26-01 CC PresentationPlanning Case #2026-01
Chanhassen Community Center
Planning Commission Public Hearing –February 17, 2026
City Council –February 23, 2026
Requesting Site Plan Approval
How did we get here?
•1995 – Joint Powers Agreement between City of Chanhassen and Eastern
Carver County School District establishes the current Chanhassen
Recreation Center.
•2021 Site Facilities Study - many facility updates are necessary to meet the
demand of the growing community.
•2022 Parks Referendum Task Force – reviewed solutions to address
facilities study issues raise. Ultimately, recommended pursuing
construction of a new community center with primary funding source
being a local option sales tax.
How did we get here?
•July 22 / August 12, 2024 – City Council meetings to discuss ballot
question language.
•September 2024 – A four page informational mailer sent to each
home in Chanhassen sharing full financing plan, amenity information,
property tax projections, and ballot question language.
•November 2024 – Chanhassen residents voted to support a local
option sales tax to provide funding for a new community center.
How did we get here?
•Q1 2025 – Business outreach to inform businesses of local option
sales tax and provide city departments for key staff and resources.
•April 2025 – Tour of several nearby community centers.
•May 2025 – City Council meeting discussing tour takeaways and
review early community center concepts
How did we get here?
•September 2025 – City Council work session reviewing project and
budget.
•January 2026 – Community Open House
•Digital/Email Engagement – prominent topic in city communications
throughout 2025 featured in “Chan-Happenings” and “City Projects &
Construction” email newsletters. 1,526 total clicks/engagements
which was the highest across all email communications.
Site Plan Application
Development Location
Current Zoning Designation:
Planned Unit Development (PUD)
2040 Land Use Plan
Office/Commercial
Communications
•Proposed Development Sign placed on property on 1/29/26
•Email sent to the “Proposed Developments” email group on
2/5/26
•Postcards sent to neighbors within 500 ft on 2/5/26
•Public Hearing Notice posted in the Sun Sailor on 2/5/26
Level of City Discretion
The city’s discretion in approving or denying a site plan is
limited to whether or not the proposed project complies with
zoning ordinance requirements.
If it meets these standards, the city shall approve the site plan.
This is a quasi-judicial decision.
1.(Is / Is Not) consistent with the elements of development guides, including the Comprehensive
Plan
2.(Is / Is Not) consistent with the site plan review requirements
3.(Does / Does Not) preserve the site in its natural state to the extent practicable
4.(Does / Does Not) create a harmonious relationship of buildings and open space
5.(Does / Does Not) create a harmonious design for structures and site features
6.(Does / Does Not) protect adjacent neighboring properties through reasonable provisions for
drainage, buffers, view preservation, light, and air
7.(Is / Is Not) within the Highway Corridor districts consistent with the purpose, intent and
standards in the HC district.
8.(Is / Is Not) within the Bluff Creek Overlay (BCO) district, consistent with the purpose, intent, and
standards in the BCO district.
9.(Does / Does Not) maintain an acceptable road system level of service
Site Plan Review
Site Plan Review
•The Applicant is proposing the
construction of a new
community center for the City
of Chanhassen.
•This community center
contains two ice rinks, a
concessions area, community
rooms, and field house
amenities.
Site Plan Review – Site Furnishings
•The proposal includes bike racks, benches, and tables with
umbrellas.
Site Plan Review - Architecture
Proposed Materials:
Proposed Materials:
Site Plan Review - Architecture
Site Plan Review
Landscaping:
• Total proposed canopy coverage
and buffer yard plantings exceed
city requirements
•Trees required: 60
•Trees proposed: 314
•The vehicular use area
landscaping plan being finalized.
•All plantings must meet city
diversity requirements.
Site Plan Review
Screening:
•Utility boxes are proposed in
the south-west corner of the
site.
•All utility boxes are out of the
view of the road and propose
additional landscape screening.
