HomeMy WebLinkAbout4-10-19 Planning Commission MinutesDraft Minutes
Approved Minutes
Approved Date: April 24, 2019
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Minutes
City Of Edina, Minnesota
Planning Commission
Edina City Hall Council Chambers
April 10, 2019
I. Call To Order
Chair Thorsen called the meeting to order at 7:06 PM
II. Roll Call
Answering the roll call were: Commissioners Miranda, Lee, Strauss, Melton, Hamilton, Berube, Chair
Thorsen. Staff Present: Cary Teague, Community Development Director, Kris Aaker, Assistant Planner,
Ross Bintner, Engineering Services Manager, Jennifer Bennerotte, Communications & Technology Services
Director, Liz Olson, Administrative Support Specialist
Absent from the roll call: Mangalick, Nemerov, Bennett, and Olsen.
Commissioner Hamilton moved to approve Commissioner Thorsen as acting Chair the
April 10, 2019 meeting. Commissioner Berube seconded the motion. The motion carried
unanimously.
III. Approval Of Meeting Agenda
Commissioner Strauss moved to approve the April 10, 2019, agenda. Commissioner Berube
seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.
IV. Approval Of Meeting Minutes
Commissioner Berube moved to approve the March 27, 2019, meeting minutes.
Commissioner Miranda seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.
V. Community Comment
None.
VI. Public Hearings
A. B-19-6, Variance Request at 4249 Crocker Ave.
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Planner Aaker presented the staff report for 4249 Crocker Ave., Edina, MN and explained that the
applicant is requesting a 7.4 foot side street setback variance to the south side street/front setback from
Morningside Road for a teardown-rebuild new home. The subject property, 4240 Crocker Ave., is
approximately 9,504 square feet in area and is located on the northwest corner of Crocker Avenue and
Morningside Road. The existing home will be torn down and replaced on the lot with a two-story home
with a side load garage. Staff recommends approval of the variance, as requested subject to the findings
and conditions listed in the staff report.
Appearing for the Applicant
Scott Busyn, Great Neighborhood Homes, introduced himself and the homeowners, Kush Chottepanda and
Sarah Bakken and asked Commissioners if they had any questions.
Ross Bintner, Engineering Services Manager, introduced himself and explained that he completed the Engineering
review on the property. Bintner displayed plans from the applicant and explained the existing site survey shows
elevation lines along the property and contour lines and explained that the lot drains south and west. Bintner
noted that the property to the north has window wells near the property line and explained that was his
primary concern.
Discussion/Comments/Questions
Commissioners asked if garages were included in lot coverage and Aaker confirmed that they are.
Commissioners commented that the applicant’s lot coverage is listed at 24.8 percent and 2,185
square feet and Aaker confirmed that the percentage includes the attached garage, screened
porch, house, and entry porch according to the designer’s first floor plans. Aaker explained that
the patio is not included because it is 150 square feet. Aaker explained that she took the hard
coverage calculations off of the survey and to refer to the designer regarding the stated
“preliminary” and “maximum” calculations.
Commissioners asked if detached garages are included in lot coverage and Aaker responded in the
affirmative.
Commissioners made a comment that when you tear down a small house in Edina, you cannot
replace it with a small house because it doesn’t work because you have to add the value.
Commissioners commented that residents further down on Crocker asked about lot area
coverage and hard surface and suggested that the concrete patio might be wood instead.
Commissioners commented on the preliminary site plan and that the landscape plan doesn’t
represent the sidewalk and boulevard. Commissioners also stated concern about the water
coming off of the hard surface, how it is handled, and where it goes.
Commissioners asked Busyn about the landscape plan because it appeared to go into the sidewalk.
Busyn explained that the plan is preliminary and when they apply for a permit, they will submit a
survey showing the fence inside the property line and follow the zoning rules.
