HomeMy WebLinkAboutEditionEdina_Dec-2024-WebIncumbents Reelected to City Council
Hovland to Begin Fifth and Final Term in January
BY LAUREN SIEBENALER
As decided by Edina voters, the City’s
longest-serving mayor, Jim Hovland, will
soon begin his fifth and what he says will
be his final term.
“In the past I have thought, ‘Maybe I
should stop this time’, but then there’s
always something interesting to work on,”
Hovland said. “And this is the reason I
wanted to run again. There are so many
interesting things going on in our town
right now. It just didn’t feel right to me to
say that 20 years was enough.”
Some of the projects Hovland is looking
forward to seeing through include the $70
million in improvements at Fred Richards
and Braemar parks through the local
option sales tax, the new Fire Station 2,
and the potential new Art Center at the
new Hennepin County Library.
“I’m really grateful to be supported in
coming back and to have people think the
work we do is aligned with the vision work
that our town has done over time,” said
Hovland. “This idea of where our town
should be heading was a collective vision,
not the Council – not me as the Mayor –
but a collective vision that we’ve had. And
implementing that vision has really been
a pleasure for me and seeing the town
change and grow a little bit, and at least in
my opinion, getting better over time.”
Hovland was challenged by former Council
Member Ron Anderson. According to
election results, Hovland won with nearly
55% of the vote, receiving 16,887 votes to
Anderson’s 13,867.
In addition to the Mayor being elected
to another term, City Council Member
incumbents Carolyn Jackson and James
Pierce were the top vote-getters.
They were challenged by Planning
Commissioner Ryan Daye for the two seats
on the City Council. Jackson received the
most votes with 16,552 tallied, according
to the official election results. Pierce kept
his seat on the City Council with 13,781
votes to Daye’s 12,594.
Hovland, Jackson and Pierce will take the
oath of office for their four-year terms at
the first City Council meeting of 2025,
7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 7.
In 2025, Jim Hovland will begin his fifth and final
term as Edina’s mayor. (Submitted Photo)
Voter turnout was 86% in Edina.
Approximately 59% voted early at City
Hall or by mail and 41% went to their
polling place on Election Day. That is
nearly flipped with 2016 election results,
when 86.27% voted, with 39% voting
early and 61% voting at their polling place,
according to City Clerk Sharon Allison.
For more information on the Edina City
Council, visit EdinaMN.gov/CityCouncil.
86% of registered voters
cast ballots in Edina Election Judges
167
41%
59%
Went to their polling place
on Election Day to vote
Cast their ballots early
86%
Voting Statistics 15,054 Number of voters who voted
early at Edina City Hall
884
Average number of voters
processed daily between Oct. 28
and Nov. 4 at Edina City Hall
Average number of voters
processed daily between Sept. 20
and Oct. 27 at Edina City Hall
275
City of Edina EdinaMN.gov 1
Edition: Edina
DECEMBER 2024
Volume 11, Issue 12Strong FoundationCITY GOALS:Better TogetherReliable Service Livable City
The Rental Property Tax Reduction Program,
known as “4d,” reduces the property tax
class rate to 0.25% on affordable units,
leading to about 80% tax reductions.
Property Owners Can Save on Taxes and Utilities for
Affordable Units
Property 2020
Taxes
2021
Taxes
2022
Taxes
2023
Taxes
2024
Taxes
4300 block of Parklawn Avenue
(23% affordable units)$58,231 $65,574 $64,333 $63,751
6300 block of York Avenue
(100% affordable)$46,679 $31,374 $31,285 $22,291 $23,602
5500 block of Warden Avenue
(single affordable home)$4,673 $4,720 $4,702 $5,067
4d reduction takes effect 4d class rate reduced to 0.25% from 0.75%
Those participating in the 4d program
also can apply for a Resilient Homes Grant
that covers 90% of energy-efficiency
improvements up to $50,000. Those
improvements result in less use of gas
and electricity and cost savings. Here
are properties that have benefited from
the programs.
Learn more at EdinaMN.gov/4d or contact
Affordable Housing Development
Manager Stephanie Hawkinson at
shawkinson@EdinaMN.gov or
952-833-9578.
Property Taxes by Year (Showing Reductions)
The Parklawn and Warden properties
have participated in the Resilient Homes
Grant Program, significantly reducing
their future gas and electricity usage/bills.
Average Payments for
Energy-Efficiency Projects
Property enrolls in 4d program
Parklawn
Resilient
Grant
Program
$32,290 (90%)
Utility Rebates
$1,330 (4%)
Owner Paid
$2,286 (6%)
Warden
York
$59,861
$1,922
BY JACEY MISMASH
A Minnesota mountain biking group will help maintain the new
Braemar Park Trails under the first such agreement the City of
Edina has made with a nonprofit group for trail maintenance.
What is MORC?
Founded in 1994, Minnesota Off-Road Cyclists (MORC) is a
volunteer organization of avid mountain bikers who help repair
and maintain trails throughout Minnesota. Their trail volunteers
attend “trail school,” a three-hour online course to learn all
about the importance and logistics of trail management, with
continued on-site training provided as well.
