PC 2015 08 18
CHANHASSEN PLANNING COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING
AUGUST 18, 2015
Chairman Aller called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT:
Andrew Aller, Mark Undestad, John Tietz, Nancy Madsen, Lisa
Hokkanen, and Maryam Yusuf
MEMBERS ABSENT:
Steve Weick
STAFF PRESENT:
Kate Aanenson, Community Development Director; Drew Ingvalson,
Planner; and Alyson Fauske, Assistant City Engineer
PUBLIC HEARING:
3892 LONE CEDAR LANE VARIANCE, PLANNING CASE 2015-20: REQUEST FOR
VARIANCE TO 75 FOOT SHORELAND SETBACK TO ALLOW FOR THE
EXPANSION OF A RETAINING WALL ON PROPERTY ZONED SINGLE FAMILY
RESIDENTIAL (RSF) AND LOCATED AT 3892 LONE CEDAR LANE (LOT 2, BLOCK
1, TROLLS-GLEN FIRST ADDITION). APPLICANT/OWNER: RYAN & TINA
JOHNSON.
Ingvalson: Alright thank you very much Chairman. This one like you said is an expansion of an
existing non-conformity and as you said it’s at 3892 Lone Cedar Lane. This property is right off
of Lake Minnewashta and is in the shoreland district. 1977 the City first adopted the shoreland
chapter as authorized by Minnesota statute so this property needs to follow that. This is an
image of the property from the lakeshore. In 1982 the subject property was granted a 11.23 foot
front yard setback variance and a 7,500 square foot lot area variance. The property was
constructed in 1983. The structure was built at this time and it is assumed that these retaining
walls that you see here on the lower part and on the upper part were constructed around that
same time. However there is not any city record of when they were constructed because at that
time the City did not require any building permit for a retaining wall that was under 4 feet tall so
we’re not exactly sure what time these were constructed but sort of assume that it was
constructed around the same time the house was built. If you’re looking at those retaining walls
the top retaining wall up here is 4 feet tall and then the bottom retaining wall is also 4 feet tall.
The bottom retaining wall is 33 feet away from the ordinary high water level and the upper
retaining wall, which is quite a bit up a steep hill is 55 feet from the ordinary high water level.
The property owner is requesting a variance to demolish 2 existing retaining walls that you were
shown earlier that encroach into the shoreland and bluff setbacks and is looking to replace them
with new retaining walls, one of which expands on existing non-conformity. So the existing
non-conformities that we have on the property, if you look on the image to the left, the red dotted
line is the 75 foot shoreland setback. The 2 retaining walls that are currently existing are in blue.
Here is the top retaining wall and then the bottom retaining wall is within this green area and
there’s a blue line underneath there. They both are within that shoreland setback. The 2
retaining walls also encroach into the 30 foot bluff setback. The bluff setback, the bluff area is
seen in this orange color here and would go out 30 feet, which both then encroach into. The
Chanhassen Planning Commission – August 18, 2015
proposed project that is in front of us today is to demolish both of these 2 blue retaining walls
you see here. Also this walkway that goes down. Connects the upper level to the bottom level
by the shoreland. To replace it with 2 new retaining walls, one of which will be a retaining wall
in the exact same place, which will be the same size and location as existing retaining wall which
will be the lower retaining wall here. The applicant is also looking to put in a proposed shed.
This proposed shed will meet all requirements from the city. It will be considered a water
oriented structure. It will require an encroachment agreement but that will be something that
staff is already looking at and will not require a variance. The walkway also, this middle
walkway will be demolished and instead will have a walkway that goes along the south side of
the retaining walls. The upper wall is where a lot of the change is going to occur. The height of
the upper wall is going to increase from 4 feet, which is this retaining wall here, to the bottom
wall here which is going to be 12 feet. The location will be moved closer to the shoreland as you
can see and this is what will require a variance. It will also require a variance from an expansion
on the non-conformity of being within the bluff area because it will be taller than the existing
retaining wall. The main stated reason by the applicant for this alteration to the retaining walls is
to increase the yard space. Looking at this image here the dark green area is existing yard space
that the applicant has. The light green area is what would be obtained through this expansion.
