HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-05-16 City Council Work Session PacketAgenda
City Council Work Session
City of Edina, Minnesota
City Hall Community Meeting Room
Tuesday, May 16, 2023
5:30 PM
I.Call To Order
II.Roll Call
III.Joint Meeting: Parks and Recreation Commission
IV.Accessory Dwelling Units
V.Adjournment
The City of Edina wants all residents to be comfortable being part of the public
process. If you need assistance in the way of hearing ampli'cation, an
interpreter, large-print documents or something else, please call 952-927-8861
72 hours in advance of the meeting.
Date: May 16, 2023 Agenda Item #: III.
To:Mayor and City Council Item Type:
Reports / Recommendation
From:Perry Vetter, Parks & Recreation Director
Item Activity:
Subject:Joint Meeting: Parks and Recreation Commission Discussion
CITY OF EDINA
4801 West 50th Street
Edina, MN 55424
www.edinamn.gov
ACTION REQUESTED:
None; discussion only.
INTRODUCTION:
Parks and Recreation Commission members will provide an update on 2023 work plan initiatives.
Summary of City Council charges:
Council Charge 1 - Study and Report
Council Charge 2 - Review and Comment
Council Charge 3 - Review and Recommend
Council Charge 4 - Review and Decide
ATTACHMENTS:
Description
Commission 2023 Work Plan
Parks, Open Space, and Natural Resources Chapter of Comprehensive Guide Plan
2023 PARC Work Plan May 16 Work Session
Current Reporting Date: Jul 10, 2023
Report Created On: May 10, 2023
Plan Label And Number Description Council
Charge Deliverable Leads Last Update
Initiative 1.6.1 Support Fred Richards Park Implementation
In support of the Fred Richards Park master plan implementation
e orts assign members to the various stakeholder/focus group
input opportunities as needs are identified to bring the
community perspective to the process. Potential Areas:
Playground process
Facility/Food and Beverage Operations
Public Art
Bring the community perspective to the implementation process
by representing on various community input opportunities to
enhance design development. Review and comment on select
concepts to further design development.
L: Ites, Pfuhl,
Weaver, Welsch
Initiative members have met with sta and reviewed master plan
documents. Sta is in the process of establishing professional
service contracts to launch design e orts and will coordinate with
assigned commissioners to gather their comments as the planning
moves forward.
Initiative 1.6.2 Support Braemar Park Implementation
In support of the Braemar Park master plan implementation
e orts assign members to the various stakeholder/focus group
input opportunities as needs are identified to bring the
community perspective to the process. Potential Areas:
O trail and pedestrian trail system development
Athletic and active area development
Natural Resource restoration
Bring the community perspective to the implementation process
by representing on various community input opportunities to
enhance design development. Review and comment on select
concepts to further design development.
L: Haas, Spanhake,
Luangrath, Horsager
(S)
Initiative members have met with sta and reviewed master plan
documents. Sta has established professional service contracts to
launch design e orts and will coordinate with assigned
commissioners to gather their comments as the planning moves
forward.
Initiative 1.6.3 Support Braemar Arena Implementation
In support of the Braemar Park master plan implementation
e orts for Braemar Arena assign members to the various
stakeholder/focus group input opportunities as needs are
identified to bring the community perspective to the process.
Potential Areas:
Infrastructure replacement
Bring the community perspective to the implementation process
by representing on various community input opportunities to
enhance design development. Review and comment on select
concepts to further design development.
L:Spanhake,
Doscotch, Ytterbo,
Horsager (S)
Sta has testified with the MN State Legislature on the request to
utilize local option sales tax to expand Braemar Arena. Much
depends on the outcome of the legislative session. If no action is
taken on the expansion request sta will move forward with the
existing renovation funding. If the expansion option is included in
the tax bill another referendum would be required to utilize local
option sales tax to add a fourth sheet of ice even though the
duration and percentage of tax would not increase.
Initiative 1.6.4 Alternative Funding Sources
Report and provide recommendations on alternative funding
sources for park related improvements including parks, facilities,
and enterprise upgrades. The report will include a philanthropic
wish list.
Report to Council.L: Doscotch, Pfuhl,
Haas, Weaver
Members have met and discussed the dra research report.
Initiative 1.6.5 Comparable Community Parks / Recreational Opportunities
Review external recreational opportunities from comparable
communities and contrast with Edina o erings to identify any
service gaps for future strategic and financial planning.
Report to council. Investigate external comparison cities and
report on service gaps for future strategic and financial planning.
L: Pfuhl, Weaver,
Luangrath, Defor (S)
Commission members have met to discuss the approach and
delegation of the project portion to review and then compare
internal and external recreation o erings.
2
2
2
1
1
Plan Label And Number Description Council
Charge Deliverable Leads Last Update
Initiative 1.6.6 Parks and Recreation Presentations
Continuation of 2022 Initiative to present information about Parks
and Recreation facilities, services, and systems with up to six
community groups. Including sta ing needs for the success of
programs and any referendum progress if successful.
Presentation document with Communications support and deliver
presentation to six community groups
L: Weaver, Welsh,
Haas
Presentation has been created and members will meet with sta
in order to refine the information and determine external groups
to visit.
4
Edina Comprehensive Plan Park, Recreation and Open Space Chapter Draft
6-1
6. Parks, Open Space, and Natural Resources
Chapter Highlights
The following six points guided the development
programs, goals and policies presented in this chapter
of the Comprehensive Plan Update.
1. Edina has committed to a minimum of 15 percent
of its land area to be used as parks and green
space. (As of the most recent census, we are right
at this threshold.) Future standards will need
consider “hardscape” environments as
represented in the Greater Southdale District
Plan.
2. All Community and Special Use parks will have an
updated Master Plan to guide use, growth and
future development. Every Park MP will include an
approach to best maintain, improve and promote
its natural resources.
3. Connecting our neighborhoods via a Grand
Rounds concept and in coordination with the
Pedestrian and Bicycle Master Plan.
