HomeMy WebLinkAbout1983 11-02 Planning Commission Meeting Minutes RegularMINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE EDINA
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AND PLANNING COMMISSION
HELD ON WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 1983, at 7:30 P.M.
MEMBERS SCHEDULED:
Chairman Bill Lewis, Gordon Johnson, Del Johnson, Helen McClelland,
Mary McDonald, David.Runyan, John Palmer, Len Ring and John Bailey.
STAFF PRESENT:
Gordon Hughes, City Planner
Fran Hoffman, City Engineer
Linda Elsen, Secretary
I. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES:
Mr. Palmer moved for approval ot_the minutes and Len Ring seconded
the motion. All.were in favor; the minutes were approved.
II. OLD BUSINESS;
Z=-79--12 Revised Overall Development Plan for Dewey Hill, III
PRD}3.
Mr. Gordon -Hughes told the Commission that the subject property was
rezoned to PRD -3 several years ago at which time a 114 unit condominium
plan was approved. This plan illustrated two buildings -which were located
on the westerly side and served by Shaughnessy Road and three buildings on
the easterly side of the site served by a private road from West 78th
Street. Construction of these buildings never commenced.
Laukka and Associates, the proponent, now requests an amendment to
the approved overall development plan. A revised plan has been submitted
illustrating a 34 unit- townhouse development Twelve of the townhouses
would front on Shaughnessy Road and the remaining 22 units would be served
by a new public street extending northerly from West 78th Street. This
proposed public street would be located somewhat easterly of the alignment
previously proposed for the private road for the condominiums. As such,
some retaining walls will be required along the east side of the road right
of way due to steep slopes.
Mr. Hughes pointed out that the previously approved condominium
plan illustrated a cul de sac for the terminius of Glasgow Drive. This cul
de sac was to be constructed on a previously dedicated right of way on the
subject property. The proponent new proposal suggested that a cul de sac
not be constructed and the previously dedicated right of way be vacated.
However, upon Staff's recommendations, the proponents have recently
submitted possible variations of the termination Glasgow Drive which they
will present to the Commission.
He reminded the Commmission and the Council that the setback of the
condominium buildings._from the east property line was very controversial.
The present townhouse plan follows closely the setbacks previously approved
Page two
for the condominiums with the most northeasterly four units. These units
maintain a setback of 35 feet from the east property line which results in
a spacing of about 60 feet to the nearest single family home on the north
side of Glasgow Drive. The proposedculde sac for the new public street
is located much closer to the single-family home on the north side of
Glasgow Drive than the cul de sac for the private road previously proposed.
The.travelled portion of the cul de sac maintains a 30 foot setback from
the_east property line and a 50 foot spacing to the home on the south side
of Glasgow.
Mr. Hughes believes the proposed townhouse plan represents an
excellent alternative use of the property. However, as previously noted,
Staff's major criticism of this plan is'.d.irected at the proposal to
_eliminate the Glasgow cul'de sac. There has been an attempt to correct
dead end situations such as Glasgow with improved cul de sacs elsewhere in
the.Ci,ty and can find no reason why a suitable terminus for this street
cannot be provided
With sucha modification, Mr. Hughes recommends approval
conditioned upon:
1. Completion of land exchange.between the proponent and the City
on the northerly portion of the site as was discussed in connection with
the condominium plan.
2. Revision of the plan sheet concerning public utilities in
`)�_*rance with the requirements of the Engineering Department.
3. The property be replatted with townhouse lots.
Mr. Peter Jarvis, consultant, summarized the proposed project. The
townhouse scheme would consist of one story elevations from the street view
and two story elevations from the water side with the exception of the
northeasterly homes which would be two stories from the street. There are
thirty-four units. Construction would be completed in two phases with work
originating from the west.
Mr. Jarvis addressed the cul de sac issue and noted that a process
of "looping the street" was considered unacceptable. He presented four
alternatives for the cul de sac:
1. A 30 foot radius cul de sac located on the present right of
way.
2.. A "hammer head" cul de sac also located on the present right of
way.
3. A "hammer head" cul de sac located on the Dewey Hill III
property.
4. A conventional cul de sac with one-half located on the Dewey
Hill III property and one-half located on the present right of way.
Mr. Jarvis discouraged the alternative of the traditional cul de
Page three
sac explaining that it would result in moving the project westerly and
therefore relocating it in the pond. He encouraged the hammer head cul de
sac.
Mr. Gordon Johnson questioned the distance curb to curb in the
conventional cul de sac. There is a distance of 20 feet.
Mr. Bob Clarke 7701 Glasgow Drive, was concerned that the placement
of a cul de sac would cause the loss of evergreen trees located on the
boulevard. He would like to see a standard cul de sac so that cars would
be able to turn around without the use of his drive way, and to allow for
ease of snow plowing.
