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Home My WebLink About2019-07-02_08_30_AM-Advisory_GroupsAgenda Housing Strategy Task Force City of Edina, Minnesota City Hall, Community Room Tuesday, July 2, 2019 8:30 AM I.Call To Order II.Attendance III.Approval Of Meeting Agenda IV.Discussion Items a.Discuss reports and Prevailing Themes 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: July 2, 2019 Agenda Item #: IV.a. To:Members Item Type: Other From:Stephanie Hawkinson, Affordable Housing Development Manager Item Activity: Subject:Discuss reports and Prevailing Themes Discussion CITY OF EDINA 4801 West 50th Street Edina, MN 55424 www.edinamn.gov ACTION REQUESTED: None INTRODUCTION: Discuss reports and highlight prevailing themes to determine area of focus. ATTACHMENTS: Description Housing Chapter of the Comprehensive Plan Housing Succession Plan Quality of Life Survey Vision Edina 4-1 4. Housing Chapter Highlights • • Changing needs and preferences in Edina regarding housing type, size, style, and location will have implications both in areas of change and areas of stability citywide. • Affordability will remain a central issue and challenge for Edina in the coming years, as it seeks to provide a range of housing options to meet the needs of Edina residents at all life stages and income levels. • There is a need to provide affordable housing to a broad range of people who wish to live, work, and attend school in Edina. The city will preserve, create, and maintain an equitable community that promotes racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic diversity. • The City of Edina has taken proactive steps regarding affordability via its Housing Succession Plan and the subsequent adoption of its Affordable Housing Policy, but evaluation is needed to determine if this is sufficient. Introduction Housing and residential neighborhoods provide a core part of the identity of Edina for its residents, in terms of its role in providing basic shelter, community character, livability, a means of wealth creation, and proximity to jobs, services, and amenities. Likewise, housing policy for the city has shaped how housing has grown, what it looks like, how property is valued, and even who lives here. Although the housing patterns throughout Edina have been largely established for decades, they are not static. The high land values that characterize this community have attracted continued investment in properties – from extensive renovation to teardowns to larger scale infill development. This reflects the changing needs and preferences of residents, as well as the need for thoughtful guidance for change. The housing vision for Edina guides policies related to housing affordability, choice, quality, and community context. This chapter provides an overview of (1) current housing conditions, (2) trends and challenges related to housing, (3) future housing needs including the need for affordability, (4) goals and policies, and (5) an implementation plan. Current Conditions Past and Future Growth Population and housing growth trends in the City of Edina help define both the current housing stock and future growth opportunities. Forecasts included here were produced by the Metropolitan Council Chapter Content This chapter focuses on the following aspects of housing: • Housing supply and community growth • Housing affordability • Housing quality and design • Housing choice The chapter provides an overview of existing housing conditions, existing and future needs, goals and policies, and an implementation plan to meet identified goals. Edina Comprehensive Plan Housing Chapter Draft 03-06-19 4-2 through the regional planning process and with input from the City of Edina Planning Division. Forecasts continue to be revised as needed. Beginning in the late 1800’s, Edina developed east to west. Since the early 1980’s, it has been largely built out, with new housing primarily being constructed as infill projects within existing neighborhoods and in redevelopment areas. Population trend data shows this. Over the 50-year period from 1960 to 2010, the population of Edina increased approximately 68%. The vast majority of this growth was within the first two decades. Between 1980 to 2010, it only grew 4%. The Great Recession (2007-2009) impacted Edina’s housing market, as it did in other communities throughout the nation. The rate of adding new housing units slowed, and housing values declined. Due to historically strong demand for its housing, Edina was impacted less severely than many other communities and recovered faster. Since then, there has a significant increase in growth, responding to both the city’s strong market position and pent-up demand. The population is expected to grow by 24% or 5,800 between 2020 and 2040. In contrast to population, the number of households and housing units have grown much faster. From 1960 to 2010 they increased 168%. They are expected to grow by 24% or 5,800 from 2020 to 2040. Household size declined from 3.69 people per household in 1960 to 2.31 in 2010. This reflects a national trend toward smaller family size and fewer children per household. It now takes more housing units to house the same number of people as it did in the past. Source: US Census and Metropolitan Council Factors Contributing to Housing Growth See Chapter 2 Community Profile for a full overview of demographic and economic factors contributing to growth and change in Edina. Implications for housing are summarized below: Demographic Changes 28501 44046 46073 46070 47425 47941 51804 55000 60000 63600 7723 13005 17961 19860 20996 20672 22309 24000 27700 29800 0 10000 20000 30000 40000 50000 60000 70000 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 2016 2020 2030 2040 Edina Population and Households Population Households Edina Comprehensive Plan Housing Chapter Draft 03-06-19 4-3 Demographic change in Edina in recent years has been characterized by: • Aging population • Families with school-aged children • Increasing racial and ethnic diversity The median age in Edina is older than in surrounding communities, and the percentage of residents over 65 has been increasing for decades, particularly relative to the percentage under 20. Currently, the percent of 65+ residents is more than 20% of the population, and the median age is 46.7. With a growing percentage of residents in the 45-64 age cohort, this is only expected to increase over time. However, a limiting factor for the growth of the 65+ population could be the availability of appropriate and affordable options for seniors seeking to transition from single family housing to other housing types. The appeal of the area to families with school-aged children is tied closely to the strength of the Edina Public Schools which draws its student body not only from residents, but also from the surrounding communities via open enrollment. As a result, while the median age of the population continues to increase, the number of children has as well. The population under 20 has increased since 2000, both in absolute terms and as a percentage of the population, and currently is around 25% of the population. While not above statewide averages, it is notable for Edina, particularly considering the strong growth at the other end of the age range. Compared to other communities, married couples are a large and growing percentage of overall households. A limiting factor in accommodating this demand is the availability of affordable housing options for young families wishing to move to Edina. Not all growth in enrollment is due to the resident population. Edina has seen an increase in open enrollment as well. The following chart shows the relationship between the resident population of students and overall district enrollment. Steady upward trends have influenced strong growth in home values in the city. Source: Star Tribune, Minnesota Department of Education Racial and ethnic diversity has increased gradually but steadily for decades. While still a fairly small percentage of the population, it is growing and is likely to continue to grow, given regional forecasts for demographic change. Evidence suggests that the youngest generations are typically more diverse than 0 2000 4000 6000 8000 10000 Edina Resident Student Population and District Enrollment Trends Resident Students Enrollment Edina Comprehensive Plan Housing Chapter Draft 03-06-19 4-4 older ones. While the overall percentage of people reporting minority status in Edina is 13.5%, it is 24% of Edina Public Schools students, an increase of over 10% in the last ten years. International immigrants moving to Edina are also more likely to be both young and diverse, compared to the native born population. Housing Stock The city has a diverse housing mix that appeals to a variety of household types. The majority of the housing stock (57%) are single family detached units, with the remainder being single family attached and duplex (7%), multifamily with 3-19 units (6%), and multifamily with 20+ units (31%). The substantial percentage of the multifamily housing stock in larger buildings reflects the fact that most multifamily is concentrated in a few higher density locations, such as the Greater Southdale area, where guidance and land values support larger scale development. Over half of the housing stock (55%) was built in the 1960s and earlier, so is approaching 50 years old. As housing stock ages, continued investment is needed to address maintenance needs as well as changing tastes and preferences. Housing condition and building permit data suggests that this is happening. The vast majority of housing in the city is of average or better condition, and many properties have been substantially upgraded over the years. Housing Market The housing market in Edina has been consistently strong over the years. The housing stock is higher valued compared to the rest of the region, and has retained that value over time. In 2016, the median home value in Edina was over $424,000, compared to $220,000 regionally. Like the rest of the regional and national housing market, Edina saw declines in sales prices and volumes during the recent recession (2007-2009). However, median housing sales prices in Edina recovered and exceeded pre-recession levels by 2015, a year earlier than the Twin Cities region. This points to the fact that the impact was less, and the recovery quicker, than the market overall. Source: Minneapolis Area Association of Realtors $0 $50,000 $100,000 $150,000 $200,000 $250,000 $300,000 $350,000 $400,000 $450,000 $500,000 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 Median Home Sales Price Edina Twin Cities Edina Comprehensive Plan Housing Chapter Draft 03-06-19 4-5 The rental market is similarly strong. Particularly post-recession, there has been pent up demand for new rental properties, resulting in a wave of new construction of multifamily rentals. Median rents in Edina are above regional medians: $1,280/month compared to $980/month, based on 2016 numbers. Current rents are significantly higher, as much as $2,500 or more, and reflect the newest units which tend to be higher priced. Like much of the market, rental vacancy rates are low, in the 1-3% range, though this will likely change as more units are constructed. Housing Units and Affordability Housing affordability is one of the most important factors related to the housing stock. Broadly defined, affordability means that the intended residents are able to pay for the cost of housing without expending a disproportionate share of their income (generally greater than 30%). In practice, the City focuses on policies and interventions regarding affordability for low income households, as they typically have the most challenges in finding affordable options. The definition of affordability for low income households can be found in the box on this page. The main categories focus on rental property, where there is a desire to also include affordable ownership in the plan. Therefore, there are several main categories of affordable housing, detailed below: • Subsidized housing. These units received some sort of subsidy for construction and/or renovation, with the criteria that rents are limited to be affordable to households with incomes at or below 80% of Area Median Income and home mortgages are affordable to households with incomes at or below 120% Area Median Income. Properties meeting these criteria are included in the count of units in Table 4.1. • Naturally Occurring Affordable Housing (NOAH). These are units with rents typically below market, but not due to any policy or regulation. They are a substantial percentage of the affordable housing stock in the Twin Cities. However, as they are not protected, their values and rents can rise depending on property and market conditions. There is no official tally of these in the area. • Senior housing. While most affordable housing cannot be restricted based on demographics of residents, senior housing is an exception. This housing has age guidelines for residents, and often features appropriate supporting services – ranging from optional programs to full service. • Supportive housing. Supportive housing integrates services with housing. It is typically targeted at vulnerable groups, such as people with disabilities, people experiencing homelessness, or people dealing with addictions or having other specialized medical needs. Definition: Affordability The Metropolitan Council measures affordability using Area Median Income (AMI), the midpoint of the Twin Cities region income distribution. Low income affordability is defined at three levels: • Extremely low income (30% of AMI) • Very low income (50% of AMI) • Low income (80% of AMI) This is further broken down by household size. The US Department of Housing and Urban Development has calculated levels of affordability based on these criteria. In 2018, a four-person household is considered extremely low income if its household income is below $28,300 per year. Edina’s median household income is significantly higher than the regional AMI, which compounds issues with the availability of affordable housing. Edina Comprehensive Plan Housing Chapter Draft 03-06-19 4-6 Table 4.1 summarizes current housing data. As of 2016, Edina had about 23,510 housing units, 60% of which were single family and 40% of which are multifamily. Most homes in the city are owner occupied (72%). The percentage of multifamily and rental units have been increasing gradually, whereas the number of single family homes as remained fairly static. According to Metropolitan Council housing data, about 32% of housing units in Edina are affordable to households with incomes at or below 80% of area median income (AMI). While this is a substantial number, it is significantly below the countywide average of 63%. Additionally, according to the US Census, around 29% of all households in Edina are cost burdened, meaning they spend more than 30% of their income on housing costs. There are 560 publicly subsidized affordable housing units currently in Edina, most of which are for seniors. Table 4.2 provides additional detail as to the specific developments which include these units. Table 4.1: Housing Conditions in 2016 Housing Units Number % of Total Housing Units Total 23,510 100% – Owner Occupied 16,880 72% – Rental 6,630 28% – Single Family Homes 14,177 60% – Multifamily Homes 9,333 40% Publicly Subsidized Total Subsidized 560 2.4% – Senior Housing 393 1.7% – Housing for People with Disabilities 0 0.0% – All Other Publicly Subsidized Units 167 0.7% Affordable Units Housing Units affordable to households with incomes at or below 30% Area Median Income (AMI) 1,351 6% Housing Units affordable to households with incomes between 31 and 50% Area Median Income (AMI) 2,254 10% Housing Units affordable to households with incomes between 51 and 80% Area Median Income (AMI) 3,920 17% Total Affordable Housing Units at 80% AMI and below 7,525 32% Source: Metropolitan Council and Housing Link Edina Comprehensive Plan Housing Chapter Draft 03-06-19 4-7 Table 4.2: Subsidized Affordable Housing in Edina, 2016 Name and Location Description Eligibility Funding 66 West 3330 W 66th Street 39 affordable units supportive housing facility – 39 studio apartments Young adults experiencing homelessness at or below 30% AMI City, County, MHFA, MEF, FHF Crossroads of Edina (formerly Oak Glen) 5515 Oak Glen Road 26 affordable units in 64 unit apartment building – 4 1-bedroom and 22 3-bedroom Families at or below 30% AMI HUD Section 8 (PBA); MHFA Edina Lodge 6312 to 6314 France Ave S 6 affordable units in duplexes and triplexes 60% AMI MHFA Interlodge 5141 William Ave 6 affordable units in duplexes 30% AMI County and MHFA South Haven 3400 Parklawn Ave 100 affordable apartments, 1-bedroom Seniors at or below 30% AMI LIHTC, HUD Section 202 Summit Point/Woodhaven 5010 Summit Ave 29 affordable apartments, 1-bedroom Seniors at or below 30% AMI LIHTC, HUD Section 202 Yorkdale Townhomes W 76th St & York Ave S 90 affordable units: 10 1-bedroom, 56 2- bedroom, 20 3- bedroom, 4 4-bedroom Families at or below 30% AMI LIHTC, County, MHFA Yorktown Continental 7151 York Ave S 264 affordable units, 262 1-bedroom, 2 2- bedroom Seniors at or below 30% AMI LIHTC, MHFA Source: Housing Link - https://www.housinglink.org/ In addition to the affordable housing developments in Table 4,2, some primarily market rate developments contain affordable units. These include Aurora on France (4005 W 65th/6500 France), Aria (3200 Southdale Circle), and Yorktown Gardens (7151 York). The total anticipated units between these projects is around 26. As shown in Table 4.3 and the following chart, the percentage of households that are experiencing cost burden has gradually risen since 1990, reaching the greatest proportion in 2010. The trend is mixed: the percentage of renters experiencing cost burden has been slowly decreasing since 1990 while the percentage of owners experiencing cost burden has fluctuated over the past 3 decades. Of all cost burdened households in Edina, about 10% of households spend 50% or more of their household income on housing, which is qualifies as severe housing cost burden. It is important to note that cost burden is also present in households making greater than Area Median Income, which explains the gap between percentages presented in Table 4.3 (for cost burdened Edina Comprehensive Plan Housing Chapter Draft 03-06-19 4-8 households making 80% or less of AMI) and the following graph. Roughly 9% of households making at least 80% AMI ($75,000 or more) experience cost burden. Table 4.3: Edina Households Experiencing Cost Burden, 2016 Category Households in Bracket Percent of Total Households Existing households experiencing housing cost burden with incomes below 30% AMI 1,328 6% Existing households experiencing housing cost burden with incomes between 31 and 50% AMI 1,228 5% Existing households experiencing housing cost burden with incomes between 51 and 80% AMI 1,341 6% Source: Metropolitan Council, US Census Source: Metropolitan Council, US Census 25%26% 31%29% 19%19% 28%26% 43%43%43% 39% 0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% 40% 45% 50% 1990 2000 2010 2016 Percent of Edina Households Experiencing Cost Burden All Households Owner Households Renter Households Edina Comprehensive Plan Housing Chapter Draft 03-06-19 4-9 Figure 4.1: Owner Occupied Housing Estimated Market Value Edina Comprehensive Plan Housing Chapter Draft 03-06-19 4-10 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. • Designing walkability as part of new development. Especially in developed communities like Edina, residents are frequently looking for a location where they can easily access what they need on a daily basis. This includes proximity to retail and services, walkable and bikeable routes, connections to parks and community services, access to transit, and other amenities. In Edina in particular, there is an exceptionally strong relationship between housing and the school district, which attracts many residents to the city. Post-recession housing patterns show that particularly in the case of multifamily development, residents are often looking for these amenities within walking distance of their home. Additionally, walkable development patterns can help reduce the traffic impact of denser housing patterns by accommodating at least some trips through walking, biking, or transit rather than automobile. Edina: A Community of Learning. Edina has a prized education system of high-quality public schools. The Housing chapter of the Comprehensive Plan recognizes the importance of extending the benefits of education to the entire community. Particularly in the case where there are housing projects with public participation, due to partnerships and subsidy, there is an opportunity to educate about the important role of housing to a community, and how they related to other features. The close relationship between education and housing is a unique opportunity to highlight how they reinforce and work together in the community. Edina Comprehensive Plan Housing Chapter Draft 03-06-19 4-11 • 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. Now is time to change course, to be more welcoming and inclusive by seeking to provide housing for households with a broader range of incomes. • Mitigate impacts of new development on existing neighborhoods. As a fully developed community, any new development will occur within an area with existing character and context. Particularly when new or different housing types are introduced to meet needs, there is an interest to ensure it is an asset to the community, and any impacts to surrounding properties are adequately mitigated. For instance, there has been increased interest in higher intensity mixed use development in recent years. This has provided residents with easy access to transit, retail, and services, as well as opportunities to live and work in spaces with close proximity. High density developments are already present in Edina (formally and informally), but more are likely to occur. Managing these uses to mitigate any potential conflicts is important. Edina Comprehensive Plan Housing Chapter Draft 03-06-19 4-12 • 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. • Combatting social isolation. While not a housing issue per se, the way people live their lives now has become more isolated and disconnected than in the past. This has contributed to any number of societal problems, from political polarization to a rise in the suicide rate. How do we help connect communities back together through shared spaces and functions, including accommodating diversity in various forms? This can be addressed through how residential areas are designed and built, to support social interaction and community connectivity. • Planning for housing in strong markets. Many traditional public sector interventions in the housing market were originally designed to work in areas where the private sector is absent or underperforming. However, these same tools can be effective in a place like Edina, though they may require creative approaches and partnerships. In general, Edina needs approaches that are focused on value capture of current and forecasted growth. The city’s inclusionary housing policy is a key example of this, but will need to be supported by addressing the barriers to creating affordable housing such as zoning restrictions. Edina Comprehensive Plan Housing Chapter Draft 03-06-19 4-13 • Accommodating housing needs of a changing population. The City of Edina is seeing changes in its demographics, particularly in terms of increased racial and ethnic diversity, and overall aging on the population. In particular, there are specific needs related to a growing senior population. This includes options for residents to safely age in place, including receiving in-home medical care and other supportive services. Special housing types that accommodate health and mobility limitations, including congregate housing and memory care, will be needed. Housing Needs Analysis Between 2020 and 2040, it is anticipated that around 5,800 new households will be added to the City of Edina. What type of units will be constructed will depend on housing needs, community preferences, and market realities. This section provides an overview of recent housing studies for Edina, and summarizes existing and project housing needs within the city. Future Housing Needs Edina’s Cities of the Future (2015) report described trends that are shaping the demand for housing in the city. It envisions a future where housing is integrated into mixed use neighborhoods, better meeting the needs of smaller households with fewer children, and an aging population. Characteristics of new housing may include: • New housing options primarily are provided as attached (multifamily) apartments and townhouses and small detached lots, with a variety of sizes, uses, and resident types. • Low rise, high density buildings with smaller apartments that are adaptable to provide opportunities to work at home, and to meet the needs of people with disabilities. • Neighborhoods providing walking access to residents, retail, office, culture, entertainment, restaurants, schools, community centers, and green space. • Smart buildings and sites ensuring wise resource use with low energy and water consumption, and integrated recycling and composting systems. • Outdoor spaces integrating pedestrians, cyclists, playgrounds and ecology. • Recognition that cars are guests in the streets and are respectful of other users. The study notes that mixed use neighborhoods are becoming a better match with current and expected future housing needs than traditional suburban neighborhoods. However, investing in Edina’s single family housing stock remains popular, as evidenced by the teardown trend. Demographic changes are driving demand for different housing types, including smaller units which are more affordable, and have lower costs for maintenance, energy and water. As population density increases, and citizens are using their neighborhoods more intensely, there will be a transformation of streets to spaces shared by automobiles and other uses, more areas will become car free, and there will be other initiatives that improve safety on the streets. The shift in desired housing, combined with changes in working modes, Edina Comprehensive Plan Housing Chapter Draft 03-06-19 4-14 means that more people are self-employed and/or work remotely, this may be from home, a local co- working space or even a coffee shop. People are more often mixing work and leisure time, and therefore want to work within their community, where they also recreate and engage in social activities. Outside of this report, a couple other housing concepts that have been identified during the planning process include: • “Missing middle” housing. This encompasses housing between the scale of low and high densities, providing both an option to meet needs, and a built form type that can transition between adjacent districts of different levels of scale and intensity. • Lifecycle housing. Ensuring there is a full range of housing options for all stages of life, from starter homes through continuum of care, so people can live their whole lives in Edina as they choose. Community Priorities for Housing Vision Edina Strategic Vision and Framework and Vision Edina Community Engagement Report (both 2015) outlines directions for housing from the City’s community visioning process, reflecting community input. Results are summarized below. Residential Development Mix The issue of residential property development was repeatedly raised throughout the Vision Edina process. The City has been faced with a number of redevelopment pressures and challenges across numerous areas. Residents strongly favor a continued focus on the single- family housing nature of the majority of the city neighborhoods, but there is increasing concern about the trend and impact of so-called ‘teardowns’ on the community. There is also recognition of some need for additional multifamily options to create more diversity in housing affordability. This would provide increased options at all stages of life and attract younger residents. Issues • Residential neighborhoods continue to serve as the defining characteristic of the city, and there is a high desire to protect and enhance such neighborhoods. • Residents take a great deal of pride in their homes, and express concern about the escalating redevelopment pressures facing some neighborhood areas. • Edina continues to face competition from neighboring communities that claim to offer a similar quality of life while also offering more available land for development. • The community must balance the needs of the families that have defined its character, with an aging population that desires to ‘age in place.’ Edina Comprehensive Plan Housing Chapter Draft 03-06-19 4-15 Strategic Actions • Further encourage the development of neighborhood associations and the overall neighborhood concept. Define the unique character and brand of each of the well-established neighborhoods, and explore innovative planning guidelines to allow preservation and enhancement of the desired neighborhood visual appeal. • Pursue further planning and development options that protect and locate key amenities, such as parks and community facilities, within the neighborhood framework to allow neighborhood centers and focus points to further evolve. • Continue to explore options for new multifamily housing throughout the city in mixed-use areas and near public spaces, including areas such as Southdale, Pentagon Park and Grandview. • Work to create affordable housing options close to transit, shopping and employment centers. Big Ideas for Housing Bridging between the Vision Edina process and the City’s comprehensive plan update, the Big Ideas initiative in 2017 looked to draw out some of the major areas of focus that needed to be addressed in the comprehensive plan. From the major strategic focus areas identified in the Vision Edina process, Residential Development and Live and Work (two of the most housing-related ones) were ranked about in the middle of the pack. Participants were asked to identify Big Ideas associated with each of these focus areas. Those with the most votes for these two focus areas included: Residential Development Mix • Affordable housing that is really life cycle housing; supports the values of equity, balance, and diversity • Neighborhoods all need a node. Nodes should all be different. • Cooperative housing; separate living space that include communal areas such as gardens, kitchens, gathering spaces • Affordable single family homes Live and Work • Campus grouping jobs and housing with environmental amenities and attention to beauty (low- scale residential and business) • Enable live and work nodes attractive to emerging technology and medical device companies Edina Affordable Housing Policy As of November 2015, the City of Edina has adopted an Affordable Housing Policy. The focus of this policy is on a proactive and inclusionary approach to providing affordable housing in the city. This was in response to the City’s recognition of the need to provide affordable housing in order to maintain a diverse population and to provide housing for those who live or work in the city. The policy will be reviewed and adjusted from time to time to better align with the City’s affordable housing goals and current housing market conditions. Additionally, the Edina HRA has adopted guidelines for affordable housing development that apply to projects that are supported by tax increment financing. Edina Comprehensive Plan Housing Chapter Draft 03-06-19 4-16 Existing and Projected Housing Needs Based on an analysis of existing conditions and the studies summarized above, it is anticipated that the following housing types likely will be the most needed in the coming years: • Affordable housing. As of 2016, around 29% of households in Edina experienced cost burden, paying more than 30% of their incomes on housing costs. The percentage for renters was even higher, at around 39%. With an aging population and an influx of young families with children, it the need for affordable housing will increase. Addressing the affordable housing needs of current and future residents will continue to be a priority. • Housing for young families, including first-time homebuyers. The strength of the school district in Edina attracts families with school aged children. There will be a continued need for housing options that work for families, including affordably priced ones. This may be in the form of maintenance of existing single-family residences, or newer options, including “missing middle” type multifamily housing developments. • 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. • Housing in walkable and livable communities. In metropolitan areas, there is a growing interest in housing that is located within walking distance of retail, services, parks, and other destinations. Particularly in areas like Greater Southdale, there is the opportunity to add housing into a mixed-use community, which in turn can help reduce dependence on automobile travel. While housing constructed in Edina will largely be driven by market forces, the City of Edina has an opportunity to influence developers through policy, regulatory guidance, partnerships, and strategic investments. The implementation section later in this chapter provides more detail on how these housing needs will be addressed. Affordable Housing Goals Affordable housing is a primary concern in Edina, particularly given the high property values that tend to push housing prices out of the reach of many households. The Metropolitan Council has recognized that affordable housing is a regional issue, and has allocated forecasted affordable housing needs to each community. One of the primary factors used in assigning these forecasts was the presence of low wage jobs, a primary source of employment for residents of lower cost affordable housing. Edina’s allocation was influenced by the fact that it has a high ratio of jobs to affordable units currently. This suggests that employers in this area may have trouble finding all the workers they need for these jobs, and workers may have trouble finding housing near where they work. Being cost burdened is not uniquely associated with low income households. Cost burden can affect households at virtually all income levels, depending on the relative cost of housing. And all housing has been subsidized at some point through public investment in community building, services, and infrastructure – not to mention mortgage programs and terms that making homeownership more accessible. Edina has had relatively few units affordable to low income households added over the past decade. However, some were added in 2015 and 2016. Edina Comprehensive Plan Housing Chapter Draft 03-06-19 4-17 Source: Metropolitan Council, US Census Housing Performance Scores are a measure of how a community is progressing toward its affordable housing goals. It reflects the amount of affordable housing constructed over the previous decade, as well as preservation and rehabilitation of existing affordable housing, housing policies and ordinances, and characteristics of the existing housing stock. Edina’s 2017 score is 91 out of 100, reflecting both recent housing development and its affordable housing policy approach. The Metropolitan Council prioritized housing affordability in Thrive MSP 2040, and the 2021-2030 Allocation of Affordable Housing Need for Edina reflects the city’s share of the region’s forecasted population that will need affordable housing. Housing is considered “affordable” when no more than 30% of household income goes to housing, so households with different income levels have different thresholds of “affordable.” Edina’s share of affordable housing need is 1,220 units by 2030, as shown in Table 4.4. This represents a significant increase from the target in the previous comprehensive plan, which, it must be acknowledged, was not achieved. As the total expected housing growth for Edina is around 7,500 units, this represents a substantial share of overall net new housing as well. The total is further allocated by three tiers of affordability. These are based on how much households at certain percentages of Area Median Income (AMI) can pay for housing without becoming cost burdened by spending more than a third of their income on housing costs. For instance, as of 2018, the income limits for a four-person household were $28,300 (30% AMI), $47,150 (50% AMI), and $71,900 (80% AMI). These amounts will continue to be adjusted over time as median income changes. Table 4.4: Affordable Housing Allocation Goals Income Range New Unit Goal At or below 30 AMI 508 From 31 to 50 AMI 325 From 51 to 80 AMI 387 Total Number 1,220 Source: Metropolitan Council 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 Affordable New Units Added by Year Owner Renter Edina Comprehensive Plan Housing Chapter Draft 03-06-19 4-18 The corresponding affordable purchase price for a household at 80% AMI is approximately $236,000, as of 2018. It is anticipated that new units will be acquired through construction of new subsidized housing units, participation in land trusts, subsidized acquisition of existing units, and other strategies. To meet Metropolitan Council housing plan requirements, Edina must demonstrate it has sufficient land guided for development at minimum densities (units/acre) high enough to make affordable housing a viable option. The cost to build per unit typically decreases as the number of units per acre increases. Lower per unit costs make development an option for affordable housing developers as well as market- rate developers. According to the Metropolitan Council, any residential future land use designation that has a minimum density of eight units per acre or more will count towards affordable housing allocation calculations. Table 4.5 includes the future land use designations for Edina and the minimum units per acre. Table 4.5: Residential Future Land Use Designations Land Use Minimum Density (units/acre) Qualify for Affordable Housing Low Density Residential 1 No Low Density Attached Residential 4 No Medium Density Residential 5 No High Density Residential 20 Yes Greater Southdale District Residential 50 Yes Neighborhood Node* 10 Yes Office Residential* 20 Yes Mixed-use Center* 20 Yes Community Activity Center* 90 Yes Regional Medical Center* 50 Yes *Mixed use Table 4.6 demonstrates that Edina has well beyond the necessary minimum land guided for residential development to meet the affordable housing allocation. Table 4.6: Development Capacity for Affordable Housing Allocation Land Use Net Acres Min Units/Acre Min % Residential Potential Units Low Density Residential 0 1 100% 0 Low Density Attached Residential 0 4 100% 0 Medium Density Residential 0 5 100% 0 High Density Residential 86 20 100% 1,720 Greater Southdale District Residential 68 50 100% 3,400 Neighborhood Node* 7 10 50% 105 Office Residential* 116 20 50% 1,160 Mixed-use Center* 21 20 50% 210 Edina Comprehensive Plan Housing Chapter Draft 03-06-19 4-19 Community Activity Center* 114 90 50% 5,130 Regional Medical Center* 22 50 50% 550 Total 435 - - 12,275 *Mixed use This does not mean that all the allocated land will be used for affordable housing redevelopment, nor that the market would necessarily support the creation of these units. However, it does demonstrate that Edina may have capacity for development beyond the 2040 forecasts. This may inform future policy decisions if the rate of is faster than anticipated. Goals and Policies Housing Supply and Community Growth Goal 1: Accommodate all planned residential growth in the city based on planned infrastructure investments and other community goals and assets. 1. Seek to accommodate the total new households projected to locate in the city by the year 2040. 2. Acknowledge the interrelationship between land use, transportation, and public school enrollments, and support development of housing in areas accessible to a range of transportation options, including bicycle, pedestrian, and transit. 3. Recognize that successfully reaching affordable housing goals assists the city in achieving related community goals, including: a. Accommodating housing for young families with children in Edina schools; b. Maintaining community character and supporting a strong tax base; c. Fostering diversity by addressing disparities; d. Supporting Edina businesses’ ability to remain competitive in regional and global markets and attract quality employees; e. Providing lifecycle housing opportunities for community renewal Housing Affordability The City of Edina is committed to aid and secure affordable lifecycle housing for a diverse community. Safe, secure, and affordable housing is essential to the healthy development of individuals, families, businesses, and communities. Goal 2: Encourage the development and maintenance of a range of housing options affordable to residents at all income levels and life stages. 1. Encourage the production of additional affordable housing units and retention of existing affordable housing units to meet the city’s housing needs and its Metropolitan Council affordable housing need allocation of 1,220 units. 2. Encourage the preservation and maintenance of, and improvements to, existing subsidized and naturally occurring affordable housing. 3. Support tenant rights to ensure that renters are treated fairly and equitably by landlords. 4. Revisit height and density zoning requirements if needed to make the development of affordable housing financially feasible in areas guided for redevelopment. Edina Comprehensive Plan Housing Chapter Draft 03-06-19 4-20 5. Promote the preservation and production of affordable housing through the areas of Edina accessible to transit by addressing financial and zoning barriers. 6. Increase housing stability and security of residents living in affordable housing. 7. Engage Edina residents, through Edina Neighborhood Associations, faith institutions, the Senior Center, and other community organizations, in a dialogue about the city’s commitment to affordable housing, with the intention to educate and engage all Edina residents about this issue and public policies to address it. 8. Engage the Planning Commission and the Human Rights and Relations Commission to annually review with staff and report to the City Council the City’s progress in meeting affordable housing and diversity goals as set out in this Chapter, in order to measure the success of the Affordable Housing Plan and recommend changes required to better advance those goals. 9. Promote owner-occupied units over rental units when providing affordable housing. 10. Recognize that housing is a long term investment and promote housing policies that offer enduring opportunities for medium and low income residents to house themselves, emphasizing home ownership. Housing Quality and Design Goal 3: Continue to support high quality design of residences and residential neighborhoods in a way that furthers sustainability, character, and livability, and maintains long term investment. 1. Provide an attractive living environment and promote housing that is compatible in quality, design, and intensity within neighborhoods in order to ensure the vitality and health of single- family and multifamily/mixed-use neighborhoods. 2. Where appropriate and guided by city policy, encourage the development of walkable neighborhoods that provide a range of daily needs within walking distance, potentially reducing reliance on cars. 3. Housing should support and be supported by surrounding land uses, traffic capacity and patterns, public facilities, and connections to open space and natural resource features. 4. Maintain Edina’s lower square footage housing stock in order to attract new residents and retain current residents, including providing affordable options. 5. Encourage the use of green and sustainable building materials and methods, to reduce the environmental impact of residential construction and maintenance. 6. Support healthy housing options through missing middle planning, neighborhood community, and building design and maintenance, as well as walkable and livable neighborhoods that encourage active living. Housing Choice Goal 4: Support the development of a wide range of housing options to meet the diverse needs and preferences of the current and future Edina community. 1. Promote increased housing opportunities and a diversity of housing types by promoting the creative and innovative use of land guided for residential/commercial mixed-use while promoting transit use and other mobility alternatives. 2. Promote a vision of community that is inclusive of a range of ages, incomes, abilities, and other demographics, and offers a range of housing options. 3. Promote affordable and workforce housing that includes a range of housing prices and options, based on the principle that those who contribute to the community should have the opportunity Edina Comprehensive Plan Housing Chapter Draft 03-06-19 4-21 to live here. Also, this housing vision strengthens and reinvigorates community institutions and makes the city an attractive destination for young families. 4. Promote lifecycle housing to support a range of housing options that meet people’s preferences and circumstances in all stages of life. 5. Protect and maintain lifecycle housing that is important for attracting young families. 6. Retain and expand housing ownership options, while also supporting a balance between ownership and rental households. 7. Support the development of both mixed income and 100% affordable housing throughout Edina where there is access to transit. Implementation Plan Housing Strategies Housing Supply and Community Growth 1. Assign responsibility for implementing all of the housing plan policies. Provide an annual progress report. 2. Create a financing plan for implementing all of the housing plan policies. 3. Develop a housing implementation strategy to guide future housing priorities and actions. Housing Affordability 1. Provide active leadership to meet affordable housing needs for residents and workforce through land use and fiscal policies, and to manage funds accordingly. 2. Collaborate with the public, nonprofit, and private sectors in planning and developing housing, especially focused on the provision of mixed income, affordable, and other housing types the marketplace does not sufficiently provide. 3. Encourage long-term management strategies for affordable housing, in cooperation with affordable housing organizations, to ensure the continuation of its affordability features to successive households. 4. Continue to fund and expand financial and technical support of community land trusts that provide affordable housing within the city. 5. Expand educational outreach to the larger metropolitan community about programs that are available in Edina to foster affordability and maintenance. 6. Address any regulatory barriers that unnecessarily decrease housing affordability without a counterbalancing benefit to the community. 7. Continue to implement the City’s inclusionary affordable housing policy, and ensure that any accumulated funds are invested appropriately in expanding affordable housing options. 8. Within appropriate areas, support flexibility in official controls to allow densities that are compatible with providing affordable housing options for residents. 9. Investigate the need for, and implement as deemed appropriate and practicable, tenant protections, including rental licensure and tracking, tenant notification requirements, or other approaches. 10. Identify additional creative funding approaches, such as socially oriented investing models, use of tax credits, modified forms of tax increment financing, and other alternative financing structures. 11. Review existing subsidized housing affordability agreements and use of housing vouchers to determine status. Edina Comprehensive Plan Housing Chapter Draft 03-06-19 4-22 12. Provide a mortgage assistance program to specifically target income-eligible workers employed within the city to enable them to live in the city. The City may choose to collaborate with other organizations to develop this program. 13. Support the use of rental assistance programs for income-eligible households within the city. Ensure race and equity are addressed in the dissemination and publicizing of information on affordable units. Develop marketing plans for subsidized affordable rental and ownership units targeted geographic areas or groups in the metropolitan area who may be unlikely to consider renting or purchasing housing in Edina due to inaccessibility of information or concerns about discrimination. Expand awareness and understanding of affordable housing. Engage the Edina community through neighborhood associations, faith institutions, Early Childhood, Senior Center, and other community resident and business organizations in regularly scheduled dialogues, education, and presentations on the city's need and commitment to provide affordable housing. Housing Quality and Design 1. Maintain and update a citywide survey of housing conditions, to determine where additional investment may be needed. 2. Encourage repairs and improvements to existing single-family homes that avoid tear-downs, extend their useful life, and ensure that they are designed and maintained in a manner that complements the dwelling’s character and is compatible with adjacent homes and the character of the surrounding neighborhood. 3. Consider program of assisting income eligible property owners with rehabilitating their homes to extend their useful life in a manner that also complements the dwelling’s character and is compatible with the character of the surrounding neighborhood. Housing Choice 1. Support the development of a program that will assist workers employed within the city to live in the city and attract new residents to the area. 2. Offer resources to support senior residents seeking to age-in-place. 3. Assist neighborhoods in retaining starter housing stock that can accommodate young families. City programs and policies can promote such features as housing affordability, sidewalks, and proximity to recreational amenities such as parks (including pocket parks), playgrounds and community gardens that act as magnets to encourage young families to settle in the city. 4. Develop and implement fair housing policy. Partners and Programs The City has many current and potential partners to collaborate in the effort to create affordable housing in the city. Some of these partners are: Edina Housing Foundation. Edina Housing Foundation (EHF) is a nonprofit corporation founded in 1984 under the auspices of the Edina City Council. It has five members all residents of Edina and appointed by the Edina City Council. The EHF provides a variety of financial and policy support to promote affordable housing in the city of Edina. Current actions and programs include Come Home 2 Edina; a second mortgage program for home ownership; investments in property to potentially create affordable single and multi-family housing in the city and grants/loans to build new affordable housing. The Foundation supports with yearly grants Home Edina Comprehensive Plan Housing Chapter Draft 03-06-19 4-23 Senior Services for elderly residents that need help keeping up their homes. The EHF also recommends policy changes on affordable housing to the city council. The full time position in the city of Edina of Affordable Housing Manager is financially supported by the EHF. • West Hennepin Affordable Housing Land Trust (WHAHLT) WHAHLT is a nonprofit community land trust organization originally established by the City of Minnetonka to sustain and preserve affordable homeownership opportunities for working households. This program provides affordable homeownership opportunities using the community land trust model, which removes the market value of the land from the mortgage equation, thereby reducing the cost of a home significantly. Since 2007, the City of Edina provided annual funding to the organization to purchase three properties within the city to create perpetually affordable housing through WHAHLT’s Homes Within Reach program. Between 2007 and 2017, 12 homes in Edina have been acquired through this program. The West Hennepin Affordable Housing Land Trust has a program known as Homes Within Reach (HWR) in the western suburbs of Hennepin County. HWR offers the opportunity for people to live in communities in which they work and or reside, creating stable communities and households, through the advantages of homeownership. By preserving and recycling available resources, the program maximizes the public and private investment being made in workforce housing. • Metropolitan Council. The Metropolitan Council provides access to a number of housing assistance programs, including those using federal funds. The Metropolitan Council’s Livable Communities Act (LCA) is a voluntary, incentive-based approach to help the Twin Cities metropolitan area address affordable and lifecycle housing needs while providing funds to communities to assist them in carrying out their development plans. Through funds provided by the Livable Communities Act (LCA), the Metropolitan Council awards grants to participating communities in the seven-county area to help them remediate polluted sites, promote compact and connected development and redevelopment and increase the supply of affordable housing. Funds are distributed through four LCA accounts: Tax Base Revitalization Account, Livable Communities Demonstration Account, Local Housing Incentives Account, and Transit Oriented Development. Through the Metro Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA), the Metropolitan Council also administers a range of housing assistance programs. Edina participates in several Metro HRA programs, including: o Housing Choice Voucher Rent Assistance Program, also known as Section 8, which is federally funded and provides rental assistance for low income households through direct payments to landlords. o Family Affordable Housing Program (FAHP), which provides scattered site affordable housing in suburban communities. o Additional specialized programs are available for people with disabilities and special needs to fund supportive housing options, such as Shelter + Care, Bridges Rental Assistance, Housing Opportunities for People with AIDS (HOPWA) Rental Assistance, and others. • Hennepin County. Hennepin County provides emergency/short-term support for residents “in a financial crisis that poses a direct threat to their physical health or safety.” This assistance can provide emergency or temporary shelter; housing costs like rent payments, damage Edina Comprehensive Plan Housing Chapter Draft 03-06-19 4-24 deposits, home repairs and utility bills; and foreclosure prevention, moving expenses and transportation to relocate, and extra food support for people on special diets. • Minnesota Housing. Minnesota Housing, the state’s housing finance agency, provides a range of programs to support affordable housing ownership options. These programs, which typically have income limit eligibility requirements for participants, include: o Start Up is a first-time homebuyer program meant to promote affordable interest rates and help homeowners cover their down payments and closing costs. o Step Up is a loan program meant to promote affordable interest rates, with assistance for home purchases and rehabilitation. o Deferred Payment Loan is meant for first-time homebuyers to help reduce the cost of homeownership. o Monthly Payment Loan is a supplementary program to provide additional home purchase assistance, in addition to other Minnesota Housing programs. o Mortgage Credit Certificate reduces the cost of mortgages by allowing homeowners to claim a mortgage tax credit. • Real Estate Developers. As addressed in the City’s affordable housing policy, affordable units are required to be addressed as part of mixed income developments, or to pay into a fund to pay for the construction of units elsewhere. Examples of this are already in existence in the Greater Southdale area. Nonprofit developers who specialize in affordable housing may be more equipped to navigate the various state and federal funding sources that are used to fund permanently affordable units. • Land Bank Twin Cities. Land Bank Twin Cities works with developers, nonprofit service providers, and local governments to assist with real estate related transactions designed to benefit low income people and other disadvantaged groups. They offer support via brokering and negotiating property purchases, land banking and holding property, and financing/lending for a property or project. • Private Foundations and Funds. Minnesota has a strong tradition of local and regional philanthropy. Opportunities may exist to partner with private foundations and funds to advance mission-driven, innovative approaches to meeting housing needs. • Alternative Ownership Structures. Community land trusts, cohousing communities, cooperative housing, and other alternative ownership models can help control costs and lock in affordability over the long term – in part by separating out the value of the land from that of the housing, and by introducing a structure to manage values over the long term. There are limitations to how much these can be used in high value areas like Edina, but they certainly should be considerations when the city is considering its affordable housing strategy. • Housing Justice Center. Founded in 1999, the Housing Justice Center (HJC, formerly known as the Housing Preservation Project, or HPP) is a nonprofit public interest advocacy and legal organization whose primary mission is to preserve and expand affordable housing for low income individuals and families. HJC seeks to prevent the loss of affordable rental housing by conversion to market rate, demolition, foreclosure, and other causes. HJC also seeks to foster expanded affordable housing opportunities. Edina Comprehensive Plan Housing Chapter Draft 03-06-19 4-25 Additional housing tools and strategies that may be used by the City of Edina are included in the following Additional Housing Tools section. Additional Housing Tools In the following table are a number of additional housing tools and strategies, divided up by the type housing goal or need they may help fulfill. This is meant as a resource to supplement the main ones provided in the Housing chapter. Table 4.7: Housing Implementation Tools Housing Goal/Need Implementation Opportunity/Available Tool Circumstance and Sequence of Use Development of affordable housing (up to 80% AMI) Planned Unit Development (PUD) The City may consider a PUD application for project that includes affordable housing at or below 80% AMI, in locations guided at appropriate densities and land use categories as shown on the future land use map. Tax Abatement The City may consider tax abatement for development proposals including housing affordable at or below 80% AMI, in locations guided at appropriate densities and land use categories as shown on the future land use map. Tax-Increment Financing (TIF) The City may consider TIF for proposals for housing affordable at or below 80% AMI, in locations guided at appropriate densities and land use categories as shown on the future land use map. Housing Bonds It is unlikely the City will consider issuing housing bonds to support affordable housing development, as it is not regularly used here. However, this is still a potential tool that may be considered for projects meeting multiple city goals. Site Assembly The City may consider assembling a site for affordable housing at or below 80% AMI. This could include acquiring and holding land as well as sub-allocating such monies to a qualified developer approved by the City Council. Consolidated Request for Proposals (RFP) The City may consider supporting an application to RFP programs for housing affordable at or below 80% AMI in locations guided at appropriate densities and land use categories as shown on the future land use map. Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) The City has supported the use of CDBG funds to develop affordable housing opportunities at or below 60% AMI in the past, and may consider using for future projects which are consistent with city policy and meet program criteria. HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME) The City may consider supporting an application to HOME to fund activities to build, buy, or rehabilitate affordable housing at or below 60% AMI for locations guided at appropriate densities and land use categories as shown on the future land use map. Livable Communities Demonstration Account (LCDA) The City has supported the use of LCDA funds to develop affordable housing opportunities in the past, and will consider using it for future projects affordable at or below 80% AMI which are consistent with city policy and meet program criteria. Edina Comprehensive Plan Housing Chapter Draft 03-06-19 4-26 Inclusionary Zoning Policy The City has already adopted an inclusionary zoning policy supporting the construction of affordable housing at or below 60% AMI and will continue to use and modify this tool as needed to support the development of affordable housing. Affordable Housing Incentive Fund (AHIF) The City has supported the use of AHIF to develop very low income affordable housing opportunities at or below 30% AMI, and will consider using it for future housing projects which are consistent with city policy and meet program criteria. Preserving existing affordable housing stock 4d Tax Program The City currently has a 4d pilot program with an affordable housing rehabilitation component that will be reviewed and possibly expanded. This program may be used to provide reduced tax rates for properties with housing affordable at or below 60% AMI. Landlord Education for Inclusive Housing Policies Landlord education can provide information for how to maintain and manage affordable housing. The City may partner with other agencies to offer educational resources to landlords of existing affordable rental properties at 80% AMI or lower. Land Bank Twin Cities and Community Land Trusts Land banks and land trusts can be used to maintain existing affordable housing stock at or below 80% AMI, including naturally occurring affordable housing. The City may consider working with the Land Bank Twin Cities or other land trusts on affordable housing preservation. Project Based Rental Assistance The City may consider supporting the use of project based rental assistance programs, such as Section 8, to maintain affordable options at or below 80% AMI in the city. Rental Rehabilitation Grants and Loans The City may partner with other agencies to offer resources to landlords for rehabilitation grants and/or loans for existing affordable rental properties at or below 80% AMI, when consistent with city goals and policies. Low Income Housing Tax Credit Properties (LIHTC) The City has supported the use of LIHTC to develop affordable housing opportunities, and will consider using it for future projects affordable at or below 60% AMI. Single Family Rehabilitation Grants and Loans The City may partner with other agencies to offer resources to homeowners for home rehabilitation grants/loans, when consistent with city goals and policies. Income may be a criterion used to determine eligibility. Supporting young/first-time homeowners Start-Up Loan Program Minnesota Housing provides this program to assist first- time homebuyers with financing a home purchase and down payment through a dedicated loan program. The City may partner to offer education about the availability of this program. Single Family Rehabilitation Grants and Loans The City may partner with other agencies to offer resources to homeowners for home rehabilitation grants/loans when consistent with city goals and policies. Maintaining homeownership Foreclosure Prevention Counseling The City may partner with other agencies to offer foreclosure prevention resources to homeowners and educate homeowners about opportunities for assistance. Step-Up Loan Program Minnesota Housing provides this program to assist non first-time homebuyers to purchase or refinance a home through a dedicated loan program. The City may partner to offer education about this program to potential applicants. Edina Comprehensive Plan Housing Chapter Draft 03-06-19 4-27 Senior housing Planned Unit Development (PUD) The City may consider a PUD application for senior housing in locations guided at appropriate densities and land use categories as shown on the future land use map. Expedited Pre-application Process The City may consider creating a pre-application process to identify ways to minimize unnecessary delay for senior housing and affordable projects prior to formal application process. Site Assembly The City may consider assembling a site for senior housing. This could include acquiring and holding land as well as sub-allocating such monies to a qualified developer approved by the City Council. Zoning Ordinance The City may review the zoning ordinance and identify policies or regulations that may inhibit senior housing development. Tax Abatement The City may consider tax abatement for a senior housing project with units affordable at or below 80% AMI. Tax-Increment Financing (TIF) The City may consider using TIF to finance this housing type, when the project is consistent with other city goals and policies, particularly for affordable housing at or below 80% AMI. Housing Bonds It is unlikely the City will consider issuing housing bonds to support senior housing development. However, this may be an option for projects meeting multiple city goals and policies. Consolidated RFP The City may consider supporting an application to RFP programs for senior housing affordable at or below 80% AMI in locations guided at appropriate densities and land use categories as shown on the future land use map. Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) The City has supported the use of CDBG funds to develop affordable housing opportunities at or below 60% AMI in the past, and may consider using it for future affordable senior housing projects which are consistent with city policy and meet program criteria. Livable Communities Demonstration Account The City may consider supporting or sponsoring an application to Livable Communities Account programs for affordable senior housing at or below 60% AMI to address above housing needs and goals. Increasing the livability of the city Home Improvement Loans Minnesota Housing offers this program to assist homeowners in financing home maintenance projects to accommodating a physical disability or select energy efficiency improvement projects. The City may partner to educate about this program. ADU Ordinance 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 Program or Framework The City may consider working with stakeholders to develop guiding principles, frameworks, and action plans to consider and incorporate the needs of existing and potential residents into development decisions. Fair Housing Policy The City has an adopted Fair Housing Policy and will continue to use it in the future and modify as needed. Housing Succession Plan for Edina’s Future Edina Housing Task Force A special committee created by the Edina City Council October 2006 Page 2 © City of Edina, 2006 Page 3 Table of Contents Introductory Letter to Edina Citizens 5 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 7 I. A VISION FOR EDINA’S FUTURE 9 II. WHY HOUSING MATTERS 12 H o u s i n g i n E d i n a 13 H o u s i n g ’ s R o l e i n E d i n a ’ s F u t u r e 18 M a i n t a i n i n g C o m m u n i t y C h a r a c t e r 19 F o s t e r i n g D i v e r s i t y 20 S u p p o r t i n g E d i n a B u s i n e s s e s 22 P r o v i d i n g L i f e c y c l e O p p o r t u n i t i e s f o r C o m munity Renewal 24 III.CALL TO ACTION 35 Values 27 P r i n c i p l e s 27 IV. HOUSING SUCCESSION PLAN 28 G o a l O n e 30 G o a l T w o 32 G o a l T h r e e 33 Housing Strategies 35 1. Adopt Mandatory Inclusionary Zoning 36 2. Update Edina’s Comprehensive Plan to Convert Appropriate Areas to Mixed-Use Development and to Provide for Greater Density in Appropriate Areas. 39 3. Use the Greater Southdale Area as a Demonstration of Cutting-Edge Livable, Pedestrian-Friendly Redevelopment. 40 4. Create Long-Term Opportunities to Make a Portion of Edina’s Existing Housing Stock Affordable to More People and Families. 41 5. Leverage Existing Housing Programs To Create More Opportunities For Moderate- and Lower-income Households. 44 Possible Funding Sources 45 Next Steps 46 O v er a l l P l a n 47 V. CONCLUSION 49 Page 4 Page 5 October 2006 Dear Fellow Edina Citizens, In November 2004 the City of Edina assembled a Task Force to study housing and its affordability in our community. The Task Force is comprised of 19 individuals, most of whom live in Edina. This report is the result of the Task Force’s work and contains a plethora of informa- tion. This is not the final word, but we do seek to spur action. The Task Force believes that housing problems exist and will only grow unless some action is taken by the City. This report represents a consensus of the Task Force members. Most of the recom- mendations enumerated here are endorsed by a super majority of the group. We ask that you keep an open mind when reading and studying this report. We, like you, are committed to Edina's future. It's our legacy. Douglas Mayo Chair, on Behalf of the Edina Housing Task Force Page 6 Page 7 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY After months of research, intense discussions, and input from around the community, the Edina Housing Task Force (the Task Force) recommends that Edina implement a Housing Succession Plan to help sustain our community and serve as a strong force for our region. The Plan puts forth a goal of making 500 units of housing available to households of lower and moderate income by the year 2020 and suggests five primary strategies to accomplish this goal: 1. Adopt a mandatory inclusionary zoning policy; 2. Update the Comprehensive Plan to convert appropriate areas to mixed use and provide for greater density in appropriate areas; 3. Use the greater Southdale area as a demonstration of a cutting-edge, livable, pedestrian- friendly urban redevelopment; 4. Create long-term opportunities to make a portion of Edina’s existing housing stock afford- able to more people and families; and 5. Leverage existing housing programs to create more opportunities for moderate- and lower-income families. Edina’s housing market is very healthy. So why does Edina need to bother with a Housing Succes- sion Plan? For most people in Edina, market forces work sufficiently to provide the housing they need and desire. However, some segments of the population are not well served by the market. The Housing Succession Plan focuses on the areas where the market functions less well. Housing options in this context mean that Edina has lifecycle housing opportunities for people of a broad range of incomes and ages who will contribute to making it a great place to live. The Housing Succession Plan is built on the idea that continuous renewal is essential to vital com- munities. We are a city with a variety of people across age and economic spectrums: young fami- lies, seniors, teachers, professionals, life-long residents and newcomers. Because of rising housing costs, it is likely that this diversity will diminish. With average home sale prices increasing by $185,000, from about $215,000 to over $400,000 between 1997 and 2004, living in Edina is be- coming unaffordable for many. Page 8 Of the over 21,000 households in Edina, more than 7,700 have incomes of less than $50,000 per year; nearly 3,300 have incomes of $25,000 or less. Of these 7,700 house- holds, approximately 3,500 pay 30% or more of their income for housing, a standard measure of affordability. Lower- and moderate-income workers in Edina are often priced out of its housing market. As housing values outpace the incomes of those who have helped create higher property values (such as teachers, police officers, firefighters, retail/service workers, hospital staff, office workers, nurses, etc.), it becomes difficult for Edina to be their home. This Plan aims to protect and enhance Edina as a community of character, openness, and foresight by creating and maintaining a diversity of housing options. The Task Force be- lieves that deliberate attention to Edina’s housing is necessary to: •Preserve and enhance the strength of our schools; •Maintain community character; •Foster diversity; •Support Edina businesses’ ability to remain competitive in regional and global markets and attract quality employees; and •Provide lifecycle opportunities for community renewal (provide opportunities for people to live and work in Edina throughout their lives, continually renewing Edina’s residential base). Before finalizing this report, the Task Force consulted heavily with people throughout Edina. The primary response was one of tremendous support: Edina must take action to ensure that the type of families who have always lived in Edina can continue to afford to live in Edina. This report also outlines the next steps for each housing strategy. It sets clear lines of accountability for achieving the goal of providing 500 units of affordable housing by 2020. Page 9 I. A VISION FOR EDINA’S FUTURE People choose Edina. Edina is primarily a residential community, but is also home to nearly 50,000 jobs. Edina offers outstanding public schools, beautiful parks and abundant recreational opportuni- ties, civically engaged citizens, quality medical facilities, numerous employment opportunities, and a convenient location. The people of Edina, both its residents and its workforce, contribute to mak- ing Edina an outstanding place to live, raise a family, work, and retire. Successful communities create an environment that allows them to continually renew and reinvigo- rate themselves despite economic upheavals and demographic changes. They take the long view and rise to challenges. They recognize that in this fast-paced, globally competitive world a successful past does not guarantee a successful future. The imperative to look ahead was the impetus for Edina’s Vision 20/20 plan (20/20 plan) as well as the Edina Housing Task Force (the Task Force). Edina‘s 20/20 plan sees Edina as the “preeminent place for living, learning, raising families and doing business.” This cannot be accomplished without balanced housing options. In particular, Edina must continue to offer housing opportunities to people who have always been a part of Edina – hard-working people, and families and seniors of modest means. Some of the 20/20 plan strategies, such as a high-quality, livable environment and a balance of land uses, speak directly to the impor- tance of housing in Edina. Yet achieving the 20/20 plan’s vision will be complicated and challenging in a fully developed suburb where over 60% of its housing was built before 1970 and more than 80% before 1980. Edina’s Vision 20/20 plan calls for a balance of land uses, characterized by lifecycle housing, out- standing neighborhoods, and an extensive network of parks, all arranged in pedestrian- and transit- “Edina will be the preeminent place for living, learning, raising families and doing business…” — Edina Vision 20/20 Plan Page 10 friendly ways. This will, according to the 20/20 plan, address changing housing and business needs while sustaining Edina’s enormous investment in its housing stock and neighborhoods. The first objective in the 20/20 plan is to “maintain strong residential neighborhoods.” Not only is affordable housing cited as a key component of this, but the 2003 update of the 20/20 plan calls for Edina to “take a leadership role in encouraging affordable, lifecycle housing op- portunities.” Edina’s past teaches us that its attention to planning and redevelopment has kept Edina strong. Looking to the future, the Housing Task Force recommends that the City of Edina implement a Housing Succession Plan (the Plan) built on the idea that continuous renewal is an essential quality of successful communities. The Housing Succession Plan aims to sustain and enhance Edina as a community of character, openness, and foresight by creating and maintaining a diversity of housing options. The Task Force believes that deliberate attention to Edina’s housing is necessary to: •Preserve and enhance the strength of our schools; •Maintain community character; •Foster diversity; •Support Edina businesses’ ability to remain competitive in regional and global markets and attract quality employees; and •Provide lifecycle opportunities for community renewal (provide opportunities for peo- ple to live and work in Edina throughout their lives, continually renewing Edina’s resi- dential base). Edina Public Works Employee, 1972 Edina Millstone relocation to Grange Hall Page 11 The Edina Housing Task Force was convened by the Research, Planning and Coordina- tion for Human Services Ad Hoc Committee of the Edina Human Rights and Relations Commission (see Appendix A for a list of Task Force members). The Task Force was charged with identifying how and why affordable housing matters to Edina’s future and to make practical recommendations that can help Edina meet its 20/20 plan vision of be- ing the “preeminent place for living, learning, raising families and doing business.” This report addresses why housing matters and delivers a call to action, including specific housing strategies and a three-point action plan. Before releasing this final report, the Task Force presented its draft work in various fo- rums throughout Edina. The Task Force wishes to thank the many people who took time to learn about the need for affordable housing and provide their perspective. The Task Force was pleased, and somewhat surprised, at the support it found in the commu- nity. Edina residents see that their community is changing and rapidly becoming unaf- fordable to the type of people who have always called Edina home. They urged the Task Force to put forth specific goals and ideas for making housing more affordable in Edina. A list of these community meetings and a summary of the discussions can be found in Appendix B. If Edina’s past has taught us anything, it is that Edina’s attention to planning and redevelopment has kept it strong. Page 12 II. WHY HOUSING MATTERS Housing is easy to take for granted. Yet the physical asset becomes homes for families and individuals, opportunities for those working hard to get ahead, community for cities, and resources for the economy. A mix of housing types and values is necessary to ensure that those who contribute to the community can live in the community if they desire. The same mix enables new- comers and young families to join the community, renewing it with fresh talents and ideas. A mix of housing respects the desires of older citizens to remain in the commu- nity that is the seat of their life’s work and dreams. Housing is increasingly a factor in business’ ability to recruit and retain workers. Economic and land-use pressures are creating strains that threaten Edina’s ability to of- fer a mix of housing opportunities. Housing prices in Edina are escalating well beyond the reach of many who work and even currently live in Edina. Throughout the metro- politan area, workers and young families are “driving to affordability,” housing made af- fordable by relatively inexpensive rural land and accessible by good freeways, but which leaves traffic congestion, air pollution, and water quality problems in its wake. These factors contribute to the increasing land values in Edina. If housing prices explode beyond the means of all but the wealthy, Edina will not attract young families, it may struggle to attract the workers it needs, and seniors on fixed in- comes may be forced to relocate. These scenarios are not farfetched. Indeed, there are signs that these problems are beginning to happen, just as they have emerged in other communities around the country. Morningside Constable Weber, Sunnyside Rd. & France Ave, 1956 Page 13 Housing in Edina Housing is expensive and getting more expensive as land becomes more valuable. Home prices in Edina have typically been among the highest in the Twin Cites metropolitan area. The recent surge in home prices was particularly strong in Edina: between 1997 and 2005, the average sale price of a home in Edina increased by $235,000, from about $215,000 to over $450,000 or approximately 15% a year1. (See Appendix C.) At the same time, the average income for households in Edina has increased much more slowly, rising by 4.4% per year from $33,000 in 1997 to $44,000 in 20052. Chart A shows this increase in home prices compared to incomes. This means that housing in Edina is less affordable today than in 1997. (See Appendix E for the definition of affordable housing.) Change in income vs. Change in house prices, 1997-2005 0 20 40 60 80 100 120 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 year % c h a n g e change in income change in house prices Chart A. Shows the per- centage by which average incomes (blue diamonds) and average house prices (orange circles) in- creased from 1997. Incomes rose by just over 30% over the period, while house prices rose by more than 100%. Edina Housing Task Force, Aug. 2006 1 2000 U.S. Census. 