The longest distance from the house to the current retaining wall is 24 feet. The applicant is
looking to expand this out to 34 feet. The shortest area on this image is 15 feet from the
structure and what they’re looking to is expand it out to 26 feet. One of the stated, other stated
concerns by the applicant for doing this remodel overall is for safety reasons. Looking at this
image to the left, this is the stairway that you can see the wall is, I’m not sure if you can tell in
this image but it’s definitely giving on that side and starting to give from some of the weight of
the earth on the other side. It’s also beginning to deteriorate as you can see on these two other
images off to the side. It’s made of timber right now so it is deteriorating rather rapidly and
definitely needs to be replaced. However it should be noted that the variance is not required for
to increase the safety of this. It could be done in the same place that it currently is without a
variance for it because they’d just be replacing and maintaining what they have. Another
concern with this variance request is the preservation of a tree that is located on the adjacent
property. It is located to the north. The subject property is here and the subject tree is located
right in this area. It is a white oak tree and one of the major concerns of that is that a lot of the
work that’s going to be done around here is going to, around this retaining wall will possibly be
detrimental to the tree. About 25 to 50 percent of the roots are located, are most likely located
on the subject property in this area and also, let’s see here. So to help stop some of the
detrimental effects of this staff has come together with some measures to protect the tree’s health
and also the soil in this area. One of the first things would be to use construction mats in the
construction area. This would reduce some of the compaction of the soils in this area and would
be very helpful to the roots that are on the subject property. Also minimizing the grading
changes to the absolutely minimum possible. Not making them any more drastic than need to be.
Then also covering the area with wood chips instead of sod for a finish. That will help some of
the root re-growth in this area and help facilitate that. Then lastly providing good care of the tree
area during construction. Just watering while, if there’s any droughts in the area. If there isn’t
too much rain during that time period of construction. So the tree preservation condition of
approval for this would be that the applicant shall work with staff to ensure reasonable efforts
shall be made to protect the oak located on the north of the upper wall and possible root area
during construction. This was also reviewed for shoreland management. One of the main points
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of the shoreland management is really two fold. One is actually to protect any natural
environment in the area through reducing runoff and erosion but another element of that is also
to protect the view scape from the public waters of Lake Minnewashta or any other public water.
To help do this the staff has proposed that there would be some vegetation planted in this middle
tier area to help number one, reduce runoff and then also to help with the view scape of this 12
foot wall to screen some of that from the public area. Currently looking at the image in the
bottom left there are rocks in the area which are not helpful and actually very detrimental to the
runoff in the area. It pushes, helps push the water going down the slope faster and is just, pushes
more erosion in the area. Having some plantings in this area, specifically some deep rooted
vegetation would help with some of that runoff in this middle area and then also would help
screen that 12 foot wall. Here’s the drainage plan for the proposed project. The drainage will
run from this area over into the center of the retaining wall and there will actually be a drainage
path through the retaining walls and eventually out to Lake Minnewashta. Currently drainage
goes off to the sides of the property which is actually fairly detrimental with the steep slopes in
that area and there’s a lot of, it’s very erosive to the soil in that area. For the character of the
neighborhood there has been multiple variances granted within the area but none of them have
been for a shoreland setback. There was one request that was denied. Other than that the other
approved variances were for bluff setbacks, lot size requirements, front yard setbacks and for
access off of a public street, or off a private street, excuse me. However there are other
characteristics of this neighborhood that should be addressed, mainly that there’s a lot of
properties in this area that have retaining walls within that 75 foot shoreland setback noted by
staff when we went out on the site. The 2 adjacent properties both have retaining walls that are
within that same area. There hasn’t been a note of how tall any of these retaining walls or
anything of that but it’s fairly, easy to assume that a lot of these retaining walls were done during
that period where the City did not require for retaining walls to come in that were 4 feet tall or
under. Here’s the retaining wall design. It’s going to be constructed out of granite blocks so this
is material will be a lot sturdier than the timbers that are currently there and looking here it will
be 12 feet tall. Staff has recommended that the Board of Appeals and Adjustments approve the
shoreland setback and bluff setback variance request as shown on plans provided Hawkins Tree
and Landscaping dated July 16, 2015 with conditions from the staff report and adopts the
attached Findings of Fact. Here are the conditions if you’d like to look at them and at this point
in time that concludes the presentation and I’m open to any questions that you might have.
