HomeMy WebLinkAbout2005-01-29 Council Special Meeting MINUTES
OF THE SPECIAL MEETING
OF THE EDINA CITY COUNCIL
HELD AT THE
EDINA SENIOR CENTER
JANUARY 29, 2005,
8:00 A.M.
ROLLCALL: Answering rollcall were Members Housh, Masica, Swenson and Mayor Hovland,
Also in attendance were the following members of the Edina Planning Commission: Steve Brown,
David Byron, John Lonsbury, Michael Schroeder, Geoff Workinger. Also in attendance were the
following members of the Edina Transportation Commission: Joni Bennett, Dean Dovolis,
Warren Plante, Fred Richards, Marie Thorpe, Les Wanninger, and Jean White. In attendance as
well were the following staff members: Gordon Hughes, Eric Anderson, Ceil Smith, Wayne Houle,
Steve Lillehaug, and Craig Larsen.
PRESENTATION OF PRELIMINARY PLANS - SOUTHDALE CORRIDOR STUDY
Manager Hughes welcomed the Council, the Planning Commission, and the Transportation
Commission to the Special Workshop and introduced Mark Koegler, Jeff McMenimen and Rusty
Fifield of the Hoisington-Koegler Group, and Fred Dock of Myer-Mohaddes and Associates,
Transportation Consultants, who were prepared to provide an update concerning the Southdale
Corridor Study. Mr. Koegler introduced the topic by providing background information
concerning the work that had been done to date. He noted to the Council that a technical
advisory committee and a community advisory committee had been formed for the purpose of
overseeing the planning study. This study was a joint effort between the City of Edina and
Hennepin County and introduced Larry Blackstad and Katie Walker, staff members of the County
who were present. Mr. Koegler noted that a "futures committee" also was formed to provide a
long-term perspective for the Southdale area at the onset of the study.
Mr. Koegler introduced Rusty Fifield of the Hoisington-Koegler Group, who provided an overview
of the key findings that had been made to date. He also referenced the community meeting that
was held last fall for the purpose of gathering input from the broader Edina community with
respect to the Southdale corridor. He noted that a second community meeting was scheduled to be
held on February 10, 2005. Mr. Fifield thereupon provided an overview of the key objectives and
goals that had been established for the planning study.
Mr. Fifield introduced Jeff McMenimen of the Hoisington-Koegler Group, who presented three
land-use concepts for the study area. He noted the key differences between each concept. He also
asked the Council, Planning Commission and Transportation Commission to provide feedback
concerning the strengths and weaknesses of each concept within the next 10 days. Mr. Koegler
pointed out that their hope was to consolidate the strengths of each one of the three concepts in
order to create a fourth land-use concept for further consideration.
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Fred Dock, of Myer-Mohaddes provided an overview of the various traffic and transportation
challenges and opportunities in the Southdale corridor. He particularly noted issues with
pedestrian circulation and mass transit opportunities for the area.
The Council, Planning Commission and Transportation Commission thereupon posed numerous
questions and observations concerning the strengths and weaknesses of each of the three land-use
concepts. The consulting team advised that all comments and observations would be taken into
account and following the February 10, 2005, community meeting, further work would be done
on the plans and presented again to the Council, Planning Commission and Transportation
Commission at a future workshop. Mr. Hughes thanked all participants for giving their time to
review the status of the studies.
There being no further business, the Mayor adjourned the meeting at 10:10 A.M.
Respectfully submitted,
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City Clerk
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