2 Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development. Page 14 Another sign of the market strength and declining affordability of Edina’s housing is the growing trend of “tear downs” (buying smaller single-family homes, tearing them down, and building sig- nificantly larger homes on those lots). Chart B shows that the number of tear downs jumped sharply from about 8 a year from 2000 to 2003 to 20 in 2004 and 37 in 20053. The number of major construction projects for renovation and additions rose steeply as well, further contrib- uting to the rise in Edina home values. The estimated value of new construction for remodel- ing, additions, and tear downs increased by more than 60% between 2000 and 2005. Edina’s residents have a wide range of incomes. Of the more than 21,000 households in Edina, more than 7,700 have incomes of less than $50,000 per year; nearly 3,300 have incomes of $25,000 or less. Of these 7,700 households, 3,300 are renters, 60% of whom pay more than 30% of their income for housing, a standard measure of affordability. When looking at single- family homeowners who earn less than $50,000, approximately 1,300 households, about one in two, pay more than 30% of their income for housing4. (Data for condominium and townhome owners are not available.) Chart C shows the proportion of all homeowners and renters who pay more than 30% of their income in housing costs. Teachers, police officers, firefighters, re- tail/service workers, hospital staff, office workers, nurses, etc. who work in Edina often cannot afford to live in Edina. 14.9% 41.9% 0.0% 10.0% 20.0% 30.0% 40.0% 50.0% % paying more than 30% in housing costs % All Homeowners & Renters Paying More Than 30% of Income for Housing homeowners renters # Edina Tear Downs by Year 888 20 37 9 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 Below. Chart B. Using permit information for demolitions, this chart shows the number of “tear downs” in Edina per year. Left. Chart C. While both homeowners and renters often pay more than 30% of their income for housing costs, renters do so much more often. While just more than one in seven homeowners pay 30% or more of income for housing, more than three in seven renters do. Edina Housing Task Force, Aug. 2006 Edina Housing Task Force, Aug. 2006 3 City of Edina, Office of the Assessor. 4 2000 U.S. Census. Page 15 Chart D. This chart shows an affordable monthly payment for one and two earners in a household. For two earner households, the same income for each household was assumed (i.e. two teachers or two police officers). Using Fannie Mae’s mortgage payment calculator, the monthly payment for a $200,000 and $350,000 home was calculated assuming a 30-year fixed mortgage with 7.0% interest rate. Assuming no other debts and enough cash to cover closing costs, the chart shows the percent- age of income required for a $200,000 and $350,000 home at each income level. This figure includes tax and insurance. Position Affordable Monthly Mortgage Payment % income required for $200,000 home % income required for $350,000 home 1 earner 2 earners 1 earner 2 earners 1 earner 2 earners Teacher, starting $32,000 $800 $1,600 65% 32% 114% 57% Teacher, median $49,000 $1,225 $2,450 42% 21% 74% 37% Police officer, starting $38,000 $950 $1,900 55% 27% 96% 48% Healthcare worker, median $54,000 $1,350 $2,700 38% 19% 67% 34% Food Service worker $15,000 $375 $750 138% 69% 242% 121% Administrative Assistant $29,000 $725 $1,450 72% 36% 125% 63% Salary Edina Housing Task Force, Aug. 2006 Page 16 Of the approximately 47,500 residents in Edina, nearly 10% work in jobs earning less than $14.40 per hour5. Many of these are our service providers, including retail clerks and day- care workers. It is especially hard for these households to find affordable housing in Edina. Chart D compares local wages for various jobs with the amount of monthly housing pay- ments these workers can afford6,7. It also shows the percentage of income they would need to spend to buy a $200,000 or $350,000 home—homes that are not affordable to them. Chart E. The red line on this chart indicates the number of Edina households earning an income within the specified range. The bars show how many homes are affordable for a household* in that income range, color-coded by type (rental, single family home, etc.). The number of available affordable homes is cumulative up the income bands, because if a home is affordable to a household earning $20,000, it is still affordable to a household earning $40,000. There is a deficit of homes available for households earning less than $50,000, and limited homeownership** opportunities for those earning less than $75,000. Even for those 2,124 households earning $100,000, there are fewer than 1000 single-family homes af- fordable for purchase in Edina. The number of homes available by type are listed in the table on the right. *All households within an income range have been calculated at the average income for that range, because distribution is unknown (e.g. for the income band $25,000—$50,000, $37,5000 was used to calculate affordability). **Assumptions for homeownership include: 30-year mortgage at 7.0% interest and enough cash on hand to cover closing costs. 5 2000 U.S. Census. 6 Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development. 7 Fannie Mae’s “How Much Can You Afford with a Specific Monthly Payment” calculator. Housing Affordability: # Households vs. # Affordable Homes 11 682 2544 3097 103 20152 975 793 2923 4503 4857 3276 4469 3910 2573 0 1,000 2,000 3,000 4,000 5,000 6,000 7,000 8,000 9,000 10,000 <$25,000 $25,000-$50,000 $50,000-$75,000 $75,000-$100,000 Income Condos Tow nhouses Single Family # Rentals # Households # H o u s e h o l d s & H o m e s Edina Housing Task Force, Aug. 2006 Page 17 Charts E and F show that there is an absolute deficit of affordable housing in Edina for households under $50,000; the shortage is especially severe for households with in- comes of $25,000 or less. The red line on the chart shows the number of households at each income level. The bars show how many total homes are available to households at that income level (color coded by type of housing). The graph shows very clearly that there is a large deficit of housing for families earning less than $25,000, and a smaller but still sizable deficit for households earning between $25,000 and $50,000.8 Chart F. This chart depicts the number and price of units affordable to households earning incomes within each band, as well as how many homes are available within this band. The last row contains the surplus or deficit of affordable homes to each income band. Chart D shows this deficit on a graph. 8 2000 U.S. Census # Households vs. # Affordable Homes Annual Household Income < $25,000 $25,000 - $50,000 $50,000 - $75,000 $75,000 - $100,000 Affordable owner- ship price $43,000 $120,000 $200,000 $275,000 # Households 3,276 4,469 3,910 2,573 Annual Household Income < $25,000 $25,000 - $50,000 $50,000 - $75,000 $75,000 - $100,000 # Single-Family Homes 0 0 52 975 # Townhomes 0 0 103 201 # Condos 11 682 2544 3097 # Rental 793 2923 4503 4857 Surplus/Deficit -2,472 -864 3,292 6,557 # available homes at each income level Edina Housing Task Force, Aug. 2006 Page 18 Housing’s Role in Edina’s Future The Task Force talked about why housing matters and especially why affordable housing matters. Members of the Task Force differed about which reasons were most important, but all agreed there are many legitimate reasons. We invite you to think about which of the following reasons resonates most strongly with you. Preserving Strong Schools. The Edina public schools are among the best in the state and the nation. Real estate agents say the number one reason that people, whether or not they have children, move to Edina is the schools, because strong schools are a significant factor in maintaining strong property values. Between 2000 and 2004, school enrollment fell in 68% of Minnesota’s school districts, yet enrollment in Edina’s schools grew, due to the largest net gain of open enrollment in the state at more than 800 students9. As the school-age population of Edina declines, open enrollment helps maintain funding levels which keeps class sizes low and provides more choices for students. It is good that the quality of public school education in Edina attracts students from around the metropolitan area. Yet, Edina and its schools would benefit from serving more local families. Parental involvement in the community often occurs through children’s activities and children’s activities often occur through the schools. If more young families with chil- dren lived in Edina, Edina would benefit from their active involvement. The Task Force heard repeatedly in its community meetings that Edina schools are a number one priority. Edina’s recent building trends usually result in high-cost housing developments (such as condominiums starting around $500,000) that typically do not attract families with school- age children. They may, in fact, attract voters less likely to support school referenda. Facili- tating housing opportunities to encourage more young families to move into Edina will help the Edina schools remain strong. Edina schoolchildren. 9 Edina Public Schools. Page 19 Maintaining Community Character. Edina’s neighborhoods are the pieces of this successful community. Each neighborhood has its own character and charm. Neighbor- hoods provide the starting point for residents’ involvement in the community at large. Edina’s citizens are active and engaged in the schools, city government, and parks and recreation programs. Edina is a well-run city, often upheld as a model of leadership within the region. It is a safe community with the fifth lowest crime rate in Hennepin County. Edina’s location as a first-tier suburb is a positive asset, with easy access to parks and other recreational activities, neighborhood and regional shopping areas, high- quality medical facilities, and other businesses. To maintain its strong community character, Edina needs the people who make a com- munity strong and these people need a place to live. Increasingly, the workers who di- rectly support the quality of life in our city—such as school, government, and health workers—cannot afford to live in Edina. According to a recent survey conducted for the Task Force, only 29% of school, city, and hospital employees live in Edina, while an addi- tional 51% would like to live in Edina if housing options were available. The quality of life for all Edina citizens is compromised when these workers must commute, diminish- ing their opportunities to be part of the broader fabric of our community. When teach- ers, for example, live further and further away, it becomes difficult for them to assist students after school or attend extracurricular activities. Left: Edina, Richfield and Airport police. Right: Officer Rofidal with dog Kodiak upon graduation from training Academy, May 2002. Page 20 Foster Diversity. A diverse community makes for a healthy community. It is impor- tant to maintain housing that accommodates such diversity. Former Edina leaders have embraced projects that have fostered diversity. Just as early immigrants established roots and became “Edinans”, immigrants today desire the opportunity to do the same. Early frontier settlers in the 1800’s were young, mostly under 40, with varying ethnic backgrounds (Swedes, Germans, Scots and Irish). By 1889, Edina had become a pros- perous farm community of diverse origins. A hundred years later a gravel pit was trans- formed into a cutting-edge, mixed-use development providing affordable housing alterna- tives for the area. All of these actions were the result of strong leadership and fore- sight. Diversity in a community is positive. Diversity should not be achieved at the expense of existing stakeholders, but it can be accomplished through innovative techniques that in- volve a variety of funding sources, public and private. Minnesota is projected to grow by 1.4 million people by 2030, a million of whom will live in the greater metropolitan area. This growth is greater than any other Midwestern or Northeastern state but New Hampshire. Currently, Minnesota’s minority population totals 12%. A portion of these new community members will be minority and immigrant populations. It is anticipated that minorities may comprise one-quarter of the metropolitan area’s next generation of workers. Forced Out of Edina “A parent of four children in the Edina Public Schools lost her Section 8 home when the lease was not renewed in January of last year. Because there is little Section 8 housing in Edina—and what’s available has a two- year waiting list—the family was forced to relocate four school-age children in the middle of the school year. This is not an isolated incident. When an affordable housing option is lost, we do not have other options available, for families in particular.” — Valerie Burke, Edina Resource Center Page 21 Diversity embraces people at all stages of life: youth, young families, hard workers, active retir- ees, frail elderly, civic employees and the like. Currently, 23% of Edina residents are seniors, 12% are disabled, 6% are foreign born and one in three live alone10. Diversity also embraces people in a broad range of income levels. To facilitate diverse housing options, the City can help redevelop the community in a way that prepares our children and residents for the realities of society’s future. Regional realities also point to the need to facilitate diversity in our community. The Metropoli- tan Council has defined the current and future need for low- to moderate-income housing. As part of the metropolitan area, Edina can contribute to the region’s housing solution while bene- fiting from both governmental support and a strengthened community. By doing so, Edina will position itself as a responsible and forward-thinking community within the region. Housing diversity is not only about the current residents of Edina. It is also about meeting the responsibility bequeathed to us by Edina’s previous leaders: the responsibility of helping our re- gional community in a way that reduces housing burdens on other communities. Diversity is about more than just helping Edina; it also involves helping our community neighbors and others who work and travel in our community. Edina public school primary room, May 15, 1911. The teacher on the right is Miss Callie Dixon. 10 2000 U.S. Census. Page 22 Supporting Edina Businesses. Edina is a strong employment center. Although the city’s population remained stable between 1990 and 2000 at approximately 47,000, the number of jobs in Edina increased almost 40%, from around 37,000 to over 51,00011. However, only about one in eight workers now lives in Edina. The link between housing and economic competitiveness is typically a regional issue. At the regional level, the high cost and limited availability of housing can limit future growth. For example, Massachusetts and California have experienced workers leaving to regions of more affordable housing. Portland, Maine, has found that its lack of moderately priced housing makes it difficult for businesses to attract workers in the $8 to $15 an hour range. Businesses in Minnesota are beginning to experience this phenomenon as well. The Min- nesota Chamber of Commerce reports that 18% of businesses involved in their 2004- 2005 Grow Minnesota program rated their communities unfavorable with respect to housing availability. Despite Minnesota’s growing population, its labor force growth will slow in the years ahead, from 1.5% annually this decade to 0.3% in the 2020s. Workers will be able to be more selective and choose employment closer to home. So in the years ahead, the availability and price of housing could begin to figure as a prominent fac- tor in economic competitiveness. Gas station employee, 1950. Isn’t someone who works in Edina good enough to live in Edina? 11 2000 U.S. Census. Page 23 Even if economic competitiveness is primarily a metropolitan-wide issue, there are three reasons why Edina should care. First, we are part of the region. Housing is built, zoned and permitted at the city level, not the regional level. If all cities chose to defer to the region on affordable housing, there would simply be no affordable housing. Second, as the price of gasoline soars, it may become more difficult for local businesses to attract workers to lower paying jobs. Finally, businesses provide jobs to local residents, make important contributions to local leadership, and add to the local tax base. It is impor- tant to note that a strong commercial/industrial base in Edina helps keep property taxes reasonable. Edina’s tax base has 23% more market value per resident than the next highest city, Eden Prairie. Beside Minneapolis and St. Paul, Edina’s total market value is surpassed only by Bloomington and slightly edged out by Plymouth and Eden Prairie. One consequence is that Edina’s property tax rates are relatively low: 8% less than the metropolitan average for total tax rates and only 67% of the metropolitan average of taxes levied for city services. Minneapolis Gas Company dinner at Southdale Center, 1957. Page 24 Providing Lifecycle Opportunities for Community Renewal. Housing for people at different places in the lifecycle plays an integral role in creating a healthy community. Lifecy- cle housing creates housing opportunities for all points in the lifecycle: young adults, families (young, mature, or non-traditional), empty nesters, and seniors. Today, Edina residents with unaffordable housing costs are disproportionately seniors. Edina will need to ensure that the community has the social and physical infrastructures that allow seniors to thrive. Edina should assist seniors to find desirable housing, to help first-time home buyers into seniors’ homes when they wish to sell, and to ensure that any new housing can be recycled using the emerging principles of universal design. In the future, lack of affordable housing will impact other segments of our community, especially young families. Edina will need affordable hous- ing to better compete with other regional communities for young families seeking affordable housing so that we can maintain our vibrant community, fill schools and jobs with Edina resi- dents, and ensure a diversity of ages within the city. America and Minnesota are growing older. In roughly ten years, the number of Minnesotans aged 65 or older will surpass the number of school-aged children—an unprecedented rever- sal of the population-age pyramid. Edina is already at the leading edge of this trend. In 2000 the number of residents 65 or older surpassed the number of school-aged children by nearly 2,000 people. Edina has one of the highest concentrations of senior citizens in the metropoli- tan area and, conversely, a relatively small population of young families12. (See Appendix D.) With such a high population of seniors, Edina can expect a fair amount of turnover in its housing stock in the coming years. Indeed, housing statistics show an Edina in transition. One in three Edina residents was born outside Minnesota, and 6% were foreign born13. As of the 2000 census, more than a third of residents lived in a different home five years before. As a community, we have a stake in how our housing transitions. Affordable, lifecycle housing is important to Edina’s senior population. Photos courtesy of worldofstock.com and Lutheran Social Services. 12 U.S. Census. 13 Ibid. Page 25 III. CALL TO ACTION Edina has a tradition of taking action to meet its community ideals. Edina’s population more than doubled in the 1920’s, forcing village government to adapt to new conditions. Edina led the way in using zoning ordinances to control growth long before any other suburb and was the first Minnesota city to employ a full-time planner. Consequently, Edina addressed early on what it was and should be and established the political and so- cial tools to facilitate its ideals. When most municipalities struggled in the postwar pe- riod, Edina created a structure that allowed it to adapt to rapid changes more efficiently than most suburban communities, laying the groundwork for “successful suburbaniza- tion.” Unlike many similar communities during the postwar boom, Edina retained its upper- middle-class residential character. By 1970, Edina held some of the highest median home values ($38,100) in the metropolitan area. In response, the Edina Housing and Redevelopment Authority (Edina HRA) was established in 1974 to undertake urban re- development projects and assist with the development of affordable housing. The Edina HRA served as the driving force behind many development projects, including the 50th and France commercial area renewal, the Edinborough and Centennial Lakes mixed de- velopment projects (where the City offered second mortgages), and low- and moderate- income housing at Yorkdale Townhomes, Oak Glen, Summit Point, and South Haven Who will live in affordable housing? The answer is the key to Edina’s future— our sons and daughters, hard-working families, teachers, police officers, your local bank teller or hospice nurse. Page 26 (see Appendix D for map locations). In January 2000 the Metropolitan Council estab- lished the Family Affordable Housing Program (FAHP), which provided scattered-site rental units and partnered with Edina and other suburbs to help provide affordable housing. Some of these housing developments and initiatives were originally put in place largely to help attract young families to Edina and serve as an important source of af- fordable housing in the community. By all accounts, these efforts have been enormously successful and have served as a model for the region. The City of Edina has a history of creating housing that is affordable to people of various incomes. Edina has thrived for the past 100-plus years because each generation sought to leave a legacy of inclusiveness, opportunity, and hard work based on a calculated vi- sion for the future. The Housing Task Force believes that it is important for Edina to continue to build its legacy of action in housing. We have developed a Housing Succession Plan based on eight values, four principles and centered on five key strategies. During the course of our research, we looked at best practices around the country (see bibliography in Ap- pendix K) and engaged both experts and community representatives in conversations about housing (see Appendix G). Mrs. Keobounpheng pulling her two children in a wagon to go grocery shopping near her house at 66th Street and Xerxes Avenue, Edina, 1980. Page 27 Values: Our values served as a litmus test for our work. We required of ourselves that our housing strategies: •Preserve and enhance the character of the neighborhoods and property values; •Maintain high-quality neighborhood standards; •Support and maintain Edina’s quality schools; •Aim for the long-term good of Edina and not rely on temporary fixes; •Maintain Edina’s strength in the region by being a regional leader, seeking unique and innovative approaches; •Respect market forces; •Promote lifecycle housing stock that supports a range of housing options that meet people’s preferences and circumstances at all life’s stages; and •Make affordability sustainable. Principles: Edina’s housing efforts will be most successful if it follows these principles for action: •Collaboration: Collaboration allows communities to leverage strengths and resources. Edina col- laborates well with other communities and should continue this approach for housing. •Communication: Structured, inclusive communication is central to engaging the community and building support for the Housing Succession Plan. •Existing Resources: To ensure the greatest effectiveness and efficiency, Edina should tap existing resources, both institutional structures as well as funding sources. •Accountability: For the Housing Succession Plan to succeed there must be clear accountability and shared responsibility. The Housing Succession Plan incorporates these principles. Housing is the face of a community. What do we want Edina’s face to project to the world? Page 28 IV. HOUSING SUCCESSION PLAN We recommend that Edina implement the Housing Succession Plan. The objective of the Plan is to sustain Edina’s character while enhancing housing options. For most people in Edina, market forces14 provide the housing they need and desire. However, some segments of the population are not well served by the market. The Housing Succession Plan focuses on the areas where the market functions less well. Housing options in this context mean that Edina has lifecycle housing opportunities for people within a broad range of incomes and ages who will contribute to making it a great place to live. The purpose of the Edina Housing Succession Plan is to create and take advantage of opportunities over the next 15 years to ensure that a portion of Edina’s housing remains affordable to seniors, young families and working families. The Plan’s overall goal is to: Make 500 units of housing available to lower- and moderate-income families by the year 2020. There are two ways to make housing more affordable: subsidize the cost of a dwelling unit or offer income assistance to a household. Given the limited opportunity for development in Edina and the large subsidies needed to make certain types of housing affordable, the Plan includes both approaches and suggests a mix of housing opportunities—new construction, preserving existing affordable housing, homebuyer and rental incentives, second mortgages, and accessory apartments. The Plan uses as its base the Metropolitan Council’s affordable housing allocation for Edina. This allocation represents Edina’s share of the regional need for affordable housing for households at 60% of area median income or less (approximately $46,000 in 2005). The re- gional need has been projected to total 51,000 units. Edina’s share of 212 new units repre- sents four-tenths of one percent of the regional need and one percent of the housing stock in Edina. 14 Market forces refer to where a willing buyer and a willing seller, having all of the facts, determine a price based on the principles of supply and demand. This means that if there is an excess supply (for example, an oversupply of available houses in an area) and low demand (few buyers), the price will be relatively low. Conversely, if there is little supply (only a few houses available for purchase), and high demand (more buyers than available houses), the price will rise. In the case of Edina, buyers who wish to purchase a home may be priced out of the market because there are fewer homes than prospective buyers. Page 29 To achieve its vision of a diverse, self-renewing community, the Task Force believes that there is a need to assist higher-income families as well. The Plan calls for making an ad- ditional 288 units affordable to families earning 60% to 115% of area median income ($46,000 to $88,000). For reference, in 2000, Edina had incomes mirroring the greater Twin Cities, with more than half of its households at 115% or below the Twin Cities median income ($66,000). The Plan breaks this allocation into three goals in order to take advantage of existing programs; these are: (1) programs that provide tax credits and other resources to assist families with up to 60% of area median income; (2) home-ownership assistance pro- grams available for families with up to 80% of area median income; and (3) loan assis- tance for rehabilitation for families with incomes up to 115% of median area income. Page 30 Goal One: 212 units for families with up to 60% ($46,200 in 2005) of area me- dian income The units at this income level will be rental. The cost of housing in Edina is too high to provide ownership opportunities for these families without providing exorbitant subsi- dies and/or asking families to assume mortgage debt where they risk losing their homes and investments. Edina's greatest need is for affordable rental housing. Approximately 5,500 households in Edina rent their homes and 60% of these spend more than 30% of their income on housing. In other words, about three in five Edina rental households are burdened by high housing costs. Parent helping children with homework. Page 31 Rental housing could include townhomes for families with children, housing with services for the disabled or elderly, or apartment buildings with elevators. Most proposed rental housing would be privately owned and made affordable through the sale of federal housing tax credits. Federal assistance is also available to make senior rental housing affordable. In addition, Edina should consider permitting ex- isting homeowners to add accessory or “in-law” apartments to their homes, which would provide very reasonably priced rental housing for adult children or parents. More rental opportunities could be made available in Edina for very limited cost if more landlords were willing to accept Section 8 or other rental incentives. One study estimates that nearly 45% of rental units in suburban Hennepin, Dakota and Anoka counties are off limits to families with Section 8 vouchers because landlords will not accept them. Yet, Lutheran Social Services, for example, offers a highly successful service working with landlords to accept Section 8 tenants and ensure the relationship is mutually beneficial. Private market rental housing 90 units Senior federally assisted housing 52 units Accessory apartments 30 units Lower-income rental incentives 40 units Total at 60% area median income 212 units Page 32 Goal Two: 175 units for families with up to 80% ($61,600 in 2005) of area median income In this income range, the Plan focuses on ownership housing and preserving Edina’s ex- isting stock of more affordable single-family homes. As mentioned earlier, Edina has the largest concentration of senior citizens in the metropolitan area. The Plan recommends constructing suitable downsized housing for seniors who wish to stay in Edina. The op- tions could include new senior-oriented townhouse developments or providing incen- tives for accessory units built into existing housing. The homes vacated by seniors can then be made available for sale to young families utilizing a community land trust, second mortgages and/or first-time homebuyer programs. As Edina considers how to provide housing options so that its seniors can stay in Edina, it has the opportunity to lead on creating new types of senior housing opportunities. Perhaps there are designs that could be adapted to young families once seniors leave. Or packages of economical services could be created, perhaps through homeowners as- sociations, so that seniors can stay in their homes as long as possible. There are many programs that assist moderate-income home buyers, including down- payment assistance, closing costs assistance, and deferred/forgivable rehabilitation loans. Edina should develop expertise in these programs, package them, and work with real- tors and banks to attract moderate-income households to Edina. The East Edina Housing Foundation has been providing some of these programs, but, clearly, these are among the most economical routes for attracting new families into Edina and should be given top priority. New senior downsized housing 50 units Land trust 50 units Second Mortgage 30 units Existing programs/homebuyer assistance 45 units Total 175 units Page 33 Goal Three: 113 units for families with up to 115% ($88,500 in 2005) of area median income At this income level, some of Edina’s lower-priced condominiums units and bungalows become affordable. Often, however, the homes are small and/or need rehabilitation. Housing can be made affordable at these in- come levels with reasonable subsidies. Other new homeowners can be assisted through low-interest rehabilitation loan programs. New construction – inclusionary zoning 7 5 u n i t s Existing programs/rehabilitation loans 38 units Total 113 units Edina’s Housing Succession Plan – 20/20 Goals 60% ami or be- low up to 80% ami up to 115% ami total Edina subsidy per unit* total cost strategy Affordability levels 2005 income limit $46,200 $61,600 $88,550 Aff. Purchase** $134,000 $178,000 $256,000 Affordable monthly housing payment $1,155 $1,540 $2,214 Unit # goal 212 175 113 500 Programs/funding tax credit rental housing; subsi- dized senior housing; Sect. 8 homebuyer assistance rehab loans Ownership New Construction family housing 75 75 $50,000 $3,750,000 incl. zoning.; comp plan; Southdale senior downsize housing 50 50 $75,000 $3,750,000 incl. zoning.; comp plan; Southdale Existing Housing land trust 50 50 $90,000 $4,500,000 land trust 2nd mortgage 30 30 $40,000 $1,200,000 2nd mortgage existing programs 45 38 83 existing programs subtotal ownership 0 175 113 288 $12,000,000 Rental New Construction $0 tax credit housing 90 90 $20,000 $1,800,000 incl. zoning; low income programs senior housing 52 52 $20,000 $1,040,000 incl. zoning; low income programs accessory units 30 30 $5,000 $150,000 Incl. zoning Existing programs 40 40 minimal $0 existing programs subtotal rental 212 0 0 212 $2,990,000 Total 212 175 113 500 $14,990,000 * funds exclusive of federal, MHFA and County programs **using Fannie Mae calculator with assumptions: 7.0% interest, 30-year mortgage, enough cash to cover closing costs, no points, closing costs = 5% of purchase price, and no other debt obligations. PMI, home insurance, and taxes at 0.2% included in affordability calculation. Pa g e 3 4 Page 35 Housing Strategies The Housing Succession Plan proposes five primary strategies for achieving these goals. Note that these are strategies. They do not produce affordable housing or create stronger schools or attract young families in and of themselves. But they do create a structure for allowing the market, partnerships and existing resources to maximize op- portunities as they arise and provide clear direction for the future. The strategies are: 1. Adopt a mandatory inclusionary zoning policy; 2. Update the Comprehensive Plan to convert appropriate areas to mixed-use de- velopment and provide for greater density in appropriate areas; 3. Use the greater Southdale area as a demonstration of a cutting-edge, livable, pe- destrian-friendly urban redevelopment; 4. Create long-term opportunities to make a portion of Edina’s existing housing stock affordable to more people and families; and 5. Leverage existing housing programs to create more opportunities for moder- ate- and lower- income households. The Task Force explored a variety of other strategies (See Appendix H). Many of these could prove highly effective, but we believe setting clear priorities creates greater focus and resolve and uses limited resources to maximum effect. Therefore, we offer the strategies we believe will have the biggest payback for Edina. Page 36 1. Adopt Mandatory Inclusionary Zoning. Developers often use a general rule that the value of a house must be four times the price of the land it’s on for the eco- nomics of the development to work. As land prices increase, it becomes ever more dif- ficult to build lower-priced housing. Throughout the country, 135 cities, towns and counties have responded to this market condition with inclusionary zoning policies. Most simply, inclusionary zoning requires any new housing development to include a percentage of affordable units. Inclusionary zoning relies on private industry to produce housing. Local governments tailor their ordinances to their housing needs and market conditions, including setting income and price limits for the inclusionary units. Developers are provided incentives, such as density bonuses, that offset the cost of developing affordable units. The goal of inclusionary zoning is to ensure a portion of all new housing is affordable and becomes a seamless part of the fabric of the community. Edina has few new development opportunities. However, there are a number of rede- velopment opportunities, and these provide opportunities to create affordable housing through inclusionary zoning. The Task Force believes Edina cannot afford to miss these opportunities. For instance, if Edina had adopted an inclusionary zoning ordinance that required 15% of all multifamily units constructed to be affordable beginning in the year 2000, 72 units of affordable housing would have already been produced. Additionally, had 15% of single-family units been produced as affordable during the same time frame, Edina would have produced another 25 affordable units. Not a single multifamily or sin- gle-family home produced since the year 2000 in Edina was affordable to a household at or below 80% of area median income. Example of an inclusionary zoning de- velopment in the state of New York. Page 37 The Task Force recognizes that building affordable housing can be very time consuming and costly for developers, often requiring the piecing together of multiple funding sources. Affordable housing may also entail greater political and financial risk than market-rate projects. The Task Force’s research suggests that the fairest inclusionary zoning policies provide incentives that offset the cost and serve as carrots, enticing developers to include af- fordable units in their housing plans. Some possible incentives include density bonuses (used in 95% of all inclusionary zoning ordinances), low-interest loans funded through a housing and re- development authority levy, tax increment financing, building fee waivers, fast-track processing, and even cash subsidies. Any inclu- sionary zoning policy in Edina should be based on a thorough un- derstanding of Edina’s housing market and development finance and should not become a hidden tax. Unless the inclusionary housing policy is designed to elicit developer cooperation, it is unlikely to be effective. Inclusionary zoning ordinances have been adopted in many cities and counties throughout the country and have worked well in other high demand areas similar to Edina. (See Appendix I). An analysis of data in California showed that the adoption of inclu- sionary housing programs was not associated with a negative ef- fect on housing production. The City of Cambridge, Massachu- setts, adopted an inclusionary zoning program in 1998 that re- quires the inclusion of low- and moderate-income units in every new residential development of ten or more units. The ordi- nance offers incentives such as density bonuses and contains pro- visions to hold the developer harmless from the costs involved in meeting the ordinance’s requirements. 10 Examples of Inclusionary Zoning Strategies 1. Provide density bonuses 2. Streamline permitting process 3. Allow accessory dwelling units 4. Allow for affordable unit modifi- cations, like relaxed floor-size minimums 5. Offer fee deferrals or waivers 6. Provide tax increment financing 7. Permit off-site compliance 8. Implement inclusionary housing requirements for affordable housing 9. Create and support affordable housing policy initiatives 10.Make it known that apartments can support single-family hous- ing values. Page 38 No city in Minnesota has adopted mandatory inclusionary zoning policies. This is an op- portunity for Edina to pioneer a new tool. We believe that to create affordable housing in Edina, inclusionary zoning will need to be mandatory. This is consistent with the ex- perience of other high-demand markets on the east and west coasts where very little affordable housing was built using voluntary programs. The Edina housing market by it- self will not create affordable housing. To ensure that affordable housing will be built in our community, we must provide incentives. Some cities do require developers to provide affordable housing if they are receiving fi- nancial assistance from the city for the development. There are ways to craft inclusion- ary zoning measures under the current law, but many experts believe that statutory au- thority needs to be broadened to permit Minnesota cities to legally adopt inclusionary zoning ordinances. Thus, any inclusionary zoning policy for Edina must be researched and crafted carefully to conform to Minnesota state law. In addition, any inclusionary zoning ordinance must be crafted to fully respect the marketplace. We must create the right incentives and opportunities for developers to build affordable housing that meets the high expectations Edina residents have for new developments, as well as their expec- tation that all development will enhance community character. Density Bonuses: How they work For example, an inclusionary zoning law may re- quire that 15% of new units be affordable, while providing a 20% density bonus as an incentive to help offset cost. In this case, a developer could then build 120 units on a parcel of land only zoned for 100. Eighteen of these units would need to be affordable (15% of 120 units = 18 units), but 102 would be market rate, granting a “bonus” of 2 mar- ket rate units over regular zoning to the developer. Page 39 2. Update Edina’s Comprehensive Plan to Convert Appropriate Areas to Mixed-use Development and to Provide for Greater Density in Ap- propriate Areas. Edina is required to update its Comprehensive Plan by 2008. Because Edina’s development opportunities are so limited, the land-use portion should aggressively and creatively identify opportunities to rezone underutilized office and industrial parks to mixed-use developments to include housing. These parcels provide a rare opportunity for the City to develop high-quality housing of different types and prices that can adapt to people’s needs over time. They also provide a way for Edina to exhibit leadership in how the use of scarce land can be optimized. Edina might consider Portland’s efforts, which has been highly success- ful in making optimal use of its limited land. What does affordable housing have to do with economic competitiveness? Everything. Accessible, quality, afford- able housing is important for businesses to attract and retain workers. Page 40 3. Use the Greater Southdale Area as a Demonstration of Cutting-Edge, Liv- able, Pedestrian-Friendly Redevelopment. Healthy Community Design is a new movement in redevelopment that is attracting considerable funding and attention. Fea- tures of healthy community design include mixed use, a variety of housing, pedestrian- friendly environments, innovative public transportation, and environmentally sensitive design (such as surface water management through reduced hardscape and green roofs, water use reduction, indoor environmental quality, efficient use of materials and re- sources, waste management, renewable energy and energy efficiency). The plans for redevelopment of the greater Southdale area provide an immediate op- portunity for Edina to play a leadership role in both healthy community design and in helping to alleviate the current mismatch among employment, transportation, and hous- ing that troubles the metropolitan area. When Southdale was originally built in the 1950s, Edina received national publicity for this innovative development. The City has invested significant effort into its vision for the greater Southdale area and should use this opportunity to create mixed-income housing. The City should commission a mar- ket study of the potential for housing in the Southdale area. Southdale, 1956. When Centennial Lakes in Edina was constructed, it set a new standard for mixed-use development nationwide. Page 41 4. Create Long-Term Opportunities to Make a Portion of Edina’s Existing Hous- ing Stock Affordable to More People and Families. Although it is important to recog- nize the role of redevelopment and new construction in providing affordable housing, there is limited opportunity for new single-family construction in Edina. Therefore, it is critical to look at how Edina’s existing housing stock might be made affordable to more people and families. The two primary means of doing so are Community Land Trusts and low- or no- interest second mortgages, both of which “buy down” the cost of owning a home through equity sharing. Community Land Trusts (CLT) are an excellent way to make available a stock of perma- nently affordable homes in areas where land values are rapidly escalating. The concept of a land trust is very simple. The price of the land is severed from the price of the home, reduc- ing the overall cost to the homeowner. The land is owned by a separate, nonprofit commu- nity-based organization and leased to the homeowner at a nominal amount. When the home is sold, any appreciation in total market value is split between the homeowner and the land- owner depending on a predetermined formula intended to balance the interests of present homeowners with the long-term goals of the CLT. CLTs have several advantages. One of the beauties of a land trust is that it can be as limited or expansive as resources allow. Another is that it helps families of modest means own a home and build equity rather than paying rent which never provides a financial return to the renting family. In some communities, land trust homes are completely anonymous, reducing Brookside train as it passed through Edina, 1953 and 1954. Page 42 the stigma of affordable housing. Land trusts allow scarce dollars to be used as a one- time, long-term, sustainable community investment in affordable housing. Although the land is owned by a nonprofit, CLTs can remain on property tax rolls. Research has demonstrated the success of CLTs in maintaining and expanding the stock of affordable housing in an area. A number of communities in the Twin Cities have highly successful CLTs. While CLTs can be costly to administer, Edina lies within the geographic boundary of the West Hennepin Affordable Housing Land Trust (WHAHLT). A potential limitation of CLTs is that they are nearly always used for single-family housing. The legal com- plexities of land ownership in multifamily dwellings have hindered the use of CLTs in the past, but a recent application of CLTs to multi-family housing in the Twin Cities suggests these issues can be overcome. The Community Land Trust program could effectively meet lifecycle goals in a number of ways. If paired with services, such as the Greater Metropolitan Housing Corpora- tion’s program that helps senior citizens move from their single-family home to more desirable housing, a CLT could help attract new young families. Employer-based strate- gies, such as the model developed by Bremer Bank and the United Way, could also be used both to promote land trust opportunities and provide down-payment assistance. Second mortgages provide zero- or low-interest loans and/or defer repayment to help put monthly mortgage payments within reach of moderate-income buyers. The benefits Community Land Trust hous- ing in Battelboro, VT, that was organized and incorpo-rated by a group of con- cerned citizens in August 1987 in response to concerns about available affordable housing. Page 43 of second mortgages are numerous. Upon resale, the equity in the home is split between the homeowner and any mortgage holders, depending on a predetermined formula. Second mort- gages allow families to have more housing choices available to them. Also, the administrative costs are minimal compared to CLTs. Sometimes second mortgages are tied to a “first right of refusal” so that the home can be repurchased by the second mortgage holder or the community entity and sold to another family needing affordable housing. However, as property values con- tinue to escalate, the size of the second mortgage needed to reach affordability is likely to grow as well. As these or other options are explored more fully, the Task Force believes that important ob- jectives to keep in mind include making the opportunities: (1) available for the long-term; (2) throughout the community rather than concentrated in a single area; and (3) seamless so that no stigma is attached to a particular piece of real estate. Community Land Trust Example of how it works A community land trust (CLT) in Minnesotaville acquires and renovates a home for $65,000; this includes $23,000 in land value. The Fisher family buys the home for $42,000, with a bank mortgage of $40,000 available through an affordable housing pro- gram and $2,000 sweat equity. At the same time, the Fishers lease the land under the home from the Minnesotaville CLT for a nominal amount. After six years, the Fishers de- cide to sell the house for its appreciated value of $46,000. Meanwhile, the land has ap- preciated to $25,530, bringing the total value of the home to $71, 530. Depending on their agreement with the CLT, the appreciated value is split between the CLT and the Fishers. If it is sold back to the CLT, the Minnesotaville community will have a property worth $71,530 including land value. The next family's price to buy only the house is still well below the fair market value of the total property. The community will continue to have a home affordable to the next family without the need for substantial further sub- sidy. Moreover, the home will likely grow more affordable relative to the housing market over time because all the increase in value attributable to the land will remain with the Minnesotaville Community Land Trust and not be factored into the cost of the house it- self. Page 44 5. Leverage Existing Housing Programs to Create More Opportunities for Moderate- and Lower-income Households. Fortunately, Minnesota has a well- developed and committed affordable housing industry and many programs exist to help lower- and moderate-income families, both homeowners and renters. Existing pro- grams and resources can be used to achieve balanced housing in Edina. The Minnesota Housing Finance Agency provides low-interest loans and down payment assistance to first time homebuyers, with a special emphasis on assisting minority homebuyers. Fed- eral programs help make rental housing more affordable. Lutheran Social Services has had great success working with landlords to increase their willingness to accept and manage Section 8 vouchers. Hennepin County provides gap financing for affordable rental and home-ownership housing developments. Community Development Block Grant funds can be used to create zero or low interest, deferred payment loans to resi- dents to update their houses. The Family Housing Fund offers a highly successful pro- gram (less than 1% default rate) to move families from publicly-assisted rental housing to home ownership through second mortgages and intensive home-ownership counseling . Many lower-income households live in Edina now and contribute to our community. People are often concerned that lower-income housing leads to diminished property val- ues or increased crime, but these fears are not substantiated by the evidence. Many studies have been conducted to evaluate the impact of lower-income housing on prop- erty values. No link has been found between affordable housing and reduced property values. As for crime, Edina’s Police Chief reports that although the number of police calls is higher in subsidized housing properties, these calls are not of a criminal nature. Instead, they are primarily related to medical emergencies and “miscellaneous officer calls” (e,g, an officer visits residents on a scheduled or random basis to stay current on events in the complex). Working parents. Photo courtesy of BBC. Page 45 Possible Funding Sources The Plan estimates Edina’s cost at roughly $15 million (exclusive of federal, state and county sources for new construction), or $1 million per year. While this may sound daunting, it repre- sents only two-tenths of one percent of the value of Edina’s housing stock ($7.4 billion in 2005). Moreover, there are a number of potential funding sources. • Self-generated property taxes: The 267 units of newly constructed housing anticipated by the plan will generate an estimated $330,000 a year in taxes (nearly $5 million over 15 years) for the City of Edina and the school district (exclusive of county taxes and those of other taxing districts). • Community Development Block Grants: Edina receives roughly $140,000 per year (more than $2 million over 15 years), which can be used for affordable housing. • East Edina Housing Foundation: The East Edina Housing Foundation has assets of $2 to $3 million that could possibly be applied toward the Housing Succession Plan. • Building permit fees: Edina could set aside incremental fees generated over the 2006 base budget of $1.9 million. Permitted residential construction grew an average of 16% a year from 1996 to 2005. If total permit fees grew by only half this rate for the next fifteen years, more than $2.7 million would be generated and captured for affordable housing. • Housing Redevelopment Authority (HRA) Levy: The Edina HRA is authorized to levy as much as $1.3 million a year, an option it has never chosen to exercise. New taxes are always controversial. However, a very modest contribution of $12 a year from the aver- age Edina home would raise roughly $270,000 a year, or $4 million over 15 years. Other possible funding sources include: • Minnesota Housing Finance Agency • Capital campaign • Home Funds • Family Housing Fund • Foundations Page 46 Next Steps The Housing Succession Plan presents five strategies to achieve Edina’s housing goals. The Task Force recommends the following steps to implement these strategies: 1. Inclusionary Zoning. The City Council should approve a resolution requesting the Planning Department develop an inclusionary zoning policy that will enable creation of 270 units of affordable housing and accessory units by the year 2020. The City may wish to re- view the experience of Baltimore and San Diego, which have recently developed thoughtful and well-researched inclusionary zoning policies. 2. Edina’s Comprehensive Plan. The Planning Commission and the City Council should adopt a resolution that: (1) incorporates the Metropolitan Council’s goal of 212 new afford- able housing units for people at 60% or below the area median income; (2) requests the Planning Commission take a highly critical and creative look at land use in the Comprehen- sive Plan to identify opportunities for constructing 270 units of affordable housing, including 90 lower-income rental and 52 senior rental. 3. Southdale. The Planning Commission and the City Council should adopt a resolution stating that the plans for the redevelopment of Southdale area represent a prime opportu- nity for a visionary, high-density development that combines sustainable and “green” devel- opment with the best in transportation. The Plan should include at least 100 units of afford- able housing. The Task Force recommends that the City conduct a market study to deter- mine the need for housing at all income levels in the Southdale area. 4. Land Trusts and Second Mortgages. The City Council should invite the East Edina Housing Foundation and the West Hennepin Affordable Housing Land Trust to develop pro- posals to create opportunities for 80 families to purchase existing housing through the use of second mortgages and community land trusts. 5. Package and Market Existing Programs. Edina’s Planning Department should work with organizations such as the Greater Metropolitan Housing Corporation to develop plans for assisting low-income seniors to transition to downsized housing. The Planning Depart- ment should also work with organizations that educate landlords to encourage them to ac- cept Section 8 vouchers for families. It should package services and loan products for mod- Page 47 erate-income and first-time home buyers, while working with real estate agents and banks to aggressively market these products in Edina. O v e r a l l P l a n 1. Edina’s Vision 20/20 Plan. The Task Force requests that the Edina City Council adopt an addi- tional objective for Edina’s Vision 20/20 plan: “Maintain a full mix of housing options in Edina to provide opportunities for people to live here throughout their lives.” An outline of the complete suggested lan- guage can be found in Appendix J. 2. Assign Responsibility for Implementation of the Plan. The City Council should pass a resolu- tion assigning responsibility for implementing the Housing Succession Plan, including an annual progress report. The annual report should address specific goals of the Plan, but also broader community indica- tors to determine whether or not the Plan’s objectives are being met. The following are examples of indi- cators that can help in measuring our success: Centennial Lakes Park & Office Buildings. Photo courtesy of realestatetwincities.net. Page 48 • Geographical distribution of affordable dwelling units • Housing price to income ratio by household type (renter and owner occupied) • Number of affordable units by unit size, type, and family composition • Number of existing affordable units preserved • Number of new affordable units produced by unit size, type, and family compo- sition and income • Numbers of households paying more than 30% of income for shelter by house- hold size, household type (renter and owner occupied), and income • Ratio of professionals (e.g., teachers, police officers, city workers, and health care workers) employed and living in Edina to total employed in these catego- ries • Ratio of Edina residents employed in Edina to total employed in Edina • School enrollment (% living in Edina) • Trends in economic diversity • Trends in racial diversity 3. Create a Financing Plan for the Housing Succession Plan. The Task Force realizes that without agreed upon funding sources, the Housing Succession Plan can not be implemented. While there are many competing priorities for funds, the Task Force believes that investment in the Housing Succession Plan is truly an investment in Edina’s future. Therefore, it urges the City Council to: (1) direct the appropriate city staff to develop a funding plan for the Housing Succession Plan; and (2) to review, revise and adopt the funding plan. Edina City Hall, 2005. Page 49 IV. CONCLUSION The importance of housing to the vitality of a community cannot be overstated. It is easy to overlook the role of housing when the housing market seems to work automati- cally. However, rapidly escalating home prices in Edina are putting Edina out of reach for many. A growing segment of current Edina residents would be unable to afford a home in Edina if they had to purchase it today. Edina is a community of legacy and foresight. Each generation has faced challenges with resolve, innovation, and hard work to make Edina the great community we enjoy today. Now it’s our turn. The Task Force invites you to discuss with your family, neighbors and friends the issues of housing in our community and region. The fundamental question is, “What kind of community do we want to be?” If the answer is one of vision, character, and inclusive- ness, then we cannot ignore the role housing plays. We urge you to join us in support- ing the adoption and implementation of the Housing Succession Plan. Edina teachers and school administrators at the Edina Community Center to learn about new K-12 education standards. Photo courtesy of MPR.org. Page 50 Appendix A Housing Task Force Members Bob Aderhold, Edina Resident, Wells Fargo Bank Valerie Burke, Edina Resident, Edina Resource Center Hal Clapp, retired, formerly with the United Way Kandace Ellis, Edina Resident, Edina School Psychologist Michael Fischer, Edina Resident, Architect/Urban designer, Edina Planning Commission, Southdale Area Planning Committee John Helling, Edina Resident; Senior Advisor, The Griffin Companies. Mike Huck, former long-term Edina Resident, United Way Jeff Huggett, Edina Resident; Dominium Development and Acquisition, LLC Doug Johnson, Edina Resident, Edina Public Schools Administration Sally Krusell, Edina Resident, Greater Metropolitan Housing Corporation Scott Massie, Edina Resident, Attorney Douglas Mayo, Edina Resident, retired, formerly with Common Bond Communities Barb McFarlane, Edina Resident, Dakota County Human Services Sharon Ming, Edina Resident, Small Business Owner, Edina Human Rights and Relations Commission Cappy Moore, Edina Resident, St. Patrick’s Church Carol Mork, Edina Housing Initiative; Mission Developer, Edina Community Lutheran Church Joan Naymark, Edina Resident, Habitat for Humanity volunteer Skip Thomas, Edina Resident, Re-Max Realtor, Edina Chamber of Commerce Janice Williams, Fairview Southdale Hospital Page 51 Appendix B Community Feedback Members of the Edina Housing Task Force took a draft of the Housing Succession Plan to the community in the spring of 2006 to solicit feedback. The Task Force gave presentations at com- munity group meetings, held its own open house for community residents, and engaged in count- less informal conversations with their neighbors and coworkers. Task Force members made presentations to the following Edina organizations: · Edina City Council · Edina Chamber of Commerce · Edina Chamber of Commerce Government Affairs Committee · Edina Housing Initiative · Edina League of Women Voters · Edina Ministerial Association · Edina Planning Commission · Edina Realtors · Fairview Southdale Hospital · Human Rights and Relations Commission · St. Patrick’s VIP Group The community open house included a presentation and small group discussions led by Task Force members. More than 100 community residents attended, and their comments, questions and concerns were noted and later used by the Task Force when revising the report. All in all, the Task Force spoke with nearly 400 Edina residents about the need for affordable housing and the Housing Succession Plan. While some residents expressed skepticism and oth- ers requested further information, the majority recognized the need for affordable housing in the community and supported the work of the Task Force. All community feedback was complied and incorporated into the final version of the report. Page 52 Appendix C Change in Home Values Average Single Family Sales Price, 1997-2005 $40,000 $90,000 $140,000 $190,000 $240,000 $290,000 $340,000 $390,000 $440,000 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 Edina Chaska Eden Prairie Falcon Hgts/Roseville Hopkins Maple Grove/Osseo Minnetonka Plymouth Richfield St. Louis Park Woodbury Minneapolis-SW Minneapolis-Phillips Minneapolis-Powderhorn Chart G. This chart shows the change in average sales prices for Edina and other communi- ties throughout the Twin Cities metropolitan area between 1997 and 2004. While prices rose across the board, Edina saw the most significant gains, both in terms of price ($185,000) and percentage increase (12%). Edina’s wages have not been able to keep up, rising at just over 4% per year during the same period. Edina has consistently maintained some of the most expen- sive housing stock in the metropolitan area. As shown in the body text, a portion of Edina’s workers, particularly those central to Edina’s livelihood and vitality, have been priced out of the market. Edina Housing Task Force, Aug. 2006 Page 53 1990 2000 % Change Total # Single Family Homes 11,718 12,422 6.0% less than $50,000 33 11 -66.7% $50,000 to $99,999 1448 153 -89.4% $100,000 to $149,000 3982 1092 -72.6% $150,000 to $199,999 2576 2729 5.9% $200,000 to $299,999 2105 3765 78.9% $300,000 to $499,999 1095 3170 189.5% $500,000 or more 479 1502 213.6% Median Value $156,700 $248,500 58.6% # Single Family Homes Available per Price Range, 1990 and 2000 Edina Housing Task Force, Aug. 2006 Chart H. This chart shows the change in the number of single family homes available in each price range from 1990 to 2000. Overall, the amount of low– to moderate–value units decreased significantly (e.g. the number of homes valued between $100,000 and $149,999 decreased by 72.6%), while the number of high-value homes dramatically increased (e.g. the number of homes valued over $500,000 increased by well over 200%). Page 54 Appendix D Concentration of Seniors throughout the Twin Cities Page 55 Appendix E What is “affordable”? A variety of definitions are used to define “affordable” housing. The definitions refer both to the portion of income spent on housing, as well as income levels and vary by housing program. Housing Costs Affordable ownership: Generally, housing is considered affordable to a particular household if it does not cost more than 30% of household income. Banks sometimes will make mortgages where the income to house payment ratio exceeds 30%, especially when the buyer’s income is high. Affordable rental: The Minnesota Housing Finance Agency (MHFA) considers rental housing af- fordable if it doesn’t exceed 30% of household income. For Section 8 properties, the tenant pays 30% of household income, and Section 8 subsidizes the difference between that and fair market rents. HUD used to define affordable as 25% of income. Now, some are urging that something more than 30% be considered affordable – in the 40% range. Income Levels HUD defines low or lower income as 80% of area median, very low income as 50% of area median income and extremely low income as 30% of area median. These definitions are used in most HUD rental programs. The median family income in the Twin Cities metropolitan area in 2004 was $76,700. Program Qualifications The income that qualifies a household for housing assistance varies. For example, 60% of median income is one of the income limits used in the federal tax credit program. It is also used with tax exempt bonds for rental housing. The Metropolitan Council has used 80% of median for affordable homeownership. This means that a home was affordable in 2004 if it was priced at $193,700 or less (i.e, the price that a household earning 80% of median income could afford). MHFA also uses this income level for its mortgage programs, but one of the largest state appropriated programs – the Challenge program – has an income limit of 115% of median for homeownership projects. Some cities with affordable housing policies (for example Minneapolis and Saint Paul) require devel- opers who receive city financial assistance to include housing units affordable to households at 50% of median income, and some affordable to those at 30% of median income. Page 56 Appendix F Location Map of Current Large-Scale Affordable Housing South Haven Yorkdale Townhomes Centennial Lakes Edinborough Page 57 Oak Glen Summit Point Page 58 Appendix G Community Sources Daniel Bartus, Real Estate Developer Stacy Becker, Consultant to the Task Force Jennifer Bergman, Program Director, Greater Metropolitan Housing Corporation Phyllis Brevig, Edina Resident David Byron, Edina Planning Commission Chair Jan Callison, City of Minnetonka Mayor, original Executive Director of West Hennepin Af- fordable Housing Land Trust (“WHAHLT”), former City Council member Cathy Capone Bennet, Redevelopment Specialist for the City of Roseville, Executive Direc- tor of the Roseville Housing Redevelopment Authority Brian Carey, United Properties Lee Canning, ex-officio member and note taker for the Task Force Polly Dennison, Edina Resident Tom Dolan, Edina Resident, Our Lady of Grace Dave Engstrom, Midwest Housing Collaborative, LLC Ron Erhardt, Minnesota State Representative District 41A, Edina Resident Kimberly Gartner, Consultant to the Task Force Judy Gempler, Edina Resident Carol Gressett, Edina Resident Susan Heiberg, City of Edina Human Services Mark Hendrickson, Principal Planner, Hennepin Co. Housing, Community Works, Transit Jim Hovland, Mayor of Edina Gordon Hughes, Edina City Manager Jack Jenkins, Minnesota Housing Finance Agency Marty Kirsch, Mayor of Richfield Linda Koblick, Hennepin County Commissioner, District 6 (includes Edina) Dorothy Krueger, Edina Resident Craig Larsen, Edina City Planner Larry Laukka, Real Estate Developer, Edina Resident Janet Lindbo, Executive Director, West Hennepin Affordable Housing Land Trust Tim Marx, MHFA Executive Director John McDonald, Edina Realty, Edina Resident Rich McLaughlin, Midwest Housing Collaborative, LLC Geoff Michel, Minnesota State Senator District 41, Edina Resident Bruce Nordquist, City of Richfield Housing and Redevelopment Manager Carolyn Olson, President, Greater Metropolitan Housing Corporation Shirley Olson, Director, Lutheran Social Services of Minnesota Deborah Paone, Executive Director of the Normandale Center for Healing and Wholeness and researcher for the Partners in Care project that is being funding by the State of Minnesota Rick Peterson, Midwest Housing Collaborative, LLC Matt Podhradsky, City Administrator, City of Chaska Joyce Repya, Associate Planner, City of Edina Erin Sapp, Consultant to the Task Force Helene Shear, Midwest Housing Collaborative, LLC John Wanninger, Coldwell Banker Burnet Sue Weigle, Edina Senior Center Page 59 Appendix H Housing Strategies Explored 1. Program targeted to help “hard working” young families with lower incomes by working with the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency (MHFA) 1st time home-buyers program, Sec- tion 8, and/or Habitat for Humanity. 2. Explore opportunities with a major employer to develop a mixed-use development, includ- ing housing, for lower income workers. For example, a retailer might include housing on an upper level or elsewhere on the property. 