HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010-11-16 Council Work Session MINUTES
OF THE WORK SESSION OF THE
EDINA CITY COUNCIL
HELD AT CITY HALL
NOVEMBER 16, 2010
4:35 P.M.
Mayor Hovland called the meeting to order at 4:35 p.m. in the Community Room of City Hall.Answering rollcall
were Members Bennett, Brindle, Housh, Swenson and Mayor Hovland. Planning Commissioner Chair Fischer
joined the meeting for the discussion of the proposed ordinance amendments.
Staff attending the meeting included: Scott Neal, City Manager; Ceil Smith, Assistant to the City Manager;
Jennifer Bennerotte, Communications & Marketing Director; Wayne Houle, City Engineer/Director of Public
Works; Eric Roggeman, Assistant Finance Director; Cary Teague; Planning Director; John Wallin, Finance
Director; Roger Knutson, City Attorney; Kris Aaker,Assistant City Planner;and Debra Mangen,City Clerk.
Mayor Hovland said the purpose of the meeting was to continue discussion of the 2011 Operating Budget and
to review proposed amendments to the City's Zoning Ordinance.
Finance Director Wallin handed out a request for contribution from the Southwest LRT to assist with staffing of
the Steering Committee. It was noted the contribution was based upon population with the suggested
contribution for Edina being$3,500.00.
During discussion concerns included: why had Edina been requested to contribute when the proposed LRT
route would not connect to Edina and what would the public purpose of City participation be to the residents
of Edina. Possible benefits included the potential for transit-related development being realized. Staff noted
that there could be some enhanced walkability for northwest Edina,there was potential for access to Park and
Ride facilities and possible facilities such as the Golden Triangle may be located close by without dissecting
Edina. A request was made for a list or report of the organizations to which the city belonged with the value
equated with each membership. Following discussion, consensus was to fund the contribution for one year
with the expense off-set by delaying filling potential open staff positions.
The Council also discussed requests from the Energy & Environment Commission for funding to purchase
software. Staff concerns were expressed about the cost/benefit to the City versus the staff time to populate
the data. Joint meetings would aid in getting greater detail for potential projects.
Member Brindle noted the need for the Human Rights and Relations Commission to reallocate the Human
Services portion of their budget to ensure complete funding for the Edina Resource Center. Staff was directed
to relay the request to the Human Rights and Relations Commission to re-allocate the funds within the Human
Services portion of their budget as they deem appropriate.
Status of the labor contracts and negotiations was briefly discussed.
Planning Director Teague introduced Planning Commission Chair Fischer who reviewed for Council three
proposed amendments to the City's Zoning Ordinance. The amendments included: a change to the width and
material requirements for driveways. He said the recommendation was to eliminate the minimum driveway
width requirement in the R-1 and R-2 Zoning Districts and to allow pervious pavers as acceptable driveway
materials.
Next, Chair Fischer reviewed the proposed Planning Unit Development (PUD) zoning amendment. He noted
the establishment of the PUD would entail some changes to existing administration and procedures for
variances and appeals, rezoning,transfer to planned districts and conditional use permits.
There would be two primary benefits to a PUD: the City of Edina would have more control over proposed new
Minutes—Work Session/Edina City Council/November 16. 2010
development. Secondly under a PUD, the specific use proposed becomes the zoning of the property, and
specific conditions placed on the property are enforceable; and it would allow flexibility in certain
development standards in exchange for greater standards and control over development. Adoption of the
PUD would require some procedural changes to the administrative portion of the zoning ordinance as well.
The third amendment reviewed was the non-conforming use/alternative setback standard amendment. The
proposed ordinance would allow building additions into existing non-conforming setbacks up to a maximum of
200 square feet on each existing level of the home, or up to the existing square of the existing home,
whichever is less. This would only apply to properties in the R-1 or R-2 districts. The amendment would
require a conditional use permit for additions, repairs, replacement and restoration to single dwelling unit
buildings with a first-floor elevation of more than one-foot above the existing dwelling unit building also
applied to properties zoned R-1 or R-2.
The council discussed the various amendments, suggested draft language revisions and expressed concerns
with impact of the amendments. The Council will hold the public hearing on the first reading of the proposed
amendments at their regular meeting on November 16, 2010.
Mayor Hovland adjourned the meeting at 6:55 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Debra A. M41 en, City Clerk
Minutes approved by Edina City Council, November 16, 2010
James B. Hovland, Mayor
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