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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-06-01 City Council Regular MinutesPage 1 MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE EDINA CITY COUNCIL VIRTUAL MEETING JUNE 1, 2021 7:00 P.M. I. CALL TO ORDER Mayor Hovland called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. and stated the meeting was being held remotely in compliance with Governor Walz’ Stay at Home Order then shared the procedure for public hearing and community comment. II. ROLLCALL Answering rollcall were Members Anderson, Jackson, Pierce, Staunton, Hovland. Absent: None. III. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE IV. MEETING AGENDA APPROVED AS AMENDED Member Anderson made a motion, seconded by Member Jackson, to approve the meeting agenda as amended to add Item VIIA. Recognition of Police Chief Nelson’s Retirement. Rollcall: Ayes: Anderson, Jackson, Pierce, Staunton, Hovland Motion carried. V. COMMUNITY COMMENT No one appeared. V.A. CITY MANAGER’S RESPONSE TO COMMUNITY COMMENTS Manager Neal said there were no Community Comments at the last meeting. VI. CONSENT AGENDA ADOPTED AS PRESENTED Member Jackson made a motion, seconded by Member Pierce, approving the consent agenda as presented: VI.A. Approve minutes of the Work Session and Regular Meetings of May 18, 2021 VI.B. Approve claims for payment for Check Register Claims Pre-List dated May 21, 2021, totaling $809,939.95 and Claims Pre-List dated May 28, 2021, totaling $1,461,112.72 VI.C. Adopt Resolution No. 2021-43; Condemning the Use of Discriminatory Covenants, Discharging Discriminatory Covenants on City-Owned Property, and Approving Participation in the Just Deeds Coalition VI.D. Adopt Ordinance No. 2021-04; Amending Chapter 2 of the Edina City Code VI.E. Request for Purchase; awarding the bid to the recommended low bidder, Fiber Optic Installation to Water Treatment Plant No. 4, LOGIS, $101,156 VI.F. Request for Purchase; awarding the bid to the recommended low bidder, Contract Change Order for SCADA Upgrade Phase II Lift Station No. 9, Integrated Process Solutions, $55,193 VI.G. Waive Permit Fees for Grandview Parking Ramp Improvements VI.H. Request for Purchase; awarding the bid to the recommended low bidder, Watermain Improvements, Fer-Pal, $394,922 VI.I. Request for Purchase; awarding the bid to the recommended low bidder, Blake Road Pavement Improvements, Northwest Asphalt, $339,972 VI.J. Request for Purchase; awarding the bid to the recommended low bidder, North Ramp Work Area Improvements, Schreiber-Mullaney Construction, $86,890 Minutes/Edina City Council/June 1, 2021 Page 2 VI.K Request for Purchase; awarding the bid to the recommended low bidder, 2021 Watermain Pipe Condition Assessment, Short Elliot Hendrickson, Inc., $112,354 VI.L. Request for Purchase; awarding the bid to the recommended low bidder, CloverRide Circulator Bus, VI.M. Approve Traffic Safety Report of April 27, 2021 Rollcall: Ayes: Anderson, Jackson, Pierce, Staunton, Hovland Motion carried. VII. SPECIAL RECOGNITIONS AND PRESENTATIONS VII.A. POLICE CHIEF NELSON’S RETIREMENT – RECOGNIZED Mr. Neal shared his congratulations to Police Chief Nelson in honor of his retirement and thanked him for 30 years of service to the City of Edina. The Council also thanked Chief Nelson for his service and commitment to the City and wished him the best in this next chapter. Chief Nelson thanked the Council for their support. VII.B. RESOLUTION NO. 2021-46; AWARDING THE SALE OF $14,505,000 GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS, SERIES 2021A – ADOPTED Finance Director Uram explained the issuance of the City's General Obligation Bonds Series 2020A had two purposes; $6.16M for 2021 local street improvements and paid from special assessments over 15 years and $8.345M for local street and parking ramp improvements that included the pedestrian bridge paid for using Grandview 2 TIF collections over 20 years. Bids were received earlier in the day and tabulated by the City's financial advisor, Ehlers & Associates, Inc. He said the City requested bond ratings from both Moody's and S&P and both agencies assigned a "AAA" rating to this issuance and a credit challenge mentioned by Moody's was the above average level of long-term debt but were in no way a detriment then referred to the proactive stance taken during the COVID-19 pandemic that helped retain the City’s “AAA” bond rating. Nick Anhut, Ehlers & Associates, Inc., reviewed the bid tabulation in the amount of $13,025,000 and complimented the City for retaining the “AAA” bond rating for the past 20 years. Member Staunton introduced and moved adoption of Resolution No. 2021-46 authorizing issuance, awarding sale, prescribing the form and details and providing for the payment of $13,025,000 General Obligation Bonds, Series 2021A. Member Pierce seconded the motion. Ayes: Anderson, Jackson, Pierce, Staunton, Hovland Motion carried. VIII. PUBLIC HEARINGS – Affidavits of Notice presented and ordered placed on file. VIII.A. RESOLUTION NO. 2021-44 AND ORDINANCE NO. 2021-05; PRELIMINARY REZONING FROM PCD-3 TO PUD AT 4040 70TH STREET WEST – CONTINUED TO JUNE 15, 2021 Community Development Director Teague said the City Council was asked to consider a redevelopment of 4040 West 70th Street. The applicant, Ecumen and Lupe Development Partners, would tear down the existing office building and construct a new three-four story 118 senior affordable housing project with 86 underground and 23 surface parking stalls, then shared an expanded shadow study for consideration. He reviewed revisions made from sketch plan in detail, noting the traffic and parking study was conducted and concluded that the proposed parking would accommodate the site. Mr. Teague spoke about comments received and the Planning Commission’s support of the proposal. Steve Minn, applicant, said this would be the first 100% affordable senior housing project in the state that would span 99 years. He shared their work with the neighborhood for the past six months to gain input. Zac Rosenow, applicant, shared further comments about the proposed project that included the transition zone to France Avenue then described the art room, community room, and other spaces. The project incorporated stepping into the massing to underscore the transition from residential to commercial to the east. Mr. Rosenow spoke about the bike rim and public sidewalk access that included width increases to be Minutes/Edina City Council/June 1, 2021 Page 3 more pedestrian friendly. He shared about the sewer easement and shifting the project north that resulted in small parking reductions and better rainwater management, then outlined building materials and colors and noted they addressed reflectivity and inclusion of more glass to include daylight. Mr. Minn said the shadow study had been shared with Kinderberry Hill who had concerns due to lack of sunlight during later hours. There were no further concerns but they would continue to engage their input throughout the process. The Council asked to review the environmental questionnaire and suggested a change to the entrance and the amount of proposed vertical metal siding. Mr. Minn responded that they evaluated two site orientations and recommended the “J” version as it created a small drop-off area for patients and could affect flooding and require the need to create raingardens. The Council spoke about the importance of visibility of this site along 70th Street West then thanked the applicants for their attention to changes and being open to the neighborhood. The Council asked about balcony guidelines and moving the plane to provide irregularity for a better vision. Ann Stanfield, Ecumen, spoke about proposed property management that focused primarily on safety and would address what was appropriate to the site, which included plantings and other complimentary elements. Mayor Hovland opened the public hearing at 8:03 p.m. Public Testimony Nora Davis, 6921 Southdale Road, addressed the Council. Lori Grotz, 5513 Park Place, addressed the Council. Roberta Castellano, 4854 France Avenue South, addressed the Council. The Council requested input on traffic and flooding concerns raised during public testimony. Ed Terhar, Wenck, shared how the project would create fewer trips in the morning and evening but over a 24-hour period, would result in an increase of 144 trips due to office use. Engineering Director Millner commented on concerns of flooding issues and the underground tank that addressed concerns for the neighborhood to the west and not increase flooding to the west. The Council asked about weekend traffic impacts. Mr. Terhar shared additional traffic use on weekends and noted the amount of traffic generated by the site was relatively small, and while changed would result in no operational changes. The Council asked about stormwater treatment and confirmed