3. Mandatory inclusionary zoning with “carrots” such as a. density bonuses; b. TIF or tax abatement for gap funding; c. Fee waivers, building permit fee waivers 4. Update the land use section of Edina’s Comprehensive Plan to include long-term redevel- opment of Edina’s office and industrial park into mixed-use development, including housing. 5. Community Land Trust. 6. Employer down payment assistance (or other employer-based program, e.g. United Way/ Bremer Model, closing cost assistance, mortgage assistance). 7. Use Southdale area as a case study for “healthy community design,” including features such as life cycle housing, sustainable design in all new buildings (i.e. green roofs, etc), pedes- trian-friendly environment, innovative public transportation (perhaps a personal rapid tran- sit experiment) 8. Remodeling assistance for seniors with incentives (perhaps low interest loans, tax relief, in home care “discounts” or tax credits) and a design center to promote universal design, al- lowing seniors to safely stay in the home while preserving homes that would be attainable for young families. 9. City of Edina real estate tax policy changes so homes remodeled (either for seniors or to provide affordable rental properties) have taxes waived on the increased market value (either until sale of the home or for 30 years). For example, properties of seniors who re- model homes would increase in value but their taxes on that increased value would not. 10. Education and communication efforts encouraging baby boomers to financially plan for their own long-term care needs. 11. Housing resource center for anyone wishing to remodel/rehab homes. The Center would promote universal design (and could include incentives such as low interest loans, etc). 12. Association fee relief for condominium buyers. 13. Transit-oriented development at location of bus garage and public works facility. 14. Further Edina efforts to obtain state grants to develop semi-formal city/neighborhood part- nerships that support seniors and their families with the goal of preventing crises that lead to hospitalization/nursing home placement. 15. Zoning that would allow granny flats, etc. Page 60 Appendix I Inclusionary Housing Programs Nationwide Affordable Units Produced Threshold # of Units Affordable Set-aside Requirement Boston, MA; 2000 - Developments exceed- ing 10 units 10% of on-site units Boulder, CO; 1999 - No threshold # - appli- cable to all residential developments 20% in for-sale and rental developments (depending on project size) Davis, CA; 1990 1,474 Developments exceed- ing 5 units 25% in for-sale devel- opments; 25% in rental developments (depending on project size) Fairfax County, Virginia; 1991 1,723 Developments exceed- ing 50 units (fee charged on projects with fewer than 50 12.5% in single-family home developments; 6.5% in multifamily de- velopments Irvine, CA; 1978 More than 3,400 No threshold # - appli- cable to all residential developments Voluntary goal: 15% of all units Longmont, CO; 1995 104 or 352 anticipated No threshold # - appli- cable on all annexed land 10% of all units in an- nexation areas Montgomery County, MD; 1974 More than 10,000 Developments exceed- ing 50 units 12.5 - 15% of all units, of these, local housing authority may purchase 33%; qualified non- profit organizations Santa Fe, NM; 1998 1 No threshold number - applicable to develop- ments with any unit tar- geted to over 120% of area median income (sale price over $240,000 may purchase 7%. 11% in developments with homes priced $240,000 - $400,000; 16% in development with homes prices over $400,000 Page 61 From Paul Fisher and Jo Patton (June 2001) "Expanding Housing Options Through Inclusionary Zoning" Ideas @ Work Volume 3. Control Period In-Lieu-of Pay- ment Off-site Development Density Bonus Other Developer Incentives Maximum allowable by law May build off-site if 15% of all units afford- able; in-lieu-of payment permitted None Tax break for devel- oper Permanent affordability by deed restriction Half of for-sale units may be built off-site. Developers have flexi- bility with on/off-site mix of rental units None Waiver of development excise taxes Permanent affordability for rental units; no con- trol period for for-sale units In-lieu-of payment per- mitted for develop- ments under 30 units or demonstration of "unique hardship" 25% None 15 years for for-sale housing; 20 years for rental housing; local housing authority may purchase 33% of all units to keep affordable Not permitted 20% for single-family units; 10% for multifam- ily units None 20 - 30 years; deter- mined case-by-case depending on financing In-lieu-of payments and other alternatives to on- site units permissible 25% None currently offered (parking, fees, and per- mitting incentives may be reintroduced) No control period for for-sale units; 5 years for rental units May make in-lieu-of payment to affordable housing fund; case-by- case consideration of off-site construction Yes Relaxed regulatory re- quirements on parking, setbacks, landscaping, etc. 10 years for for-sale units; 20 years for rental units In-lieu-of payments not permitted; may request approval to build afford- able units off-site in contiguous planning area Up to 22% Waiver of water/sewer development charge and development im- pact fees; 10% com- patibility allowance and other incentives 30 years for all units; 30 year period starts over with each new oc- cupant Not permitted, except in case of economic hard- ship Bonus equivalent to set-aside percentage, 16% in developments targeting under 80% of AMI (sale price Waiver of building fees Page 62 Appendix J Vision 20/20 Proposed Language Objective: Maintain a full mix of housing options in Edina to provide opportunities for people to live here throughout their lives. Issues: · Housing prices in Edina are escalating well beyond the means of many Edina residents and workers. · Life-cycle housing is an essential asset for a community’s ability to renew itself. If young families cannot afford to live in Edina, we put the quality of our schools at risk. · A mix of housing opportunities enables those who contribute to Edina’s well-being, such as teachers and police officers, to live in Edina. · Accessible, affordable housing is increasingly a factor in businesses’ ability to recruit and retain workers. Strategies: 1. Adopt a mandatory inclusionary zoning policy; 2. Update the Comprehensive Plan to convert appropriate areas to mixed-use and to pro- vide for greater density in appropriate areas; 3. Use the greater Southdale area as a demonstration of a cutting-edge livable, pedestrian- friendly urban redevelopment; 4. Create long-term opportunities to make a portion of Edina’s existing housing stock afford- able to more people and families; and 5. Leverage existing housing programs to create more opportunities for moderate- and lower-income households. Page 63 Appendix K Best Practices Bibliography Administration on Aging http://www.aoa.gov/doingbus/doingbus.asp American Association of Retired People http://www.aarp.org/ Association of Bay Area Governments (October 1992) Adopted Platform on Growth Man- agement http://www.abag.ca.gov/planning/rgp/platform/ Boston Indicators Project Housing http://www.tbf.org/indicators2004/housing/index.asp Boston Indicators Project http://www.tbf.org/indicators2004/housing/grid.asp Bremer (April 2005) Homebuyer Employee Loan Program: Summary Plan Description Minne- sota: Bremer. Campaign for Sensible Growth Creating Value Through Sensible Growth http://www. growingsensibly.org/archive/archiveDetail.asp?objectID=782 Center for Universal Design 10 principles of universal design http://www.design.ncsu.edu/ cud/univ_design/princ_overview.htm Center for Universal Design at North Caroline State University (September 2003) Uni- versal Design in Housing http://www.design.ncsu.edu:8120/cud/pdf_files/ UDinHousing.pdf Chung, Connie (October 2002) Using Public Schools as Community-Development Tools: Strategies for Community-Based Developers Harvard Joint Center for Housing Stud- ies http://www.jchs.harvard.edu/publications/communitydevelopment/W02- 9_Chung.pdf Citizens’ Housing and Planning Association (May 2004) Fact Sheet on Chapter 40B: The State’s Affordable Housing Zoning Law http://www.chapa.org/40b_fact.html City of Minneapolis (accessed November 205) Top 10 Affordable Housing Strategies http:// www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/mayor/priorities/affordable- housing/20020912statusreport.asp Commonwealth Housing Task Force from the Center for Urban and Regional Policy at Northeaster University (October 2003) Building on our Heritage: A Housing Strat- egy for Smart Growth and Economic Development http://www.curp.neu.edu/pdfs/ housingexecsumm.pdf Community Preservation Coalition (September 2000) Massachusetts Community Preserva- tion Act http://www.communitypreservation.org/index.cfm Department on Housing and Urban Development Homeownership Zones http://www.hud. gov/offices/cpd/affordablehousing/programs/hoz/index.cfm Department on Housing and Urban Development http://www.hud.gov/ Page 64 Design Center, University of Minnesota (2002) Cooperating Across Boundaries Conference http:// www.designcenter.umn.edu/reference_ctr/publications/reports/pdf/conf_report.pdf Design Center, University of Minnesota I-35W Coalition Briefing Book Design Center, University of Minnesota Northwest Corridor Coalition http://www.designcenter. umn.edu/projects/pre2002/nwcorridor.html Fannie Mae http://www.fanniemae.com/index.jhtml Fennelly, Katherine (forthcoming 2006) Listening to the Experts: Provider Recommendations on the Health Needs of Immigrants and Refugees Journal of Cultural Diversity. Fennelly, Katherine (March 2005) “Latinos, Africans and, Asians in the North Star State: Immi- grant Communities in Minnesota” in Beyond the Gateway: Immigrants in a Changing America: Migration and Refugee Studies, Gozdziak, Elzbieta and Martin, Susan (eds.), Lex- ington Books. Fischer, Paul and Patton, Jo (June 2001) “Expanding Housing Options through Inclusionary Housing” in Ideas @ Work Volume 3 http://www.growingsensibly.org/cmapdfs/ideasv3. pdf Freddie Mac http://www.freddiemac.com/ Greater Minnesota Housing Fund (accessed November 2005) Since 1996 GMHF has Helped Employers Invest Over $19 Million in Affordable Housing http://www.gmhf.com/programs/ eah/program_profile/EAH.htm Harvard University Civil Rights Project http://www.civilrightsproject.harvard.edu/ Heller, Frederik (accessed November 2005) Field Guide to Inclusionary Zoning http:// www. realtor.org/libweb.nsf/pages/fg806#topica Home Line (November 2004) Vouchers Thwarted and Threatened: Landlords Limit Tenants’ Choice While Bush Administration Jeopardizes Program, a survey of acceptance of Section 8 vouch- ers in Anoka, Dakota, and suburban Hennepin Counties, Minnesota Minnesota: Home Line. http://www.designcenter.umn.edu/reference_ctr/publications/reports/pdf/I35WBriefingBook. pdf Jehl, Jeanne, Blank, Marin, and McCloud, Barbara (August 2001) Lessons in Collaboration: Bringing Together Educators and Community Builders National Housing Institute http://www.nhi. org/online/issues/118/JehlBlankMcCloud.html KnowledgePlex http://www.knowledgeplex.org/ Massachusetts Housing Partnership (accessed November 2005) Local Housing Partnership Guide- book http://www.mhp.net/termsheets/lhp_guidebook/complete_book.pdf Massachusetts Housing Partnerships Local Housing Partnership Guidebook http://www.mhp.net/ community/lhp_guidebook.php Maxfield Research Inc. and GVA Marquette Advisors (September 2001) Workforce Housing: A Study of Housing’s Economic Impact on the Twin Cities Minnesota: Maxfield Research Inc. and GVA Marquette Advisors. Metro Planning Council http://www.metroplanning.org/ Metropolitan King County Countrywide Planning Policies Benchmark Program (1998) Affordable Housing Indicators http://www.metrokc.gov/budget/benchmrk/bench98/acrobat/ Page 65 chapter3.pdf Metropolitan Planning Council (September 2005) Employer-Assisted Housing Resources http://www. metroplanning.org/articleDetail.asp?objectID=1041 Middletown House http://www.middletownhouse.com./ Minnesota Housing Finance Agency Strategic Plan and Goals: Program Years 2004-2007 http://www. mhfa.state.mn.us/about/strategic_plan.pdf National Council on Aging (accessed November 2005) OneSquareMile Project http://www.ncoa.org/ content.cfm?sectionID=240&detail=899 National Council on Aging Healthy Aging Project http://www.ncoa.org/content.cfm? sectionID=240&detail=898 National Council on Aging The Frank and Alma Story: Housing and Life Choices for the Later Years http:// www.ncoa.org/content.cfm?sectionID=240&detail=239 National Governor’s Association http://www.nga.org/ National Governors Association http://www.nga.org/portal/site/nga National Governors’ Association Center for Best Practices (March 2005) Front and Center: New York City and State Partner in Energy Efficient Affordable Housing http://www.nga.org/portal/site/nga/ menuitem.9123e83a1f6786440ddcbeeb501010a0/? vgnextoid=66bd25d9ea2b2010VgnVCM1000001a01010aRCRD National Governors’ Association Center for Best Practices (March 2002) Issue Brief: Increasing Access to housing for Low-Income Families http://preview.nga.org/Files/pdf/032902HOUSING.pdf Northwest Corridor Coalition http://www.northwestcorridor.info/ Rebuilding Together Home Modification Initiative http://www.rebuildingtogether.org/main-pages.php? page_id=main/home_mods/home_mod_info_sheet.php Senior Housing Net (accessed November 2005) Types of Housing http://www.seniorhousingnet.com/ seniors/kyo/index.jhtml;$sessionid$YRMIVPQ4VPRBUCQAQUASFFA State of Minnesota (June 2005) Minnesota’s Business Plan to End Long-Term Homelessness: 40,000 New Emerging Market Homeowners by 2012 http://www.mhfa.state.mn.us/homes/ EMHI_Business_Plan.pdf State of Minnesota (September 2005) Minnesota’s Business Plan to End Long-Term Homelessness http:// www.mhfa.state.mn.us/multifamily/LTH.htm Sustainable Measures (accessed November 2005) Housing Indicators http://www.sustainablemeasures. com/Database/Housing.html Vital Aging Network (2004) Community Assets for Vital Aging: Questionnaire htp://www.van.umn.edu Page 66 Appendix L Bibliography Administration on Aging http://www.aoa.gov/doingbus/doingbus.asp American Association of Retired People http://www.aarp.org/ Association of Bay Area Governments (October 1992) Adopted Platform on Growth Manage- ment http://www.abag.ca.gov/planning/rgp/platform/ Bonnett, Jason, Rock, Christine, and Wysopal, Wally (Spring 2005) Building a Community for All Ages: Planning for and responding to the needs of a changing population Hamline University School of Management, paper for GPA 8506: Advanced Seminar in Public Policy. Boston Indicators Project (accessed September 2005) Housing http://www.tbf.org/ indicators2004/housing/index.asp Boston Indicators Project (accessed September 2005) http://www.tbf.org/indicators2004/ housing/grid.asp Bremer (April 2005) Homebuyer Employee Loan Program: Summary Plan Description Minnesota: Bremer. Bremer (April 2005) Homebuyer Employee Loan Program: Summary Plan Description. Campaign for Sensible Growth (accessed September 2005) Creating Value Through Sensible Growth http://www.growingsensibly.org/archive/archiveDetail.asp?objectID=782 Center for Universal Design 10 principles of universal design (accessed September 2005) http://www.design.ncsu.edu/cud/univ_design/princ_overview.htm Center for Universal Design at North Caroline State University (September 2003) Universal Design in Housing http://www.design.ncsu.edu:8120/cud/pdf_files/UDinHousing.pdf Chung, Connie (October 2002) Using Public Schools as Community-Development Tools: Strate- gies for Community-Based Developers Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies http://www. jchs.harvard.edu/publications/communitydevelopment/W02-9_Chung.pdf Citizens’ Housing and Planning Association (May 2004) Fact Sheet on Chapter 40B: The State’s Affordable Housing Zoning Law http://www.chapa.org/40b_fact.html City of Chaska (presented October 2005) Housing: Secrets to Successful Implementation in Your Community, Clover Ridge in Chaska Power Point Presentation. City of Edina Assessor (November 2005) Data on Residential Property Values. City of Minneapolis (accessed November 205) Top 10 Affordable Housing Strategies http:// www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/mayor/priorities/affordable-housing/20020912statusreport.asp Commonwealth Housing Task Force from the Center for Urban and Regional Policy at Northeaster University (October 2003) Building on our Heritage: A Housing Strategy for Smart Page 67 Growth and Economic Development http://www.curp.neu.edu/pdfs/housingexecsumm.pdf Community Preservation Coalition (September 2000) Massachusetts Community Preservation Act http:// www.communitypreservation.org/index.cfm Department on Housing and Urban Development Homeownership Zones http://www.hud.gov/offices/ cpd/affordablehousing/programs/hoz/index.cfm Department on Housing and Urban Development http://www.hud.gov/ Design Center, University of Minnesota (2002) Cooperating Across Boundaries Conference http://www. designcenter.umn.edu/reference_ctr/publications/reports/pdf/conf_report.pdf Design Center, University of Minnesota (accessed September 2005) I-35W Coalition Briefing Book http://www.designcenter.umn.edu/reference_ctr/publications/reports/pdf/I35WBriefingBook.pdf Design Center, University of Minnesota Northwest Corridor Coalition http://www.designcenter.umn.edu/ projects/pre2002/nwcorridor.html Edina Public Schools (October 2005) Open Enrollment Data. Editorial (January 12, 2005) End Homelessness: The value in supportive housing Star Tribune newspaper. Editorial (January 9, 2005) Scruffy and Sick: How to really help the homeless Star Tribune newspaper. Fannie Mae http://www.fanniemae.com/index.jhtml Fennelly, Katherine (forthcoming 2006) Listening to the Experts: Provider Recommendations on the Health Needs of Immigrants and Refugees Journal of Cultural Diversity. Fennelly, Katherine (March 2005) “Latinos, Africans and, Asians in the North Star State: Immigrant Communities in Minnesota” in Beyond the Gateway: Immigrants in a Changing America: Migration and Refugee Studies, Gozdziak, Elzbieta and Martin, Susan (eds.), Lexington Books. Fischer, Paul and Patton, Jo (June 2001) “Expanding Housing Options through Inclusionary Housing” in Ideas @ Work Volume 3 http://www.growingsensibly.org/cmapdfs/ideasv3.pdf Freddie Mac http://www.freddiemac.com/ Glaser, Gyourko and Saks (February 2005) “Urban Growth and Housing Supply” Harvard Institute of Economic Research, Massachusetts. Greater Minnesota Housing Fund (accessed November 2005) Since 1996 GMHF has Helped Employers Invest Over $19 Million in Affordable Housing http://www.gmhf.com/programs/eah/program_profile/EAH. htm Greenstein, Rosalind and Yesim Sungu-Eryilmaz (April 2005) “Community Land Trusts: Leasing Land for Afford- Page 68 able Housing” Land Lines Volume 17, Number 2. Harvard University Civil Rights Project http://www.civilrightsproject.harvard.edu/ Heller, Frederik (accessed November 2005) Field Guide to Inclusionary Zoning http://www. realtor.org/libweb.nsf/pages/fg806#topica Hesterman, Paul D (1988) From Settlement to Suburb: The History of Edina, Minnesota Edina: Bur- gess Publishing. Home Line (November 2004) Vouchers Thwarted and Threatened: Landlords Limit Tenants’ Choice While Bush Administration Jeopardizes Program, a survey of acceptance of Section 8 vouchers in Anoka, Dakota, and suburban Hennepin Counties, Minnesota Minnesota: Home Line. HomeLine (2005) 2005 Section 8 Survey Results for Edina Two Bedroom Apartments. Housing a Redevelopment Authority, City of Roseville (June 2005) Roseville Housing Plan http:// www.ci.roseville.mn.us/council/hra/housing_plan.htm Jehl, Jeanne, Blank, Marin, and McCloud, Barbara (August 2001) Lessons in Collaboration: Bringing Together Educators and Community Builders National Housing Institute http://www.nhi.org/ online/issues/118/JehlBlankMcCloud.html KnowledgePlex http://www.knowledgeplex.org/ Massachusetts Housing Partnership (accessed November 2005) Local Housing Partnership Guide- book http://www.mhp.net/termsheets/lhp_guidebook/complete_book.pdf Massachusetts Housing Partnerships (accessed September 2005) Local Housing Partnership Guidebook http://www.mhp.net/community/lhp_guidebook.php Maxfield Research Inc. and GVA Marquette Advisors (September 2001) Workforce Housing: A Study of Housing’s Economic Impact on the Twin Cities Minnesota: Maxfield Research Inc. and GVA Marquette Advisors. Metro Planning Council http://www.metroplanning.org/ Metropolitan Council (accessed August – December 2005) Regional Statistics and Data http:// www.metrocouncil.org/metroarea/stats.htm Metropolitan King County Countrywide Planning Policies Benchmark Program (1998) Affordable Housing Indicators http://www.metrokc.gov/budget/benchmrk/bench98/acrobat/chapter3.pdf Metropolitan Planning Council (September 2005) Employer-Assisted Housing Resources http:// www.metroplanning.org/articleDetail.asp?objectID=1041 Middletown House http://www.middletownhouse.com./ Minnesota Department of Education (accessed October 2005) Enrollment Data http:// education.state.mn.us/mde/Data/Data_Downloads/School_and_District/Enrollment/index.html Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (accessed October – De- Page 69 cember 2005) Labor Market Information http://www.deed.state.mn.us/lmi/tools/qcew/dates.asp Minnesota Housing Finance Agency (September 2005) Minnesota’s Business Plan to End Long-Term Homelessness http://www.mhfa.state.mn.us/multifamily/LTH.htm Minnesota Housing Finance Agency (accessed September 2005) Strategic Plan and Goals: Program Years 2004-2007 http://www.mhfa.state.mn.us/about/strategic_plan.pdf Minnesota State Demographer (accessed August – December 2005) 2000 Census SF! And SF3: Report and Mapping http://www.lmic.state.mn.us/datanetweb/php/census2000/c2000.html National Council on Aging (accessed November 2005) OneSquareMile Project http://www.ncoa.org/ content.cfm?sectionID=240&detail=899 National Council on Aging Healthy Aging Project http://www.ncoa.org/content.cfm? sectionID=240&detail=898 National Council on Aging (accessed September 2005) The Frank and Alma Story: Housing and Life Choices for the Later Years http://www.ncoa.org/content.cfm?sectionID=240&detail=239 National Governor’s Association http://www.nga.org/ National Governors Association http://www.nga.org/portal/site/nga National Governors’ Association Center for Best Practices (March 2005) Front and Center: New York City and State Partner in Energy Efficient Affordable Housing http://www.nga.org/portal/site/nga/ menuitem.9123e83a1f6786440ddcbeeb501010a0/? vgnextoid=66bd25d9ea2b2010VgnVCM1000001a01010aRCRD National Governors’ Association Center for Best Practices (March 2002) Issue Brief: Increasing Access to housing for Low-Income Families http://preview.nga.org/Files/pdf/032902HOUSING.pdf Northwest Corridor Coalition http://www.northwestcorridor.info/ Paul Fisher and Jo Patton (June 2001) "Expanding Housing Options Through Inclusionary Zoning" Ideas @ Work Volume 3. Rebuilding Together (accessed September 2005) Home Modification Initiative http://www. rebuildingtogether.org/main-pages.php?page_id=main/home_mods/home_mod_info_sheet.php Rosen, David Paul and Associates (September 2002) “City of Los Angeles Inclusionary Housing Study” prepared for Los Angeles Housing Department. Scott, William W. and Hess, Jeffrey A (1981) History of Architecture of Edina, Minnesota Edina: City of Edina. Senior Housing Net (accessed November 2005) Types of Housing http://www.seniorhousingnet.com/ Page 70 seniors/kyo/index.jhtml;$sessionid$YRMIVPQ4VPRBUCQAQUASFFA State of Minnesota (June 2005) Minnesota’s Business Plan to End Long-Term Homelessness: 40,000 New Emerging Market Homeowners by 2012 http://www.mhfa.state.mn.us/homes/ EMHI_Business_Plan.pdf State of Minnesota (September 2005) Minnesota’s Business Plan to End Long-Term Homelessness http://www.mhfa.state.mn.us/multifamily/LTH.htm Stocking, Fred (Winter 1999) “Community Land Trusts: Permanently Affordable, Resident-Controlled Housing” Maine Policy Review. Sustainable Measures (accessed November 2005) Housing Indicators http://www. sustainablemeasures.com/Database/Housing.html Town of Cary (1999) Affordable Housing Toolkit North Carolina. U.S. Census (1980) U.S. Census (1990) U.S. Census (2000) Vital Aging Network (2004) Community Assets for Vital Aging: Questionnaire htp://www.van.umn. edu Page 71 Edina Housing Task Force City of Edina 4801 West 50th Street Edina, MN 55424 2955 Valmont Rd, Suite 300 • Boulder, CO 80301 t: 303.444.7863 • nrc@n-r-c.com • www.n-r-c.com EDINA, MINNESOTA 2019 Quality of Life Survey --DRAFT-- May 2019 Edina, MN 2019 Quality of Life Survey Report May 2019 Prepared by National Research Center, Inc. Contents Executive Summary ........................................................................................................................1 Survey Background ........................................................................................................................5 Quality of Life and Community ......................................................................................................8 Quality of Life .......................................................................................................................................... 8 Sense of Community ............................................................................................................................. 10 Community Characteristics .................................................................................................................. 15 Safety in Edina ...................................................................................................................................... 19 Ease of Travel ........................................................................................................................................ 20 Issues Facing Edina .............................................................................................................................. 23 City Services ................................................................................................................................ 27 Quality of City Services ......................................................................................................................... 27 Drinking Water ....................................................................................................................................... 30 Garbage Collection ................................................................................................................................ 31 Parks and Recreation ............................................................................................................................ 32 Government Performance ........................................................................................................... 34 Value of Taxes Paid ............................................................................................................................... 34 Trust in City Government ...................................................................................................................... 36 Contact with City Departments ............................................................................................................. 41 Public Information and Communication .................................................................................... 43 Information Sources ............................................................................................................................. 43 City Website ........................................................................................................................................... 45 Planning and Priorities ................................................................................................................ 47 Municipal Liquor Stores ........................................................................................................................ 47 Redevelopment in Edina ....................................................................................................................... 48 Sustainability and Climate Change ....................................................................................................... 49 Appendix A: Responses to Survey Questions ............................................................................ 52 Appendix B: Verbatim Responses to Survey Questions ............................................................ 90 Appendix C: Survey Results by Respondent Characteristics .................................................. 115 Appendix D: Benchmark Comparisons ..................................................................................... 161 Appendix E: Survey Methodology ............................................................................................. 178 Appendix F: Survey Materials ................................................................................................... 183 Edina, MN 2019 Quality of Life Survey Report May 2019 Prepared by National Research Center, Inc. Figures Figure 1: Overall Quality of Life by Year .......................................................................................................................... 8 Figure 2: Likelihood of Remaining in Community and Recommending Community by Year ..................................... 9 Figure 3: Sense of Community by Year ........................................................................................................................ 10 Figure 4: Edina as a Welcoming Community, 2019 ..................................................................................................... 12 Figure 5: Importance of Edina Creating a Diverse and Inclusive City, 2019 .............................................................. 13 Figure 6: Job the City Does at Creating an Inclusive and Diverse Community, 2019 ............................................... 14 Figure 7: Overall Community Characteristics by Year................................................................................................. 15 Figure 8: Individual Community Characteristics by Year ............................................................................................ 16 Figure 9: Reasons for Living in Edina by Year ............................................................................................................. 17 Figure 10: Most Liked Attribute of Living in Edina, 2019 ............................................................................................ 18 Figure 11: Overall Feeling of Safety by Year ................................................................................................................ 19 Figure 12: Feelings of Safety by Year ........................................................................................................................... 19 Figure 13: Overall Ease of Travel by Year ..................................................................................................................... 20 Figure 14: Ease of Walking and Biking in Edina by Year ............................................................................................. 21 Figure 15: Travel-related Characteristics by Year........................................................................................................ 22 Figure 16: Most Serious Issues Facing Edina, 2019 ................................................................................................... 23 Figure 17: Traffic Problems by Year ............................................................................................................................. 24 Figure 18: Crime-related Problems in Community by Year ......................................................................................... 25 Figure 19: Concerns about Household Issues, 2019 ................................................................................................... 26 Figure 20: Overall Quality of City Services by Year...................................................................................................... 27 Figure 21: Quality of City Services by Year .................................................................................................................. 29 Figure 22: Quality of Drinking Water by Year ............................................................................................................... 30 Figure 23: Aspects of Drinking Water by Year ............................................................................................................. 30 Figure 24: Quality of Garbage Collection by Year ........................................................................................................ 31 Figure 25: Support for Change in Garbage Collection System by Year ..................................................................... 31 Figure 26: Use of Parks and Recreation Facilities by Year ......................................................................................... 32 Figure 27: Quality of Parks and Recreation Facilities by Year ................................................................................... 33 Figure 28: Value of City Services by Year ..................................................................................................................... 34 Figure 29: Property Tax Level by Year .......................................................................................................................... 34 Figure 30: Support for Property Tax Increase by Year ................................................................................................ 35 Figure 31: City Headed in Right Direction or on Wrong Track by Year ...................................................................... 36 Figure 32: City Headed in Right Direction or on Wrong Track, 2019 .......................................................................... 37 Figure 33: Reasons for Wrong Track, 2019 .................................................................................................................. 37 Figure 34: Opportunity for Residents to be Involved in How Edina is Run by Year .................................................. 38 Figure 35: Opportunity for Residents to be Involved in How Edina is Run, 2019 ...................................................... 39 Figure 36: Reasons for Feeling Residents Don't Have a Say in How Edina is Run, 2019......................................... 39 Figure 37: Aspects of Public Trust by Year .................................................................................................................. 40 Figure 38: Impression of Employee(s) by Year ............................................................................................................ 42 Figure 39: Effectiveness of the Magazine, About Town, by Year ................................................................................ 44 Figure 40: Effectiveness of the Newsletter, Edition: Edina, 2019 ................................................................................ 44 Figure 41: Accessed City Website by Year ................................................................................................................... 45 Figure 42: Quality of City Website by Year ................................................................................................................... 45 Figure 43: Aspects of City Website by Year ................................................................................................................. 46 Figure 44: Level of Support for Municipal Owned Liquor Stores by Year .................................................................. 47 Figure 45: Quality of Redevelopment in Edina by Year ............................................................................................... 48 Figure 46: How Well the City Manages Redevelopment Tensions by Year ............................................................... 48 Figure 47: Level of Agreement with Statements about Climate Change, 2019 ........................................................ 49 Figure 48: Quality of Sustainability Services Provided by the City, 2019 .................................................................. 50 Figure 49: Importance of Sustainability Services Provided by the City, 2019 .......................................................... 51 Edina, MN 2019 Quality of Life Survey Report May 2019 Prepared by National Research Center, Inc. Page 1 Executive Summary Survey Background and Methods The 2019 Edina Quality of Life Survey provided residents the opportunity to rate the quality of life in the City of Edina, as well as the quality of service delivery and overall workings of local government. Residents also shared their priorities for community planning and resource allocation. Surveys were mailed to 1,500 randomly selected resident households in February and March, 2019. A total of 427 surveys were completed (96 of which were submitted online), yielding a response rate of 30%. The margin of error is plus or minus 5% around any given percentage point reported for all respondents (427). Survey results were weighted so that respondent gender, age, housing unit type (attached or detached), housing tenure (rent or own) and geographic location of the respondent’s residence were represented in proportions reflective of the entire city. Because Edina has administered quality of life surveys before, comparisons could be made between 2019 responses and those from prior survey years. Edina also elected to have its results compared to those of other jurisdictions around the nation and in Minnesota, comparisons made possible through a national benchmark database created and maintained by National Research Center, Inc. (NRC). This database contains resident perspectives gathered in resident surveys from over 600 communities across the United States. Key Findings Edina is a highly desirable place to live. • Virtually all Edina residents (98%) rated their overall quality of life as excellent or good, which was a higher rating than seen in other communities in Minnesota and across the nation. This rating has remained stable since Edina first surveyed in 2011. • About 9 in 10 residents indicated they were very or somewhat likely to remain in Edina for the next five years and would recommend living in Edina to someone who asks; these evaluations were similar to the benchmark comparisons and to ratings given in previous years. • Residents are pleased with the sense of community in Edina, with about three-quarters of residents giving excellent or good marks and another 2 in 10 rating it as fair. Ratings of the sense of community have remained stable since 2015 and were similar to the Minnesota comparison, but higher than the national benchmark. • When evaluating the quality of several broad characteristics of community livability, overall opportunities for education and enrichment, Edina’s overall economic health, health and wellness opportunities, the quality of the overall natural environment and the overall image or reputation of Edina topped the list, with about 9 in 10 providing excellent or good marks to each. These ratings were higher than or similar to the national and Minnesota averages. Edina, MN 2019 Quality of Life Survey Report May 2019 Prepared by National Research Center, Inc. Page 2 Survey respondents value diversity and inclusion in Edina. • A series of new questions were included on the 2019 survey to gauge resident opinion about how important inclusivity and diversity is in Edina and how welcoming the community was toward different groups of people. About three-quarters of respondents felt it was essential, very important or somewhat important that local government focus on creating a diverse and inclusive city for the people of Edina. • About 7 in 10 residents or more said the City does an excellent or good job providing a safe and secure environment for residents of all backgrounds and making all residents feel welcome and that they belong. • When evaluating how welcoming the community was toward various groups of people, at least 8 in 10 respondents felt the Edina community was very welcoming or welcoming for people who are of Jewish (82%) and Christian (91%) faith and for people who are white (92%). Respondents who had an opinion were least likely to rate Edina as welcoming toward people who have a lower income (38%) or people of Muslim faith (45%). Residents note improvements with the ease of alternative modes of travel and connectivity in Edina. • About two-thirds of survey respondents gave positive scores to the ease of walking in Edina and the ease of travel by bicycle. While ratings for the ease of walking in Edina were stable between 2017 and 2019, residents noted improvements to the ease of travel by bicycle over this two year period. • The availability of paths and walking trails and ease of travel by car were each positively rated by about three-quarters of respondents. The rating for the availability of paths and walking trails increased from 2017 to 2019 and was higher than the national average. • When evaluating various services provided by the City of Edina, ratings of the condition of trails and sidewalks and bus or transit services increased from 2017 to 2019 (from 84% excellent or good in 2017 to 91% in 2019, and from 54% to 62%, respectively). • When asked to write in their own words what they liked most about living in Edina. Of the respondents who chose to write in a response, 40% wrote comments related to the convenience, accessibility and walkability of Edina and this was the most commonly mentioned topic. Growth-related issues continue to be concerns in Edina and associated ratings have declined over time. • About 6 in 10 residents felt positively about the overall quality of residential and commercial redevelopment in Edina. However, ratings for the quality of commercial redevelopment decreased from 2017 to 2019 and ratings for the quality of residential redevelopment have been trending down since 2015. Further, when asked how well, if at all, they felt the City does managing tensions in the community related to residential redevelopment in Edina, only about half of residents felt the City manages tensions very or somewhat well. This was a decline from 2017 and 2015. • Ratings for the availability of affordable quality housing, at 32% excellent or good, was similar to the national average, but lower when compared to other communities in Minnesota. Edina, MN 2019 Quality of Life Survey Report May 2019 Prepared by National Research Center, Inc. Page 3 • Residents shared what they felt was the most serious issue facing Edina. Of the respondents who wrote in a response, 36% wrote in comments related to housing concerns such as teardowns, overdevelopment or affordability and 17% mentioned issues related to traffic and infrastructure. • About two-thirds of respondents felt things in the City were headed in the right direction, a rating that was lower compared to 2017 and was the lowest rating to date. The one-third of respondents who indicated that things were on the wrong track could write in a reason for giving the rating they did. Of the respondents who wrote in a response, 49% wrote comments related to poor development, overbuilding and density of the city (about 17% of all respondents). About 13% wrote in comments related to affordable housing and cost of living. Residents remain pleased with the quality of services in Edina as well as their interactions with City employees. • About 9 in 10 survey participants gave positive scores to the overall quality of City services, which has remained stable since this question was first asked in 2015. Edina’s rating for overall quality of services was similar when compared to other communities in Minnesota and higher than the national comparison. • Survey respondents had the opportunity to evaluate a number of individual services provided by the City. Overall, 31 of the 33 services were rated as excellent or good by at least 60% of survey respondents. Public safety services and parks and recreation services received the highest praise by respondents, with at least 9 in 10 giving excellent or good evaluations to most of these services. • When compared to 2017, most service ratings were similar in 2019. However, improvements were seen from 2017 to 2019 for crime prevention and street lighting, as well as the condition of trails and sidewalks and bus or transit services as previously mentioned. Overall, Edina residents’ ratings of City services tended to be higher than or similar to the benchmark comparisons. • Thinking about the value of services for the taxes they pay to Edina, about three- quarters of survey respondents felt they get excellent or good value for the taxes paid. This high rating was similar to past survey years and higher than both the national and Minnesota comparison groups (#6 in the national group and #1 in the Minnesota group). • The 60% of survey respondents who reported having contacted a City department or office rated the overall customer service they received as well as their impression of the courtesy, knowledge, responsiveness and follow-up of the City employee(s). About 9 in 10 residents gave excellent or good reviews to the employee’s knowledge, courtesy, responsiveness and to the overall customer service received (this rating was higher than the national comparison). Edina residents voice some concerns about the direction of City government. • In addition to fewer respondents in 2019 compared to 2017 feeling that the City is heading in the right direction, evaluations of the overall confidence in City government and the government generally acting in the best interest of the community have been declining since 2015. However, about 6 in 10 residents still gave excellent or good Edina, MN 2019 Quality of Life Survey Report May 2019 Prepared by National Research Center, Inc. Page 4 reviews to these two aspects of the Edina government performance; ratings that were on par with the national and Minnesota averages. • About two-thirds of survey participants felt that they could have a say about the way things are run in the community other than by voting, which was similar to previous years. The 32% of residents who felt that they could not have a say in the community could write in a response as to why; of those, 33% wrote general comments related to the public voice not being heard or listened to (about 11% of all respondents) and 23% said decisions are predetermined (about 7% of all respondents). Environmental sustainability and addressing climate change are priorities for Edina residents. • The overall quality of the natural environment in Edina was rated as excellent or good by 91% of respondents; a rating that was similar to prior survey years and on par with both benchmark groups. • When considering a series of new questions that measured resident perspectives on climate change in Edina, about three-quarters of survey respondents agreed that the City should enact ordinances and regulations intended to increase energy efficiency and climate resiliency, require higher green building standards, invest in renewable energy to get to net zero emissions and invest in programs and create policies to address climate change. • Survey respondents evaluated the quality of eight sustainability services provided by the City; relatively higher quality ratings were awarded to energy conservation and efficiency programs (74% excellent or good) and fostering natural habitats in public spaces (73%), while relatively lower ratings were given to composting collection services (52%). • Residents also rated the importance of the same eight sustainability services. All services were viewed as at least somewhat important by at least 8 in 10 respondents. The most important services were water conservation programs (78% essential or very important), fostering natural habitats in public spaces (73%) and energy conservation and efficiency programs (71%). Edina, MN 2019 Quality of Life Survey Report May 2019 Prepared by National Research Center, Inc. Page 5 Survey Background The City of Edina contracted with National Research Center, Inc. (NRC) to conduct a community-wide quality of life survey. The primary goal of the survey was to assess the attitudes and opinions of residents by: • evaluating City programs and services, • determining general perceptions of the quality of life in the city, • identifying issues facing the city and • benchmarking results over time. The Edina Quality of Life Survey serves as a consumer report card for Edina by providing residents with the opportunity to rate the quality of life in the city, as well as the community’s amenities, service delivery and satisfaction with local government. Residents also provide feedback on what is working well and what is not, and communicate priorities for community planning and resource allocation. Focusing on the quality of service delivery helps council, staff and the public to set priorities for budget decisions and lays the groundwork for tracking community opinions about the core responsibilities of Edina City government, helping to assure maximum service quality over time. This is the fifth iteration of the Edina Quality of Life Survey since the baseline study conducted in 2011. All surveys since 2015 were conducted by mail; the 2013 and 2011 surveys were conducted by phone. Survey Administration Each selected household was contacted three times over the course of about three weeks. First, a postcard was mailed to 1,500 Edina households, selected at random, notifying residents that they had been chosen to participate in the survey. A survey packet followed in the mail about one week after the postcard and a second survey packet was sent about one week after the first packet. Both letters contained a URL where respondents could go online to complete the survey, if preferred. There were 427 respondents to the mailed questionnaire (96 of which were completed online), yielding a response rate of 30%. Survey results were weighted so that respondent gender, age, housing unit type (attached or detached), housing tenure (rent or own) and geographic location of the respondent’s residence were represented in the proportions reflective of the entire city. More information about the survey methodology can be found in Appendix E: Survey Methodology. How the Results are Reported For the most part, the full set of frequencies or the “percent positive” are presented in the body and narrative of the report. The percent positive is the combination of the top two most positive response options (i.e., excellent and good, very safe and somewhat safe, strongly support and somewhat support, etc.). On many of the questions in the survey, respondents could give an answer of “don’t know.” The proportion of respondents giving this reply is shown in the full set of responses included in Appendix A: Responses to Survey Questions and is noted in the body of this report if it is 30% Edina, MN 2019 Quality of Life Survey Report May 2019 Prepared by National Research Center, Inc. Page 6 or greater. However, these responses have been removed from the analyses presented in the body of the report, unless otherwise indicated. In other words, the majority of the tables and graphs in the body of the report display the results from respondents who had an opinion about a specific item. For some questions, respondents were permitted to select multiple options. When the total exceeds 100% in a table for a multiple response question, it is because some respondents are counted in more than one category. When a table for a question that only permitted a single response does not total to exactly 100%, it is due to the customary practice rounding values to the nearest whole number. Precision of Estimates It is customary to describe the precision of estimates made from surveys by a “level of confidence” and accompanying “confidence interval” (or margin of error). The 95 percent confidence level for this survey is generally no greater than plus or minus 5% around any given percent reported for all respondents (427). Where estimates are given for subgroups, they are less precise. Generally the 95% confidence interval ranges from plus or minus five percentage points for samples of about 400 to plus or minus 10 percentage points for samples as small as 100. For smaller sample sizes (i.e., 50), the margin of error rises to 14%. Comparison of Results over Time and by Respondent Subgroups Because this survey was the fifth iteration of the survey, the 2011, 2013, 2015 and 2017 results are presented when comparisons to 2019 were available. Where differences in ratings from 2017 to 2019 are seven percentage points or greater, they can be considered significantly higher or lower. When reviewing comparisons to data prior to 2015, differences that surfaced may or may not be meaningful, as wording changes between survey versions and the switch in methodology from a telephone to a mail survey may account, at least in part, for any shift in ratings. NRC adjusted the findings from 2013 and prior in order to maximize the comparability of results over time. This way the reported trendline data are less likely to be influenced by the decline that is attributable to the change in data collection mode from telephone to mail. Changes between the mailed and phone surveys can be regarded as significant if the difference in ratings between the survey years is greater than 10 percentage points. For more information on comparing results over time, see Appendix E: Survey Methodology. Selected survey results were compared by geographic location of each respondent’s home, respondent length of residency, age, gender, housing unit type and housing unit tenure (rent or own). These crosstabulations are summarized and presented in tabular form in Appendix C: Survey Results by Respondent Characteristics. Where differences between subgroups are statistically significant, they are noted in the tables. Comparing Survey Results to Other Communities NRC’s database of comparative resident opinion is comprised of resident perspectives gathered in resident surveys from over 600 communities whose residents evaluated their services. Conducted with typically no fewer than 400 residents in each community, opinions are intended to represent over 30 million Americans. Edina, MN 2019 Quality of Life Survey Report May 2019 Prepared by National Research Center, Inc. Page 7 Communities to which Edina is compared can be found in Appendix D: Benchmark Comparisons. National benchmark comparisons and comparisons to communities in Minnesota have been provided when similar questions on the Edina survey are included in NRC’s database and there are at least five communities in which the question was asked, though most questions are compared to more than five other communities. Where comparisons for quality ratings were available, Edina’s results were generally noted as being “higher” than, “lower” than or “similar” to the benchmark, meaning that the average rating given by city residents is statistically similar to or different (greater or lesser) than the benchmark. More extreme differences are noted as “much higher” or “much lower.” Comparisons for a number of items on the survey were not available in the benchmark database and have been excluded from the benchmark tables that appear throughout the body of the report. Edina, MN 2019 Quality of Life Survey Report May 2019 Prepared by National Research Center, Inc. Page 8 Quality of Life and Community The City of Edina 2019 Quality of Life Survey measured resident perceptions about various aspects of community life in the city, how likely residents would be to recommend living in the community to others and the likelihood of retiring in Edina. Residents were also asked about Edina’s sense of community, feelings of safety and ease of travel in the city. Quality of Life Nearly all Edina residents felt the overall quality of life in Edina was excellent or good, only 2% felt it was fair and no respondents felt that the quality of life was poor. These exceptionally high marks have remained stable since this question was first asked in 2011. Resident opinions in Edina were compared to those of residents in other communities across the nation and in Minnesota. Edina’s rating for overall quality of life was higher when compared to communities in both sets of comparisons (see Appendix D: Benchmark Comparisons for detailed information on the benchmark comparisons). Figure 1: Overall Quality of Life by Year How would you rate the quality of life in Edina? Percent excellent or good * In 2011 and 2013, the survey was administered by telephone. Starting in 2015, the survey was administered via mail. Please see Appendix E: Survey Methodology for more information on how to interpret changes over time. 99% 99% 96% 97% 98% 2011*2013*2015 2017 2019 Edina, MN 2019 Quality of Life Survey Report May 2019 Prepared by National Research Center, Inc. Page 9 In addition to rating the overall quality of life, residents’ feelings about their community can be measured in their loyalty to the community. About 9 in 10 residents indicated they were very or somewhat likely to remain in Edina for the next five years and a similar proportion would recommend living in Edina to someone who asks (94%). These high ratings have remained stable over time. Edina residents gave similar reviews to their likelihood to remain and recommend living in Edina as did residents in communities in Minnesota and across the U.S. Figure 2: Likelihood of Remaining in Community and Recommending Community by Year Please indicate how likely or unlikely you are to do each of the following: Percent very or somewhat likely 89% 92% 94% 96% 90% 94% Remain in Edina for the next five years Recommend living in Edina to someone who asks 2019 2017 2015 Edina, MN 2019 Quality of Life Survey Report May 2019 Prepared by National Research Center, Inc. Page 10 Sense of Community The sense of community in Edina is strong, with about three-quarters of residents giving excellent or good marks; about 2 in 10 felt that the sense of community was fair and only 4% said it was poor. Ratings of the sense of community have remained stable since 2015. Edina residents’ gave higher ratings to their sense of community than did residents in other communities across the nation. When compared to ratings given by residents in other Minnesota communities, Edina residents’ sense of community scored similarly. Figure 3: Sense of Community by Year Please rate the sense of community as it relates to Edina. Percent excellent or good * Differences in ratings between the 2011/2013 administrations and ratings from 2015 and onward may be due in part to the switch in methodology from a telephone to a mail survey. Changes in ratings between the 2011/2013 surveys and those from 2015 and onward are regarded as meaningful if the difference in is greater than 10 percentage points. Please see Appendix E: Survey Methodology for more information on how to interpret changes over time. 81% 83% 73% 74% 74% 2011*2013*2015 2017 2019 Edina, MN 2019 Quality of Life Survey Report May 2019 Prepared by National Research Center, Inc. Page 11 Inclusivity and Diversity Several new questions were included on the 2019 survey to gauge resident opinion about how welcoming the community was toward different groups of people and how important inclusivity and diversity is in Edina. At least 8 in 10 respondents felt the Edina community was very welcoming or welcoming for people who are of Jewish (82%) and Christian (91%) faith and for people who are white (92%, see Figure 4 on the following page). Three-quarters of respondents felt the community was very welcoming or welcoming for people who are Asian, Asian Indian or Pacific Islander and two-thirds gave these same favorable evaluations to people who are agnostic or atheist. About half or fewer respondents felt the Edina community was very welcoming or welcoming for the other groups of people. It is noteworthy that 31% of respondents who had an opinion felt that the community was not welcoming for people who have a lower income and 21% said that Edina was not welcoming for people of Muslim faith (see Appendix A: Responses to Survey Questions for a full set of responses). Edina, MN 2019 Quality of Life Survey Report May 2019 Prepared by National Research Center, Inc. Page 12 Figure 4: Edina as a Welcoming Community, 2019 Please rate how welcoming Edina is as a community: Percent very welcoming or welcoming Note: between 25% and 51% of respondents selected “don’t know” when evaluating how welcoming the community was for all but one (people who are white) group of people (see Appendix A: Responses to Survey Questions for a full set of responses, including “don’t know”). 74% 49% 51% 55% 92% 52% 50% 38% 91% 82% 45% 55% 55% 69% For people who are Asian, Asian Indian or Pacific Islander For people who are Black or African American For people who are Hispanic For people who are American Indian or Alaskan Native For people who are White For people whose first language is not English For people who are not U.S. citizens For people who have a lower income For people who are of Christian faith For people who are of Jewish faith For people who are of Muslim faith For people who are of Buddhist faith For people who are of Hindu faith For people who are agnostic or atheist Edina, MN 2019 Quality of Life Survey Report May 2019 Prepared by National Research Center, Inc. Page 13 The majority of residents believed that it was at least somewhat important that the local government focus on creating a diverse and inclusive city for the people of Edina; about one- quarter each rated this initiative as essential, very important or somewhat important. About one in six respondents felt it was not at all important for the City government to focus on creating a diverse and inclusive city. Figure 5: Importance of Edina Creating a Diverse and Inclusive City, 2019 How important for the people of Edina is it that local government focuses on creating a diverse and inclusive city? Essential 28% Very important 29% Somewhat important 27% Not at all important 16% Edina, MN 2019 Quality of Life Survey Report May 2019 Prepared by National Research Center, Inc. Page 14 Survey participants also were asked how well the City does at a creating an inclusive and diverse community. About 7 in 10 residents or more said the City does an excellent or good job providing a safe and secure environment for residents of all backgrounds and making all residents feel welcome and that they belong. More than 6 in 10 respondents felt the City does good job or better at valuing residents from diverse backgrounds and helping new residents feel connected and integrated. Only half of residents awarded excellent or good scores to the job the City does attracting people from diverse backgrounds; 17% felt the City does a poor job at this. Figure 6: Job the City Does at Creating an Inclusive and Diverse Community, 2019 Please rate the job you feel the City does at each of the following: Percent excellent or good Note: at least 34% of respondents selected “don’t know” when rating the job the City does at helping new residents feel connected and integrated, attracting people from diverse backgrounds, and valuing residents from diverse backgrounds (see Appendix A: Responses to Survey Questions for a full set of responses, including “don’t know”). 51% 63% 64% 73% 79% Attracting people from diverse backgrounds Helping new residents feel connected and integrated Valuing residents from diverse backgrounds Making all residents feel welcome and that they belong Providing a safe and secure environment for residents of all backgrounds Edina, MN 2019 Quality of Life Survey Report May 2019 Prepared by National Research Center, Inc. Page 15 Community Characteristics The quality of several broad characteristics of community livability were evaluated on the survey. As in prior years, at least three-quarters of residents gave excellent or good scores to each of the seven characteristics of Edina. Overall opportunities for education and enrichment, Edina’s overall economic health, health and wellness opportunities, the quality of the overall natural environment and the overall image or reputation of Edina topped the list, with about 9 in 10 providing excellent or good marks to each. About 8 in 10 survey respondents awarded favorable reviews to the overall established “built environment”. Evaluations given in 2019 were similar to past survey years. Overall, Edina residents gave ratings to the overall community characteristics that were higher than or similar to the national and Minnesota averages. Figure 7: Overall Community Characteristics by Year Please rate each of the following characteristics as they relate to Edina as a community: Percent excellent or good 76% 81% 86% 88% 90% 91% 94% 75% 82% 87% 88% 92% 95% 95% 76% 80% 89% 91% 93% 94% 94% Neighborliness of residents in Edina Overall established “built environment” of Edina (including overall design, buildings, parks and transportation systems) Overall image or reputation of Edina Quality of overall natural environment in Edina Health and wellness opportunities in Edina Overall economic health of Edina Overall opportunities for education and enrichment 2019 2017 2015 Edina, MN 2019 Quality of Life Survey Report May 2019 Prepared by National Research Center, Inc. Page 16 In addition to rating overall community characteristics, residents were given a more extensive list of individual community characteristics and asked to rate the quality of each. The cleanliness of Edina (95% excellent or good), shopping opportunities (93%), the overall quality of business and service establishments (92%) and K-12 education were awarded the most positive ratings. Survey respondents gave less favorable reviews to the variety of housing options (51%), the cost of living (51%) and the availability of affordable quality housing (32%). When compared to 2017, assessments of all individual community characteristics but one were rated similar in 2019; ratings for fitness opportunities increased from 75% excellent or good in 2017 to 84% in 2019. When compared to other communities across the nation and in Minnesota, Edina residents’ assessments of the individual community characteristics were higher or similar, except for the rating of the availability of affordable quality housing which was lower when compared to other communities in Minnesota (similar to the national average). Figure 8: Individual Community Characteristics by Year Please rate each of the following characteristics as they relate to Edina as a whole: Percent excellent or good 2019 2017 2015 Cleanliness of Edina 95% 91% 95% Shopping opportunities 93% 91% 90% Overall quality of business and service establishments in Edina 92% 90% 86% K-12 education 90% 96% 94% Air quality 89% 88% 92% Adult educational opportunities 89% 89% 85% Recreational opportunities 87% 82% 76% Public places where people want to spend time 86% 82% 84% Fitness opportunities (including exercise classes and paths or trails, etc.) 84% 75% 71% Opportunities to volunteer 81% 79% 70% Opportunities to participate in social events and activities 78% 73% 70% Opportunities to attend cultural/arts/music activities 77% 80% 74% Opportunities to participate in community matters 76% 75% 62% Employment opportunities 70% 69% 63% Variety of housing options 51% 55% 59% Cost of living in Edina 51% 47% 46% Availability of affordable quality housing 32% 37% 36% Note: about 38% of respondents said “don’t know” when rating the quality of employment opportunities. The responses presented in the body of the report are for those who had an opinion. The full set of responses, including “don’t know” can be found in Appendix B: Complete Survey Frequencies. Edina, MN 2019 Quality of Life Survey Report May 2019 Prepared by National Research Center, Inc. Page 17 Survey participants were provided a list of eight potential reasons for choosing to live in Edina; they could select more than one response and also could write in an “other” response note included in the list. A safe community (55%), good schools (52%), an attractive community (48%) and good neighborhoods (48%) were the most frequently selected reasons for choosing to live in Edina. About 4 in 10 indicated the amenities in Edina as their reason for living in the community and about one-third said that their job was in Edina or nearby. About one-quarter said that their family lived in Edina or they were born or raised in the community (28%) and 15% said that affordable housing was the reason they chose to live in Edina. Eight percent of respondents wrote in an “other” response and 6% wrote that the location or convenience of the city as their reason for living there. The proportion of respondents selecting the various reasons for living in Edina in 2019 was similar to 2017. Figure 9: Reasons for Living in Edina by Year Why did you choose to live in Edina? Percent of respondents Total may exceed 100% as respondents could select more than one answer. Respondents had the opportunity to write-in a response for “other;” “Other: Location/convenience” was a new category created from the “other” responses written. Responses to “other” can be found in Appendix B: Verbatim Responses to Survey Questions. 15% 15% 23% 28% 40% 42% 46% 52% 51% 15% 15% 25% 35% 39% 47% 52% 53% 52% 6% 8% 15% 28% 35% 41% 48% 48% 52% 55% Other: Location/convenience Other Affordable housing Family lives here/born or raised here Job was here (or nearby) Amenities (e.g., parks, library, etc.) Good neighborhoods Attractive community Good schools Safe community 2019 2017 2015 Edina, MN 2019 Quality of Life Survey Report May 2019 Prepared by National Research Center, Inc. Page 18 Survey respondents were given the opportunity to write in their own words what they liked most about living in Edina. The written responses were reviewed and grouped into categories by theme. Of the 351 respondents who chose to write in a response, 40% wrote comments related to the convenience, accessibility and walkability of Edina. About 1 in 10 mentioned the safety of the community and the schools as the thing they liked most about living in Edina. Fewer than 10% wrote in comments about the remaining categories. Due to the varied responses, not all written comments could be grouped into a theme or category so an “other” category was created; 5% of the written comments fell into “other.” Figure 10: Most Liked Attribute of Living in Edina, 2019 What one thing do you like most, if anything, about living in Edina? Percent of respondents Respondents were given an opportunity to write in a response; 351 chose to write in a response. The responses were reviewed and grouped into the above categories. Please see Appendix B: Verbatim Responses to Survey Questions for the verbatim responses. 5% 2% 3% 4% 4% 5% 6% 8% 10% 13% 40% Other Housing/neighborhood Raised here or close to family, job, etc. Sense of community (friendly, quiet, peaceful, etc.) Parks and trails/recreation centers/open spaces Public services Beauty/cleanliness of community Positive comments about quality of life and community Schools Safe Convenient location/ accessibility/ walkability Edina, MN 2019 Quality of Life Survey Report May 2019 Prepared by National Research Center, Inc. Page 19 Safety in Edina Nearly all Edina residents said that the overall feeling of safety in Edina was excellent or good (96%), a rating that was similar to 2017 and 2015. Evaluations of the overall feeling of safety in Edina were higher when compared to communities across the country and other communities in Minnesota. Figure 11: Overall Feeling of Safety by Year Please rate the overall feeling of safety in Edina. Percent excellent or good Residents also rated how safe they felt in three different areas of the community. Almost all residents (97%) said they felt very or somewhat safe in their neighborhood and 94% felt safe in the 50th & France area (downtown area). About 8 in 10 felt safe in the Southdale area. Assessments of feelings of safety in neighborhoods and in the downtown area (50th & France) could be compared to communities across the nation and in Minnesota; both ratings were on par with the national and Minnesota averages. Figure 12: Feelings of Safety by Year Please rate how safe or unsafe you feel: Percent very or somewhat safe 96% 97% 96% 2015 2017 2019 80% 96% 96% 77% 96% 98% 80% 94% 97% In the Southdale area In the 50th & France area (downtown area) In your neighborhood 2019 2017 2015 Edina, MN 2019 Quality of Life Survey Report May 2019 Prepared by National Research Center, Inc. Page 20 Ease of Travel Most respondents felt that the overall ease of travel in Edina was excellent or good, with 86% awarding favorable ratings. These evaluations have remained stable since 2015. Edina’s rating for overall ease of travel was higher when compared to communities across the country and similar when compared to other communities in Minnesota. Figure 13: Overall Ease of Travel by Year Please rate the overall ease of getting to the places you usually have to visit. Percent excellent or good * In 2011 and 2013, the survey was administered by telephone. Starting in 2015, the survey was administered via mail. Please see Appendix E: Survey Methodology for more information on how to interpret changes over time. 81% 88% 87% 86% 2011*2015 2017 2019 Edina, MN 2019 Quality of Life Survey Report May 2019 Prepared by National Research Center, Inc. Page 21 In addition to assessing the overall ease of travel, residents provided feedback on the ease of travel by walking and by bicycle in Edina. Close to two-thirds of survey respondents gave positive scores to the ease of walking in Edina and the same proportion gave excellent or good ratings to the ease of travel by bicycle. While ratings for the ease of walking in Edina were stable between 2017 and 2019, residents noted improvements to the ease of travel by bicycle over this two-year period (49% in 2017 versus 65% in 2019). Compared to the national and Minnesota averages, Edina residents gave ratings that were similar for both ease of walking and biking. Figure 14: Ease of Walking and Biking in Edina by Year Please rate each of the following characteristics as they relate to Edina as a whole: Percent excellent or good * Differences in ratings between the 2015 administration and newer compared to those prior to 2015 may be due in part to the switch in methodology from a telephone to a mail survey. Changes in ratings between the 2011/2013 surveys and those from 2015 and onward are regarded as meaningful if the difference in is greater than 10 percentage points. Please see Appendix E: Survey Methodology for more information on how to interpret changes over time. 81% 75% 47% 60% 49% 66% 65% 65% Ease of travel by bicycle in Edina Ease of walking in Edina 2019 2017 2015 2013* Edina, MN 2019 Quality of Life Survey Report May 2019 Prepared by National Research Center, Inc. Page 22 Survey respondents evaluated an additional five travel-related aspects of the community. The availability of paths and walking trails and ease of travel by car were positively rated by about three-quarters of respondents (79% excellent or good and 75%, respectively). About 6 in 10 respondents gave high marks to the ease of public parking and about half felt traffic flow on major streets was excellent or good. Ease of travel by public transportation received excellent or good evaluations from 46% or residents. Ratings for the availability of paths and walking trails increased from 2017 to 2019 while evaluations of the ease of public parking and traffic flow on major streets declined. All other ratings of travel-related characteristics remained stable over the two year period. When compared to other communities across the nation and in Minnesota, Edina residents’ ratings of the travel-related characteristics tended to be similar, except for ratings of the availability of paths and walking trails which was higher than the national average. Figure 15: Travel-related Characteristics by Year Please rate each of the following characteristics as they relate to Edina as a whole: Percent excellent or good Note: about 43% of respondents said “don’t know” when rating the ease of travel by public transportation in Edina (see Appendix A: Responses to Survey Questions). 