CC Minutes 9-14-20Chanhassen City Council – September 14, 2020
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you guys. Introduce myself. My email’s on this. Website’s on it. I hope you guys will email
me. I think I’ve seen a couple of you because I think I’ve door knocked your house so I’ll be out
again this Saturday but again for me it’s about listening to you guys. That’s the biggest thing
that I can do. I’ve done about 4,000 doors. My goal personally is 10,000 doors because I want
to be able to listen to the district and be able to go to St. Paul and actually stand up and fight for
the families and the businesses in my district.
Mayor Ryan: Thank you. And if you just, so for people that are watching on TV or listening if
you want to just share your email address and if you have a website, I’m not sure but then they
can…
Andrew Meyers: Yeah, so my email is VoteAndrewMeyers.com. My last name is M-e-y-e-r-s
and then my email is just Andrew@VoteAndrewMeyers.com. We have a Facebook page.
We’re holding a couple meet and greets. One coming up at Excelsior Brewery on the 21st so if
people want to come and ask me questions. Meet me. If I haven’t met you at the door or
somewhere else then hopefully I’ll see you guys there.
Mayor Ryan: Great, thank you. Thank you for coming tonight. Good luck. Thank you.
THE BLUFFS AT LAKE LUCY FINAL PLAT APPROVAL (THE PARK 4TH
ADDITION).
Mayor Ryan: Alright next on our agenda tonight is old business and it is call the Bluffs at Lake
Lucy. The final plat approval. Ms. Aanenson this is you.
Kate Aanenson: Thank you Mayor, members of the City Council. The request for the
subdivision is a final plat which includes 31 lots, 2 outlots. It also includes the development
contract and approval of construction plans and specifications. So just kind of going, can I get
the? I’m just trying to get the feed on the, thank you. So I just want to review with you the
phasing plan for this project. So the 1st Addition was approved after the preliminary plat and
then the 2nd Addition is underway and this is technically called the 4th Addition and I just want to
remind you that the 4th Addition was held under contract with Lennar and that contract
terminated in May. The option to buy that property because it was 20 acres it was able to be split
off from the rest of it. The rest of the project but it’s included in the PUD so they’re bound by all
the standards of the PUD which includes the additional park property, the trails, the types of
homes and the like that will be so it’s again when we rezoned this property it included all 191
acres so it is bound by the standards of the PUD. So again this is what the project looks like
itself. So this, when the preliminary plat came through there was the not the continuation of the
street so there was cul-de-sacs on Ashling Meadows. The streets don’t go through into Topaz.
Lake Lucy Ridge will be a cul-de-sac and then this street will be the asphalt will be taken out and
seeded. So the street, the cul-de-sac here and then the cul-de-sac here will come through and
then there’ll be a cul-de-sac on this end. So the trail connections will be part, this trail
connection. The sidewalk along Della Drive and then this trail will be built by the developer.
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The remaining portions of that will be part of the larger trail project as part of the park. I’ll show
you on the plat in a little bit more detail the outlots here that would be dedicated as part of the
park space. So I wanted to just start with kind of the preservation. So one of the issues that
came up in the preliminary plat. So this project has to meet the conditions of the preliminary plat
so the conditions that were put on the preliminary plat were a couple preservation areas and I’ll
go into a little bit more detail and again additional buffer along the Ashling Meadows property.