How did MORC become involved with the City of Edina?
MORC was supportive of local efforts to bring new trails to Edina
when plans were drawn for the future of Braemar Park in 2017.
When funding became available to construct the mountain biking
trails in 2023, MORC provided feedback on trail design. With their
ongoing advocacy for the newly proposed trails, it made sense for
the City to seek out a partnership with MORC.
“While we had the funding available for building the trail,
preparing for ongoing trail maintenance is a huge undertaking,”
said Park Planner Rachel Finberg. “The skills and expertise from
MORC’s network of volunteers made the process much easier for
the City.”
MORC is providing its services at no charge. The agreement between
MORC and the City of Edina will be reviewed yearly for extension.
What will MORC do on the Edina trails?
MORC volunteers will provide all maintenance for the Braemar Park
mountain biking trails, focusing on feature upkeep, hazard removals,
erosion control and trail sustainability at no cost to the City.
City of Edina Partners with MORC on Mountain Biking Trails
New Agreement Mobilizes Volunteers to Maintain New Trails
2
BY DEBBIE TOWNSEND
Homeowners in the Country Club District
or of Edina’s landmark properties will
have more clarity on the renovation
process after the Edina City Council
approved City Code changes in October.
The updates, which don’t take effect
until January 2026, better define what
architectural and design changes must
be approved by the Heritage Preservation
Commission (HPC) for these properties.
“The previous ordinance didn’t spell out
when a Certificate of Appropriateness
(COA) was required. The goal of these
changes is to make clear what the
process is and provide more resources
so people have a better understanding
of what’s required,” said Assistant City
Planner Emily Dalrymple, who serves as
staff liaison to the HPC.
The HPC lobbied for the changes and
spent more than two years developing
them. They affect only homes in the
Country Club District and the City’s
landmark properties: Baird House,
Browndale Bridge, Cahill School, Edina
Mills site, Edina Theatre sign, Grange Hall,
Grimes House, Hendrick & Marri Oskam
house and Paul Peterson house.
The HPC felt the changes were necessary
because the State Historic Preservation
Office doesn’t provide preservation
rules for the National Register of Historic
Places. Those who buy these homes value
their history and understand they need to
be responsible custodians, said HPC Chair
Jane Lonnquist.
“The neighborhood was very supportive
of these changes!” Lonnquist said.
The changes also updated the Plan of
Treatment for the Country Club District.
These plans provide detailed guidance,
but basically any front façade or street-
facing changes to an affected home
require a COA. The HPC will review
proposed changes and approve them
before a building permit can be issued.
Exceptions would be like-for-like routine
changes such as roof work or replacing
a window.
Other code changes include:
•Once a COA has been approved,
a building permit must be applied
for within one year.
•Requirement for an escrow payment
of $3,000 for projects valued under
$100,000 or $15,000 for projects
valued higher than that.
Heritage Preservation Updates Focus on Clarity
Guidelines Aim to Ensure Historic Properties Remain Protected During Renovations
MORC volunteers will provide essential maintenance for the newly
constructed Braemar Park Trails. (Submitted Photo)
The escrow would be spent to keep the
historic properties weathertight and
protected if the contractor failed to do so.
The Country Club’s updated plan
also includes background on the
neighborhood’s history of racial exclusion
and how homeowners can renounce any
such deed restrictions, Lonnquist said.
The changes will go into effect once
the Building Inspection Division’s new
permitting software system launches,
expected Jan. 1, 2026. The HPC will
spend the interim time educating
property owners, contractors and
real estate agents.
For more information, see the
Oct. 1 City Council meeting
materials at EdinaMN.gov/Meetings
or contact Community Development
Director Cary Teague at
cteague@EdinaMN.gov.
“We’re managing water – that’s most of what we do,” explains
Jason Tufty, President of MORC. “Erosion is one of the most
powerful forces on Earth, and that’s what we’re working with here.”
In addition to maintaining the Braemar Park Trails, MORC will provide
input and advice for additions or changes to the trails going forward.
How can residents help with the trails?
The partnership between MORC and the City of Edina offers a
unique way for residents to be involved with the trails, as MORC is
always looking for volunteers or donors to support their work. Over
90% of donations go directly toward the acquisition of supplies such
as dirt and tools to take care of off-road trails.
“There’s a lot of room for growth for our volunteers,” states Tufty.
“We’re open to anyone who wants to help, whether they’re a
mountain biker or not. We’re excited about this partnership with
the community.”
To donate or volunteer with MORC, visit morcmtb.org or email
volunteer@morcmtb.org. For more information about the trails,
visit EdinaMN.gov/BraemarPark or contact Finberg at
rfinberg@EdinaMN.gov.
3City of Edina EdinaMN.gov
952-927-8861 | mail@EdinaMN.govCity of Edina EdinaMN.gov4
UPCOMING EVENTS
Sunday, Dec. 1, 6 p.m.
Saint Paul Police Band, Edinborough Park
Monday, Dec. 2, 5:30 p.m.