37% 58% 68% 83% 58% 40% 63% 72% 82% 60% 46% 53% 61% 75% 79% Ease of travel by public transportation in Edina Traffic flow on major streets Ease of public parking Ease of travel by car in Edina Availability of paths and walking trails 2019 2017 2015 Edina, MN 2019 Quality of Life Survey Report May 2019 Prepared by National Research Center, Inc. Page 23 Issues Facing Edina Several questions on the survey gauged resident perceptions about potential issues, problems or concerns in the Edina community. Most Serious Issue In addition to considering what they like most about living in Edina, residents shared what they felt was the most serious issue facing Edina. Respondents’ written responses were reviewed and grouped into categories by theme. Of the 353 respondents who wrote in a response, 36% wrote in comments related to housing concerns while 17% wrote comments related to traffic and transportation infrastructure. Schools and education were a concern for about 11% of those who responded to the question. Less than 1 in 10 wrote comments about the remaining categories. Due to the varied responses, not all written comments could be grouped into a theme or category so an “other” category was created; 11% of the written comments fell into “other.” Figure 16: Most Serious Issues Facing Edina, 2019 What would you say is the most serious issue facing Edina at this time? Percent of respondents Respondents were given an opportunity to write in a response; 353 chose to write in a response and 13 wrote in “don’t know.” The responses were reviewed and grouped into the above categories. Please see Appendix B: Verbatim Responses to Survey Questions for the verbatim responses. 11% 4% 6% 7% 7% 11% 17% 36% Other Safety City government (fiscal responsiblity, taxes, planning, etc.) Growth/overcrowding Lack of diversity and sense of community Schools/education Traffic and infrastructure (road maintenance, snow removal, sidewalks, etc.) Housing concerns (teardowns, overdevelopment, affordability, etc.) Edina, MN 2019 Quality of Life Survey Report May 2019 Prepared by National Research Center, Inc. Page 24 Traffic Concerns Survey respondents assessed a number of potential problems in Edina including traffic speeding and stop sign violations in neighborhoods. About 4 in 10 residents felt that traffic speeding in their neighborhood was at least a moderate problem and about 3 in 10 said that stop sign violations in their neighborhood were at least a moderate problem. These evaluations were stable from 2017 to 2019. Figure 17: Traffic Problems by Year Please rate how much of a problem, if at all, you feel each of the following is in Edina. Percent moderate, major or extreme problem In 2013 and 2011, the scale was not at all serious, not too serious, somewhat serious and very serious. For comparison purposes, the 2017 and 2015 ratings for moderate, major or extreme problem were compared to 2013 and 2011 ratings for somewhat or very serious. * In 2011 and 2013, the survey was administered by telephone. Starting in 2015, the survey was administered via mail. Please see Appendix E: Survey Methodology for more information on how to interpret changes over time. 37% 40% 35% 42% 41% 26% 33% 29% 27% 30% 2011*2013*2015 2017 2019 Traffic speeding in your neighborhood Stop sign violations in your neighborhood Edina, MN 2019 Quality of Life Survey Report May 2019 Prepared by National Research Center, Inc. Page 25 Other Concerns Edina residents also rated six additional potential problems related to crime. About 2 in 10 residents felt vandalism and property crimes were a moderate, major or extreme problem and slightly fewer felt identify theft (15%) and drugs were problematic (13%). Eleven percent or fewer felt each of the remaining three potential problems were of concern. When compared to 2017, most ratings in 2019 were similar; however, identity theft and domestic abuse were believed to be less of a problem in 2019 compared to 2017. Figure 18: Crime-related Problems in Community by Year Please rate how much of a problem, if at all, you feel each of the following is in Edina. Percent moderate, major or extreme problem Note: more than 40% of respondents said “don’t know” when rating how much of a problem identity theft and domestic abuse were in Edina. The full set of responses, including “don’t know” can be found in Appendix A: Responses to Survey Questions. 6% 13% 17% 13% 22% 21% 3% 16% 11% 15% 23% 19% 4% 6% 11% 13% 15% 19% Violent crime Domestic abuse Youth crimes Drugs Identity theft Vandalism and property crimes 2019 2017 2015 Edina, MN 2019 Quality of Life Survey Report May 2019 Prepared by National Research Center, Inc. Page 26 For the first time in 2019, respondents evaluated how concerned they were about a number of potential issues their household could have experienced in the 12 months prior to the survey. Overall, the majority of respondents were not concerned with each of the five household issues. Residents were least concerned about running out of food before having money to buy more (90% said this was not a concern) and having access to health care (86%). About 3 in 10 respondents had at least minor concerns about being able to age in place. Figure 19: Concerns about Household Issues, 2019 To what extent, if at all, have you been concerned about each of the following issues in your household in the last 12 months? 65% 74% 77% 86% 90% 18% 15% 14% 8% 7% 11% 7% 5% 3% 3% 6% 4% 4% 4% 1% Being able to age in place (e.g., remain in your home as you get older) Feeling socially isolated or disconnected from others Having enough money to pay your rent or mortgage Having access to health care Running out of food before you had money to buy more Not a concern Minor concern Moderate concern Major concern Edina, MN 2019 Quality of Life Survey Report May 2019 Prepared by National Research Center, Inc. Page 27 City Services Edina residents evaluated a number of services provided by the City, as well as the overall quality of City services, aspects of drinking water and parks and recreation amenities. Quality of City Services Survey participants gave positive scores to the overall quality of City services, with about 9 in 10 providing excellent or good ratings, which has remained stable since this question was first asked in 2015. When compared to other communities across the nation, Edina residents gave higher marks to the overall quality of City services. Edina’s rating for overall quality of services was similar when compared to other communities in Minnesota. Figure 20: Overall Quality of City Services by Year Percent excellent or good 87% 89% 89% 2015 2017 2019 Edina, MN 2019 Quality of Life Survey Report May 2019 Prepared by National Research Center, Inc. Page 28 Survey respondents had the opportunity to evaluate a number of individual services provided by the City (see Figure 21 on the following page). Overall, 31 of the 33 services were rated as excellent or good by at least 60% of survey respondents. Public safety services (e.g., fire, ambulance and police) and parks and recreation services (e.g., city parks and recreation programs) received the highest praise by respondents, with at least 9 in 10 giving excellent or good evaluations to most of these services. Services felt to be of lower quality included street repair (60% excellent or good), cable television (Comcast/Xfinity, 55%) and land use, planning and zoning (53%). When compared to 2017, most service ratings were similar in 2019. However, improvements were seen from 2017 to 2019 for crime prevention, street lighting, the condition of trails and sidewalks and bus or transit services. Although the difference between 2017 and 2019 was not significant, ratings for street repair have been trending up since 2011 and received the highest ratings yet in 2019. Most City services could be compared to ratings from other communities across the nation and in Minnesota. Overall, Edina residents’ ratings of City services tended to be higher than or similar to the benchmark comparisons. Police services, crime prevention, snow removal and recreation programs and centers were higher than both benchmarks, among others, while bus and transit services, land use planning and zoning, and Edina open space were similar to both comparison groups. Edina, MN 2019 Quality of Life Survey Report May 2019 Prepared by National Research Center, Inc. Page 29 Figure 21: Quality of City Services by Year Please rate the quality of each of the following services in Edina: Percent excellent or good 2019 2017 2015 2013* 2011* Fire services 98% 99% 98% 100% 99% Ambulance or emergency medical services 98% 99% 98% 99% 100% Fire prevention and education 96% 91% 85% NA NA Crime prevention 94% 86% 87% NA NA City parks 94% 91% 93% NA NA Recreation programs or classes 93% 87% 85% 87% 88% Police services 92% 89% 90% 98% 98% Park maintenance 92% 90% 90% 99% 99% Condition of trails and sidewalks 91% 84% 83% 84% 82% Sewer services 89% 88% 83% 86% 86% Recreation centers or facilities 89% 86% 84% NA NA Public health services 88% 86% 84% NA NA Snow removal 87% 92% 87% 83% 83% Recycling 84% 86% 88% 84% 85% Yard waste pickup 84% 83% 85% NA NA Utility billing 83% 79% 77% NA NA Animal control 82% 84% 77% NA NA Public information services/communication from the City 82% 78% 82% NA NA Traffic enforcement 81% 77% 75% NA NA Street cleaning 81% 80% 72% NA NA Storm drainage 81% 80% 78% NA NA Emergency preparedness (services that prepare the community for natural disasters or other emergency situations) 81% 80% 72% NA NA Sidewalk maintenance 79% 75% 69% NA NA City-sponsored special events (Night to Unite, Winter Ice Festival, New Year's Eve Party, etc.) 78% 77% 77% NA NA Street lighting 77% 70% 69% 80% 84% Economic development 74% 79% 76% NA NA Code enforcement (weeds, abandoned buildings, etc.) 72% 67% 63% NA NA Edina open space 70% 68% 70% NA NA Traffic signal timing 69% 70% 58% NA NA Bus or transit services 62% 54% 57% NA NA Street repair 60% 54% 49% 47% 38% Cable television (Comcast/Xfinity) 55% 60% 49% NA NA Land use, planning and zoning 53% 60% 57% NA NA Note: between 34% and 48% of respondents selected “don’t know” when rating the quality of the following services: fire prevention, bus or transit services, code enforcement, animal control, public health services, emergency preparedness and City-sponsored special events (see Appendix A: Responses to Survey Questions for a complete set of responses including “don’t know”). Prior to 2017, “public information services/communication from the City” was “public information services.” * Differences in ratings between the 2011/2013 administrations and ratings from 2015 and onward may be due in part to the switch in methodology from a telephone to a mail survey. Changes in ratings between the 2011/2013 surveys and those from 2015 and onward are regarded as meaningful if the difference in is greater than 10 percentage points. Please see Appendix E: Survey Methodology for more information on how to interpret changes over time. Edina, MN 2019 Quality of Life Survey Report May 2019 Prepared by National Research Center, Inc. Page 30 Drinking Water About 7 in 10 residents gave excellent or good reviews to the overall quality of drinking water; this rating has remained stable since 2015 and was similar to both the national and Minnesota averages. Figure 22: Quality of Drinking Water by Year Percent excellent or good * Differences in ratings between the 2011/2013 administrations and ratings from 2015 and onward may be due in part to the switch in methodology from a telephone to a mail survey. Changes in ratings between the 2011/2013 surveys and those from 2015 and onward are regarded as meaningful if the difference in is greater than 10 percentage points. Please see Appendix E: Survey Methodology for more information on how to interpret changes over time. Survey respondents also evaluated different aspects of drinking water. The appearance, reliability and safety of drinking water in Edina were rated as excellent or good by at least 8 in 10 respondents. About two-thirds of residents provided a positive evaluation to the water’s odor (67%) and 59% said the taste was good or better. Only about one-third gave favorable reviews to the water’s hardness. Assessments given in 2019 were similar to those in 2017. Figure 23: Aspects of Drinking Water by Year Please rate the following aspects of drinking water in Edina Percent excellent or good 2019 2017 2015 Appearance 84% 85% 77% Reliability 83% 87% 84% Safety 83% 83% 84% Odor 67% 72% 66% Taste 59% 63% 58% Hardness 35% 36% 33% 60% 55% 69% 68% 69% 2011*2013*2015 2017 2019 Edina, MN 2019 Quality of Life Survey Report May 2019 Prepared by National Research Center, Inc. Page 31 Garbage Collection Close to 9 in 10 respondents gave excellent or good ratings to the quality of garbage collection in Edina; a rating that was similar to 2017 and 2015. This rating also was on par with both the national and Minnesota averages. Figure 24: Quality of Garbage Collection by Year Percent excellent or good In addition to rating the overall quality of garbage collection, residents also rated their level of support for the City changing from the current multiple hauler garbage collection system to a single hauler (chosen by the City) system. As in previous years, residents were divided in 2019, with about half indicating that they somewhat or strongly supported a single hauler and the other half in opposition. Similar proportions indicated strong support for or opposition to this measure (27% and 31%, respectively, see Appendix A: Responses to Survey Questions). Figure 25: Support for Change in Garbage Collection System by Year Most communities have one of two systems for garbage collection. To what extent do you support the City changing from the current system in which residents may choose from several different haulers to a system where the City chooses one hauler for the whole community? Percent strongly or somewhat support * In 2011 and 2013, the survey was administered by telephone. Starting in 2015, the survey was administered via mail. Please see Appendix E: Survey Methodology for more information on how to interpret changes over time. 84% 86% 89% 2015 2017 2019 46% 50% 49% 50% 2011*2015 2017 2019 Edina, MN 2019 Quality of Life Survey Report May 2019 Prepared by National Research Center, Inc. Page 32 Parks and Recreation Survey respondents reviewed a list of 13 Parks and Recreation Department amenities and indicated how frequently they used each. About 8 in 10 residents said they had used trails and Centennial Lakes Park at least once in the 12 months prior to the survey. About 7 in 10 reported visiting neighborhood parks at least once in the last 12 months. About half of survey respondents had used Edinborough Park at least once. About 40% or fewer of respondents reported having used each of the remaining amenities at least once in the 12 months prior to the survey. In general, usage of most Parks and Recreation Department amenities in 2019 was on par with 2017. However, the Braemar Arena, Edina Aquatic Center, and Edina Senior Center saw increases in use over the two-year period. Fewer respondents in 2019 compared to 2017 reported using neighborhood parks, large community athletic fields and the Braemar Golf Course. Figure 26: Use of Parks and Recreation Facilities by Year In the last 12 months, about how many times, if ever, have you or other household members used any of the following Edina Parks and Recreation Department amenities? Percent at least once 2019 2017 2015 2013* 2011* Trails 81% 80% 71% 79% 69% Centennial Lakes Park 81% 75% 76% 64% 69% Neighborhood parks 71% 89% 80% 83% 73% Edinborough Park 48% 48% 50% 47% 48% Large community athletic fields 40% 49% 40% 48% 45% Braemar Arena (ice arena) 40% 24% 25% 32% 30% Edina Aquatic Center 34% 28% 24% 38% 39% Edina Senior Center 29% 20% 18% 33% 35% Edina Art Center 25% 28% 24% 45% 33% Braemar Golf Dome 25% 20% 21% NA NA Dog parks/off-leash areas 21% NA NA NA NA Braemar Golf Course 20% 32% 34% 42% 36% Braemar Field (sports dome) 18% 24% 15% NA NA Prior to 2015, “Edina Aquatic Center” and “Edina Senior Center” were “The Aquatic Center” and “The Senior Center.” * Differences in ratings between the 2011/2013 administrations and ratings from 2015 and onward may be due in part to the switch in methodology from a telephone to a mail survey. Changes in ratings between the 2011/2013 surveys and those from 2015 and onward are regarded as meaningful if the difference in is greater than 10 percentage points. Please see Appendix E: Survey Methodology for more information on how to interpret changes over time. Edina, MN 2019 Quality of Life Survey Report May 2019 Prepared by National Research Center, Inc. Page 33 After indicating their use of park and recreation amenities, residents rated the quality of each amenities regardless of use. Overall, of those who had an opinion, all parks and recreation amenities were highly rated by at least three-quarters of respondents. Nearly all residents felt that Centennial Lakes Park, Braemar Field, trails and Braemar Arena were excellent or good. Dog parks and off-leash areas received the lowest quality ratings (78%). Quality ratings for most amenities remained stable from 2017 to 2019. However, the quality of trails and the Braemar Golf Course have been on the upswing since 2015. The Edina Aquatic Center also saw notable gains from 2017 to 2019. Figure 27: Quality of Parks and Recreation Facilities by Year Please rate the quality of each of the following Edina Parks and Recreation Department amenities, regardless of your household's use. Percent excellent or good 2019 2017 2015 2013* 2011* Centennial Lakes Park 99% 95% 95% 100% 99% Braemar Field (sports dome) 97% 93% 88% NA NA Trails 96% 81% 77% 84% 85% Braemar Arena (ice arena) 96% 90% 89% 78% 84% Large community athletic fields 95% 92% 92% 98% 98% Edina Aquatic Center 95% 88% 91% 95% 97% Braemar Golf Course 94% 85% 77% 88% 85% Braemar Golf Dome 94% 92% 88% NA NA Neighborhood parks 93% 88% 89% 85% 85% Edina Senior Center 89% 89% 89% 88% 81% Edinborough Park 88% 91% 87% 81% 86% Edina Art Center 88% 86% 79% 86% 88% Dog parks/off-leash areas 78% NA NA NA NA Note: between 35% and 68% of respondents selected “don’t know” when evaluating the quality of most parks and recreation amenities (see Appendix A: Responses to Survey Questions for a full set of responses including “don’t know”). Prior to 2015, “Edina Aquatic Center” and “Edina Senior Center” were “The Aquatic Center” and “The Senior Center.” * Differences in ratings between the 2011/2013 administrations and ratings from 2015 and onward may be due in part to the switch in methodology from a telephone to a mail survey. Changes in ratings between the 2011/2013 surveys and those from 2015 and onward are regarded as meaningful if the difference in is greater than 10 percentage points. Please see Appendix E: Survey Methodology for more information on how to interpret changes over time. Edina, MN 2019 Quality of Life Survey Report May 2019 Prepared by National Research Center, Inc. Page 34 Government Performance The Quality of Life survey measured aspects of the City government of government performance as well as contact with and evaluations of City staff. Value of Taxes Paid When thinking about the value of services for the taxes they pay to Edina, about three-quarters of survey respondents felt they get excellent or good value for the taxes paid. This high rating was similar to past survey years and higher than both the national and Minnesota comparison groups. Figure 28: Value of City Services by Year Percent excellent or good In 2013 and 2011 this question was worded "When you consider the property taxes you pay and the quality of city services you receive, would you rate the general value of city services as excellent, good, only fair, or poor?" * In 2011 and 2013, the survey was administered by telephone. Starting in 2015, the survey was administered via mail. Please see Appendix E: Survey Methodology for more information on how to interpret changes over time. Residents also indicated if they felt property taxes in Edina were high, about average or low. About 57% felt they were very or somewhat high. This rating was similar to 2017 and 2015. Figure 29: Property Tax Level by Year Considering your property taxes in comparison to neighboring cities, property taxes in Edina are… Percent very or somewhat high Responses not shown include "about average," "somewhat low" and "very low." See Appendix A: Responses to Survey Questions for all responses. In 2017 and 2015, the question was worded 'Thinking about your property taxes in comparison with neighboring cities, do you consider property taxes in Edina to be…?'. In 2013 and 2011 this question was worded "When you consider the property taxes you pay and the quality of city services you receive, would you rate the general value of city services as excellent, good, only fair, or poor?" * When comparing to ratings prior to 2015, differences may be in part due to the switch in methodology from a telephone to a mail survey (see Appendix E: Survey Methodology for more information on how to interpret changes over time). 80% 84% 78% 81% 78% 2011*2013*2015 2017 2019 50% 43% 55% 58% 57% 2011*2013*2015 2017 2019 Edina, MN 2019 Quality of Life Survey Report May 2019 Prepared by National Research Center, Inc. Page 35 Survey respondents shared their level of support or opposition for a property tax increase to maintain City services at their current level. About 4 in 10 strongly or somewhat supported a tax increase to maintain service levels. This rating was similar compared to 2017 and 2015. Figure 30: Support for Property Tax Increase by Year To what extent would you support or oppose an increase in your property taxes to maintain City services at their current level? Percent strongly or somewhat support In 2013 and 2011, this question was asked on a scale of favor or oppose. For comparison purposes, the strongly and somewhat support ratings from surveys starting in 2015 and newer were compared to 2013 and 2011 “favor” ratings while somewhat and strongly oppose were compared to oppose. * Differences in ratings between the 2011/2013 administrations and ratings from 2015 and onward may be due in part to the switch in methodology from a telephone to a mail survey. Changes in ratings between the 2011/2013 surveys and those from 2015 and onward are regarded as meaningful if the difference in is greater than 10 percentage points. Please see Appendix E: Survey Methodology for more information on how to interpret changes over time. 56% 68% 45% 44% 44% 2011*2013*2015 2017 2019 Edina, MN 2019 Quality of Life Survey Report May 2019 Prepared by National Research Center, Inc. Page 36 Trust in City Government Residents were asked if they thought things in Edina were generally headed in the right direction or if things are off track. About two-thirds of respondents felt things in the City were headed in the right direction; this rating was lower compared to 2017 and was the lowest rating to date. Figure 31: City Headed in Right Direction or on Wrong Track by Year All in all, do you think things in Edina are generally headed in the right direction, or do you feel things are on the wrong track? Percent right direction * Differences in ratings between the 2011/2013 administrations and ratings from 2015 and onward may be due in part to the switch in methodology from a telephone to a mail survey. Changes in ratings between the 2011/2013 surveys and those from 2015 and onward are regarded as meaningful if the difference in is greater than 10 percentage points. Please see Appendix E: Survey Methodology for more information on how to interpret changes over time. 93% 94% 73% 75% 66% 2011*2013*2015 2017 2019 Edina, MN 2019 Quality of Life Survey Report May 2019 Prepared by National Research Center, Inc. Page 37 The 34% of residents who indicated that things are on the wrong track could write in a reason for giving the rating they did. Of the 126 respondents who wrote in a response, 49% wrote comments related to poor development, overbuilding and density of the city (which is 17% of all respondents: 34% x 49%). About 13% wrote in comments related to affordable housing and cost of living and another 13% said the reason for their “wrong track” rating related to schools and education. Ten percent said they felt the City was on the wrong track due to the City government operations. Due to the varied responses, an “other” category was created (see Appendix B: Verbatim Responses to Survey Questions for a set of all written responses). Figure 32: City Headed in Right Direction or on Wrong Track, 2019 All in all, do you think things in Edina are generally headed in the right direction, or do you feel things are on the wrong track? Figure 33: Reasons for Wrong Track, 2019 All in all, do you think things in Edina are generally headed in the right direction, or do you feel things are on the wrong track? If wrong track, Why? Percent of respondents who selected “wrong track” If a respondent selected “wrong track,” they were given an opportunity to write in a response for why they feel the City is on the wrong track; 126 chose to write in a response. The responses were reviewed and grouped into the above categories. Please see Appendix B: Verbatim Responses to Survey Questions for the verbatim responses. Right direction 66% Wrong track 34% 16% 10% 13% 13% 49% Other City government (high taxes, not listening to residents, etc.) Schools/education Affordable housing/cost of living/teardowns Poor development/ overbuilding/ density of city Edina, MN 2019 Quality of Life Survey Report May 2019 Prepared by National Research Center, Inc. Page 38 About two-thirds of survey participants felt that they could have a say about the way things are run in the community other than by voting. This assessment was similar to those provided in 2017 and 2015. Figure 34: Opportunity for Residents to be Involved in How Edina is Run by Year Other than voting, do you think that if you wanted to, you could have a say about the way things are run in this community? Percent yes * Differences in ratings between the 2011/2013 administrations and ratings from 2015 and onward may be due in part to the switch in methodology from a telephone to a mail survey. Changes in ratings between the 2011/2013 surveys and those from 2015 and onward are regarded as meaningful if the difference in is greater than 10 percentage points. Please see Appendix E: Survey Methodology for more information on how to interpret changes over time. 84% 88% 64% 69% 68% 2011*2013*2015 2017 2019 Edina, MN 2019 Quality of Life Survey Report May 2019 Prepared by National Research Center, Inc. Page 39 The 32% of residents who felt that they could not have a say in the community could write in a response as to why. Of the 82 respondents who opted to write in a response, 33% wrote general comments related to the public voice not being heard or listened to (which is 11% of all respondents: 32% x 33%). One-quarter said that decisions are predetermined. Slightly fewer wrote in comments related biases toward commercial and wealthy or special interest groups (17%) and less than 1 in 10 wrote comments about communication issues. Due to the varied responses, an “other” category was created (see Appendix B: Verbatim Responses to Survey Questions.) Figure 35: Opportunity for Residents to be Involved in How Edina is Run, 2019 Other than voting, do you think that if you wanted to, you could have a say about the way things are run in this community? Figure 36: Reasons for Feeling Residents Don't Have a Say in How Edina is Run, 2019 Other than voting, do you think that if you wanted to, you could have a say about the way things are run in this community? If no, Why? Percent of respondents who said “no,” they could not have a say If a respondent said “no” to being able to have a say in how things are run in the community, they were given an opportunity to write in a reason why; 82 chose to write in a response. The responses were reviewed and grouped into the above categories. Please see Appendix B: Verbatim Responses to Survey Questions for the verbatim responses. Yes 68% No 32% 19% 8% 17% 23% 33% Other Communication issues (slow response time, unhelpfulness, etc.) Decisions are biased towards commerical, wealthy or special interests Decisions are predetermined Public voice not heard/listened to Edina, MN 2019 Quality of Life Survey Report May 2019 Prepared by National Research Center, Inc. Page 40 When rating four additional aspects of government performance, about 6 in 10 gave excellent or good reviews to each, including the City government generally acting in the best interest of the community, overall confidence in Edina government, Edina treating all residents fairly and the job the City does welcoming resident involvement. Generally, ratings have remained stable over time. However, evaluations of the overall confidence in the Edina government and the government generally acting in the best interest of the community have been declining since 2015. When compared to other communities across the nation and those in Minnesota, Edina residents’ ratings of aspects of public trust in the local government were similar to those of its peers. Figure 37: Aspects of Public Trust by Year Please rate each of the following categories of Edina government performance: Percent excellent or good 72% 72% 64% 70% 69% 69% 61% 69% 62% 64% 65% 65% Generally acting in the best interest of the community Overall confidence in Edina government The job Edina government does at welcoming resident involvement Treating all residents fairly 2019 2017 2015 Edina, MN 2019 Quality of Life Survey Report May 2019 Prepared by National Research Center, Inc. Page 41 Contact with City Departments In the 12 months prior to the survey, 60% of survey respondents reported having had contact with a City department. Of those who had contact, about one-quarter contacted the Police (25%) and 2 in 10 reported contacting General Information (22%) and Parks & Recreation (21%). Between 10% and 20% of those who had contacted a City department reached out to Building Inspections, Public Works, Street Maintenance, Utility Billing and Utilities. Less than 1 in 10 had contact with the remaining departments. Overall, rates of contact in 2019 were on par with those reported in 2017 and 2015. Table 1: Contact with City Departments by Year Which of the following departments have you had contact with in the past 12 months by email, phone or in person? (Please select all that apply.) 2019 2017 2015 2013* 2011* I have not contacted the City 40% 41% 43% 60% 68% Police 25% 23% 21% 14% 9% General information 22% 20% 15% 12% 7% Parks & Recreation 21% 25% 17% 13% 13% Public Works 14% 10% 12% 21% 27% Building Inspections 13% 12% 10% 10% 15% Street Maintenance 12% 7% 8% 0% 0% Utility Billing 12% 9% 7% 8% 0% Utilities 10% 8% 7% 0% 0% City Manager/Administration 9% 5% 3% 6% 5% City Clerk 8% 9% 7% 0% 1% Planning/Economic Development 7% 6% 5% 10% 8% Engineering 6% 6% 5% 1% 2% Assessing 5% 7% 5% 1% 6% Communications 5% 2% 2% 1% 0% Fire 5% 5% 5% 1% 1% Health 5% 4% 2% 2% 2% Human Resources 2% 1% 1% 0% 0% Finance 1% 0% 0% NA NA I.T./Technology services 0% 0% 0% 0% 3% Other 2% 3% 6% 0% 3% Total may exceed 100% as respondents could select more than one answer. In 2019, “Administration” was added to the “City Manager” response option. Respondents had the opportunity to write-in a response for “other;” these verbatim responses can be found in Appendix B: Verbatim Responses to Survey Questions. * Differences in ratings between the 2011/2013 administrations and ratings from 2015 and onward may be due in part to the switch in methodology from a telephone to a mail survey. Changes in ratings between the 2011/2013 surveys and those from 2015 and onward are regarded as meaningful if the difference in is greater than 10 percentage points. Please see Appendix E: Survey Methodology for more information on how to interpret changes over time. Edina, MN 2019 Quality of Life Survey Report May 2019 Prepared by National Research Center, Inc. Page 42 The 60% of survey respondents who reported having contacted a City department or office rated the overall customer service they received as well as their impression of the courtesy, knowledge, responsiveness and follow-up of the City employee(s). About 9 in 10 residents gave excellent or good reviews to the employee’s knowledge, courtesy, responsiveness and to the overall customer service received. Eighty-five percent gave favorable reviews to the follow-up provided by the City employee. Employee evaluations in 2019 were similar to 2017 and most have remained relatively stable since 2015. Where comparisons to other communities across the nation and those in Minnesota were available, Edina residents’ ratings of their impressions of employee(s) were similar, except for the overall customer service which was higher when compared to the nation. Figure 38: Impression of Employee(s) by Year Please rate your impression of City employees: Percent excellent or good Asked only of those who reported having contact with a City department in the last 12 months. * In 2011 and 2013, the survey was administered by telephone. Starting in 2015, the survey was administered via mail. Please see Appendix E: Survey Methodology for more information on how to interpret changes over time. 84% 83% 87% 83% 84% 86% 93% 91% 83% 85% 94% 94% 88% 85% 88% 92% 92% Overall customer service Follow-up (got back to you or took action if needed) Responsiveness Courtesy Knowledge 2019 2017 2015 2013* 2011* Edina, MN 2019 Quality of Life Survey Report May 2019 Prepared by National Research Center, Inc. Page 43 Public Information and Communication Respondents to the 2019 survey provided information about the sources they use to get information about the Edina government and its activities. Residents also evaluated various aspects of the City’s website. Information Sources When evaluating their use of various information sources about Edina government and its activities, the largest proportion of respondents said that word of mouth from friends, family or neighbors (85%) was a minor or major source of information. About three-quarters said that the About Town City magazine and the Parks & Recreation Activities Directory were at least a minor source of information (79% and 75%, respectively). The City website and direct mail updates were used by about two-thirds of residents as sources of information about the City. Respondents were less likely to use the City’s email subscription service, Edina TV and online web stream videos to get information about the City and its activities. Use of most sources to gain information about the City was similar in 2019 as in 2017. However, increases in use were observed for NextDoor, Edition: Edina monthly newsletter, social media, City employees, City Council members and the City’s email subscription service. Table 2: Information Sources by Year Please rate the extent to which you use each of the following as sources of information about Edina government and its activities, if at all. Percent major or minor source 2019 2017 2015 2013* 2011* Word of mouth from friends, family or neighbors 85% 89% 90% 77% 75% About Town City magazine 79% 82% 84% 91% 86% Parks & Recreation Activities Directory 75% 71% 68% 52% 41% City's website (www.EdinaMN.gov) 67% 61% 63% 51% 44% Direct mail updates 66% 62% 69% 54% 57% Edina Sun-Current newspaper 63% 64% 69% 92% 82% Star-Tribune newspaper 63% 63% 68% 71% 59% NextDoor 57% 49% 35% NA NA Edition: Edina monthly newsletter 56% 48% 57% NA NA Social media (e.g., Facebook, Twitter) 47% 40% 32% 14% 5% City employees 42% 31% 32% 41% 27% City Council Members 38% 26% 19% NA NA City's e-mail subscription service (City Extra) 29% 21% 20% 25% 16% Edina TV 25% 21% 20% 35% 34% Online web stream videos on YouTube or Granicus 12% 11% 9% 7% 6% Prior to 2019, "Edition: Edina monthly newsletter" was "Edition: Edina monthly insert in Edina Sun-Current newspaper” and "City's e-mail subscription service (City Extra)" was "City Extra e-mail subscription service." Prior to 2017, “Edina TV” was “Edina Channels 16 or 813.” * Differences in ratings between the 2011/2013 administrations and ratings from 2015 and onward may be due in part to the switch in methodology from a telephone to a mail survey. Changes in ratings between the 2011/2013 surveys and those from 2015 and onward are regarded as meaningful if the difference in is greater than 10 percentage points. Please see Appendix E: Survey Methodology for more information on how to interpret changes over time. Edina, MN 2019 Quality of Life Survey Report May 2019 Prepared by National Research Center, Inc. Page 44 Survey respondents assessed the effectiveness of About Town and Edition: Edina as communication tools for keeping informed of City activities. About 86% of residents felt About Town was at least somewhat effective, a rating that has remained stable since 2015. Figure 39: Effectiveness of the Magazine, About Town, by Year How effective, if at all, is About Town for keeping informed of City activities? Percent very or somewhat effective Prior to 2019, this was a stand-alone question, whereas in 2019 it was in a question grid along with the Edition: Edina. In 2013 and 2011, the scale was very effective, somewhat effective, not too effective and not at all effective. * Differences in ratings between the 2011/2013 administrations and ratings from 2015 and onward may be due in part to the switch in methodology from a telephone to a mail survey. Changes in ratings between the 2011/2013 surveys and those from 2015 and onward are regarded as meaningful if the difference in is greater than 10 percentage points. Please see Appendix E: Survey Methodology for more information on how to interpret changes over time. The 2019 survey was the first time residents evaluated the effectiveness of Edition: Edina. About 8 in 10 respondents felt it was a very or somewhat effective tool for keeping informed of City activities. About 1 in 10 felt it was somewhat ineffective and a similar proportion felt it was very ineffective. Figure 40: Effectiveness of the Newsletter, Edition: Edina, 2019 How effective, if at all, is Edition: Edina for keeping informed of City activities? Note: 43% of respondents selected “don’t know” when rating the effectiveness of Edition: Edina (see Appendix A: Responses to Survey Questions for a complete list of all responses including “don’t know”). 89% 92% 82% 80% 86% 2011*2013*2015 2017 2019 Very effective 24% Somewhat effective 57% Somewhat ineffective 8% Very ineffective 11% Edina, MN 2019 Quality of Life Survey Report May 2019 Prepared by National Research Center, Inc. Page 45 City Website When asked if they had accessed the City’s website in the 12 months prior to the survey, half of survey respondents indicated they had done so; this rating was similar to 2017 and 2015. Figure 41: Accessed City Website by Year Have you accessed the City of Edina website (www.EdinaMN.gov) in the last 12 months? Percent yes * Differences in ratings between the 2011/2013 administrations and ratings from 2015 and onward may be due in part to the switch in methodology from a telephone to a mail survey. Changes in ratings between the 2011/2013 surveys and those from 2015 and onward are regarded as meaningful if the difference in is greater than 10 percentage points. Please see Appendix E: Survey Methodology for more information on how to interpret changes over time. Of those who reported accessing the City’s website, three-quarters of residents felt that the overall quality of the website was excellent or good. This rating has remained stable since 2015 and was on par with the national and Minnesota benchmarks. Figure 42: Quality of City Website by Year Percent excellent or good Responses to this question are only from those who reported that they had accessed the City website. * Differences in ratings between the 2011/2013 administrations and ratings from 2015 and onward may be due in part to the switch in methodology from a telephone to a mail survey. Changes in ratings between the 2011/2013 surveys and those from 2015 and onward are regarded as meaningful if the difference in is greater than 10 percentage points. Please see Appendix E: Survey Methodology for more information on how to interpret changes over time. 58% 63% 47% 52% 50% 2011*2013*2015 2017 2019 82% 86% 73% 70% 75% 2011*2013*2015 2017 2019 Edina, MN 2019 Quality of Life Survey Report May 2019 Prepared by National Research Center, Inc. Page 46 Those who had accessed the website in the last 12 months also assessed the quality of three specific aspects of the website. About 85% gave top marks to the appearance of the website and about another 8 in 10 felt the information and services offered were excellent or good. About half gave positive ratings to the ease of navigation and their ability to find information. Evaluations in 2019 were similar to 2017. Comparisons for these aspects of the City’s website were available to other communities across the nation but not to those in Minnesota; Edina residents’ ratings of aspects of the City’s website were similar to those of its national peers. Figure 43: Aspects of City Website by Year Please rate the following aspects of the Edina website: Percent excellent or good Responses to this question are only from those who reported that they had accessed the City website. 58% 80% 86% 54% 75% 82% 56% 81% 85% Ease of navigation/ability to find information Online information and services offered Appearance 2019 2017 2015 Edina, MN 2019 Quality of Life Survey Report May 2019 Prepared by National Research Center, Inc. Page 47 Planning and Priorities The 2019 survey included several questions that gauged resident opinion on a number of issues facing the City, including City-run liquor stores, redevelopment and sustainability. Municipal Liquor Stores As in prior survey years, residents in 2019 rated their level of support for the City to continue to operate its municipal liquor stores. About 8 in 10 strongly or somewhat supported this proposal. Compared over time, the level of support has remained steady. Figure 44: Level of Support for Municipal Owned Liquor Stores by Year The City of Edina owns and operates three municipal liquor stores. Profits from Edina Liquor are used to offset operating costs and for capital expenses at recreational facilities. To what extent do you support the City continuing to operate its municipal liquor stores? Percent strongly or somewhat support Prior to 2017, the question wording was 'The City of Edina owns and operates three municipal liquor stores. Profits from the liquor operations are used for capital and public improvements and to offset operating costs of some recreation facilities. To what extent do you support the City continuing to operate its municipal liquor stores?' In 2013 and 2011, this question was asked on a scale of favor or oppose. For comparison purposes, the 2015 and 2017 ratings for strongly support and somewhat support were compared to 2013 and 2011 ratings for favor. * Differences in ratings between the 2011/2013 administrations and ratings from 2015 and onward may be due in part to the switch in methodology from a telephone to a mail survey. Changes in ratings between the 2011/2013 surveys and those from 2015 and onward are regarded as meaningful if the difference in is greater than 10 percentage points. Please see Appendix E: Survey Methodology for more information on how to interpret changes over time. 92% 95% 86% 88% 88% 2011*2013*2015 2017 2019 Edina, MN 2019 Quality of Life Survey Report May 2019 Prepared by National Research Center, Inc. Page 48 Redevelopment in Edina About 6 in 10 residents felt positively about the overall quality of residential and commercial redevelopment in Edina. However, ratings for the quality of commercial redevelopment decreased from 2017 to 2019 and ratings for the quality of residential redevelopment have been trending down since 2015. Figure 45: Quality of Redevelopment in Edina by Year Please rate each of the following characteristics as they relate to Edina as a whole: Percent excellent or good In 2013 and 2011, survey respondents were only asked to rate the quality of redevelopment in Edina while 2017 and 2015 survey respondents were asked to consider residential and commercial redevelopment separately. * Differences in ratings between the 2011/2013 administrations and ratings from 2015 and onward may be due in part to the switch in methodology from a telephone to a mail survey. Changes in ratings between the 2011/2013 surveys and those from 2015 and onward are regarded as meaningful if the difference in is greater than 10 percentage points. Please see Appendix E: Survey Methodology for more information on how to interpret changes over time. When asked how well, if at all, they felt the City does managing tensions in the community related to residential redevelopment in Edina, only about half of residents felt the City manages tensions very or somewhat well. This was a decline from 2017 and 2015. Figure 46: How Well the City Manages Redevelopment Tensions by Year How well, if at all, do you feel the City is managing tensions in the community related to residential redevelopment in Edina? Percent very or somewhat well 58% 63% 71% 71% 67% 72% 62% 63% Overall quality of residential redevelopment in Edina Overall quality of commercial redevelopment in Edina 2019 2017 2015 2013* 2011* 67% 68% 51% 2015 2017 2019 Edina, MN 2019 Quality of Life Survey Report May 2019 Prepared by National Research Center, Inc. Page 49 Sustainability and Climate Change Three new questions were included on the 2019 survey to measure resident perspectives on climate change in Edina. Residents were provided four statements about actions the City could take related to climate change and rated their level of agreement with each. Overall, at least three-quarters of respondents agreed with each statement and close to half strongly agreed with each. Most survey respondents agreed that the City should enact ordinances and regulations intended to increase energy efficiency and climate resiliency, require higher green building standards, invest in renewable energy to get to net zero emissions and invest in programs and create policies to address climate change. Figure 47: Level of Agreement with Statements about Climate Change, 2019 How strongly do you agree or disagree with each of the following statements? 46% 47% 49% 47% 29% 31% 29% 33% 10% 10% 12% 9% 15% 12% 10% 11% Our City should invest in programs and create policies to address climate change Our City should invest in renewable energy and test technologies to get to net zero emissions Our City should enact ordinances and programs requiring higher green building and development standards Our City should enact ordinances and regulations intended to increase energy efficiency and climate resiliency Strongly agree Somewhat agree Somewhat disagree Strongly disagree Edina, MN 2019 Quality of Life Survey Report May 2019 Prepared by National Research Center, Inc. Page 50 Survey respondents evaluated the quality of eight sustainability services provided by the City. Most received excellent or good reviews from about 6 in 10 or more respondents. The most positively rated programs or services included energy conservation and efficiency programs (74% excellent or good) and fostering natural habitats in public spaces (73%). Residents gave lower quality ratings to composting collection services (52%). Figure 48: Quality of Sustainability Services Provided by the City, 2019 Rate the quality of each of the following services provided by the City of Edina. Note: at least 33% of respondents selected “don’t know” when rating the quality of most of the sustainability services provided by Edina (see Appendix A: Responses to Survey Questions for a complete list of all responses including “don’t know”). 15% 15% 16% 14% 17% 15% 20% 15% 37% 42% 43% 48% 47% 49% 53% 59% 24% 34% 32% 29% 31% 29% 23% 25% 24% 10% 9% 8% 6% 7% 3% 1% Composting collection services Transportation emission reduction (i.e. bike lanes and public EV charging) Adapting to climate change Encouraging natural habitat on residential and commercial land Water conservation programs Increasing renewable energy programs Fostering natural habitats in public spaces Energy conservation and efficiency programs Excellent Good Fair Poor Edina, MN 2019 Quality of Life Survey Report May 2019 Prepared by National Research Center, Inc. Page 51 Residents also rated the importance of the same eight sustainability services. The most important services were water conservation programs (78% essential or very important), fostering natural habitats in public spaces (73%) and energy conservation and efficiency programs (71%). Encouraging natural habitat on residential and commercial land (62%) and transportation emission reduction (60%) were of relatively lower importance. Figure 49: Importance of Sustainability Services Provided by the City, 2019 Rate how important, if at all, each service is to the Edina community. 29% 27% 37% 36% 31% 36% 32% 37% 31% 35% 26% 31% 37% 35% 41% 41% 24% 31% 23% 24% 25% 22% 24% 19% 16% 7% 14% 9% 7% 7% 3% 4% Transportation emission reduction (i.e. bike lanes and public EV charging) Encouraging natural habitat on residential and commercial land Adapting to climate change Increasing renewable energy programs Composting collection services Energy conservation and efficiency programs Fostering natural habitats in public spaces Water conservation programs Essential Very important Somewhat important Not at all important Edina, MN 2019 Quality of Life Survey Report May 2019 Prepared by National Research Center, Inc. Page 52 Appendix A: Responses to Survey Questions The full set of responses to each survey question are displayed in the tables in this appendix. Many survey questions included a “don’t know” response option. Most of the analyses in the body of the report were for respondents who had an opinion as eliminating “don’t know” responses allows for easier comparison between evaluative responses. For questions that included a don’t know response, two sets of tables are provided in this appendix; the first with the “don’t know” responses excluded, to show the proportion of respondents with an opinion giving a response; and the second with the “don’t know” responses included, to allow examination of the magnitude of unfamiliarity with certain items. Table 3: Question 1 - Excluding Don't Know Responses How would you rate the quality of life in Edina? Percent Number Excellent 50% N=204 Good 48% N=197 Fair 2% N=7 Poor 0% N=0 Total 100% N=408 Table 4: Question 1 - Including Don't Know Responses How would you rate the quality of life in Edina? Percent Number Excellent 50% N=204 Good 48% N=197 Fair 2% N=7 Poor 0% N=0 Don't know 0% N=0 Total 100% N=408 Edina, MN 2019 Quality of Life Survey Report May 2019 Prepared by National Research Center, Inc. Page 53 Table 5: Question 2 - Excluding Don't Know Responses Please rate each of the following characteristics as they relate to Edina as a community: Excellent Good Fair Poor Total Overall feeling of safety in Edina 60% N=253 36% N=151 4% N=19 0% N=0 100% N=423 Overall ease of getting to the places you usually have to visit 41% N=172 45% N=190 12% N=52 1% N=6 100% N=420 Quality of overall natural environment in Edina 40% N=165 52% N=214 8% N=34 1% N=2 100% N=416 Overall established "built environment" of Edina (including overall design, buildings, parks and transportation systems) 26% N=109 54% N=224 17% N=72 3% N=13 100% N=418 Health and wellness opportunities in Edina 45% N=180 49% N=196 7% N=27 0% N=0 100% N=404 Overall opportunities for education and enrichment 47% N=184 47% N=186 6% N=22 0% N=0 100% N=393 Overall economic health of Edina 46% N=181 48% N=192 5% N=21 0% N=2 100% N=396 Sense of community 32% N=130 43% N=175 21% N=88 4% N=17 100% N=410 Overall image or reputation of Edina 46% N=192 43% N=182 9% N=38 2% N=6 100% N=418 Neighborliness of residents in Edina 33% N=138 43% N=176 20% N=81 4% N=17 100% N=413 Table 6: Question 2 - Including Don't Know Responses Please rate each of the following characteristics as they relate to Edina as a community: Excellent Good Fair Poor Don't know Total Overall feeling of safety in Edina 60% N=253 36% N=151 4% N=19 0% N=0 0% N=0 100% N=423 Overall ease of getting to the places you usually have to visit 41% N=172 45% N=190 12% N=52 1% N=6 0% N=0 100% N=420 Quality of overall natural environment in Edina 39% N=165 51% N=214 8% N=34 1% N=2 1% N=5 100% N=421 Overall established "built environment" of Edina (including overall design, buildings, parks and transportation systems) 26% N=109 53% N=224 17% N=72 3% N=13 1% N=3 100% N=420 Health and wellness opportunities in Edina 43% N=180 46% N=196 6% N=27 0% N=0 4% N=19 100% N=423 Overall opportunities for education and enrichment 44% N=184 44% N=186 5% N=22 0% N=0 6% N=27 100% N=420 Overall economic health of Edina 43% N=181 46% N=192 5% N=21 0% N=2 5% N=22 100% N=418 Sense of community 31% N=130 42% N=175 21% N=88 4% N=17 2% N=9 100% N=419 Overall image or reputation of Edina 46% N=192 43% N=182 9% N=38 2% N=6 1% N=3 100% N=421 Neighborliness of residents in Edina 33% N=138 42% N=176 19% N=81 4% N=17 1% N=5 100% N=417 Edina, MN 2019 Quality of Life Survey Report May 2019 Prepared by National Research Center, Inc. Page 54 Table 7: Question 3 - Excluding Don't Know Responses Please indicate how likely or unlikely you are to do each of the following: Very likely Somewhat likely Somewhat unlikely Very unlikely Total Recommend living in Edina to someone who asks 65% N=270 29% N=121 4% N=18 2% N=6 100% N=415 Remain in Edina for the next five years 64% N=254 25% N=100 6% N=23 4% N=18 100% N=394 Table 8: Question 3 - Including Don't Know Responses Please indicate how likely or unlikely you are to do each of the following: Very likely Somewhat likely Somewhat unlikely Very unlikely Don't know Total Recommend living in Edina to someone who asks 65% N=270 29% N=121 4% N=18 2% N=6 0% N=1 100% N=416 Remain in Edina for the next five years 62% N=254 24% N=100 6% N=23 4% N=18 4% N=16 100% N=411 Table 9: Question 4 Why did you choose to live in Edina? Percent Number Safe community 55% N=232 Good schools 52% N=220 Attractive community 48% N=204 Good neighborhoods 48% N=202 Amenities (e.g., parks, library, etc.) 41% N=175 Job was here (or nearby) 35% N=149 Family lives here/born or raised here 28% N=118 Affordable housing 15% N=63 Other 8% N=36 Other: Location/convenience 6% N=25 Total may exceed 100% as respondents could select more than one answer. Respondents were given an opportunity to write-in an “other” response. Please see Appendix B: Verbatim Responses to Survey Questions for the verbatim responses. Edina, MN 2019 Quality of Life Survey Report May 2019 Prepared by National Research Center, Inc. Page 55 Table 10: Question 5 What one thing do you like most, if anything, about living in Edina? Percent Number Convenient location/ accessibility/ walkability 40% N=144 Raised here or close to family, job, etc. 3% N=11 Housing/neighborhood 2% N=8 Schools 10% N=36 Safe 13% N=45 Parks and trails/recreation centers/open spaces 4% N=15 Sense of community (friendly, quiet, peaceful, etc.) 4% N=13 Beauty/cleanliness of community 6% N=21 Public services 5% N=17 Positive comments about quality of life and community 8% N=29 Other 5% N=18 Don't know/NA 0% N=0 Total 100% N=358 Respondents were given an opportunity to write-in a response. The responses were reviewed and grouped into the above categories. Please see Appendix B: Verbatim Responses to Survey Questions for the verbatim responses. Edina, MN 2019 Quality of Life Survey Report May 2019 Prepared by National Research Center, Inc. Page 56 Table 11: Question 6 What would you say is the most serious issue facing Edina at this time? Percent Number Growth/overcrowding 7% N=24 City government (fiscal responsibility, taxes, planning, etc.) 6% N=20 Traffic and infrastructure (road maintenance, snow removal, sidewalks, etc.) 16% N=58 Lack of diversity and sense of community 7% N=25 Schools/education 10% N=37 Housing concerns (teardowns, overdevelopment, affordability, etc.) 35% N=123 Safety 4% N=14 Other 11% N=38 Don't know/unsure 5% N=17 Total 100% N=357 Respondents were given an opportunity to write-in a response. The responses were reviewed and grouped into the above categories. Please see Appendix B: Verbatim Responses to Survey Questions for the verbatim responses. Table 12: Question 7 - Excluding Don't Know Responses Please rate how safe or unsafe you feel: Very safe Somewhat safe Neither safe nor unsafe Somewhat unsafe Very unsafe Total In your neighborhood 78% N=328 19% N=81 2% N=9 1% N=3 0% N=0 100% N=420 In the 50th & France area (downtown area) 68% N=266 26% N=103 4% N=15 2% N=8 0% N=0 100% N=393 In the Southdale area 41% N=169 39% N=162 12% N=49 7% N=29 1% N=6 100% N=414 Edina, MN 2019 Quality of Life Survey Report May 2019 Prepared by National Research Center, Inc. Page 57 Table 13: Question 7 - Including Don't Know Responses Please rate how safe or unsafe you feel: Very safe Somewhat safe Neither safe nor unsafe Somewhat unsafe Very unsafe Don't know Total In your neighborhood 78% N=328 19% N=81 2% N=9 1% N=3 0% N=0 0% N=0 100% N=420 In the 50th & France area (downtown area) 65% N=266 25% N=103 4% N=15 2% N=8 0% N=0 5% N=19 100% N=412 In the Southdale area 40% N=169 39% N=162 12% N=49 7% N=29 1% N=6 1% N=4 100% N=418 Table 14: Question 8 - Excluding Don't Know Responses Please rate how welcoming Edina is as a community: Very welcoming Welcoming Somewhat welcoming Not welcoming Total For people who are Asian, Asian Indian or Pacific Islander 29% N=68 45% N=107 24% N=58 2% N=5 100% N=238 For people who are Black or African American 23% N=57 26% N=64 33% N=83 18% N=45 100% N=250 For people who are Hispanic 22% N=52 29% N=69 34% N=80 15% N=35 100% N=236 For people who are American Indian or Alaskan Native 25% N=52 30% N=61 29% N=58 17% N=34 100% N=205 For people who are White 62% N=230 30% N=111 6% N=23 2% N=6 100% N=371 For people whose first language is not English 23% N=58 29% N=70 36% N=88 12% N=30 100% N=246 For people who are not U.S. citizens 25% N=57 25% N=56 31% N=71 18% N=42 100% N=226 For people who have a lower income 18% N=49 19% N=52 31% N=85 31% N=84 100% N=270 For people who are of Christian faith 49% N=147 42% N=127 9% N=27 0% N=1 100% N=302 For people who are of Jewish faith 36% N=90 46% N=112 16% N=39 2% N=5 100% N=246 For people who are of Muslim faith 22% N=49 24% N=53 34% N=76 21% N=46 100% N=224 For people who are of Buddhist faith 24% N=47 31% N=60 34% N=66 10% N=20 100% N=193 For people who are of Hindu faith 26% N=53 28% N=57 33% N=67 12% N=25 100% N=202 For people who are agnostic or atheist 30% N=65 39% N=83 23% N=49 8% N=17 100% N=213 Edina, MN 2019 Quality of Life Survey Report May 2019 Prepared by National Research Center, Inc. Page 58 Table 15: Question 8 - Including Don't Know Responses Please rate how welcoming Edina is as a community: Very welcoming Welcoming Somewhat welcoming Not welcoming Don't know Total For people who are Asian, Asian Indian or Pacific Islander 17% N=68 27% N=107 15% N=58 1% N=5 39% N=154 100% N=392 For people who are Black or African American 15% N=57 16% N=64 21% N=83 11% N=45 37% N=146 100% N=396 For people who are Hispanic 13% N=52 18% N=69 21% N=80 9% N=35 39% N=154 100% N=390 For people who are American Indian or Alaskan Native 13% N=52 16% N=61 15% N=58 9% N=34 47% N=183 100% N=388 For people who are White 57% N=230 27% N=111 6% N=23 2% N=6 9% N=35 100% N=407 For people whose first language is not English 15% N=58 18% N=70 23% N=88 8% N=30 37% N=145 100% N=391 For people who are not U.S. citizens 14% N=57 14% N=56 18% N=71 10% N=42 43% N=170 100% N=396 For people who have a lower income 12% N=49 13% N=52 21% N=85 21% N=84 32% N=126 100% N=396 For people who are of Christian faith 37% N=147 32% N=127 7% N=27 0% N=1 25% N=100 100% N=402 For people who are of Jewish faith 23% N=90 29% N=112 10% N=39 1% N=5 37% N=147 100% N=393 For people who are of Muslim faith 12% N=49 13% N=53 19% N=76 12% N=46 43% N=169 100% N=394 For people who are of Buddhist faith 12% N=47 15% N=60 17% N=66 5% N=20 51% N=199 100% N=392 For people who are of Hindu faith 14% N=53 15% N=57 17% N=67 6% N=25 48% N=189 100% N=391 For people who are agnostic or atheist 17% N=65 21% N=83 12% N=49 4% N=17 46% N=179 100% N=392 Edina, MN 2019 Quality of Life Survey Report May 2019 Prepared by National Research Center, Inc. Page 59 Table 16: Question 9 - Excluding Don't Know Responses Please rate each of the following characteristics as they relate to Edina as a whole: Excellent Good Fair Poor Total Traffic flow on major streets 9% N=39 44% N=182 33% N=138 13% N=56 100% N=415 Ease of public parking 13% N=52 49% N=200 33% N=134 6% N=26 100% N=411 Ease of travel by car in Edina 25% N=102 51% N=208 19% N=78 6% N=23 100% N=411 Ease of travel by public transportation in Edina 12% N=28 33% N=78 26% N=61 28% N=67 100% N=234 Ease of travel by bicycle in Edina 22% N=72 43% N=139 25% N=80 11% N=35 100% N=326 Ease of walking in Edina 27% N=110 38% N=154 26% N=104 9% N=35 100% N=404 Availability of paths and walking trails 36% N=146 43% N=171 17% N=70 3% N=13 100% N=400 Air quality 38% N=151 51% N=202 9% N=36 2% N=7 100% N=396 Cleanliness of Edina 50% N=207 45% N=186 5% N=22 0% N=1 100% N=416 Public places where people want to spend time 39% N=158 47% N=188 12% N=48 2% N=7 100% N=401 Variety of housing options 17% N=63 34% N=126 36% N=135 13% N=49 100% N=373 Availability of affordable quality housing 12% N=41 20% N=67 37% N=122 31% N=104 100% N=334 Fitness opportunities (including exercise classes and paths or trails, etc.) 41% N=165 43% N=174 14% N=56 2% N=8 100% N=403 Recreational opportunities 42% N=163 45% N=176 13% N=50 1% N=2 100% N=391 K-12 education 57% N=203 33% N=116 7% N=26 3% N=9 100% N=354 Adult educational opportunities 43% N=150 46% N=161 10% N=36 1% N=5 100% N=352 Opportunities to attend cultural/arts/music activities 32% N=120 45% N=168 20% N=76 3% N=12 100% N=376 Employment opportunities 30% N=77 40% N=102 27% N=69 2% N=6 100% N=254 Shopping opportunities 56% N=228 37% N=153 7% N=27 0% N=2 100% N=410 Cost of living in Edina 11% N=44 40% N=161 38% N=152 12% N=47 100% N=404 Overall quality of business and service establishments in Edina 36% N=145 57% N=229 8% N=31 0% N=0 100% N=404 Overall quality of commercial redevelopment in Edina 21% N=75 43% N=155 28% N=100 9% N=32 100% N=363 Overall quality of residential redevelopment in Edina 18% N=67 45% N=169 25% N=95 13% N=48 100% N=378 Opportunities to participate in social events and activities 27% N=100 51% N=191 20% N=74 3% N=10 100% N=375 Opportunities to volunteer 34% N=115 47% N=158 16% N=55 3% N=10 100% N=339 Opportunities to participate in community matters 33% N=113 44% N=151 19% N=67 4% N=15 100% N=346 Edina, MN 2019 Quality of Life Survey Report May 2019 Prepared by National Research Center, Inc. Page 60 Table 17: Question 9 - Including Don't Know Responses Please rate each of the following characteristics as they relate to Edina as a whole: Excellent Good Fair Poor Don't know Total Traffic flow on major streets 9% N=39 44% N=182 33% N=138 13% N=56 0% N=0 100% N=415 Ease of public parking 12% N=52 48% N=200 32% N=134 6% N=26 1% N=4 100% N=415 Ease of travel by car in Edina 25% N=102 50% N=208 19% N=78 6% N=23 1% N=2 100% N=413 Ease of travel by public transportation in Edina 7% N=28 19% N=78 15% N=61 16% N=67 43% N=176 100% N=410 Ease of travel by bicycle in Edina 18% N=72 34% N=139 19% N=80 8% N=35 21% N=85 100% N=411 Ease of walking in Edina 27% N=110 37% N=154 25% N=104 9% N=35 2% N=8 100% N=413 Availability of paths and walking trails 35% N=146 42% N=171 17% N=70 3% N=13 3% N=12 100% N=411 Air quality 37% N=151 49% N=202 9% N=36 2% N=7 4% N=15 100% N=411 Cleanliness of Edina 50% N=207 45% N=186 5% N=22 0% N=1 0% N=2 100% N=418 Public places where people want to spend time 38% N=158 46% N=188 12% N=48 2% N=7 2% N=9 100% N=411 Variety of housing options 15% N=63 31% N=126 33% N=135 12% N=49 10% N=40 100% N=412 Availability of affordable quality housing 10% N=41 17% N=67 30% N=122 25% N=104 18% N=73 100% N=407 Fitness opportunities (including exercise classes and paths or trails, etc.) 40% N=165 42% N=174 14% N=56 2% N=8 2% N=8 100% N=410 Recreational opportunities 40% N=163 43% N=176 12% N=50 1% N=2 5% N=19 100% N=410 K-12 education 49% N=203 28% N=116 6% N=26 2% N=9 14% N=58 100% N=412 Adult educational opportunities 37% N=150 40% N=161 9% N=36 1% N=5 14% N=55 100% N=408 Opportunities to attend cultural/arts/music activities 29% N=120 41% N=168 19% N=76 3% N=12 8% N=34 100% N=410 Employment opportunities 19% N=77 25% N=102 17% N=69 1% N=6 38% N=155 100% N=409 Shopping opportunities 56% N=228 37% N=153 7% N=27 0% N=2 0% N=0 100% N=410 Cost of living in Edina 11% N=44 39% N=161 37% N=152 11% N=47 2% N=9 100% N=412 Overall quality of business and service establishments in Edina 35% N=145 56% N=229 7% N=31 0% N=0 2% N=7 100% N=411 Overall quality of commercial redevelopment in Edina 18% N=75 38% N=155 25% N=100 8% N=32 11% N=44 100% N=407 Overall quality of residential redevelopment in Edina 16% N=67 41% N=169 23% N=95 12% N=48 7% N=31 100% N=408 Edina, MN 2019 Quality of Life Survey Report May 2019 Prepared by National Research Center, Inc. Page 61 Please rate each of the following characteristics as they relate to Edina as a whole: Excellent Good Fair Poor Don't know Total Opportunities to participate in social events and activities 24% N=100 47% N=191 18% N=74 2% N=10 9% N=36 100% N=411 Opportunities to volunteer 28% N=115 39% N=158 13% N=55 2% N=10 18% N=73 100% N=411 Opportunities to participate in community matters 27% N=113 37% N=151 16% N=67 4% N=15 16% N=64 100% N=410 Table 18: Question 10 - Excluding Don't Know Responses Please rate the following aspects of drinking water in Edina: Excellent Good Fair Poor Total Appearance 36% N=147 48% N=197 10% N=39 6% N=25 100% N=409 Taste 23% N=95 36% N=147 24% N=96 17% N=71 100% N=410 Odor 29% N=116 38% N=153 22% N=90 10% N=41 100% N=401 Hardness 13% N=51 22% N=84 24% N=92 41% N=155 100% N=381 Reliability 40% N=160 43% N=170 11% N=44 6% N=22 100% N=395 Safety 40% N=142 43% N=155 11% N=39 6% N=22 100% N=357 Table 19: Question 10 - Including Don't Know Responses Please rate the following aspects of drinking water in Edina: Excellent Good Fair Poor Don't know Total Appearance 35% N=147 47% N=197 9% N=39 6% N=25 2% N=8 100% N=417 Taste 23% N=95 35% N=147 23% N=96 17% N=71 2% N=8 100% N=418 Odor 28% N=116 37% N=153 22% N=90 10% N=41 3% N=13 100% N=414 Hardness 12% N=51 20% N=84 22% N=92 37% N=155 8% N=34 100% N=414 Reliability 39% N=160 41% N=170 11% N=44 5% N=22 5% N=19 100% N=415 Safety 34% N=142 37% N=155 9% N=39 5% N=22 14% N=59 100% N=416 Edina, MN 2019 Quality of Life Survey Report May 2019 Prepared by National Research Center, Inc. Page 62 Table 20: Question 11 - Excluding Don't Know Responses Please rate how much of a problem, if at all, you feel each of the following is in Edina. Not a problem Minor problem Moderate problem Major problem Extreme problem Total Traffic speeding in your neighborhood 27% N=110 32% N=130 27% N=113 9% N=37 5% N=21 100% N=411 Stop sign violations in your neighborhood 38% N=147 32% N=125 19% N=75 6% N=23 5% N=20 100% N=389 Violent crime 77% N=284 19% N=72 4% N=14 0% N=0 0% N=0 100% N=370 Drugs 65% N=193 22% N=67 11% N=33 2% N=5 0% N=1 100% N=300 Youth crimes 56% N=178 33% N=105 9% N=28 2% N=6 0% N=0 100% N=318 Vandalism and property crimes 43% N=152 38% N=135 15% N=54 3% N=12 0% N=1 100% N=353 Identity theft 54% N=128 30% N=72 13% N=31 1% N=1 2% N=4 100% N=236 Domestic abuse 66% N=128 27% N=53 6% N=12 0% N=0 0% N=0 100% N=193 Table 21: Question 11 - Including Don't Know Responses Please rate how much of a problem, if at all, you feel each of the following is in Edina. Not a problem Minor problem Moderate problem Major problem Extreme problem Don't know Total Traffic speeding in your neighborhood 26% N=110 31% N=130 27% N=113 9% N=37 5% N=21 2% N=7 100% N=418 Stop sign violations in your neighborhood 35% N=147 30% N=125 18% N=75 5% N=23 5% N=20 6% N=26 100% N=415 Violent crime 68% N=284 17% N=72 3% N=14 0% N=0 0% N=0 11% N=46 100% N=417 Drugs 46% N=193 16% N=67 8% N=33 1% N=5 0% N=1 28% N=117 100% N=416 Youth crimes 43% N=178 25% N=105 7% N=28 1% N=6 0% N=0 23% N=97 100% N=414 Vandalism and property crimes 37% N=152 32% N=135 13% N=54 3% N=12 0% N=1 15% N=62 100% N=415 Identity theft 31% N=128 17% N=72 7% N=31 0% N=1 1% N=4 43% N=179 100% N=415 Domestic abuse 31% N=128 13% N=53 3% N=12 0% N=0 0% N=0 53% N=221 100% N=414 Edina, MN 2019 Quality of Life Survey Report May 2019 Prepared by National Research Center, Inc. Page 63 Table 22: Question 12 (Use) First, tell us about how many times in the last 12 months, if ever, you or other household members used any of the following Edina Parks & Recreation Department amenities. Never Once or twice 3 to 12 times 13 to 26 times More than 26 times Total Trails 19% N=77 15% N=59 28% N=113 13% N=52 24% N=96 100% N=398 Dog parks/off-leash areas 79% N=313 7% N=27 7% N=29 3% N=12 4% N=16 100% N=397 Neighborhood parks 29% N=116 15% N=60 28% N=110 11% N=46 17% N=68 100% N=400 Large community athletic fields 60% N=238 14% N=54 12% N=49 6% N=23 8% N=33 100% N=396 Edinborough Park 52% N=207 27% N=106 11% N=42 5% N=19 6% N=25 100% N=399 Centennial Lakes Park 19% N=76 22% N=89 25% N=101 15% N=60 18% N=72 100% N=398 Edina Aquatic Center 66% N=265 13% N=50 11% N=46 6% N=26 4% N=15 100% N=401 Edina Senior Center 71% N=285 12% N=48 12% N=47 3% N=12 2% N=8 100% N=399 Braemar Arena (ice arena) 60% N=239 17% N=67 13% N=53 4% N=17 6% N=25 100% N=401 Edina Art Center 75% N=301 16% N=63 5% N=20 2% N=9 1% N=6 100% N=399 Braemar Golf Course 80% N=319 8% N=32 7% N=28 1% N=6 4% N=14 100% N=398 Braemar Golf Dome 75% N=301 11% N=43 6% N=25 3% N=12 5% N=19 100% N=400 Braemar Field (sports dome) 82% N=331 8% N=33 4% N=18 2% N=7 3% N=13 100% N=401 Edina, MN 2019 Quality of Life Survey Report May 2019 Prepared by National Research Center, Inc. Page 64 Table 23: Question 12 (Quality) - Excluding Don't Know Responses Then please rate the quality of each, regardless of your household’s use of the amenities. Excellent Good Fair Poor Total Trails 50% N=151 46% N=141 4% N=13 0% N=0 100% N=304 Dog parks/off-leash areas 19% N=19 59% N=59 14% N=14 8% N=8 100% N=100 Neighborhood parks 45% N=120 48% N=130 7% N=18 0% N=0 100% N=268 Large community athletic fields 46% N=81 49% N=87 5% N=8 0% N=0 100% N=175 Edinborough Park 45% N=92 43% N=89 11% N=22 1% N=2 100% N=205 Centennial Lakes Park 60% N=183 40% N=122 1% N=2 0% N=0 100% N=307 Edina Aquatic Center 45% N=76 49% N=83 5% N=9 0% N=0 100% N=169 Edina Senior Center 39% N=54 50% N=71 10% N=14 1% N=2 100% N=141 Braemar Arena (ice arena) 56% N=98 40% N=71 2% N=4 1% N=2 100% N=176 Edina Art Center 38% N=44 50% N=58 11% N=13 2% N=2 100% N=117 Braemar Golf Course 44% N=42 50% N=48 5% N=5 1% N=1 100% N=96 Braemar Golf Dome 51% N=61 42% N=50 4% N=5 3% N=3 100% N=118 Braemar Field (sports dome) 43% N=38 54% N=47 2% N=2 1% N=1 100% N=87 Edina, MN 2019 Quality of Life Survey Report May 2019 Prepared by National Research Center, Inc. Page 65 Table 24: Question 12 (Quality) - Including Don't Know Responses Then please rate the quality of each, regardless of your household’s use of the amenities. Excellent Good Fair Poor Don't know Total Trails 44% N=151 41% N=141 4% N=13 0% N=0 11% N=36 100% N=340 Dog parks/off-leash areas 7% N=19 21% N=59 5% N=14 3% N=8 65% N=182 100% N=282 Neighborhood parks 36% N=120 39% N=130 5% N=18 0% N=0 20% N=66 100% N=334 Large community athletic fields 27% N=81 29% N=87 3% N=8 0% N=0 42% N=125 100% N=301 Edinborough Park 29% N=92 28% N=89 7% N=22 1% N=2 35% N=109 100% N=314 Centennial Lakes Park 54% N=183 36% N=122 1% N=2 0% N=0 10% N=34 100% N=342 Edina Aquatic Center 25% N=76 27% N=83 3% N=9 0% N=0 44% N=134 100% N=303 Edina Senior Center 18% N=54 24% N=71 5% N=14 1% N=2 53% N=158 100% N=299 Braemar Arena (ice arena) 32% N=98 23% N=71 1% N=4 1% N=2 42% N=127 100% N=303 Edina Art Center 15% N=44 20% N=58 4% N=13 1% N=2 60% N=175 100% N=292 Braemar Golf Course 15% N=42 17% N=48 2% N=5 0% N=1 66% N=191 100% N=287 Braemar Golf Dome 21% N=61 17% N=50 2% N=5 1% N=3 60% N=176 100% N=294 Braemar Field (sports dome) 14% N=38 17% N=47 1% N=2 0% N=1 68% N=190 100% N=277 Table 25: Question 13 - Excluding Don't Know Responses Please rate the quality of each of the following services in Edina: Excellent Good Fair Poor Total Police services 62% N=227 30% N=110 7% N=26 1% N=3 100% N=366 Fire services 69% N=227 29% N=95 1% N=4 0% N=1 100% N=328 Ambulance or emergency medical services 69% N=206 29% N=85 2% N=6 0% N=1 100% N=297 Crime prevention 45% N=140 49% N=154 4% N=13 2% N=5 100% N=312 Fire prevention and education 49% N=129 47% N=123 3% N=8 1% N=2 100% N=263 Traffic enforcement 34% N=124 47% N=172 14% N=52 5% N=17 100% N=364 Street repair 17% N=68 42% N=165 33% N=130 7% N=27 100% N=390 Street cleaning 34% N=131 47% N=185 18% N=70 1% N=5 100% N=391 Street lighting 30% N=118 47% N=186 18% N=70 6% N=22 100% N=396 Snow removal 57% N=230 30% N=121 10% N=41 3% N=12 100% N=404 Sidewalk maintenance 30% N=100 49% N=166 17% N=58 4% N=13 100% N=337 Edina, MN 2019 Quality of Life Survey Report May 2019 Prepared by National Research Center, Inc. Page 66 Please rate the quality of each of the following services in Edina: Excellent Good Fair Poor Total Traffic signal timing 21% N=80 48% N=184 24% N=91 7% N=28 100% N=383 Bus or transit services 24% N=51 38% N=81 21% N=44 17% N=36 100% N=212 Garbage collection 44% N=164 45% N=168 9% N=32 2% N=7 100% N=372 Recycling 41% N=153 42% N=158 12% N=45 4% N=15 100% N=372 Yard waste pickup 40% N=114 45% N=129 10% N=28 6% N=17 100% N=288 