So there was also a tree preservation easement included on the, to the south of Lake Lucy Ridge
and Ashling Meadows 2nd Addition so that’s this area here. In addition there was a tree
preservation area. The first coming off of Della Drive and I just want to point out that the tree
preservation in the yellow area, so these two in the yellow area, the preservation on Lots 1 and 2
which is down here, include high quality native woods as well as a restoration, reforestation plan
done under the grid slope so there’ll be additional reforestation there. The preservation area up
here which includes a portion of 3 lots, again these lots, the preservation areas are in a portion of
existing lots for, so for these homes, there will be homes here so their lots are larger but the
preservation’s on the backs of their lots. So the preservation on Lots 1, 4, and 5 cover existing
vegetation but also serve as a buffer. But the wooded areas outside of this area here are also,
whether or not preservation areas will also be some undeveloped wooded area. So the Interim
City Manager and myself met with some of the neighbors to discuss the potential of additional
buffering. Where we can move things around. Craig Allen representing Gonyea Homes who is
developing this property also was included in that meeting to discuss the preservation and
potential changes to that. Subsequent to that meeting we asked the developer to take a look at
what they could do, specifically in this area. Maybe if I go back one slide where we’ve got the
tree area here. This home and the proximity so this side yard subdivisions all have to have the 90
feet of frontage. Have the 7 ½ foot. Ashling Meadows is at 10 foot. Ashling Meadows up here
is a 10 foot side yard so looking at what could be done there. So in following up from that
meeting again the developer looking at what they could do, the City Forester and the Interim
City Manager walked the property with some of the residents to kind of look at that so we’ll go
through a couple of slides here. So this is showing the approximate location of the garage from
the 7 ½ foot from the property line. And then again showing the property line then the garage
wall. The 7 ½ foot so I’m looking at kind of the quality of the trees and I think some of the
comments that the Forester communicated at that meeting was while they’re putting some spruce
trees along the border they might not line up in a perfect line. They kind of got to decide or look
at those placement in conjunction which is already the canopy that’s already there. Making sure
it will be the most successful to kind of, so it wouldn’t be just in a complete row. They might be
offset a little bit along that line to make the best buffer. So again looking at the proximity here.
The 7 ½ foot, so this is kind of showing the rear stakes. Some of the trees that are there so I
believe Mr. Allen is here tonight. I’m not sure if he’s stuck in the other room. To see if he could
comment on that.
Mayor Ryan: Mr. Allen if you’re in the other room if you’d like to come into the chambers
please.
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Kate Aanenson: So I’ll go through a little bit more detail on the next two lots and then he can
come in. There he is. So again just kind of pointing out these trees illustratively. Again this was
done by Lennar finishing up the final plat so while they are specifically kind of in a narrow row
here, again the Forester’s position is that when those get planted that those would kind of be spot
checked to make sure that they’re, based on what other canopies are in the area, how that works
out. Again some of the trees will be removed with this house so the question is, you know this
proximity to the 7 ½ feet and again kind of looking at the field location of these trees. So the
Topaz homes with the proposed grading plans at Lake Lucy, the final locations again should be
sourced. Additional planning sites under the shaded area should be re-examined. Again that’s
the Forester’s comments so with that again we ask Mr. Allen to look at whether or not additional
buffer could be put because of the 7 ½ foot setback which would be this garage area. So part of
the challenge with the cul-de-sac is kind of pushing that garage over so I’ll let Mr. Allen speak to
what they looked at and what they felt like they could do to accommodate the additional setback.
Craig Allen: Thank you Mayor, members of City Council. Craig Allen with Gonyea Company.
I think the question is about the setback.
Kate Aanenson: Correct.
Craig Allen: We had our engineer look at it and it’s really difficult on the north side of the cul-
de-sac. There’s not a lot of room there. There’s that conservation easement in place, or going to
be placed over those lots so there’s not a lot of wiggle room for those lots in particular. On the
south side had him really look at, I mean we would, we prefer a buffer there as well but there’s,
with this plat there’s a 15,000 square foot lots and the 90 foot wide lots. I mean there’s not again
there’s not a whole lot of room. I will say I can for sure get a 10 foot setback on those, to the lot
on the south which would match their setback. I will try to.
Mayor Ryan: We have to wait for comments please.
Craig Allen: That’s what I was told Ashling Meadows setbacks were so I know we can do that
and we’ll try to get more. I mean we, we’re still waiting. We just got engineering comments this
week so my engineer he was waiting for those to go back and start making changes and really
seeing what he can get but I know we can do 10. We’ll try to do more and for sure we’ll try to
save as many trees as we can but these are custom, large you know 90 foot wide pads so the
home, you know I can’t guarantee you when the home starts to get built that you know when
they’re digging the basement and the roots get damaged that they’ll stay. I would think when
they look at the lot they would probably try to work around as much as possible because I think
they’ll want the buffer just as much but I can for sure say 10 feet and we’ll try to do more.
Mayor Ryan: Okay. Thank you.
Kate Aanenson: So with that I was just going to kind of through the plat. So this is the north
side. There’s a larger conservation area here. You can see this area here.
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Mayor Ryan: One second we have to get, there we go.
Kate Aanenson: Yeah oh sorry. So yeah so the larger conservation area is up in this area here.