4. Be intentional on the use of benchmarking to assess progress against strategic objectives.
5. Explore alternative funding models to support future growth and accomplishment of our Mission.
6. Establish a goal to have park facilities within a maximum distance of one mile from each Edina
resident
Edina Parks and Recreation Department Vision and Mission
The Parks and Recreation Department’s vision and mission are stated in the 2015 Parks and Recreation
Strategic Plan. This policy plan document can be accessed by clicking on the hyperlink below.
https://www.edinamn.gov/315/Park-System-Strategic-Plan
The Major Challenge
Like many communities, Edina is witnessing
demographic changes. Changes that
occurred between 2008, when the last
comprehensive plan was written, and now
are only a glimpse of what is expected to
occur over the next 10 years. In order to
ensure that the City’s park system will
continue to meet the needs of residents,
the City will need to continually provide
sensitive and appropriate responses to
changes in social, demographic,
technological, economic, political and
environmental trends. The magnitude of
these changes will demand flexibility in
planning practices to appropriately respond
to rapidly changing needs.
Edina Comprehensive Plan
6. Parks, Open Space, and Natural Resources Chapter – Approved 08-18-20
6-2
Introduction
The City of Edina operates one of the most well-regarded parks and recreation systems in the
metropolitan Twin Cities. Edina is a fully developed first ring suburb of Minneapolis with a park system
that continues to be improved with targeted additions and innovative operations. The park system,
comprising the City’s physical park lands, recreation areas, and trails, along with numerous programs
and collaborations with local youth sports associations, greatly contribute to a high quality of life.
The Vision of the Edina Park and Recreation Department (EPRD) is “To strive for excellence in our
parks, recreation and trails system to provide Edina a high quality of life by nurturing the health and well-
being of our people, our community, our environment and our economy.” In fulfillment of that vision,
the EPRD’s Mission Statement is “To create parks, facilities, and programs to foster a healthy and
inclusive community. We accomplish this through creative leadership, collaborations, environmentally
sustainable practices and the responsible use of available resources.”
Inventory and Current Conditions
The National Park and Recreation Association (NRPA)
periodically publishes “Park and Open Space Standards
and Guidelines” for municipal park and recreation
agencies to assist in comprehensive planning. The NRPA
suggests that the “national standards” be used only as a
benchmark guideline, because each community has its
own unique profile in regards to demographics, total
acreage, terrain, climate and a host of other affecting
factors. Nonetheless, Edina currently exceeds the
national standard guideline for acres per 1,000 residents.
The NRPA suggests a national standards guideline of 25 acres per 1,000 residents. This standard would
include all local, county, and state-owned property within the community. There are currently no
county, state or federal park lands in Edina. All 1,565 acres of park land and open space are owned
and maintained by the City of Edina. The City’s 1,565 total park and open space acreage computes to
30.2 acres per 1,000 residents (based on the 2016 Census population of 51,804). Currently, the EPRD
oversees 43 parks and open spaces totaling more than 1,565 acres and operates nine facilities, which
include:
• Edina Aquatic Center
• Edina Art Center
• Braemar Ice Arena and Sports Dome
• Braemar Golf Courses
• Braemar Golf Dome
• Centennial Lakes Park
• Edinborough Park
• Arneson Acres Park
• Edina Senior Center
Figure 6.1: City of Edina Parks
and Facilities Map
Edina Comprehensive Plan
6. Parks, Open Space, and Natural Resources Chapter – Approved 08-18-20
6-3
Park amenities at these facilities include baseball and soft ball diamonds; football, soccer, and
lacrosse fields; basketball, tennis, pickleball and bocce ball courts; outdoor skating rinks; playground
equipment for young children, including an adaptive playground; a community garden; and both winter
warming houses and summer picnic shelters. The Department also maintains over eight miles of scenic
pathways for bicycling, walking, jogging, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and mountain biking.
Regional Parks and Trails and the 2040 Regional Parks Policy Plan
As stated in the Goals and Policies and section of this chapter, it is a goal to make connections to parks
and trails to ensure that Edina residents have convenient access to recreational facilities and services.
These include regional park and trail facilities both outside and within the City.
The 2040 Regional Parks Policy Plan adopted by the Metropolitan Council in February 2015 is the
metropolitan system plan for regional recreation open space, and there are regional public parks and
facilities in the Twin Cities area that serve Edina residents. For example, Three Rivers Park District
owns and maintains regional parks and trails throughout suburban Hennepin County, such as the Nine
Mile Creek Regional Trail in addition to seven park reserves, 12 regional parks, five special recreation
features, and 15 other regional trails. The Minneapolis Park Board’s Grand Rounds trail system
(including the Chain of Lakes Trail) and the Three Rivers Park District’s Cedar Lake LRT Regional Trail
are regional facilities that are outside the City of Edina but can be accessed by Edina residents.
These regional parks offer a variety of recreation opportunities. For example, Three Rivers Park
District parks offer snowmobiling, horseback riding, boating, archery, camping, canoeing, downhill
skiing, nature centers and historic farm facilities.
The 2040 Regional Parks Policy Plan does not identify
regional park and recreation facilities directly in the
City of Edina, with the following two exceptions:
Nine Mile Creek Regional Trail – Nine Mile Creek
Regional Trail is a 15-mile multi-use trail that spans the
Cities of Hopkins, Minnetonka, Edina, Richfield, and
Bloomington. It also connects to the Lake Minnetonka
LRT, Minnesota River Bluffs LRT, Cedar Lake LRT,
North Cedar Lake, and Nokomis-Minnesota River
Regional Trails as well as the planned Minnesota River
State Trail, Dakota County Big Rivers Regional Trail,
Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge Bloomington
Visitor Center, and Fort Snelling State Park. Much of
the trail was completed and opened for use in 2017.
The Edina segment of the trail was completed in spring
2018.
