HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010-05-18 Council Work Session MINUTES
OF THE WORK SESSION OF THE
EDINA CITY COUNCIL
HELD AT CITY HALL
MAY 18, 2010
5:00 P.M.
ROLLCALL Answering rollcall were Members Bennett, Brindle, Housh, Swenson and
Mayor Hovland. Staff present included: Gordon Hughes, City Manager; Heather
Worthington, Assistant City Manager, Ceil Smith, Assistant to the City Manager; Cary
Teague, City Planner; Wayne Houle, City Engineer/Public Works Director; Jennifer
Bennerotte, Communications & Marketing Director; and Debra Mangen, City Clerk.
Community Advisory Team Members present included: Kim Montgomery, resident; Steve
Buss, resident; Gene Persha, resident; Andy Brown, resident; Lary Chestler, resident;
Greg Domke, resident; Bob Shadduck, business owner; Nancy Grazzini-Olson, property
owner; Chris Rofidal, Heritage Preservation Board; Michael Platteter, Energy &
Environment Commission, and Kevin Staunton, Planning Commission. Design Team
Members present were: Michael Schroeder, Landscape Architect, Team Leader; Michael
Fischer, Architect; and Peter Sussman, Architect. Also present were: Bob Gubrud, Beth
Dutcher, Jack Broze, and John and Janet Bohan,
Kevin Staunton, Michael Schroeder and Michael Fischer presented the results the teams
achieved from the three weeks the teams worked on the community-based planning
process for areas near the Edina Public Works site.
The gentlemen covered various aspects of the process which was founded in interaction
with the community, led by representatives of the community, with design direction
provided by volunteer planning and design professionals who live in Edina. Using visuals
they explained the following seven guiding principles adopted by the group at the end of
the small area guide process:
1. Leverage publicly-owned parcels and civic presence to create a vibrant and
connected district that serves as a catalyst for high quality, integrated public and
private development.
2. Enhance the District's economic viability as a neighborhood center with regional
connections, recognizing that meeting the needs of both businesses and residents
will make the district a good place to do business.
3. Turn perceived barriers into opportunities. Consider layering development over
supporting infrastructure and taking advantage of the natural topography of the
area.
4. Design for the present and the future by pursuing logical increments of change
using key parcels as stepping stones to a more vibrant, walkable, functional,
attractive, and life-filled place.
5. Organize parking as an effective resource for the district by linking community
parking to public and private destinations while also providing parking that is
convenient for businesses and customers.
6. Improve movement within and access to the district for people of all ages by
facilitating multiple modes of transportation, and preserve future transit
opportunities provided by the rail corridor.
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Minutes/Edina City Council/May 18, 2010
7. Create an identity and unique sense of place that incorporates natural spaces into
a high quality and sustainable development reflecting Edina's innovative
development heritage.
The gentleman also displayed the concept arrived upon by the CAT and Design Team.
Following the presentation there was a discussion among the Council, and participants of
the community-based planning teams. Items noted included: concern that public
ownership be preserved, kudos to the community-based planning process, residents were
enthusiastic about participating in a community-led process, ability to replicate the
process in the future, refining the outcomes of the process, ability to include
redevelopment of the school bus garage property, logical next step, name of the area,
presentation to Council for acceptance during a regular meeting, and costs and funding
sources involved in moving further into the project, request that Council endorse the
process, and formidable time commitment from staff over the six week time-frame. .
It was noted the Public Works Department was expected to move into its new facility and
vacate the Eden Avenue property in July.
There being no further business on the Council Agenda, Mayor Hovland declared the
meeting adjourned at 6:40 p.m.
Respectfully submitted, "�Z
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Minutes approved by Edina City Council,A1,
James B. H ovland, Mayor
Video Copy of the May 18, 2010, meeting available.
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