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11.18.2025 PC MinutesCHANHASSEN PLANNING COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING MINUTES NOVEMBER 18, 2025 CALL TO ORDER: Chairman Noyes called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. MEMBERS PRESENT: Chairman Eric Noyes, Steve Jobe, Jeremy Rosengren, Ryan Soller, Mike Olmstead, Dave Grover, and Katie Trevena. MEMBERS ABSENT: None. STAFF PRESENT: Eric Maass, Community Development Director. PUBLIC PRESENT: None. PUBLIC HEARINGS: 1. Consider Ordinance XXX: Amending Chanhassen Business Center Planned Unit Development Zoning Ordinance Chairman Noyes reviewed the public hearing process. Eric Maass, Community Development Director, reviewed the Chanhassen Business Center Planned Unit Development Zoning Ordinance. He noted that the PUD location is entirely developed. He stated that the existing PUD ordinance doesn’t explicitly state conditional or interim uses, and as a result, the conditional and interim uses listed within the underlying IOP zoning district apply. He summarized the permitted uses within the existing PUD for light industrial, warehouse, and office. He reviewed the existing permitted uses in the IOP District and the uses in the Chanhassen Business Center PUD Amendment. Mr. Maass reviewed the specific proposed permitted accessory purposes in the IOP district and the appropriate options for the Chanhassen Business Center PUD Amendment. He reviewed the conditional uses in the IOP district and those listed in the Chanhassen Business Center PUD Amendment. Commissioner Trevena asked for additional overall context between accessory uses, permitted uses, and permitted accessory uses. Mr. Maass answered that permitted uses did not require additional city approval for new building permits or tenants. He said that a permitted accessory use was only allowed in addition to the permitted use. He stated that a conditional use would need to complete the conditional use permit process with the Planning Commission and City Council. He said that the interim use had a sunset period, unlike the conditional use permit. Planning Commission Minutes – November 18, 2025 2 Commissioner Jobe asked what was meant by a commercial tower. Mr. Maass responded that it would be a cell tower. Commissioner Jobe asked if the solar energy was on top of the building or free-standing panels. Mr. Maass answered that it could be either, and they had to meet regulations in the City Code about solar energy systems. Commissioner Rosengren asked if a daycare center was an accessory use; it had to be operating in conjunction with another business. Mr. Maass answered that yes, a permitted accessory use would have to be secondary to a permitted use. Commissioner Rosengren inquired about the use of an accessory for automotive repair. Mr. Maass answered that it would be expected to be a part of another auto-related use. Commissioner Soller asked what was driving the ordinance. Mr. Maass responded that the staff gets calls for zoning verification letters. He said that they have received requests for this area and it was identified that the PUD only called out specific permitted uses, but not conditional, interim, or permitted accessory uses specifically identified within the PUD. Chairman Noyes clarified that the object was not to permit something in the long term that did not make sense. Mr. Maass answered in the affirmative. Chairman Noyes asked if the changes would lead to more or less activity in the future. Mr. Maass responded that there were not a lot of vacancies at the business park. Commissioner Rosengren asked about food processing or a commercial kitchen. Mr. Maass answered that it could likely fit under the warehouse use definition. Commissioner Soller asked if a brewery with a tap room would be permitted and under which category. Mr. Maass answered that it would not be permitted currently. Commissioner Soller asked if a micro distillery would be permitted in the future. Mr. Maass answered that the PUD calls out specific uses allowed. He said that a less-obvious use could be approved by the City Council. He stated that certain permitted uses were not in the PUD amendment today. Commissioner Soller asked about the permitted accessory uses for the commercial kitchen operating with a taproom or cocktail room. He asked how this could exist if micro distilleries or breweries were not permitted. Mr. Maass responded that a commercial kitchen would need to be an accessory of a light industrial, warehouse, or office. If it did not fit one of the permitted uses, they should not have it as a permitted accessory use, or they could add language. Commissioner Jobe asked about the history and why it was not expanded upon more originally. Mr. Maass responded that he did not know why they did the paragraphs rather than specific uses. He thought the goal was to provide a specific type of business park that was specific to jobs rather than retail. Planning