Actually goes into this lot here so I think this is where we’re saying this north area, the
difference here too is that on the south side it’s side yard to side yard and in this area you’ve got
a rear yard so the distance is significantly greater as far as a buffer. And just to be clear the
Ashling Meadows minimum setback is 10 feet so I don’t know what the house is placed at. It
looks like it’s at minimum 10 feet but that’s the setback and that’s the number I gave Mr. Allen
and what would be under this PUD allows the 7 ½ foot so what I heard you say is you’d try to
make the 10 foot and maybe more.
Craig Allen: Yes.
Kate Aanenson: Okay.
Craig Allen: On the south lot.
Kate Aanenson: On the south lot yeah. Thank you for clarifying that. So I just wanted to
review with this PUD because this is the last part of The Park piece so Outlot A would be
dedicated to the City as part of the park so Outlot C would be that northern plat that has the lots.
Inset A is actually the Della Drive and Inset C is actually the stormwater pond and wetland so
you can see Topaz, Lake Lucy Ridge, the two cul-de-sacs.
Mayor Ryan: Can you show us where that, I’m having a hard time reading this map here.
Kate Aanenson: Sure. This is the lot in question. The one on the south side.
Mayor Ryan: Yep.
Kate Aanenson: So that’s the lot.
Mayor Ryan: No I’m just talking about the Outlot B and A, where are those?
Kate Aanenson: I’m sorry. So this is Outlot A. So this is the bottom part so Della Drive would
be coming in through here.
Mayor Ryan: Okay.
Kate Aanenson: So this is that area. So this would be part of the park property. And there’s
also a stormwater pond in there and there’s trails that would connect at the end of the Della Drive
tying up into the cul-de-sac here. Lake Lucy Ridge. And then there’ll be the public trail that
would be built along the lake here. And then C, if I can show that. So this area, Inset C would
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then be and Outlot B is the stormwater pond and there’s a wetland replacement in that lot too.
So this is again a part of the Outlot A so that, with this project it gives the completion of the park
dedication and then also what they need for stormwater capacity and also the trail connections
for the overall master plan of the park. So with that you know we went through a development
contract and the plans and specs. Engineering has and staff reviewed it to make sure it met all
the original conditions of the preliminary plat. If you recall when the preliminary plat was at the
meeting in March there was a lot of negotiation so we came back and had them resubmit all of
the changes to the final plat that were met at that meeting. You know dropping the 16 lots. The
cul-de-sacs. All those were incorporated with the additional buffering so those were approved
and so as we moved through the first and second phase, those are all the plans that you’ve
approved. So this side really, except for the landscaping, one of the main things in the cul-de-sac
remain consistent to that so with that we are recommending approval of the development
contract and construction plans and making sure that we can get a 10 foot side yard buffer.
Mayor Ryan: Alright thank you Ms. Aanenson. So let me take this off here. For tonight the
kind of plan that we’re going to move forward with. Obviously council if you have any
questions for either Ms. Aanenson or Mr. Allen we can ask those now. I know that there are
residents here that want to make a few comments before council which we will allow tonight. I
would just like to remind the folks that are here as well that are in the senior center that want to
make comments, you know we have read the comments from the Planning Commission. The
different emails. Those are all included in our packet so when you come forward to make sure
you have an understanding that we’re familiar with you know the situation so if you could keep
your comments not brief because I want you to be able to express yourself but I do want you to
know that we did hear. We did have an opportunity to read them but I definitely welcome you
forward so before I open it up to residents to come forward, council do you have any questions
for either Ms. Aanenson or Mr. Allen?
Councilman McDonald: No.
Mayor Ryan: Mr. Campion anything?
Councilman Campion: Not at this time.
Mayor Ryan: Okay so Mr. Allen if you want to stand by in case some questions are directed at
you. Thank you. Thank you very much. I appreciate it. So if you’d like to come forward. Any
residents in the senior center may come into the chambers. Anyone in chambers may step to the
podium. I just ask that you state your name and address for the record.