Storm drainage 28% N=92 54% N=177 15% N=50 3% N=11 100% N=330 Drinking water 29% N=114 41% N=160 17% N=67 14% N=55 100% N=395 Sewer services 36% N=123 53% N=182 10% N=33 2% N=6 100% N=344 Utility billing 29% N=107 54% N=196 15% N=55 1% N=5 100% N=363 City parks 49% N=188 45% N=175 5% N=20 0% N=2 100% N=384 Park maintenance 46% N=173 46% N=172 7% N=27 1% N=2 100% N=374 Condition of trails and sidewalks 42% N=158 49% N=184 8% N=31 0% N=1 100% N=374 Recreation programs or classes 43% N=130 50% N=153 7% N=20 1% N=2 100% N=304 Recreation centers or facilities 38% N=116 51% N=154 9% N=27 2% N=5 100% N=303 Land use, planning and zoning 12% N=40 41% N=132 31% N=101 16% N=53 100% N=326 Code enforcement (weeds, abandoned buildings, etc.) 23% N=62 48% N=128 20% N=53 9% N=23 100% N=264 Animal control 30% N=77 52% N=133 13% N=32 5% N=13 100% N=254 Economic development 21% N=65 53% N=162 22% N=67 4% N=12 100% N=306 Public health services 32% N=74 56% N=133 11% N=26 1% N=3 100% N=235 Public information services/communication from the City 33% N=120 49% N=181 13% N=47 5% N=18 100% N=366 Cable television (Comcast/Xfinity) 18% N=58 37% N=121 29% N=94 17% N=55 100% N=328 Emergency preparedness (services that prepare the community for natural disasters or other emergency situations) 28% N=73 53% N=136 16% N=41 3% N=8 100% N=258 Edina open space 22% N=66 48% N=147 26% N=81 4% N=12 100% N=306 City-sponsored special events (Night to Unite, Winter Ice Festival, New Year's Eve Party, etc.) 23% N=47 55% N=113 18% N=37 4% N=8 100% N=205 Overall quality of services provided by the City of Edina 35% N=134 54% N=207 11% N=41 0% N=0 100% N=382 Edina, MN 2019 Quality of Life Survey Report May 2019 Prepared by National Research Center, Inc. Page 67 Table 26: Question 13 - Including Don't Know Responses Please rate the quality of each of the following services in Edina: Excellent Good Fair Poor Don't know Total Police services 56% N=227 27% N=110 6% N=26 1% N=3 10% N=39 100% N=405 Fire services 56% N=227 23% N=95 1% N=4 0% N=1 19% N=79 100% N=406 Ambulance or emergency medical services 51% N=206 21% N=85 1% N=6 0% N=1 26% N=107 100% N=404 Crime prevention 35% N=140 38% N=154 3% N=13 1% N=5 23% N=91 100% N=403 Fire prevention and education 32% N=129 31% N=123 2% N=8 1% N=2 34% N=138 100% N=401 Traffic enforcement 31% N=124 43% N=172 13% N=52 4% N=17 9% N=37 100% N=401 Street repair 17% N=68 41% N=165 32% N=130 7% N=27 3% N=13 100% N=403 Street cleaning 33% N=131 46% N=185 17% N=70 1% N=5 3% N=13 100% N=403 Street lighting 29% N=118 46% N=186 17% N=70 6% N=22 2% N=7 100% N=403 Snow removal 57% N=230 30% N=121 10% N=41 3% N=12 1% N=2 100% N=406 Sidewalk maintenance 25% N=100 42% N=166 14% N=58 3% N=13 16% N=62 100% N=399 Traffic signal timing 20% N=80 46% N=184 23% N=91 7% N=28 4% N=17 100% N=400 Bus or transit services 13% N=51 20% N=81 11% N=44 9% N=36 47% N=189 100% N=401 Garbage collection 40% N=164 41% N=168 8% N=32 2% N=7 9% N=37 100% N=409 Recycling 38% N=153 39% N=158 11% N=45 4% N=15 9% N=35 100% N=407 Yard waste pickup 29% N=114 32% N=129 7% N=28 4% N=17 28% N=112 100% N=400 Storm drainage 23% N=92 44% N=177 12% N=50 3% N=11 18% N=71 100% N=401 Drinking water 28% N=114 40% N=160 16% N=67 13% N=55 3% N=11 100% N=406 Sewer services 31% N=123 45% N=182 8% N=33 1% N=6 15% N=59 100% N=402 Utility billing 27% N=107 49% N=196 14% N=55 1% N=5 10% N=39 100% N=402 City parks 47% N=188 44% N=175 5% N=20 0% N=2 4% N=17 100% N=401 Park maintenance 43% N=173 43% N=172 7% N=27 1% N=2 7% N=28 100% N=402 Condition of trails and sidewalks 39% N=158 45% N=184 8% N=31 0% N=1 7% N=30 100% N=404 Recreation programs or classes 33% N=130 38% N=153 5% N=20 0% N=2 24% N=95 100% N=400 Recreation centers or facilities 29% N=116 39% N=154 7% N=27 1% N=5 23% N=92 100% N=395 Land use, planning and zoning 10% N=40 33% N=132 25% N=101 13% N=53 18% N=72 100% N=398 Code enforcement (weeds, abandoned buildings, etc.) 15% N=62 32% N=128 13% N=53 6% N=23 34% N=137 100% N=402 Animal control 19% N=77 33% N=133 8% N=32 3% N=13 38% N=153 100% N=407 Edina, MN 2019 Quality of Life Survey Report May 2019 Prepared by National Research Center, Inc. Page 68 Please rate the quality of each of the following services in Edina: Excellent Good Fair Poor Don't know Total Economic development 16% N=65 41% N=162 17% N=67 3% N=12 23% N=91 100% N=397 Public health services 19% N=74 33% N=133 6% N=26 1% N=3 41% N=165 100% N=400 Public information services/communication from the City 30% N=120 46% N=181 12% N=47 5% N=18 7% N=28 100% N=394 Cable television (Comcast/Xfinity) 14% N=58 30% N=121 23% N=94 14% N=55 18% N=73 100% N=401 Emergency preparedness (services that prepare the community for natural disasters or other emergency situations) 18% N=73 34% N=136 10% N=41 2% N=8 35% N=139 100% N=397 Edina open space 17% N=66 38% N=147 21% N=81 3% N=12 21% N=82 100% N=388 City-sponsored special events (Night to Unite, Winter Ice Festival, New Year's Eve Party, etc.) 12% N=47 29% N=113 9% N=37 2% N=8 48% N=189 100% N=394 Overall quality of services provided by the City of Edina 34% N=134 52% N=207 10% N=41 0% N=0 4% N=17 100% N=399 Table 27: Question 14 - Excluding Don't Know Responses Please rate the following categories of Edina government performance: Excellent Good Fair Poor Total The value of services for the taxes paid to Edina 25% N=92 53% N=191 17% N=63 5% N=17 100% N=362 The job Edina government does at welcoming resident involvement 21% N=66 44% N=139 24% N=74 12% N=36 100% N=315 Overall confidence in Edina government 18% N=68 46% N=171 26% N=97 10% N=36 100% N=372 Generally acting in the best interest of the community 19% N=72 43% N=159 28% N=103 10% N=37 100% N=371 Treating all residents fairly 22% N=73 43% N=144 23% N=78 11% N=38 100% N=334 Table 28: Question 14 - Including Don't Know Responses Please rate the following categories of Edina government performance: Excellent Good Fair Poor Don't know Total The value of services for the taxes paid to Edina 23% N=92 48% N=191 16% N=63 4% N=17 9% N=35 100% N=397 The job Edina government does at welcoming resident involvement 17% N=66 35% N=139 19% N=74 9% N=36 21% N=82 100% N=398 Overall confidence in Edina government 17% N=68 43% N=171 24% N=97 9% N=36 7% N=27 100% N=399 Generally acting in the best interest of the community 18% N=72 40% N=159 26% N=103 9% N=37 7% N=28 100% N=400 Treating all residents fairly 18% N=73 36% N=144 20% N=78 9% N=38 16% N=66 100% N=399 Edina, MN 2019 Quality of Life Survey Report May 2019 Prepared by National Research Center, Inc. Page 69 Table 29: Question 15 Which of the following departments have you had contact with in the past 12 months by email, phone or in person? Percent Number Police 41% N=96 General information 36% N=84 Parks & Recreation 36% N=83 Public Works 23% N=53 Building Inspections 22% N=51 Street Maintenance 20% N=45 Utility Billing 20% N=45 Utilities 17% N=38 City Manager/Administration 15% N=35 City Clerk 13% N=30 Planning/Economic Development 12% N=27 Engineering 10% N=23 Assessing 9% N=21 Fire 9% N=21 Health 9% N=20 Communications 8% N=18 Human Resources 3% N=7 Other 3% N=6 Finance 2% N=6 I.T./Technology services 1% N=2 Total may exceed 100% as respondents could select more than one answer. Respondents were given an opportunity to write-in an “other” response. Please see Appendix B: Verbatim Responses to Survey Questions for the verbatim responses. Edina, MN 2019 Quality of Life Survey Report May 2019 Prepared by National Research Center, Inc. Page 70 Table 30: Question 16 - Excluding Don't Know Responses Please rate your impression of City employees: Excellent Good Fair Poor Total Knowledge 50% N=115 42% N=95 7% N=16 1% N=2 100% N=227 Courtesy 58% N=133 34% N=78 7% N=15 1% N=3 100% N=229 Responsiveness 51% N=116 38% N=86 9% N=20 3% N=7 100% N=228 Follow-up (got back to you or took action if needed) 49% N=102 36% N=75 10% N=21 5% N=10 100% N=207 Overall customer service 51% N=115 38% N=85 11% N=24 1% N=2 100% N=227 Table 31: Question 16 - Including Don't Know Responses Please rate your impression of City employees: Excellent Good Fair Poor Don't know Total Knowledge 47% N=115 39% N=95 7% N=16 1% N=2 6% N=15 100% N=242 Courtesy 55% N=133 32% N=78 6% N=15 1% N=3 6% N=14 100% N=243 Responsiveness 48% N=116 35% N=86 8% N=20 3% N=7 6% N=15 100% N=243 Follow-up (got back to you or took action if needed) 42% N=102 31% N=75 9% N=21 4% N=10 14% N=34 100% N=241 Overall customer service 48% N=115 35% N=85 10% N=24 1% N=2 6% N=14 100% N=241 Table 32: Question 17 - Excluding Don't Know Responses Considering your property taxes in comparison to neighboring cities, property taxes in Edina are… Percent Number Very high 16% N=54 Somewhat high 41% N=140 About average 36% N=122 Somewhat low 5% N=17 Very low 2% N=7 Total 100% N=340 Edina, MN 2019 Quality of Life Survey Report May 2019 Prepared by National Research Center, Inc. Page 71 Table 33: Question 17 - Including Don't Know Responses Considering your property taxes in comparison to neighboring cities, property taxes in Edina are… Percent Number Very high 13% N=54 Somewhat high 34% N=140 About average 30% N=122 Somewhat low 4% N=17 Very low 2% N=7 Don't know 17% N=68 Total 100% N=408 Table 34: Question 18 - Excluding Don't Know Responses To what extent would you support or oppose an increase in your property taxes to maintain City services at their current level? Percent Number Strongly support 6% N=20 Somewhat support 39% N=136 Somewhat oppose 34% N=119 Strongly oppose 22% N=78 Total 100% N=353 Table 35: Question 18 - Including Don't Know Responses To what extent would you support or oppose an increase in your property taxes to maintain City services at their current level? Percent Number Strongly support 5% N=20 Somewhat support 34% N=136 Somewhat oppose 30% N=119 Strongly oppose 20% N=78 Don't know 12% N=46 Total 100% N=399 Edina, MN 2019 Quality of Life Survey Report May 2019 Prepared by National Research Center, Inc. Page 72 Table 36: Question 19 - Excluding Don't Know Responses All in all, do you think things in Edina are generally headed in the right direction, or do you feel things are on the wrong track? Percent Number Right direction 66% N=226 Wrong track 34% N=114 Total 100% N=339 Table 37: Question 19 - Including Don't Know Responses All in all, do you think things in Edina are generally headed in the right direction, or do you feel things are on the wrong track? Percent Number Right direction 57% N=226 Wrong track 29% N=114 Don't know 15% N=59 Total 100% N=399 Table 38: Question 19 - Wrong Track, Why? All in all, do you think things in Edina are generally headed in the right direction, or do you feel things are on the wrong track? If wrong track, Why? Percent Number City government (high taxes, not listening to residents, etc.) 10% N=12 Poor development/overbuilding/density of city 49% N=60 Affordable housing/cost of living/teardowns 13% N=15 Schools/education 13% N=15 Other 16% N=19 Total 100% N=122 Respondents were given an opportunity to write-in a response for why they feel the City is on the wrong track. The responses were reviewed and grouped into the above categories. Please see Appendix B: Verbatim Responses to Survey Questions for the verbatim responses. Table 39: Question 20 - Excluding Don't Know Responses Other than voting, do you think that if you wanted to, you could have a say about the way things are run in this community? Percent Number Yes 68% N=203 No 32% N=94 Total 100% N=296 Edina, MN 2019 Quality of Life Survey Report May 2019 Prepared by National Research Center, Inc. Page 73 Table 40: Question 20 - Including Don't Know Responses Other than voting, do you think that if you wanted to, you could have a say about the way things are run in this community? Percent Number Yes 50% N=203 No 23% N=94 Don't know 27% N=108 Total 100% N=404 Table 41: Question 20 - No, Why? Other than voting, do you think that if you wanted to, you could have a say about the way things are run in this community? If no, Why? Percent Number Public voice not heard/listened to 33% N=27 Decisions are predetermined 23% N=19 Decisions are biased towards commercial, wealthy or special interests 17% N=14 Communication issues (slow response time, unhelpfulness, etc.) 8% N=6 Other 19% N=16 Total 100% N=82 Respondents were given an opportunity to write-in a response for why they responded "No" to question 20. The responses were reviewed and grouped into the above categories. Please see Appendix B: Verbatim Responses to Survey Questions for the verbatim responses. Table 42: Question 21 - Excluding Don't Know Responses How important for the people of Edina is it that local government focuses on creating a diverse and inclusive city? Percent Number Essential 28% N=109 Very important 30% N=117 Somewhat important 27% N=106 Not at all important 16% N=62 Total 100% N=394 Edina, MN 2019 Quality of Life Survey Report May 2019 Prepared by National Research Center, Inc. Page 74 Table 43: Question 21 - Including Don't Know Responses How important for the people of Edina is it that local government focuses on creating a diverse and inclusive city? Percent Number Essential 27% N=109 Very important 29% N=117 Somewhat important 26% N=106 Not at all important 15% N=62 Don't know 3% N=14 Total 100% N=407 Table 44: Question 22 - Excluding Don't Know Responses Please rate the job you feel the City does at each of the following: Excellent Good Fair Poor Total Making all residents feel welcome and that they belong 21% N=64 52% N=156 22% N=67 5% N=14 100% N=302 Helping new residents feel connected and integrated 20% N=53 43% N=117 27% N=73 10% N=26 100% N=270 Attracting people from diverse backgrounds 17% N=44 34% N=89 31% N=81 17% N=45 100% N=258 Valuing residents from diverse backgrounds 20% N=50 44% N=110 26% N=66 10% N=26 100% N=252 Providing a safe and secure environment for residents of all backgrounds 30% N=96 48% N=152 18% N=56 4% N=11 100% N=315 Table 45: Question 22 - Including Don't Know Responses Please rate the job you feel the City does at each of the following: Excellent Good Fair Poor Don't know Total Making all residents feel welcome and that they belong 16% N=64 39% N=156 17% N=67 4% N=14 24% N=95 100% N=397 Helping new residents feel connected and integrated 13% N=53 29% N=117 19% N=73 7% N=26 32% N=127 100% N=397 Attracting people from diverse backgrounds 11% N=44 23% N=89 20% N=81 11% N=45 35% N=137 100% N=395 Valuing residents from diverse backgrounds 13% N=50 28% N=110 17% N=66 7% N=26 36% N=141 100% N=393 Providing a safe and secure environment for residents of all backgrounds 24% N=96 39% N=152 14% N=56 3% N=11 20% N=79 100% N=394 Edina, MN 2019 Quality of Life Survey Report May 2019 Prepared by National Research Center, Inc. Page 75 Table 46: Question 23 - Excluding Don't Know Responses How well, if at all, do you feel the City is managing tensions in the community related to residential redevelopment in Edina? Percent Number Very well 10% N=30 Somewhat well 41% N=119 Somewhat poorly 28% N=82 Very poorly 20% N=60 Total 100% N=291 Table 47: Question 23 - Including Don't Know Responses How well, if at all, do you feel the City is managing tensions in the community related to residential redevelopment in Edina? Percent Number Very well 8% N=30 Somewhat well 30% N=119 Somewhat poorly 21% N=82 Very poorly 15% N=60 Don't know 27% N=108 Total 100% N=399 Table 48: Question 24 - Excluding Don't Know Responses The City of Edina owns and operates three municipal liquor stores. Profits from Edina Liquor are used to offset operating costs and for capital expenses at recreational facilities. To what extent do you support the City continuing to operate its municipal liquor stores? Percent Number Strongly support 54% N=206 Somewhat support 34% N=129 Somewhat oppose 7% N=27 Strongly oppose 5% N=17 Total 100% N=379 Edina, MN 2019 Quality of Life Survey Report May 2019 Prepared by National Research Center, Inc. Page 76 Table 49: Question 24 - Including Don't Know Responses The City of Edina owns and operates three municipal liquor stores. Profits from Edina Liquor are used to offset operating costs and for capital expenses at recreational facilities. To what extent do you support the City continuing to operate its municipal liquor stores? Percent Number Strongly support 51% N=206 Somewhat support 32% N=129 Somewhat oppose 7% N=27 Strongly oppose 4% N=17 Don't know 7% N=27 Total 100% N=406 Table 50: Question 25 - Excluding Don't Know Responses Most communities have one of two systems for garbage collection. To what extent do you support the City changing from the current system in which residents may choose from several different haulers to a system where the City chooses one hauler for the whole community? Percent Number Strongly support 27% N=88 Somewhat support 23% N=76 Somewhat oppose 19% N=62 Strongly oppose 31% N=104 Total 100% N=330 Table 51: Question 25 - Including Don't Know Responses Most communities have one of two systems for garbage collection. To what extent do you support the City changing from the current system in which residents may choose from several different haulers to a system where the City chooses one hauler for the whole community? Percent Number Strongly support 22% N=88 Somewhat support 19% N=76 Somewhat oppose 15% N=62 Strongly oppose 26% N=104 Don't know 18% N=74 Total 100% N=403 Edina, MN 2019 Quality of Life Survey Report May 2019 Prepared by National Research Center, Inc. Page 77 Table 52: Question 26 - Excluding Don't Know Responses How strongly do you agree or disagree with each of the following statements? Strongly agree Somewhat agree Somewhat disagree Strongly disagree Total Our City should invest in programs and create policies to address climate change 46% N=180 29% N=112 10% N=39 15% N=58 100% N=389 Our City should enact ordinances and regulations intended to increase energy efficiency and climate resiliency 47% N=185 33% N=130 9% N=34 11% N=42 100% N=392 Our City should enact ordinances and programs requiring higher green building and development standards 49% N=187 29% N=112 12% N=45 10% N=40 100% N=384 Our City should invest in renewable energy and test technologies to get to net zero emissions 47% N=181 31% N=119 10% N=41 12% N=48 100% N=389 Table 53: Question 26 - Including Don't Know Responses How strongly do you agree or disagree with each of the following statements? Strongly agree Somewhat agree Somewhat disagree Strongly disagree Don't know Total Our City should invest in programs and create policies to address climate change 44% N=180 28% N=112 10% N=39 14% N=58 4% N=16 100% N=405 Our City should enact ordinances and regulations intended to increase energy efficiency and climate resiliency 46% N=185 32% N=130 8% N=34 10% N=42 4% N=14 100% N=406 Our City should enact ordinances and programs requiring higher green building and development standards 46% N=187 28% N=112 11% N=45 10% N=40 6% N=22 100% N=406 Our City should invest in renewable energy and test technologies to get to net zero emissions 45% N=181 29% N=119 10% N=41 12% N=48 4% N=15 100% N=404 Edina, MN 2019 Quality of Life Survey Report May 2019 Prepared by National Research Center, Inc. Page 78 Table 54: Question 27 (Quality) - Excluding Don't Know Responses First, rate the quality of each of the following services provided by the City of Edina. Excellent Good Fair Poor Total Energy conservation and efficiency programs 15% N=27 59% N=108 25% N=46 1% N=2 100% N=183 Fostering natural habitats in public spaces 20% N=57 53% N=151 23% N=66 3% N=10 100% N=284 Encouraging natural habitat on residential and commercial land 14% N=37 48% N=124 29% N=75 8% N=21 100% N=257 Increasing renewable energy programs 15% N=29 49% N=96 29% N=57 7% N=14 100% N=196 Adapting to climate change 16% N=27 43% N=74 32% N=55 9% N=16 100% N=173 Composting collection services 15% N=31 37% N=74 24% N=48 24% N=49 100% N=203 Water conservation programs 17% N=35 47% N=95 31% N=62 6% N=12 100% N=204 Transportation emission reduction (i.e. bike lanes and public EV charging) 15% N=38 42% N=106 34% N=86 10% N=24 100% N=254 Table 55: Question 27 (Quality) - Including Don't Know Responses First, rate the quality of each of the following services provided by the City of Edina. Excellent Good Fair Poor Don't know Total Energy conservation and efficiency programs 7% N=27 28% N=108 12% N=46 1% N=2 52% N=198 100% N=381 Fostering natural habitats in public spaces 15% N=57 39% N=151 17% N=66 3% N=10 26% N=101 100% N=385 Encouraging natural habitat on residential and commercial land 10% N=37 32% N=124 20% N=75 5% N=21 33% N=126 100% N=383 Increasing renewable energy programs 8% N=29 25% N=96 15% N=57 4% N=14 49% N=185 100% N=381 Adapting to climate change 7% N=27 20% N=74 15% N=55 4% N=16 54% N=206 100% N=379 Composting collection services 8% N=31 19% N=74 13% N=48 13% N=49 47% N=179 100% N=382 Water conservation programs 9% N=35 25% N=95 16% N=62 3% N=12 46% N=176 100% N=379 Transportation emission reduction (i.e. bike lanes and public EV charging) 10% N=38 28% N=106 22% N=86 6% N=24 34% N=128 100% N=382 Edina, MN 2019 Quality of Life Survey Report May 2019 Prepared by National Research Center, Inc. Page 79 Table 56: Question 27 (Importance) - Excluding Don't Know Responses Then rate how important, if at all, each service is to the Edina community. Essential Very important Somewhat important Not at all important Total Energy conservation and efficiency programs 36% N=108 35% N=108 22% N=68 7% N=20 100% N=303 Fostering natural habitats in public spaces 32% N=103 41% N=132 24% N=77 3% N=9 100% N=321 Encouraging natural habitat on residential and commercial land 27% N=86 35% N=111 31% N=99 7% N=22 100% N=318 Increasing renewable energy programs 36% N=114 31% N=97 24% N=75 9% N=27 100% N=313 Adapting to climate change 37% N=115 26% N=82 23% N=70 14% N=43 100% N=311 Composting collection services 31% N=93 37% N=114 25% N=75 7% N=22 100% N=304 Water conservation programs 37% N=113 41% N=127 19% N=58 4% N=12 100% N=311 Transportation emission reduction (i.e. bike lanes and public EV charging) 29% N=91 31% N=99 24% N=77 16% N=52 100% N=319 Table 57: Question 27 (Importance) - Including Don't Know Responses Then rate how important, if at all, each service is to the Edina community. Essential Very important Somewhat important Not at all important Don't know Total Energy conservation and efficiency programs 32% N=108 31% N=108 20% N=68 6% N=20 11% N=38 100% N=342 Fostering natural habitats in public spaces 29% N=103 38% N=132 22% N=77 2% N=9 8% N=29 100% N=350 Encouraging natural habitat on residential and commercial land 25% N=86 32% N=111 28% N=99 6% N=22 9% N=30 100% N=348 Increasing renewable energy programs 33% N=114 28% N=97 22% N=75 8% N=27 10% N=34 100% N=347 Adapting to climate change 33% N=115 23% N=82 20% N=70 12% N=43 11% N=37 100% N=348 Composting collection services 27% N=93 33% N=114 22% N=75 6% N=22 13% N=44 100% N=348 Water conservation programs 33% N=113 37% N=127 17% N=58 4% N=12 10% N=36 100% N=347 Transportation emission reduction (i.e. bike lanes and public EV charging) 26% N=91 28% N=99 22% N=77 15% N=52 9% N=30 100% N=349 Edina, MN 2019 Quality of Life Survey Report May 2019 Prepared by National Research Center, Inc. Page 80 Table 58: Question 28 - Excluding Don't Know Responses Please rate the extent to which you use each of the following as sources of information about Edina government and its activities, if at all. Not a source Minor source Major source Total About Town City magazine 21% N=76 40% N=146 39% N=144 100% N=367 Parks & Recreation Activities Directory 25% N=90 42% N=151 33% N=120 100% N=361 Edina Sun-Current newspaper 37% N=135 26% N=94 37% N=132 100% N=361 Edition: Edina monthly newsletter 44% N=143 33% N=109 23% N=75 100% N=327 Star-Tribune newspaper 37% N=138 28% N=106 35% N=133 100% N=376 City's website (www.EdinaMN.gov) 33% N=118 47% N=166 20% N=73 100% N=356 Edina TV 75% N=257 22% N=74 3% N=10 100% N=341 City employees 58% N=195 34% N=114 8% N=27 100% N=336 City Council Members 62% N=213 31% N=108 7% N=25 100% N=346 Direct mail updates 34% N=123 41% N=151 25% N=90 100% N=364 Social media (e.g., Facebook, Twitter) 53% N=186 30% N=106 16% N=58 100% N=350 NextDoor 43% N=145 27% N=90 30% N=98 100% N=333 Online web stream videos on YouTube or Granicus 88% N=288 10% N=31 2% N=6 100% N=326 City's e-mail subscription service (City Extra) 71% N=229 16% N=52 13% N=40 100% N=321 Word of mouth from friends, family or neighbors 15% N=56 42% N=162 43% N=165 100% N=382 Edina, MN 2019 Quality of Life Survey Report May 2019 Prepared by National Research Center, Inc. Page 81 Table 59: Question 28 - Including Don't Know Responses Please rate the extent to which you use each of the following as sources of information about Edina government and its activities, if at all. Not a source Minor source Major source Don't know Total About Town City magazine 19% N=76 37% N=146 36% N=144 7% N=29 100% N=395 Parks & Recreation Activities Directory 23% N=90 38% N=151 30% N=120 8% N=33 100% N=395 Edina Sun-Current newspaper 34% N=135 24% N=94 33% N=132 9% N=35 100% N=395 Edition: Edina monthly newsletter 37% N=143 28% N=109 19% N=75 16% N=62 100% N=390 Star-Tribune newspaper 35% N=138 27% N=106 33% N=133 6% N=22 100% N=399 City's website (www.EdinaMN.gov) 30% N=118 42% N=166 19% N=73 9% N=34 100% N=390 Edina TV 66% N=257 19% N=74 3% N=10 13% N=50 100% N=391 City employees 50% N=195 29% N=114 7% N=27 13% N=52 100% N=388 City Council Members 54% N=213 28% N=108 6% N=25 12% N=46 100% N=392 Direct mail updates 31% N=123 38% N=151 23% N=90 8% N=33 100% N=396 Social media (e.g., Facebook, Twitter) 47% N=186 27% N=106 15% N=58 11% N=42 100% N=392 NextDoor 37% N=145 23% N=90 25% N=98 14% N=56 100% N=389 Online web stream videos on YouTube or Granicus 74% N=288 8% N=31 2% N=6 16% N=63 100% N=389 City's e-mail subscription service (City Extra) 59% N=229 13% N=52 10% N=40 17% N=66 100% N=387 Word of mouth from friends, family or neighbors 14% N=56 41% N=162 42% N=165 4% N=14 100% N=397 Table 60: Question 29 - Excluding Don't Know Responses How effective, if at all, are each of the following communication tools for keeping informed of City activities? Very effective Somewhat effective Somewhat ineffective Very ineffective Total The magazine About Town 31% N=103 55% N=180 5% N=18 9% N=28 100% N=329 The newsletter Edition: Edina 24% N=53 57% N=128 8% N=18 11% N=24 100% N=223 Edina, MN 2019 Quality of Life Survey Report May 2019 Prepared by National Research Center, Inc. Page 82 Table 61: Question 29 - Including Don't Know Responses How effective, if at all, are each of the following communication tools for keeping informed of City activities? Very effective Somewhat effective Somewhat ineffective Very ineffective Don't know Total The magazine About Town 26% N=103 45% N=180 4% N=18 7% N=28 18% N=70 100% N=399 The newsletter Edition: Edina 13% N=53 33% N=128 5% N=18 6% N=24 43% N=168 100% N=391 Table 62: Question 30 Have you accessed the City of Edina website (www.EdinaMN.gov) in the last 12 months? Percent Number No 50% N=200 Yes 50% N=199 Total 100% N=399 Table 63: Question 31 - Excluding Don't Know Responses Please rate the following aspects of the Edina website: Excellent Good Fair Poor Total Appearance 27% N=55 58% N=117 13% N=27 2% N=4 100% N=203 Online information and services offered 22% N=45 59% N=120 17% N=34 2% N=4 100% N=203 Ease of navigation/ability to find information 17% N=34 39% N=79 35% N=71 10% N=20 100% N=203 Overall quality of the City of Edina website 19% N=38 57% N=115 22% N=45 3% N=6 100% N=203 Table 64: Question 31 - Including Don't Know Responses Please rate the following aspects of the Edina website: Excellent Good Fair Poor Don't know Total Appearance 27% N=55 57% N=117 13% N=27 2% N=4 1% N=3 100% N=206 Online information and services offered 22% N=45 58% N=120 16% N=34 2% N=4 1% N=3 100% N=205 Ease of navigation/ability to find information 16% N=34 39% N=79 34% N=71 10% N=20 1% N=3 100% N=206 Overall quality of the City of Edina website 18% N=38 56% N=115 22% N=45 3% N=6 2% N=3 100% N=206 Edina, MN 2019 Quality of Life Survey Report May 2019 Prepared by National Research Center, Inc. Page 83 Table 65: Question 32 - Excluding Don't Know Responses Please rate your impression of City employees: Not a concern Minor concern Moderate concern Major concern Total Feeling socially isolated or disconnected from others 74% N=296 15% N=62 7% N=28 4% N=16 100% N=403 Having access to health care 86% N=347 8% N=31 3% N=10 4% N=16 100% N=404 Being able to age in place (e.g., remain in your home as you get older) 65% N=260 18% N=72 11% N=42 6% N=25 100% N=398 Running out of food before you had money to buy more 90% N=362 7% N=27 3% N=11 1% N=4 100% N=403 Having enough money to pay your rent or mortgage 77% N=307 14% N=56 5% N=19 4% N=17 100% N=399 Table 66: Question 32 - Including Don't Know Responses Please rate your impression of City employees: Not a concern Minor concern Moderate concern Major concern Don't know Total Feeling socially isolated or disconnected from others 73% N=296 15% N=62 7% N=28 4% N=16 1% N=3 100% N=405 Having access to health care 85% N=347 8% N=31 3% N=10 4% N=16 0% N=2 100% N=406 Being able to age in place (e.g., remain in your home as you get older) 64% N=260 18% N=72 10% N=42 6% N=25 2% N=8 100% N=406 Running out of food before you had money to buy more 89% N=362 7% N=27 3% N=11 1% N=4 0% N=2 100% N=405 Having enough money to pay your rent or mortgage 76% N=307 14% N=56 5% N=19 4% N=17 1% N=5 100% N=404 Table 67: Question D1 What impact, if any, do you think the economy will have on your family income in the next 6 months? Do you think the impact will be: Percent Number Very positive 11% N=45 Somewhat positive 16% N=65 Neutral 57% N=230 Somewhat negative 15% N=59 Very negative 1% N=5 Total 100% N=404 Edina, MN 2019 Quality of Life Survey Report May 2019 Prepared by National Research Center, Inc. Page 84 Table 68: Question D2 What is your employment status? Percent Number Working full time for pay 56% N=232 Working part time for pay 11% N=45 Unemployed, looking for paid work 1% N=5 Unemployed, not looking for paid work 3% N=12 Fully retired 28% N=117 Total 100% N=411 Table 69: Question D3 Do you work inside the boundaries of Edina? Percent Number Yes, outside the home 25% N=97 No 51% N=201 Yes, from home 24% N=93 Total 100% N=391 Table 70: Question D4 How many years have you lived in Edina? Percent Number Less than 2 years 14% N=56 2-5 years 17% N=70 6-10 years 15% N=61 11-20 years 20% N=81 More than 20 years 35% N=146 Total 100% N=414 Edina, MN 2019 Quality of Life Survey Report May 2019 Prepared by National Research Center, Inc. Page 85 Table 71: Question D5 Which best describes the building you live in? Percent Number One family house detached from any other houses 56% N=233 Building with two or more homes (duplex, townhome, apartment or condominium) 41% N=171 Other 2% N=9 Total 100% N=413 Table 72: Question D6 Is this house or apartment... Percent Number Rented 25% N=101 Owned 75% N=309 Total 100% N=410 Table 73: Question D7 About how much is your monthly housing cost for the place you live (including rent, mortgage payment, property tax, property insurance and homeowners' association [HOA] fees)? Percent Number Less than $600 per month 4% N=17 $600 - $999 per month 9% N=35 $1,000 - $1,499 per month 21% N=81 $1,500 - $2,499 per month 33% N=130 $2,500 or more per month 33% N=130 Total 100% N=394 Edina, MN 2019 Quality of Life Survey Report May 2019 Prepared by National Research Center, Inc. Page 86 Table 74: Question D8 How much do you anticipate your household's total income before taxes will be for the current year? (Please include money from all sources for all persons living in your household.) Percent Number Less than $25,000 5% N=20 $25,000 to $49,999 16% N=60 $50,000 to $99,999 23% N=86 $100,000 to $149,999 15% N=55 $150,000 or more 42% N=157 Total 100% N=378 Table 75: Question D9 Do any children 17 or under live in your household? Percent Number No 62% N=257 Yes 38% N=155 Total 100% N=412 Table 76: Question D10 Are you or any other members of your household aged 65 or older? Percent Number No 63% N=259 Yes 37% N=151 Total 100% N=410 Table 77: Question D11 Do you speak a language other than English at home? Percent Number No, English only 88% N=360 Yes 12% N=50 Total 100% N=410 Edina, MN 2019 Quality of Life Survey Report May 2019 Prepared by National Research Center, Inc. Page 87 Table 78: Question D11 - Yes, Which Language? Yes, which language? Percent Number Persian/Farsi 0% N=0 Vietnamese 0% N=0 Hmong 0% N=0 Spanish 24% N=12 Russian 10% N=5 Chinese 4% N=2 Korean 8% N=4 Other 53% N=26 Total 100% N=49 Respondents were given an opportunity to write-in an “other” response. Please see Appendix B: Verbatim Responses to Survey Questions for the verbatim responses. Table 79: Question D12 Is English your first language? Percent Number No 8% N=35 Yes 92% N=377 Total 100% N=411 Edina, MN 2019 Quality of Life Survey Report May 2019 Prepared by National Research Center, Inc. Page 88 Table 80: Question D13 What is your religious or spiritual identity? Percent Number Christian 75% N=301 Spiritual, but no religious affiliation 9% N=35 No affiliation 7% N=26 Agnostic 4% N=17 Atheist 4% N=17 Jewish 3% N=11 Hindu 2% N=8 Muslim 1% N=3 Other (please specify) 0% N=2 Buddhist 0% N=1 Total may exceed 100% as respondents could select more than one answer. Table 81: Question D14 Are you Spanish, Hispanic or Latino? Percent Number No, not Spanish, Hispanic or Latino 97% N=388 Yes, I consider myself to be Spanish, Hispanic or Latino 3% N=12 Total 100% N=400 Table 82: Question D15 What is your race? Percent Number American Indian or Alaskan Native 1% N=2 Asian, Asian Indian or Pacific Islander 5% N=20 Black or African American 4% N=15 White 91% N=361 Other 1% N=5 Total may exceed 100% as respondents could select more than one answer. Edina, MN 2019 Quality of Life Survey Report May 2019 Prepared by National Research Center, Inc. Page 89 Table 83: Question D16 What other races, if any, are represented in your home? Percent Number American Indian or Alaskan Native 1% N=2 Asian, Asian Indian or Pacific Islander 10% N=28 Black or African American 4% N=11 White 86% N=229 Other 9% N=25 Total may exceed 100% as respondents could select more than one answer. Table 84: Question D17 In which category is your age? Percent Number 18-24 years 4% N=15 25-34 years 14% N=57 35-44 years 17% N=71 45-54 years 20% N=81 55-64 years 13% N=54 65-74 years 14% N=56 75 years or older 19% N=77 Total 100% N=410 Table 85: Question D18 What is your gender/gender identity? Percent Number Female 54% N=216 Male 46% N=185 Prefer to identify another way 1% N=3 Total 100% N=404 Edina, MN 2019 Quality of Life Survey Report May 2019 Prepared by National Research Center, Inc. Page 90 Appendix B: Verbatim Responses to Survey Questions Following are verbatim responses to open-ended questions on the survey. Because these responses were written by survey participants, they are presented here in verbatim form, including any typographical, grammar or other mistakes. Within each question the responses are in alphabetical order. Question 4 (other): Why did you choose to live in Edina? • 1st house. • 1st Ring. • A relief from living in downtown Minneapolis. • Ability to walk everywhere. • Apt. had amenities. • Bus services. • Condo availability. • Edina is "head & shoulders superior" over other [?]. • EHA Hockey program • Found house that met our needs. • Found house we liked. • Found house we liked. • Friend lives here. • Good services like snow plowing • Good summer sports for kids to engage in. • House available. • liked the house • Love interest lived here. • Lower tax than Mpls. & excellent snow removal. • Many friends live here. • Moved from house & apt. • Preferred condo. • Property values. • Quality to life access to all pts. city. • Recommended. • Reputation. • Retirement home/ family. • stumbled across a house I liked • The condo, in which I live, is located in Edina. • walkability and charming old houses • Walkability to 50th & France. • Walkability to grocery store, drugs store, library. • Was easy to get around car, bus; bike walk. • Youth sports. Question 5: What one thing do you like most, if anything, about living in Edina? • A great place to live and raise your kids. • Access to all major roads. • Access to health care and convenience to retail. • Access to highways Edina, MN 2019 Quality of Life Survey Report May 2019 Prepared by National Research Center, Inc. Page 91 • Access to Mpls. • Access to trails, bike paths, and sidewalks • Accessibility to hospitals, airport, shopping and entertainment. Not too far from downtown Mpls and St. Paul. • Accessibility. • Accessibility. • All of about in #4. • All the parks excellent shopping. • Amenities. • Amount of nearby parks. • As soon as I tell people I live in Edina, they automatically think I'm rich. (Not sure that it's always a good thing.) • Attractive community and great amenities. • Attractive community. • Attractive housing agent location with accessibility to major roads & freeways. • Beautiful closely suburb. • Beautiful neighborhood. • Being proud to live here. • Big yards, big trees, my house. • Caring neighbors convenient location. • Centennial lakes and Edinborough parks. • Central location relative to Minneapolis/St. Paul • Central location. • Centrally located in the Metro; a great happy muddle between urban & suburban setting. • City officials came about residents. • City services are very good (e.g. plowing). • City services, convenience to doctors, shopping, schools. • Clean streets. Very good snow plowing. • Clean, friendly & safe. • Clean, great walking/ parks. • Clean, quiet. • Clean. • Cleanest environment and very safest community. • Cleanliness. • Close access to services - shopping, theatre, medical • Close proximity to "everything"! • Close proximity to 494 as well as Minneapolis and good schools. It's comparable to the east coast where I'm originally from and reputable area • Close proximity to everything I like to do. • Close to bus. • Close to everything. • Close to family. • Close to medical facilities. • Close to Mpls. • Close to my family, airport, grocery shopping. • Close to relatives. • Close to shopping & doctors. • Close to work. • Comfortable. Edina, MN 2019 Quality of Life Survey Report May 2019 Prepared by National Research Center, Inc. Page 92 • Commitment to schools. • Connection to everything. • Convenience & Safety. • Convenience . • Convenience and number of amenities. • Convenience close to mpls., easy to get to shopping, entertainment, etc. • Convenience of all location let suburbs & downtown. • Convenience of shopping and business and entertainment resources. • Convenience of variety of activities - parks, trails, schools, shopping, dining. • Convenience to everything. • Convenience to Mpls. & St. Paul. • Convenience to Mpls., St. Paul and suburbs. • Convenience to other area i.e. uptown, downtown, lakes. • Convenience to shopping & good reputation. • Convenience to work. • Convenience, proximity to services. • Convenience. • Convenience. • Convenience. • Convenience. • Convenience. • Convenience. • Convenient • Convenient access to entire metro area. • Convenient for transportation shopping. • Convenient in shopping/ medical help. • Convenient location, well maintained homes, shopping areas. • Convenient location. • Convenient location. • Convenient to a lot of things/ hospitals/ shipping/ yards/ schools. • Convenient to everything I need. • Convenient to everything needed. • Convenient to freeways, shopping other amenities. • Convenient. • Diversity and affordable housing. • Ease of access to multiple stores, services and other attractions in Twin Cities • Ease of access to stores. Including good parking at stores. • Ease of getting around. • Ease of going to library, senior centers, stores. • Ease of proximity to everything. • Ease of shopping. • Ease of transportation. • Easy access to "whenever". • Easy access to other areas. • Easy access to shops/ restaurants/ recreation. • Easy access to so many great resources. • Easy to get around. • Eating establishments. Edina, MN 2019 Quality of Life Survey Report May 2019 Prepared by National Research Center, Inc. Page 93 • Edina residents are proud of their community and are actively involved in keeping it a place they are proud of. • Edina, traditionally, has had good schools, neighborhoods, low taxes and efficient government. This is why I chose to live in Edina. I fear that is about to change. • Edina's excellent reputation. • Education. • Established community land locked with easy access to to any highway. • Everything I need is here. • Everything is nearby. • Everything nearby. • Excellent city services • Excellent schools & the population which support them families, amenities etc. • Family have lived here. • Family nearby. • Fast snow removal. • Feel safe shopping close. • Feeling that most functions in city are organized well run. • First tier suburb - quick access to downtown Minneapolis. • Friends. • Going to the parks. • Good environment so far! • Good neighborhood great neighbors many close grocery stores Southdale & Galleria. • Good reputation as a quality suburb & great schools, good access to highways & keeps taxes down with innovative developments; like the industrial park. • Good Reputation. • Good schools • Good schools with strong school/ community spirit. • Good schools, close to everything, clean. • good schools, safe, proximity to Mpls, Close to lakes • Good schools. • Good snow plowing. • Great community. • Great location and great public services. • Great location easy access to many things (airport, health, shopping). • Great location within Twin Cities. • Great place to raise a family • great schools • Great schools & athletic teams but hearing reports of socialistic teaching. • Great schools that are proximal to downtown Minneapolis • Great schools. • Great schools. • Having grown up living in St. Paul, I regularly appreciate that my street is plowed when I wake up in the morning. • High quality community, safe, strong property values, good amenities. • Homogeneity successful family people! High value housing! • How centrally located it is? • How easy it is to get to places & shopping options. • how nice it is and how close I am to 90 % of what I need • I am close to all things I need. Edina, MN 2019 Quality of Life Survey Report May 2019 Prepared by National Research Center, Inc. Page 94 • I feel safe. • I grew up here and love the familiarity • I haven't ever called 911 in the 11.5 years I have lived here and the streets are plowed instantly. • I like how close we are to downtown and the airport. • I like the convince of Edina to the airport and also downtown Minneapolis. • I like the walkability of Edina. We live near 50th and France and I enjoy being able to walk to the grocery store, the movie theater, local restaurants, and the coffee shop. • I love how safe of a community it is. I can go for a run and feel very safe. • I love the excellent schools, but I fear they are starting to slip. I love the strong school and community pride. I love the historical homes near 50th and France and how walkable northeast Edina is. • If is a safe place to learn • In 1959 it was a different place. • It has been HOME for over 60 yr. • It is a very comfortable and safe suburb. • It is easy to get to every place I want. • It is my home +8yrs. • It is oriented toward high achieving families with children. • It's a close/ exit community. • Its central to our needs. • It's good opportunity for many. • It's proximity to everything • It's village atmosphere that is ideal for raising children. • Just be here. • Location • Location • Location Appreciation • Location and access and upkeep of community. • Location and beautiful outdoor spaces-parks, walking trails • Location and things to do. • Location close to everything • Location close to highways & amenities. • Location great snow removal. • Location handy to grocery, church, pharmacy, hwys. • Location in proximity to downtown, social activities. • Location in the metro area. • Location of what I need, within walking or very little driving distance. • Location to downtown Mpls • Location to Mpls. • Location to rest of MPLS./ St. Paul. • Location within the metro area • Location within the metro area. • Location, safety, maintenance of roads, parks etc. • Location. • Location. • Location. • Location. • Location. Edina, MN 2019 Quality of Life Survey Report May 2019 Prepared by National Research Center, Inc. Page 95 • Location. • Location. • Location. • Location. • Many want to maintain class lines status quo. • my neighborhood • My neighbors are lovely lots of fun. • My neighbors. • My own condo. • Nearness to downtown yet very safe • neighbor and community • Neighborhoods. • Neighborliness. • Neighbors keep their houses & yards in great repair & good. • Nice city, good schools. • Nice home that was affordable when we purchased it in 1995. • No sidewalks and larger lot sizes. • Not Mpls. • Not much any more. To over built with Condos and Apartments. Hard to get around, all the traffic calming jams up traffic. Edina hockey is good! • Not much. • Opportunities for children education, community, extra curricular activities, sports. • Our location being able to walk to grocery store, Dry store, library, senior center, bank. • Outstanding city services. • Overall feeling of safe environment. • Overall safety and quietness. • Park systems. • Parks trails hiking. • Parks. • Parks. • Peaceful. • People need their yards upgrade. • People. • People. • Professional services offered. • Proximity to activities/ entertainment. • Proximity to airport and downtown • Proximity to airport, shopping, and friends • Proximity to city, airport, work • Proximity to city, lakes w/ congestion and other problems of Mpls. • Proximity to downtown, sand schools nice neighborhoods. • Proximity to everything in the twin cities • Proximity to freeways, shopping • Proximity to many cities (downtown, EP, Bloomington)/ parks in summer. • Proximity to Metro. • Proximity to Minneapolis and St. Paul without the recurring problems of living in either of those cities. • Proximity to resources. • Proximity to shopping, recreation, job opportunities. Edina, MN 2019 Quality of Life Survey Report May 2019 Prepared by National Research Center, Inc. Page 96 • Proximity to things of importance to us. • Proximity to work, grocery stores, shopping, etc. • Proximity to work, school. • Proximity. • Proximity. • Public parks, investment in preserving the environment & its benefits. • Public services and availability of private business. • Public transportation clean & friendly community. • Public transportation/ public parks (indoor & outdoor). • Quality of environments. • Quality of life. • Quality of neighborhoods • Quality of Public Schools. • Quality of residents. • Quality of schools. Our kids attend Highlands, attended and will attend Southview and EHS. Highlands has been an exceptional school for teaching experience and commitment our kids and the administration there is excellent as well. • Quality of schools. Location. Safety. Stability. • Respectable people and community. • Response police, school, safety. • Responsive snow plows & the trail for walking/ biking. • Safe • Safe and clean. Stay focuses on police, fire, water, streets. Keep taxes low. • Safe city. • safe community • Safe community stores good schools. • Safe community. • Safe, good reads, good schools. • Safe, low crime, clean. • Safe. • Safe. • safety • Safety • Safety • Safety & sense of community. • Safety and good police department • Safety and quality of living • Safety and security of this community. • Safety messing up the 54th/ Arden Pk. Area makes me really angry!! • Safety of/from pesticides & herbicides at local park. • Safety, snow plowing, bredesen park • Safety. • Safety. • Safety. • Safety. • Safety. • Safety. • schools • Schools Edina, MN 2019 Quality of Life Survey Report May 2019 Prepared by National Research Center, Inc. Page 97 • Schools • Schools • Schools, city services. • Schools, community. • Schools. • Schools. • Se center, library, Jerry's grocery & hardware, Wells Fays because are all within a mile of my house. • Sense of community • Sense of community. • Sense of excellent community & opportunity, • Services. • Shopping. • Short commute. • Short travel to other parts of the twin cities. • Sidewalks, ease getting around. • Small community feel. • Small town feel everyone connected. • Solid residential neighborhood with good services. • Some of safety. Kids can run 6 blocks in any direction, wrongful. • Stable property values • Strong city government/civil support for schools and infrastructure • Taxes real estate. • The access to walking trails, & that plans to have more trail are moving forward. • The best things about Edina are the schools and proximity to the metro area in general. • The city is well run at responsive to residents. • The city is well taken care of, clean, well plowed in the winter, well maintained parks, etc. • The cleanliness of the communities. • The convenience of getting around, France Ave, parks, cleanliness. • The convenience of many options for different things we need (ex. doctors, schools, service stations). • The ease of getting to most places in the Twin Cities within 30 mins. • The ease of life: space, services, drive ability. • The education system. • The excellent restaurants. • The green space- minnehaha creek, big trees, partnership with the Minnehaha Creek watershed for sustainable environmental planning. • The growth of the city. • The location - close to downtown, the airport, and the lakes. • The location and attractiveness of neighborhood. Ease of access to everything. • The location. Easily access to downtown Minneapolis, shopping, and local restaurants • The neighbors on my street • The parks. • the prestige that comes with living here • The pride I feel when I tell people I live in Edina. • The proximity of everything. • The proximity to Minneapolis and the park system in the surrounding area. Ease of access to downtown, airport, St. Paul. Centrally located. Edina, MN 2019 Quality of Life Survey Report May 2019 Prepared by National Research Center, Inc. Page 98 • The thing I like most is it is very central in location so to get anywhere in the twin's cities it is not a far drive at all. • The up best quality. Top notch schools. Educated populace. • The upkeep of the city safety. • The variety of trees here, so diverse. • Too many high density buildings. • Unique community. • Upkeep of infrastructure. • Upscale environment • Very cleanest environmental. • Very efficient city services. • Very good first very Suburb of Minneapolis. • Very hard to choose...neighborhood • Very nice looking Love Centennial Lakes. • Waking neighborhood walk to 50th & France. • Walkability • walkability • Walkability. Lands just steps to my home. • Walking paths & centennial lakes. • Well plowed streets in winter! • Well run city efficient glowing. • Well thought out community living with great schools and excellent city services (snow plowing, for example). • When I first moved from Minneapolis I was thrilled that the streets We have an amazing streets crew! I love our neighborhood. • Wonderful community with a terrific reputation • Wonderful location close to airport, shopping, restaurants and medical facilities staffed with great doctors. • Wonderful medical care in one location (near Southdale). Question 6: What would you say is the most serious issue facing Edina at this time? • ? • [?] of affordable housing & overcrowding. • 1. The building of too many apartments in one condensed area, causing France ave to be a complete mess and overcrowded. 2. Edina housing is not affordable. • A city government that wants to over develop! Density. High taxes, subsidies for housing. • A growing problem of development and traffic issues. • Activist City Government and declining schools due to weak super intended & activism. • Affordability for aging seniors & low mid income citizens. • Affordable housing (and putting small business out of business for luxury housing). • Affordable housing and tax rates--too many referenda. • Affordable housing for all. • Affordable housing for disadvantages. • Affordable housing for retires w/ pets (non rental). • Affordable housing for young families that allow for a more diverse population. • Affordable housing, • Affordable housing. • Affordable housing. • Affordable housing. Edina, MN 2019 Quality of Life Survey Report May 2019 Prepared by National Research Center, Inc. Page 99 • Affordable housing. • Affordable housing. • Affordable housing. • Affordable housing. • Affordable housing. • Affordable housing. • Affordable housing. • Affordable housing. • Affordable housing. • Affordable housing. People who work in Edina cannot afford to live in Edina. • Aging population resistant to change • Air Plane Noise. • Apartments going up be nice to see condos being built. • Approp. Zoning of increased housing. • Becoming overbuilt, e.g., 50/ france. • Becoming too much like Minneapolis (taxes, socialism, crime). • Being on top of role of development & keeping schools top mottos. • Bikes do not follow traffic laws! • Building & expanding within a long range plan & affordable, retaining of excellence. • Building decisions. • Building heights/ Mayor & City Manager who don't care about employees & average resident only look @ people with $$$$. • Building too may apartments. • Busy streets France & Xerxes. • Changing from the peacefulness of a village to an urban setting. • Changing neighborhoods with costly housing. • Changing the orientation to low achieving people .Over building/ over population. • City council making decisions without resident input. (Ex: Water treatment plant on 70th/Antrim area.) • City government spending and staff growth • City planning need addressing. Ex southdale area. • City planning. • Climate change. • Closing or facing Southale Mall if closes Edina goes down from excellent suburb. Losing Southdale. Need S.dale Mall. A mall makes an attractive or excellent suburb. • Condo/ apt. buildings. • Congestion during rush hour, streets being used as alternative to highway (McCauley Trail) Lack of sidewalks in SW Edina • Congestion. • Congestion. • Congestion. • Congestion. • Congestion. • Congestion. • Congestion. • Continue construction. • Cost of living rent prices have shot up astronomically. • Crime and high cost of living • Crime around Southdale area. Edina, MN 2019 Quality of Life Survey Report May 2019 Prepared by National Research Center, Inc. Page 100 • Crime is increasing. • Crowded roads. • Dangerous conditions for pedestrians. Cars seem to think they have right of way even through France Ave's crosswalks. Traffic police are letting us down. • Dangerous traffic at 50th and France and intersection at 65th and France (always an accident of near miss!) • Declining schools & jobs leaving Minnesota. • Degradation of public school curriculum. • Density of housing units being built. • Density overbuilt. Character change. • Developers. • Developers/ development and the indignation to give them what they want. • Development (housing) and transit. • development balance - We are not as diverse as I believe we should be • Development finding the right balance. • Development for sake of development. There has been loss of providing community opportunities as everything must pay for its self. Bigger is not always better. The mayor and city council continue to push for development to increase the tax base. Why does the tax base need to be increased when you keep cutting programs if they can't pay for themselves. The community keeps trying to vote in members of the city council that are cautious to development only to have their voices minimized and they leave council in frustration. Another frustration is if you were not raised in Edina your voice is not heard or counted. • Diversity and inclusion • Diversity need for it it's getting better. • Diversity. • Diversity. • Divided constituencies on the very issues addressed so far in this questionnaire, specifically pros and cons of density development. • Don't know. • Edina high school decline!! • Edina needs to improve its urban environments and walk-ability. Investments should be made in 50th and France and the Southdale area to make them more pedestrian friendly. We cannot compete with communities like Wayzata without improving these areas and getting some quality restaurant/retail to move in. • Edina Schools are becoming a laughing stock • Education budget for additional families of multi-housing complexes • Education sensing a decline in quality. • Education system is in decline due to liberal agendas. Also, over building of multi-family housing. • Escalation of fanciness and impact on property taxes. • Excessive density including traffic and housing. • Exclusivity. • Expansion of apartments condos etc • Expansion of undeveloped land; teardowns. • Expense. • Expensive not affordable. • Expensive to live here with high taxes, especially with all the big houses coming into make it unaffordable place to live for non wealthy folks. Edina, MN 2019 Quality of Life Survey Report May 2019 Prepared by National Research Center, Inc. Page 101 • Expensive. • Families/home owners keeping their homes in a good shape. • Fast paced Southdale area construction. • Fear of change, some are unwilling to learn and open their hearts to see others as equal human beings. • France Ave Traffic. • From what I have heard, the Edina school system isn't doing as well as it once was and has fallen to a lot of politics, which I don't think there should be a political agenda in schools. I did not attend Edina Public schools so I do not have first hand experience. • Further growth of apts. & multi family living quarters horrible. • Future development especially commercial. • Great neighborhoods, schools, community, police etc. • Green space is being swallowed by apartments & losing community living. • Growing petty crime in the Chowen Park neighborhood, and the weak response by police. • Growing too fast too much development. • Growth & redevelopment. • Growth of large condos and taller buildings and the traffic and congestion associated with the growth. • growth of the community- are the schools built to accommodate all of the people? • Growth/ analysis to that issue. • Growth/ declining school system. • Growth: I'm hoping the traffic does not become a problem. • Have more diversity and more unique restaurants • Heavy traffic transportation. • Heavy traffic. • High density building= increasing transportation issues. • High priced housing for seniors, too many humongous houses on small lots. • High rent prices for apartment living. • High rents option for housing animals without lease. • High taxes and traffic on streets. • Home tear downs, multiple apt. complexes, affordable housing. • Horrible city government working w/ builders to overbuild ugly building by Southdale, 50th/ France. • Horrible traffic on hwy. 62. • House/ car break ins. Schools issues close 2nd. • Housing affordability • Housing is not affordable to seniors. • housing prices are out of control east of hwy 100; people divided on mass housing and construction; • Housing too many ugly apartments being built. Too much section 8 • Housing. • How much building density and height to allow. • Hwy. 62 @ just how. • I am concerned about the future of Southdale. • I can't say any serious issue but the usual -high cost of living in a middle class neighborhood with reputable school district • I can't think of anything. • I don't know. • I don't see any serious issue. The city is well run. The property values are increasing. Edina, MN 2019 Quality of Life Survey Report May 2019 Prepared by National Research Center, Inc. Page 102 • I see city government straying from its traditional responsibilities: fire, police, roads, etc. and drifting toward a social agenda. It will require strong leadership to stay focused on the responsibilities of city government. I do not want to be lectured to by city officials as they pay obiesance to big city social agendas. I see Edina schools losing its focus on traditional education and drifting in the same direction. The ultimate consequence if this trend continues will be a community with all of the problems of Minneapolis. I am watching these trends closely. My goal is to stay ahead of the trend and sell my home if Edina is lead off the rails by city government. • I think Edina is very snobbish. • I think the development of the Southdale area. It's transitioning from a strip mall retail mecca into it's own little mini 'downtown' vibe. I think it has the potential to be it's own 50th and France, and I hope it achieves that goal. I don't want it to remain just a strip mall area. • I think the Edina education system is in serious trouble. The school administration, with support from the school board and the city council, appears to care more about righting perceived racial wrongs than educating our children. The English department at the high school makes white children (especially males) feel like they are bad people based on the color of their skin. This is terrible. I know there is a mass exodus of kids from Edina schools, which will make the problem worse. The city of Edina must return to a focus on educating our children. No child should know the political viewpoint of their teacher. And no child should be made to feel bad about their skin color. • i wish my neighborhood (PResidents) was part of the school district • Image of wealthy snobs. • In our sector, too many high rise buildings and the accompanying infrastructure costs • Inclusiveness. • Income inequality. • Increase in high rises, unaffordable rent. • Increased density/ traffic. • Increasing crime, doesn't feel as safe as it used to. • Increasing taxes & traffic (steadily increasing). • Infrastructure. • Keeping quality of schools up, keeping green space. • lack of affordable housing, not just for poorer people, which is a serious issue, but increasingly for upper middle income folks too. • Lack of comprehensive plannings for new developments especially on France Avenue. • Lack of condominiums in the $400,000 to $500,000 range. • Lack of consideration for others by residents and visitors in terms of personal appearance. They make themselves ugly instead of trying to improve their overall appearance. • Lack of diversity • lack of diversity • Lack of diversity. • Lack of diversity. • Lack of public transit options • Lack of public transportation. • Learning how to share this community with those who need affordable housing. • Learning to embrace increase in diversity. • Lot of development, maybe too much too fast • Low income housing. • Maintaining good schools should be top priority, quality is declining. Edina, MN 2019 Quality of Life Survey Report May 2019 Prepared by National Research Center, Inc. Page 103 • Maintaining High education K 12 standards. • Maintaining high standards for school district. • Maintaining retail shopping opportunities. • Managing all the rapidly growing new residential and commercial development. • Managing growth and maintaining excellence in schools • More trees please!!! More green natural spaces. • Multi-Tenant Housing development. Too much, too soon. Driving tremendous traffic congestion. • n/a • N/A. • Need for affordable housing, ethnic diversity. • Need more diversity. • No city center and general lack of vision/cohesiveness on civic planning • NONE. • Not good planning too many bldgs. • Not sure. • nothing I can think of • Nothing stands out • Nothing. • Number of apartments going up • Our greatest threat is our slipping public schools. People are starting to pick places like Orono, Wayzata, and Minnetonka over Edina because they think the schools are better. We also lack a large indoor aquatic/community center, which makes other towns more appealing. Lastly, the threat to Edina is the same threat facing all of Minnesota- well paying corporate jobs are leaving the state because of our horrendous tax burden here. • Oven building increased traffic congestion overall destruction of what made Edina so [?]. • Over building • Over building apartments. • Over building apts. 50th and France, Southdale. • Over building condos/ apartment. • Over building development. • Over building large pt. building not considering traffic & parking & roads. • Over building of apartment & transportation congesting. • Over building of cheap apartment complexes/fleeting trend for 'mixed-use' • Over building of homes/ apartments/ condos. • Over building of major travel corridors. • Over building too many buildings. • Over building!! Too many multi family units! Not enough infrastructure and road system cannot handle more traffic especially with emphasis on bikes! Roads should be for those who pay license & gas taxes. • Over building, traffic from all the new condos/ apt. • Over building. • Over building. • Over building. • Over building. • Over building. • Over built with apartments, condos, disruption of businesses. • Over crowding. • Over crowding. Edina, MN 2019 Quality of Life Survey Report May 2019 Prepared by National Research Center, Inc. Page 104 • Over developing 50th France area & LID. • Over developing multi family housing • over development • over development • Over development & loss of "small town" feel. • Over development creating traffic and density issues. • Over development! Density! • Over development, density. • Over development, too many new high rises. • Over development. • Over development. • Over development. • Over development. • over development. Particularly rentals. • Over populated!! Traffic is becoming a problem!! • Overbuilding by far, difficult commuting due to traffic. • Overbuilding for lot size, buildings with horrible parking. • Overbuilding in several key areas of the city, with resulting traffic congestion and potential other problems. • Overbuilding of apartments complexes. • Overbuilding of million dollar plus homes if we hit economic downturn, our tax base in increasingly only younger middle cass people can no longer afford to buy here • Overbuilding. • Overcrowding in schools. • Overcrowding potential from current multi unit development. • Overdevelopment • Overly construction. • Physical safety near highways. In many places there must be sauna walls, if a car hits i.e. there is little protection. • Police & residents relations could be better. Peace officers are better. • police harassing highs school kids they think are bad. They pulled my son out of school and came to our house thinking he would tell on other kids..... Give them something of value to do. Otherwise the divide at schools racial, democratic vs republican.... • Population density. • Population density/ new apartment buildings. • Potential increased density. • Potential paucity of schools given the marked expansion of multi unit housing. • Property taxes on homes, lack of enforcement of driving laws. • Property Taxes; Traffic on local roads to circumvent highways (66th street) • Proposed high density large complexes. • Providing life cycle housing that is affordable. • Quality of roads. • Race and diversity • Racial and economic equity. I'm a new resident and have been very turned off by the community attitude of thinly veiled racism. If we leave Edina, it will be in a big part to the unwelcome attitude towards racial, ethnic and economic diversity. • Racism dealing with change in Edina. • Racism. • Rants may get too high. Edina, MN 2019 Quality of Life Survey Report May 2019 Prepared by National Research Center, Inc. Page 105 • Rapid over growth of area. • Re building infrastructure. • Really need to decrease % of tax. • Recent crime such as Walgreens robbery and Target sexual offender arrest. • Redevelopment. • Reputation as unwelcoming due to elitism. • Rising taxes, education funding gap pushed onto residents. • Rising Taxes. • Roads after winter. • Roads can't support all the new multifamily housing units. • Runaway construction too much of it. • Safely neighborhood. • School boundaries if I live in Edina, my kids should go to Edina schools, not Hopkins, etc. • School reputation • School school board & overcrowding City Council! • School system seems to be morning away from solid basic education. • Schools are going downhill based on the liberal agenda that has allowed to permeate our community • Schools. • Shortage of affordable housing and lack of overall diversity • Should increse more security • Sidewalks on York too close to traffic lanes scary and unsafe. • Snow birds getting them to return to MN. • Snow plow only in main roads & drivers not stopping at roundabouts. • Some roads in Edina are not in good shape. • Street congestion. • Taxes too high! • Tear downs and building homes too large for lot and surrounding neighborhood - little available affordable housing • Tear downs/ overbuilding w/out concern for future traffic patterns. • The change in housing. • The city won't listen to residents and is over building. • The Council's desire to overbuild and overdevelop while linking that desire to the affordable housing fallacy. There is plenty of affordable housing in nearby suburbs. • The debacle known as the "lid". • The development of affordable housing for low-income people • The direction of Edina public schools & the activist agenda. • The Edina Council does not listen to residents. • The increase in large apartment/condo buildings. Our concern is about the strain on infrastructure and quality of life due to increase population density. • The influx of non resident students into the school system along w/ the drug use increase in schools. • The Mayor, over development, traffic, safety. • The public schools and Arden park • The road and highway need to redesign for merge. Not too shortest merge. • The transformation of southeastern Edina into a big box, strip mall paradise. • The water seems hard/ only at my place off 169 & my mains place off York. • Time to change road to adjust to traffic. • Too liberal schools. Edina, MN 2019 Quality of Life Survey Report May 2019 Prepared by National Research Center, Inc. Page 106 • Too many apartment buildings being built resulting in heavy traffic and congestion. • Too many apartments low income housing. • Too many apartments out of control spending York France 66th 76th!!! Need affordable condos. • Too many big tall building being built no parking at 50th & France. • too many condo/apartment high rises; Southdale? • Too many condos being built road overcrowded. • Too many 'feel good' initiatives by the City Council. Bike lanes when roads need repair, Hwy. 100 Lid initiative, emphasis on apt. and multi-family vs. single family homes. • Too many high rises, so many bike lanes there isn't room for cars (Vernon Ave). Things like the lid= bad idea! • Too many high rises. • Too many new apartment projects. • Too many projects that are focused on things other than the community and the benefit of all families in Edina. Cost of living is increasing too rapidly. • Too many rental properties. Not enough affordable (< $400K) one level housing for elderly residents that allow pets. • Too many taxes. • too much building and expansion. Stop putting housing developments everywhere! • Too much building of large house or small lots. • Too much building! I can't stand all these high rises going up. The traffic will cause us to move. I can't believe we are letting this happen. You have not asked the community. The schools are getting really sketchy too. I'm lucky to have kids that are good students but I see a lot of people leaving the school district for private schools that meet their kids' needs. Stop making the schools so fancy and start making them better within. • Too much building? Also: ultra conservatives denigrating high school. • Too much construction going on/ too many buildings going up. • Too much impact on longtime residents with talk of Dan Patch Passenger Rail Development, sidewalks being added that older residents will have to keep clean daily the winter etc. • Traffic • Traffic (cars) congestion. • Traffic call MSP, not just Edina. • Traffic congestion and excessive densification. • Traffic from overbuilding apartments/ condos. • Traffic in shaping areas Southdale, Galleria, target etc. • Traffic on 169. • Traffic on France Ave. • Traffic over building. • Traffic problems relative to over development in greater Southdale area. • Traffic where I live. • Traffic. • Traffic. • Traffic. • Traffic. • Traffic. • Traffic. • Traffic. • Traffic. Edina, MN 2019 Quality of Life Survey Report May 2019 Prepared by National Research Center, Inc. Page 107 • Traffic. • Traffic. • Traffic. Traffic on 50th is ridiculous and there are too many cars that cut through Country Club neighborhood to get around. 50th and France traffic needs to be dealt with. • transient crime • Transit & openness. • Ultra rich & the rest of us. • unknown • Unknown. • Unsafe walking many cars and no sidewalks on most streets. • Upgrading & repairing streets, distracted driving. • Upgrading existing infrastructure • Upscale neighborhood proximity to everything. • Urbanization along France Ave neighborhood's school. District roods can't support all the additional residents. • Very many people (mostly foreign) moving into Edina. Edina has very many apts. here. • Walkability. • Want more community feel for adults. • Water quality. • Way to much large high density living construction. Bikes lanes instead of more car lanes. Trying to spend tax payer money on sustainable green buildings. I don't think our city managers get it, it's not their money! • Wish there were curb & gutter on many streets. Question 15 (other): Which of the following departments have you had contact with in the past 12 months by email, phone or in person? • Ambulance. • Early voting. • Election Judge. • Elections • Mayor is great! • Tax filing. • Voting trees. • Voting. Question 19: If you feel things are on the wrong track, why? • 1. As mentioned above, I think the Edina public schools are on the wrong track. See above for details. 2. The Edina City Council does not appear to listen to its residents about the development issues in the city. There has been extreme opposition on the 'Lid' project by the community, but the city council appears to ignore its constituents. I know this issue has been tabled for now. But with the level of opposition, I don't understand why it got so far (including the amount of funds expended on plans). 