Commissioners stated that other residents on Crocker Ave. have asked that that the new
homeowners be as respectful as they can and be mindful of the hard surface, including the
downspout, how the landscape is addressed, the fence and hedge is addressed, and if the patio
needs to be concrete versus a wood deck. Busyn responded that storm water is a valid concern
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and that the engineered plan was carefully calculated where the water would go. Busyn said they
are using the front yard and large backyard to percolate as much as they can before the water
would shed off the site.
Busyn explained that the patio in the back would be a paver patio and it would be set in sand so it
wouldn’t be a concrete patio that would tip away from the garage.
Commissioners asked about the “max” dimension for both direction and asked Busyn which is the
more accurate number. Busyn replied that the survey is the more accurate number because they
surveyor is taking the proposed design and site fit the final footprint. Commissioners also asked
Busyn if he was taking the first floor height up beyond what is currently existing and Busyn
responded in the negative and explained that it is actually going to be lower than what is existing
right now.
Commissioners asked if there was any grading that needed to be done that would elevate the
grade from where it is now around the house. Busyn replied that a little grading would need to be
done on the north side. Busyn explained that it is currently flat so having a swale, on the
homeowner’s side that has a peak in the eastern, end would allow the water to flow across into
the front yard. Busyn also said that he would grade it from that point to the east to flow into the
backyard.
Commissioners asked if Busyn was going to remove any trees from the property. Busyn replied
that he met with about 10 neighbors last Tuesday and they discussed the trees. Busyn stated that
a few of the trees aren’t healthy so once the bud out, it will be easy to determine if they need to
be replaced per the tree ordinance.
Commissioners asked Busyn if he expecting to apply for a watershed permit and Busyn replied
that they will apply to the Minnehaha Watershed, per the City’s requirement.
Commissioners commented that the Morningside and Weber Park area has been one of the areas
high up on the City’s priority list in terms of drainage and is subject to a lot of flood situations.
Commissioners mentioned that the Planning Commission has been talking about adding an item to
their work plan as far as looking at lot coverage and the amount of impermeable and permeable
surface. Commissioners stated that they will be looking at where applicants are proposing walks
and what type of materials are going to be more important now as they move forward.
Commissioners commented that once you throw the overhangs in, the applicant is almost an
additional 500 square feet of impermeable surface beyond the house footprint. Commissioners
stated that the neighborhood is tender because they have been hurt in times past with water
problems.
Commissioners asked Busyn if he was planning to hold as much water as they can on site for
stormwater. Busyn replied in the affirmative and he explained that he wants to use the yard areas
as best as he can, especially to get it away from the neighbor to the north. Commissioners also
commented to be cautious of the downspout placements. Commissioners stated that in cases like
this one where there is a water sensitivity, you may have to give consideration to additional
downspouts to spread it out the exits on to a grassy or permeable area before it heads out
towards the street.
Public Hearing
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Brian Johnson, 4247 Crocker Ave., stated that Morningside is very sensitive. Johnson stated that a lot of
builders were interested in the property but a lot passed because of the lot difficulties. Johnson stated that
there is a variance on the back where the driveway is off of Morningside Road and Johnson owns 10 feet
of the land. Johnson also stated that on the back side there is 2.5 to 3 foot mound and to be cognizant of
the downspouts and on the backside where the driveway is.
Commissioner Strauss moved to close the public hearing. Commissioner Lee seconded the
motion. The motion carried unanimously.
Discussion/Comments/Questions
Commissioners asked Johnson if the mound is located behind the existing garage now and if the
retaining wall is on the east side of his driveway and Johnson replied in the affirmative and
commented that he wants to make sure his retaining wall is protected.
Commissioners commented that it was an interesting case and embodies a lot of the issues that
the Planning Commission has been faced with on so many other projects. Commissioners
commented that a smaller home would have been nice to see built on this lot. Commissioners
commented that the issue is the characteristic of the lot and questioning if that merits a variance
because of circumstances beyond the control of the owner.
Commissioners also commented on their sensitivity to the area because they have gone through
their documentation of water issues. Commissioner’s commented that it is a smaller lot that
merits a special treatment of perhaps a different type of design that would look at the lot in terms
of its storm water drainage and holding capacity.