Carla Sundem: I’m Carla Sundem, 1845 Topaz Drive. The lot in question which is the one with
the 7 ½ foot setback and I know we’ve met with Craig and with a several people here and we’re
just asking for more of a setback. The other side of our house has a 35 foot difference between
the two homes and then this one would only be like 20 feet. It’s going to be very, I mean I think
it will just look odd from the street view as well but you know we want to be able to maintain
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our trees. We want to be able to preserve our trees. We did watch the tree line with Jill from the
City and we did notice that many of those trees are on our property but we work with Craig,
anything that you can do to give us a little bit more of a setback so it looks like more of the rest
of the neighborhood and even the same as like the Lennar neighborhood. Those homes all have
more than 20 feet inbetween them as well and I believe that upper lots as well have more of a
setback as well but we’re just looking more of a setback between the two homes because they’re
two different neighborhoods but also just to keep the appearance of what our neighborhood looks
like and what our home looks like on the other side of our lot. So as of right now it’s 7 ½ feet
and 14 so it’s only like 21 feet versus 35 feet so anything you can do Craig we’d certainly
appreciate if we’ve looked at some different options that we tried to point out to Craig and I
know he’s gone back to his team and we’re just anxious to see what you guys can do.
Mayor Ryan: Okay thank you. And if you haven’t signed in after you speak if you wouldn’t
mind just signing onto that sheet of paper as well. Where are we at with capacity? Okay, please
come forward. State your name and address for the record.
Mark Gempler: Hello, Mark Gempler, 1877 Topaz Drive. Hello. Ms. Mayor.
Mayor Ryan: Hello.
Mark Gempler: Is it Ms. Mayor?
Mayor Ryan: Yeah.
Mark Gempler: She’s a good soccer player by the way. Sorry I guess. I’m just curious about
the, I’m on that corner if you can maybe pull that. It’s where that cul-de-sac is being removed to
the, right to the left there. Yeah that’s our house right there. How big is that kind of drawn in
wooded area behind?
Kate Aanenson: Area?
Mark Gempler: Yeah. It’s just hard for me to tell from these maps.
Kate Aanenson: I’d be guessing so. This area here. I’m guessing 30-40 feet and then it’s
coming down here so that’s all being preserved and this whole area here is being preserved here.
Mark Gempler: And one of, I guess my general comment was when they were taking trees down
on the south side it seemed like it was more than what we had thought. I mean it was a certain
percentage that overall they needed to keep and our hope selfishly was that by the time they got
up to us they’d be like oh crap, we can’t take any more trees. Is there any changes in that? Are
the percentages look that everything’s on track?
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Kate Aanenson: Yeah they’re on track for preservation so. Again the policy is how we did this
is before they can begin construction we go out and put the City Forester walks all the site. They
have to put tree fencing up so they stay on their property. That’s all inspected and before they
can even, I mean it’s part of the construction immediately before they begin and then we actually
field check it all so.
Mark Gempler: Okay perfect.
Mayor Ryan: And so the question is that in keep track of the percentage of trees is there a
process that we keep track on?
Kate Aanenson: Yep. Yeah so that’s part of when we approved the project and stayed with the
original. So this was part of the original approved preliminary plat so they’re consistent with
that so each project has to do. That’s where they measure up to make sure that it’s consistent
with what was approved. So each phase has different conditions for preservation. So these are
unique for this phase.
Mark Gempler: Okay so any savings we would have got on the south side don’t translate to the
north?
Kate Aanenson: No, because each area is identified differently, correct.
Mark Gempler: Got it. Perfect. Thank you.
Mayor Ryan: Alright thank you Mr. Gempler.
Mark Gempler: Appreciate it.
Mayor Ryan: Anybody else that would like to come forward to make any comments? Anyone
else in the senior center? Is there anyone else in the senior center from your neighborhood? If
you can tell with masks on. Okay. I’ll return it to, thank you for the comments. I’ll return it to
the council if you have any other, any questions or comments. Mr. McDonald?
Councilman McDonald: No.
Mayor Ryan: I have a couple. I don’t know, there’s Mr. Allen. You sat down. So I too walked
this property with Ms. Sinclair and Ms. Johnston the other day to get a sense and while the
pictures kind of show what it looks like, you know I think the house in particular. If you
wouldn’t mind pulling it back up and I’m just referring to my little map here. It’s lot number
155 but that lot on the south side of, I’ll get to the north in a minute but if we can go to the south.
No. I’ll work my way north. On the south side when you look at those circles where the trees
going to go in and some of the pictures that we saw looked like some straggly trees there.