3. The traffic in east Edina is horrible. There is literally stopped traffic every day when you head down 50th street during rush hour. And yet the city council approved a HUGE development at 50th and France. I believe the building required a deviation from the city's master plan and may have needed a variance from the zoning code. And I live about 3-4 blocks away and I never heard of this development until after it was approved. This will create a material increase in traffic, which is already horrible. The city council needs to involve the affected neighborhoods when it considers these projects. The elected representatives of the city need to LISTEN to Edina, MN 2019 Quality of Life Survey Report May 2019 Prepared by National Research Center, Inc. Page 108 their constituents and STOP attempting to implement their own PERSONAL agenda that is inconsistent with the will of the residents of the city. • Activist govt and school bears. • Character of neighborhoods decline with tear downs. • City government is trying to fundamentally change. Edina from prosperous families to subsidized apartment dwellers. • City has very little concern for long time residents push seems to be for you have residents before the long time loyal residents are reason to leave. • City leadership listens to residents extensively, but they don't seem to hear anything that is inconsistent with their views. Many are concerned that city leadership and staff are unresponsive to residents on broader issues, and specific issues that a resident may need addressed. Staff don't consistently seem to view the residents as a customer. • City srvcs. are great. Please no need to increase taxes! • City trying to do much. Let the housing market work. No subsidized housing! Support police not racial activists! Focus on families to high quality of life! • Condo/ Apartment development. Edina Schools • Congestion are over. Over building apts. • Continued failure to truly address resident concerns; failure to evenly enforce ordinances; racial bias continues. • Convene regarding density i.e. Hwy. 100 & Vernon France Ave 70 78th. • Declining school quality. • Density housing is wrong for Edina. Loss of set backs on new commercial & apartments developments is wrong. Reduced Parking requirements for new commercial development is wrong. • Development commercial & residential. • Don't focus on low income housing. Just build and allow market to control. • Don't increase tax % too much. • Don't like to listen to average citizen only listen to big $$$$ or golf buddies. • Don't put the new water treatment & coat on Dublin Road Not FAIR TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD. • Don't want additional development on 50th/ Vernon. • Don't want to face reality of more people. Need more density but not just in form of rental property. No sense of ownership/ community. • Dropping task force that sought to address police relations; no district bus system for the Que Tal language program. Little action to improve racial equality. • Edina is too congested with far too many apartment buildings, etc. Creating heavy traffic in the Southdale area and 50th and France. • Edina residents understand that they must pay a premium for the extraordinary services offered. Residents want amazing police/fire/ems with the best equipment, so we pay a premium. We want prompt, reliable plowing, so we pay accordingly. We want the best public schools, so we pay the cost. I worked very hard so that I could afford to live in this great community. It didn't happen overnight and nobody gave it to me. The city needs to stop with the idea that everyone is equal and that everyone has the right to be an Edina resident. Everyone is not equal and being an Edina resident is not a right. The city does not need to provide access to everyone in the world, they just need to provide equal opportunity for that access. Stop manufacturing issues by obsessing over resident skin color, income, ethnicity, sexual orientation, and religion. Serve taxpaying residents, provide services to taxpaying residents, cater to taxpaying residents. Take the social justice issues to Minneapolis instead so that city can continue to be driven into the ground. Edina, MN 2019 Quality of Life Survey Report May 2019 Prepared by National Research Center, Inc. Page 109 • Edina schools are not where they should be. • Education is in decline and too much development • Excessive development. • France Ave & York/ [?] are being overbuilt. The roadways haven't been bettered to cope with 1000's more residents living in the new apts. & condos plus additional commercial areas being developed. BUILD UP WEST EDINA!! • High density is being pushed down our throats do not listen to our needs or wants • Homes torn down and huge excessive homes built. • I am concerned about S'dale. I do not know what plans the city has for S'dale's future. • I am very concerned about the development/ tear downs and adverse effects on innocent neighbor who then have their hands tied or have to spend lots of money for a fix. • I feel there is too much over building. • I think we are over building apartments: condos. Edina is starting to look like uptown. Not the town I fell in love with. • Increased cost of living. • Insatiable desire to ramp development with little apparent focus on limiting staff and spending growth in spite of the higher tax revenues from the very development the city embraces. The old line of comparing our taxes on a rate of property value basis to other cities doesn't hold, because our property values are so much higher. I'd like to see staffing and spend comparisons to other cities on a per capita basis. I'm guessing that would show a different story than the one touted by city leaders. • Issues with increased density. • It seems the Edina City Council is heading in a 'polictically correct' direction instead of 'in Edina's best interest' direction. There is too much emphasis on adding multi-family dwellings and allowing contractors to 'buy their way' out of current zoning laws. Look at the Parklawn Avenue area to see how multi family housing is failing our city. We do not have enough law enforcement personnel to continue adding these problem areas to our city. • Keep Edina as a suburb not a increasing density city. • Lack of affordable housing too much density at 50th & France. • Lid, affordable housing, bike lanes, traffic & congestion. • Little confidence in decision makers. • Losing "small town" atmosphere with big tall building no parks. • Losing green/ trees! Please replace more lost green/ trees!! • Loving to develop city to unsustainable levels. • Need affordable housing options for downsizing seniors. • Need more affordable housing too many forever • Need to expand be more welcoming to diverse cultures. • No proper planning in development, not listening to local residents. • Not enough affordable housing, over building large apt. complexes. • Over building density, style and materials allowed on new structures. • Over building in already high density areas. • Over building of apartments and condos. • Over building too many condos neighborhoods destroyed no regard for longtime residents. • Over building, creating traffic. • Over building. • Over building. • Over building/ programming/ density. • Over commercial building with no regard to residents. STREET/ TRAFFIC congestion. • Over development & building. Poor job of preserving neighborhoods. Edina, MN 2019 Quality of Life Survey Report May 2019 Prepared by National Research Center, Inc. Page 110 • Over development & residential zoning. • Over development an France, Constant 'rebuilds' of older homes are "pricing out" the middle class. • Over development causing traffic problems; no neighborhood traffic enforcement. • Over development of housing in Southdale and 50th and France area without adding parking/road changes. Also Valley View and Wooddale area seems to be stitched together without consistency--what is it residential/retail/single family neighborhood/office space- not a destination one goes to but passes by and might stop. • Overbuilding lack of integrity on expansion future to consider parking/ congestion problems etc. • Overbuilding of condos & apts. Increase traffic around scottsdale area. • Overbuilding with very poor parking. • Overcrowding will change Edina significantly.. • Plans for development negatively effect the current neighborhoods. Not enough input. City just plowing. • Please see my comments above. Edina government has become bore with providing traditional city services and now wants to experiment with its social agenda. • Question zoning & development process. • Race relations need to improve • Roads congestion needs work. • Schools are crowded, student to teacher ratio is high, spending on school athletic facilities, people making decisions about public education don't have kids using public ed. • Schools are going downhill. Liberal agenda is going to allow for overcrowding • Schools are in rapid decline, proposed development over Hwy 100 without including citizen feedback are just two of many examples of how City leaders are acting for themselves rather than the community. • Schools! • Some of the changes being considered negatively impact the quality of life for me. • Support of over development i.e. high rise. • Terrible communication w/ residents regarding development 50th France, Southdale. The worst City Mgr. & City Council in TC area. • The building of mass housing is out of control. That building next to Jerry's is hideous and will cause horrible traffic. Now your going to overbuild at Cahill. I can't believe the city is doing this and doing it so quickly and recklessly. • The building of more residences brings more traffic to main thorough fates... 50th St, France Ave, York. • The cty. is geared to apartment living & losing community. • The LID project is unnecessary & over development of 50th France. • The love affair with high rise apartments with "multi vsc retail" needs to be resigned in. • The more money you have the more say you have. • The way are tax money is being spent is frivolous and not well communicated until projects are already underway. The reputation of the school system has gone down drematically since we moved here. • To many cannot (residential) project's feels like you are taking away all the land. • Too many apartments being built. • Too many apartments being built. Need medium priced condos. York France 66th 76th. This area is over built & ugly (apts.) • Too many apartments going up. Poor water minerals. • Too many apartments. Edina, MN 2019 Quality of Life Survey Report May 2019 Prepared by National Research Center, Inc. Page 111 • Too many apts. not enough condo's allowing pets. • Too many building (apartment etc.) concentrated in Southdale/ York area. Traffic & parking unit tolerate it. Public Transportation is inadequate. • Too many condos. Intro structure not built for this. • Too many large bldgs. • Too many large condo/ apts. • Too many luxury rentals; not enough affordable housing. • Too many new apts. • Too many ugly high density apt. Bldgs. York & France 66th 76th need affordable condos. • Too much apartment building. • Too much apt., hotels. • Too much bldg., no affordable housing, more traffic. • too much building & traffic congestion. Losing our community feel. • Too much building increasing density congestion. • Too much condo & apt. building hurting small business and residential. • Too much construction with a lot of new buildings invading Edina. • Too much construction. • Too much construction. • Too much development (high density). • Too much development streets cannot handle more residents! • Too much high density development. • Too much high rise development on borders of Greater Southdale area. • Too much improving too big an impact on property taxes. • Too much increase in density for already crowded roads. • Too much new construction too high taxes. • Too much over building! • Too much push to develop. • TRAFFIC - TOO MANY BIKE LANES, lack of traffic enforcement OVER DEVELOPMENT - ruining the 'suburban feel' Lack of property ordinance enforcement - RV's commercial vehicles, and boats in driveways • Using city funds TIF for commercial development decreasing exclusivity. • Way to much high density Condo building. Too many bike lanes and not enough two lane roads. To concerned that everyone has a right to live in Edina, no one gave me a house in Edina when I moved here 18 years ago. Spending too many tax payer dollars on sustainable buildings and park developments. Growing city government at to fast a pace. • Way too many fancy housing not affordable at all. very difficult to rent or buy. Good open spaces are covered up. • We are not listened to with concerns. • While change is typically good the current level of change is changing the fell of community. We replacing middle class families with the very wealthy. This only reenforcing the cake eater stereotype. In our view things started to go wrong when the current city manager was hired. He needs to be replaced. The city is not a for profit company. • Worried our schools are slipping schools are the main reason to live in Edina. • Worried that our schools are slipping and we are losing the academic excellence we were once known for. We are also so focused on packing more and more people into Edina, and this will further hurt the schools. Edina, MN 2019 Quality of Life Survey Report May 2019 Prepared by National Research Center, Inc. Page 112 Question 20: If you don’t think you could have a say about the way things are run in this community, why? • All the new buildings, high rises, etc. • As mentioned above, the 'Lid' project and the huge building development at 50th and France, plus the opposition that parents with children in the Edina Public Schools have faced when trying to raise concerns about the politics in our classrooms, leads me to believe that our elected representatives are not interested in listening to the community. • Because I'm not a left-leaning liberal democrat. These days, anyone who criticizes social welfare programs is labeled as a racist. • Big money buys the votes. • Can't be heard I have tried. • City Council & City Mgr. have ruined the look of the city. The City Govt. Continually failed to apprise citizenry of upcoming developments. Citizens do not want 50th/ France/ Southdale developed. • City council doesn't listen to residents' concerns and follow their own agenda • City council members don't make efforts to get input. • City Council seems unresponsive to residents and too pro development • City government has a predetermined agenda to subsidize high density development and bring in 1200+ & units subsidized apartments. • City has not been transparent and has not listened to its residents. Do as they want. • City has not done a good job of getting answers back to me. • City leaders do what they want and citizens have no say. • decisions seem to be made without public input. Fred Richards golf course for example. And all the building of housing, way too much. • Developers are listened to. • Do not feel City Council listens to residents. • Don't think Gov./City Council listens, except to their own agenda. • Even when community surveys are taken, they are overruled by the City Council. • Forum date/times are not provided in advance to plan on attendance. • Friends go to county meetings give input no response. • Goes in one ear & out the other to often. • Ha! I don't think anyone listens to one resident • Have already been shot down by city council. • Have signed numerous petitions and city government repeatedly hides and will not face the issues head on. • Have tried & it is very hard to get the City Council & Mayor to see a point of view different than theirs. • Have tried with no success. • Have tried, deaf ears. • Have tried, voice goes unheard. • Hell bent on growth at cost of quality of life. • I am not aware of the forums for collecting community feedback and input • I am way too old. • I believe that Edina is "clique" driven, if you aren't part of the "old" or "traditional". Edina crowd, it's tough to break through. • I can speak but many at the city have an agenda, to turn Edina into Richfield cheaper, denser, busier. Keep Edina on top! • I could have a say but it would not matter it's a statistical fact. Edina, MN 2019 Quality of Life Survey Report May 2019 Prepared by National Research Center, Inc. Page 113 • I don't think the city really listens to its residents. They proceed with their own agenda. • I feel that in order to have a motion passed, you need to have someone who is currently part of the government. I feel that even if I had a group ready to go, it would still be very difficult to pass anything, as I feel that those in government positions have already made up their mind on most items. • I feel the home builders run this city. Homes built too large for the size of lot. It's all. • I have attended meetings where the city officials seem to have made up their minds already. Also strong resident groups who oppose services as public transportation and affordable housing. • I have tried on at least 3 occasions and have not received the courtesy of consideration. • I have witnessed residents attempting to have a say and being given "lip service" (at City forums). • I know of neighborhoods who have opposed building changes & voices were ignored. • I'm not given the chance to participate • It is clear the city does what it wants. • It seems that the City Council has pretty much made up their minds about projects before they seek input from residents. • I've tried & city staff/ council don't respond. • Mayor & city council do their own thing. • Mayor & City Council do what they want regardless of what town residents think. • Mayor has his own agenda... • Most decision are already made before reaching out for input from residents. • Most people in office (including schools) are more concerned with pushing their agenda than supporting health of whole community. • No aren't listened to planning commission does not have regard for the resident only commercial progress. • No one really listens. • Not welcomed, decisions predetermined before many city council meetings. • Only option I'm aware of is City Council & they seem to be closed to new ideas. • People say things and the city planners don't care and don't listen. We need a new city planner. This isn't Eden Prairie • People trying to make change are not heard or needed. • Processes are obscure to ordinary residents; very poor info. below from city; citizen input not taken seriously. • Read estate development are occurring rapidly. • Road construction/ re build. Projects were poorly managed. • See #19, also major start time change was opposed by most people w/ kids in public school. Favoritism shown toward Normandale & OLG. • See above. • See q 21 below, it is not city city govt job to "create". City gov't is developing an activist agenda • Staff seems to have predetermined course, rarely respond to public input, few loud residents vs. surveying most when I see cars pulled over, it seems to mostly be minority drivers, a family was pulled over and treated very disrespectfully. • The big developers (apts.) Get whatever they want in variances. The mayor & council do not represent the average person. • The city manager and the mayor really want to change Edina, they don't care what anyone says. Edina, MN 2019 Quality of Life Survey Report May 2019 Prepared by National Research Center, Inc. Page 114 • The city will do what is in their financial best interest, including adding more housing for property taxes. • The community has been quite vocal they do not want 'lids' over highways but we noticed that a 'lid' is being proposed again in the Southdale area plan. • The Council decides. • The major & board won't listen. • The Mayor has built all these apts. & hotels and we don't know that he does w/ all the money from the taxes he's pulling in. My property taxes up $25000 this year! • They don't listen to those who did not want so much urbanization. • Things seem geared toward development above all. Big money seems to rule. • Too inclusive a group that make decisions. • Too many cooks in the kitchen in Edina. • Tried that city doesn't listen. • Unless a large, very vocal group opposes a project, the city approves it, often in spite of zoning ordinances. • We and many others try but City Planner, Mayor & City Manager do what they want to. • We have tried and not been heard re: narrowing street. • We select ADM to make decisions. • We tried to stop our streets from getting repaved. We learned we were a 'FILLER' job to keep your employees busy. The streets didn't need done. THEY WERE DONE. • We try to state our opinions & feel that we are not heard Council has already made up their minds. • Why have zoning rules if every blg. Apt developer gets a variance. Question d11: (If respondent speaks a language(s) other than English at home) – Which language? • American Sign Language (ASL). • ASL (American Sign Language). • Dutch. • French • French & Lingala. • French german. • French. • German (sporadically). • German. • Greek. • Hindi. • Hindi. • Hindi. • Italian Turkish. • Sardinian. Question d13: What is your religious or spiritual identity? (other) • Interfaith. • Theist. Edina, MN 2019 Quality of Life Survey Report May 2019 Prepared by National Research Center, Inc. Page 115 Appendix C: Survey Results by Respondent Characteristics Understanding the Tables For most of the questions in the tables that follow, one number appears for each question. Responses have been summarized to show only the proportion of respondents giving a certain answer; for example, the percent of respondents who rated the quality of life as excellent or good. The subgroup comparison tables contain the crosstabulations of survey questions by precinct as well as various demographic characteristics. Chi-square or ANOVA tests of significance were applied to these breakdowns of survey questions. A “p-value” of 0.05 or less indicates that there is less than a 5% probability that differences observed between groups are due to chance; or in other words, a greater than 95% probability that the differences observed in the selected categories of the sample represent “real” differences among those populations. As subgroups vary in size and each group (and each comparison to another group) has a unique margin of error, statistical testing is used to determine whether differences between subgroups are statistically significant. Statistical testing was not performed on multiple response questions. Each column in the following tables is labeled with a letter for each subgroup being compared. The “Overall” column, which shows the ratings for all respondents, also has a column designation of “(A)”, but no statistical tests were done for the overall rating. For each pair of subgroup ratings within a row (a single question item) that has a statistically significant difference, an upper case letter denoting significance is shown in the cell with the larger column proportion. The letter denotes the subgroup with the smaller column proportion from which it is statistically different. Subgroups that have no upper case letter denotation in their column and that are also not referred to in any other column were not statistically different. For example, in Table 87 on page 117, respondents who living in the Northwest (B) and Southwest (D) quadrants of the City gave statistically significantly higher ratings to the overall quality of the natural environment in Edina than did respondents who lived in the Northeast quadrant (A). This is denoted by the “A” listed under the rating for those who had lived in the Northeast quadrant. However, respondents living in the Northwest, Southeast and Southwest quadrants gave statistically similar ratings to the overall natural environment since there is not a “B,” “C” or “D” in any of those cells. In another example in the same table, those living in the Southwest quadrant (D) tended to give statistically higher ratings to the overall economic health of Edina compared to those living in the Northeast (A) and Southeast (C) quadrants, as indicated by the “A C” under the rating for this item in the Southwest quadrant. Edina, MN 2019 Quality of Life Survey Report May 2019 Prepared by National Research Center, Inc. Page 116 Survey Results by Quadrant • Residents who lived in the Southwest Quadrant tended to rate Edina as less welcoming toward people who have a lower income than residents who lived in other quadrants. • Survey respondents who lived in the Southeast Quadrant tended to give higher ratings to ease of travel by public transportation, but lower ratings to adult educational opportunities and opportunities to volunteer, than those who lived elsewhere. • Those who lived in the Northeast Quadrant were more likely to rate stop sign violations as a problem in their neighborhood than residents who lived in other quadrants. • When reporting their use of various Edina Parks and Recreation Department amenities in the past 12 months, residents who lived in the Southeast Quadrant were less likely than those who lived in other quadrants to have used dog parks and off- leash areas, large community athletic fields, and the Braemar Golf Dome, while those that lived in the Southwest Quadrant were more likely to use the Edina Art Center. • Survey participants who lived in the Southwest Quadrant were less likely than others to give favorable marks to fire and ambulance/EMS services, but more likely to award high scores to drinking water. Northeast Quadrant residents tended to give lower ratings to sewer services than their counterparts. • When rating their impression of City employees, respondents who lived in the Northeast Quadrant tended to give lower ratings to the responsiveness and follow-up from City employees than residents who lived in other quadrants. • When asked how well, if at all, they felt the City is managing tensions in the community related to residential redevelopment in Edina, residents in the Northeast Quadrant tended to rate this less positively than those who lived elsewhere. • Survey respondents who lived in the Northeast Quadrant were less likely than their counterparts to agree that the City should enact ordinances and regulations intended to increase energy efficiency and climate resiliency. • Northeast Quadrant residents were less likely than others to give excellent or good ratings to the job the City does at fostering natural habitats in public spaces; however, these residents were also less likely than their counterparts to rate encouraging natural habitat on residential and commercial land, adapting to climate change and water conservation programs as essential or very important. • Respondents who lived in the Southeast Quadrant were more likely to rate Edina TV as a major or minor source of information about the City than those who lived in other quadrants, but less likely to utilize NextDoor or the City's e-mail subscription service than others. Southwest Quadrant respondents were more likely to use About Town City magazine as an information source than others. Edina, MN 2019 Quality of Life Survey Report May 2019 Prepared by National Research Center, Inc. Page 117 Table 86: Quality of Life by Quadrant Percent excellent or good Geographic Area Overall Northeast Quadrant Northwest Quadrant Southeast Quadrant Southwest Quadrant (A) (A) (B) (C) (D) How would you rate the quality of life in Edina? 98% 96% 100% B 100% B 98% Table 87: General Community Characteristics by Quadrant Please rate each of the following characteristics as they relate to Edina as a community: (Percent excellent or good) Geographic Area Overall Northeast Quadrant Northwest Quadrant Southeast Quadrant Southwest Quadrant (A) (A) (B) (C) (D) Overall feeling of safety in Edina 97% 95% 93% 100% C 96% Overall ease of getting to the places you usually have to visit 84% 88% 87% 85% 86% Quality of overall natural environment in Edina 84% 95% A 91% 95% A 91% Overall established “built environment” of Edina (including overall design, buildings, parks and transportation systems) 79% 77% 80% 85% 80% Health and wellness opportunities in Edina 87% 96% A 95% A 94% 93% Overall opportunities for education and enrichment 88% 97% A 94% 99% A 94% Overall economic health of Edina 91% 95% 92% 100% A C 94% Sense of community 75% 77% 74% 70% 74% Overall image or reputation of Edina 84% 89% 91% 94% 89% Neighborliness of residents in Edina 74% 74% 81% 72% 76% Edina, MN 2019 Quality of Life Survey Report May 2019 Prepared by National Research Center, Inc. Page 118 Table 88: Likelihood of Recommending or Remaining in Edina by Quadrant Please indicate how likely or unlikely you are to do each of the following: (Percent very or somewhat likely) Geographic Area Overall Northeast Quadrant Northwest Quadrant Southeast Quadrant Southwest Quadrant (A) (A) (B) (C) (D) Recommend living in Edina to someone who asks 87% 94% 96% A 100% A 94% Remain in Edina for the next five years 92% 88% 89% 91% 90% Table 89: Feelings of Safety by Quadrant Please rate how safe or unsafe you feel: (Percent very or somewhat safe) Geographic Area Overall Northeast Quadrant Northwest Quadrant Southeast Quadrant Southwest Quadrant (A) (A) (B) (C) (D) In your neighborhood 95% 98% 98% 99% 97% In the 50th & France area (downtown area) 92% 91% 97% 97% 94% In the Southdale area 75% 73% 89% A B 79% 80% Edina, MN 2019 Quality of Life Survey Report May 2019 Prepared by National Research Center, Inc. Page 119 Table 90: Sense of Community Welcoming by Quadrant Please rate how welcoming Edina is as a community: (Percent very welcoming or welcoming) Geographic Area Overall Northeast Quadrant Northwest Quadrant Southeast Quadrant Southwest Quadrant (A) (A) (B) (C) (D) For people who are Asian, Asian Indian or Pacific Islander 76% 79% D 74% 59% 74% For people who are Black or African American 52% 48% 53% 35% 49% For people who are Hispanic 56% 53% 52% 36% 51% For people who are American Indian or Alaskan Native 64% 54% 53% 43% 55% For people who are White 96% 93% 90% 90% 92% For people whose first language is not English 53% D 51% 62% D 31% 52% For people who are not U.S. citizens 48% 49% 59% D 38% 50% For people who have a lower income 40% D 40% D 43% D 20% 38% For people who are of Christian faith 95% 90% 89% 91% 91% For people who are of Jewish faith 79% 83% 82% 85% 82% For people who are of Muslim faith 47% 44% 47% 44% 45% For people who are of Buddhist faith 55% 61% 52% 52% 55% For people who are of Hindu faith 55% 57% 55% 50% 55% For people who are agnostic or atheist 70% 70% 69% 68% 69% Edina, MN 2019 Quality of Life Survey Report May 2019 Prepared by National Research Center, Inc. Page 120 Table 91: Community Characteristics by Quadrant Please rate each of the following characteristics as they relate to Edina as a whole: (Percent excellent or good) Geographic Area Overall Northeast Quadrant Northwest Quadrant Southeast Quadrant Southwest Quadrant (A) (A) (B) (C) (D) Traffic flow on major streets 44% 53% 56% 61% A 53% Ease of public parking 53% 53% 66% A B 78% A B 61% Ease of travel by car in Edina 67% 77% 75% 86% A 75% Ease of travel by public transportation in Edina 37% 43% 65% A B D 25% 46% Ease of travel by bicycle in Edina 64% 67% 67% 60% 65% Ease of walking in Edina 62% 75% A D 66% D 52% 65% Availability of paths and walking trails 73% 88% A D 80% 73% 79% Air quality 85% 93% 87% 93% 89% Cleanliness of Edina 95% 96% 93% 95% 95% Public places where people want to spend time 84% 88% 85% 88% 86% Variety of housing options 53% 52% 51% 44% 51% Availability of affordable quality housing 34% 36% 33% 23% 32% Fitness opportunities (including exercise classes and paths or trails, etc.) 76% 88% A 87% A 81% 84% Recreational opportunities 85% 92% 85% 84% 87% K-12 education 83% 97% A C 88% 94% A 90% Adult educational opportunities 92% C 91% C 81% 92% C 89% Opportunities to attend cultural/arts/music activities 72% 80% 72% 87% A C 77% Employment opportunities 63% 83% A D 70% 63% 70% Edina, MN 2019 Quality of Life Survey Report May 2019 Prepared by National Research Center, Inc. Page 121 Please rate each of the following characteristics as they relate to Edina as a whole: (Percent excellent or good) Geographic Area Overall Northeast Quadrant Northwest Quadrant Southeast Quadrant Southwest Quadrant (A) (A) (B) (C) (D) Shopping opportunities 88% 94% 93% 98% A 93% Cost of living in Edina 50% 61% C D 46% 44% 51% Overall quality of business and service establishments in Edina 89% 92% 93% 96% 92% Overall quality of commercial redevelopment in Edina 55% 65% 68% 64% 63% Overall quality of residential redevelopment in Edina 56% 62% 68% 61% 62% Opportunities to participate in social events and activities 80% 82% 75% 73% 78% Opportunities to volunteer 82% C 90% C 69% 85% C 81% Opportunities to participate in community matters 76% 81% 71% 79% 76% Table 92: Aspects of Drinking Water by Quadrant Please rate the following aspects of drinking water in Edina: (Percent excellent or good) Geographic Area Overall Northeast Quadrant Northwest Quadrant Southeast Quadrant Southwest Quadrant (A) (A) (B) (C) (D) Appearance 78% 80% 89% A 91% A 84% Taste 46% 63% A 59% 70% A 59% Odor 58% 72% A 71% 65% 67% Hardness 23% 32% 47% A B 36% 35% Reliability 76% 85% 83% 92% A 83% Safety 76% 85% 84% 86% 83% Edina, MN 2019 Quality of Life Survey Report May 2019 Prepared by National Research Center, Inc. Page 122 Table 93: Problems in Edina by Quadrant Please rate how much of a problem, if at all, you feel each of the following is in Edina. (Percent moderate, major or extreme problem) Geographic Area Overall Northeast Quadrant Northwest Quadrant Southeast Quadrant Southwest Quadrant (A) (A) (B) (C) (D) Traffic speeding in your neighborhood 57% C D 48% C D 33% 26% 41% Stop sign violations in your neighborhood 46% B C D 34% C D 20% 20% 30% Violent crime 5% 4% 6% 0% 4% Drugs 10% 18% D 17% D 4% 13% Youth crimes 13% 10% 15% D 2% 11% Vandalism and property crimes 22% 21% 19% 11% 19% Identity theft 13% 21% D 21% D 0% 15% Domestic abuse 3% 7% 11% 2% 6% Edina, MN 2019 Quality of Life Survey Report May 2019 Prepared by National Research Center, Inc. Page 123 Table 94: Use of Parks and Recreation Amenities by Quadrant Tell us about how many times in the last 12 months, if ever, you or other household members used any of the following Edina Parks & Recreation Department amenities. (Percent at least once) Geographic Area Overall Northeast Quadrant Northwest Quadrant Southeast Quadrant Southwest Quadrant (A) (A) (B) (C) (D) Trails 85% C 83% 74% 84% 81% Dog parks/off-leash areas 31% C 27% C 9% 25% C 21% Neighborhood parks 75% C 77% C 62% 74% 71% Large community athletic fields 51% C 41% C 26% 51% C 40% Edinborough Park 49% 48% 50% 46% 48% Centennial Lakes Park 77% 83% 83% 79% 81% Edina Aquatic Center 47% B C 32% 24% 39% C 34% Edina Senior Center 27% 29% 26% 35% 29% Braemar Arena (ice arena) 52% B C 36% 34% 43% 40% Edina Art Center 26% 19% 19% 42% A B C 25% Braemar Golf Course 23% 21% 14% 25% 20% Braemar Golf Dome 32% C 25% C 11% 42% B C 25% Braemar Field (sports dome) 25% C 17% 10% 22% C 18% Edina, MN 2019 Quality of Life Survey Report May 2019 Prepared by National Research Center, Inc. Page 124 Table 95: Quality of Parks and Recreation Amenities by Quadrant Please rate the quality of each, regardless of your household’s use of the amenities. (Percent excellent or good) Geographic Area Overall Northeast Quadrant Northwest Quadrant Southeast Quadrant Southwest Quadrant (A) (A) (B) (C) (D) Trails 93% 97% 96% 99% 96% Dog parks/off-leash areas 79% 76% 75% 85% 78% Neighborhood parks 91% 89% 96% 99% B 93% Large community athletic fields 96% 96% 89% 100% C 95% Edinborough Park 93% B 80% 87% 95% B 88% Centennial Lakes Park 100% 99% 99% 100% 99% Edina Aquatic Center 93% 92% 97% 97% 95% Edina Senior Center 87% 87% 91% 91% 89% Braemar Arena (ice arena) 92% 95% 99% 100% 96% Edina Art Center 81% 93% 84% 94% 88% Braemar Golf Course 98% 88% 92% 100% 94% Braemar Golf Dome 93% 92% 98% 94% 94% Braemar Field (sports dome) 100% 97% 91% 100% 97% Edina, MN 2019 Quality of Life Survey Report May 2019 Prepared by National Research Center, Inc. Page 125 Table 96: Quality of Services by Quadrant Please rate the quality of each of the following services in Edina: (Percent excellent or good) Geographic Area Overall Northeast Quadrant Northwest Quadrant Southeast Quadrant Southwest Quadrant (A) (A) (B) (C) (D) Police services 91% 96% 90% 91% 92% Fire services 99% D 100% D 99% D 94% 98% Ambulance or emergency medical services 100% D 100% D 98% D 93% 98% Crime prevention 91% 93% 98% 95% 94% Fire prevention and education 94% 95% 96% 100% 96% Traffic enforcement 79% 85% 81% 77% 81% Street repair 59% 58% 62% 60% 60% Street cleaning 84% 79% 78% 84% 81% Street lighting 64% 74% 82% A 88% A B 77% Snow removal 90% 88% 81% 93% C 87% Sidewalk maintenance 76% 79% 75% 91% A C 79% Traffic signal timing 74% C 68% 60% 80% C 69% Bus or transit services 56% 67% D 72% D 44% 62% Garbage collection 87% 90% 90% 91% 89% Recycling 76% 86% 87% A 83% 84% Yard waste pickup 88% 84% 81% 86% 84% Storm drainage 72% 86% A 81% 87% A 81% Drinking water 63% 67% 68% 83% A B C 69% Edina, MN 2019 Quality of Life Survey Report May 2019 Prepared by National Research Center, Inc. Page 126 Please rate the quality of each of the following services in Edina: (Percent excellent or good) Geographic Area Overall Northeast Quadrant Northwest Quadrant Southeast Quadrant Southwest Quadrant (A) (A) (B) (C) (D) Sewer services 80% 91% A 89% A 97% A 89% Utility billing 81% 85% 82% 88% 83% City parks 95% 92% 94% 100% B 94% Park maintenance 89% 92% 92% 97% A 92% Condition of trails and sidewalks 84% 95% A 92% 93% 91% Recreation programs or classes 89% 93% 94% 97% 93% Recreation centers or facilities 84% 93% 88% 92% 89% Land use, planning and zoning 39% 52% 60% A 64% A 53% Code enforcement (weeds, abandoned buildings, etc.) 70% 65% 79% 73% 72% Animal control 78% 77% 92% A B 83% 82% Economic development 67% 74% 80% 75% 74% Public health services 86% 89% 87% 90% 88% Public information services/communication from the City 81% 87% 77% 84% 82% Cable television (Comcast/Xfinity) 39% 61% A 58% A 56% 55% Emergency preparedness (services that prepare the community for natural disasters or other emergency situations) 84% 80% 84% 75% 81% Edina open space 60% 68% 73% 80% A 70% City-sponsored special events (Night to Unite, Winter Ice Festival, New Year's Eve Party, etc.) 74% 76% 85% 74% 78% Overall quality of services provided by the City of Edina 87% 91% 87% 94% 89% Edina, MN 2019 Quality of Life Survey Report May 2019 Prepared by National Research Center, Inc. Page 127 Table 97: Government Performance by Quadrant Please rate the following categories of Edina government performance: (Percent excellent or good) Geographic Area Overall Northeast Quadrant Northwest Quadrant Southeast Quadrant Southwest Quadrant (A) (A) (B) (C) (D) The value of services for the taxes paid to Edina 70% 85% A 77% 80% 78% The job Edina government does at welcoming resident involvement 52% 73% A 69% A 59% 65% Overall confidence in Edina government 51% 72% A 69% A 60% 64% Generally acting in the best interest of the community 49% 68% A 67% A 62% 62% Treating all residents fairly 55% 72% A 70% A 59% 65% Table 98: Impression of City Employees by Quadrant Please rate your impression of City employees: (Percent excellent or good) Geographic Area Overall Northeast Quadrant Northwest Quadrant Southeast Quadrant Southwest Quadrant (A) (A) (B) (C) (D) Knowledge 90% 91% 92% 100% 92% Courtesy 86% 94% 93% 100% A 92% Responsiveness 78% 91% A 93% A 94% A 88% Follow-up (got back to you or took action if needed) 71% 89% A 90% A 98% A 85% Overall customer service 79% 91% A 94% A 91% 88% Edina, MN 2019 Quality of Life Survey Report May 2019 Prepared by National Research Center, Inc. Page 128 Table 99: Opinion of Property Taxes by Quadrant Percent very or somewhat high Geographic Area Overall Northeast Quadrant Northwest Quadrant Southeast Quadrant Southwest Quadrant (A) (A) (B) (C) (D) Considering your property taxes in comparison to neighboring cities, property taxes in Edina are… 63% B 45% 64% B 56% 57% Table 100: Level of Support for Increasing Property Taxes by Quadrant Percent strongly or somewhat support Geographic Area Overall Northeast Quadrant Northwest Quadrant Southeast Quadrant Southwest Quadrant (A) (A) (B) (C) (D) To what extent would you support or oppose an increase in your property taxes to maintain City services at their current level? 33% 54% A 43% 47% 44% Table 101: Direction of Edina by Quadrant Percent right direction Geographic Area Overall Northeast Quadrant Northwest Quadrant Southeast Quadrant Southwest Quadrant (A) (A) (B) (C) (D) All in all, do you think things in Edina are generally headed in the right direction, or do you feel things are on the wrong track? 52% 72% A 72% A 68% 66% Table 102: Perception of Own Influence by Quadrant Percent yes Geographic Area Overall Northeast Quadrant Northwest Quadrant Southeast Quadrant Southwest Quadrant (A) (A) (B) (C) (D) Other than voting, do you think that if you wanted to, you could have a say about the way things are run in this community? 55% 75% A 70% 75% A 68% Edina, MN 2019 Quality of Life Survey Report May 2019 Prepared by National Research Center, Inc. Page 129 Table 103: Importance of Diversity and Inclusivity by Quadrant Percent essential or very important Geographic Area Overall Northeast Quadrant Northwest Quadrant Southeast Quadrant Southwest Quadrant (A) (A) (B) (C) (D) How important for the people of Edina is it that local government focuses on creating a diverse and inclusive city? 47% 53% 62% A 68% A 57% Table 104: Ratings of Inclusivity of City by Quadrant Please rate the job you feel the City does at each of the following: (Percent excellent or good) Geographic Area Overall Northeast Quadrant Northwest Quadrant Southeast Quadrant Southwest Quadrant (A) (A) (B) (C) (D) Making all residents feel welcome and that they belong 62% 78% A 75% 76% 73% Helping new residents feel connected and integrated 57% 67% 60% 73% 63% Attracting people from diverse backgrounds 43% 44% 57% 64% A B 51% Valuing residents from diverse backgrounds 54% 65% 61% 80% A C 64% Providing a safe and secure environment for residents of all backgrounds 72% 83% 77% 83% 79% Table 105: Managing Community Tensions by Quadrant Percent very or somewhat well Geographic Area Overall Northeast Quadrant Northwest Quadrant Southeast Quadrant Southwest Quadrant (A) (A) (B) (C) (D) How well, if at all, do you feel the City is managing tensions in the community related to residential redevelopment in Edina? 33% 62% A 54% A 54% A 51% Edina, MN 2019 Quality of Life Survey Report May 2019 Prepared by National Research Center, Inc. Page 130 Table 106: Support for Continued Operation of Municipal Liquor Store by Quadrant Percent strongly or somewhat support Geographic Area Overall Northeast Quadrant Northwest Quadrant Southeast Quadrant Southwest Quadrant (A) (A) (B) (C) (D) The City of Edina owns and operates three municipal liquor stores. Profits from Edina Liquor are used to offset operating costs and for capital expenses at recreational facilities. To what extent do you support the City continuing to operate its municipal liquor stores? 87% 91% 86% 90% 88% Table 107: Support for Single-Hauler Garbage Collection by Quadrant Percent strongly or somewhat support Geographic Area Overall Northeast Quadrant Northwest Quadrant Southeast Quadrant Southwest Quadrant (A) (A) (B) (C) (D) Most communities have one of two systems for garbage collection. To what extent do you support the City changing from the current system in which residents may choose from several different haulers to a system where the City chooses one hauler for the whole community? 49% 53% 43% 57% 50% Table 108: Attitudes Toward Environmental Sustainability by Quadrant How strongly do you agree or disagree with each of the following statements? (Percent strongly or somewhat agree) Geographic Area Overall Northeast Quadrant Northwest Quadrant Southeast Quadrant Southwest Quadrant (A) (A) (B) (C) (D) Our City should invest in programs and create policies to address climate change 65% 72% 81% A 84% A 75% Our City should enact ordinances and regulations intended to increase energy efficiency and climate resiliency 68% 79% A 87% A 88% A 81% Our City should enact ordinances and programs requiring higher green building and development standards 67% 76% 84% A 85% A 78% Our City should invest in renewable energy and test technologies to get to net zero emissions 65% 73% 84% A B 87% A B 77% Edina, MN 2019 Quality of Life Survey Report May 2019 Prepared by National Research Center, Inc. Page 131 Table 109: Quality of Environmental Services by Quadrant Rate the quality of each of the following services provided by the City of Edina. (Percent excellent or good) Geographic Area Overall Northeast Quadrant Northwest Quadrant Southeast Quadrant Southwest Quadrant (A) (A) (B) (C) (D) Energy conservation and efficiency programs 67% 85% C 68% 77% 74% Fostering natural habitats in public spaces 55% 80% A 74% A 84% A 73% Encouraging natural habitat on residential and commercial land 54% 67% 57% 75% A C 63% Increasing renewable energy programs 61% 66% 58% 76% 64% Adapting to climate change 49% 56% 59% 70% 59% Composting collection services 46% 55% 45% 66% 52% Water conservation programs 60% 71% 56% 71% 64% Transportation emission reduction (i.e. bike lanes and public EV charging) 48% 59% 57% 61% 57% Edina, MN 2019 Quality of Life Survey Report May 2019 Prepared by National Research Center, Inc. Page 132 Table 110: Importance of Environmental Services by Quadrant Rate how important, if at all, each service is to the Edina community. (Percent essential or very important) Geographic Area Overall Northeast Quadrant Northwest Quadrant Southeast Quadrant Southwest Quadrant (A) (A) (B) (C) (D) Energy conservation and efficiency programs 59% 70% 73% A 82% A 71% Fostering natural habitats in public spaces 63% 66% 79% A B 87% A B 73% Encouraging natural habitat on residential and commercial land 46% 62% A 63% A 78% A 62% Increasing renewable energy programs 54% 65% 72% A 77% A 67% Adapting to climate change 48% 65% A 68% A 72% A 63% Composting collection services 62% 68% 69% 75% 68% Water conservation programs 63% 81% A 76% A 92% A C 77% Transportation emission reduction (i.e. bike lanes and public EV charging) 47% 61% 59% 73% A 59% Edina, MN 2019 Quality of Life Survey Report May 2019 Prepared by National Research Center, Inc. Page 133 Table 111: City Information Sources by Quadrant Please rate the extent to which you use each of the following as sources of information about Edina government and its activities, if at all. (Percent minor or major source) Geographic Area Overall Northeast Quadrant Northwest Quadrant Southeast Quadrant Southwest Quadrant (A) (A) (B) (C) (D) About Town City magazine 81% 77% 70% 97% A B C 79% Parks & Recreation Activities Directory 68% 77% 78% 75% 75% Edina Sun-Current newspaper 71% C 60% 57% 65% 63% Edition: Edina monthly newsletter 54% 53% 58% 61% 56% Star-Tribune newspaper 69% 64% 62% 57% 63% City's website (www.EdinaMN.gov) 72% B 57% 62% 86% B C 67% Edina TV 16% 21% 39% A B D 17% 25% City employees 51% C 40% 35% 47% 42% City Council Members 50% B C 32% 33% 43% 38% Direct mail updates 71% 59% 61% 80% B C 66% Social media (e.g., Facebook, Twitter) 45% 56% C 42% 42% 47% NextDoor 67% C 60% C 40% 63% C 57% Online web stream videos on YouTube or Granicus 15% 10% 14% 6% 12% City's e-mail subscription service (City Extra) 39% C 31% C 14% 37% C 29% Word of mouth from friends, family or neighbors 92% C 85% 80% 87% 85% Edina, MN 2019 Quality of Life Survey Report May 2019 Prepared by National Research Center, Inc. Page 134 Table 112: Effectiveness of City Communication Tools by Quadrant How effective, if at all, are each of the following communication tools for keeping informed of City activities? (Percent very or somewhat effective) Geographic Area Overall Northeast Quadrant Northwest Quadrant Southeast Quadrant Southwest Quadrant (A) (A) (B) (C) (D) The magazine About Town 70% 90% A 88% A 95% A 86% The newsletter Edition: Edina 70% 80% 84% 95% A 81% Table 113: City Website Access by Quadrant Percent yes Geographic Area Overall Northeast Quadrant Northwest Quadrant Southeast Quadrant Southwest Quadrant (A) (A) (B) (C) (D) Have you accessed the City of Edina website (www.EdinaMN.gov) in the last 12 months? 63% B C 44% 43% 58% C 50% Table 114: Aspects of City Website by Quadrant Please rate the following aspects of the Edina website: (Percent excellent or good) Geographic Area Overall Northeast Quadrant Northwest Quadrant Southeast Quadrant Southwest Quadrant (A) (A) (B) (C) (D) Appearance 87% 82% 81% 92% 85% Online information and services offered 81% 84% 78% 83% 81% Ease of navigation/ability to find information 62% 58% 44% 61% 56% Overall quality of the City of Edina website 72% 73% 75% 84% 75% Edina, MN 2019 Quality of Life Survey Report May 2019 Prepared by National Research Center, Inc. Page 135 Table 115: Concern About Household Issues by Quadrant To what extent, if at all, have you been concerned about each of the following issues in your household in the last 12 months? (Percent minor, moderate or major concern) Geographic Area Overall Northeast Quadrant Northwest Quadrant Southeast Quadrant Southwest Quadrant (A) (A) (B) (C) (D) Feeling socially isolated or disconnected from others 16% 29% A 29% A 30% 26% Having access to health care 18% B 7% 18% B 15% 14% Being able to age in place (e.g., remain in your home as you get older) 41% 36% 28% 39% 35% Running out of food before you had money to buy more 9% 13% 10% 7% 10% Having enough money to pay your rent or mortgage 21% 25% 27% 15% 23% Table 116: Economic Impact on Family Income by Quadrant Percent very or somewhat positive Geographic Area Overall Northeast Quadrant Northwest Quadrant Southeast Quadrant Southwest Quadrant (A) (A) (B) (C) (D) What impact, if any, do you think the economy will have on your family income in the next 6 months? Do you think the impact will be: 34% B 22% 30% 22% 27% Edina, MN 2019 Quality of Life Survey Report May 2019 Prepared by National Research Center, Inc. Page 136 Survey Results by Demographic Characteristics • Residents who were age 18-34 gave lower ratings to the sense of community in Edina and the neighborliness of residents in the city than those who were age 35 or older. Renters gave higher ratings than homeowners to health and wellness opportunities in Edina and overall opportunities for education and enrichment. • When asked to rate how welcoming Edina is as a community toward people of various differing characteristics, respondents who were male or younger than age 55 tended to give more positive ratings to the city than others. • Residents living in attached housing were more likely to give high scores to transportation-related aspects, such as ease of public parking, ease of travel by public transportation in Edina and ease of travel by bicycle, than those who lived in detached housing. Respondents age 18-34 tended to give more positive marks to ease of travel by car and the overall quality of commercial and residential redevelopment in Edina than older residents. • Respondents age 55 or older gave more favorable marks to the taste, odor and hardness of City drinking water than those who were younger than age 55. • Residents who had lived in Edina for 6-20 years, were age 35-54 or who lived in detached housing were more likely than their counterparts to have used various Edina Parks & Recreation Department amenities in the past 12 months. • Respondents who had lived in the city for more than five years, owned their homes or lived in detached housing gave higher ratings to police, fire and ambulance/EMS services than other respondents. • Residents who were age 18-34 were more likely to give high marks to the knowledge, courtesy, responsiveness, follow-up and overall customer service of City employees than those who were age 35 or older. • Those living in Edina for less than five years, females, renters or living in attached housing thought it was more important that local government focus on creating a diverse and inclusive city than other residents. However, male residents tended to give higher ratings than women to various indicators of inclusivity, such as the job the City does at helping new residents feel connected and integrated and attracting people from diverse backgrounds. • Women, renters and residents living in attached housing were more likely to agree with a variety of statements related to improved environmental sustainability (such as the City investing in programs and create policies to address climate change or enacting ordinances and regulations intended to increase energy efficiency and climate resiliency) than other residents. These respondents were also more likely than their counterparts to rate City services related to environmental sustainability as essential or very important. Edina, MN 2019 Quality of Life Survey Report May 2019 Prepared by National Research Center, Inc. Page 137 Table 117: Quality of Life by Respondent Characteristics Percent excellent or good Length of residency Gender Age Housing tenure Housing unit type Overall Less than 5 years 6 to 20 years More than 20 years Female Male 18- 34 35- 54 55+ Rent Own Detached Attached (A) (A) (B) (C) (A) (B) (A) (B) (C) (A) (B) (A) (B) How would you rate the quality of life in Edina? 100% 98% 97% 98% 98% 100% 99% 97% 100% 98% 98% 99% 98% Table 118: General Community Characteristics by Respondent Characteristics Please rate each of the following characteristics as they relate to Edina as a community: (Percent excellent or good) Length of residency Gender Age Housing tenure Housing unit type Overall Less than 5 years 6 to 20 years More than 20 years Female Male 18- 34 35- 54 55+ Rent Own Detached Attached (A) (A) (B) (C) (A) (B) (A) (B) (C) (A) (B) (A) (B) Overall feeling of safety in Edina 94% 96% 96% 95% 96% 97% 95% 95% 94% 96% 96% 95% 96% Overall ease of getting to the places you usually have to visit 91% C 87% 82% 92% B 81% 92% 87% 83% 89% 85% 87% 85% 86% Quality of overall natural environment in Edina 92% 92% 89% 91% 91% 89% 91% 92% 95% 90% 89% 93% 91% Overall established “built environment” of Edina (including overall design, buildings, parks and transportation systems) 85% 79% 75% 79% 82% 82% 77% 80% 83% 78% 76% 83% 80% Health and wellness opportunities in Edina 96% 92% 92% 95% 92% 94% 92% 94% 99% B 92% 91% 97% A 93% Overall opportunities for education and enrichment 95% 93% 96% 94% 95% 88% 96% A 95% 99% B 93% 95% 94% 94% Overall economic health of Edina 95% 94% 94% 93% 97% 95% 95% 94% 97% 94% 95% 94% 94% Sense of community 69% 73% 81% A 72% 81% A 54% 80% A 79% A 79% 74% 78% 71% 74% Overall image or reputation of Edina 92% 89% 88% 86% 94% A 91% 90% 89% 90% 89% 90% 90% 89% Neighborliness of residents in Edina 74% 79% 74% 73% 80% 63% 82% A 76% A 80% 75% 78% 72% 76% Edina, MN 2019 Quality of Life Survey Report May 2019 Prepared by National Research Center, Inc. Page 138 Table 119: Likelihood of Recommending or Remaining in Edina by Respondent Characteristics Please indicate how likely or unlikely you are to do each of the following: (Percent very or somewhat likely) Length of residency Gender Age Housing tenure Housing unit type Overall Less than 5 years 6 to 20 years More than 20 years Female Male 18- 34 35- 54 55+ Rent Own Detached Attached (A) (A) (B) (C) (A) (B) (A) (B) (C) (A) (B) (A) (B) Recommend living in Edina to someone who asks 96% 92% 94% 93% 95% 97% 92% 94% 98% B 93% 93% 95% 94% Remain in Edina for the next five years 85% 91% 93% A 92% 86% 77% 93% A 91% A 80% 93% A 90% 90% 90% Table 120: Feelings of Safety by Respondent Characteristics Please rate how safe or unsafe you feel: (Percent very or somewhat safe) Length of residency Gender Age Housing tenure Housing unit type Overall Less than 5 years 6 to 20 years More than 20 years Female Male 18- 34 35- 54 55+ Rent Own Detached Attached (A) (A) (B) (C) (A) (B) (A) (B) (C) (A) (B) (A) (B) In your neighborhood 96% 98% 97% 97% 98% 97% 98% 96% 98% 97% 97% 97% 97% In the 50th & France area (downtown area) 92% 97% 93% 94% 94% 97% 94% 93% 98% 93% 94% 95% 94% In the Southdale area 86% B 76% 79% 78% 84% 81% 76% 83% 88% B 78% 75% 87% A 80% Edina, MN 2019 Quality of Life Survey Report May 2019 Prepared by National Research Center, Inc. Page 139 Table 121: Sense of Community Welcoming by Respondent Characteristics Please rate how welcoming Edina is as a community: (Percent very welcoming or welcoming) Length of residency Gender Age Housing tenure Housing unit type Overall Less than 5 years 6 to 20 years More than 20 years Female Male 18- 34 35- 54 55+ Rent Own Detached Attached (A) (A) (B) (C) (A) (B) (A) (B) (C) (A) (B) (A) (B) For people who are Asian, Asian Indian or Pacific Islander 79% 75% 68% 68% 78% 75% 77% 69% 84% B 70% 73% 73% 74% For people who are Black or African American 60% C 45% 42% 40% 54% A 58% 49% 42% 57% 45% 47% 49% 49% For people who are Hispanic 57% 45% 51% 42% 58% A 59% 51% 46% 63% B 47% 50% 52% 51% For people who are American Indian or Alaskan Native 58% 50% 55% 45% 61% A 55% 56% 52% 67% B 50% 54% 55% 55% For people who are White 95% B 85% 96% B 94% 92% 97% B 87% 94% B 93% 92% 91% 93% 92% For people whose first language is not English 65% B C 48% 46% 46% 56% 61% C 58% C 42% 66% B 47% 52% 51% 52% For people who are not U.S. citizens 64% C 50% 39% 41% 55% A 63% C 55% C 39% 60% 46% 48% 52% 50% For people who have a lower income 38% 45% 31% 27% 47% A 47% C 42% 30% 42% 36% 41% 32% 38% For people who are of Christian faith 92% 89% 92% 92% 91% 93% 91% 91% 92% 91% 91% 92% 91% For people who are of Jewish faith 83% 84% 81% 79% 87% 96% C 82% 78% 82% 83% 82% 83% 82% For people who are of Muslim faith 56% C 47% 35% 32% 55% A 57% C 50% 36% 56% 42% 44% 46% 45% For people who are of Buddhist faith 75% C 61% C 38% 45% 64% A 62% C 67% C 42% 60% 54% 56% 54% 55% For people who are of Hindu faith 74% C 58% C 38% 44% 63% A 60% 66% C 41% 62% 52% 54% 55% 55% For people who are agnostic or atheist 87% B C 72% C 55% 65% 76% 89% C 79% C 52% 77% 68% 70% 70% 69% Edina, MN 2019 Quality of Life Survey Report May 2019 Prepared by National Research Center, Inc. Page 140 Table 122: Community Characteristics by Respondent Characteristics Please rate each of the following characteristics as they relate to Edina as a whole: (Percent excellent or good) Length of residency Gender Age Housing tenure Housing unit type Overall Less than 5 years 6 to 20 years More than 20 years Female Male 18- 34 35- 54 55+ Rent Own Detached Attached (A) (A) (B) (C) (A) (B) (A) (B) (C) (A) (B) (A) (B) Traffic flow on major streets 57% 53% 51% 58% 49% 63% B 48% 55% 59% 52% 50% 59% 53% Ease of public parking 73% B C 56% 56% 61% 61% 70% B 55% 62% 66% 60% 55% 69% A 61% Ease of travel by car in Edina 84% B C 72% 71% 80% B 69% 90% B C 67% 75% 80% 74% 72% 80% 75% Ease of travel by public transportation in Edina 57% C 44% 35% 40% 48% 54% 47% 38% 64% B 38% 36% 57% A 46% Ease of travel by bicycle in Edina 63% 67% 63% 58% 71% A 64% 69% 61% 70% 63% 60% 72% A 65% Ease of walking in Edina 71% B 59% 68% 62% 71% 69% 61% 69% 72% 65% 65% 67% 65% Availability of paths and walking trails 78% 77% 83% 78% 82% 76% 77% 83% 87% B 77% 78% 82% 79% Air quality 91% 89% 87% 88% 89% 90% 90% 87% 89% 89% 91% 86% 89% Cleanliness of Edina 96% 94% 93% 96% 92% 91% 97% 93% 93% 95% 97% B 90% 95% Public places where people want to spend time 94% B C 82% 83% 87% 86% 87% 86% 85% 87% 86% 87% 84% 86% Variety of housing options 48% 58% 46% 43% 58% A 41% 57% A 49% 41% 54% A 54% 45% 51% Availability of affordable quality housing 27% 38% 34% 27% 37% 25% 40% A 29% 27% 34% 37% B 26% 32% Fitness opportunities (including exercise classes and paths or trails, etc.) 86% 83% 84% 89% B 79% 85% 80% 88% 86% 84% 84% 85% 84% Recreational opportunities 83% 86% 90% 87% 86% 78% 88% A 89% A 82% 88% 89% 83% 87% Edina, MN 2019 Quality of Life Survey Report May 2019 Prepared by National Research Center, Inc. Page 141 Please rate each of the following characteristics as they relate to Edina as a whole: (Percent excellent or good) Length of residency Gender Age Housing tenure Housing unit type Overall Less than 5 years 6 to 20 years More than 20 years Female Male 18- 34 35- 54 55+ Rent Own Detached Attached (A) (A) (B) (C) (A) (B) (A) (B) (C) (A) (B) (A) (B) K-12 education 93% 86% 92% 91% 90% 84% 89% 94% A 93% 90% 90% 90% 90% Adult educational opportunities 87% 85% 92% 84% 94% A 84% 92% 87% 83% 90% 93% B 80% 89% Opportunities to attend cultural/arts/music activities 76% 74% 80% 71% 83% A 72% 75% 80% 72% 78% 79% 73% 77% Employment opportunities 78% 64% 72% 62% 79% A 71% 70% 71% 69% 72% 78% B 62% 70% Shopping opportunities 95% 92% 92% 93% 94% 95% 94% 92% 91% 94% 94% 92% 93% Cost of living in Edina 47% 51% 54% 48% 53% 38% 54% A 53% A 45% 53% 55% B 44% 51% Overall quality of business and service establishments in Edina 92% 94% 91% 93% 92% 92% 94% 91% 95% 92% 92% 93% 92% Overall quality of commercial redevelopment in Edina 72% C 63% 56% 65% 62% 84% B C 58% 59% 71% 61% 61% 66% 63% Overall quality of residential redevelopment in Edina 72% B C 59% 57% 59% 65% 85% B C 57% 58% 65% 62% 64% 60% 62% Opportunities to participate in social events and activities 79% 76% 79% 75% 81% 74% 79% 79% 73% 79% 82% B 71% 78% Opportunities to volunteer 72% 86% A 84% A 78% 84% 70% 82% 84% A 78% 82% 86% B 74% 81% Opportunities to participate in community matters 79% 73% 79% 76% 80% 80% 75% 77% 78% 77% 78% 74% 76% Edina, MN 2019 Quality of Life Survey Report May 2019 Prepared by National Research Center, Inc. Page 142 Table 123: Aspects of Drinking Water by Respondent Characteristics Please rate the following aspects of drinking water in Edina: (Percent excellent or good) Length of residency Gender Age Housing tenure Housing unit type Overall Less than 5 years 6 to 20 years More than 20 years Female Male 18- 34 35- 54 55+ Rent Own Detached Attached (A) (A) (B) (C) (A) (B) (A) (B) (C) (A) (B) (A) (B) Appearance 86% 80% 87% 84% 85% 88% 81% 85% 80% 86% 86% 82% 84% Taste 55% 59% 62% 55% 63% 63% 50% 64% B 57% 60% 60% 57% 59% Odor 64% 65% 73% 69% 66% 67% 59% 74% B 62% 69% 69% 65% 67% Hardness 41% 35% 30% 36% 36% 45% B 27% 39% B 39% 34% 29% 45% A 35% Reliability 85% 81% 84% 82% 84% 87% 79% 86% 78% 85% 84% 82% 83% Safety 86% 78% 85% 82% 84% 86% 77% 86% 84% 83% 84% 81% 83% Edina, MN 2019 Quality of Life Survey Report May 2019 Prepared by National Research Center, Inc. Page 143 Table 124: Problems in Edina by Respondent Characteristics Please rate how much of a problem, if at all, you feel each of the following is in Edina. (Percent moderate, major or extreme problem) Length of residency Gender Age Housing tenure Housing unit type Overall Less than 5 years 6 to 20 years More than 20 years Female Male 18- 34 35- 54 55+ Rent Own Detached Attached (A) (A) (B) (C) (A) (B) (A) (B) (C) (A) (B) (A) (B) Traffic speeding in your neighborhood 31% 52% A C 40% 49% B 32% 30% 53% A C 37% 28% 46% A 49% B 30% 41% Stop sign violations in your neighborhood 19% 37% A 34% A 31% 30% 27% 34% 29% 15% 35% A 37% B 20% 30% Violent crime 1% 4% 5% 4% 3% 0% 2% 6% A 4% 3% 3% 4% 4% Drugs 4% 14% 19% A 17% B 8% 8% 11% 19% A 11% 13% 14% 11% 13% Youth crimes 5% 15% A 11% 12% 9% 8% 10% 14% 8% 11% 12% 9% 11% Vandalism and property crimes 11% 20% 23% A 23% B 14% 8% 20% 22% A 18% 19% 20% 18% 19% Identity theft 12% 16% 18% 19% 12% 4% 12% 24% A B 17% 15% 13% 19% 15% Domestic abuse 2% 3% 13% A B 10% B 3% 0% 5% 11% A 7% 6% 5% 8% 6% Edina, MN 2019 Quality of Life Survey Report May 2019 Prepared by National Research Center, Inc. Page 144 Table 125: Use of Parks and Recreation Amenities by Respondent Characteristics Tell us about how many times in the last 12 months, if ever, you or other household members used any of the following Edina Parks & Recreation Department amenities. (Percent at least once) Length of residency Gender Age Housing tenure Housing unit type Overall Less than 5 years 6 to 20 years More than 20 years Female Male 18- 34 35- 54 55+ Rent Own Detached Attached (A) (A) (B) (C) (A) (B) (A) (B) (C) (A) (B) (A) (B) Trails 77% 86% 78% 78% 83% 78% 91% A C 73% 76% 82% 87% B 71% 81% Dog parks/off-leash areas 17% 28% A C 17% 20% 23% 29% C 23% 16% 13% 23% A 26% B 13% 21% Neighborhood parks 65% 79% A 70% 69% 74% 61% 74% A 74% A 66% 73% 76% B 66% 71% Large community athletic fields 30% 54% A C 37% 36% 44% 29% 59% A C 29% 24% 45% A 51% B 24% 40% Edinborough Park 43% 62% A C 41% 51% 47% 50% 52% 46% 54% 46% 47% 51% 48% Centennial Lakes Park 79% 84% 81% 82% 80% 73% 91% A C 77% 84% 80% 85% B 75% 81% Edina Aquatic Center 32% 47% A C 24% 30% 37% 29% 56% A C 17% 21% 38% A 45% B 17% 34% Edina Senior Center 24% 26% 36% A 30% 27% 12% 26% A 37% A B 23% 30% 30% 26% 29% Braemar Arena (ice arena) 37% 48% C 36% 37% 44% 36% 60% A C 26% 30% 44% A 49% B 27% 40% Edina Art Center 18% 29% A 26% 28% 21% 6% 33% A 26% A 17% 27% 29% B 18% 25% Braemar Golf Course 6% 28% A 25% A 19% 21% 11% 24% A 20% 10% 23% A 24% B 13% 20% Braemar Golf Dome 13% 37% A C 23% 18% 31% A 14% 40% A C 16% 10% 29% A 33% B 12% 25% Braemar Field (sports dome) 9% 27% A C 15% 15% 21% 9% 32% A C 9% 1% 22% A 24% B 7% 18% Edina, MN 2019 Quality of Life Survey Report May 2019 Prepared by National Research Center, Inc. Page 145 Table 126: Quality of Parks and Recreation Amenities by Respondent Characteristics Please rate the quality of each, regardless of your household’s use of the amenities. (Percent excellent or good) Length of residency Gender Age Housing tenure Housing unit type Overall Less than 5 years 6 to 20 years More than 20 years Female Male 18- 34 35- 54 55+ Rent Own Detached Attached (A) (A) (B) (C) (A) (B) (A) (B) (C) (A) (B) (A) (B) Trails 96% 94% 97% 98% 93% 96% 96% 95% 100% 95% 95% 97% 96% Dog parks/off-leash areas 74% 77% 82% 76% 80% 65% 76% 87% 82% 77% 72% 93% A 78% Neighborhood parks 94% 90% 95% 94% 92% 96% 90% 95% 98% 92% 90% 99% A 93% Large community athletic fields 100% 94% 94% 96% 94% 100% 91% 99% B 100% 95% 94% 100% 95% Edinborough Park 78% 89% 95% A 88% 88% 68% 90% A 94% A 69% 93% A 88% 88% 88% Centennial Lakes Park 100% 99% 99% 99% 100% 100% 100% 98% 100% 99% 99% 99% 99% Edina Aquatic Center 96% 92% 97% 91% 98% 93% 92% 99% 96% 94% 94% 97% 95% Edina Senior Center 94% 87% 88% 90% 88% 90% 89% 89% 87% 90% 91% 85% 89% Braemar Arena (ice arena) 100% 93% 97% 96% 95% 93% 96% 97% 100% 95% 95% 98% 96% Edina Art Center 80% 81% 96% B 86% 87% 100% 82% 90% 85% 88% 87% 88% 88% Braemar Golf Course 100% 89% 96% 99% 90% 100% 97% 90% 100% 92% 93% 94% 94% Braemar Golf Dome 100% 90% 95% 99% 90% 100% 90% 96% 100% 92% 93% 96% 94% Braemar Field (sports dome) 94% 97% 98% 98% 96% 100% 100% C 92% 100% 96% 98% 91% 97% Edina, MN 2019 Quality of Life Survey Report May 2019 Prepared by National Research Center, Inc. Page 146 Table 127: Quality of Services by Respondent Characteristics Please rate the quality of each of the following services in Edina: (Percent excellent or good) Length of residency Gender Age Housing tenure Housing unit type Overall Less than 5 years 6 to 20 years More than 20 years Female Male 18- 34 35- 54 55+ Rent Own Detached Attached (A) (A) (B) (C) (A) (B) (A) (B) (C) (A) (B) (A) (B) Police services 85% 93% A 95% A 92% 92% 87% 89% 96% A B 84% 94% A 95% B 87% 92% Fire services 95% 100% A 100% A 100% B 97% 100% 97% 99% 95% 100% A 100% B 96% 98% Ambulance or emergency medical services 93% 100% A 99% A 99% 97% 96% 96% 100% 95% 99% A 100% B 95% 98% Crime prevention 95% 91% 96% 96% 93% 96% 92% 96% 100% B 93% 92% 99% A 94% Fire prevention and education 93% 97% 98% 97% 95% 96% 97% 96% 98% 96% 96% 97% 96% Traffic enforcement 80% 83% 82% 82% 81% 84% 80% 82% 83% 81% 84% 77% 81% Street repair 55% 63% 61% 56% 63% 49% 64% A 60% 51% 63% 64% B 53% 60% Street cleaning 78% 83% 82% 80% 82% 76% 81% 83% 74% 83% 85% B 74% 81% Street lighting 80% 72% 79% 77% 76% 82% 71% 79% 86% B 74% 74% 81% 77% Snow removal 82% 89% 89% 85% 89% 70% 91% A 90% A 80% 89% A 91% B 81% 87% Sidewalk maintenance 75% 80% 81% 80% 78% 68% 84% A 79% 77% 79% 82% 75% 79% Traffic signal timing 66% 68% 72% 72% 66% 50% 74% A 72% A 60% 71% A 70% 66% 69% Bus or transit services 83% B C 50% 59% 56% 67% 72% 62% 59% 77% B 56% 58% 67% 62% Garbage collection 95% C 88% 86% 87% 94% A 93% 88% 90% 94% 88% 89% 90% 89% Edina, MN 2019 Quality of Life Survey Report May 2019 Prepared by National Research Center, Inc. Page 147 Please rate the quality of each of the following services in Edina: (Percent excellent or good) Length of residency Gender Age Housing tenure Housing unit type Overall Less than 5 years 6 to 20 years More than 20 years Female Male 18- 34 35- 54 55+ Rent Own Detached Attached (A) (A) (B) (C) (A) (B) (A) (B) (C) (A) (B) (A) (B) Recycling 87% 81% 84% 82% 86% 83% 77% 89% B 88% 83% 82% 86% 84% Yard waste pickup 89% 82% 83% 84% 84% 80% 81% 89% 89% 83% 84% 85% 84% Storm drainage 89% C 80% 77% 82% 82% 89% 80% 80% 89% 80% 79% 85% 81% Drinking water 65% 69% 74% 66% 74% 70% 66% 72% 63% 71% 73% 64% 69% Sewer services 93% 88% 86% 90% 89% 89% 88% 89% 90% 88% 89% 89% 89% Utility billing 85% 88% C 78% 84% 83% 81% 86% 82% 78% 85% 86% 78% 83% City parks 93% 93% 97% 93% 96% 89% 96% A 95% 90% 95% 96% 92% 94% Park maintenance 95% 89% 93% 92% 93% 88% 92% 94% 91% 92% 93% 90% 92% Condition of trails and sidewalks 96% B 85% 93% B 92% 91% 93% 90% 91% 93% 91% 91% 91% 91% Recreation programs or classes 96% 90% 93% 93% 93% 88% 96% 92% 93% 93% 94% 91% 93% Recreation centers or facilities 95% B 85% 88% 89% 91% 91% 88% 90% 88% 89% 90% 87% 89% Land use, planning and zoning 69% B C 52% 42% 54% 55% 83% B C 48% 47% 70% B 49% 47% 64% A 53% Code enforcement (weeds, abandoned buildings, etc.) 82% C 72% 62% 75% 68% 75% 71% 69% 93% B 66% 65% 84% A 72% Animal control 94% B C 76% 80% 84% 81% 96% B C 80% 80% 95% B 78% 77% 92% A 82% Economic development 78% 74% 71% 77% 74% 90% B C 68% 73% 85% B 71% 71% 80% 74% Public health services 90% 89% 85% 84% 93% A 93% 91% 83% 89% 88% 90% 84% 88% Edina, MN 2019 Quality of Life Survey Report May 2019 Prepared by National Research Center, Inc. Page 148 Please rate the quality of each of the following services in Edina: (Percent excellent or good) Length of residency Gender Age Housing tenure Housing unit type Overall Less than 5 years 6 to 20 years More than 20 years Female Male 18- 34 35- 54 55+ Rent Own Detached Attached (A) (A) (B) (C) (A) (B) (A) (B) (C) (A) (B) (A) (B) Public information services/communication from the City 83% 81% 82% 84% 81% 82% 82% 82% 79% 83% 86% B 75% 82% Cable television (Comcast/Xfinity) 57% 59% 49% 51% 60% 63% 49% 57% 60% 54% 50% 61% A 55% Emergency preparedness (services that prepare the community for natural disasters or other emergency situations) 93% B 70% 82% B 78% 87% 86% 77% 83% 85% 80% 83% 79% 81% Edina open space 74% 70% 67% 77% B 63% 78% 71% 65% 78% 68% 67% 74% 70% City-sponsored special events (Night to Unite, Winter Ice Festival, New Year's Eve Party, etc.) 85% 76% 76% 82% 76% 84% 76% 78% 82% 77% 76% 82% 78% Overall quality of services provided by the City of Edina 91% 85% 91% 91% 90% 85% 89% 91% 90% 89% 90% 87% 89% Edina, MN 2019 Quality of Life Survey Report May 2019 Prepared by National Research Center, Inc. Page 149 Table 128: Government Performance by Respondent Characteristics Please rate the following categories of Edina government performance: (Percent excellent or good) Length of residency Gender Age Housing tenure Housing unit type Overall Less than 5 years 6 to 20 years More than 20 years Female Male 18- 34 35- 54 55+ Rent Own Detached Attached (A) (A) (B) (C) (A) (B) (A) (B) (C) (A) (B) (A) (B) The value of services for the taxes paid to Edina 74% 78% 80% 82% 76% 65% 79% A 80% A 70% 79% 79% 74% 78% The job Edina government does at welcoming resident involvement 66% 61% 68% 66% 67% 54% 62% 72% A 70% 64% 65% 65% 65% Overall confidence in Edina government 70% 65% 60% 68% 64% 59% 60% 71% B 68% 64% 62% 68% 64% Generally acting in the best interest of the community 69% C 64% 56% 67% 61% 64% 57% 67% 63% 63% 60% 66% 62% Treating all residents fairly 67% 68% 60% 67% 65% 65% 63% 67% 70% 64% 64% 67% 65% Table 129: Impression of City Employees by Respondent Characteristics Please rate your impression of City employees: (Percent excellent or good) Length of residency Gender Age Housing tenure Housing unit type Overall Less than 5 years 6 to 20 years More than 20 years Female Male 18- 34 35- 54 55+ Rent Own Detached Attached (A) (A) (B) (C) (A) (B) (A) (B) (C) (A) (B) (A) (B) Knowledge 95% 92% 90% 94% 91% 100% B 88% 94% 98% 92% 91% 95% 92% Courtesy 95% 92% 90% 94% 90% 100% B 86% 95% B 94% 92% 91% 95% 92% Responsiveness 92% 86% 88% 91% 84% 100% B 84% 88% 98% 87% 86% 95% 88% Follow-up (got back to you or took action if needed) 91% 84% 83% 90% 80% 100% B 81% 85% 94% 84% 83% 92% 85% Overall customer service 93% 87% 86% 91% 85% 100% B 83% 89% 94% 87% 86% 94% 88% Edina, MN 2019 Quality of Life Survey Report May 2019 Prepared by National Research Center, Inc. Page 150 Table 130: Opinion of Property Taxes by Respondent Characteristics Percent very or somewhat high Length of residency Gender Age Housing tenure Housing unit type Overall Less than 5 years 6 to 20 years More than 20 years Female Male 18- 34 35- 54 55+ Rent Own Detached Attached (A) (A) (B) (C) (A) (B) (A) (B) (C) (A) (B) (A) (B) Considering your property taxes in comparison to neighboring cities, property taxes in Edina are… 60% 61% 51% 59% 54% 79% B C 60% C 48% 68% 55% 58% 55% 57% Table 131: Level of Support for Increasing Property Taxes by Respondent Characteristics Percent strongly or somewhat support Length of residency Gender Age Housing tenure Housing unit type Overall Less than 5 years 6 to 20 years More than 20 years Female Male 18- 34 35- 54 55+ Rent Own Detached Attached (A) (A) (B) (C) (A) (B) (A) (B) (C) (A) (B) (A) (B) To what extent would you support or oppose an increase in your property taxes to maintain City services at their current level? 38% 46% 47% 48% 41% 22% 44% A 52% A 35% 46% 43% 46% 44% Edina, MN 2019 Quality of Life Survey Report May 2019 Prepared by National Research Center, Inc. Page 151 Table 132: Direction of Edina by Respondent Characteristics Percent right direction Length of residency Gender Age Housing tenure Housing unit type Overall Less than 5 years 6 to 20 years More than 20 years Female Male 18- 34 35- 54 55+ Rent Own Detached Attached (A) (A) (B) (C) (A) (B) (A) (B) (C) (A) (B) (A) (B) All in all, do you think things in Edina are generally headed in the right direction, or do you feel things are on the wrong track? 82% B C 63% 58% 69% 69% 80% B 60% 68% 71% 66% 63% 73% 66% Table 133: Perception of Own Influence by Respondent Characteristics Percent yes Length of residency Gender Age Housing tenure Housing unit type Overall Less than 5 years 6 to 20 years More than 20 years Female Male 18- 34 35- 54 55+ Rent Own Detached Attached (A) (A) (B) (C) (A) (B) (A) (B) (C) (A) (B) (A) (B) Other than voting, do you think that if you wanted to, you could have a say about the way things are run in this community? 83% B C 67% 61% 68% 72% 82% B 58% 75% B 78% 67% 63% 79% A 68% Table 134: Importance of Diversity and Inclusivity by Respondent Characteristics Percent essential or very important Length of residency Gender Age Housing tenure Housing unit type Overall Less than 5 years 6 to 20 years More than 20 years Female Male 18- 34 35- 54 55+ Rent Own Detached Attached (A) (A) (B) (C) (A) (B) (A) (B) (C) (A) (B) (A) (B) How important for the people of Edina is it that local government focuses on creating a diverse and inclusive city? 68% B C 55% 50% 66% B 48% 66% B 48% 62% B 72% B 53% 49% 70% A 57% Edina, MN 2019 Quality of Life Survey Report May 2019 Prepared by National Research Center, Inc. Page 152 Table 135: Ratings of Inclusivity of City by Respondent Characteristics Please rate the job you feel the City does at each of the following: (Percent excellent or good) Length of residency Gender Age Housing tenure Housing unit type Overall Less than 5 years 6 to 20 years More than 20 years Female Male 18- 34 35- 54 55+ Rent Own Detached Attached (A) (A) (B) (C) (A) (B) (A) (B) (C) (A) (B) (A) (B) Making all residents feel welcome and that they belong 81% C 73% 65% 70% 78% 82% 74% 68% 79% 71% 73% 73% 73% Helping new residents feel connected and integrated 58% 69% 62% 56% 70% A 60% 61% 65% 60% 64% 64% 60% 63% Attracting people from diverse backgrounds 57% 52% 45% 44% 57% A 62% 49% 47% 64% B 48% 46% 60% A 51% Valuing residents from diverse backgrounds 70% C 70% C 50% 55% 71% A 69% 69% C 56% 57% 65% 64% 62% 64% Providing a safe and secure environment for residents of all backgrounds 84% 77% 76% 72% 87% A 79% 79% 78% 76% 80% 82% 73% 79% Table 136: Managing Community Tensions by Respondent Characteristics Percent very or somewhat well Length of residency Gender Age Housing tenure Housing unit type Overall Less than 5 years 6 to 20 years More than 20 years Female Male 18- 34 35- 54 55+ Rent Own Detached Attached (A) (A) (B) (C) (A) (B) (A) (B) (C) (A) (B) (A) (B) How well, if at all, do you feel the City is managing tensions in the community related to residential redevelopment in Edina? 