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Home My WebLink About2025-07-23 Planning Commission Special Work Session Packet Meeting location: Edina City Hall Community Room 4801 W. 50th St. Edina, MN Planning Commission Work Session Meeting Agenda Wednesday, July 23, 2025 5:00 PM Accessibility Support: 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 amplification, an interpreter, large-print documents or something else, please call 952-927-8861 at least 72 hours in advance of the meeting. 1. Call to Order 2. Roll Call 3. Meeting Topics 3.1. Kick-off for Zoning and Subdivision Ordinance Update 4. Adjournment Page 1 of 22 BOARD & COMMISSION ITEM REPORT Date: July 23, 2025 Item Activity: Discussion Meeting: Planning Commission Agenda Number: 3.1 Prepared By: Addison Lewis, Community Development Coordinator Item Type: Other Department: Community Development Item Title: Kick-off for Zoning and Subdivision Ordinance Update Action Requested: None. Discussion only. Information/Background: Staff from the consultant team (ZoneCo) will be in attendance to give a presentation on the scope of work and goals for the Zoning and Subdivision Ordinance Update. More information about this project can be found on the Better Together Edina project page. Supporting Documentation: 1. ZONE Co. Presentation Page 2 of 22 City of Edina Zoning and Subdivision Ordinance Update JULY 23, 2025 1Page 3 of 22 Agenda: -Introductions -Presentation & Big Questions -Next Steps 2Page 4 of 22 Existing Zoning Code •Established:1970 •Length:187 pages •Main Focus: Single-family zoning •Base Districts: 4 (including an automobile parking district) •Planned Districts: 18 –heavy reliance of PUDs •Overlay Districts: 2 •Nonconformities: Lot sizes •Missing Districts: No medium/high-density base districts. •Uses: Too many; too specific and outdated •Development Standard: Inflexible and cumbersome •Code Structure: Disorganized and inconsistent: -Definitions spread across multiple locations -Procedural content scattered across 6+ articles -Long, redundant text lists Page 5 of 22 Existing Subdivision Code •Minimum lot area, lot width, lot depth in R-1 district = median of all lots in the neighborhood. •Neighborhood = within 500 feet of the proposed subdivision with confusing exceptions. •No process for small subdivisions or lot splits –all subdivisions require re-platting and two public hearings. Page 6 of 22 Code Audit Recommendations 1. Zoning Districts -Align base districts with 2040 Plan densities and land use goals. -Consolidate or eliminate underused and redundant subdistricts. -Add purpose statements to all districts. -Convert allowed uses into clear, consistent tables. -Simplify dimensional standards and base them on objective, citywide criteria. 2. Supplementary Regulations -Reorganize Article XII: -Retain only general development standards (e.g., parking, landscaping). -Relocate use-specific standards to relevant articles. 3. Development Procedures -Streamline site plan and lot split reviews. -Enable more administrative approvals. -Eliminate public hearings for by-right projects. -Redefine PUD intent and use only for truly exceptional projects. -Strengthen eligibility criteria and reduce procedural overlap. 4. Code Structure -Create a new unified numbering hierarchy. -Organize procedures into one dedicated article. -Use tables and graphics to enhance clarity and usability. Page 7 of 22 2040 Comprehensive Plan Land Use Goals Goal 2:Support livability and high quality of life for all city residents by balancing goals and priorities for development, especially as the community changes over time. Goal 1:Encourage infill and redevelopment that optimize use of city infrastructure, complement community character, and respond to needs at all stages of life. Goal 6: Ensure that public realm design respects community character, supports commercial and mixed-use development, promotes community identity, and creates high quality experiences for pedestrians, cyclists, transit users, and motorists. Goal 3:Grow and develop sustainably to protect the natural environment, promote energy efficiency, conserve natural resources, and minimize the impacts of buildings on the environment. Goal 4:Create and maintain housing options that serve a diverse range of ages, household types, and economic situations. Goal 5:Support and enhance commercial and mixed-use areas that serve the neighborhoods, the city, and the larger region. Page 8 of 22 Project Goals Enabling Edina to achieve desired development outcomes through clear, consistent, user-friendly, equitable, and defensible zoning regulations. -Improve the organization by utilizing a consistent hierarchy and numbering system throughout and grouping related topics so that information is easier to find. -Simplify the code to make it more accessible and easier to understand for the typical layperson.. -Incorporate graphics where appropriate to improve clarity and understanding. -Update existing zoning districts or create new zoning districts to better align with the 2040 Comprehensive Plan and small area plans. This includes review and update of district standards, such as setbacks, height, floor area ratio, building coverage and building design standards. -Incorporate appropriate development incentives for things like affordable housing, public space, and sustainable building techniques in exchange for additional height, density, FAR, etc. -Update and modernize the list of permitted, conditional and accessory uses and locate them in a table. -Update and modernize definitions for improved clarity and locate them in one place. Ensure consistent terminology is used throughout the code -Review and update development procedures as needed (site plan review, rezoning, minor subdivision, etc.)Page 9 of 22 Existing Land Uses Page 10 of 22 Existing Residential Land Uses Page 11 of 22 Future Land Uses By Category 5,000 new households: 50 acres @ 100 du/ac 100 acres @ 50 du/ac 229 acres @ 21.8 du/ac 1,220 acres @ 4.1 du/ac Page 12 of 22 Future Land Use 5,000 new households: 50 acres @ 100 du/ac 100 acres @ 50 du/ac 229 acres @ 21.8 du/ac 1,220 acres @ 4.1 du/ac 1,155 future land use acres for densities above 8 du/ac across entire city. 712 change area acres for densities above 8 du/ac. Page 13 of 22 How Do We Do New Housing in Edina? 21.8 du/ac = 229 acres 40 du/ac = 125 acres 60 du/ac = 83 acres 100 du/ac = 50 acres Page 14 of 22 Coding for Future Land Uses 21.8 du/ac = 229 acres 40 du/ac = 125 acres 60 du/ac = 83 acres 100 du/ac = 50 acres Page 15 of 22 Example Densities (100 du/ac) -5–8 stories (mid-rise), -~80–100% lot coverage with podium -Structured or underground (1:1 ratio or less) -Internal corridors, elevators -Courtyards, rooftop terraces, podium-level amenities -Mix of uses to support development cost -$25M-$50M Page 16 of 22 Example Densities (60 du/ac) -2–3 stories (low-rise) -~65–80% lot coverage -Tuck under or alley load -External entrances -Pocket parks, shared courtyards, sidewalks -$10M-$25M Page 17 of 22 Example Densities (40 du/ac) -2–3 stories -~50-70% lot coverage -Setbacks -Surface or alley load garages -External entrances -Porches, stoops, sidewalks -$6M-$15M Page 18 of 22 Example Densities (20 du/ac) -1.5-3 stories -~35-50% lot coverage -Attached townhomes, cottage courts, fourplexes and multi-plexes -Attached garages -External entrances -Front porches, sidewalks, yards -$5M-$10M Page 19 of 22 Middle Scale Housing Page 20 of 22 Big Questions Remain Next Steps •Housing Density –12-150 du/ac is a broad range –what is the happy medium? •Housing Scale and Design –Heights, parking, frontages, common areas. •Housing Location –potential change areas only? •Uses –Mix of uses or separate uses? •Process –How to code for by-right development that achieves desired outcomes? Zoning options for middle housing. Community Engagement Calibrate Districts and Use/Standards Codify Adopt/Use Page 21 of 22 We look forward to working with you. www.bettertogetheredina.org/zoning -code -update 20Page 22 of 22