Commissioners asked Bintner about the catch basin for the site on Morningside at the corner.
Bintner replied that once the site drains off to the right-of-way, both Crocker Ave. and
Morningside Road have curb lines that transmit the flow to local storm sewer systems and once it
is there, it makes its way into our public system. Bintner commented that he is concerned about
the flooding in the Morningside neighborhood, but Engineering reviewed plans with its consistency
with the policy that interprets both the code and the comprehensive water resource management
plan.
Bintner explained that the additional 1,000 square feet of lot coverage that the home is adding,
isn’t the same thing as impervious surface. Bintner explained that his report is a preliminary review
and stated that at the point of a Building permit, he will make sure that the impervious surface
amount that is new to the site doesn’t’ exceed the 600 square foot threshold. Bintner also stated
that if it exceeds the 600 square foot threshold, mitigation measures will be required.
Commissioners asked Bintner about the back downspouts that had a fair amount of property to
the east to perk before it ran off the site and stated that now it doesn’t. Bintner commented that
when looking at the existing conditions, Engineering doesn’t generally focus on the land area
between the hard surfaces or assume anything about gutters. Bintner noted that he see the water
flowing along the north property line out to the west and across the property to Morningside
Road. The site design isn’t something that Engineering looks at in the calculations and the site and
storm water can handle it on the site and meets our policy.
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Student Commissioners mentioned possibly looking into changing the 3 car garage to a 2 car to
reduce the amount of area covered on the lot.
Commissioners discussed that they were influenced by the compliance table and seeing the
building coverage, which is within the City standard. Commissioners also commented on the odd
size of the lot, but that the design on Crocker Ave. is very attractive and fits in.
Motion
Commissioner Strauss moved approval of the variance as outlined in the staff memo subject to
the conditions and findings therein. Commissioner Berube seconded the motion.
Aye: Miranda, Strauss, Thorsen, Hamilton, Berube
Nay: Lee
The motion carried 5-1.
VII. Reports/Recommendations
A. Comprehensive Plan Update
Commissioners discussed the work session that took place at 5:30 PM on April 10, 2019 and
explained that the discussion included reviewing the submitted comments from the public and
noted that Monday was the end of the 30 day review period. Commissioners explained that
they’re trying to address or acknowledge each one. Commissioners commented that the public
hearing for the draft Comprehensive Plan will be on the agenda at the April 24, 2019 Planning
Commission meeting. Commissioners stated that the Comprehensive Plan is a general guidance
document for the City of Edina to emphasize what might happen over the next 10 years.
B. 2019 Bylaws
Chair Thorsen discussed the revisions to the bylaws that were proposed. Commissioner Lee made a
friendly amendment to the bylaws to include a change on page 11 on Chapter 16 to now read, “E. 10.
Provide an annual educational opportunities for all members including the role of a planning commissioner
and an annual training session with the City Attorney.”
Commissioner Berube moved approval of the bylaws with the amendment to now read, E.
10. Provide annual educational opportunities for all members including an annual training
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session on the role of a planning commissioner and an annual training session with the City
Attorney.” Commissioner Miranda seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.
VIII. Correspondence and Petitions
None.
IX. Chair and Member Comments
Commissioner Miranda commented that he attended the second Sub Committee meeting of the
Transportation Commission on TDM with Commissioner Lee and summarized what was discussed at
the meeting. Commissioner Miranda provided information that can be found in the website links below:
E Line Frequently Asked Questions: https://www.metrotransit.org/Data/Sites/1/media/e-
line/eline_fact_final.pdf
E Line Project: https://www.metrotransit.org/e-line-project
All Metro Transit aBRT Projects: https://www.metrotransit.org/metro-network
X. Staff Comments
None.
XI. Adjournment
Commissioner Thorsen moved to adjourn the April 10, 2019, Meeting of the Edina Planning
Commission at 8:19 PM. Commissioner Strauss seconded the motion. The motion carried
unanimously.