From the west, it currently enters the City of Edina
from Hopkins over the Bren Road/Londonderry Road
Bridge Interchange at TH-169. From the east, it enters
the City from Richfield at the cul-de-sac of Xerxes
Avenue just south behind Fire Station 2. In 2020 the
Park District anticipates it will construct a safer and
more direct connection under TH-169 that will pass Figure 6.2: Alternative Alignments for
the CP Rail Regional Trail
Source: Three Rivers Park District
Edina Comprehensive Plan
6. Parks, Open Space, and Natural Resources Chapter – Approved 08-18-20
6-4
through the Nine Mile Creek watershed.
Canadian Pacific Rail Regional Trail (CP Rail Regional Trail) – This proposed regional trail was first
identified in the 2030 Regional Parks Policy Plan (adopted in June 2005 as the Southwest Hennepin
Regional Trail West). The regional trail generally follows the existing north/south, Canadian Pacific
Railroad alignment in the City of Edina. Once constructed, it will link the Hyland-Bush-Anderson Park
Reserve in Bloomington to the Nine Mile Creek Regional Trail in Edina. From Edina, the future trail
will connect regional trails in Hopkins, St. Louis Park, Golden Valley, and Crystal.
In 2019, Three Rivers Park District completed a regional trail study and master plan for the south
Edina portion of the CP Rail Regional Trail. Figure 6-2, on the previous page, shows the preferred
alignment through this area along Bush Lake Road, Dewey Hill Road, and Cahill Road.
City Park Inventory
The following are individual park locations and acreage totals.
Mini-Parks - 12 Parks – 21.12 Acres
A Mini park is characterized by a size of approximately 2 acres or less and is designed to serve
primarily the needs of pre-school age children, although it may provide facilities designed to serve the
recreation needs of other age groups. Edina’s Mini-Parks typically do not have scheduled athletic
facilities. Mini parks are typically used to address limited or isolated recreational needs. Service Area -
¼ Square Mile.
Table 6.1: Mini Parks
Park Address Size Quadrant
Birchcrest 6016 Hansen Road 1.61 Acres NW
Browndale 4510 Browndale Avenue .82 Acre NE
Chowen 5700 Chowen Avenue .93 Acre NE
Grandview Square 5213 Grandview Square .60 Acre NW
Kojetin 4201 W. 44th Street 2.69 Acres NE
Lake Edina 4400 Parklawn Avenue 3.10 Acres SE
McGuire W. 69th & McGuire Road 2.00 Acres SW
Melody Lake
Sherwood
5501 Melody Lake Drive
Sherwood Rd. & Edenmoor
4.18 Acres
1.53 Acres
NW
NW
St. Johns W. 60th & St.Johns Avenue .94 Acre NE
Tingdale W. 59th & Tingdale Avenue .67 Acre NW
York Park 5448 York Avenue 2.05 Acres NE
Neighborhood Parks - 12 Parks -112.85 Acres
Neighborhood parks are designed to serve primarily the needs of children six to fourteen years of age.
Tennis courts, softball diamonds, basketball and ice skating facilities are commonly provided in
neighborhood parks. Some of Edina’s neighborhood parks have one or more scheduled athletic
facilities, such as outdoor hockey rinks and/or fields for soccer, football, baseball, and softball.
Neighborhood parks typically range in size from approximately two acres to twenty acres. Service
Area = 1 Square Mile.
Edina Comprehensive Plan
6. Parks, Open Space, and Natural Resources Chapter – Approved 08-18-20
6-5
Community Playfields – 8 Parks - 253.68 Acres
Community playfields typically range in size from approximately 20 to 60 acres. These parks are
designed to provide facilities for diverse recreational activities for young people and adults, although a
section is also typically set aside for smaller neighborhood children. All of Edina’s Community Playfields
have one or more scheduled athletic facilities, such as outdoor hockey rinks and fields for soccer,
football, baseball and softball. Service area - 9-16 square miles.
Table 6.2: Neighborhood Parks
Park Address Size Quadrant
Alden 6750 Belmore Lane 5.12 Acres NW
Arden 5230 Minnehaha Boulevard 17.75 Acres NE
Cornelia School 7124 Cornelia Drive 10.75 Acres SE
Countryside 6240 Tracy Avenue 9.01 Acres NW
Fox Meadow Blake Rd. & Fox Meadow Lane 3.84 Acres NW
Heights 5520 W. 66th Street 4.00 Acres SW
Normandale 6501 Warren Avenue 10.06 Acres SW
Strachauer 6200 Beard Avenue 4.50 Acres NE
Utley 50th & Wooddale Avenue 5.73 Acres NE
Wooddale W. 50th & Wooddale Avenue 4.70 Acres NE
Yorktown W. 73rd & York Avenue 3.42 Acres SE
Todd Park 4429 Vandervork Avenue 33.97 Acres NW
Table 6.3: Community Playfields
Park Address Size Quadrant
Creek Valley W. 64th & Gleason Road 10.00 Acres SW
Garden 5520 Hansen Road 18.74 Acres NW
Highlands 5200 Doncaster Way 44.05 Acres NW
Lewis Dewey Hill & Cahill Road 21.04 Acres SW
Pamela 5900 Park Place 62.00 Acres NE
Van Valkenburg 4935 Lincoln Drive 41.76 Acres NW
Walnut Ridge 5801 Londonderry Road 44.24 Acres NW
Weber 4115 Grimes Avenue 11.85 Acres NE
Edina Comprehensive Plan
6. Parks, Open Space, and Natural Resources Chapter – Approved 08-18-20
6-6
Community Parks - 4 Parks - 549.05 Acres
The community park is usually a large park of more than 100 acres, or a smaller park containing special
community facilities.
Table 6.4: Community Parks
Park Address Size Quadrant
Braemar SW Corner of Edina 500.00 Acres SW
Centennial Lakes 7495 France Avenue 25.00 Acres SE
Kenneth Rosland 4300 West 66th Street 22.05 Acres SE
Edinborough 7700 York Avenue South 2.00 Acres SE
Special Purpose Parks - 7 Parks - 287.11 Acres
The special purpose park provides a single or specific form of recreation. Service Area is citywide.
