10.07.2025 PC MinutesCHANHASSEN PLANNING COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING
MINUTES
OCTOBER 7, 2025
CALL TO ORDER:
Chair Noyes called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT: Chair Eric Noyes, Vice Chair Steve Jobe, Jeremy Rosengren, Ryan
Soller, Mike Olmstead, Dave Grover, and Katie Trevena.
MEMBERS ABSENT: None
STAFF PRESENT: Rachel Arsenault, Associate Planner; Eric Maass, Community
Development Director.
PUBLIC PRESENT:
Jospeh Pavelko 6580 Pleasant View Way
Gayle Degler 9111 Audubon Road
PUBLIC HEARINGS:
1. CONSIDER A VARIANCE FOR A DECREASED FRONT YARD SETBACK FOR A
PROPOSED ATTACHED DECK AT 6580 PLEASANT VIEW WAY (PLANNING
CASE# 25-14)
Rachel Arsenault, Associate Planner, reviewed the proposed variance, applicable city code, and
the criteria for approving a variance.
Chair Noyes commented that the request seemed reasonable and that the lot was a unique
circumstance.
Chair Noyes opened the public hearing.
No speakers approached the podium.
Chair Noyes closed the public hearing.
Chair Noyes asked the Planning Commissioners if they had any additional thoughts or
comments.
The Commissioners indicated they had no additional comments.
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Commissioner Trevena moved, Commissioner Jobe seconded that the Chanhassen
Planning Commission motion to approve the requested decreased front yard setback,
subject to the conditions of approval and adopt the attached Findings of Facts and
Decision.” The motion carried with a vote of 7-0.
2. Ordinance XXX: Amending Chapter 20 to Modify Standards Associated with Accessory
Structures
Eric Maass, Community Development Director, presented why the accessory structure code was
currently under review for potential changes. He also provided graphics to help depict what
could currently be constructed within the 1,000 square feet currently allowed. This included a 4-
stall garage as well as a 3-stall garage with a hobby space. He reviewed the proposed ordinance
amendment for each zoning district, indicating that staff developed the proposed ordinance
utilizing a property's zoning district as the basis for the square footage of accessory structures
allowed, rather than calculating of lot area, as a property's lot area is more likely to change over
time than its zoning classification once developed.
The staff proposed ordinance recommended keeping properties zoned as Single Family
Residential (RSF) to 1,000 square feet of accessory structure space, and increasing the amount to
1,100 square feet for properties zoned Rural Residential (RR) and to 1,200 square feet for
properties zoned Agricultural Estate (A2). Staff utilized 100 square-foot increments based on the
principle that any structure greater than 200 square feet requires a building permit, whereas
another under 200 square feet is only a zoning permit. In addition to the recommended
ordinance, a potential alternate option would allow properties zoned as RR to have up to 1,200
square feet and properties zoned as A2 would have up to 1,400 square feet. Both options also
included the proposed agricultural exemption for agricultural buildings.
Chair Noyes opened the public hearing.
Gayle Degler spoke in favor of the agricultural exemption and the alternative size option to
increase allowed accessory structures.
Chair Noyes closed the public hearing.
The Planning Commission was generally supportive of increasing the square footage allowances
for properties that were zoned as either RR or A2, but held some discussion between the two
alternatives presented by staff. Ultimately, the Planning Commission voiced support for the
lesser of the two alternatives, noting that it would be easier to increase it in the future if a need to
do so was found, versus a much more difficult task of trying to reduce the amount, and that the
larger accessory structures may attract unlawful home occupations. The Planning Commission
also noted that out of the community examples provided, Chanhassen was already one of the
more generous communities when it came to total accessory structure size. The Planning
Commission also asked some clarifying questions regarding agricultural exemptions.
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Commissioner Rosengren moved, Commissioner Jobe seconded to recommend that the
City Council adopt the draft ordinance amending accessory structure size allowances as
presented. The motion carried unanimously with a vote of 7-0.
GENERAL BUSINESS: None.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
1. APPROVAL OF PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES DATED SEPTEMBER 16,
2025
Commissioner Grover amended page six to not reflect him as the speaker of a comment.
Eric Maass, Community Development Director, asked the commissioners if they remembered
making the comment.
Commissioner Rosengren proposed that it be changed to his name for the pedestrian-related
comment.
Commissioner Olmstead moved, Commissioner Rosengren seconded to approve as
amended the Chanhassen Planning Commission summary minutes dated September 16,
2025, as presented. All voted in favor, and the motion carried unanimously with a vote of 7-
0.
COMMISSION PRESENTATIONS: None.
ADMINISTRATIVE PRESENTATIONS
1. HERITAGE TREE ORDINANCE DISCUSSION
Mr. Maass discussed the heritage tree ordinance, reviewing the definitions that would be created,
additional replacement requirements for removing heritage trees, exemptions to the ordinance
and penalties for unapproved removal of heritage trees.
The Planning Commissioners posed clarifying questions on how this ordinance would work with
the canopy calculations and requirements. They reviewed the heritage tree exemptions, showing
concern for the species exemptions when they are still a part of the tree canopy and provide
benefits. The Planning Commission showed interest in adding incentives to preserve heritage
trees in addition to a protection ordinance. Additionally, they asked about current tree removal
lawsuits in other cities and wanted to verify this ordinance would not cause the potential for a
similar issue.
CORRESPONDENCE DISCUSSION: None.
OPEN DISCUSSION:
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The Planning Commission inquired about the construction schedule of Civic Campus and if we
are still on schedule for project completion.
Eric Maass, Community Development Director, shared that the Civic Campus project is still on
target for the construction schedule.
ADJOURNMENT:
Commissioner Soller moved, Commissioner Trevena seconded to adjourn the meeting. All
voted in favor, and the motion carried unanimously with a vote of 7 to 0. The Planning
Commission meeting was adjourned at 7:17 p.m.
Submitted by Eric Maass
Community Development Director