Aller: Okay, any questions?
Tietz: Commissioner.
Aller: Commissioner Tietz.
Tietz: Drew I noticed on that slide that showed the construction or the cross section of the
retaining wall.
Ingvalson: Absolutely.
Tietz: That appeared to be a concept because it said that they are not structural engineers and
that you’d need a structural engineer to produce the final design. Has that been done?
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Chanhassen Planning Commission – August 18, 2015
Aanenson: I’ll let Alyson answer that question.
Fauske: Excellent question Commissioner Tietz. With the upper retaining wall being in excess
of 4 feet high they do have to get a building permit. As such the plans for that wall has to be
designed by an engineer registered in the State of Minnesota and signed by that engineer.
Typically drainage behind a retaining wall that size is included in that plan so there will be an
engineer that would have to sign off on the final drainage plan for the wall.
Tietz: Good, thank you.
Fauske: You’re welcome.
Aanenson: Just to look to that, that is condition number 5 in the staff report that they would have
to get that engineered. Yep.
Tietz: Yeah.
Hokkanen: Are they required then to have some kind of a fence or some kind of barrier from
that, anything over 4 feet?
Fauske: Typically when we have a retaining wall next to a public travel surface, a sidewalk, a
road, that sort of thing, they’re certainly encouraged to do something like that. A landscaping
feature to kind of keep people, you know small children away from the edge of that retaining
wall but our code is for anywhere near a public traveled way.
Aanenson: I would say also it may impact if it was on a neighboring property. This is all on
their own property.
Hokkanen: So then it doesn’t.
Aanenson: Yeah. Yeah so if it would maybe abutting another neighbor’s property so in this
circumstance you’d have the 12 feet. Then you have that area that we were recommending they
landscape then you’ve got that wall that they’re replacing so it’s all on their private, so it’s kind
of their own risk as.
Hokkanen: Okay.
Aller: Have we recommended the type of landscape that we would put next to that wall? We’re
looking at 12 feet. Can we put a small overstory tree or understory tree?
Ingvalson: So we have from our conditions we had number 2 there, the specific condition I’ll
read off is that the middle tier shall be planted with native deep rooted vegetation that will
provide the water quality and ecological benefits and acts to screen the wall as viewed from the
lake within 14 days of completion. We have there is it going to be vegetation ornamental trees
we required and the one thing that we did have in there is a specific condition was that it shall be,
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the area cover shall be no less than 85 percent. Nothing specific with types of plantings. That’s
something we’d probably be working out as we move forward with it, if this was approved.
Aanenson: When they would submit their building permit we would ask them to subject the
landscaping plan too.
Aller: And is the oak on city right-of-way or is it on private property?
Ingvalson: Private property.
Aller: Their’s or neighbors?
Ingvalson: Neighbors.
Aller: Okay so they would have to deal with the neighbors.
Aanenson: The neighbors have met on site with the City Forester so we’ve had discussions
about, it’s a civil matter but we are trying to use best practices. Both neighbors are in
concurrence of that and have taken inventory and status of the tree so they’re both monitoring
that during construction period.
Aller: Okay. And then on drainage and runoff, is there a benefit to having the piping come
through the center of the property as opposed to the side yard? It seems to me that if it’s slowed
down by the natural flow on the yard, even though that there’s some erosion. That’s not as fast
of runoff so you wouldn’t have a lot of the nutrients and other things pouring into the lake, is that
something that we’re looking at?
Fauske: Well typically you do want drainage to follow the natural lay of the land. That being
said there’s a lot of, there’s very steep slopes on this property so when you get slopes that see the
velocity of the water is conducive for erosion on the property so the benefit of having the
drainage feature that goes through the middle of the property is, the intent is to try not only
gather some of that water but get it to that area inbetween the upper tier and the lower tier and
then with the natural vegetation it’s taking some of that runoff and pulling it out. It’s using that
to feed and get the deep root so that you’re getting some of the natural absorption into the plant
material versus direct runoff towards the lake.
Aller: Okay, thank you. Any additional questions at this time? Commissioner Madsen.
Madsen: Would it be more favorable for the tree if the retaining wall stayed in it’s current
location?