Table 6.5: Special Purpose Parks
Park Address Size Quadrant
Arneson Acres 4711 West 70th Street 15.00 Acres SE
Bredesen Vernon Ave. & Olinger Boulevard 206.00 Acres NW
Richards 7640 Parklawn Avenue 39.65 Acres SE
Southdale Gateway SE Corner of Edina 9.97 Acres SE
Tupa 4918 Eden Avenue 1.00 Acre NE
Williams West 50th & Browndale .34 Acre NE
Grandview Square/
Senior Citizen Center
5280 Grandview Square 5.15 Acres NW
Weber Woods 40th Street & France 10.0 Acres NE
Summary of Parks and Natural Resource Parks - 7 Parks – 1,575.94 Acres
Table 6.6: Park Summary
Park Type Acres
Natural Resource Areas (19 areas) 352.13
Mini-Parks (12) 21.12
Neighborhood Parks ( 12) 112.85
Community Playfields ( 8) 253.68
Community Parks (4) 549.05
Special Purpose Parks (7) 287.11
Total Parklands & Natural Resource Areas 1,575.94
Edina Comprehensive Plan
6. Parks, Open Space, and Natural Resources Chapter – Approved 08-18-20
6-7
The following are parkland acreage totals per park classification.
Table 6.7: Total Acreage by Number of Park Facilities
Component Character SVC Area # of
Parks
Total
Acreage
Natural Resource
Areas
Vary in size Varies 19 352.13
Mini-Parks Less than 2 acres ¼ sq.mi. 12 21.12
Neighborhood Parks Serve children (ages 6 to 14) 1 sq.mi. 11 78.88
Community Playfields Serve recreational needs of
young people and adults
9-16 sq.mi. 9 287.65
Community Parks Large parks in excess 100
acres. Serve pre-school-adult
active and passive recreational
pursuits
4-16 sq.mi. 4 549.05
Special Purpose Parks Provide a special form of
recreation
City Wide 7 287.11
Total Parkland & Natural Resource Areas 62 1,575.94
Natural Resource Open Space Areas
The NRPA defines Natural Resource Areas as lands set aside for preservation of significant natural
resources, remnant landscapes, open space, and visual aesthetics/buffering. These lands consist of:
• Individual sites exhibiting natural resources.
• Land that is unsuitable for development but offers natural resource potential. (Examples
include parcels with steep slopes, and natural vegetation, drainage-ways and ravines, surface
water management areas (man-made pond areas, and utility easements).
• Protected lands, such as wetlands/lowlands and shorelines along waterways, lakes, and ponds.
All natural resource open space areas were inventoried and categorized as follows. The City’s
quadrants were determined by the two dividing highways in Edina: TH 62 and TH 100. Table 6.8,
below, presents results of the inventory.
Edina Comprehensive Plan
6. Parks, Open Space, and Natural Resources Chapter – Approved 08-18-20
6-8
Table 6.8: Natural Resource Open Space Areas
Northwest Quadrant Acreage
Nine Mile Creek Right of Way 148.15
Lincoln Drive Floodplain 17.16
Division Street Storm Water Drainage 18.14
Moore Property (Melody Lake) 4.96
Normandale Rd. (NW Benton & Hwy 100) 2.14
Garden Park Addition 6.70
Glenbrae & Ayrshire 4.30
Krahl Hill 7.75
Pine Grove Road (S and E of dead-end) 4.39
Northeast Quadrant Acreage
Littel & Lynn Avenue .46
W. 41st Street and Lynn Avenue 3.10
Minnehaha Creek Right of Way 22.88
Townes Road 1.00
Southwest Quadrant Acreage
Nine Mile Creek Right of Way 9.75
Cahill School Backlot 11.05
NE of High School & S of Crosstown 37.29
Dewey Hill Ponds 48.00
Limerick Dr. (dead end W of RR) 3.90
Southeast Quadrant Acreage
Bristol & Mavelle 1.01
Total Natural Resource Acres 352.13
Other Maintained Grass Areas
Table 6.9: Maintained Grass Areas
Park Type Acres
Plazas, Triangles, and Circles 5.00
Storm Water and Drainage Areas 60.00
Total Maintained Grass Areas 65.00
Edina Comprehensive Plan
6. Parks, Open Space, and Natural Resources Chapter – Approved 08-18-20
6-9
Trends and Challenges
There are numbers of trends that should be considered in the park and recreation planning process. In
this post-industrial age of rapid change, constant monitoring will be required to ensure awareness of
trends that have a bearing on park programming, utilization, and sustainability. In the case of Edina, the
City will need to continually provide sensitive and appropriate responses to changes in social,
demographic, technological, economic, political and environmental trends. The magnitude of these
changes will demand flexibility in planning practices to appropriately respond to rapidly changing needs.
In 2015, the EPR completed a Strategic Plan to guide decision-making, priorities, and plans over the next
10+ years. This chapter of the 2018 Comprehensive Plan is structured around five “Key Development
Areas” that were identified and discussed in the 2015 Strategic Plan. With the “Key Development
Area” as a foundation, content in the Comprehensive Plan has been structured as goals, policy
statements, and action items applicable to policies.
Goals and Policies
The Goals and Policies section is organized around five sections: 1) Parks, Open Space, and Trails; 2)
Natural Resources and Sustainable Parks; 3) Recreational Facilities; 4) Recreational Programs; and 5)
Finance and Management.
Parks, Open Spaces and Trails
Goal 1: Ensure that parks, recreational facilities, and trails are a source
of community pride by providing a balance of well connected, active and
passive spaces that reflect high quality design principles and maintenance
standards and appreciation of the arts; that allow residents to engage in
healthy activities and engage in enriching experiences.
Policy 1-A: The City will devote a minimum of 15 percent of Edina’s
land area to parkland and open spaces.