•A wing wall is proposed to
screen the loading area
Site Plan Review – Code Compliance
Lot Ordinance Requirements Subject Site
Area 10,000 square feet 13 acres
Lot Coverage 70% across the entire development 79.6%*
Building Height
Principal 2 stories 2 stories
Building Setbacks
Front yard 5’288.24’
Rear yard 5’79.65’
Side yard 50’165’ & 56.18’
Parking Setback
All Yards 10’>10’
*Individual sites are permitted to exceed the maximum hardcover percentage
Site Plan Review – Parking
City Code Section 20-1124(a)(7): “The parking requirement
for uses not listed in this division may be established by the
city based on the characteristics of the use and available
information on parking demand for such use.”
Site Plan Review – Parking
Community Centers Chanhassen Maple Grove Edina
Building Size (sf) 194,780 233,899 200,000
Ice Sheets 2 2 4
Commercial Tenants/Partners 1 1 2
Turf Fields (indoor or domed)Yes Yes Yes
Indoor Aquatics No Yes No
Athletic Fields (outdoor)No No Yes (4 baseball
fields)
Parking Spaces 501 644 780
Site Plan Review – Parking
•175 spaces per ice rink recommended.
•450 spaces established by staff as minimum threshold.
•501 parking spaces currently proposed.
•Larger events such as graduation ceremonies will likely require
off-site parking to be secured by event organizer.
•SW Transit ramp located 1.5 miles to the east
Site Plan Review – Parking
Schematic Design
- 433 parking stalls
Site Plan Review – Parking
Current Design
- 501 parking stalls
Site Plan Review - Traffic
•In 2023, a Traffic Impact Analysis (TIA) was completed for the
entire Avienda PUD.
•The applicant provided a memorandum updating the TIA to
include the proposed community center information.
•No modifications to nearby streets or intersections required.
Wetlands
•Wetlands are present just to
the south of the project site
•A wetland delineation
was approved with the
Avenida Final Plat ~ 2017
•Design shows compliance
with wetland and buffer
setback rules
Stormwater Management
•Major drainage patterns
remain the same
•Plans propose to utilize and
improve three existing
stormwater basins
•Ponds will be utilized for
reuse – irrigating areas
throughout the development
1.(IS) consistent with the elements of development guides, including the
Comprehensive Plan
2.(IS) consistent with the site plan review requirements
3.(DOES) preserve the site in its natural state to the extent practicable
4.(DOES) create a harmonious relationship of buildings and open space
5.(DOES) create a harmonious design for structures and site features
6.(DOES) protect adjacent neighboring properties through reasonable provisions for
drainage, buffers, view preservation, light, and air
7.(IS NOT) within the Highway Corridor districts.
8.(IS NOT) within the Bluff Creek Overlay (BCO) district
9.(DOES) maintain an acceptable road system level of service
Site Plan Review
Planning Commission Recommendation
“The Chanhassen Planning Commission recommended
unanimous approval of the requested site plan and the
adoption of the findings of fact and decision subject to the
conditions listed in the staff report.”
City Council Discussion
Proposed Motion
"The Chanhassen City Council approves
the requested site plan for the Chanhassen
Community Center, subject to the
conditions of approval, and adopts the
attached Findings of Fact and Decision."
Supplemental Informtion
Site Plan Review
Lighting
•Light posts are limited to 30 feet in
height
•Fixtures shall be shielded and “cut off”
angles no greater than 90 degrees
•Light levels are limited to ½ foot candle
at property lines.
Site Plan Review -
Utilities
•Applicant proposes
to collect sanitary
sewer and convey
via a public lift
station.
•Watermain will
connect existing
stubs provide via
the Avienda
project.
Grading & Drainage – Existing Conditions
• Project site was mass graded in 2021
as part of the Avienda Development
Final Plat
•3 Existing Stormwater Basins
•NE corner along Bluff Creek Blvd
•SE and SW corners upstream of Wetland
Complex
•Stormwater runoff generally flows
from north to south
•Majority of drainage is conveyed
through stormwater basins
•Site is flatter to the north
•Steep slopes are present to the south
Stormwater Management
•Project is required to meet City and Riley Purgatory Bluff Creek
Watershed District requirements
•Water quality (WQ)
•Rate Control
•Buffers
•Rate and WQ rules being met with wet ponds and reuse system
•Design will need to comply with stormwater master plan for
development