71% B C 44% 48% 53% 53% 65% 47% 53% 56% 51% 50% 55% 51% Edina, MN 2019 Quality of Life Survey Report May 2019 Prepared by National Research Center, Inc. Page 153 Table 137: Support for Continued Operation of Municipal Liquor Store by Respondent Characteristics Percent strongly or somewhat support Length of residency Gender Age Housing tenure Housing unit type Overall Less than 5 years 6 to 20 years More than 20 years Female Male 18- 34 35- 54 55+ Rent Own Detached Attached (A) (A) (B) (C) (A) (B) (A) (B) (C) (A) (B) (A) (B) The City of Edina owns and operates three municipal liquor stores. Profits from Edina Liquor are used to offset operating costs and for capital expenses at recreational facilities. To what extent do you support the City continuing to operate its municipal liquor stores? 88% 83% 93% B 93% B 85% 89% 89% 88% 89% 88% 88% 89% 88% Table 138: Support for Single-Hauler Garbage Collection by Respondent Characteristics Percent strongly or somewhat support Length of residency Gender Age Housing tenure Housing unit type Overall Less than 5 years 6 to 20 years More than 20 years Female Male 18- 34 35- 54 55+ Rent Own Detached Attached (A) (A) (B) (C) (A) (B) (A) (B) (C) (A) (B) (A) (B) Most communities have one of two systems for garbage collection. To what extent do you support the City changing from the current system in which residents may choose from several different haulers to a system where the City chooses one hauler for the whole community? 54% 44% 52% 47% 54% 38% 60% A C 45% 52% 49% 52% 46% 50% Edina, MN 2019 Quality of Life Survey Report May 2019 Prepared by National Research Center, Inc. Page 154 Table 139: Attitudes Toward Environmental Sustainability by Respondent Characteristics How strongly do you agree or disagree with each of the following statements? (Percent strongly or somewhat agree) Length of residency Gender Age Housing tenure Housing unit type Overall Less than 5 years 6 to 20 years More than 20 years Female Male 18- 34 35- 54 55+ Rent Own Detached Attached (A) (A) (B) (C) (A) (B) (A) (B) (C) (A) (B) (A) (B) Our City should invest in programs and create policies to address climate change 81% C 75% 69% 82% B 69% 81% B 66% 81% B 83% 72% 70% 83% A 75% Our City should enact ordinances and regulations intended to increase energy efficiency and climate resiliency 90% B C 80% 73% 88% B 76% 97% B C 72% 83% B 92% B 77% 75% 89% A 81% Our City should enact ordinances and programs requiring higher green building and development standards 83% C 81% C 70% 85% B 71% 84% B 71% 81% B 89% B 74% 72% 86% A 78% Our City should invest in renewable energy and test technologies to get to net zero emissions 83% C 77% 72% 84% B 72% 87% B 67% 83% B 85% B 75% 72% 84% A 77% Edina, MN 2019 Quality of Life Survey Report May 2019 Prepared by National Research Center, Inc. Page 155 Table 140: Quality of Environmental Services by Respondent Characteristics Rate the quality of each of the following services provided by the City of Edina. (Percent excellent or good) Length of residency Gender Age Housing tenure Housing unit type Overall Less than 5 years 6 to 20 years More than 20 years Female Male 18- 34 35- 54 55+ Rent Own Detached Attached (A) (A) (B) (C) (A) (B) (A) (B) (C) (A) (B) (A) (B) Energy conservation and efficiency programs 73% 71% 77% 80% 68% 61% 77% 76% 69% 76% 81% B 64% 74% Fostering natural habitats in public spaces 78% 74% 70% 76% 74% 77% 72% 74% 74% 73% 72% 75% 73% Encouraging natural habitat on residential and commercial land 78% B C 60% 54% 67% 61% 64% 61% 65% 71% 60% 60% 67% 63% Increasing renewable energy programs 66% 67% 58% 63% 65% 54% 68% 66% 69% 62% 65% 62% 64% Adapting to climate change 73% B C 51% 54% 58% 59% 64% 56% 60% 69% 54% 58% 58% 59% Composting collection services 57% 51% 49% 48% 57% 61% 46% 55% 58% 50% 52% 52% 52% Water conservation programs 74% B 54% 67% 60% 67% 60% 64% 66% 65% 63% 67% 56% 64% Transportation emission reduction (i.e. bike lanes and public EV charging) 67% 54% 54% 58% 58% 56% 55% 60% 67% 54% 56% 58% 57% Edina, MN 2019 Quality of Life Survey Report May 2019 Prepared by National Research Center, Inc. Page 156 Table 141: Importance of Environmental Services by Respondent Characteristics Rate how important, if at all, each service is to the Edina community. (Percent essential or very important) Length of residency Gender Age Housing tenure Housing unit type Overall Less than 5 years 6 to 20 years More than 20 years Female Male 18- 34 35- 54 55+ Rent Own Detached Attached (A) (A) (B) (C) (A) (B) (A) (B) (C) (A) (B) (A) (B) Energy conservation and efficiency programs 77% 68% 69% 81% B 60% 81% B 61% 75% B 85% B 67% 66% 79% A 71% Fostering natural habitats in public spaces 84% B C 70% 67% 83% B 60% 80% 76% 68% 86% B 70% 69% 80% A 73% Encouraging natural habitat on residential and commercial land 74% B C 58% 56% 72% B 49% 63% 60% 64% 69% 60% 60% 66% 62% Increasing renewable energy programs 73% 66% 64% 77% B 59% 74% 59% 72% B 86% B 63% 62% 76% A 67% Adapting to climate change 70% 58% 63% 75% B 51% 61% 54% 73% B 83% B 58% 58% 73% A 63% Composting collection services 73% 67% 64% 77% B 58% 68% 66% 70% 78% 66% 67% 71% 68% Water conservation programs 79% 74% 79% 83% B 70% 78% 71% 82% B 87% B 75% 75% 82% 77% Transportation emission reduction (i.e. bike lanes and public EV charging) 67% 57% 55% 70% B 48% 70% B 53% 61% 75% B 55% 56% 65% 59% Edina, MN 2019 Quality of Life Survey Report May 2019 Prepared by National Research Center, Inc. Page 157 Table 142: City Information Sources by Respondent Characteristics Please rate the extent to which you use each of the following as sources of information about Edina government and its activities, if at all. (Percent minor or major source) Length of residency Gender Age Housing tenure Housing unit type Overall Less than 5 years 6 to 20 years More than 20 years Female Male 18- 34 35- 54 55+ Rent Own Detached Attached (A) (A) (B) (C) (A) (B) (A) (B) (C) (A) (B) (A) (B) About Town City magazine 67% 87% A 81% A 80% 77% 54% 89% A C 79% A 64% 83% A 84% B 71% 79% Parks & Recreation Activities Directory 76% 76% 74% 80% 71% 63% 83% A 74% 80% 74% 77% 72% 75% Edina Sun-Current newspaper 38% 65% A 79% A B 64% 60% 45% 62% A 68% A 50% 66% A 67% B 55% 63% Edition: Edina monthly newsletter 45% 58% 64% A 55% 58% 33% 58% A 64% A 52% 58% 57% 55% 56% Star-Tribune newspaper 51% 64% A 73% A 64% 63% 46% 55% 75% A B 43% 68% A 63% 63% 63% City's website (www.EdinaMN.gov) 64% 69% 67% 66% 67% 63% 77% A C 59% 51% 71% A 72% B 57% 67% Edina TV 14% 26% A 32% A 30% B 17% 18% 16% 34% A B 28% 23% 19% 35% A 25% City employees 28% 51% A 46% A 41% 45% 20% 56% A C 39% A 23% 47% A 49% B 29% 42% City Council Members 27% 45% A 43% A 38% 39% 20% 46% A 39% A 29% 41% 42% 32% 38% Direct mail updates 61% 72% 65% 64% 71% 57% 74% A 64% 59% 68% 71% B 59% 66% Social media (e.g., Facebook, Twitter) 49% 50% 42% 53% 42% 63% C 58% C 32% 43% 47% 52% B 37% 47% NextDoor 53% 62% 54% 59% 57% 45% 68% A C 52% 22% 64% A 69% B 31% 57% Online web stream videos on YouTube or Granicus 9% 15% 10% 12% 12% 4% 15% A 12% 5% 13% 13% 9% 12% Edina, MN 2019 Quality of Life Survey Report May 2019 Prepared by National Research Center, Inc. Page 158 Please rate the extent to which you use each of the following as sources of information about Edina government and its activities, if at all. (Percent minor or major source) Length of residency Gender Age Housing tenure Housing unit type Overall Less than 5 years 6 to 20 years More than 20 years Female Male 18- 34 35- 54 55+ Rent Own Detached Attached (A) (A) (B) (C) (A) (B) (A) (B) (C) (A) (B) (A) (B) City's e-mail subscription service (City Extra) 20% 33% A 31% 31% 27% 8% 43% A C 24% A 11% 33% A 37% B 13% 29% Word of mouth from friends, family or neighbors 82% 82% 91% 83% 88% 72% 91% A 85% A 75% 88% A 91% B 75% 85% Table 143: Effectiveness of City Communication Tools by Respondent Characteristics How effective, if at all, are each of the following communication tools for keeping informed of City activities? (Percent very or somewhat effective) Length of residency Gender Age Housing tenure Housing unit type Overall Less than 5 years 6 to 20 years More than 20 years Female Male 18- 34 35- 54 55+ Rent Own Detached Attached (A) (A) (B) (C) (A) (B) (A) (B) (C) (A) (B) (A) (B) The magazine About Town 92% B 82% 86% 84% 88% 92% 81% 89% 92% 84% 84% 89% 86% The newsletter Edition: Edina 88% 79% 78% 78% 84% 90% 80% 80% 94% B 78% 80% 83% 81% Edina, MN 2019 Quality of Life Survey Report May 2019 Prepared by National Research Center, Inc. Page 159 Table 144: City Website Access by Respondent Characteristics Percent yes Length of residency Gender Age Housing tenure Housing unit type Overall Less than 5 years 6 to 20 years More than 20 years Female Male 18- 34 35- 54 55+ Rent Own Detached Attached (A) (A) (B) (C) (A) (B) (A) (B) (C) (A) (B) (A) (B) Have you accessed the City of Edina website (www.EdinaMN.gov) in the last 12 months? 43% 62% A C 45% 49% 51% 42% 69% A C 38% 30% 57% A 59% B 37% 50% Table 145: Aspects of City Website by Respondent Characteristics Please rate the following aspects of the Edina website: (Percent excellent or good) Length of residency Gender Age Housing tenure Housing unit type Overall Less than 5 years 6 to 20 years More than 20 years Female Male 18- 34 35- 54 55+ Rent Own Detached Attached (A) (A) (B) (C) (A) (B) (A) (B) (C) (A) (B) (A) (B) Appearance 77% 92% A 83% 88% 82% 83% 82% 90% 79% 86% 85% 84% 85% Online information and services offered 73% 87% A 82% 87% B 76% 70% 82% 87% A 75% 82% 84% 75% 81% Ease of navigation/ability to find information 52% 55% 60% 63% 50% 36% 54% 68% A 35% 59% A 58% 50% 56% Overall quality of the City of Edina website 73% 75% 77% 82% B 70% 64% 73% 83% A 79% 74% 73% 80% 75% Edina, MN 2019 Quality of Life Survey Report May 2019 Prepared by National Research Center, Inc. Page 160 Table 146: Concern About Household Issues by Respondent Characteristics To what extent, if at all, have you been concerned about each of the following issues in your household in the last 12 months? (Percent minor, moderate or major concern) Length of residency Gender Age Housing tenure Housing unit type Overall Less than 5 years 6 to 20 years More than 20 years Female Male 18- 34 35- 54 55+ Rent Own Detached Attached (A) (A) (B) (C) (A) (B) (A) (B) (C) (A) (B) (A) (B) Feeling socially isolated or disconnected from others 44% B C 22% 14% 30% 22% 45% B C 27% 19% 40% B 22% 22% 32% A 26% Having access to health care 16% 10% 16% 12% 16% 13% 12% 17% 17% 13% 9% 21% A 14% Being able to age in place (e.g., remain in your home as you get older) 27% 30% 46% A B 39% B 28% 12% 32% A 46% A B 35% 34% 33% 37% 35% Running out of food before you had money to buy more 19% B C 6% 7% 9% 12% 13% 11% 8% 27% B 4% 6% 16% A 10% Having enough money to pay your rent or mortgage 33% B C 17% 20% 22% 26% 38% B C 23% 18% 45% B 16% 18% 31% A 23% Table 147: Economic Impact on Family Income by Respondent Characteristics Percent very or somewhat positive Length of residency Gender Age Housing tenure Housing unit type Overall Less than 5 years 6 to 20 years More than 20 years Female Male 18- 34 35- 54 55+ Rent Own Detached Attached (A) (A) (B) (C) (A) (B) (A) (B) (C) (A) (B) (A) (B) What impact, if any, do you think the economy will have on your family income in the next 6 months? Do you think the impact will be: 30% 30% 22% 21% 33% A 34% 29% 23% 33% 25% 27% 28% 27% Edina, MN 2019 Quality of Life Survey Report Prepared by National Research Center, Inc. Appendix D: Benchmark Comparisons Understanding the Benchmark Comparisons Communities use the comparative information provided by benchmarks to help interpret their own resident survey results, to create or revise community plans, to evaluate the success of policy or budget decisions and to measure local government or organizational performance. Taking the pulse of the community has little meaning without knowing what pulse rate is too high and what is too low. When surveys of service satisfaction turn up “good” resident evaluations, it is necessary to know how others rate their services to understand if “good” is good enough or if most other communities are “excellent.” Furthermore, in the absence of national or peer community comparisons, a community is left with comparing its police protection rating to its street maintenance rating. That comparison is unfair as street maintenance always gets lower ratings than libraries. More illuminating is how residents’ ratings of sheriff services compare to opinions about sheriff services in other communities and to resident ratings over time. A police department that provides the fastest and most efficient service – one that closes most of its cases, solves most of its crimes, and keeps the crime rate low – still has a problem to fix if the residents in the county rate police services lower than ratings given by residents in other counties with objectively “worse” departments. Benchmark data can help that police department – or any City department – to understand how well residents think it is doing. While benchmarks help set the basis for evaluation, resident opinion should be used in conjunction with other sources of data about budget, population demographics, personnel and politics to help administrators know how to respond to comparative results. Comparison Data NRC has designed a method for quantitatively integrating the results of surveys that we have conducted with those that others have conducted. These integration methods have been described thoroughly in Public Administration Review, Journal of Policy Analysis and Management, and in NRC’s first book on conducting and using resident surveys, Citizen Surveys: How to Do Them, How to Use Them, What They Mean, published by the International City/County Management Association (ICMA). Scholars who specialize in the analysis of resident surveys regularly have relied on NRC’s work. The method described in those publications is refined regularly and statistically tested on a growing number of resident surveys in NRC’s proprietary databases. Communities in NRC’s benchmark database are distributed geographically across the country and range from small to large in population size. Comparisons may be made to all jurisdictions in the database or to subsets of jurisdictions (within a given region or population category or that meet select criteria outlined by the community). Despite the differences in jurisdiction characteristics, all are in the business of providing local government services to residents. Though individual jurisdiction circumstances, resources, and practices vary, the objective in every community is to provide services that are so timely, Edina, MN 2019 Quality of Life Survey Report Prepared by National Research Center, Inc. tailored, and effective that residents conclude the services are of the highest quality. High ratings in any jurisdiction, like SAT scores in any teen household, bring pride and a sense of accomplishment. NRC’s database of comparative resident opinion is comprised of resident perspectives gathered in resident surveys from over 600 jurisdictions whose residents evaluated local government services and gave their opinion about the quality of community life. The comparison evaluations are from the most recent survey completed in each jurisdiction; most communities conduct surveys every year or in alternating years. NRC adds the latest results quickly upon survey completion, keeping the benchmark data fresh and relevant. Edina’s survey results were compared to all other communities in NRC’s benchmark database as well as to a subset of all Minnesota communities in the database. Interpreting the Results Average ratings were compared when questions similar to those asked in Edina’s survey were included in NRC’s database, and there were at least five peer jurisdictions in which the question was asked. Where comparisons were available, three numbers are provided in the tables starting on the next page. The first column is Edina’s “percent positive.” The percent positive is the combination of the top two most positive response options (i.e., “excellent” and “good,” “very safe” and “somewhat safe,” “very likely” and “somewhat likely,” etc.). The second column is the rank assigned to Edina’s rating among jurisdictions where a similar question was asked. The third column is the number of jurisdictions that asked a similar question. The fourth column shows the comparison of Edina’s average rating to the benchmark. Where comparisons for quality ratings were available, Edina’s results were noted as being “higher” than, “lower” than or “similar” to the benchmark. In instances where ratings are considerably higher or lower than the benchmark, these ratings have been further demarcated by the attribute of “much,” (for example, “much lower” or “much higher”). These labels come from a statistical comparison of Edina’s rating to the benchmark where a rating is considered “similar” if it is within 10 points of the average; “higher” or “lower” if the difference between Edina’s rating and the benchmark is greater than 10 points; and “much higher” or “much lower” if the difference between Edina’s rating and the benchmark is more than 20 points. Comparisons for a number of items on the survey were not available in the benchmark database (e.g., some of the city services or aspects of government performance). These items are excluded from the benchmark tables. Edina, MN 2019 Quality of Life Survey Report Prepared by National Research Center, Inc. National Benchmark Comparisons Table 148: Question 1 Percent positive Rank Number of communities in comparison Comparison to national benchmark How would you rate the quality of life in Edina? 98% 22 456 Higher Table 149: Question 2 Percent positive Rank Number of communities in comparison Comparison to national benchmark Overall feeling of safety in Edina 96% 28 351 Higher Overall ease of getting to the places you usually have to visit 86% 29 267 Higher Quality of overall natural environment in Edina 91% 53 280 Similar Overall established "built environment" of Edina (including overall design, buildings, parks and transportation systems) 80% 29 257 Higher Health and wellness opportunities in Edina 93% 9 258 Higher Overall opportunities for education and enrichment 94% 12 260 Higher Overall economic health of Edina 94% 5 264 Much higher Sense of community 74% 43 314 Higher Overall image or reputation of Edina 89% 43 351 Higher Neighborliness of residents in Edina 76% 11 252 Higher Table 150: Question 3 Percent positive Rank Number of communities in comparison Comparison to national benchmark Recommend living in Edina to someone who asks 94% 56 290 Similar Remain in Edina for the next five years 90% 37 283 Similar Edina, MN 2019 Quality of Life Survey Report Prepared by National Research Center, Inc. Table 151: Question 7 Percent positive Rank Number of communities in comparison Comparison to national benchmark In your neighborhood 97% 93 359 Similar In the 50th & France area (downtown area) 94% 112 320 Similar Table 152: Question 9 Percent positive Rank Number of communities in comparison Comparison to national benchmark Traffic flow on major streets 53% 127 343 Similar Ease of public parking 61% 78 226 Similar Ease of travel by car in Edina 75% 76 307 Similar Ease of travel by public transportation in Edina 46% 15 22 Similar Ease of travel by bicycle in Edina 65% 78 308 Similar Ease of walking in Edina 65% 126 308 Similar Availability of paths and walking trails 79% 67 320 Higher Air quality 89% 54 249 Similar Cleanliness of Edina 95% 19 287 Higher Public places where people want to spend time 86% 18 250 Higher Variety of housing options 51% 129 282 Similar Availability of affordable quality housing 32% 180 305 Similar Fitness opportunities (including exercise classes and paths or trails, etc.) 84% 26 248 Higher Recreational opportunities 87% 21 300 Higher K-12 education 90% 25 276 Higher Adult educational opportunities 89% 2 237 Much higher Opportunities to attend cultural/arts/music activities 77% 42 298 Higher Employment opportunities 70% 5 313 Much higher Shopping opportunities 93% 4 299 Much higher Cost of living in Edina 51% 87 260 Similar Overall quality of business and service establishments in Edina 92% 1 276 Higher Opportunities to participate in social events and activities 78% 36 267 Higher Edina, MN 2019 Quality of Life Survey Report Prepared by National Research Center, Inc. Percent positive Rank Number of communities in comparison Comparison to national benchmark Opportunities to volunteer 81% 39 268 Similar Opportunities to participate in community matters 76% 22 278 Higher Table 153: Question 13 Percent positive Rank Number of communities in comparison Comparison to national benchmark Police services 92% 12 464 Higher Fire services 98% 6 390 Higher Ambulance or emergency medical services 98% 8 350 Higher Crime prevention 94% 8 365 Higher Fire prevention and education 96% 4 287 Higher Traffic enforcement 81% 7 373 Higher Street repair 60% 71 390 Higher Street cleaning 81% 13 325 Higher Street lighting 77% 21 329 Higher Snow removal 87% 1 288 Much higher Sidewalk maintenance 79% 8 325 Higher Traffic signal timing 69% 15 267 Higher Bus or transit services 62% 66 233 Similar Garbage collection 89% 65 358 Similar Recycling 84% 91 362 Similar Yard waste pickup 84% 63 272 Similar Storm drainage 81% 24 355 Higher Drinking water 69% 170 317 Similar Sewer services 89% 24 323 Similar Utility billing 83% 15 229 Similar City parks 94% 30 328 Higher Recreation programs or classes 93% 10 329 Higher Recreation centers or facilities 89% 23 281 Higher Land use, planning and zoning 53% 108 304 Similar Code enforcement (weeds, abandoned buildings, etc.) 72% 17 393 Higher Animal control 82% 16 344 Higher Economic development 74% 25 288 Higher Public health services 88% 14 223 Higher Public information services/communication from the City 82% 25 290 Higher Cable television (Comcast/Xfinity) 55% 79 206 Similar Edina, MN 2019 Quality of Life Survey Report Prepared by National Research Center, Inc. Percent positive Rank Number of communities in comparison Comparison to national benchmark Emergency preparedness (services that prepare the community for natural disasters or other emergency situations) 81% 13 281 Higher Edina open space 70% 50 237 Similar City-sponsored special events (Night to Unite, Winter Ice Festival, New Year's Eve Party, etc.) 78% 65 280 Similar Overall quality of services provided by the City of Edina 89% 29 431 Higher Table 154: Question 14 Percent positive Rank Number of communities in comparison Comparison to national benchmark The value of services for the taxes paid to Edina 78% 6 406 Higher The job Edina government does at welcoming resident involvement 65% 48 325 Similar Overall confidence in Edina government 64% 55 264 Similar Generally acting in the best interest of the community 62% 70 263 Similar Treating all residents fairly 65% 68 261 Similar Table 155: Question 16 Percent positive Rank Number of communities in comparison Comparison to national benchmark Knowledge 92% 7 45 Similar Courtesy 92% 3 37 Similar Responsiveness 88% 9 46 Similar Overall customer service 88% 8 382 Higher Edina, MN 2019 Quality of Life Survey Report Prepared by National Research Center, Inc. Table 156: Question 31 Percent positive Rank Number of communities in comparison Comparison to national benchmark Appearance 85% 2 7 Similar Online information and services offered 81% 2 5 Similar Ease of navigation/ability to find information 56% 5 7 Similar Overall quality of the City of Edina website 75% 4 19 Similar Table 157: Question D1 Percent positive Rank Number of communities in comparison Comparison to national benchmark What impact, if any, do you think the economy will have on your family income in the next 6 months? 27% 193 262 Similar National Benchmark Comparison Communities The communities included in the national benchmark comparisons are listed below along with their population according to the 2010 Census. Adams County, CO ....................................................... 441,603 Airway Heights city, WA ................................................... 6,114 Albany city, OR ............................................................... 50,158 Albemarle County, VA .................................................... 98,970 Albert Lea city, MN ......................................................... 18,016 Alexandria city, VA ....................................................... 139,966 Algonquin village, IL ....................................................... 30,046 Aliso Viejo city, CA ......................................................... 47,823 American Canyon city, CA ............................................. 19,454 Ames city, IA ................................................................... 58,965 Ankeny city, IA ................................................................ 45,582 Ann Arbor city, MI ......................................................... 113,934 Apache Junction city, AZ ............................................... 35,840 Arapahoe County, CO ................................................... 572,003 Arkansas City city, AR ......................................................... 366 Arlington city, TX .......................................................... 365,438 Arvada city, CO ............................................................. 106,433 Asheville city, NC ............................................................ 83,393 Ashland city, OR ............................................................. 20,078 Ashland town, MA .......................................................... 16,593 Ashland town, VA ............................................................. 7,225 Aspen city, CO .................................................................. 6,658 Athens-Clarke County, GA ............................................ 115,452 Auburn city, AL ............................................................... 53,380 Augusta CCD, GA .......................................................... 134,777 Aurora city, CO.............................................................. 325,078 Austin city, TX .............................................................. 790,390 Avon town, CO ................................................................. 6,447 Avon town, IN................................................................. 12,446 Avondale city, AZ ........................................................... 76,238 Azusa city, CA ................................................................ 46,361 Bainbridge Island city, WA ............................................ 23,025 Baltimore city, MD ....................................................... 620,961 Baltimore County, MD ................................................. 805,029 Bartonville town, TX ........................................................ 1,469 Battle Creek city, MI ...................................................... 52,347 Bay City city, MI ............................................................. 34,932 Bay Village city, OH ....................................................... 15,651 Baytown city, TX ............................................................ 71,802 Bedford city, TX ............................................................. 46,979 Bedford town, MA .......................................................... 13,320 Bellevue city, WA ......................................................... 122,363 Bellingham city, WA....................................................... 80,885 Benbrook city, TX .......................................................... 21,234 Bend city, OR ................................................................. 76,639 Bethlehem township, PA ............................................... 23,730 Bettendorf city, IA .......................................................... 33,217 Billings city, MT ........................................................... 104,170 Bloomington city, IN ...................................................... 80,405 Bloomington city, MN .................................................... 82,893 Blue Springs city, MO .................................................... 52,575 Boise City city, ID ......................................................... 205,671 Bonner Springs city, KS ................................................... 7,314 Boone County, KY ........................................................ 118,811 Edina, MN 2019 Quality of Life Survey Report Prepared by National Research Center, Inc. Boulder city, CO .............................................................. 97,385 Bowling Green city, KY ................................................... 58,067 Bozeman city, MT .......................................................... 37,280 Brentwood city, MO .......................................................... 8,055 Brentwood city, TN ......................................................... 37,060 Brighton city, CO ............................................................ 33,352 Brighton city, MI ............................................................... 7,444 Bristol city, TN ................................................................ 26,702 Broken Arrow city, OK .................................................... 98,850 Brookline CDP, MA ......................................................... 58,732 Brooklyn Center city, MN ............................................... 30,104 Brooklyn city, OH ............................................................ 11,169 Broomfield city, CO ........................................................ 55,889 Brownsburg town, IN ..................................................... 21,285 Buffalo Grove village, IL ................................................. 41,496 Burlingame city, CA ........................................................ 28,806 Cabarrus County, NC .................................................... 178,011 Cambridge city, MA ...................................................... 105,162 Canandaigua city, NY ..................................................... 10,545 Cannon Beach city, OR .................................................... 1,690 Cañon City city, CO ......................................................... 16,400 Canton city, SD ................................................................. 3,057 Cape Coral city, FL ....................................................... 154,305 Carlisle borough, PA ....................................................... 18,682 Carlsbad city, CA .......................................................... 105,328 Carroll city, IA ................................................................. 10,103 Cartersville city, GA ........................................................ 19,731 Cary town, NC ............................................................... 135,234 Castine town, ME ............................................................. 1,366 Castle Rock town, CO ..................................................... 48,231 Cedar Hill city, TX ........................................................... 45,028 Cedar Rapids city, IA .................................................... 126,326 Celina city, TX ................................................................... 6,028 Centennial city, CO ....................................................... 100,377 Chandler city, AZ .......................................................... 236,123 Chandler city, TX .............................................................. 2,734 Chanhassen city, MN ..................................................... 22,952 Chapel Hill town, NC ...................................................... 57,233 Chardon city, OH .............................................................. 5,148 Charles County, MD...................................................... 146,551 Charlotte city, NC ......................................................... 731,424 Charlotte County, FL .................................................... 159,978 Charlottesville city, VA ................................................... 43,475 Chattanooga city, TN ................................................... 167,674 Chautauqua town, NY ...................................................... 4,464 Chesterfield County, VA ............................................... 316,236 Clackamas County, OR ................................................ 375,992 Clarendon Hills village, IL................................................. 8,427 Clayton city, MO ............................................................. 15,939 Clearwater city, FL........................................................ 107,685 Cleveland Heights city, OH ............................................ 46,121 Clinton city, SC ................................................................. 8,490 Clive city, IA .................................................................... 15,447 Clovis city, CA ................................................................. 95,631 College Park city, MD ..................................................... 30,413 College Station city, TX .................................................. 93,857 Colleyville city, TX .......................................................... 22,807 Collinsville city, IL ........................................................... 25,579 Columbia city, MO ........................................................ 108,500 Columbia city, SC ......................................................... 129,272 Columbia Falls city, MT ................................................... 4,688 Commerce City city, CO ................................................. 45,913 Concord city, CA ........................................................... 122,067 Concord town, MA .......................................................... 17,668 Conshohocken borough, PA ........................................... 7,833 Coolidge city, AZ ............................................................ 11,825 Coon Rapids city, MN .................................................... 61,476 Copperas Cove city, TX ................................................. 32,032 Coral Springs city, FL .................................................. 121,096 Coronado city, CA .......................................................... 18,912 Corvallis city, OR ............................................................ 54,462 Cottonwood Heights city, UT ........................................ 33,433 Coventry Lake CDP, CT .................................................... 2,990 Creve Coeur city, MO ..................................................... 17,833 Cupertino city, CA .......................................................... 58,302 Dacono city, CO ............................................................... 4,152 Dakota County, MN ..................................................... 398,552 Dallas city, OR ................................................................ 14,583 Dallas city, TX ........................................................... 1,197,816 Danville city, KY ............................................................. 16,218 Dardenne Prairie city, MO ............................................. 11,494 Darien city, IL ................................................................. 22,086 Davenport city, FL ............................................................ 2,888 Davidson town, NC ........................................................ 10,944 Dayton city, OH ............................................................ 141,527 Dayton town, WY ................................................................ 757 Dearborn city, MI ........................................................... 98,153 Decatur city, GA ............................................................. 19,335 Del Mar city, CA ............................................................... 4,161 DeLand city, FL .............................................................. 27,031 Delaware city, OH .......................................................... 34,753 Denison city, TX ............................................................. 22,682 Denton city, TX ............................................................ 113,383 Denver city, CO ............................................................ 600,158 Des Moines city, IA ...................................................... 203,433 Des Peres city, MO .......................................................... 8,373 Destin city, FL ................................................................ 12,305 Dover city, NH ................................................................ 29,987 Dublin city, CA................................................................ 46,036 Dublin city, OH ............................................................... 41,751 Duluth city, MN .............................................................. 86,265 Durham city, NC ........................................................... 228,330 Durham County, NC ..................................................... 267,587 Dyer town, IN ................................................................. 16,390 Eagan city, MN ............................................................... 64,206 Eagle Mountain city, UT ................................................ 21,415 Eagle town, CO ................................................................. 6,508 Eau Claire city, WI .......................................................... 65,883 Eden Prairie city, MN ..................................................... 60,797 Eden town, VT .................................................................. 1,323 Edgerton city, KS ............................................................. 1,671 Edgewater city, CO .......................................................... 5,170 Edina city, MN ................................................................ 47,941 Edmond city, OK ............................................................ 81,405 Edmonds city, WA ......................................................... 39,709 El Cerrito city, CA ........................................................... 23,549 El Dorado County, CA .................................................. 181,058 El Paso de Robles (Paso Robles) city, CA .................... 29,793 Elk Grove city, CA......................................................... 153,015 Elko New Market city, MN ............................................... 4,110 Elmhurst city, IL ............................................................. 44,121 Englewood city, CO ........................................................ 30,255 Erie town, CO ................................................................. 18,135 Escambia County, FL ................................................... 297,619 Estes Park town, CO ........................................................ 5,858 Euclid city, OH................................................................ 48,920 Fairview town, TX ............................................................ 7,248 Farmers Branch city, TX ................................................ 28,616 Edina, MN 2019 Quality of Life Survey Report Prepared by National Research Center, Inc. Farmersville city, TX ......................................................... 3,301 Farmington Hills city, MI ................................................ 79,740 Farmington town, CT ..................................................... 25,340 Fayetteville city, GA........................................................ 15,945 Fayetteville city, NC ..................................................... 200,564 Fernandina Beach city, FL ............................................. 11,487 Flagstaff city, AZ ............................................................ 65,870 Flower Mound town, TX ................................................. 64,669 Forest Grove city, OR ..................................................... 21,083 Fort Collins city, CO ...................................................... 143,986 Franklin city, TN ............................................................. 62,487 Frederick town, CO ........................................................... 8,679 Fremont city, CA ........................................................... 214,089 Friendswood city, TX ..................................................... 35,805 Fruita city, CO ................................................................. 12,646 Gahanna city, OH ........................................................... 33,248 Gaithersburg city, MD .................................................... 59,933 Galveston city, TX .......................................................... 47,743 Gardner city, KS .............................................................. 19,123 Georgetown city, TX ....................................................... 47,400 Germantown city, TN ..................................................... 38,844 Gilbert town, AZ ............................................................ 208,453 Gillette city, WY .............................................................. 29,087 Glen Ellyn village, IL ....................................................... 27,450 Glendora city, CA ............................................................ 50,073 Glenview village, IL ......................................................... 44,692 Golden city, CO ............................................................... 18,867 Golden Valley city, MN ................................................... 20,371 Goodyear city, AZ ........................................................... 65,275 Grafton village, WI .......................................................... 11,459 Grand Blanc city, MI ......................................................... 8,276 Grants Pass city, OR ...................................................... 34,533 Grass Valley city, CA ...................................................... 12,860 Greeley city, CO .............................................................. 92,889 Greenville city, NC .......................................................... 84,554 Greenwich town, CT ....................................................... 61,171 Greenwood Village city, CO ............................................ 13,925 Greer city, SC .................................................................. 25,515 Gunnison County, CO ..................................................... 15,324 Haltom City city, TX ....................................................... 42,409 Hamilton city, OH ........................................................... 62,477 Hamilton town, MA .......................................................... 7,764 Hampton city, VA ......................................................... 137,436 Hanover County, VA ....................................................... 99,863 Harrisburg city, SD ........................................................... 4,089 Harrisonburg city, VA ..................................................... 48,914 Harrisonville city, MO ..................................................... 10,019 Hastings city, MN ........................................................... 22,172 Hayward city, CA .......................................................... 144,186 Henderson city, NV ...................................................... 257,729 Herndon town, VA .......................................................... 23,292 High Point city, NC ....................................................... 104,371 Highland Park city, IL ..................................................... 29,763 Highlands Ranch CDP, CO ............................................. 96,713 Homer Glen village, IL .................................................... 24,220 Honolulu County, HI ..................................................... 953,207 Hooksett town, NH ......................................................... 13,451 Hopkins city, MN ............................................................ 17,591 Hopkinton town, MA ...................................................... 14,925 Hoquiam city, WA ............................................................. 8,726 Horry County, SC .......................................................... 269,291 Howard village, WI .......................................................... 17,399 Hudson town, CO ............................................................. 2,356 Huntley village, IL ........................................................... 24,291 Huntsville city, TX .......................................................... 38,548 Hurst city, TX ................................................................. 37,337 Hutchinson city, MN ...................................................... 14,178 Hutto city, TX ................................................................. 14,698 Independence city, MO ................................................ 116,830 Indianola city, IA ............................................................ 14,782 Indio city, CA .................................................................. 76,036 Iowa City city, IA ............................................................ 67,862 Irving city, TX ............................................................... 216,290 Issaquah city, WA .......................................................... 30,434 Jackson city, MO ........................................................... 13,758 Jackson County, MI ..................................................... 160,248 James City County, VA .................................................. 67,009 Jefferson County, NY .................................................. 116,229 Jefferson Parish, LA .................................................... 432,552 Johnson City city, TN .................................................... 63,152 Johnston city, IA ............................................................ 17,278 Jupiter town, FL ............................................................. 55,156 Kalamazoo city, MI ........................................................ 74,262 Kansas City city, KS .................................................... 145,786 Kansas City city, MO ................................................... 459,787 Keizer city, OR ................................................................ 36,478 Kenmore city, WA .......................................................... 20,460 Kennedale city, TX ........................................................... 6,763 Kent city, WA.................................................................. 92,411 Kerrville city, TX ............................................................. 22,347 Kettering city, OH .......................................................... 56,163 Key West city, FL ........................................................... 24,649 King City city, CA ........................................................... 12,874 Kingman city, AZ ........................................................... 28,068 Kirkland city, WA ............................................................ 48,787 Kirkwood city, MO.......................................................... 27,540 Knoxville city, IA .............................................................. 7,313 La Plata town, MD ........................................................... 8,753 La Vista city, NE ............................................................. 15,758 Laguna Niguel city, CA .................................................. 62,979 Lake Forest city, IL ........................................................ 19,375 Lake in the Hills village, IL ............................................. 28,965 Lake Stevens city, WA ................................................... 28,069 Lake Worth city, FL ........................................................ 34,910 Lake Zurich village, IL .................................................... 19,631 Lakeville city, MN........................................................... 55,954 Lakewood city, CO ....................................................... 142,980 Lakewood city, WA ........................................................ 58,163 Lancaster County, SC .................................................... 76,652 Lane County, OR .......................................................... 351,715 Lansing city, MI ........................................................... 114,297 Laramie city, WY ............................................................ 30,816 Larimer County, CO ...................................................... 299,630 Las Cruces city, NM....................................................... 97,618 Las Vegas city, NM ........................................................ 13,753 Lawrence city, KS .......................................................... 87,643 Lawrenceville city, GA ................................................... 28,546 Lee's Summit city, MO ................................................... 91,364 Lehi city, UT ................................................................... 47,407 Lenexa city, KS .............................................................. 48,190 Lewisville city, TX .......................................................... 95,290 Lewisville town, NC ....................................................... 12,639 Libertyville village, IL ..................................................... 20,315 Lincolnwood village, IL .................................................. 12,590 Lindsborg city, KS ............................................................ 3,458 Little Chute village, WI ................................................... 10,449 Littleton city, CO ............................................................ 41,737 Livermore city, CA .......................................................... 80,968 Edina, MN 2019 Quality of Life Survey Report Prepared by National Research Center, Inc. Lombard village, IL ......................................................... 43,165 Lone Tree city, CO .......................................................... 10,218 Long Grove village, IL ....................................................... 8,043 Longmont city, CO .......................................................... 86,270 Longview city, TX ........................................................... 80,455 Lonsdale city, MN............................................................. 3,674 Los Alamos County, NM ................................................ 17,950 Los Altos Hills town, CA ................................................... 7,922 Loudoun County, VA .................................................... 312,311 Louisville city, CO ........................................................... 18,376 Lower Merion township, PA ........................................... 57,825 Lynchburg city, VA ......................................................... 75,568 Lynnwood city, WA ......................................................... 35,836 Macomb County, MI ..................................................... 840,978 Manassas city, VA .......................................................... 37,821 Manhattan Beach city, CA ............................................. 35,135 Manhattan city, KS ......................................................... 52,281 Mankato city, MN ........................................................... 39,309 Maple Grove city, MN ..................................................... 61,567 Maplewood city, MN ...................................................... 38,018 Maricopa County, AZ ................................................ 3,817,117 Marin County, CA ......................................................... 252,409 Marion city, IA ................................................................ 34,768 Mariposa County, CA ..................................................... 18,251 Marshfield city, WI ......................................................... 19,118 Martinez city, CA ............................................................ 35,824 Marysville city, WA ......................................................... 60,020 Matthews town, NC ........................................................ 27,198 Maui County, HI ............................................................ 154,834 McAllen city, TX............................................................ 129,877 McKinney city, TX......................................................... 131,117 McMinnville city, OR ...................................................... 32,187 Mecklenburg County, NC ............................................. 919,628 Menlo Park city, CA ........................................................ 32,026 Menomonee Falls village, WI ......................................... 35,626 Mercer Island city, WA ................................................... 22,699 Meridian charter township, MI....................................... 39,688 Meridian city, ID ............................................................. 75,092 Merriam city, KS ............................................................. 11,003 Mesa city, AZ ................................................................ 439,041 Mesa County, CO .......................................................... 146,723 Miami Beach city, FL ...................................................... 87,779 Miami city, FL ............................................................... 399,457 Middleton city, WI .......................................................... 17,442 Midland city, MI .............................................................. 41,863 Milford city, DE ................................................................. 9,559 Milton city, GA ................................................................ 32,661 Minneapolis city, MN ................................................... 382,578 Minnetrista city, MN ......................................................... 6,384 Missouri City city, TX ..................................................... 67,358 Modesto city, CA .......................................................... 201,165 Moline city, IL ................................................................. 43,483 Monroe city, MI .............................................................. 20,733 Monterey city, CA ........................................................... 27,810 Montgomery city, MN ...................................................... 2,956 Montgomery County, MD ............................................. 971,777 Monticello city, UT ........................................................... 1,972 Montrose city, CO ........................................................... 19,132 Monument town, CO ........................................................ 5,530 Moraga town, CA ............................................................ 16,016 Morristown city, TN ........................................................ 29,137 Morrisville town, NC ....................................................... 18,576 Morro Bay city, CA .......................................................... 10,234 Mountain Village town, CO .............................................. 1,320 Mountlake Terrace city, WA .......................................... 19,909 Murphy city, TX .............................................................. 17,708 Naperville city, IL ......................................................... 141,853 Napoleon city, OH ............................................................ 8,749 Nederland city, TX ......................................................... 17,547 Needham CDP, MA ........................................................ 28,886 Nevada City city, CA ........................................................ 3,068 Nevada County, CA ........................................................ 98,764 New Braunfels city, TX .................................................. 57,740 New Brighton city, MN .................................................. 21,456 New Concord village, OH ................................................. 2,491 New Hope city, MN ........................................................ 20,339 New Orleans city, LA ................................................... 343,829 New Smyrna Beach city, FL .......................................... 22,464 New Ulm city, MN .......................................................... 13,522 Newberg city, OR ........................................................... 22,068 Newport city, RI ............................................................. 24,672 Newport News city, VA ................................................ 180,719 Newton city, IA ............................................................... 15,254 Noblesville city, IN ......................................................... 51,969 Norcross city, GA ............................................................. 9,116 Norfolk city, NE .............................................................. 24,210 Norfolk city, VA ............................................................ 242,803 North Mankato city, MN ................................................ 13,394 North Port city, FL ......................................................... 57,357 North Richland Hills city, TX ......................................... 63,343 North Yarmouth town, ME............................................... 3,565 Novato city, CA .............................................................. 51,904 Novi city, MI ................................................................... 55,224 O'Fallon city, IL .............................................................. 28,281 O'Fallon city, MO ............................................................ 79,329 Oak Park village, IL ........................................................ 51,878 Oakland city, CA........................................................... 390,724 Oakley city, CA ............................................................... 35,432 Oklahoma City city, OK ................................................ 579,999 Olathe city, KS ............................................................. 125,872 Old Town city, ME ............................................................ 7,840 Olmsted County, MN ................................................... 144,248 Olympia city, WA ............................................................ 46,478 Orange village, OH ........................................................... 3,323 Orland Park village, IL .................................................... 56,767 Orleans Parish, LA ....................................................... 343,829 Oshkosh city, WI ............................................................ 66,083 Oshtemo charter township, MI ..................................... 21,705 Oswego village, IL .......................................................... 30,355 Ottawa County, MI ....................................................... 263,801 Overland Park city, KS ................................................. 173,372 Paducah city, KY............................................................ 25,024 Palm Beach Gardens city, FL ........................................ 48,452 Palm Coast city, FL........................................................ 75,180 Palo Alto city, CA ........................................................... 64,403 Palos Verdes Estates city, CA ....................................... 13,438 Papillion city, NE ............................................................ 18,894 Paradise Valley town, AZ .............................................. 12,820 Park City city, UT ............................................................. 7,558 Parker town, CO ............................................................. 45,297 Parkland city, FL ............................................................ 23,962 Pasco city, WA ............................................................... 59,781 Pasco County, FL ......................................................... 464,697 Payette city, ID ................................................................. 7,433 Pearland city, TX ............................................................ 91,252 Peoria city, AZ .............................................................. 154,065 Peoria city, IL ............................................................... 115,007 Pflugerville city, TX ........................................................ 46,936 Edina, MN 2019 Quality of Life Survey Report Prepared by National Research Center, Inc. Pinehurst village, NC ...................................................... 13,124 Piqua city, OH ................................................................. 20,522 Pitkin County, CO ........................................................... 17,148 Plano city, TX................................................................ 259,841 Platte City city, MO ........................................................... 4,691 Pleasant Hill city, IA ......................................................... 8,785 Pleasanton city, CA ........................................................ 70,285 Polk County, IA ............................................................. 430,640 Pompano Beach city, FL ................................................ 99,845 Port Orange city, FL ....................................................... 56,048 Port St. Lucie city, FL ................................................... 164,603 Portland city, OR .......................................................... 583,776 Powell city, OH ............................................................... 11,500 Powhatan County, VA .................................................... 28,046 Prince William County, VA ........................................... 402,002 Prior Lake city, MN ......................................................... 22,796 Pueblo city, CO ............................................................. 106,595 Purcellville town, VA ........................................................ 7,727 Queen Creek town, AZ .................................................... 26,361 Raleigh city, NC ............................................................ 403,892 Ramsey city, MN ............................................................ 23,668 Raymond town, ME .......................................................... 4,436 Raymore city, MO ........................................................... 19,206 Redmond city, OR........................................................... 26,215 Redmond city, WA .......................................................... 54,144 Redwood City city, CA .................................................... 76,815 Reno city, NV ................................................................ 225,221 Reston CDP, VA .............................................................. 58,404 Richland city, WA ........................................................... 48,058 Richmond city, CA ........................................................ 103,701 Richmond Heights city, MO ............................................. 8,603 Rio Rancho city, NM ...................................................... 87,521 River Falls city, WI .......................................................... 15,000 Riverside city, CA ......................................................... 303,871 Roanoke city, VA ............................................................ 97,032 Roanoke County, VA ...................................................... 92,376 Rochester city, NY ........................................................ 210,565 Rochester Hills city, MI .................................................. 70,995 Rock Hill city, SC ............................................................ 66,154 Rockville city, MD ........................................................... 61,209 Roeland Park city, KS ....................................................... 6,731 Rogers city, MN ................................................................ 8,597 Rohnert Park city, CA ..................................................... 40,971 Rolla city, MO ................................................................. 19,559 Roselle village, IL............................................................ 22,763 Rosemount city, MN ...................................................... 21,874 Rosenberg city, TX ......................................................... 30,618 Roseville city, MN ........................................................... 33,660 Round Rock city, TX ....................................................... 99,887 Royal Oak city, MI........................................................... 57,236 Royal Palm Beach village, FL ........................................ 34,140 Sacramento city, CA..................................................... 466,488 Sahuarita town, AZ ......................................................... 25,259 Sammamish city, WA ..................................................... 45,780 San Anselmo town, CA................................................... 12,336 San Diego city, CA ..................................................... 1,307,402 San Francisco city, CA ................................................. 805,235 San Jose city, CA ......................................................... 945,942 San Marcos city, CA ....................................................... 83,781 San Marcos city, TX ....................................................... 44,894 San Rafael city, CA ......................................................... 57,713 Sangamon County, IL ................................................... 197,465 Santa Fe city, NM ........................................................... 67,947 Santa Fe County, NM ................................................... 144,170 Santa Monica city, CA ................................................... 89,736 Sarasota County, FL .................................................... 379,448 Savage city, MN ............................................................. 26,911 Schaumburg village, IL .................................................. 74,227 Schertz city, TX .............................................................. 31,465 Scott County, MN ........................................................ 129,928 Scottsdale city, AZ ...................................................... 217,385 Sedona city, AZ .............................................................. 10,031 Sevierville city, TN ......................................................... 14,807 Shakopee city, MN......................................................... 37,076 Sharonville city, OH ....................................................... 13,560 Shawnee city, KS ........................................................... 62,209 Shawnee city, OK ........................................................... 29,857 Sherborn town, MA .......................................................... 4,119 Shoreline city, WA .......................................................... 53,007 Shoreview city, MN ........................................................ 25,043 Shorewood village, IL .................................................... 15,615 Shorewood village, WI ................................................... 13,162 Sierra Vista city, AZ ....................................................... 43,888 Silverton city, OR ............................................................. 9,222 Sioux Center city, IA ........................................................ 7,048 Sioux Falls city, SD ...................................................... 153,888 Skokie village, IL ............................................................ 64,784 Snoqualmie city, WA ..................................................... 10,670 Snowmass Village town, CO ........................................... 2,826 Somerset town, MA ....................................................... 18,165 South Jordan city, UT .................................................... 50,418 South Lake Tahoe city, CA ............................................ 21,403 Southlake city, TX .......................................................... 26,575 Spearfish city, SD .......................................................... 10,494 Spring Hill city, KS ........................................................... 5,437 Springfield city, MO ..................................................... 159,498 Springville city, UT ......................................................... 29,466 St. Augustine city, FL .................................................... 12,975 St. Charles city, IL .......................................................... 32,974 St. Cloud city, FL ............................................................ 35,183 St. Joseph city, MO ....................................................... 76,780 St. Joseph town, WI ......................................................... 3,842 St. Louis County, MN ................................................... 200,226 State College borough, PA ............................................ 42,034 Steamboat Springs city, CO .......................................... 12,088 Sugar Grove village, IL ..................................................... 8,997 Sugar Land city, TX ....................................................... 78,817 Suisun City city, CA ....................................................... 28,111 Summit County, UT ....................................................... 36,324 Summit village, IL .......................................................... 11,054 Sunnyvale city, CA ....................................................... 140,081 Surprise city, AZ .......................................................... 117,517 Suwanee city, GA ........................................................... 15,355 Tacoma city, WA .......................................................... 198,397 Takoma Park city, MD ................................................... 16,715 Tamarac city, FL ............................................................ 60,427 Temecula city, CA ........................................................ 100,097 Tempe city, AZ ............................................................. 161,719 Temple city, TX .............................................................. 66,102 Texarkana city, TX ......................................................... 36,411 The Woodlands CDP, TX ............................................... 93,847 Thousand Oaks city, CA .............................................. 126,683 Tigard city, OR ............................................................... 48,035 Tracy city, CA ................................................................. 82,922 Trinidad CCD, CO ........................................................... 12,017 Tualatin city, OR ............................................................ 26,054 Tulsa city, OK ............................................................... 391,906 Tustin city, CA ................................................................ 75,540 Edina, MN 2019 Quality of Life Survey Report Prepared by National Research Center, Inc. Twin Falls city, ID ........................................................... 44,125 Unalaska city, AK ............................................................. 4,376 University Heights city, OH ............................................ 13,539 University Park city, TX .................................................. 23,068 Upper Arlington city, OH ................................................ 33,771 Urbandale city, IA ........................................................... 39,463 Vail town, CO .................................................................... 5,305 Ventura CCD, CA ........................................................... 111,889 Vernon Hills village, IL .................................................... 25,113 Vestavia Hills city, AL .................................................... 34,033 Victoria city, MN ............................................................... 7,345 Vienna town, VA ............................................................. 15,687 Virginia Beach city, VA ................................................. 437,994 Walnut Creek city, CA ..................................................... 64,173 Warrensburg city, MO .................................................... 18,838 Washington County, MN .............................................. 238,136 Washington town, NH ...................................................... 1,123 Washoe County, NV ..................................................... 421,407 Washougal city, WA ....................................................... 14,095 Wauwatosa city, WI ........................................................ 46,396 Waverly city, IA ................................................................. 9,874 Wentzville city, MO ......................................................... 29,070 West Carrollton city, OH ................................................. 13,143 Western Springs village, IL ............................................ 12,975 Westerville city, OH ........................................................ 36,120 Westlake town, TX............................................................... 992 Westminster city, CO.................................................... 106,114 Weston town, MA ........................................................... 11,261 Wheat Ridge city, CO ...................................................... 30,166 White House city, TN...................................................... 10,255 Wichita city, KS ............................................................ 382,368 Williamsburg city, VA ..................................................... 14,068 Willowbrook village, IL ..................................................... 8,540 Wilmington city, NC ...................................................... 106,476 Wilsonville city, OR ......................................................... 