Ingvalson: Either way with this project that’s going to be done here, if they do construct a
retaining wall in that same place they will need to do construction in that area so you’re looking
at a situation where there’s going to be work done there either way. Really what we’re looking
at is trying to mitigate any of those negative issues that we’d have there. There will be a
potential change in grade in that area that we would hope that we could minimize.
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Madsen: Okay. And the neighbor who has the tree, is that neighbor in favor of this proposed
change?
Ingvalson: I believe they had signed a document stating that they were in favor but I would have
to check first. The property owner at 3898, Pam and Terry Johnson have signed and I have a
document in here saying they were in favor of this. They have not stated anything they would
change their minds since the previous talks they’ve had with staff.
Madsen: Okay.
Aanenson: I’d just mention that the City Forester did meet with both owners out there so. I
think they’re both working hard to make sure they save that.
Madsen: Thank you.
Ingvalson: Absolutely.
Aller: And for the record of those individuals at home there are a number of letters in support
from the neighbors up and down Lone Cedar Lane that can be viewed on the website. Any
additional questions?
Aanenson: This is a public hearing so we have to open.
Aller: Yes we’ll open the public hearing. We don’t have the applicant here so we’ll open the
public hearing and anyone wishing to speak either for or against the item can do so at this time.
And seeing no one come forward my guess is that they feel that the letters that have been
attached to the package have stated their ascent to the request as indicated in the package and I’ll
close the public hearing at this point in time and open it up for discussion. Comment.
Yusuf: I’ll just make a comment. I do appreciate just how good the packet is and the lengths
that the applicant went to to gather up support from the neighbors and working with the staff.
Aller: How do you feel about the project?
Yusuf: I understand the challenge. I understand the challenge that they’re faced with and you
know it’s a good opportunity to fix it. I’m in favor.
Aller: Any additional comments? I think it’s great that the neighbors were contacted and were
brought in and that communication was there and that the forester is working with them.
Especially with the neighbors with such a precious commodity being a large oak such as we’re
dealing with and the efforts that staff has gone through with the applicant to make sure that the
conditions are there to safeguard the erosion and the bluff and the other natural resources in the
area. It does look like to me that it’s replacing and repairing and maintaining as opposed to
coming up with some new major project, although the wall is larger and they will be gaining the
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ability to have the access to more lawn or area. Back yard. That it looks to me that they’re
doing what they need to do to make sure that the property is maintained more than developed.
Hokkanen: I agree.
Aller: So because of that I’m in favor.
Hokkanen: I’m in favor.
Aller: Any additional comments? Questions? Concerns? I’ll entertain a motion.
Hokkanen: I’ll propose a motion. The Chanhassen Board of Appeals and Adjustments approves
a variance request to replace expand, replace and expand retaining walls that encroach into the
shoreland setback, bluff setback and adopts the attached Findings of Fact and Decision.
Aller: I have a motion. Do I have a second?
Undestad: Second.
Aller: I have a motion by Commissioner Hokkanen and a second by Commissioner Undestad.
Any further discussion?
Hokkanen moved, Undestad seconded that the Chanhassen Board of Appeals and
Adjustments approves the variance request to replace and expand retaining walls that
encroach into the shoreland setback and bluff setback, as shown in plans provided by
Hawkins Tree & Landscaping dated July 16, 2015, and adopts the attached Findings of
Fact and Decision, subject to the following conditions:
1.The applicant shall work with staff to ensure reasonable effort shall be made to protect
the oak, located north of the upper wall, and possible root area during construction.
2.The middle tier shall be planted with native, deep-rooted vegetation that will provide the
water quality and ecological benefits and act to screen the wall as viewed from the lake
within 14 days of completion of construction. As this wall will be up to twelve (12) feet
in height, at least some woody vegetation/ornamental trees will be required and total
aerial cover at maturity shall be no less than 85%. A landscape plan shall be prepared
and submitted to the City for review and approval.
3.The vegetation between tiered walls shall be low or no maintenance.
4.Surety funds shall be required equal to 110% the cost of landscaping the middle tier prior
to any earth-disturbing activities.
5.The applicant shall apply for and receive a building permit prior to construction.
6.The following materials are prohibited for retaining wall construction: smooth face,
poured-in-place concrete (stamped or patterned concrete is allowed), masonry, railroad
ties or timber.
