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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-08-16 City Council Meeting Minutes Page 1 MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE EDINA CITY COUNCIL MEETING AUGUST 16, 2022 7:00 PM I. CALL TO ORDER Mayor Hovland called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. then shared the procedure for public hearing and community comment. II. ROLLCALL Answering rollcall were Members Anderson, Jackson, Pierce, Staunton, and Mayor Hovland. Absent: None. III. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE IV. MEETING AGENDA APPROVED AS PRESENTED Member Jackson made a motion, seconded by Member Pierce, to approve the meeting agenda as presented. Rollcall: Ayes: Anderson, Jackson, Pierce, Staunton, and Hovland. Motion carried. V. COMMUNITY COMMENT Janey Westin, 6136 Brookview Avenue, shared comments regarding reconstruction of the pedestrian bridge that spanned Crosstown and the lack of signage for the entrance ramp west on Crosstown which created great confusion. Director of Engineering Millner explained the pedestrian bridge had been hit earlier in the evening that caused an emergency closure and that officials were currently evaluating the safety of the bridge. Matthew Salzwell, 6645 McCauley Trail West, Crossview Lutheran Church, referred to the church’s request to relocate part of a multi-use path from the south to the north side of McCauley to better address safety concerns for their early childhood center. He represented 220 members who attended the church and explained their request was small but easy to approve and included extension of the path on the north side of McCauley another 700 feet to McIntyre Point. V.A. CITY MANAGER’S RESPONSE TO COMMUNITY COMMENTS Manager Neal shared an update from the Community Comments from the last meeting. VI. CONSENT AGENDA ADOPTED AS AMENDED Member Jackson made a motion, seconded by Member Anderson, approving the consent agenda as amended, removing Item VI.H, Ordinance No. 2022-07; Extending Term of the Franchise Held by Comcast: V.A. Approve Minutes of the Work Session and Regular Meeting of August 3, 2022 V.B. Approve Claims for Payment for Check Register Pre-List Dated July 29, 2022, totaling $1,790,085.12 and Pre-List Dated August 5, 2022, totaling $2,454,036.04 V.C. Authorize Staff to Submit Water Resources Management Plan Major Draft Amendment for Agency Review V.D. Adopt Resolution No. 2022-68; Approving State of Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension Joint Powers Agreement V.E. Request for Purchase, Lewis Park Playground Site Improvements, awarding the bid to the recommended low bidder, Riverland Excavating, LLC, $52,761 Minutes/Edina City Council/August 16, 2022 Page 2 V.F. Request for Purchase, Bobcat Compact Track Loader for Braemar Golf Course, awarding the bid to the recommended low bidder, Lano Equipment, Inc., $63,703 V.G. Adopt Resolution No. 2022-75; Authorizing Application for Livable Communities Demonstration Grant Funds V.H. Ordinance No. 2022-07; Extending Term of the Franchise Held by Comcast V.I. Request for Purchase, Change Order No. 4 for Contract PW 20-3 SCADA Improvements PH2, awarding the bid to the recommended low bidder, Integrated Process Solutions, $194,978 Rollcall: Ayes: Anderson, Jackson, Pierce, Staunton, and Hovland. Motion carried. ITEMS REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA: V.H. ORDINANCE NO. 2022-07; EXTENDING TERM OF THE FRANCHISE HELD BY COMCAST – ADOPTED The Council inquired about the need for a six-month term extension before renegotiation and confirmed Comcast did not have an exclusive right to be in the City. Mr. Neal explained the need for the term extension to occur prior to negotiations then spoke about the number of studies and equipment assessments. He said staff was confident the extension would be sufficient to accomplish renegotiations by January 1, 2023. He noted while Comcast was currently the sole provider the market did allow for other cable providers. Mayor Hovland made a motion to grant Second Reading adopting Ordinance No. 2022-07 Extending the Term of the Franchise held by Comcast of Minnesota, Inc. Member Staunton seconded the motion. Rollcall: Ayes: Anderson, Jackson, Pierce, Staunton, and Hovland. Motion carried. VII. SPECIAL RECOGNITIONS AND PRESENTATIONS VII.A. UPDATE FROM THE MINNEHAHA CREEK WATERSHED DISTRICT – RECEIVED Steve Sando, Minnehaha Creek Watershed District (MCWD) Board, provided an update on the MCWD that included projects at Arden Park and in the Morningside neighborhood, as well as MCWD's broader flood management and climate action strategy. He explained work was always driven by science but in partnership with cities like Edina to create better stormwater management, reduce flood risk, and provide kayak and other recreational activies. He spoke about buckthorn and diseased ash removal, swales that were installed to collect stormwater, then spoke about the 2022 grant from American Engineer Companies and others pending to continue their work. James Wisker, Administrator of the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District (MCWD), thanked the City and staff for the opportunity to work on projects then shared about the watershed boundaries, a