it was an improvement over what was present due to impervious surface comparted to current and the impacts of tree loss. Mr. Minn explained the replacement amounts would be over what was current and include a nice mix of trees, both flowering and canopy, on the south and west sides. He then spoke more about impacts of the shadow study and income limits. Member Jackson made a motion, seconded by Member Pierce, to extend public hearing to noon on June 7, 2021, and take final action on Ordinance No. 2021-05 amending the Zoning Ordinance to add PUD-22, Planned Unit Development 22 at 4040 70th Street West and Resolution No. 2021-44 Approving Preliminary Rezoning from PCD-3, Planned Industrial District to PUD-22, Planned Unit Development – 22, 4040 West 70th Street, at the June 15, 2021, City Council meeting. Ayes: Anderson, Jackson, Pierce, Staunton, Hovland Minutes/Edina City Council/June 1, 2021 Page 4 Motion carried. VIII.B. RESOLUTION NO. 2021-45; PRELIMINARY PLAT WITH VARIANCES FOR 5209 MINNEHAHA BOULEVARD – CONTINUED TO JUNE 15, 2021 Mr. Teague said Scott Busyn, Great Neighborhood Homes, was proposing to subdivide the property at 5209 Minnehaha Boulevard into two lots. The existing home on the lot would be torn down and two new homes built on the new parcels. Lot 1 would gain access off the alley and Lot 2 off Minnehaha Boulevard. This lot was originally platted as two lots. The applicant was proposing to restore the original plat. Mr. Teague reviewed comments regarding increased traffic and tree removals. Scott Busyn, Great Neighborhood Homes, shared the mission of their firm that fit well into the character of the existing neighborhood then reviewed the plat in detail, including the driveway access and maintaining existing forest views of neighboring properties as well as engineered drainage plan. Mayor Hovland opened the public hearing at 8:39 p.m. Public Testimony No one appeared. Member Jackson made a motion, seconded by Member Staunton, to extend public hearing to noon on June 1, 2021, and take final action on Resolution No. 2021-45 Preliminary & Final Plat of 5209 Minnehaha Avenue with lot width variances from 75 feet to 60 feet for both lots, at the June 15, 2021, City Council meeting. Ayes: Anderson, Jackson, Pierce, Staunton, Hovland Motion carried. VIII.C. RESOLUTION NO. 2021-47; APPROVING APPEAL FOR SIGN VARIANCES FOR MONUMENT SIGN HEIGHT AND SIZE AT 7101 AND 7201 METRO BOULEVARD – CONTINUED TO JUNE 15, 2021 Assistant City Planner Bodeker said this was an appeal of the Planning Commission's denial on May 12, 2021, of sign variances for the height of freestanding signs adjacent to Highway 100 at 7101 & 7201 Metro Boulevard and the size allowance for the allowable signs at 7201 Metro Boulevard. The subject property was located on the west side of Highway 100, south of W. 70th Street and east of Metro Boulevard. The applicant was asking for multiple sign variances. One variance was for the height of the proposed monument signs adjacent to Highway 100, one on 7101 Metro Boulevard and 7201 Metro Boulevard. The second variance was for allowable square footage of wall signs at 7201 Metro Boulevard. The applicant was requesting that the three allowable wall signs be up to 150 square feet. The signs were on the north, east and south elevations of the 7201 Metro Boulevard building. Eric Anderson, City Center Realty Partners, shared this history of the site, how signage requirements then were minimal, and how this action would attract potential tenants to the City and return the building to a fully occupied project. David Little, HGA Architects, said the proposal was in scale with the building and explained how the challenges were site specific as this property was along Highway 100 and the property had changed over time from one story to nine stories to include more tenants and stressed the need for visibility. The Council asked how this request compared to previous requests and asked for further information on variance requests surrounding height variance and size of building signage. The Council also asked if this would be similar to the Pentagon South property along Highway 100 and not Metro Boulevard. Mayor Hovland opened the public hearing at 9:01 p.m. Minutes/Edina City Council/June 1, 2021 Page 5 Public Testimony No one appeared. Member Staunton made a motion, seconded by Member Pierce, to extend public hearing to noon on June 1, 2021, and take final action on Resolution No. 