HomeMy WebLinkAboutMay 12, 2011 Meeting Notes
Grandview Small Area Plan
Thursday, May 12, 2011
7:00 PM
Edina Senior Center
Committee Members Present: Andy Brown, Sandy Fox, Larry Chestier, Tom
Bonneville, Diane Reinhart, Kim Montgomery, Greg Domke, Gene Persha, Bright
Dornblaser, James Justice, Darcy Winter, Paul Nelson, Chris Rofidal, Richard
Borland, Suzanne Davison, David Davison, Terry Ahlstrom, Bernie Beaver, Steve
Buss, Arne Cook, Peter Sussman, David Novak, Laura Giertsen, Peyton Robb, Lisa
Diehl, Linda Urban, Tom Ruppert, Tom Mattison, Ken and Adele Floren, Michael
Schroeder and Kevin Staunton
Staff Present: Cary Teague, Jackie Hoogenakker
I. Welcome and Introductions
Mr. Staunton welcomed everyone to the meeting of the Steering Committee and
asked that everyone present introduce/reintroduce themselves. Introductions
were made.
Mr. Staunton informed the Committee that "notes" would be taken at each
meeting of the Steering Committee and that if business was conducted and a
motion taken at a meeting the motion would be recorded as "minutes". Staunton
said it is important to have a written record of meetings; however, the committee
shouldn't get "bogged down" approving the notes of each meeting. Continuing,
Staunton said if any member of the Steering Committee would like to make
changes or additions to the "notes" they should contact Cary Teague. It was also
suggested that Teague keep a Steering Committee "folder" with agendas, (if
applicable) materials and notes of each meeting.
II. Executive Committee Report
Mr. Staunton reported that the Executive Committee (Kevin Staunton, Mike
Fischer, Michael Schroeder, Kim Montgomery, Lisa Diehl, Chris Rofidal, Larry
Chestler, and Cary Teague met and scheduled their future meeting dates for the
2nd and 4th Wednesdays of each month. The meetings would be from 8:15-9:45
AM and take place in the Mayor's Conference Room in City Hall.
Mr. Staunton proceeded and informed Members that the Executive Committee
met and proposed that the Steering Committee meet the 3rd Thursdays of each
month. The following meeting dates were submitted for approval. June 16th, July
21st, August 18th and September 15th. Staunton asked if there was a motion to
accept those dates.
Bernie Beaver moved to accept the following meeting dates of the Steering
Committee; June 16th, July 21St, August 18th and September 15th. Chris Rofidal
seconded the motion. All voted aye; motion carried.
Mr. Staunton said that over the next few months the Steering Committee needs
to chart out their course. Staunton said an RFP needs to be written to retain
consultants, adding an event or charette should be scheduled (August,
September) to shape ideas for a development framework.
Staunton said at this time he would like the convener from each of the four
workgroups (Community Needs and Public Realm, Market Analysis and Finance,
Land Use and Community Design and Transportation) to share with everyone the
results of their conversations in the small group meetings.
III. Work Group Reports
Kim Montgomery— Community Needs and Public Realm
Ms. Montgomery said their group met with the goal of defining what City
residents would like to see in the Grandview Area. Montgomery said the entire
group broke into 5 working groups to address the following two questions:
1. What amenities should a 21st century city have that we do not have at all in
Edina in general or in this area in particular?
2. Which of those amenities would be a good fit for this geographic area?
What do we, as residents not want in this area?
Ms. Montgomery noted the group(s) discussion found areas of commonality.
1. The need for connectors both social and physical.
2. Create an identity for the area.
Ms. Montgomery reported that many members expressed the idea that social
connectedness was very important with group members suggesting: community
gathering areas that cross generations - (i.e. town square,
community/civic/cultural center, meeting rooms). Ms Montgomery said the
groups also had suggestions on what they don't want to see in this area; no big
box retail and limited building height. The majority suggested that any new
buildings should fit in with the current height of the buildings already in the area.
Concluding Ms. Montgomery said with regard to transit that members were split,
with some members concerned about increased congestion in the Grandview
area while others expressing the opinion that having a mass transit stop in this
area would be critical to the City's future.
Larry Chestier—Transportation
Mr. Chestier said David Davison of their group would be investigating the
feasibility of light rail in the Grandview area. The group will continue to study
vehicle, pedestrian activity through the site.
Lisa Diehl — Market Analysis and Finance
Ms. Diehl said that at this time the group is in a "holding pattern". Diehl
explained that the group is also waiting for information from the housing survey.
Gene Persha addressed the group and said that he was very interested in TIF
Districts, adding that he attended a discussion on TIF with the majority of the
conversation focused on Southdale. Continuing, Persha said in his opinion TIF
shouldn't be dismissed for this area, adding TIF has regulations but there are
incentives to develop by creating a TIF District. Persha said there is hope for
creative financing in the area using TIF.