balanced urban ecology, land/water connections, building vibrant communities, and the 2017 MCWD watershed management plan that included focus, flexibility, and partnerships. He spoke about the recent Arden Park restoration project that included remaindering of 2,000 feet of creek that restored water quality to a more historic natural alignment, flood plain restoration, improved overall ecology, programmed access to the water, new plantings, water habitat, and created an amazing place for the community. He thanked staff and Council for their work on the project and spoke about site interpretation then highlighted the Morningside flood infrastructure project as part of flood risk mitigation in the neighborhood, expansion of Weber Pond that included pumps when needed, and the Minneapolis P&R Board recommendations later this year. He spoke about their work on climate action framework to utilize and expand capabilities to collect data, convene, plan, implement, measure and adapt a plan to manage water across the entire system and thanked the City for their work. The Council asked questions and provided feedback. Minutes/Edina City Council/August 16, 2022 Page 3 VIII. PUBLIC HEARINGS - Affidavits of Notice presented and ordered placed on file. VIII.A. RESOLUTION NO. 2022-74; APPROVING RIGHT-OF-WAY EASEMENT VACATION AT 7001 FRANCE AVENUE – CONTINUED TO SEPTEMBER 7, 2022 Director of Engineering Millner stated an application was received on July 12, 2022, requesting that a portion of the right-of-way easement of 7001 France Avenue be vacated. He said there were no concerns with the vacation with the City and noted Hennepin County had already approved the vacation. Mayor Hovland opened the public hearing at 7:38 p.m. Public Testimony No one addressed the Council. The Council asked questions and provided feedback. Member Staunton made a motion, seconded by Member Pierce, to close the public hearing at noon on August 22, 2022, and continue action on Resolution No. 2022-74, Vacating Public Right-of-way Easement, 7001 France Avenue, to the September 7, 2022, City Council meeting. Rollcall: Ayes: Anderson, Jackson, Pierce, Staunton, and Hovland. Motion carried. VIII.B. RESOLUTION NO. 2022-72; SITE PLAN REVIEW WITH MULTIPLE VARIANCES FOR 4404 VALLEY VIEW ROAD – CONTINUED TO SEPTEMBER 7, 2022 Community Development Director Teague stated City Homes was requesting a site plan review with multiple variances to develop the vacant site at 4404 Valley View Road. This site was part of the Edina Flats project and would contain a two-story, four-unit condominium. Multiple variances were approved as part of that project. The applicant was proposing to revise the original plans and develop the site with two two-unit row houses. This request would require a revised site plan and the following variances: structure setback variance from 35 feet to 20 feet on Oaklawn; structure setback variance from 25 to 10 feet on Valley View Road; structure setback variances from 25 to 7 and 5 feet from the side lot lines; and building materials variance to allow hardi-board siding rather than brick on the street facing elevations and not have 75% transparency at ground level. He said staff and the Planning Commission recommended approval of the request then referred to comments on Better Together that included the project being inconsistent with the Small Area Plan with regard to building frontages and number of driveways, large variances, and the feeling the project was too big for the site. He also spoke about the history of the site and potential contamination then noted prior to the hair salon the site was a gas station that experience a petroleum leakage but was cleaned in 2009 deemed ready for development. The Council asked questions and provided feedback. Rebecca Remick, City Homes, shared more about the proposed project’s approved footprint of a previous plan and proposed plans, and said they believed this was a better product for massing and entering into Oaklawn. She said the buildable area was based on current setbacks and lack of what could be done without any variances then spoke about the neighborhood meeting concerns and their response regarding scale, density, materiality, and landscaping and trees. She spoke about the back-out areas and ability to see traffic then shared about the need for this project for those who wished to downsize as land costs in Edina was prohibitive and this project allowed aging in place. Mayor Hovland opened the public hearing at 7:49 p.m. Public Testimony Julie Risser, 6112 Ashcroft Avenue, addressed the Council. Susan Lee, 6708 Pointe Drive, addressed the Council. Minutes/Edina City Council/August 16, 2022 Page 4 Janey Westin, 6136 Brookview Avenue, addressed the Council. Member Anderson made a motion, seconded by Member Jackson, to close the public hearing at noon on August 22, 2022, and continue action on Resolution No. 2022-72, Approving a Site Plan with Variances at 4404 Valley View Road, to the September 7, 2022, City Council meeting. Rollcall: Ayes: Anderson, Jackson, Pierce, Staunton, and Hovland. Motion carried. VIII.C. ORDINANCE NO. 2022-08 AND RESOLUTION NO. 2022-73; PRELIMINARY REZONING AND PRELIMINARY DEVELOPMENT PLAN FOR SOLHEM COMPANIES AT 4600 AND 4620 77TH STREET WEST – CONTINUED TO