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7.Walls taller than six feet shall not be constructed with boulder rock.
All voted in favor and the motion carried unanimously with a vote of 6 to 0.
PUBLIC HEARING:
1190 LYMAN BOULEVARD VARIANCE, PLANNING CASE 2015-15: REQUEST FOR
VARIANCE TO WETLAND SETBACK TO RELOCATE SEPTIC SYSTEM ON
PROPERTY ZONED AGRICULTURAL ESTATE (A2) AND LOCATED AT 1190
LYMAN BOULEVARD. APPLICANT/OWNER: DUANE SKLUZACEK.
Ingvalson: This next case is for a wetland setback variance request. Location of the subject
property is at 1190 Lyman Boulevard. If you look over here it is just off of Powers Boulevard
and then off of Lyman also. The city sewer currently is not available to this property and also
the subject property is not required to connect to city sewer due to it being over 150 feet from the
city sanitary sewer. Here’s an image of the subject house. This house was constructed in 1984
with a septic system designed to handle 2 bedrooms. At some point in time after 1984 this house
was remodeled and, for it to have another 2 bedrooms so now it is currently a 4 bedroom home.
There’s not any city record in our city building files that show when this was completed or when
this was done. So the request the applicant has is that they are requesting a variance from the 75
foot wetland setback to construct a new septic system with a 4 bedroom design. The existing
system is failing so that’s why this is coming about. They need to get a new system in there.
This new system will be an enlargement as I stated from a current 2 bedroom design to a 4
bedroom design. The applicant is proposing to do a Type 3 mound system which will be located
on top of part of the current system partially. Here is an image of the property and all the
setbacks that this structure is going to need to meet. Looking on here the dark green is the
wetland. The light green is the 75 foot wetland setback. The reddish pink is the 20 foot structure
setback. Here’s from the house. The blue circle is the 50 foot well setback. The purple is the 10
foot property line setback. Brown here is the 20 foot steep slope setbacks and there’s also some
more structures in there that make it very difficult to put this new system in. This goldish color
is gravel which is compacted soils which can’t be used for a septic system. Leaving only this
white area as possible areas for a new septic system. The proposed location is right here, this
orange rectangle for the new system. An alternative location is right here in this cross hatched
area or this cross line area as an alternative spot. However the building, the City’s building
department has gone out and looked on site. There is a drainage way that goes through to the
wetland right here in this dark blueish area which also makes this a poor area for a new septic
system. The main reason that the property owner is looking to have this septic system in another
spot was to preserve some mature trees. Looking on the left side here the mature trees that they
are looking to preserve for this project. To the right is some smaller trees that will need to be
removed with the new septic mound system that they’re looking to locate it. Here is an elevation
and drainage diagram. The low point on the property is located on the southwest area with it
going down in elevation to the wetland area. Here is the location of the drainage ditch. You can
see these contours that drainage flows through this area to the wetland. There’s also steep slopes
behind the back side of the house which make it difficult for the, that makes it not able to meet
the steep slope area there. The diagram shows the proposed septic site right here. It has to be
located with the contours per building requirements for a new septic system. This report was
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Chanhassen Planning Commission – August 18, 2015
also reviewed by our Water Resources Coordinator. It’s noted that the setback, the wetland
setback is unique to Chanhassen City Code and is not in the Minnesota Rules Chapter 7080 so
it’s strictly there from the City of Chanhassen. Also the wetland boundary was something that
was a bit of concern looking through this report. The boundary is assumed based only upon
general observations of the soils and topography. However our Water Resources Coordinator
found it indeterminate if the proposed location is actually closer to the wetland than the other
location in the drawing that you saw with those hatched lines so with that and with his review
there is no compelling reason to deny the variance request as long as it complies with Minnesota
Rules Chapter 7080 and accepted industry practices. Upon review of this property there were
not any variances that have been requested or granted within 500 feet of the subject property so
there isn’t really any standard to go off of. After review staff recommends that the Board of
Appeals and Adjustments approve a 25 foot variance request from the 75 foot wetland setback
based on the approximate wetland edge on the survey dated April 24, 2015 and adopt the
attached Findings of Fact and Decision subject to the following condition. The applicant applies
for an receives a building permit from the City. That ends the staff report. If you have any
questions I would be open to them now.