2021-47 approving sign variances for monument sign height and size of allowable building signage, 7101 and 7201 Metro Boulevard, at the June 15, 2021, City Council meeting. Member Pierce seconded the motion. Ayes: Anderson, Jackson, Pierce, Staunton, Hovland Motion carried. IX. REPORTS/RECOMMENDATIONS IX.A. RESOLUTION NO. 2021-40, DENYING APPEAL REQUEST FOR REASONABLE ACCOMODATION AT 6222 BRAEBURN CIRCLE – ADOPTED AS AMENDED Assistant Planner Aaker shared that Scott Hemenway/The Geneva Suites, 6222 Braeburn Circle, was requesting reasonable accommodation to increase resident occupancy from the permitted 6 residents to 10 residents in a facility having Housing with Services certificate from Minnesota Department of Health HFID: 33436 and a Minnesota Department of Health Comprehensive Home Care License. She outlined the request in detail, noting the Fair Housing Act did not allow for discrimination. She reviewed how the Planning Commission concluded that insufficient evidence was given to show the increase to 10 residents provided more enjoyment to the residents and enhanced the quality of life, then shared examples of reasonableness and spoke about police calls, traffic volumes, and other elements including parking. She shared recent photos of parked cars in the cul-de-sac that staff felt altered the character of the neighborhood to a more commercial use and how the Planning Commission denied the request based on findings. Member Anderson introduced and moved adoption of Resolution No. 2021-40 denying appeal request to increase current resident occupancy from permitted 6 residents by State Statutes to 10 for a care services group home/Geneva Suites Residence, 6222 Braeburn Circle. Member Jackson seconded the motion. IX.B. ORDINANCE NO. 2021-03 AND RESOLUTION NO. 2021-41, PRELIMINARY REZONING FROM PCD-1 AND APD TO PUD AT 4917 EDEN AVENUE – FIRST READING GRANTED AND RESOLUTION ADOPTED Community Development Director Teague shared the Council was asked to consider a proposal to re- develop 4917 Eden Avenue, currently occupied by a Perkins Restaurant. The applicant would tear down the existing Perkins and office building and build a seven story 208-unit apartment and 3,700 square foot restaurant. Ten percent of the units would be for affordable housing for families earning 50% area median income (AMI) for the Twin Cities. Parking for the housing would be provided underneath the building with 277 stalls. There would be 29 surface parking stalls on the west side of the site to serve the restaurant. The proposal did not include the City-owned parcel to the north and 10% of units would be affordable housing with parking underneath. He outlined the office building on the west side of the site and how the future roadway would have gone through so they eliminated that request and outlined other revisions including the restaurant and coffee shop with three times the requirement for overstory trees to help buffer the freeway. He spoke about the Wilson Street traffic study that concluded no improvements were needed and that parking was adequate to serve the project and the offer to eliminate the proposed restaurant that would result in less traffic than the existing Perkins and office building then spoke about proposed setback changes to 11 feet to address height issues regarding single-family homes to the north. Mr. Teague noted the public comment comprised of more against than for and included concerns with height, distance from current single-family homes, traffic, and density, with likes including affordable homes and architecture. The Council thanked the applicant for the proposed project and design then spoke about the balance between necessary growth and area impacts, and the need to consider the Yancy family as part of the project appropriately through the Heritage Preservation Commission. The Council shared comments that included traffic impacts on the district and as currently proposed, would result in over 1,190 additional trips to the Minutes/Edina City Council/June 1, 2021 Page 6 area without any future development. The Council referenced the 2012 framework and 2016 traffic study changes to the transportation network that should correspond with changing density. The Council spoke about form-based design and appropriate development and how this project would put pressure on 50th and Vernon for access to Highway 100 so there was need to consider guidelines for safety. The Council spoke to