05.06.2025 PC ITem MinutesPlanning Commission Minutes – May 6, 2025
6
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.
Planning Commission Minutes – May 6, 2025
7
Chairman Noyes said the parking lot in the northwest corner of the 13 acres did not seem to have
a delineation. He asked if that was intentional or for illustration purposes. Mr. Maass responded
that the site plan was out of date but wanted to provide it as an example so they could see where
the building would be located on the site. He said that the exact alignment of the parking and the
main entrance would evolve. He said that the line on the site plan did shift, but he expected there
to be shared parking with the future development.
Chairman Noyes stated that they were doing this to provide extra levels of visibility for the
community for the future development of these outlots. Mr. Maass answered that the outlots
were expected to be developed in accordance with the Planned Unit Development.
Commissioner Olmstead commented that he watched the City Council meeting and that they
voted to enter into an agreement to buy the 13 acres and to accept the gift from the developer. He
asked if the Planning Commission was looking to divide it into the different parcels. Mr. Maass
answered that the city had to define the location of the 13 acres, and the plat was the mechanism
to do that.
Commissioner Soller said he wanted to understand the process level. He said that the data
required information about the land, soil conditions, and susceptibility to erosion, and wondered
if he should expect to see more research and data to support the finding. He asked if it was
contained in a previous analysis of the physical characteristics of the site or if he should not be
worried about it. Mr. Maass answered that the specifics he mentioned came with the site plan
process. He commented that the city would follow the required processes, but that the city had
reviewed the site to ensure the development potential for the Chanhassen Bluffs facility.
Commissioner Jobe asked about the 1.8 acres and if the pond was accurately sized. He asked if
they would have the capacity for the run-off as things change. Mr. Maass responded that they
had the ultimate condition for the sizing of the stormwater pond and that the 2.0 acres was
adequate.
Commissioner Soller asked about the requirements for the subdivision and made sure it was not
premature. He asked what premature would look like and how the site does not lack the four
items under Item G. Mr. Maass answered that there was a sanitary sewer and water main directly
adjacent to the site, with the capacity to serve the site with the development. He said if there
were no sanitary sewer, the subdivision would be considered premature. He said that all the
conditions were met.
Chairman Noyes opened the public hearing.
John Gilbert, 1641 Jeurissen Lane, said he attended the hearing last night, and water was a hot
topic for Pioneer Ridge. He commented that 1.8 acres seemed sufficient. He said he was glad to
see that the community center had proper funding in place. He asked about the purchase
agreement and the gift for the 13-acre property and whether the city was the applicant, rather
than Level 7 Development. He thought the 8.2 Development Plan was in place and had not been
updated. He said he understood that as they moved forward, things would crisscross. He said
when the plan was first proposed to the city, there was talk about fast food restaurants and car
Planning Commission Minutes – May 6, 2025
8
washes, which was initially a concern. He stated that the hotel would do well to serve people
who wanted to use the hockey rink.
He discussed changes with the planned unit development regarding hydrodynamics as there may
be changes when it comes to the final plan, and if the 2.0 acres would be sufficient. He
commented that it was sad to see the 2.2 acres included changes to the senior housing. He said
that the changes to the plan were unsettling, such as the walkability for residents. He lives
nearby, and it is not the center of attraction as it was proposed to be. He said he did not recognize
it as it was initially pitched. He discussed a personal desire to see a platform tennis court at the
community center.
Chairman Noyes closed the public hearing.
Mr. Maass said that the city was the applicant but did not own the property. He said that there
was a land-use application with the property owner. He said that it was common for someone
with a purchase agreement to apply with the approval of the current property owner.
Chairman Noyes said this seemed to be a formality portion of the process, as they were not
discussing what would be in the subdivisions. He thought there would be future opportunities to
provide feedback.
Commissioner Soller moved, Chairman Rosengren seconded that the Chanhassen Planning
Commission recommends approval of the requested preliminary plat and adopts the
attached Findings of Fact and Decision. 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 APRIL 8, 2025
Commissioner Grover moved, Commissioner Trevena seconded to approve the
Chanhassen Planning Commission summary minutes dated April 8, 2025, as presented. All
voted in favor, and the motion carried unanimously with a vote of 7-0.
2. APPROVAL OF PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES DATED APRIL 15, 2025
Commissioner Trevena moved, Commissioner Jobe seconded to approve the Chanhassen
Planning Commission summary minutes dated April 15, 2025, as presented. All voted in
favor, and the motion carried unanimously with a vote of 7-0.
COMMISSION PRESENTATIONS: None.
ADMINISTRATIVE PRESENTATIONS: None.
CORRESPONDENCE DISCUSSION: None.