Policy 1-B: The City will work to meet NRPA guidelines indicating a
need for 15-20 miles of additional trails in Edina.
Edina: A Community of Learning. Edina has a prized education system of high-
quality public schools. The Parks, Open Space, and Natural Resources chapter of the
Comprehensive Plan recognizes the importance of extending the benefits of education to the
entire community through parks-related policies and programming and building on both obvious
and not so obvious linkages between the City’s parks, public schools, Public Works projects,
heritage resources, arts and culture, community health, etc.
For example, the parks can be used as classrooms by the public schools to expose students (and
their parents) to the importance of pollinator gardens and rain gardens. Moreover, informational
kiosks can be installed in the City’s parks that explain how recreational trails and paths are
constructed and how stormwater is filtered in retention ponds.
Edina Comprehensive Plan
6. Parks, Open Space, and Natural Resources Chapter – Approved 08-18-20
6-10
Policy 1-C: It is the intent of the City to maintain and, when feasible, increase its current park and
open space property The City, on a case by case basis, will consider the sale, swap, or
disposal of park property, as deemed in the best interest of the City.
Goal 2: Encourage and support active lifestyles through use of City Parks and participation in City
sponsored recreational programs.
Policy 2: The City will, through the EPRD, develop promotional and educational materials about
the benefits of an active lifestyle and the relationship between health and parks and
recreation.
Goal 3: Develop plans based on research and analysis of current trends, input from community
members, input from City departments and Commissions, state-of-the art approaches, and best
practices to ensure: a) that parks, recreation, and trail needs are documented, b) plans are developed
with broad participation from the community, and c) capital expenditures for future investments in
parks and recreational facilities and services are justifiable.
Policy 3-A: The City will follow recommendations outlined in the 2015 Comprehensive Parks and
Recreation Strategic Plan, Vision Edina 2015 and the 2017/2018 Big Idea Workshops as
one of its guides for investments in parks, recreational facilities and trails.
Policy 3-B: The City will update its Parks Master Plan every ten years (or less) to guide use, growth,
improvements, developments, and capital expenditures for all Community and Special
Use parks, recreational facilities, and trails.
Policy 3-C: The City of Edina has utilized Small Area Plans to provide long-range vision for land use
and development in specific areas of the city. The ERPD and PARC will support the
successful development and execution of these plans through a proactive engagement
process in planning how parks and green spaces fit in these development plans.
Natural Resources and Sustainable Parks
Goal 1: Protect, enhance, engage, and restore our urban forests, natural areas, and water resources to
sustain a healthy, diverse, and balanced natural environment for all to enjoy and understand. Wildlife will
be nurtured and protected. Animal and bird populations that are considered a threat to public health or
safety, or may be considered hazardous to the environment or infrastructure within Edina, will be
proactively managed.
Policy 1-A: The City will include a section on how to best promote, improve, or maintain our
natural resources in each new Master Park Plan.
Policy 1-B: The City will exhibit leadership in the area of sustainability in our park system to
support the health of our parks and open spaces.
Policy 1-C: The City will develop a wild life management program to reduce wild life migration away
from their primary habitat.
Recreation Facilities
Goal 1: Provide safe, clean, and reliable facilities and program spaces that provide users the highest
level of value, which supports their health and wellness, while supporting financial sustainability for the
Edina Comprehensive Plan
6. Parks, Open Space, and Natural Resources Chapter – Approved 08-18-20
6-11
City in the future.
Policy 1-A: The City, through EPRD, will maximize the use of enterprise facilities primarily, but not
exclusively, for Edina residents.
Policy 1-B: The City will manage enterprise assets as fee-based revenue generating facilities that
support programs and collectively cover all expenses including capital investments, land
purchases, and all operating expenses.
Policy 1-C: The City will exhibit leadership in matching facility space and utilization with the future
needs of our community.
Recreation Programs
Goal 1: Develop, provide, and manage recreation programs to support the community’s need for
health and wellness, individual skill development, and community connectivity in a safe and enjoyable
environment.
Policy 1-A: The City will develop recreation programs that emphasize Edina as a learning
community.
Policy 1-B: The City will develop recreation programs that exhibit a balance of inclusion across
generations, skills, economic conditions and seasons.
Policy 1-C: The City will develop recreation programs will include aspects of art, culture, health,
sustainability and also support unstructured recreation.
Policy 1-D: The City will prioritize program development that focuses on enhancing health and
activity for all ages, while providing special consideration for our youth population.
Finance and Management
Goal 1: Provide and encourage use of parks, trails, facilities, and programs that deliver on the
community’s expectations for a safe and enjoyable experience while keeping the infrastructure of the
system in a quality state.
Policy 1-A: The City, through EPRD, will provide a high level of park maintenance to achieve
all aspects of our EPRD vision.
Policy 1-B: The City, through EPRD, will form partnerships when appropriate to provide new
services or facilities to Edina residents.
Policy 1-C: The City will remain open to unique ideas and opportunities to enhance financial
leverage to capitalize and operate the park system.
Policy 1-D: The City, through EPRD, will demonstrate its commitment to inclusion and
diversity across a broad range of the Edina community.
Policy 1-E: When planning and making improvements, EPRD will consider impact to the brands
of both the City of Edina and its park system.
Policy 1-F: EPRD will build strong connections with established neighborhood organizations to
best understand and serve specific needs in those areas (nodes).
Edina Comprehensive Plan
6. Parks, Open Space, and Natural Resources Chapter – Approved 08-18-20
6-12
Policy 1-G: To ensure transparency, accountability and sustainability of Edina assets, ERPD
staff will work with the City Manager to renew long term business plans for the
park system’s our Enterprise facilities every third year. The structure, content,
and oversight of these plans will be at the sole direction of the City Council in
coordination with the Edina City Manager.
Policy 1-H: The EPRD will use benchmarking to assess progress against our Vision.
Policy 1-I: EPRD will maintain a focus on its Comprehensive Plan by including a 2018 Comp
Plan self-audit in its work plan every third year.