Aanenson: I just wanted to add one thing too. We did ask them to do, meet the criteria. Do the
test to see if that would be an acceptable site. When they first came in you know we’re looking
at all kinds of opportunities but we said we want to make sure if we’re giving a variance that that
drain field will work so that was a proven, acceptable site by our building official and by their
qualified tester so where we’re putting that it’s recommended that it would meet the City
standards.
Aller: And that’s the first site or both sites?
Ingvalson: The proposed site that they have which would be the one that is in orange.
Aller: Not hatched.
Aanenson: Yeah, correct.
Ingvalson: That would require the variance.
Aller: And Mr. Jeffery looked at the proposed orange site.
Ingvalson: Correct.
Aller: And has no problem with that.
Ingvalson: Correct.
Aller: And my guess is that because it’s next to that drainage ditch he would not prefer to have it
in the hatched.
Ingvalson: Correct.
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Chanhassen Planning Commission – August 18, 2015
Aanenson: So the applicant first came in and just wanted to get a variance. We say well we’re
not going to give you a variance if we don’t even know it’s going to work so we first we have to
go out and decide where the best place to put that so as Drew went through all the different you
know restrictions it made it a little bit challenging so, but they did do a couple test sites and that
was one that did pass and then we took our variance from there.
Aller: And then a question for Alyson. With it sitting on top are there any indications that there
might be problems in the future or is there anything we should know about that?
Fauske: With respect to the location?
Aller: Right. The planned proposed location is to be where the other one is located and I heard
it’s going to be on top of the old one. Is it going to be tied in to the old one or is the old one
going to be removed and what impact?
Fauske: I’m not familiar with how the mound system is worked. I do know they’ve been
working closely with the City’s IS, Independent Sewage Treatment System inspector and
working through all the requirements with that.
Ingvalson: It’s been reviewed by our building department and they have not found any concerns
with that location.
Aller: And we’re not in the near future planning on putting water and sewer where they could
connect?
Aanenson: No. Not in the immediate future so.
Aller: Any additional questions?
Yusuf: Just one just for my understanding. Is it standard practice to just size the septic system
for the number of bedrooms and not over size it a little bit?
Aanenson: Yeah today’s practice is you do 2 alternative sites. These are older. Our practice has
changed. Somebody coming in today has to provide an alternative site. This has been a problem
as we looked, as we kind of did our tour. As you go down to the southern part of the city where
we, and if you look at how large this lot is really it just very compromises the ability to find
alternative sites. We have that when you’re on the bluff too. You may have a 5 acre site but
maybe you have less than a half acre that’s outside of the bluff and then you also have structures
on there. Compacted soils. Driveways so today’s rule is you have to have 2 sites. So if you do
add on those are times that we would check it. Also when there’s a sale of the property that’s a
requirement that they test the system and so that’s some of the trigger points. We make sure that
someone else coming into that house doesn’t have a failing system.
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Chanhassen Planning Commission – August 18, 2015
Ingvalson: I’d also like to note our building department also looked for possibly separating the
sites and having 2 separate locations that could be tied together to meet the 4 bedroom
requirement and was unable to find a location that that would work.
Aller: Okay. Based on that information any additional questions? Okay the applicant’s not
present. We’ll open up the public hearing portion of the item. Now’s the time for any individual
to come forward and speak either for or against the request. Seeing no one come forward I will
close the public hearing and open it up for comment and discussion. I think it’s pretty straight
forward.
Hokkanen: Very challenging. Nice colors.
Aller: For all the right reasons.
Hokkanen: That was challenging based on the map. Measuring all that.
Aller: Certainly meets the requirements in my view for a variance. The need is there. The
special nature of the property. I’ll entertain a motion.
Undestad: I’ll make the motion here.
Aller: Commissioner Undestad.
Undestad: Recommend that the Board of Appeals and Adjustments approve a 25 foot variance
request from the 75 foot wetland setback based on the approximate wetland edge on the survey
dated April 24, 2015 and adopt the attached Findings of Fact and Decision subject to the
following conditions, that the applicant apply for and receives a building permit from the City.
Aller: I have a motion, do I have a second?
Yusuf: Second.
Aller: I have a motion by Commissioner Undestad, a second by Commissioner Yusuf. Any
further discussion?