They’re actually really large, mature, I think they were box elders but large trees and the
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challenge that I think that this resident is facing from my understanding, and I appreciate your
willingness to start at 10 feet. I’m hoping we can go a little bit further is that when Ashling
Meadows was built and I believe from my understanding it was Lundgren, that house was
allowed to be built almost up to the property line so you can see how close it is so as far over as
you can go onto the property there’s a line of trees and so the challenge while the trees will
quote, unquote not be touched because it’s on their property and obviously the developer can’t
come in and cut them down. What they can is because of this canopy, if you can imagine the
trees shoot and they go over onto this development, well as I learned when the State of
Minnesota if they hang over onto your property line that property owner can go up and trim up
the trees. Anything that’s hanging over onto the property. So now because of this setback only
being 7 ½ feet from the property line a large number of those trees that would be a great border
and is you know a nice setting and a great border are now going to be trimmed up and trimmed
back likely to the detriment of the tree. When you start digging 7 ½ feet you’re likely to hit the
roots of the tree which will then kill the tree and it’s very close when you’re standing on that,
you know we all have learned what 6 feet of social distancing is so we know what 7 ½ feet is like
and that is really close to be building a garage next to a house. And so when I look at the plat
generally speaking and I’m just going based on the housing numbers that I have from the print
out that we approved months ago is, as I look at the configuration and I don’t, do you have any
way to put this up there?
Kate Aanenson: Yes.
Mayor Ryan: With house numbers.
Kate Aanenson: This is the house you’re looking at right here?
Mayor Ryan: Right. So if you go 2 over to the right you have a large lot. Is there not a way to
then shift. And I’m not an engineer so I’m not pretending to understand all the cause and effect
of shifting, you know shifting lots over but that’s obviously a really large lot and it, it would
allow for more spacing and potentially the maximum spacing between the current house and the
155 and I understand that you will try but I’ve also been on this where they try and then they say
it just can’t be done and so I just need something more concrete than that and I’m hoping that we
can get further away from the house because once you start digging and then try to plant this
buffer which I know was part of what we as council asked for in the preliminary plat is those
trees which is great to have but there’s no way that you’re going to have this row of trees. Then
plant pine trees and then a garage all within a 7 ½ foot buffer. I mean I just don’t see how that’s
even possible. So I don’t know if you can speak to that Mr. Allen.
Craig Allen: I’m not going to lie it would be tough. I mean that was what was approved and
that’s what we’re purchasing is what was approved so we’ll try to make it work in there. That’s
where we stole the 2 ½ feet from, that lot you were talking about. That corner lot. He took I
think 3 feet out of that yard but those lots aren’t perfectly straight so that goes over 3 feet but in
those diagonal lots, and then you have to have a 90 foot wide lot and then the pad along side of
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that the building pad’s 75 feet with a 7 ½-7 ½ so as the lot pies and we had to come off the road
farther because that cul-de-sac you know if the road was going straight through we could get
more room but since that cul-de-sac we had to pull the house farther back so the setback off the
bubble. The house is sitting farther back because of the bubble and then the lot’s diagonal so
that’s why you know they’re not perfect lines so it’s, we took 3 feet from that lot and that’s
equating to roughly 2 ½ feet. I think we can get more but I can’t, I can’t guarantee until my
engineer really gets digging in with the final plans but I know for sure he said we could get 2 ½
feet.
Mayor Ryan: 2 ½?
Craig Allen: 2 ½ so 7 ½ to 10.
Mayor Ryan: Right.
Craig Allen: But he took 3 out of that back yard and I don’t think he can take more out of that
back yard because the setbacks. You know there’s a 20-25 foot rear yard setback and then the
lots have to be 15,000 square feet and you have to have room for a 90, you know you have to
have a 90 foot wide lot so I’m not an engineer either but that’s my take from it is, taking 3 feet
off of that corner lot’s about all he can do and then that equates to at least 2 ½ feet and we’ll try
to get more. The lot beside it was a little wider than 90 so I think we might even be still in, I
think that lot’s going from a 92 foot lot to a 90 and then so that’s 5 ½ feet but still with the, the
way the lot, you know isn’t perfectly straight. You can still only get at least you know 2 ½ feet I
know but we’ll try to get more. If that makes sense. That’s how it was explained to me and I
mean if we were looking at it I could probably try to explain it a little better.