1995 Revised Inventory Guidance
In 1995, the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) and the Academy of Park and Recreation
Administration (APRA) revised the suggested classifications for parks, recreation areas and open spaces.
The key changes were the inclusion of park-school sites, athletic fields, private park/recreation facilities,
natural resource areas/preserves and greenway classifications. This new classification system states that
there are essentially two types of park and recreation land:
• Privately owned land that contributes to the public’s park and recreation system.
• Publicly owned land.
Examples of privately owned land that contribute to the public’s park and recreation system would
include:
• Edina Country Club
• Interlachen Country Club
• Church-owned properties
• Southdale YMCA
• The meadows in White Oaks neighborhood
• Power line easements
• Other miscellaneous privately owned vacant space
These privately-owned spaces and facilities provide the public with valued park and recreation services
and benefits.
Date: May 16, 2023 Agenda Item #: IV.
To:Mayor and City Council Item Type:
Other
From:Addison Lewis, Community Development
Coordinator Item Activity:
Subject:Accessory Dwelling Units Discussion
CITY OF EDINA
4801 West 50th Street
Edina, MN 55424
www.edinamn.gov
ACTION REQUESTED:
None; discussion only.
INTRODUCTION:
The Planning Commission's 2023 Work Plan included the directive to "review and recommend changes to city
ordinances regulating Accessory Dwelling Units". This was a continuation from the Commission's 2022 Work
Plan. On February 7, 2023, the Planning Commission presented an Advisory Communication with the
recommendation that the City Council direct staff and the Planning Commission to draft an ordinance allowing
accessory dwelling units. The City Council requested further discussion on this item. At the work session,
Commissioner Quincy Smith and staff will give a short presentation to address questions from the February 7,
2023, meeting and any new questions from the City Council. Staff and P lanning Commission are looking for
direction from Council to continue working on recommending changes to the ordinance to allow accessory
dwelling units.
ATTACHMENTS:
Description
Support for ADUs in Guiding Documents
Staff Presentation
Support for ADUs in City Guiding Documents
2040 Comprehensive Plan
Land Use Chapter
3-46 – Land Use Goals and Policies – Goal 4: Create and maintain housing options that serve a
diverse range of ages, household types, and economic situations.
1. Building on current efforts, seek options that allow for residential redevelopment
that is sensitive to the community character and context, while expanding options
for residents.
2. Seek opportunities to increase the supply of affordable housing, as well as to
preserve the affordability of existing affordable housing.
3. Facilitate the development of new housing that accommodates the needs of a
people of diverse needs and from diverse backgrounds.
Housing Chapter
4-12 – Trends and Challenges – Affordability across a range of household types. As a desirable
community with high land values, affordability is a challenge for Edina. This includes low-
income households, first time homeowners, young families, seniors seeking to downsize, and
many other groups. Lack of affordable housing prevents new people from moving into the
community and may force existing households to relocate when they face a lifestyle change.
This is further emphasized by demographic changes, in particular the aging of the population,
and the fact that wages have not kept up with inflation and the rising cost of housing.
4-13 – Trends and Challenges – Accommodating affordability in a high property value
community. The high values of land in Edina complicate the provision of affordable housing in
several ways. There is limited supply of NOAH since most unsubsidized housing in Edina does
not qualify as affordable. Also, acquiring land to preserve or construct housing is so expensive
that even dedicated resources (such as funds from the inclusionary zoning policy proceeds) are
not sufficient to create impact. Additionally, the factors that contribute to the maintenance of
high values are not accidental. Edina has worked for decades to protect and grow value,
sometimes to the extent of excluding types of development or even people. Because Edina is a
welcoming and inclusive city, it will strive to provide housing for households with a broader
range of incomes.
4-14 – Trends and Challenges – Maintaining community character. With the changing ways
people are living, working, and using spaces, there will be changes in how land uses function –
both in new and renovated spaces. Edina is frequently on the forefront of innovative practices,
particularly related to sustainability and technology. However, this will require some flexibility
in development standards. One of the goals of innovating may be to find ways to accommodate
missing housing types or to let housing be produced more affordably. Examples of housing
types may include “missing middle” housing options – a range of multi-unit or clustered housing
types compatible in scale with single-family homes that help meet the growing demand for
walkable urban living. These housing options may include co-housing, duplexes, triplexes,
fourplexes, and other smaller scale multifamily types. Ways to reduce housing costs could
include modular building styles that take advantage of efficiencies in the construction process.
4-18 – Existing and Projected Housing Needs – Lifecycle and senior housing. With an aging
population, Edina will see continued and expanded need for housing options that work at all life
stages. This may include senior and assisted living housing options, so that residents are able to
stay in Edina throughout their lives. Senior housing co-ops, housing with services provided,
and/or multigenerational housing models may appeal to these residents.
4-19 – Existing and Projected Housing Needs – Smaller household types. There is a growing
need for housing for smaller households, including childless couples, single professionals, and
empty nesters. In addition to multifamily style housing, other types – such as “missing middle”
or accessory dwelling units – may appeal to these households.
4-23 – Housing Goal 2: Encourage the development and maintenance of a range of housing
options affordable to residents at all income levels and life stages.
4-31 – Housing Tools – The City may consider developing an ordinance permitting the
construction of accessory dwelling units or guest homes in specific zoning districts, if consistent
with overall city goals and policies.
Housing Strategy Task Force Report – Advancing Housing Priorities for Edina
Pg. 49 – Goals and Strategies – Goal 1: Promote Lifecycle Housing
o A. Promote Affordable and Attainable Housing –
2. Facilitate the development of “new” housing options such as accessory
dwelling units to accommodate the diverse needs of people of different ages,
household sizes, lifestyle, and income.
Pg. 50 – Goals and Strategies – Goal 2: Amend Land Use Regulations to Enable a More Diverse
Housing Mix – B. Consider Zoning District Amendment to Expand Housing Options – 2. Consider
amending current R1 zoning to allow attached or detached accessory dwelling units such as
contained “mother-in-law units.”