Commission Minutes – November 18, 2025 3 Commissioner Rosengren asked if a brewery wanted to open here, if it would be approved, or if they would need to have additional conversations. Mr. Maass responded that the difference would be if they were inviting the public in or if they were just making and packaging the product. He said that it was setting it up so the primary driver was production and jobs. Commissioner Rosengren suggested being specific about the permitted uses if they thought there would be confusion. He did not think there needed to be additional clarification. Commissioner Soller said he was questioning being too restrictive for those who owned and managed the property. He asked if the owners would be happy or less happy with the option that is passed today. He said that they were trying to create a higher quality business park, but he asked how the Planning Commission could determine what high quality was determined to be. He voiced a preference to be more open. Chairman Noyes asked if the owners did not believe there would be a restrictive environment in the future since they did not attend the meeting. He thought that they were cleaning up and prioritizing, so the types of businesses fit the area. Commissioner Jobes asked about the indoor health and recreation clubs. He asked if it was initially not included because of the parking available. Mr. Maass answered that he did not know if fitness clubs were originally included, but they are considered more of a retail option. He stated that health and fitness clubs were not included in the existing IUPs. Commissioner Trevena noted that her husband was a landlord in town for similar types of properties. She asked if a health and fitness business wanted to open, and if they would have to go before the City Council. Mr. Maass answered that if the proposed use was not a permitted use or an accessory use to a permitted use, a conditional use, or an interim use, it would require a PUD amendment, or the City Council could use its discretion if it would fit under office, warehouse, or light industrial. Chairman Noyes said in the future an applicant could go forward with a reasonable ask to the Planning Commission, it would likely get approved. Chairman Noyes opened the public hearing. There were no public comments. Chairman Noyes closed the public hearing. Commissioner Soller asked if any of the current tenants violated restricted uses that would be approved today. Mr. Maass answered that there were two properties that had outdoor storage. One had an additional conditional use permit, so it would continue to be allowed unless there was a violation of the conditional use permit. He stated that a second property had outdoor storage, but they did not have a conditional use permit. City staff is working to make contact with the applicant to try to understand if they have documentation to authorize the outdoor storage. Planning Commission Minutes – November 18, 2025 4 Commissioner Jobe moved, Commissioner Grover seconded that the Chanhassen Planning Commission motions to recommend approval of the ordinance amending the Chanhassen Business Center PUD as recommended by city staff. All voted in favor and the motion carried unanimously with a vote of 7 to 0. GENERAL BUSINESS: None. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: 1. APPROVAL OF PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES DATED OCTOBER 7, 2025 Commissioner Trevena moved, Commissioner Soller seconded to approve the Chanhassen Planning Commission summary minutes dated October 7, 2025, as presented. All voted in favor, and the motion carried unanimously with a vote of 7 to 0. COMMISSION PRESENTATIONS: None. CORRESPONDENCE DISCUSSION: Eric Maass, Community Development Director, stated that they held a groundbreaking for the Avienda apartments yesterday. He noted that Eden Springs, the 42-bed memory facility, was approved and would have a groundbreaking tomorrow. The new Excel Energy Service Center will have a ribbon-cutting ceremony tomorrow. The Minnewashta Apartments received approval from the City Council. He stated that the Planning Commission would soon review the sign code and the Heritage Tree Ordinance. Chairman Noyes asked about the sign code and how it would be different than the previous discussion. Mr. Maass responded that they took the work and brought it to the City Attorney to make sure the regulations were in line with federal law. Commissioner Jobe asked how many work sessions would be planned for 2026. Mr. Maass answered that they did not have any scheduled, but he could consider feedback to add them working into the schedule. Chairman Noyes asked about the Planning Commission meeting on December 16. Mr. Maass responded that they were hoping to get additional work done in 2025. OPEN DISCUSSION: None. ADJOURNMENT: Commissioner Olmstead 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 6:39 p.m. Submitted by Eric Maass Community Development Director