06-23-86 PC Minutes~~o
MINUTES OF THE GOLDEN VALLEY
PLANNING COMMISSION
June 23, 1986
A regular meeting of the Golden Valley Planning Commission was held in the
Council Chambers of the Civic Center, 7800 Golden Valley Road, Golden Valley,
Minnesota. Vice Chair Leppik called the meeting to order at 7:05 P.M.
Those present were Commissioners Kapsner, Leppik, McAleese and Lewis. Also
present were Mark Grimes, Director of Planning and Development, Alda Peikert,
City Planner, and Gloria Anderson, Planning Secretary.
Commissioners Prazak and Russell were absent. Commissioner McCracken-Hunt was
not present at the beginning of the meeting.
I. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - APRIL 28. 1986
It was moved by Commissioner Kapsner, seconded by Commissioner Lewis and carried
unanimously to approve the minutes of the April 28, 1986 Planning Commission
meeting as recorded.
II. INFORMAL PUBLIC HEARING - PRELIMINARY DESIGN PLAN OF PUD #53
APPLICANT: Trammell Crow Company
LOCATION: 5500 and 5600 Wayzata Boulevard and
700 Turners Crossroad
REQUEST: Approval of Preliminary Design Plan of PUD #53 Which
Proposes Construction of an Office/Hotel/Parking Ramp
Complex
Vice Chair Leppik introduced this agenda item and asked staff fora review of
the proposal.
Commissioner McCracken-Hunt arrived at the meeting.
City Planner Alda Peikert reviewed the proposed PUD and indicated that staff
recommended approval. She indicated that Embassy Suites had withdrawn as the
developer of the hotel; however, she recommended that the PUD be approved as
submitted because a substitute operator is being sought.
Commissioners had several questions of staff regarding parking and traffic.
Staff indicated the parking ramp was for 1124 spaces with provision to construct
an additional level to provide for more parking if needed. Mr. Don Ankeny,
Trammell Crow Company, offered the information that with the new Xenia Avenue
and Vernon Avenue interchange, traffic on Turners Crossroad would be about half
as much as it is at the present time even with the construction of the office
building and hotel.
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Minutes of the Golden Valley Planning Commission
June 23, 1986
Page 2
Commissioner Leppik questioned the setbacks. Staff indicated that setbacks for
Don Ankeny of Trammell Crow Company made a presentation of the proposed PUD #53.
He stated that the buildings would be constructed of ]imestone, granite and
brick. The parking lot will be screened from the street with tall trees. Mr.
Ankeny stated they would save whatever mature trees that are there where possible.
the hotel and office buildings do not conform to code requirements but are
appropriate considering the high rise nature of the development. The parking
ramp would be closer than the required setback but would be screened. by land-
scaping with large trees and ornamental type trees.
Mr. Ankeny also indicated that Embassy Suites Hotel has withdrawn as the hotel
developer. However, Trammell Crow is making every effort to find a substitute
hotel operator. Mr. Ankey states that Trammell Crow desires to have a hotel as
part of the development.
Mr. Ankeny indicated they hoped to break ground for construction on November 1,
1986 with completion planned for March of 1988.
Commissioner McCracken-Hunt asked if there were any plans for an outdoor plaza,
if there would be ventilation for the underground parking level, and if .the
developer had considered additional underground parking levels.
Mr. Ankeny stated there would be an outdoor plaza area oriented toward people.
He also stated there would be ventilation for the underground parking but they
could not construct more than one underground level because of the high water
table in the area.
Vice Chair Leppik opened the informal public hearing.
Mr. Mike Perelstein, 5121 Circle Down, thanked the Commission on behalf of the
neighborhood for the opportunity to speak at this meeting. He had questions
regarding the preparation and status of the Environmental Assessment Worksheet
(EAW) and the Indirect Source Permit (ISP), the traffic study and the effect on
home values in the area.
Director Grimes said the EAW should be available. in several weeks and that more
information is needed from MnDOT before it can be completed. The Director
stated that the EAW deals with questions on traffic, sewer, water and drainage
in order to determine if there will be a significant impact on the environment.
If there is a significant impact on the environment, an Environmental Impact
Statement would be necessary. The ISP deals with air pollution generated by
traffic from the proposed development. Director Grimes exp]ained the traffic
study being done on the I-394 corridor with St. Louis Park, Minnetonka and
Golden Valley. The results of this study could have a bearing on future devel-
opment along this corridor. This study will probably take four to six months to
complete.
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June 23, 1986
Page 3
Mr. John Bjorn, 5320 Circle Down, asked if the hotel would be visible over the
parking ramp when looking west from Circle Down. Mr. Ankeny said it would be
visible.
Mr. Don Krietzman, 300 North Natchez, has a business located at 1000 Turners
Crossroad and asked when they would be required to vacate the building. Director
Grimes stated they would be made an offer in about three weeks and would probably
have 90 to 120 days before they would have to move. He stated that the firm of
Von Klug and Associates would be handling the relocation of the businesses and
that Von Klug would be in contact with them to explain the relocation process
and benefits.
The informal public hearing was closed.
Commissioner Kapsner stated his support for the project and that he likes the
fact that there will be a reduction in the traffic on Turners Crossroad. He
felt the proposed office and hotel would be an asset to the City of Golden
Valley.
Commissioner Lewis also supported the proposal. She indicated she had dealt
with Trammell Crow indirectly in the past and knew them to be a reputable
company.
It was moved by Commissioner Lewis, seconded by Commissioner McAleese and carried
unanimously to recommend City Council approval of the Preliminary Design Plan of
PUD #53 which proposes construction of an office/hotel/parking ramp complex at
5500 and 5600 Wayzata Boulevard and 700 Turners Crossroad subject to the follow-
ing conditions:
1. A Preliminary Plat conforming to the approved PUD Preliminary Design
Plan shall be submitted with the PUD General Plan of Development.
2. Plans for site access off of Xenia Avenue South and off of the detached
frontage road shall conform to MnDOT I-394 plans for the Xenia/Vernon
interchange.
3. Environmental review, including an ISP, shall be satisfactorily
completed prior to construction.
4. The foundation for the parking ramp shall be constructed in such a
manner as to accommodate future addition of another level of parking if
required.
5. Retail and service uses included in the development shall be compatible
with the office and hotel uses and shall be scaled to accommodate the
office and hotel clientele. Uses provided for in the PUD shall include,
but not be limited to, the following: Day care, health club, restaurants,
cafeteria, postal substation, banking facilities, car .wash, convenience
store, travel agency, secretarial service, barber shop, beauty shop and
tanning booth.
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Minutes of the Golden Valley Planning Commission
June 23, 1986
Page 4
Director Grimes indicated that this would come before the City Council for a
public hearing on August 5, 1986 and surrounding property owners would be
notified.
Reports were given on previous City Council, Housing and Redevelopment Authority,
and Board of Zoning Appeals meetings.
It was decided to have a work/study session for the next Planning Commission
meeting scheduled for July 14,.1986.
Meeting was adjourned at 9:15 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
~1~
Margaret Leppik, Vice Chair Linda McCracken-Hunt, Secretary