SEPTEMBER 7, 2022 Mr. Teague stated the Council was asked to consider a proposal to redevelop 4600 77th Street West, which was part of the Pentagon Park office development. Solhem Development was proposing to tear down one of the existing office buildings at 4600 and 4620 77th Street and construct a 7-story, 276-unit apartment with a small main level café (1,500 square feet). Twenty-eight (28) units would be included in the project to meet the City’s affordable housing policy. The plan featured a new entrance to Fred Richards Park from 77th Street. The proposal would be an expansion of the residential development project under construction to the West, which is a 408-unit Housing Development zoned PUD-23. Jason Lord, Solhem Companies, thanked everyone for the great feedback regarding the project and shared how they worked to learn from Phase I and make this phase even better to blend into the landscape. He explained their work to activate the pedestrian zones and create an urban network into Fred Richards Park then spoke about the importance of north/south connections for bikes, pedestrians, and vehicles. He reviewed the changes in summary then spoke about revisions made since the sketch plan with proposed setbacks, height, and density consistent with the PUD zoning to the west. Mr. Lord said the Planning Commission approval was unanimous and the existing roadways could support the project but noted some comments were received regarding height, woonerf connections, and slowing traffic. He spoke about focus on the project’s front door and creating multiple front doors and moving programming from the intersection of the park then referred to access points and design for appropriate speeds for pedestrians, bikes and vehicles. He said they were working with the Fire Department to maintain access and provide the necessary buffer and improve added flood storage by dropping the grade. Craig Hartman, Momentum Design Group, spoke about the focus to be different than Phase 1 but build on those established connections and activate the corners and provide interest through established corner nodes with natural timber framing, Curt Gunsbury, Solhem Companies, spoke about the assumption of change and reconfiguring the wetland as the pathway and how the current lie of the wetland would have to be recreated elsewhere in the park as well as relocation of the current willow trees. Mayor Hovland opened the public hearing at 8:45 p.m. Public Testimony Steve Brown, 5528 Halifax Lane, addressed the Council. The Council asked questions and provided feedback. Member Jackson made a motion, seconded by Member Jackson, to close the public hearing at noon on August 22, 2022, and continue action on Ordinance No. 2022-08 and Resolution No. 2022-73, Approving Preliminary Development Plan and Preliminary Rezoning from MDD-6, Mixed Development District-6 to PUD-23, Planned Unit Development – 23, at 4600 and 4620 77th Street West, to the September 7, 2022, City Council. Rollcall: Minutes/Edina City Council/August 16, 2022 Page 5 Ayes: Anderson, Jackson, Pierce, Staunton, and Hovland. Motion carried. IX. REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS IX.A. ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 2022-76 ACCEPTING DONATIONS - ADOPTED Member Pierce introduced and moved adoption of Resolution No. 2022-76 accepting donations. Member Staunton seconded the motion. Rollcall: Ayes: Anderson, Jackson, Pierce, Staunton, and Hovland. Motion carried. IX.B. ORDINANCE NO. 2022-07 OFF STREET PARKING REGULATIONS – ADOPTED Community Development Director Teague commented about current parking standards and those from the Institute of Transportation Engineers then reviewed project examples, noting none would have required a variance outside of the ITE manual. He stated as directed by the City Council, staff revised the ordinance to include the revisions recommended by engineering staff. The Council asked questions and provided feedback. Member Anderson made a motion to grant Second Reading adopting Ordinance No. 2021-07 an amendment regarding off street parking regulations leaving Section 1.D. as presented in first reading but amending language to include nursing, convalescence homes, and hospice space maintain at least one space for every four spaces. Member Staunton seconded the motion. Rollcall: Ayes: Anderson, Jackson, Pierce, Staunton, and Hovland. Motion carried. X. COMMISSION CORRESPONDENCE (MINUTES AND ADVISORY COMMUNICATION) - Received X.A. MINUTES: ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT COMMISSION, MAY 12, 2022 X.B. MINUTES: ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT COMMISSION, JUNE 9, 2022 X.C. MINUTES: PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION, MAY 10, 2022 X.D. MINUTES: PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION JUNE 14, 2022 XI. MANAGER’S COMMENTS – Received XII. MAYOR AND COUNCIL COMMENTS – Received XIII. ADJOURNMENT Member Jackson made a motion, seconded by Member Pierce, to adjourn the meeting at 9:15 p.m. Ayes: Anderson, Pierce, Staunton, and Hovland. Motion carried. Respectfully submitted, Sharon Allison, City Clerk Minutes approved by Edina City Council, September 7, 2022. James B. Hovland, Mayor Video Copy of the August 16, 2022, meeting available.