Climate Action Plan
Pg. 10-10 – Transportation & Land Use Strategy 3, Action 7: Allow and encourage the
construction of accessory dwelling units (“ADU”) to increase rental opportunities in both
established neighborhoods and new development. This will add additional housing options for
the City’s workforce, seniors, families with changing needs, and others for whom ADUs present
an affordable housing option.
EdinaMN.gov
Accessory Dwelling Units
City Council Work Session –May 16, 2023
Questions from February 7, 2023
City Council Meeting
•Why are we talking about ADUs?
•How does this impact the prohibition on short-term rentals?
•What is the impact to property values?
•What are the impacts to infrastructure?
•How many ADUs would be possible?
•Would we need to subsidize ADUs?
Why ADUs?
Identified in guiding documents as a way to
meet various housing and sustainability goals
•Comprehensive Plan
•Climate Action Plan
•Housing Strategy Task Force Report
Included on Planning Commission’s 2022-
2023 Work Plan
Why ADUs?
ADUs
Sustainability
Economic
Development
HousingRace & Equity
Transportation
Why ADUs?
Provide more housing options
that serve a diverse range of
ages, household types, and
economic situations.
•About 90% of all housing in
Edina is either single-family
or in multi-family buildings of
20 units or more.
U.S. Households
MN AARP -Accessory
Dwelling Units: A
Minnesota Family
(video)
Why ADUs?
Allow for a more affordable housing type
not requiring subsidy.
•Average cost to construct is
between $150,000 -$250,000
•15-20% of ADUs are occupied for
rents that are zero or far below
market rate
•Average subsidy per affordable unit
•$200k-300k single-family
•$140k-$245k multi-family
Why ADUs?
Promote more compact
development that reduces sprawl
and makes walking, biking, and
transit more viable.
“Studies have found that for every 1% increase in population-
weighted urban density, household travel CO2 emissions reduce
by 0.12% to 0.48%. Based on these, establishing zoning
ordinances and incentives guiding future growth into options
which increase the density of existing developed land will have
positive impact on decreasing total community wide emissions
per household. ” -Edina Climate Action Plan
Why ADUs?
According to the IPCC Sixth Assessment Report, Climate
Change 2022: Mitigation of Climate Change –What are the most
impactful options cities can take to mitigate urban emissions, and how
can these be best implemented?
1.Reducing or changing urban energy and material use towards
more sustainable production and consumption across all sectors
including through spatial planning and infrastructure that supports
compact, walkable urban form. (pg. 927)
“Among mitigation options based on spatial planning, urban form, and
infrastructure, urban infill and densification has priority”. (pg. 921)
How does this impact the prohibition on
short-term rentals?
•No change. Allowing short term rentals is a separate
policy decision from whether to allow ADUs.
•Many of the surrounding communities studied
prohibit ADUs to be used as a short-term rentals.
Impact on property values
•Based on numerous studies, there is no evidence that allowing ADUs
would decrease property values and may increase property values by
giving owners more flexibility in how to use their property.
•ADUs contribute to the tax base, accounting for 25% to 34% of the
appraised value on the properties they are built.
Sources:
The Impact of Legalizing Accessory Dwelling Unit Rentals on Property Values: Evidence from Ogden, Utah. 9 Aug, 2022
Higher Density Housing –Myth & Fact by Urban Land Institute
Upzoning and Single-Family Housing Prices –A (Very) Early Analysis of the Minneapolis 2040 Plan, Journal of the American
Planning Association, 16 Feb 2021.
Appraising Properties with Accessory Dwelling Units –The Appraisal Journal, Fall 2012.
Correspondence with City of Minneapolis Assessing Staff
Impact on property values
ADU ordinances typically require that the appearance of a single-family
neighborhood be maintained. This is a distinction from other missing
middle housing types like duplexes and triplexes.
Single-family Home with attached ADU Duplex
What are the impacts to infrastructure?
•Given the expected number of
ADUs, Engineering staff do not have
concerns about impacts to
infrastructure.
•ADUs could be restricted in areas
with limited sewer capacity.
Properties with Sanitary Sewer Constraints Removed
in 2024-2025
Properties with Sanitary Sewer Constraints
How many ADUs would be possible?
•The number of possible ADUs in Edina would vary greatly
depending on how the ordinance is written.
•Stricter requirements typically result in less ADU production.
•Looking at neighboring cities gives the best estimate of what
to expect if Edina were to adopt a similar ordinance.
Would we need to subsidize ADUs?
•This would be a separate policy decision for the Council or
HRA to consider.
•Cost, financing, and city requirements are generally the biggest
barriers to development.
•Some cities offer financial assistance in the form of low
interest loans, waiving of certain permit fees, covering the fee
for consultation with an architect, or providing pre-approved
plans.
Estimated ADU Development
Attached (Cost effective)Detached (Cost prohibitive)
Economic/Rent 1.02%
(121 units)
0.79% (93 units)-A better economic model
to generate cash flow as the cost to convert
primary residence will be much lower than
constructing a detached ADU.
0.23% (28 units) -Very expensive to build and rental
income may not recover the mortgage cost at current
1BDR rent rates. Most likely the conversion of an
already detached structure permitted for use as an
ADU e.g. pool house, carriage house etc.
Lifestyle 0.98%
(116 units)
0.75% (89 units) -This is a cost effective
alternative to long term assisted living or
community living services facility.
0.23% (27 units) -Convenient for those who
prioritize privacy of vulnerable relative and have the
disposable income to build a new detached dwelling.
No Action (98%)It is more likely that most residents will take no action at legalization of ADU development.
Assumptions:
11,845 detached single-family homes (Maxfield ‘19)
Owner occupied requirement included to dissuade investor properties and resident upkeep concerns
2% single-family home convert to an ADU (237 units) and 51% of those are rented
Conclusion
•ADUs provide another land use option for Edina residents which can improve their
economic well being and ability to better care for vulnerable family members.