Lincoln and Londonderry Community
Workshop, Chapel Hills United Church
of Christ
Tuesday, Dec. 3, 7 p.m.
City Council meeting, Edina City Hall
Thursday, Dec. 5, 4-7 p.m.
Photos with Santa, Centennial Lakes Park
Friday, Dec. 6, 6:30 p.m.
Edina Liquor Holiday Wine Dinner,
Centennial Lakes Park
Saturday, Dec. 7, 3 p.m.
Edina Liquor Holiday Cocktail Class with
Vikre Distillery, Centennial Lakes Park
Saturday, Dec. 7, 7 p.m.
Edina Liquor Holiday Sip,
Centennial Lakes Park
Sunday, Dec. 8, 6 p.m.
Prior Lake Windjammers,
Edinborough Park
Monday, Dec. 9, 6 p.m.
City Council meeting, Edina City Hall
Sunday, Dec. 15, 6 p.m.
Full Moon Family Snowshoe,
Braemar Golf Course
Sunday, Dec. 15, 6 p.m.
Walker Brothers Band, Edinborough Park
Tuesday, Dec. 17, 7 p.m.
City Council meeting, Edina City Hall
Thursday, Dec. 19, 7:30 a.m.
Housing & Redevelopment Authority
meeting, Edina City Hall
Monday, Dec. 23-Wednesday, Dec. 25
City offices closed
Tuesday, Dec. 31, 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
or 2-4:30 p.m.
Family New Year’s Eve Parties at the
Park, Edinborough Park
Watch City Council, Housing &
Redevelopment Authority and Planning
Commission meetings live on Edina TV
(Comcast Channels 813 or 16) or online.
For a complete listing of meetings
and events, visit EdinaMN.gov/Calendar.
Council Amends Ordinances to Allow
Cannabis Businesses
Up to Five Cannabis Retailers Can Operate in Existing Commercial Areas
The City has determined the commercial areas
where cannabis can be sold in Edina when the
State’s Office of Cannabis Management (OCM)
begins issuing licenses in 2025.
Adults 21 and older have been allowed to use
cannabis in Minnesota since August 2023.
However, cannabis cannot be sold in the
state until the OCM is able to issue licenses
to retailers, expected sometime in 2025.
Municipalities are required to allow cannabis
licenses issued by the State, but may adopt
ordinances covering some specific local
regulations, including the maximum number
of licenses to be issued, cost of registration
and zoning districts cannabis businesses will
be allowed to operate in.
The City is required to allow one retail
registration per every 12,500 residents. So,
Edina could limit the number of retailers to
five or allow more. The City Council decided
to start with five when it approved ordinance
amendments at its meeting Nov. 19.
Many cities choose to zone cannabis retailers
similar to tobacco and liquor stores. In Edina,
those stores are permitted in the Planned
Commercial Districts (PCD). Examples of PCD-1
zoned areas for smaller neighborhood businesses
are Valley View & Wooddale, 44th & France,
70th & Cahill and Lincoln & Londonderry. PCD-2
allows for more and slightly larger commercial
businesses. Examples are Grandview and 50th
& France. PCD-3 allows the most and largest
commercial businesses and is limited to the
Southdale District.
The zoning ordinance amendment requires
cannabis retailers to locate in the same
districts as tobacco and liquor stores. The
local ordinance requires cannabis retailers
be at least 500 feet from schools, daycares
and residential treatment facilities. Businesses
may operate from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Also according to the updated zoning ordinance,
cannabis cultivation, manufacturing, processing,
wholesaling, testing, transportation and delivery
will be limited to the Planned Industrial District. All
operations must take place in an enclosed building.
In other business last month, the Council:
•Established the 72nd and France 3 Tax-
Increment Financing (TIF) District and then
approved TIF redevelopment agreements with
Edina Enclave and Lifestyle Communities for
7235 France Ave. The development team plans
to invest nearly $310 million in the project.
Under the TIF redevelopment agreements, the
City and Housing & Redevelopment Authority
pledged up to $22.874 million to reimburse a
portion of eligible costs using a combination of
TIF and a grant from the Special Projects and
Redevelopment Capital (SPARC) Fund.
•Approved the second phase of the
redevelopment of 7200 and 7250 France Ave.
Orion Investments had previously received
approval for a Planned Unit Development on
the site. However, the developer requested a
change to reduce the first-floor ceiling height
from 16 feet to 14 feet of the building in the
second phase of the project. Phase 2 will
include a 153-unit, six-story apartment with
underground parking. The retail space has
been eliminated from the original proposal
to reduce traffic generated from the site. The
site is currently vacant. Orion Investments
plans to begin construction this fall.
•Purchased new playground equipment for
Birchcrest, Highlands and Yancey parks and
sports lighting at Lewis Park.
The City Council’s next regular meetings are
7 p.m. Dec. 3 and 17. A special meeting will
be held 6 p.m. Monday, Dec. 9, to hold public
hearings on proposed street reconstruction
projects for 2025.
– COMPILED BY JENNIFER BENNEROTTE
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