the issue of rezoning to advance the proposal, commented on land values in Edina, and indicated it would like to see a proposal to build to scale and current zoning requirements instead. The Council commented on the importance of responding to community input regarding affordable housing units, stormwater runoff, noise from Highway 10, and traffic. The Council supported how the project aligned with the Grandview Small Area Plan and suggested with Perkins no longer open, to use this as a way to connect Wilson Road with Dale and create a new road that would provide a large area for redevelopment, leave the historic Yancy buildings in place, retain public land for a future fire station, and provide safe routes to three schools. The Council liked the restaurant component if balanced with the need to address traffic concerns then spoke about support of the anticipated TIF financing request based on proposed public benefit. The Council also spoke about the Sunnyslope neighborhood traffic impacts and importance of development that could fund projects from Highway 100 to Eden Avenue through TIF financing and leave the site open for a future off- ramp and create the funding to redo 50th and Grange Road area through this project. The Council shared comments about the need for a traffic light at Dale Street that would require a traffic study as it did not meet warrants then spoke about the possibility of relocating the historic buildings to better meet the community character, such as Arneson Acres, and a future sound wall for the Sunnyslope neighborhood. The Council found the proposal was consistent with the Comprehensive Plan and would be a great neighbor with City Hall as it already served as a transition to the single-family neighborhood to the east. The Council liked the glass curtain element but had concerns with the proposed height and noted this would be an appropriate site for increased height as it was next to a trunk highway and over 500 feet from single-family homes. The Council voiced some concerns with the shadow study and the need for a master plan simultaneously and agreed the City should not miss this opportunity to accomplish the necessary infrastructure through TIF while addressing the traffic concerns. Mr. Walton, applicant, clarified their intent to apply for TIF funding as the project would not proceed without that element but their request would be for 12-15 years compared to 25 years and be at a 75% increment instead of 95%. The Council discussed if this project went forward, traffic impacts must be addressed in conjunction with final approval and agreed to add a condition that outlined that intent. Member Staunton made a motion to grant First Reading to Ordinance No. 2021-03, establishing the PUD Zoning District for this site, and introduced and moved adoption of Resolution No. 2021-41approving preliminary rezoning from PCD-31 planned commercial district-1 and APD, automobile parking district to PUD, planned unit development, preliminary site plan at 4917 Eden Avenue, as amended to add Condition 23 requiring satisfactory plan for resolution of transportation system issues east of Highway 100 in the Grandview district by the City. Member Jackson seconded the motion. Ayes: Jackson, Pierce, Staunton, Hovland Nays: Anderson Motion carried. X. CORRESPONDENCE AND PETITIONS - Received X.A. COMMISSION CORRESPONDENCE (MINUTES AND ADVISORY COMMUNICATION) 1. MINUTES: HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION, FEBRUARY 9, MARCH 9, AND APRIL 13, 2021 2. MINUTES: ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT COMMISSION, APRIL 8, 2021 3. MINUTES: TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION, APRIL 15, 2021 4. MINUTES: HUMAN RIGHTS AND RELATIONS COMMISSION, APRIL 27, 2021 Minutes/Edina City Council/June 1, 2021 Page 7 5. ADVISORY COMMUNICATION: OFF-STREET PARKING ORDINANCE AMENDMENTS XI. AVIATION NOISE UPDATE – Received XII. MAYOR AND COUNCIL COMMENTS – Received XIII. MANAGER’S COMMENTS – Received XIV. CALENDAR OF CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS AND EVENTS – Received XV. ADJOURNMENT Member Jackson made a motion, seconded by Member Pierce, to adjourn the meeting at 11:08 p.m. Rollcall: Ayes: Anderson, Jackson, Pierce, Staunton, Hovland Motion carried. Respectfully submitted, Sharon Allison, City Clerk Minutes approved by Edina City Council, June 15, 2021. James B. Hovland, Mayor Video Copy of the June 1, 2021, meeting available.