Mayor Ryan: Right and I understand that. We know we agreed to this number of lots. You
know I’m just wondering why you know when we’re going through this process as a final plat
that we can’t work to, I mean while we maintain the number of lots because I understand that’s
what we agreed to. That’s part of the purchasing agreement so dollars and cents but when we
look at all those lots and the shifting of the trail and the size of the lots and I understand from the
corner lots, wanting big lots for the view, etcetera, etcetera I still am concerned and I’m sure you
were made well aware of my concern about this project and the impact that it has to existing
residents because while we do a lot of developments across the city, this is truly an infill
development and you’re going right in dead smack into an existing neighborhood. That’s going
to impact residents and so I’m concerned about that. I continue to be very concerned about, like
you just said you don’t know how you’re going to be able to maintain that tree loss without
losing those trees. Planting those pine trees and building a garage. I mean I just, I don’t see how
that is even possible. Unless you’re planting 3 foot trees.
Craig Allen: Well I think the question is, how much of the existing trees on our side do we want
to save or can we save or are worth saving and how much room does that leave for the trees that
are in the landscape plan. The trees that are shown on the landscape plan assuming that all those
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trees were coming out. We’re willing to try to save as many of those as we can but I don’t know
if we can save a lot of those and plant the.
Mayor Ryan: Right and on the other side of those trees that you’re planning on cutting down the
significant trees aren’t even on Lennar’s property or Gonyea’s property. Those are on the
resident’s property so.
Craig Allen: Right yeah we’re obviously.
Mayor Ryan: You’re not going to obviously touch those trees but when you’re planting then
you’re going to dig and plant you know spruce trees, you’re going to be digging up the roots to
those trees. Again I’m just asking from a City perspective from both planning and engineering
when you look at this development is there anyway that we can shift any of this and make the
recommendation to shift any of these lots further to the east. Mr. Knutson you say no?
Roger Knutson: Mayor, members of the council. You approved the preliminary plat. Yet
you’re required to approve the final plat. If the final plat incorporates all the requirements you
put in on the preliminary plat and it complies with our ordinances, if those are the case then you
need to approve the final plat.
Kate Aanenson: If I may Mayor I think what Jill’s comments were based on the walk, when you
walked is that I think these two lots on the north and south side need specific when they come in
for a building permit, I heard Mr. Allen say he’s going to get the 10 feet minimum. That we
would look at those specifically to say what should be saved. What should be replaced as I
reiterated in Jill’s comments, our City Forester’s comments that we want to look at where those
trees would be most effective. Whether it’s existing trees. The placement of those. Like I said
they probably wouldn’t line up like soldiers. It might be better to stagger those in places because
what she’s saying if they’re overstory they won’t do well so we really want to be targeted and
specific so I think if it’s agreeable with Mr. Allen but that would be two lots that we would take
extra care in how they come in for the plans and the tree removal and field check those more
specifically. Obviously we’ll have the tree preservation up there but spend more time walking
those sites. We’d be willing to work with the neighbors on both of those and kind of walk those
sites and kind of review the trees if Mr. Allen’s amendable on that and take more care on what
we’re removing. What we’re replacing so it’s the best that we can do. So like I say it may not
be lined up depending on what that canopy cover is and where it’s the best protection for the
existing homes. The best opportunity for growth and the best for the buffer and I think we would
certainly be agreeable.
Craig Allen: And that’s what I meant by it’s going to be difficult. I didn’t mean, we want a
buffer as much as they do. It’s just if we could line every lot with you know nice mature, nice
trees and everybody wants that right when you’re buying a lot so we would do as much as we
can to get as much of a buffer as we can. We do have to market the lot as a 90 foot lot. You
know that’s what we’re buying from the seller and that’s what platted and that’s what we’re
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going to be selling to a home builder so, but I also think the builder’s too want a buffer and they
want to have a pretty lot and a nice home eventually so I think if we all work together we can do
as good a job as we can.
Mayor Ryan: Okay. And then my comments stand true then when you head north. I mean I
started on the south just because those were, you know that’s the closest. I mean that is a garage
right 7 ½ feet from your property which is pretty severe when you’re standing there. You know
and then when you work north I mean there’s a big clump of trees on the south side of the north
part then there’s some newly planted evergreens there that the resident planted and I know some
are on your property so I mean she, or they acknowledged that as well but there is just, there’s a
big clump of trees. Ms. Sinclair did the City Forester did walk through that with the residents
and I think the biggest concern is what stays. What goes. That decision making. Things getting
trimmed up in the back. They understand it’s going to be a significant change from where
they’re at today and that it’s going to be cut down and it’s going to look differently. I just you
know it was a wake up call of what happened on the north side of the property when things just
were gone and so, or the south side of the overall plat and so again I just want to express and
share my concerns about the tree loss and the impact to the neighbors and the residents so.