Undestad moved, Yusuf seconded that the Board of Appeals and Adjustments approve a 25
foot variance request from the 75 foot wetland setback based on the approximate wetland
edge on the survey dated April 24, 2015 to construct a septic system and adopt the attached
Findings of Fact and Decision subject to the following conditions:
1.The applicant applies for and receives a building permit from the City.
All voted in favor and the motion carried unanimously with a vote of 6 to 0.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Commissioner Hokkanen noted the verbatim and summary
Minutes of the Planning Commission meeting dated July 21, 2015 as presented.
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COMMISSION PRESENTATIONS.
Aller: Well I’m sure everyone has heard already but the City of Chanhassen has been tabbed
number 7 in the nation in Money Magazine’s 2015 list of best place to live. Something that
we’re just not strangers to anymore. Money Magazine’s ranking of America’s best small towns
with populations between 10,000 and 50,000 was based on criteria such as strong local
economies, great schools, affordable homes, low crime rate and many, many more items that we
are all enjoying as residents. So we have ranked high in every category. We’ve been ranked in
the top 10 for the fourth time bi-annually since 2009. So 2009, 2011, 2013, and then this year so
consistency is the key. This is obviously a great place to live and it’s something that planning
staff, the mayor and the council.
Aanenson: And the Planning Commission.
Aller: Thank you. And the rest of the committees and commissions work very hard to make us
the best place to live and people are recognizing it so thank you to all of you.
ADMINISTRATIVE PRESENTATIONS.
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Aanenson: Alright at the July 27 City Council meeting they approved the Glaccum
Subdivision. That’s actually in for final plat so engineering’s working on that. Specialty retail
which was Total Wine was approved. The site plan and the liquor license at that same meeting
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and then on August 10, LaMettry’s project was approved so that will be moving forward. Just
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want to go through the future agenda items. So right now on September 1 we didn’t get any
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items in so we will not be holding a meeting on the 1. We are trying to plug in a couple code
amendments that we need to work through. I don’t want to meet just for that so we’ll tack that
on to another meeting. We’ll kind of do a little bit about white paper issue paper for you just to
again there’s always, if there’s some ambiguity we want to clear that up so we’ll get your
feedback on that and you would be the group that would hold the public hearing on that but we’ll
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do a little issue paper first. But on September 15 we will have Arbor Glen. That’s the one
that’s on the southwest corner of Lyman and 101 and that will be a subdivision. Then also we
will revisit the Red Cedar Point, the 3603 Red Cedar Point will be back on too. That one you
had the public hearing and you closed it. We are going to go ahead and just send out a notice of
the meeting but again that’s, that public hearing’s at your discretion. We are anticipating a
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couple other projects coming in yet this fall but we will not be meeting on November 3 because
that’s a special school district referendum for District 112 and 276 I think has School Board
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elections so we won’t be meeting on that date but we do anticipate that October 6, 20, the 17
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and December 1 we’ll have items on for that. Also I just want to let you know that it’s 2018
we’ll be starting the Comprehensive Plan process. I’ll be sharing with the City Council kind of
how we’re going to start that. The Planning Commission has a big role in holding all the public
hearings on the different chapters so I’ll be sharing that with you too after I run that past with the
City Council but you’ll be heavily involved in that process so that’s actually our 2040
Comprehensive Plan but we’ll be working on it all of 2018 so. I think the biggest chunk that we
did was really the 61 corridor study. That was a big part of it and I just want to mention too that
the Met Council is meeting out here. Their Community Development Committee which is their
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Chanhassen Planning Commission – August 18, 2015
committee that makes recommendations on land use to the Council itself is going to be meeting
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out here on September 21 so I’ll be making short presentation on what’s going on in
Chanhassen to them and other people that will be coming requesting comp plan amendments or
that will be at that meeting too so we may have some visitors to our local community so that’s all
I had Chair.
Aller: Great, thank you. Any additional correspondence discussion? Hearing none I’ll entertain
a motion to adjourn.
Undestad moved, Yusuf seconded to adjourn the meeting. All voted in favor and the
motion carried unanimously with a vote of 6 to 0. The Planning Commission meeting was
adjourned at 7:40 p.m.
Submitted by Kate Aanenson
Community Development Director
Prepared by Nann Opheim
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