a motion.
Undestad: I’ll make a motion.
Aller: Mr. Undestad.
Undestad: The Chanhassen Planning Commission recommends the City Council approve a
rezoning of 5.02 acres from Neighborhood Business District to Planned Unit Development and a
site plan review for the construction of a 3,915 square foot single level retail building with a
drive thru serving a restaurant on 5.2 acres of property located at 2401 Highway 7 and the
adoption of the Findings of Fact and Recommendation.
Aller: I have a motion. Do I have a second?
Tennyson: I’ll second.
Aller: And I have a motion and a second. Any further discussion? Take to a vote.
Undestad moved, Tennyson seconded that the Chanhassen Planning Commission
recommends the City Council approve a rezoning of 5.02 acres from Neighborhood
Business District (BN) to Planned Unit Development (PUD), and a site plan review for the
construction of a 3,915 square foot single level retail building with a drive thru serving a
restaurant on 5.02 acres of property located at 2401 Highway 7, Planning Case 2014-35 as
shown in plans dated received October 17, 2014 and subject to the following conditions
and adoption of the Findings of Fact and Recommendation:
A. Site Plan.
Environmental Resource Conditions:
1.The applicant shall revise the landscape plan to show the existing tree and shrubs in the north
landscape peninsula removed and replaced with an overstory tree and shrubs. A revised
landscape plan shall be submitted to the city for approval.
Building Official Conditions:
1.The buildings are required to have automatic fire extinguishing systems.
2.Building plans must be prepared and signed by design professionals licensed in the State of
Minnesota.
3.Retaining walls greater than four feet high require a building permit and must be designed by
a professional engineer registered in the state of Minnesota.
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Chanhassen Planning Commission – November 18, 2014
4.Detailed occupancy-related requirements will be addressed when complete building plans are
submitted.
5.The owner and or their representative shall meet with the Inspections Division as soon as
possible to discuss plan review and permit procedures.
Engineering Conditions:
1.Topographic plans must be revised to show the benchmark used for the survey.
2.The plans shall show locations proposed for stockpile areas.
3.A soils report shall be submitted to staff indicating soil conditions and permeability.
4.The distance between the southern building corners and the back of curb must be a minimum
of five feet for two-way pedestrian traffic.
5.The following materials are prohibited for retaining wall construction: smooth face, poured-
in-place concrete (stamped or patterned is acceptable), masonry, railroad ties and timber.
6.The plan must be revised to meet Chanhassen Code for standard parking spaces: 9 feet wide
and 18 feet long.
7.The plan must show a single-unit truck turning movements on the drive-thru and a passenger
vehicle using the exit bump-out.
8.The developer’s engineer will work with staff on the locations, markings and signage for
pedestrian crossings.
9.Painted crosswalks shall be installed per the MN Manual on Uniform Traffic Control
Devices.
10.ADA pedestrian ramps must be constructed on both sides of all crosswalks shown in the site
plan.
11.The applicant must demonstrate that the biofiltration feature is functioning per design and, in
the event it is not, must provide a plan for restoring the designed functions and implement the
necessary changes.
12.The applicant must provide an operations and maintenance (O&M) plan for the biofiltration
feature. This O&M shall include a schedule of inspections, inspection forms and a method of
communicating the findings and required maintenance to the city.
Planning Conditions:
1.All rooftop and ground equipment must be screened from views.
2.Sign illumination and design shall comply with ordinance. Signs shall be limited to the east
and west elevations.
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Chanhassen Planning Commission – November 18, 2014
3.The exterior material for the trash enclosure must be of the same exterior material as the
building. Recycling space and other solid waste collection space should be contained within
the same enclosure.
4.A photometrics plan shall be prepared for the site. Light levels for site lighting shall be no
more than one-half foot candle at the project perimeter property line. This does not apply to
street lighting. All fixtures must be shielded.
5.Approval of the site plan is contingent upon approval of rezoning the property to Planned
Unit Development.
A.Rezoning
1.Adoption of the Chanhassen PUD Ordinance, which shall be created to govern the site and
design standards.”
All voted in favor and the motion carried unanimously with a vote of 7 to 0.
PUBLIC HEARING:
TH
610 WEST 96 STREET: REQUEST FOR VARIANCE FOR ACCESSORY
STRUCTURES IN EXCESS OF 1,000 SQUARE FEET ON APPROXIMATELY 4.5
ACRES OF PROPERTY ZONED AGRICULTURAL ESTATE (A2) AND LOCATED AT
TH
610 WEST 96 STREET. APPLICANT/OWNER: ROBERT AND CHRISTIN
BOECKER, PLANNING CASE 2014-33.
Aanenson: Before he starts I did want to point out that we did receive some additional
information that was handed out to all the commissioners so, the applicant may address it but
otherwise if there’s questions to staff we’d be happy to answer that at the end of the presentation.
Aller: Great and for those watching at home I did look at the update and it’s been on the website
since this afternoon as well so it’s there for your use and your perusal.
Generous: Thank you Chairman Aller, commissioners. That was my first material we did hand
out the material that was included today. It contains a petition, a letter and an alternative design
for this project. I would point out that I showed our stable person the alternative design and they
said that that would not work because it’s, for a stable you need to have an enclosed structure so
just for informational purposes. The applicant are Robert and Christin Boecker. The property is
th
located at 610 West 96 Street. This is just north of Pioneer Trail and west of the Great Plains
th
Boulevard, Highway 101. It’s the second property on the south side of West 96 Street as you
come into this development. This property is guided in the city’s Comprehensive Plan for
residential low density uses. That means densities of 1.2 to 4 units per acre or in suburban
standards about third acre lots. Currently it’s, depending on the number, 4.28 to 4.49 acres in
size. The property is in the 2010 Metropolitan Urban Service Area so it could receive urban
services at any time. However it is dependent on the development of the property to the
northwest to serve this with additional sewer and water services. The property is zoned A2,
Agricultural Estate District. In this City’s parlance that’s really a holding category. It preserves
rural character but it doesn’t, it limits the types of uses that can be there and the minimum lot
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