Mr. Hoffman explained that snow plowing was not comfortable in any
cul de sac. A 35 foot radius would be required. He noted that same
problem for fire vehicles.
Mr. Clark expressed his satisfication with the density. He
mentioned, however, that the elevations may interfer with his westerly
sunlight which is needed to activate the solar system to heat his pool.
Gordon Johnson asked which cul de sacs would eliminate the
evergreen trees on the boulevard. Mr. Hoffman noted that the the
conventional cul de sac and the traditional cul de sac would.
Gordon Johnson wondered what would happen if Glasgow was left as
is. It seems it is apparently working now.
Mr. Dominic Sciola, 7705 Glasgow Drive, welcomed a cul de sac a"s an
improvement to the street.
Mr. Clark was concerned about the amount property which would be
needed in order to make the cul de sac. Mr. .Runyan noted that the land
taken was in the right of way.
Mr. Bill Lewis suggested that looping the street would be an ideal
solution. Mr. Clark argued that increased traffic would become a problem.
He noted that presently many cars come down the street only to turn around.
Mr. Jarvis asked what the neighbors thought of the hammer head cul
de sac. Mr. Clark had no objections.
Mr. Earl Micka, 7700 Glasgow Drive, noted that presently the snow
plows have to drive over the lawns and therefore, the sod is rutted up.
Mr. Clark wondered what the dimensions were. Mr. Jarvis stated
that the heads were 20 feet and the width of the cul de sac was 60 feet.
Gordon Johnson assumed that the neighbors would be interested in a
cul de sac that could allow for as much vegetation as possible to separate
the homes from the townhouse project. Mr. Jarvis commented that the hammer
head would be a more appealing a the design standpoint than a full cul de
,ac.
Page four
Mrs. McClelland noted the request of the proponent to move the road
easterly near Glasgow. She wondered how much. She also wondered about the
grade due to the fact the retaining walls were mentioned. Mr. Jarvis was
unable to answer how much easterly the road was moved without reviewing the
original plans, however, the relative grade is essentially the same. He
noted that the street setback was in the range of 35 40 feet.
Mrs. McClelland commented that the west side appeared considerably
more open than the east side. Mr. Jarvis explained that it was within the
setbacks.
Del Johnson commented that he preferred the hammer head alternative
which would be located on the Dewey Hill III property.
Mr. Runyan noted that he believed this proposal to be far superior
to the originally approved plan. He felt the hammer head alternative would
resolve many problems. He moved for approval of the of the proposed plans
subject to: the recommendations suggested by Staff; the hammer head cul de
sac alternative which would be located on Dewey Hill III and that an
elevation study is done on the northerly buildings in order to prevent them
from interferring with Mr. Clark's sunlight for his solar panels.
Mr. Palmer seconded the motion. All were in favor; the motion
carried.
III. New Business:
LDj83411 Northern States Power.
Part of the N.E1/4 of the NE1/4 of Section 28,
Township 115N, Range 21
Mr. Hughes reported that the subject property is the site of the
N.S.P. substation and service center. State law requires that the
substation be valued by the State of Minnesota and the service center by
the City of Edina for real estate tax purposes. The proponent requests the
lot division in order to create two tax parcels for valuation purposes.
The parcels resulting from the division comply with the requirements of the
Zoning Ordinance. The request appears reasonable and should be approved.
Mrs. McClelland moved for approval and Mr. Bailey seconded the
motion. All were in favor; the motion carried.
LD -83=12 Clark Construction; Lot 7, Block 1, Gleason Court
Mr. Hughes said that the proponent is requesting a party wall
division of a two-family dwelling. Individual utility connections are
provided. He recommended approval.
Mr. Palmer moved for approval and Mr. Ring seconded the motion.
All were in favor; the motion carried.
LD=83-13 Clark Construction; Lot 12, Block 7
Braemar Hills 9th Addition
Page five
Mr. Hughes stated that the proponent again is requesting a party
wall division of a two..�family dwelling and that individual connections are
provided. He recommended approval.
Mr. Palmer moved for approval and Mr. Ring seconded the motion.
All were in favor; the motion carried.
Zoning Ordinance
Mr. Hughes informed the Commission of a joint work session between
the City Council and the Planning Commission scheduled for November 14
regarding the revised Zoning Ordinance, accessory apartments and
conditional use permits for religious institutions.
Mr. Hughes explained an executive summary''which outlined the
revised Zoning Ordinance and reported that the revision of the Zoning
Ordinance would appear on the November 30's Planning Commission agenda.
Amendment to the Comprehensive Plan
Mr. Hughes noted, -that this item would be continued on the November
30 agenda.
IV. Adjournment
Mr. Gordon Johnson moved for adjournment and Mrs. McClelland
seconded the motion. All were.in favor; the meeting was adjourned.