•All indicators show either no change or an increase in property values due to
additional land use options.
•Based on neighboring cities’ experience, Edina is not likely to have an explosion of
development and will not have any significant change in the character of the city.
•ADUs will not require any city subsidy for construction but could consider options to
encourage development.
•Planning Commission recommend ADU development and seeking approval to move
forward with draft ordinance.
Questions
Appendix
Other Metro Communities that have legalized
ADUs
Apple Valley Inver Grove Heights Roseville
Blaine Lakeville Shoreview
Bloomington Long Lake Stillwater
Burnsville Minneapolis St. Louis Park
Crystal Minnetonka St. Paul
Eagan Mounds View Wayzata
Golden Valley Plymouth White Bear Lake
Hopkins Richfield
Impact on property values
“In our analysis, we find no significant impact of ADU legalization on property values in areas affected by the policy change compared to unaffected areas…These results suggest that legalizing residential ADU rentals may be an effective way to increase the supply of affordable rental housing and provide supplemental income to homeowners without negatively impacting property values”
The Impact of Legalizing Accessory Dwelling Unit Rentals on Property Values: Evidence from Ogden, Utah. 9 Aug, 2022
Impact on property values
“No discernible difference exists in the appreciation rate of
properties located near higher-density development and
those that are not. Some research even shows that higher-
density development can increase property values.”
Higher Density Housing –Myth & Fact by Urban Land
Institute
Impact on property values
“I find that compared with similar unaffected properties in surrounding cities, the
Minneapolis plan change was associated with a 3% and 5% increase in the price
of affected housing units. In addition, there is some evidence that this price
increase is due to the new development option it offers property owners.”
Upzoning and Single-Family Housing Prices –A (Very) Early Analysis of the
Minneapolis 2040 Plan, Journal of the American Planning Association, 16
Feb 2021.
Criteria St. Louis Park Minneapolis Richfield Bloomington Minnetonka
Zoning / Max
Allowed
R-1, R-2, R-3. Single family lots
/ 1
Single family and 2 family zones
/ 1
R-1 / 1 R-1, RS-1 / 1 R-1, R-1A, R-2 / 1
No. / Issue 0 since Oct 2020 232 May ‘15 –Mar ’23 < 5 since 2015 1 since 2009 61 since 1986
Detached Attached, Detached, Internal Attached, Detached, Internal Must be attached to principal
structure or above a detached
garage
Yes (newly proposed ordinance)Attached, Detached, Internal
Min / Max Size 200 sq. ft. / Attached units: <=
40% gross floor area of the
single family home Detached:
800 sq. ft. or 25% of rear yard,
whichever is less
300 sq. ft. / 1300 sq. ft. or 16%
of lot size area
300 sq. ft. / 800 sq. ft.300 sq. ft. / No max None / 1,000 sq. ft. or 35% of
the floor area of the principal
dwelling, whichever is less.
Height 15 ft.21 ft.Height of principal residence (or
18 ft if lot is less than 75 ft
wide)
Same as principal structure Up to the roof height of the
principal dwelling.
What are impacts to infrastructure?
“Higher-density development generates less traffic than low-density
development per unit; it makes walking and public transit more feasible and
creates opportunities for shared parking”
“according to one study using data from the National Personal Transportation
Survey, doubling density decreases the vehicle miles traveled by 38%”
Higher Density Housing –Myth & Fact by Urban Land Institute
Why ADUs?
•Lack of housing inhibits mobility, negatively impacting labor markets,
which has a negative impact on economic output.
•Economists estimate annual loss in wages associated with restrictive
zoning around $1.6 trillion and is responsible for reducing economic
growth by 36% from 1964-2009
Gray, M. N. (2022). Arbitrary lines: How zoning broke the American city and
how to fix it. Island Press.
Why ADUs?
From Itasca Project Housing Innovation Report
•“The MSP region has not built enough homes and, as a result, housing is
now too expensive for many residents.”
•“The increased housing costs threaten the overall prosperity of the region
and worsen racial and economic gaps.”
•“Stable and affordable housing is the foundation for business and economic
growth as well as a host of other positive individual and systemic outcomes.
Increasing housing production and improving housing affordability will benefit
families, firms, and the entire MSP region for generations to come.”
Why ADUs?
From Minnesota Chamber of Commerce –Minnesota: 2030 Framework for Economic Growth
Housing Recommendations
•Policymakers at the state, regional and local level should undertake a rigorous cost/benefit analysis to assess and streamline the many regulations impacting housing costs, including permitting, zoning, and construction codes.
•Explore policies and initiatives to facilitate innovation in the housing market, enabling less expensive construction in building and creating additional consumer choice.
Why ADUs?
•According to the IPCC Sixth Assessment Report,
Climate Change 2022: Mitigation of Climate
Change –How can governments, communities and
individuals reduce demand and be more efficient in
consuming transport energy?
1.“Cities can reduce their transport-related fuel
consumption by around 25% through combinations
of more compact land use and less car-dependent
transport infrastructure. (pg. 1121)”
Why ADUs?
From Minnesota Governor’s Task Force on Housing
“The affordability of homes has been a competitive advantage for Minnesota and our employers, but a growing shortage of homes is pushing prices beyond the reach of many individuals and families. New housing construction has not kept pace with household growth since the Great Recession, as evidenced in the short supply of homes for rent or sale.”
“As a state, we will realize an estimated $3.2 billion in investments and support more than 30,000 jobs for each 10,000 additional homes we build.”
Goal: Build 300,000 new homes by 2030, across all types, prices, and locations to stabilize prices and meet demand.
Other Resources
•The ABCs of ADUs –AARP
•Twin Cities ADU Guidebook –Family Housing Fund
•Accessory Dwelling Units Allow Homeowners to Choose Where They Age -AARP
•Accessory Dwelling Units –American Planning Association
•How Twin Cities housing rules keep the metro segregated –StarTribune
•The Role of ADUs in Easing America’s Housing Crisis