Kate Aanenson: Yeah again we on the planning staff and the City Forester would be happy
when those permits come in to work with the adjoining residents to field check all those and then
I think it’s going to be better for all parties that we’re all on the same page so we would be happy
to do that when those permits come in.
Mayor Ryan: Right, and I appreciate that and then I, in working with the neighbors I think is
really important and I think that was a missed opportunity again on the south side of the overall
project because then Lennar had to come back in and plant extra trees because of, you know not
that they did anything wrong and I want to clarify that. They cut down what was committed to
cut down but it was just, it was a shocking situation for them when it was everything was gone
because what they considered trees were, you know I don’t know. The understory trees or weed
trees, I don’t know what the name of it is but everything got cut and then all of a sudden it was
clear cut looking out their back so Lennar did come back and plant trees and I just don’t want to
have to go through that process again. I just want to make sure, and I’m asking Gonyea to do
what’s right by the residents that are there today and so I know you’re a reputable builder so I
hope that you do that so, that’s my question for you. I have one more question in terms of the
reforestation because I think I’m a little confused on that. If you could bring that slide up. So
and this is Della Drive. So did there’s a tree preservation easement and I saw in our notes where
it say restoration. Does that mean that everything is going to be cut and then replanted and I
think that is something we need to be very clear.
Kate Aanenson: Yes. Because there was some grading in that area that will be replanted so
there is some of this will be preserved but some of it will also be cut and replanted and that’s part
of what’s in the development contract to get that replanted, yeah.
Chanhassen City Council – September 14, 2020
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Mayor Ryan: Okay. And so can you show the plan again? I think, and you know to the
residents that are here tonight and as well as watching or watch this, this is your neck of the
woods so you’ll be very familiar with what this looks like. I think you told me about this Ms.
Aanenson or maybe it was Mr. Gerhardt but you know when you’re driving along Lake Lucy
between Galpin and Highway 41. If you’re headed west and you look at that kind of on the west
side of Lake Lucy where that steep hill that goes up. What is that neighborhood? Pinehurst?
Kate Aanenson: Yeah.
Mayor Ryan: Isn’t that kind of how the Lake Lucy was cut in and those, you know that slope
was cut and then replanted if that makes sense to you. That’s the similar look that’s going to be
here.
Kate Aanenson: So yep, so the City Forester’s comments, some of this will be preserved. This
is some of the higher quality those of you that live north of that area, some of the higher quality
woods so actually right in this area so in order for this street to come through there will be some
impact and then so in addition to the preservation area additional reforestation which they have
security. Will have to post security for that, will also be carried out but yes that’s some of the
significant.
Mayor Ryan: So I believe you keep the trees that are on the high end of the bluff.
Kate Aanenson: Yep.
Mayor Ryan: Those stay and then on the lower portion is what’s being replaced.
Kate Aanenson: Yep, right and that’s being impacted by the grading for the street and utilities,
correct.
Mayor Ryan: Okay. And then the green area is all undeveloped wood area and that all stays left
alone.
Kate Aanenson: Correct, that’s that preservation area.
Craig Allen: The green on the?
Kate Aanenson: This right here.
Craig Allen: Oh okay. I thought you meant the green. The green, okay.
Kate Aanenson: No.
Craig Allen: Wrong green.
Chanhassen City Council – September 14, 2020
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Kate Aanenson: Don’t make anybody nervous. No those are all.
Craig Allen: I want to make sure.
Kate Aanenson: No those are also significant areas. So again just to be clear I mean we do
ultimately there will be some grading for the trail to go through and that trail connects too so
there is some impacts there but yes those are also the beautiful trees that you can see
overlooking.
Craig Allen: But I think in, I don’t have, I can’t see the silt fence line but in that yellow area at
the top I believe a lot, I think that’s all staying.
Kate Aanenson: That’s the no touch but what I’m saying to get the road in, this is the green I’m
talking about. To get the road in there.