Chris Rofidal — Land Use and Community Design
Mr. Rofidal said their group would work on identifying community needs, and
would reach out to the business community to help bring business and property
owners into the fold.
Gene Persha told the group that he attended a discussion in St. Louis Park on the
impact of the railroad in that City. Persha said in Edina's case it may be wise to
consider the option of building over the railroad tracks (in certain areas). This
would gain more park land.
Mr. Staunton thanked everyone for sharing their meeting discussion and
acknowledged the "newcomers" to the meeting and asked them to introduce
themselves.
Darcy Winter, Jerry's Enterprises
Jim Baisch, UPS Store
Tom Ruppert, Edina Highlands resident
Ken and Adele Floren, residents of Grandview Square
Mr. Staunton again thanked everyone for their participation and said at this time
he would like Michael Schroeder to "take over" and lead the visioning exercise.
IV. Grandview Visioning Ideas Exercise:
Michael Schroeder addressed the Committee and asked them to refer to the
handout sheets provided titled "Grandview Ideas". Schroeder suggested that the
Committee break into groups and as a group fill out the exercise sheet; limiting
one idea to each sheet. Schroeder suggested thinking big and outside the box on
this exercise. Also, be creative and articulate your ideas. Schroeder reminded the
members that their ideas should tie back to the 7 Guiding Principles and would
also make their way to the consultants the committee retains.
Kevin Staunton allotted time for the exercise with regrouping and sharing of ideas
after the exercise was complete.
Idea Name and Supporting Description if Provided:
Heights Appropriate to Context-Grandview Square and Jerry's Offices
Peyton Robb, Sue Davison, Bernie Beaver, Jim Baisch, Peter Sussman
• Fill in the excavated hill as starting point (public works) and build up from
there. Define "tall" as higher than 4-stories = limit.
Broad Dynamic District Wide Vision
Peyton Robb, Sue Davison, Bernie Beaver, Jim Baisch, Peter Sussman
• Keep broad scale in mind.
Parking Structure @ Public Works — Park Above
Peyton Robb, Sue Davison, Bernie Beaver, Jim Baisch, Peter Sussman
• Transportation below grade (potentially including school buses)
Encourage Large Development
Peyton Robb, sue Davison, Bernie Beaver, Jim Baisch, Peter Sussman
• Medical complex, large office complex, transportation hub. Also
accommodate small business and neighborhood needs. A transportation
hub requires a larger development to justify the cost of the transit facility.
This district can be an employment center.
Retain Diversity of Business Site
Peyton Robb, Sue Davison, Bernie Beaver, Jim Baisch, Peter Sussman
• Support small business — incubator
Small Business Zone that can serve the Community and be an asset to the
Community. Peter Sussman, Jim Baisch
• Unique businesses that can create jobs. Businesses that are best run on a
small scale can blend in with the surroundings. (Arts/Crafts Bookstore
(Specialty))
• In Planning Stage make room for small business to coexist with the large
businesses
Density Sufficient to Support Bridging within the District
Peyton Robb, Sue Davison, Berne Beaver, Jim Baisch, Peter Sussman
• Vision requires framework. Framework provides opportunity. Small Town
feel
Incorporate Sustainability and Long-Term Planning
Peyton Robb, Bernie Beaver, Sue Davison, Jim Baisch, Peter Sussman
• Use Demographic study results. e.g. desirable housing for young families.
• Use Sustainability Principles (e.g., The Sustainable Sites Initiative)
Town Square-Civic Center-Targeted Retail/restaurant/office
James Justice
• Attractive, unique, "old feel" design. Encourage business with lower
vehicle turnover. Keep it local!
Public Space/Plaza Area
Andy Brown, Dave Davison, Lisa Diehl, Rich Borland, Larry Chestier
• Iconic design feature — Sculpture garden, gazebo, band-shell, gathering
open areas. Internal//External
Expanding and Supporting the Business Hub
Andy Brown, Dave Davison, Lisa Diehl, Rich Borland, Larry Chestier
• Supporting additional growth of existing business and services.
• Identity of Grandview Neighborhood Trade Area
• Support of future demands — more restaurants and service businesses.
Transit
Andy Brown, Dave Davison, Lisa Diehl, Rich Borland, Larry Chestler
• Dan Patch (slow train, with linkage to other connectors/stations)
• Unintended consequences of southwest rail. Would help avoid people
going to other transit stations going thru Edina neighborhoods to get to SW
light rail.
Use Topography as your Friend Part I and II
Arne Cook
• Part 1 was an illustration
• Part 2 — Put all parking transit oriented in lower levels and public purpose
on top levels with easy access to Highway 100
• Design ingress egress similar to transit area and parking lots A B & C
between Target Center and Target Field off of 394
Land Physical Data Needs
Arne Cook and Tom Bonneville
• For all the area: provide topography and grading plans for as-built, surveys,
plats, site plans, all road and existing utilities
• For the public works area, provide topo, grading, utility layout, as-built
building plan, soils report. Environmental Report, elevation data for
adjacent buildings across tracks and others.
