HomeMy WebLinkAbout2002-12-23 Council Special Meeting MINUTES
OF THE SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING OF THE
EDINA CITY COUNCIL HELD AT
EDINA CITY HALL
DECEMBER 23,2002
12:00 NOON.
ROLLCALL Answering rollcall were Members Housh, Hovland, Masica and Mayor
Maetzold. Member Kelly entered the meeting at 12:10 p.m.
Mayor Maetzold advised the Council that the item of business for consideration was of
Ordinance No. 2002-12, an Ordinance Imposing a Moratorium on Demolitions in the
Country Club District.
Manager Hughes noted the moratorium on Country Club demolitions had expired
December 17, 2002. Staff learned that it was legally possible to extend the previous
moratorium. Based upon that advice, the proposed ordinance has been prepared and
presented for Council review and consideration, Mr. Hughes said that as an alternative
to adopting the resolution, the Council could pursue the Landmark designation by
allowing the City Council to review and act on the issue at their January 21, 2002
meeting without allowing Planning Commission review.
Mayor Maetzold said that staff had only recently found out it was possible to extend the
moratorium. He added that while the moratorium was in place the Council could
review and grant exceptions to individuals seeking to tear down and re-build homes in
the district.
Member Housh stated he thought the Heritage Preservation Board had been charged to
conclude their work before the expiration of the moratorium. He would not support
enacting any further moratorium at a special meeting because he did not like doing so
without public notification. At the very least he would not support waiving second
reading of the ordinance.
Member Hovland asked if a property owner could request a waiver from the
moratorium if they could show just cause. Attorney Gilligan replied that yes, a waiver
could be granted by the City Council if warranted. Member Hovland agreed with
Member Housh that he did not like the need to extend the moratorium, but felt it was
important enough to protect the historical significance of the district to enact a further
moratorium.
Member Kelly agreed with Member Hovland. He stated he was surprised and
disappointed with the failure to complete the necessary designations before the
expiration of the moratorium, but the historical significance of the district was too
important to risk by not enacting a further moratorium.
Minutes/Special Edina City Council/December 23,2002
Member Masica expressed her discomfort with the process of setting a special meeting
for the purpose of enacting a moratorium. She stated that she believed it was unfair to
impose an additional ban when the City did not complete their work within the original
time frame.
Mayor Maetzold said that he believed most residents living in the Country Club District
believe that there are regulations already in place requiring review and guidance of tear
downs and remodeling within the District. He agreed that it would have been better if
the Board had finished its work on the designations of landmark properties, but that at
this time extending the moratorium made sense.
Public Comment
Lee McGrath, 4614 Moorland, explained that he had purchased the home at 4619
Moorland. Mr. McGrath noted he had invested 1.5 million in the property at 4619 and
he would like to build a new home at that location. He objected to the proposed
moratorium because it would cause a financial burden due to the Heritage Preservation
Board not completing their task. Mr. McGrath requested the Council not adopt the
moratorium. He said that obtaining any type of waiver would impose an unfair burden
on the property owners.
The Council discussed their various concerns and viewpoints regarding the
implementation of an additional moratorium. Member Kelly made a motion,
seconded by Member Hovland to adopt Ordinance No. 2002-13 enacting a six-month
moratorium on demolition of existing homes within the Country Club District.
Rollcall:
Ayes: Hovland, Kelly, Maetzold
Nays: Housh, Masica
First Reading Granted
Member Masica left the meeting at 12:45 p.m.
Member Hovland made a motion, seconded by Member Kelly to set a special
meeting on December 26, 2002 at 5:00 p.m. to consider granting second reading to the
ordinance enacting a demolition moratorium within the Country Club District.
Ayes: Hovland, Kelly, Maetzold
Nays: Housh, Masica
First Reading Granted
There being no further business Mayor Maetzold declared the meeting adjourned at
12:50 p.m. o"I
City Clerk
2