HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008-06-03 Council Work Session MINUTES
OF THE WORK SESSION OF THE
EDINA CITY COUNCIL
HELD AT CITY HALL
JUNE 3, 2008
5:00 P.M.
Mayor Hovland called the meeting to order at 5:10 p.m. in the Community Room of City Hall. Answering
rollcall were: Members Bennett, Housh, Masica, Swenson and Mayor Hovland. Also present: Planning
Commissioners John Lonsbury and Michael Fischer. Staff present included: Heather Worthington,
Assistant City Manager; Ceil Smith, Assistant to the City Manager; Cary Teague, Planning Director; City
Attorney, Roger Knutson and Debra Mangen, City Clerk.
Mayor Hovland said the purpose of the work session was to discuss the Land Use Chapter of the
Comprehensive Plan. Member Masica led off stating that she felt height was an issue that needed to be
discussed. She brought to the meeting a large map received from a constituent that she used to point
out the height of various buildings in the Cahill area. The Council discussed various aspects of building
heights with staff and the Planning Commissioners.
It was noted that the Cahill Industrial Area (east of Cahill Road, west of Hwy 100 and north of 1-494) was
an area where the draft plan noted a potential for increased density. The Council discussed the following
acceptable heights for the area: three stories, east side of Cahill and south side of 70th Street and the
neighbors would not object to eight stories adjacent to Hwy 100. Discussion also included: increasing
green space in relation to increasing height, impact of change in one neighborhood affecting adjacent
neighborhoods, the vibrancy of neighborhood adjacent to freeways, whether or not zoning would need to
change if the comprehensive plan changed the designation of an area (the City would have nine months
to change zoning and then only change zoning if in conflict with plan), mixed use development,
residential over retail development, whether industrial areas should be retained, purpose of the
Comprehensive Plan to give guidance to developers and protection to residents, need to balance uses
(i.e. commercial, industrial, residential), residents' desire to not increase height or density, development
of vision, need for small area plans and maintenance of infrastructure.
The Council agreed the Cahill Industrial area from the railroad tracks to Highway 100 should be included
in a small area study, there should be a maximum height of three stories and the zoning should not
change. Future work sessions should review other potential areas of change including: Southdale area,
44th Street and France Avenue, the Grandview area, France Avenue north of Highway 62, and Valley
View Road and Wooddale Avenue.
Mayor Hovland declared the meeting adjourned at approximately 6:50 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Debra Mang n, Ci Clerk