Craig Allen: That green needs to be grading.
Kate Aanenson: That’s grading and that will be replanted. Most of the stuff along the southern
part of Ashling Meadows should be untouched and again that’s this, where the high quality trees
are right there yeah.
Craig Allen: Okay.
Mayor Ryan: Okay thank you. Those are all my questions and comments in terms of this.
Craig Allen: Thank you. We’ll do the best we can.
Mayor Ryan: Okay thank you.
Craig Allen: Alright.
Mayor Ryan: Council any further thoughts, questions or motion as it relates to this topic?
Councilwoman Tjornhom: I’ll make a motion.
Mayor Ryan: Okay Councilwoman Tjornhom.
Councilwoman Tjornhom: And it’s the motion that’s in our packet correct?
Kate Aanenson: Yes.
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Councilwoman Tjornhom: Okay. I’d like to make a motion that the City Council approves The
Bluffs at Lake Lucy Final Plat, Development Contract and Plans and Specifications.
Councilman McDonald: Second.
Mayor Ryan: We have a valid motion and a second. I have one point before we take a vote.
Mr. Knutson if I could ask one more question. Can we not as part of this motion add, have them
commit to the 10 feet or does that, because that’s not part of the final plat we can’t include that?
Roger Knutson: You could agree to that.
Kate Aanenson: He’s agreeing.
Mayor Ryan: So it doesn’t have to be.
Roger Knutson: It’s okay.
Kate Aanenson: You can add it.
Mayor Ryan: Would you mind redoing the motion Councilwoman? Sorry.
Councilwoman Tjornhom: If I have the correct language for it. Alright I’ll make a motion again
that the City Council approves The Bluffs at Lake Lucy Final Plat, Development Contract and
Plans and Specifications with the agreement to add in the 10 feet.
Kate Aanenson: On Lot 6.
Councilwoman Tjornhom: On Lot 6.
Kate Aanenson: Of Block. I can’t read the Block.
Councilwoman Tjornhom: On Block.
Kate Aanenson: 10 foot side yard setback.
Councilwoman Tjornhom: I’m not hearing you. Do I have to say the exact lot number?
Mayor Ryan: Lot 155.
Kate Aanenson: Yeah that’s on the preliminary. It’s Lot 6 of Block.
Craig Allen: Block 3.
Chanhassen City Council – September 14, 2020
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Kate Aanenson: Thank you.
Councilwoman Tjornhom: Okay on Lot 6 on Block 3. And agreeing to the 10 foot setback yep.
Mayor Ryan: Okay I think we have a valid motion. Is there a second?
Councilman McDonald: Second.
Councilwoman Tjornhom moved, Councilman McDonald seconded that the City Council
approves The Bluffs at Lake Lucy Final Plat, Development Contract and Plans and
Specifications with the condition that there be a 10 foot side yard setback on Lot 6, Block 3.
All voted in favor and the motion carried unanimously with a vote of 4 to 0.
Mayor Ryan: That motion carries 4-0. Alright thank you Mr. Allen and residents for coming
tonight and again please work with staff as well as the neighbors. I appreciate it.
Craig Allen: Thank you.
Mayor Ryan: Thank you.
PUBLIC HEARING: APPROVAL OF ON-SALE BEER AND WINE LICENSE FOR
TS FOOD LLC, DBA MED BOX GRILL, 600 MARKET STREET, SUITE 160-170.
Mayor Ryan: Under public hearing we have approval of an on-sale beer and wine license. I
think that might be you Ms. Johnston.
Heather Johnston: That might be me. Madam Mayor, members of the council there is the public
hearing. There’s request for a new restaurant called Med Box Grill on 600 Market Street for an
approval of an on-sale beer and wine license. This is a new business. It is replacing an existing
business that is no longer there and their request is for an on-sale liquor license. We have done
the background check and have no reason, found no reason to deny the license so. With that it is
a public hearing so.
Mayor Ryan: Okay perfect. Are the owners here? Would you like to come forward and
introduce yourself? Please. Welcome. We read your article in the paper.
Semih Ayhan: Thank you. Hello Ms. Mayor, council members. My name is Semih Ayhan.
One of the owners of the Med Box Grill. My business partner.
Tuncay Ozdenak: Tuncay Ozdenak. I’ll be one of the owners.
Mayor Ryan: Nice to meet you.