05.06.2025 PC item MinutesPlanning Commission Minutes – May 6, 2025
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Ms. Jeske said that since it was through a building permit, they would not ask who would live
there.
Chairman Noyes said he liked the spirit of what they were trying to do, but did not know if they
could accomplish it without having a concrete and enforceable ordinance.
Commissioner Rosengren noted that there was a maximum of one bedroom, which would impact
how many people were living in the auxiliary dwelling unit.
Commissioner Trevena asked if detached accessory dwelling units were approved if this would
be the ordinance that would be amended. Ms. Jeske answered that the City Council was looking
at a process to allow detached accessory dwelling units through a conditional use permit, which
would have its own separate standards.
Commissioner Trevena moved, Commissioner Jobe seconded that the Chanhassen
Planning Commission recommends the adoption of the ordinance amending Chapter 1 and
Chapter 20 regulating attached and internal accessory dwelling units. All voted in favor,
and the motion carried unanimously with a vote of 7 to 0.
2. CONSIDER MINOR PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENT (PUD) AMENDMENT TO
CHANHASSEN RETAIL CENTER PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENT (PLANNING
CASE 2025-09)
Ms. Jeske reviewed the location of the Chanhassen Retail Center Planned Unit Development.
She said that the subject property in purple was Taco Bell. She stated that the land use
designation was commercial. She explained that the reason for the request was that there were
architectural standards that were outdated and did not fit with a lot of commercial architecture
standards or large corporate standards. She displayed a typical design for a remodeled Taco Bell.
She said that they were looking to amend to allow for painted surfaces and a parapet wall or a
pitched roof. She explained that the design standards would be changed for all buildings in the
unit, not just Taco Bell. She stated that they were striking through item ten, which required all
buildings on the property to have a pitched roofline.
Chairman Noyes asked if the proposed changes would have any downstream impacts on the
other businesses on the property. Ms. Jeske answered that they were leaving the option in the
ordinance to allow for a pitched roof or a flat roof with a parapet wall, which would block the
view of equipment on the roof. She stated the only other change would be to allow for painted
surfaces on the exterior. She commented that they were adding an option for accent materials,
which provided flexibility for companies to comply with their corporate design standards.
Commissioner Grover asked what the language read before replacing it with “throughout the
planned unit development.” Ms. Jeske responded that it said, “located at the Target site.”
Planning Commission Minutes – May 6, 2025
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Commissioner Soller said it looked like there were no comments from any other owners or
operators within the Planned Unit Development. Ms. Jeske answered that they received no
feedback.
Commissioner Rosengren asked about the flat roof on Jersey Mike’s and Leeann Chin’s
building. Ms. Jeske answered that those projects had been permitted prior to her time with the
City and was unclear how those would have been approved under the existing PUD ordinance.
Chairman Noyes opened the public hearing. There were no public comments.
Chairman Noyes closed the public hearing.
Chairman Noyes stated that he saw no long-term issues.
Commissioner Soller commented that he would miss the old Taco Bell design but that more
flexibility was better.
Commissioner Olmstead moved, Commissioner Jobe seconded that the Chanhassen
Planning Commission recommends the City Council adopt the proposed ordinance
amending the Chanhassen Retail Center PUD Ordinance. All voted in favor and the
motion carried unanimously with a vote of 7 to 0.
3. CONSIDER PRELIMINARY PLAT FOR CHANHASSEN BLUFFS COMMUNITY
CENTER
Rachel Arsenault, Associate Planner, reviewed the location that was to be replatted. She said that
the future land use designation was office/commercial. She provided a reminder that Outlot E
was earmarked for recreation or entertainment use and that the Senior Housing Complex was no
longer anticipated. She reviewed the proposed plat and noted that there were three outlots. She
presented a conceptual site plan. She commented that all seven criteria for subdivision review
were met, and so were the code standards.
Chairman Noyes said he understood what was going on with the 13-acre parcel. He asked why
there were three lots and why they were in specific locations. Mrs. Arsenault responded that the
outlot to the east side was potentially set for future development for other businesses but was
kept as an outlot so it would come through a replatting process and the final plat process and site
review.
Eric Maass, Community Development Director, explained that the 2.0-acre outlot A was a
stormwater pond that was deeded to the city. He said that the 2.2-acre Outlot C would be
retained by Level Seven Development for future development, but the actual future development
was unknown. He said that the developer would like to get a hotel developed on the 5.6 acre
Outlot B, but they wanted to do a test fit. He said that the developer would like to do a car wash
on the northwest corner. He commented that the outlots were sized appropriately to aid in
development around the Chanhassen Bluffs Community Center.