• Data from Transportation Committee — RR use, heights, frequency of trips,
row rights, interest in a 15t floor transit stations.
Put a Lid on It Arne Cook
Reconfigure access lanes to 100 and cover highway 100 to "create" three new
acres of land in Edina — Green space — free up other adjacent land for
development.
Town Center— Mixed Use
Tom Ruppert and group
• Development (higher density) connecting Grandview Development to City
Hall
• Residential high rise vs. no high rise (8 stories)
• Office
• Retail, long term, not stop and shop
• Minimize public expense
• Look to Centennial Lakes model
• Designed to appeal to the immediate community-not a destination
Intergenerational Community Center with parking ramp building into hillside
Kim Montgomery, Gene Persha, Steve Buss, Bright Dornblaser
• Intergenerational Community Center with the following:
1. A green roof
2. An outdoor café on the roof
3. Meeting rooms
4. Performance spaces
5. Gym including basketball court/running track
6. Rental spaces
7. Training spaces
8. Retail spaces in the bottom (smaller retailers/service businesses)
Connecting Neighborhoods with Bikes and Walkers/Aesthetically Pleasing
Boulevard - illustration
Kim Montgomery, Gene Persha, Steve Buss, Bright Dornblaser
Performing Arts & Cultural Center
Linda Urban, Terry Ahlstrom, Laura Giertsen
• Would include an auditorium, gallery space, meeting and educational
rooms. Could also be utilized and marketed as a convention site. Edina
needs a larger auditorium than the H.S. - for example, we rent Northrup
auditorium for graduation exercises.
• If a performance space was there, I think community theater groups would
flock to it. Bloomington Performing Arts Center is a good example.
"For Different Reasons at the Same Time" —A Performing Arts and Cultural
Center
Terry Ahlstrom, Linda Urban, Laura Giertsen
• A full service venue for plays, concerts, speakers, showcase for arts that
would be a drawing card for people of all ages in our community. It would
fulfill a need that is currently NOT MET AT ONE SPOT,
Pool/Community Center T. Ahlstrom, L. Urban, L
• Updated version of Edinborough with more of a teen/family center.
• Incorporate sports uses (pool, work out facility) with cultural opportunities
(small room facilities, auditorium)
• Please for people with all interests.
• Big need in City for more pool space, all pools are booked everyday
day/night after school
Rooftop/Outdoor Space/Promenade. T. Ahlstrom, L. Urban, L
• Take advantage of any height to get outdoor setting —view of skyline.
• Use "covering" railroad as old fashioned tree lined promenade for people
to gather. Enhance with sculptures/
• Pedestrian Flavor throughout site — connecters exterior and interior
(skyways)
• Social/random interactions
Pedestrian and Traffic Flow T. Ahlstrom, L. Urban, L
• Re-route traffic and entrance ramps, perhaps eliminating Gus Young Drive
and/or other roads, minimize need for pedestrians to cross traffic would
like to see meandering sidewalks with benches, gardens, sculpture,
gazebo with businesses and restaurants fronting on it.
Fix Gus Young Lane —The Z turn needs to be fixed. Gene Persha
• Illustration plus: 1) change RR Bridge 2) alter roadway through there. 3)
get rid of the right turns
Central Atrium Mixed Use Facility
Sandy Fox, Chris Rofidal, Darcy Winter, Greg Domke
• Turn the outside in — secondary option (2-sided store fronts)
• Internal Transportation corridor for the district (a connector with connector
to City Hall)
• Service/Retail/Small Business
• Flexible spaces that can be used for business (startup)
• Rehearsal spaces - recitals
Sheets with Untitled Idea Names:
Diane Reinhart— Remove school bus garages and relocate. Tear down City
garages for mixed use commercial/residential. No large residential high-rises. Try
to look like Centennial Lakes but not as dense. Don't become 50th and France! Let
that be the downtown!
Ken and Adele Floren — We want the area to be developed such that we have a
very effective combination of park like areas (i.e. public financed) and attractive
commercial/office use (i.e. privately financed) such as Centennial Lakes Area*.
The commercial should not include any more short turnover businesses (i.e. fast
food, dry cleaning, liquor store, etc.). We want to draw mostly locally not be a
destination point for a large area.
*No high-rise
Staunton invited a representative from each group to briefly share their "vision"
and place their work sheets on the "sticky wall".
V. Next Meeting Date
Mr. Staunton thanked everyone for their participation and said the Steering
Committee will meet again on June 16th
Mr. Staunton adjourned the meeting at 9:00 PM
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