19,509 Windsor town, CO ........................................................... 18,644 Windsor town, CT ........................................................... 29,044 Winnetka village, IL ........................................................ 12,187 Winter Garden city, FL .................................................... 34,568 Woodbury city, MN ......................................................... 61,961 Woodinville city, WA ....................................................... 10,938 Woodland city, CA .......................................................... 55,468 Wyandotte County, KS ................................................. 157,505 Yakima city, WA.............................................................. 91,067 York County, VA.............................................................. 65,464 Yorktown town, IN ............................................................ 9,405 Yorkville city, IL .............................................................. 16,921 Yountville city, CA ............................................................ 2,933 Edina, MN 2019 Quality of Life Survey Report May 2019 Prepared by National Research Center, Inc. Page 173 Minnesota Benchmark Comparisons Table 158: Question 1 Percent positive Rank Number of communities in comparison Comparison to Minnesota benchmark How would you rate the quality of life in Edina? 98% 3 34 Higher Table 159: Question 2 Percent positive Rank Number of communities in comparison Comparison to Minnesota benchmark Overall feeling of safety in Edina 96% 5 26 Higher Overall ease of getting to the places you usually have to visit 86% 5 21 Similar Quality of overall natural environment in Edina 91% 7 21 Similar Overall established "built environment" of Edina (including overall design, buildings, parks and transportation systems) 80% 4 19 Similar Health and wellness opportunities in Edina 93% 3 20 Higher Overall opportunities for education and enrichment 94% 1 20 Higher Overall economic health of Edina 94% 1 20 Higher Sense of community 74% 2 24 Similar Overall image or reputation of Edina 89% 5 25 Higher Neighborliness of residents in Edina 76% 2 17 Higher Table 160: Question 3 Percent positive Rank Number of communities in comparison Comparison to Minnesota benchmark Recommend living in Edina to someone who asks 94% 7 20 Similar Remain in Edina for the next five years 90% 8 20 Similar Table 161: Question 7 Percent positive Rank Number of communities in comparison Comparison to Minnesota benchmark In your neighborhood 97% 8 20 Similar In the 50th & France area (downtown area) 94% 12 21 Similar Edina, MN 2019 Quality of Life Survey Report May 2019 Prepared by National Research Center, Inc. Page 174 Table 162: Question 9 Percent positive Rank Number of communities in comparison Comparison to Minnesota benchmark Traffic flow on major streets 53% 19 20 Similar Ease of public parking 61% 9 12 Similar Ease of travel by car in Edina 75% 15 22 Similar Ease of travel by public transportation in Edina 46% NA NA NA Ease of travel by bicycle in Edina 65% 12 20 Similar Ease of walking in Edina 65% 16 21 Similar Availability of paths and walking trails 79% 11 21 Similar Air quality 89% 7 17 Similar Cleanliness of Edina 95% 4 21 Higher Public places where people want to spend time 86% 2 18 Higher Variety of housing options 51% 18 22 Similar Availability of affordable quality housing 32% 23 26 Lower Fitness opportunities (including exercise classes and paths or trails, etc.) 84% 5 20 Similar Recreational opportunities 87% 2 24 Higher K-12 education 90% 3 20 Higher Adult educational opportunities 89% 1 18 Much higher Opportunities to attend cultural/arts/music activities 77% 1 19 Higher Employment opportunities 70% 1 25 Higher Shopping opportunities 93% 1 21 Much higher Cost of living in Edina 51% 9 19 Similar Overall quality of business and service establishments in Edina 92% 1 21 Higher Opportunities to participate in social events and activities 78% 1 17 Higher Opportunities to volunteer 81% 1 19 Higher Opportunities to participate in community matters 76% 1 18 Higher Edina, MN 2019 Quality of Life Survey Report May 2019 Prepared by National Research Center, Inc. Page 175 Table 163: Question 13 Percent positive Rank Number of communities in comparison Comparison to Minnesota benchmark Police services 92% 2 33 Higher Fire services 98% 1 27 Similar Ambulance or emergency medical services 98% 1 19 Higher Crime prevention 94% 1 21 Higher Fire prevention and education 96% 1 21 Similar Traffic enforcement 81% 1 20 Similar Street repair 60% 8 28 Similar Street cleaning 81% 2 21 Higher Street lighting 77% 2 24 Similar Snow removal 87% 1 35 Higher Sidewalk maintenance 79% 1 21 Higher Traffic signal timing 69% 2 20 Similar Bus or transit services 62% 6 17 Similar Garbage collection 89% 2 16 Similar Recycling 84% 9 23 Similar Yard waste pickup 84% 1 12 Similar Storm drainage 81% 5 25 Similar Drinking water 69% 18 25 Similar Sewer services 89% 6 24 Similar Utility billing 83% 3 18 Similar City parks 94% 5 24 Similar Recreation programs or classes 93% 1 21 Higher Recreation centers or facilities 89% 2 20 Higher Land use, planning and zoning 53% 18 24 Similar Code enforcement (weeds, abandoned buildings, etc.) 72% 3 25 Similar Animal control 82% 2 27 Similar Economic development 74% 6 22 Similar Public health services 88% 2 15 Higher Public information services/communication from the City 82% 2 18 Similar Cable television (Comcast/Xfinity) 55% 3 16 Similar Emergency preparedness (services that prepare the community for natural disasters or other emergency situations) 81% 3 21 Similar Edina open space 70% 6 18 Similar City-sponsored special events (Night to Unite, Winter Ice Festival, New Year's Eve Party, etc.) 78% 3 16 Similar Overall quality of services provided by the City of Edina 89% 2 32 Similar Edina, MN 2019 Quality of Life Survey Report May 2019 Prepared by National Research Center, Inc. Page 176 Table 164: Question 14 Percent positive Rank Number of communities in comparison Comparison to Minnesota benchmark The value of services for the taxes paid to Edina 78% 1 33 Higher The job Edina government does at welcoming resident involvement 65% 5 21 Similar Overall confidence in Edina government 64% 7 20 Similar Generally acting in the best interest of the community 62% 10 20 Similar Treating all residents fairly 65% 7 19 Similar Table 165: Question 16 Percent positive Rank Number of communities in comparison Comparison to Minnesota benchmark Knowledge 92% 4 11 Similar Courtesy 92% 2 5 Similar Responsiveness 88% 5 11 Similar Overall customer service 88% 2 31 Similar Table 166: Question 31 Percent positive Rank Number of communities in comparison Comparison to Minnesota benchmark Appearance 85% NA NA NA Online information and services offered 81% NA NA NA Ease of navigation/ability to find information 56% NA NA NA Overall quality of the City of Edina website 75% 2 7 Similar Table 167: Question D1 Percent positive Rank Number of communities in comparison Comparison to Minnesota benchmark What impact, if any, do you think the economy will have on your family income in the next 6 months? 27% 15 18 Similar Edina, MN 2019 Quality of Life Survey Report May 2019 Prepared by National Research Center, Inc. Page 177 Minnesota Benchmark Comparison Communities The communities included in the Minnesota comparisons are listed below along with their population according to the 2010 Census. Albert Lea city, MN ........................................................ 18,016 Bloomington city, MN .................................................... 82,893 Brooklyn Center city, MN............................................... 30,104 Chanhassen city, MN .................................................... 22,952 Coon Rapids city, MN .................................................... 61,476 Dakota County, MN ..................................................... 398,552 Duluth city, MN .............................................................. 86,265 Eagan city, MN ............................................................... 64,206 Eden Prairie city, MN ..................................................... 60,797 Edina city, MN ................................................................ 47,941 Elko New Market city, MN ............................................... 4,110 Golden Valley city, MN .................................................. 20,371 Hastings city, MN .......................................................... 22,172 Hopkins city, MN ........................................................... 17,591 Hutchinson city, MN ...................................................... 14,178 Lakeville city, MN........................................................... 55,954 Lonsdale city, MN ............................................................ 3,674 Mankato city, MN .......................................................... 39,309 Maple Grove city, MN .................................................... 61,567 Maplewood city, MN ...................................................... 38,018 Minneapolis city, MN ................................................... 382,578 Minnetrista city, MN ........................................................ 6,384 Montgomery city, MN ...................................................... 2,956 New Brighton city, MN .................................................. 21,456 New Hope city, MN ........................................................ 20,339 New Ulm city, MN .......................................................... 13,522 North Mankato city, MN ................................................ 13,394 Olmsted County, MN ................................................... 144,248 Prior Lake city, MN ........................................................ 22,796 Ramsey city, MN............................................................ 23,668 Rogers city, MN ............................................................... 8,597 Rosemount city, MN ...................................................... 21,874 Roseville city, MN .......................................................... 33,660 Savage city, MN ............................................................. 26,911 Scott County, MN ........................................................ 129,928 Shakopee city, MN......................................................... 37,076 Shoreview city, MN ........................................................ 25,043 St. Louis County, MN ................................................... 200,226 Victoria city, MN .............................................................. 7,345 Washington County, MN ............................................. 238,136 Woodbury city, MN ........................................................ 61,961 Edina, MN 2019 Quality of Life Survey Report May 2019 Prepared by National Research Center, Inc. Page 178 Appendix E: Survey Methodology Developing the Questionnaire The City of Edina 2019 Quality of Life Survey was first administered in 2011. General resident surveys, such as this one, ask recipients their perspectives about the quality of life in the city, use of city amenities, opinions on policy issues facing the city and assessments of city service delivery. The 2019 survey instrument was developed by starting with the version from the previous implementation in 2017. A list of topics was generated for new questions; topics and questions were modified to find those that were the best fit for the 2019 questionnaire. The City elected to add a page of questions to the 2019 survey so, through an iterative process between City staff and NRC staff, a final six-page questionnaire was created. The City of Edina funded this research. Please contact Jennifer Bennerotte of the City of Edina at JBennerotte@EdinaMN.gov if you have any questions about the survey. Selecting Survey Recipients “Sampling” refers to the method by which households were chosen to receive the survey. All households within the City of Edina were eligible to participate in the survey. A list of all households within the zip codes serving Edina was purchased from Go-Dog Direct based on updated listings from the United States Postal Service. Since some of the zip codes that serve the City of Edina households may also serve addresses that lie outside of the community, the exact geographic location of each housing unit was compared to community boundaries using the most current municipal boundary file (updated on a quarterly basis) and addresses located outside of the City of Edina boundaries were removed from consideration. Each address identified as being within City boundaries was further identified as being within the northeast, northwest, southeast or southwest quadrant of the city. To choose the 1,500 survey recipients, a systematic sampling method was applied to the list of households previously screened for geographic location. Systematic sampling is a procedure whereby a complete list of all possible households is culled, selecting every Nth one, giving each eligible household a known probability of selection, until the appropriate number of households is selected. Multi-family housing units were selected at a higher rate as residents of this type of housing typically respond at lower rates to surveys than do those in single-family housing units. An individual within each household was selected using the birthday method. The birthday method selects a person within the household by asking the “person whose birthday has most recently passed” to complete the questionnaire. The underlying assumption in this method is that day of birth has no relationship to the way people respond to surveys. This instruction was contained in the cover letter accompanying the questionnaire. Survey Administration and Response Rate Each selected household was contacted three times starting on February 15, 2019. First, a prenotification announcement was sent, informing the household members that they had been selected to participate in the City of Edina Quality of Life Survey. Approximately one week after mailing the prenotification, each household was mailed a survey containing a cover letter signed by the City Manager enlisting participation. The packet also contained a postage-paid return envelope in which the survey recipients could return the completed questionnaire Edina, MN 2019 Quality of Life Survey Report May 2019 Prepared by National Research Center, Inc. Page 179 directly to NRC. A reminder letter and survey, scheduled to arrive one to two weeks after the first survey, was the final contact. The second cover letter asked those who had not completed the survey to do so and those who had already done so to refrain from turning in another survey. Each wave of the cover letter accompanying the survey included a web link for residents to visit if they preferred to take the survey online. The survey was available only in English. The mailings were sent in February and March of 2019. Completed surveys were collected over the following six weeks. About 7% of the 1,500 surveys mailed were returned because the housing unit was vacant or the postal service was unable to deliver the survey as addressed. Of the 1,401 households presumed to have received a survey, 427 completed the survey (96 of which were completed online), providing a response rate of 30%. Response rates by geographic quadrant ranged from a low of 25% in the southeast quadrant to a high of 41% in the northwest quadrant of the city. The response rates were calculated using AAPOR’s response rate #21 for mailed surveys of unnamed persons. Table 168: Response Rate by Quadrant Quadrant Number Mailed Number Undeliverable Number Received Number Returned Response Rate Northeast 267 13 254 105 41% Northwest 406 25 381 118 31% Southeast 616 50 566 143 25% Southwest 211 11 200 61 31% Overall 1,500 99 1,401 427 30% Confidence Intervals and Margin of Error The 95% confidence interval (or “margin of error”) quantifies the “sampling error” or precision of the estimates made from the survey results. A 95% confidence interval can be calculated for any sample size, and indicates that in 95 of 100 surveys conducted like this one, for a particular item, a result would be found that is within 5% of the result that would be found if everyone in the population of interest was surveyed. The practical difficulties of conducting any resident survey may introduce other sources of error in addition to sampling error. Despite best efforts to boost participation and ensure potential inclusion of all households, some selected households will decline participation in the survey (referred to as non-response error) and some eligible households may be unintentionally excluded from the listed sources for the sample (referred to as coverage error). While the margin of error for the survey is generally no greater than plus or minus 5% around any given percent reported for all respondents, results for subgroups will have wider confidence intervals. Where estimates are given for subgroups, they are less precise. For each subgroup from the survey, the margin of error rises to as much as plus or minus 10% for a sample size of 100 completed surveys. 1See AAPOR’s Standard Definitions here: http://www.aapor.org/Standards-Ethics/Standard-Definitions-(1).aspx for more information Edina, MN 2019 Quality of Life Survey Report May 2019 Prepared by National Research Center, Inc. Page 180 Survey Processing (Data Entry) Mailed surveys were returned via postage-paid business reply envelopes. Once received, staff assigned a unique identification number to each questionnaire. Additionally, each survey was reviewed and “cleaned” as necessary. For example, a question may have asked a respondent to pick two items out of a list of five, but the respondent checked three; staff would choose randomly two of the three selected items to be coded in the dataset. Once all surveys were assigned a unique identification number, they were entered into an electronic dataset. This dataset is subject to a data entry protocol of “key and verify,” in which survey data were entered twice into an electronic dataset and then compared. Discrepancies were evaluated against the original survey form and corrected. Range checks as well as other forms of quality control were also performed. NRC used SurveyGizmo, a web-based survey and analytics platform, to collect the online survey data. Use of an online system means all collected data are entered into the dataset when the respondents submit the surveys. Skip patterns are programmed into system so respondents are automatically “skipped” to the appropriate question based on the individual responses being given. Online programming also allows for more rigid control of the data format, making extensive data cleaning unnecessary. A series of quality control checks were also performed in order to ensure the integrity of the web data. Steps may include and not be limited to reviewing the data for clusters of repeat IP addresses and time stamps (indicating duplicate responses) and removing empty submissions (questionnaires submitted with no questions answered). Weighting the Data The primary objective of weighting survey data is to make the survey respondents reflective of the larger population of the community. This is done by: 1) reviewing the respondent demographics and comparing them to the population norms from the most recent Census or other sources and 2) comparing the responses to different questions for demographic subgroups. The demographic characteristics that are least similar to the Census and yield the most different results are the best candidates for data weighting. Several different weighting “schemes” are tested to ensure the best fit for the data. The variables used for weighting were respondent gender, age, housing unit type (attached or detached), housing tenure (rent or own) and geographic location of the respondent’s residence. No adjustments were made for design effects. The results of the weighting scheme are presented in the table on the following page. Edina, MN 2019 Quality of Life Survey Report May 2019 Prepared by National Research Center, Inc. Page 181 Table 169: 2019 City of Edina Weighting Table Characteristic Population Norm1 Unweighted Data Weighted Data Housing Rent home 25% 16% 25% Own home 75% 84% 75% Detached unit 58% 61% 59% Attached unit 42% 39% 41% Race and Ethnicity White 90% 93% 89% Not white 10% 7% 11% Not Hispanic 98% 99% 97% Hispanic 2% 1% 3% Sex and Age Female 54% 59% 54% Male 46% 41% 46% 18-34 years of age 18% 8% 17% 35-54 years of age 37% 22% 37% 55+ years of age 45% 70% 46% Females 18-34 9% 4% 9% Females 35-54 19% 11% 18% Females 55+ 26% 43% 26% Males 18-34 9% 3% 8% Males 35-54 18% 9% 18% Males 55+ 19% 28% 19% Geographic Quadrant* Northeast 22% 25% 22% Northwest 28% 28% 28% Southeast 34% 33% 34% Southwest 16% 14% 16% 1Source: 5-year estimates from the 2015 American Community Survey *Source: Sample list purchased from Go-Dog Direct Analyzing The Data The electronic dataset was analyzed by NRC staff using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS). For the most part, frequency distribution ratings are presented in the body of the report. A complete set of frequencies for each survey question is presented in Appendix A: Responses to Survey Questions. Also included are results by respondent characteristics (Appendix C: Survey Results by Respondent Characteristics). Chi-square or ANOVA tests of significance were applied to these breakdowns of selected survey questions. A “p-value” of 0.05 or less indicates that there is less than a 5% probability that differences observed between groups are due to chance; or in other Edina, MN 2019 Quality of Life Survey Report May 2019 Prepared by National Research Center, Inc. Page 182 words, a greater than 95% probability that the differences observed in the selected categories of the sample represent “real” differences among those populations. Where differences between subgroups are statistically significant, they have been marked in the appendices. Comparing to Prior Survey Results For reporting comparability, the “don’t know” responses from past years data were removed in order to match the reporting of the 2015 and later survey data which shows the percentages without “don’t know” to focus on the results from those who had an opinion about a particular service or activity. Edina’s survey data were collected by phone in 2013 and prior. In 2015, the City switched data collection from phone to mail. Research is clear that a change in the method of survey data collection, by itself, will result in a change in results if the shift is from telephone administration to self-administration or vice versa. The change occurs even without change in resident perspectives and is attributed to the different environment that a survey respondent confronts when providing answers to a person on the telephone compared to offering private anonymous opinions. Questions by phone elicit more positive, optimistic, socially-desirable responses than do the same questions asked on a written self-administered questionnaire. The self-administered questionnaire brings out more candid responses. As a consequence of the switch in methodology, a general decline in ratings was both expected and observed; an average of about 12 percentage points (after the removal of “don’t know” responses). Thus, NRC adjusted down the findings from 2013 and prior by this average difference for the most extreme differences in order to maximize the comparability of results over time. This way the reported trendline data are not influenced by the decline that is attributable to the change in data collection mode from phone to mail. While the adjusted findings for data prior to 2015 reasonably control for the expected change from phone to mail data collection, the comparability of data over time does have some limitations. Not only is there sampling error in each survey administration, but also, the methods change occurred after a two-year gap in survey administrations and some question wording was inconsistent among survey years. Because of the overall shift in the methodology and related survey changes, NRC recommends that any change in ratings or reported behaviors be viewed with caution and that Edina consider differences of more than 10 percentage points from previous years to be large enough to signal a genuine change in opinion from 2013 and 2011. Differences that do not reach this threshold should not be considered changes worthy of further interpretation. Edina, MN 2019 Quality of Life Survey Report May 2019 Prepared by National Research Center, Inc. Page 183 Appendix F: Survey Materials The following pages contain copies of the survey materials sent to randomly selected households within the City of Edina. Dear Edina Resident, It won’t take much of your time to make a big difference! Your household has been randomly selected to participate in a survey about your community. Your survey will arrive in a few days. Thank you for helping create a better community! Sincerely, Scott H. Neal City Manager Dear Edina Resident, It won’t take much of your time to make a big difference! Your household has been randomly selected to participate in a survey about your community. Your survey will arrive in a few days. Thank you for helping create a better community! Sincerely, Scott H. Neal City Manager Dear Edina Resident, It won’t take much of your time to make a big difference! Your household has been randomly selected to participate in a survey about your community. Your survey will arrive in a few days. Thank you for helping create a better community! Sincerely, Scott H. Neal City Manager Dear Edina Resident, It won’t take much of your time to make a big difference! Your household has been randomly selected to participate in a survey about your community. Your survey will arrive in a few days. Thank you for helping create a better community! Sincerely, Scott H. Neal City Manager Presorted First Class Mail US Postage PAID Boulder, CO Permit NO. 94 Presorted First Class Mail US Postage PAID Boulder, CO Permit NO. 94 Presorted First Class Mail US Postage PAID Boulder, CO Permit NO. 94 Presorted First Class Mail US Postage PAID Boulder, CO Permit NO. 94 www.EdinaMN.gov • 952-927-8861 • Fax 952-826-0390 February 2019 Dear Edina Resident: Please help us shape the future of Edina! You have been randomly selected to participate in the 2019 Quality of Life Survey. Please take a few minutes to fill out the enclosed survey. Your participation in this survey is very important – especially since your household is one of only a small number of households being surveyed. Your feedback will help Edina make decisions that affect our community. A few things to remember:  Your responses are completely anonymous.  In order to hear from a diverse group of residents, the adult 18 years or older in your household who most recently had a birthday should complete this survey.  You may return the survey by mail in the enclosed postage-paid envelope, or you can complete the survey online at: Please do not share your survey link. This survey is for randomly selected households only. If you have any questions about the survey, please call the Communications & Technology Services Department at 952-826-0359. Thank you for your time and participation! Sincerely, Scott H. Neal City Manager ENC www.EdinaMN.gov • 952-927-8861 • Fax 952-826-0390 March 2019 Dear Edina Resident: Here’s a second chance if you haven’t already responded to the 2019 Quality of Life Survey! (If you completed it and sent it back, we thank you for your time and ask you to recycle this survey. Please do not respond twice.) Please help us shape the future of Edina! You have been randomly selected to participate in the 2019 Quality of Life Survey. Please take a few minutes to fill out the enclosed survey. Your participation in this survey is very important – especially since your household is one of only a small number of households being surveyed. Your feedback will help Edina make decisions that affect our community. A few things to remember:  Your responses are completely anonymous.  In order to hear from a diverse group of residents, the adult 18 years or older in your household who most recently had a birthday should complete this survey.  You may return the survey by mail in the enclosed postage-paid envelope, or you can complete the survey online at: Please do not share your survey link. This survey is for randomly selected households only. If you have any questions about the survey, please call the Communications & Technology Services Department at 952-826-0359. Thank you for your time and participation! Sincerely, Scott H. Neal City Manager ENC The City of Edina 2019 Quality of Life Survey Please complete this questionnaire if you are the adult (age 18 or older) in the household who most recently had a birthday. The adult’s year of birth does not matter. Your responses are anonymous and will be reported in group form only. 1. How would you rate the quality of life in Edina?  Excellent  Good  Fair  Poor  Don’t know 2. Please rate each of the following characteristics as they relate to Edina as a community: Excellent Good Fair Poor Don’t know Overall feeling of safety in Edina ....................................................................... 1 2 3 4 5 Overall ease of getting to the places you usually have to visit ............................ 1 2 3 4 5 Quality of overall natural environment in Edina ............................................... 1 2 3 4 5 Overall established “built environment” of Edina (including overall design, buildings, parks and transportation systems) .................................................. 1 2 3 4 5 Health and wellness opportunities in Edina ....................................................... 1 2 3 4 5 Overall opportunities for education and enrichment ......................................... 1 2 3 4 5 Overall economic health of Edina ..................................................................... 1 2 3 4 5 Sense of community ........................................................................................... 1 2 3 4 5 Overall image or reputation of Edina ................................................................ 1 2 3 4 5 Neighborliness of residents in Edina .................................................................. 1 2 3 4 5 3. Please indicate how likely or unlikely you are to do each of the following: Very Somewhat Somewhat Very Don’t likely likely unlikely unlikely know Recommend living in Edina to someone who asks ................................. 1 2 3 4 5 Remain in Edina for the next five years.................................................. 1 2 3 4 5 4. Why did you choose to live in Edina? (Please check all that apply.)  Family lives here/born or raised here  Affordable housing  Amenities (e.g., parks, library, etc.)  Job was here (or nearby)  Attractive community  Good neighborhoods  Good schools  Safe community  Other: ___________________________ 5. What one thing do you like most, if anything, about living in Edina? ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ 6. What would you say is the most serious issue facing Edina at this time? ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ 7. Please rate how safe or unsafe you feel: Very Somewhat Neither safe Somewhat Very Don’t safe safe nor unsafe unsafe unsafe know In your neighborhood ........................................................... 1 2 3 4 5 6 In the 50th & France area (downtown area) .......................... 1 2 3 4 5 6 In the Southdale area ............................................................ 1 2 3 4 5 6 8. Please rate how welcoming Edina is as a community: Very Somewhat Not Don't welcoming Welcoming welcoming welcoming know For people who are Asian, Asian Indian or Pacific Islander ............................ 1 2 3 4 5 For people who are Black or African American .............................................. 1 2 3 4 5 For people who are Hispanic ........................................................................... 1 2 3 4 5 For people who are American Indian or Alaskan Native ................................ 1 2 3 4 5 For people who are White ............................................................................... 1 2 3 4 5 For people whose first language is not English ................................................ 1 2 3 4 5 For people who are not U.S. citizens ............................................................... 1 2 3 4 5 For people who have a lower income .............................................................. 1 2 3 4 5 For people who are of Christian faith .............................................................. 1 2 3 4 5 For people who are of Jewish faith ................................................................... 1 2 3 4 5 For people who are of Muslim faith ................................................................. 1 2 3 4 5 For people who are of Buddhist faith ............................................................... 1 2 3 4 5 For people who are of Hindu faith .................................................................. 1 2 3 4 5 For people who are agnostic or atheist ............................................................ 1 2 3 4 5 The City of Edina 2019 Quality of Life Survey Page 2 of 6 9. Please rate each of the following characteristics as they relate to Edina as a whole: Excellent Good Fair Poor Don’t know Traffic flow on major streets .......................................................................................... 1 2 3 4 5 Ease of public parking .................................................................................................... 1 2 3 4 5 Ease of travel by car in Edina ........................................................................................ 1 2 3 4 5 Ease of travel by public transportation in Edina ............................................................ 1 2 3 4 5 Ease of travel by bicycle in Edina .................................................................................. 1 2 3 4 5 Ease of walking in Edina ................................................................................................ 1 2 3 4 5 Availability of paths and walking trails .......................................................................... 1 2 3 4 5 Air quality ...................................................................................................................... 1 2 3 4 5 Cleanliness of Edina ....................................................................................................... 1 2 3 4 5 Public places where people want to spend time ............................................................. 1 2 3 4 5 Variety of housing options ............................................................................................. 1 2 3 4 5 Availability of affordable quality housing ...................................................................... 1 2 3 4 5 Fitness opportunities (including exercise classes and paths or trails, etc.) ...................... 1 2 3 4 5 Recreational opportunities ............................................................................................. 1 2 3 4 5 K-12 education .............................................................................................................. 1 2 3 4 5 Adult educational opportunities ..................................................................................... 1 2 3 4 5 Opportunities to attend cultural/arts/music activities .................................................. 1 2 3 4 5 Employment opportunities ............................................................................................ 1 2 3 4 5 Shopping opportunities .................................................................................................. 1 2 3 4 5 Cost of living in Edina ................................................................................................... 1 2 3 4 5 Overall quality of business and service establishments in Edina .................................... 1 2 3 4 5 Overall quality of commercial redevelopment in Edina ................................................ 1 2 3 4 5 Overall quality of residential redevelopment in Edina .................................................. 1 2 3 4 5 Opportunities to participate in social events and activities ............................................ 1 2 3 4 5 Opportunities to volunteer ............................................................................................. 1 2 3 4 5 Opportunities to participate in community matters ...................................................... 1 2 3 4 5 10. Please rate the following aspects of drinking water in Edina: Excellent Good Fair Poor Don’t know Appearance ........................................................................................................ 1 2 3 4 5 Taste .................................................................................................................. 1 2 3 4 5 Odor .................................................................................................................. 1 2 3 4 5 Hardness ............................................................................................................ 1 2 3 4 5 Reliability ........................................................................................................... 1 2 3 4 5 Safety ................................................................................................................. 1 2 3 4 5 11. Please rate how much of a problem, if at all, you feel each of the following is in Edina. Not a Minor Moderate Major Extreme Don’t problem problem problem problem problem know Traffic speeding in your neighborhood ......................................... 1 2 3 4 5 6 Stop sign violations in your neighborhood .................................... 1 2 3 4 5 6 Violent crime ................................................................................. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Drugs ............................................................................................. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Youth crimes .................................................................................. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Vandalism and property crimes ..................................................... 1 2 3 4 5 6 Identity theft .................................................................................. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Domestic abuse .............................................................................. 1 2 3 4 5 6 12. First, tell us about how many times in the last 12 months, if ever, you or other household members used any of the following Edina Parks & Recreation Department amenities. Then please rate the quality of each, regardless of your household’s use of the amenities. Once or 3 to 12 13 to 26 More than Don’t Never twice times times 26 times Excellent Good Fair Poor know Trails ................................................ 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5 Dog parks/off-leash areas ................ 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5 Neighborhood parks ........................ 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5 Large community athletic fields ....... 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5 Edinborough Park ............................ 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5 Centennial Lakes Park ..................... 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5 Edina Aquatic Center ...................... 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5 Edina Senior Center ........................ 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5 Braemar Arena (ice arena) ............... 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5 Edina Art Center ............................. 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5 Braemar Golf Course ....................... 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5 Braemar Golf Dome ........................ 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5 Braemar Field (sports dome) ............ 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5 The City of Edina 2019 Quality of Life Survey Page 3 of 6 13. Please rate the quality of each of the following services in Edina: Excellent Good Fair Poor Don’t know Police services .................................................................................................... 1 2 3 4 5 Fire services ........................................................................................................ 1 2 3 4 5 Ambulance or emergency medical services ....................................................... 1 2 3 4 5 Crime prevention ............................................................................................... 1 2 3 4 5 Fire prevention and education ........................................................................... 1 2 3 4 5 Traffic enforcement ........................................................................................... 1 2 3 4 5 Street repair ....................................................................................................... 1 2 3 4 5 Street cleaning ................................................................................................... 1 2 3 4 5 Street lighting ..................................................................................................... 1 2 3 4 5 Snow removal .................................................................................................... 1 2 3 4 5 Sidewalk maintenance ....................................................................................... 1 2 3 4 5 Traffic signal timing ........................................................................................... 1 2 3 4 5 Bus or transit services ......................................................................................... 1 2 3 4 5 Garbage collection ............................................................................................. 1 2 3 4 5 Recycling ........................................................................................................... 1 2 3 4 5 Yard waste pickup .............................................................................................. 1 2 3 4 5 Storm drainage .................................................................................................. 1 2 3 4 5 Drinking water ................................................................................................... 1 2 3 4 5 Sewer services .................................................................................................... 1 2 3 4 5 Utility billing ...................................................................................................... 1 2 3 4 5 City parks ........................................................................................................... 1 2 3 4 5 Park maintenance .............................................................................................. 1 2 3 4 5 Condition of trails and sidewalks ....................................................................... 1 2 3 4 5 Recreation programs or classes .......................................................................... 1 2 3 4 5 Recreation centers or facilities ........................................................................... 1 2 3 4 5 Land use, planning and zoning .......................................................................... 1 2 3 4 5 Code enforcement (weeds, abandoned buildings, etc.) ...................................... 1 2 3 4 5 Animal control ................................................................................................... 1 2 3 4 5 Economic development ..................................................................................... 1 2 3 4 5 Public health services ......................................................................................... 1 2 3 4 5 Public information services/communication from the City ............................... 1 2 3 4 5 Cable television (Comcast/Xfinity) .................................................................... 1 2 3 4 5 Emergency preparedness (services that prepare the community for natural disasters or other emergency situations) ............................................. 1 2 3 4 5 Edina open space ............................................................................................... 1 2 3 4 5 City-sponsored special events (Night to Unite, Winter Ice Festival, New Year’s Eve Party, etc.) ............................................................................ 1 2 3 4 5 Overall quality of services provided by the City of Edina .................................. 1 2 3 4 5 14. Please rate the following categories of Edina government performance: Excellent Good Fair Poor Don’t know The value of services for the taxes paid to Edina ............................................... 1 2 3 4 5 The job Edina government does at welcoming resident involvement ............... 1 2 3 4 5 Overall confidence in Edina government .......................................................... 1 2 3 4 5 Generally acting in the best interest of the community...................................... 1 2 3 4 5 Treating all residents fairly ................................................................................ 1 2 3 4 5 15. Which of the following departments have you had contact with in the past 12 months by email, phone or in person? (Please select all that apply.)  I have not contacted the City  go to question 17  Engineering  Planning/Economic Development  General information  Finance  Police  Assessing  Fire  Public Works  Building Inspections  Health  Street Maintenance  City Clerk  Human Resources  Utilities  City Manager/Administration  I.T./Technology services  Utility Billing  Communications  Parks & Recreation  Other: ________________ 16. Please rate your impression of City employees: Excellent Good Fair Poor Don’t know Knowledge ......................................................................................................... 1 2 3 4 5 Courtesy ............................................................................................................. 1 2 3 4 5 Responsiveness ................................................................................................... 1 2 3 4 5 Follow-up (got back to you or took action if needed) ......................................... 1 2 3 4 5 Overall customer service .................................................................................... 1 2 3 4 5 The City of Edina 2019 Quality of Life Survey Page 4 of 6 17. Considering your property taxes in comparison to neighboring cities, property taxes in Edina are…  Very high  Somewhat high  About average  Somewhat low  Very low  Don’t know 18. To what extent would you support or oppose an increase in your property taxes to maintain City services at their current level?  Strongly support  Somewhat support  Somewhat oppose  Strongly oppose  Don’t know 19. All in all, do you think things in Edina are generally headed in the right direction, or do you feel things are on the wrong track?  Right direction  Wrong track  Why? _______________________________________________________________________________  Don’t know 20. Other than voting, do you think that if you wanted to, you could have a say about the way things are run in this community?  Yes  No  Why? ______________________________________________________________________________________  Don’t know 21. How important for the people of Edina is it that local government focuses on creating a diverse and inclusive city?  Essential  Very important  Somewhat important  Not at all important  Don’t know 22. Please rate the job you feel the City does at each of the following: Excellent Good Fair Poor Don’t know Making all residents feel welcome and that they belong .................................... 1 2 3 4 5 Helping new residents feel connected and integrated ........................................ 1 2 3 4 5 Attracting people from diverse backgrounds ..................................................... 1 2 3 4 5 Valuing residents from diverse backgrounds ..................................................... 1 2 3 4 5 Providing a safe and secure environment for residents of all backgrounds ........ 1 2 3 4 5 23. How well, if at all, do you feel the City is managing tensions in the community related to residential redevelopment in Edina?  Very well  Somewhat well  Somewhat poorly  Very poorly  Don’t know 24. The City of Edina owns and operates three municipal liquor stores. Profits from Edina Liquor are used to offset operating costs and for capital expenses at recreational facilities. To what extent do you support the City continuing to operate its municipal liquor stores?  Strongly support  Somewhat support  Somewhat oppose  Strongly oppose  Don’t know 25. Most communities have one of two systems for garbage collection. To what extent do you support the City changing from the current system in which residents may choose from several different haulers to a system where the City chooses one hauler for the whole community?  Strongly support  Somewhat support  Somewhat oppose  Strongly oppose  Don’t know 26. How strongly do you agree or disagree with each of the following statements? Strongly Somewhat Somewhat Strongly Don’t agree agree disagree disagree know Our City should invest in programs and create policies to address climate change .................................................................................................... 1 2 3 4 5 Our City should enact ordinances and regulations intended to increase energy efficiency and climate resiliency .............................................................. 1 2 3 4 5 Our City should enact ordinances and programs requiring higher green building and development standards ................................................................................. 1 2 3 4 5 Our City should invest in renewable energy and test technologies to get to net zero emissions ................................................................................................ 1 2 3 4 5 The City of Edina 2019 Quality of Life Survey Page 5 of 6 27. First, rate the quality of each of the following services provided by the City of Edina. Then rate how important, if at all, each service is to the Edina community. Don’t Very Somewhat Not at all Don’t Excellent Good Fair Poor know Essential important important important know Energy conservation and efficiency programs ..... 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5 Fostering natural habitats in public spaces ........ 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5 Encouraging natural habitat on residential and commercial land .................................... 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5 Increasing renewable energy programs ............. 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5 Adapting to climate change ............................... 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5 Composting collection services .......................... 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5 Water conservation programs ........................... 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5 Transportation emission reduction (i.e. bike lanes and public EV charging) .................... 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5 28. Please rate the extent to which you use each of the following as sources of information about Edina government and its activities, if at all. Not a source Minor source Major source Don’t know About Town City magazine .............................................................................. 1 2 3 4 Parks & Recreation Activities Directory .................................................................. 1 2 3 4 Edina Sun-Current newspaper ........................................................................... 1 2 3 4 Edition: Edina monthly newsletter ................................................................... 1 2 3 4 Star-Tribune newspaper ................................................................................... 1 2 3 4 City’s website (www.EdinaMN.gov)............................................................... 1 2 3 4 Edina TV ....................................................................................................... 1 2 3 4 City employees ............................................................................................... 1 2 3 4 City Council Members .................................................................................. 1 2 3 4 Direct mail updates ........................................................................................ 1 2 3 4 Social media (e.g., Facebook, Twitter) ........................................................... 1 2 3 4 NextDoor ....................................................................................................... 1 2 3 4 Online web stream videos on YouTube or Granicus .................................... 1 2 3 4 City’s e-mail subscription service (City Extra) ................................................. 1 2 3 4 Word of mouth from friends, family or neighbors ......................................... 1 2 3 4 29. How effective, if at all, are each of the following communication tools for keeping informed of City activities? Very effective Somewhat effective Somewhat ineffective Very ineffective Don’t know The magazine About Town .......................................... 1 2 3 4 5 The newsletter Edition: Edina .............................. 1 2 3 4 5 30. Have you accessed the City of Edina website (www.EdinaMN.gov) in the last 12 months?  No  go to question 32  Yes  go to question 31 31. Please rate the following aspects of the Edina website: Excellent Good Fair Poor Don’t know Appearance ................................................................................................. 1 2 3 4 5 Online information and services offered ..................................................... 1 2 3 4 5 Ease of navigation/ability to find information ............................................ 1 2 3 4 5 Overall quality of the City of Edina website ............................................... 1 2 3 4 5 The City of Edina 2019 Quality of Life Survey Page 6 of 6 Our last questions are about you and your household. Again, all of your responses to this survey are completely anonymous and will be reported in group form only. 32. To what extent, if at all, have you been concerned about each of the following issues in your household in the last 12 months? Not a Minor Moderate Major Don't concern concern concern concern know Feeling socially isolated or disconnected from others ........................................ 1 2 3 4 5 Having access to health care .............................................................................. 1 2 3 4 5 Being able to age in place (e.g., remain in your home as you get older) ............ 1 2 3 4 5 Running out of food before you had money to buy more ................................. 1 2 3 4 5 Having enough money to pay your rent or mortgage ....................................... 1 2 3 4 5 D1. What impact, if any, do you think the economy will have on your family income in the next 6 months? Do you think the impact will be:  Very positive  Somewhat positive  Neutral  Somewhat negative  Very negative D2. What is your employment status?  Working full time for pay  Working part time for pay  Unemployed, looking for paid work  Unemployed, not looking for paid work  Fully retired D3. Do you work inside the boundaries of Edina?  Yes, outside the home  Yes, from home  No D4. How many years have you lived in Edina?  Less than 2 years  11-20 years  2-5 years  More than 20 years  6-10 years D5. Which best describes the building you live in?  One-family house detached from any other houses  Building with two or more homes (duplex, townhome, apartment or condominium)  Other D6. Is this house or apartment...  Rented  Owned D7. About how much is your monthly housing cost for the place you live (including rent, mortgage payment, property tax, property insurance and homeowners’ association [HOA] fees)?  Less than $600 per month  $1,500 - $2,499 per month  $600 - $999 per month  $2,500 or more per month  $1,000 - $1,499 per month D8. How much do you anticipate your household’s total income before taxes will be for the current year? (Please include money from all sources for all persons living in your household.)  Less than $25,000  $100,000 to $149,999  $25,000 to $49,999  $150,000 or more  $50,000 to $99,999 D9. Do any children 17 or under live in your household?  No  Yes D10. Are you or any other members of your household aged 65 or older?  No  Yes D11. Do you speak a language(s) other than English at home?  No, English only  go to question D12  Yes  which language?  Persian/Farsi  Spanish  Chinese  Korean  Vietnamese  Russian  Other: ____________  Hmong D12. Is English your first language?  No  Yes D13. What is your religious or spiritual identity? (Check all that apply.)  Agnostic  Jewish  Atheist  Muslim  Buddhist  Spiritual, but no religious affiliation  Christian  No affiliation  Hindu  Other (please specify)______________ Please respond to both questions D14 and D15: D14. Are you Spanish, Hispanic or Latino?  No, not Spanish, Hispanic or Latino  Yes, I consider myself to be Spanish, Hispanic or Latino D15. What is your race? (Mark one or more races to indicate what race you consider yourself to be.)  American Indian or Alaskan Native  Asian, Asian Indian or Pacific Islander  Black or African American  White  Other D16. What other races, if any, are represented in your home? (Check all that apply).  American Indian or Alaskan Native  Asian, Asian Indian or Pacific Islander  Black or African American  White  Other D17. In which category is your age?  18-24 years  45-54 years  65-74 years  25-34 years  55-64 years  75 years or older  35-44 years D18. What is your gender/gender identity?  Female  Male  Prefer to identify another way Thank you for completing this survey. Please return the completed survey in the postage-paid envelope to: National Research Center, Inc., PO Box 549, Belle Mead, NJ 08502 VISION EDINA CITY OF EDINA STRATEGIC VISION and FRAMEWORK This vision and framework is an outcome of the broad-based community engagement and visioning process, conducted between September and December 2014 May 2015 CITY OF EDINA STRATEGIC VISION AND FRAMEWORK VISION EDINA This vision and framework is an outcome of the broad-based community engagement and visioning process, conducted between September and December 2014. May 2015 Vision Edina – Strategic Vision Framework – May 2015 3 VISION EDINA Vision Edina represents a fresh look at the future for the City of Edina. This work builds on the previous Edina Vision 20/20 planning work that was undertaken 15 years ago. Since that time, the world has changed. We are subject to stronger external trends and forces, and we face renewed pressures with increasing population and developmental pressure. The future we face is one filled with greater uncertainty, more rapid pace of change and emerging new opportunities. Vision Edina allows us to step back and look again at the big picture, and decide how we continue to evolve to remain a relevant, competitive and progressive city. Vision Edina is a long-term strategic framework that helps our community understand and guide the important decision-making that will impact Edina’s future. This framework lays out the key issues identified by our community, which we need to be focusing our attention and resources on, over the coming years. The Vision Edina work and publications have been developed through a broad-based and inclusive community visioning process conducted in 2014. It is proposed that the current City of Edina mission statement remain largely unchanged. This is a potent and relevant mission statement that has, and continues to, serve the City well. “Our mission is to provide effective and valued public services, maintain a sound public infrastructure, offer premier public facilities and guide the development and redevelopment of lands, all in a manner that sustains and improves the health and uncommonly high quality of life enjoyed by our residents and businesses.” INSERT SECTION TITLE HEREBALANCING EDINA’S REDEVELOPMENT Vision Edina – Strategic Vision Framework – May 20154 INSERT SECTION TITLE HERE EDINA’S VISION STATEMENT Edina holds a well-earned reputation as a city of choice. It is the model of a successful, mature, and progressive urban community, that strives to lead in a modern and evolving world. We maintain our heritage and attractiveness, and afford our residents the highest quality of life, while actively embracing the future. The features that define our future community include: Inclusive and Connected • Our community embraces diversity and cherishes the contributions of all residents and stakeholders. • Our community offers an enticing mix of residential development that retains and builds upon our strong foundation of single-family housing, but also includes a dimension of higher density multi- family options, especially for the young and the old. • We strive to promote a healthy demographic mix that builds on the tradition of multi-generational families, and also provides entry opportunities for new people seeking to raise families, start businesses, and join our quality community. • Our residents enjoy a wide range of transportation options that foster mobility and interconnectedness. • Our cohesive neighborhoods are able to retain their unique individual character, while being linked seamlessly together into the broader fabric of our city. • Our residents benefit from close access to parks and other gathering spaces where they can regenerate, connect with community members and enjoy nature. Built-to-Scale Development • Our community has worked hard to create an innovative and long-term comprehensive development policy that strikes the right balance between renewal and progress, and protection and preservation. • Our development policy promotes partnerships between developers and community members and encourages innovative ideas. • Our community’s commercial and retail base has been significantly enhanced through the creation of more mixed-use locations, carefully woven throughout our neighborhoods. • We have proactively developed planning procedures and policies that allow the character of our neighborhoods to be preserved and enhanced. Local development reflects the aspirations of both neighborhood residents and the community as a whole. EDINA’S VISION STATEMENT Vision Edina – Strategic Vision Framework – May 2015 5 Sustainable Environment • Edina has focused and invested in world-class citywide resource management systems, built around the leading principles of environmental sustainability. • We have substantially reduced our overall environmental impact and significantly increased our resource use efficiency. • Our planning has integrated the best-proven standards of sustainable building and environmental stewardship into all aspects of our city planning and building codes. • Our community continues to treasure and protect our public spaces and parks. We have enhanced our biodiversity and natural ecosystems, which in turn support and purify our natural environment. A Community of Learning • Edina has continued to evolve as a highly engaged community, where residents share the responsibility for decision making and working collectively toward the common vision. • We recognize and appreciate the significant value of our education system, and we continue to work and invest to strengthen and grow this key community asset. • As technology and society have evolved, so has our prized education system. We have a high quality, future- oriented education system, which undeniably prepares our students to thrive in an increasingly competitive and globalized world. • As residents, we never tire in our pursuit of knowledge and understanding. We collectively promote the value of engagement and education, and we ensure that we have the capacity as a community to understand and remain agile in a fast changing and complex world. Future-Oriented • As a community, we continually look forward and are always working to remain competitive, relevant and innovative. We stand on the foundation of our traditions, but are not afraid to adapt and change as the city evolves. • Our city leaders and organizations are actively engaged in regional leadership and in ensuring the interests of Edina are represented at the level of the Twin Cities metropolis, but also beyond. • Edina is willing to use its resources and expertise to apply new ideas and technology, and we actively invest ourselves in finding and creating innovative solutions to the emerging challenges of living in a major city. INSERT SECTION TITLE HEREEDINA’S VISION STATEMENT Vision Edina – Strategic Vision Framework – May 20156 INSERT SECTION TITLE HERE STRATEGIC FOCUS AREA, ISSUES AND ACTIONS Eight key strategic focus areas have emerged through the Vision Edina process. These areas are built from the key drivers and issues identified early in the Vision Edina process, and have carried through the extensive community and stakeholder engagement process. These focus areas, and the attendant issues and actions, represent emerging priority areas that can both leverage and guide the future evolution of our city. This is not intended to be an exhaustive list, and in no way displaces the underlying foundational work that continues on our key areas of infrastructure, community services, governance and fiscal management. Rather, these strategic focus areas represent key emerging priorities, and reflect the core drivers of our future that can be summarized in the categories of Balancing Edina’s Redevelopment, and Enhancing Our Community Fabric and Character. STRATEGIC FOCUS AREA, ISSUES AND ACTIONS Vision Edina – Strategic Vision Framework – May 2015 7 INSERT SECTION TITLE HEREBALANCING EDINA’S REDEVELOPMENT 1. RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT MIX The issue of residential property development has been repeatedly raised throughout the Vision Edina process. The City has been faced with a number of redevelopment pressures and challenges across numerous areas. Residents strongly favor a continued focus on the single-family housing nature of the majority of the city neighborhoods, but there is increasing concern about the trend and impact of so-called ‘teardowns’ on the community. There is also recognition of some need for additional multi-family options to create more diversity in housing affordability. This would provide increased options at all stages of life and attract younger residents. ISSUES • Residential neighborhoods continue to serve as the defining characteristic of the city, and there is a high desire to protect and enhance such neighborhoods. • Residents take a great deal of pride in their homes, and express concern about the escalating redevelopment pressures facing some neighborhood areas. • Edina continues to face competition from neighboring communities that claim to offer a similar quality of life while also offering more available land for development. • The community must balance the needs of the families that have defined its character, with an aging population that desires to ‘age in place.’ STRATEGIC ACTIONS • Further encourage the development of neighborhood associations and the overall neighborhood concept. Define the unique character and brand of each of the well-established neighborhoods, and explore innovative planning guidelines to allow preservation and enhancement of the desired neighborhood visual appeal. • Pursue further planning and development options that protect and locate key amenities, such as parks and community facilities, within the neighborhood framework to allow neighborhood centers and focus points to further evolve. • Continue to explore options for new multi-family housing throughout the city in mixed-use areas and near public spaces, including areas such as Southdale, Pentagon Park and Grandview. • Work to create affordable housing options close to transit, shopping and employment centers. Vision Edina – Strategic Vision Framework – May 20158 INSERT SECTION TITLE HERE 2. TRANSPORTATION OPTIONS Participants in the Vision Edina process expressed a strong desire to continue to expand a variety of transportation options to both reduce dependency on automobiles and enhance the community’s work and life balance, and ease of connectivity. Walking, biking, and transit options represent key amenities that help residents feel connected to their community, and improve the overall quality of life. A diversity of transportation options is also highly preferred among younger residents. However, such options have met resistance in some areas, largely a reflection of a ‘not in my back yard’ reaction. The larger community sentiment of support should be highlighted to advance policies and developments deemed to be in the larger public good. ISSUES • The community’s infrastructure continues to age and be stressed by increasing traffic volume. • The majority of Edina’s employed population works outside of the city and is therefore reliant on the connectivity and maintenance of the roadway system for their livelihood. • The community overall is highly supportive of increased diversity and integration of transportation and local access options. STRATEGIC ACTIONS • Undertake community education and promotion to highlight the broad support and benefits of more diverse transportation options, and particularly to highlight the support expressed across multiple age demographics. • Work to expand transit options to Edina, and ensure that Edina residents do not become further isolated from the larger transit infrastructure. • Develop an integrated long-term plan that lays out a future-oriented and ambitious transportation network that covers multiple modes of transportation, and takes into account potential impacts of future technology on transportation modes and corridors. • Continue to promote and develop the sidewalk, trail and bike networks to improve accessibility and connectivity throughout the city and beyond. BALANCING EDINA’S REDEVELOPMENT Vision Edina – Strategic Vision Framework – May 2015 9 3. COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT MIX Edina has traditionally embraced commercial development along a relatively narrow corridor along France Avenue, and originally anchored by Southdale Center. While this practice has been successful and has led to additional growth along France Avenue, Vision Edina participants have expressed a desire for easier and more proximal access to small retail options and other amenities. Many participants of the engagement process highlighted the unique and appealing experience of the 50th & France district. New development opportunities can build upon this example and model to develop neighborhood nodes of an appropriate scale in other locations across the city. ISSUES • Edina has historically favored large-scale commercial development. Best practice and community desire has moved toward also including smaller-scale models. • Residents currently feel somewhat disconnected from common amenities, including banking, dry cleaning, groceries and pharmacies – and this is an issue likely to be exacerbated with an aging population. • The community has significant redevelopment opportunities in the Pentagon Park, Grandview, and Southdale areas, but as of yet, there appears to be no clear consensus as to the best and most appropriate uses and ultimate outcomes. STRATEGIC ACTIONS • In light of the escalating developmental pressures facing the Council and City, the City should as a priority renew its broader land use plan. This plan should examine and consider the future broad fabric of the community, and begin to define key nodes of higher-density mixed use, and potential nodes of small-scale commercial opportunity, embedded in more of a neighborhood context. • More consideration of scale and appropriate mixed use could be used in the review of new commercial development proposals, especially to take into account the compounding impact of numerous developments in close proximity and the concerns about this overall impact on streetscape, environmental aspects, transportation and utilities and services. • The community should further examine and consider the development of small neighborhood-based business nodes to provide a range of local amenities and services. • Edina should continue to explore strategies that promote the continued vitality of existing core retail zones around Southdale Center, and also actively pursue economic development strategies targeting specific professional services clusters. These approaches could enhance the core economic underpinning of the local economy. INSERT SECTION TITLE HEREBALANCING EDINA’S REDEVELOPMENT Vision Edina – Strategic Vision Framework – May 201510 INSERT SECTION TITLE HERE 4. LIVE AND WORK Edina’s community has a large number of high-wage earners, most of whom commute to areas outside the city for work. Therefore, Edina is highly dependent on the vitality of the regional economy to maintain prosperity. At the same time, the community also recognizes a growing desire, especially among young professionals, to both live and work in the same location. There is evidence to suggest this represents part of a larger societal trend, and could have important implications to the future location appeal of Edina. The city currently offers limited opportunities to do so, as a mismatch exists between the wage- earning potential of many of the employment opportunities in the community and the relatively high cost of quality housing. However, the city is very well endowed with recreation facilities, which offers excellent outdoor and sporting amenities. ISSUES • Many of the city’s residents commute outside of the city for work. This creates a disincentive to young professionals who may aspire to live and work in Edina. • The community does not possess significant spaces for collaborating, start-ups or telecommuting. • Many people who work in Edina cannot afford to live in the community. STRATEGIC ACTIONS • Edina should support the development of a start-up or entrepreneurial climate in the city, and bring together key stakeholders to develop an integrated economic development strategy. • The community should consider the inclusion of incubators or co-working spaces in any new redevelopment projects and in mixed-use proposals. • The City should promote the development of a mix of commercial amenities, including restaurants and cultural amenities, which are attractive to young families and professionals and can further act as connection points or hubs within the fabric of neighborhoods and development areas. BALANCING EDINA’S REDEVELOPMENT Vision Edina – Strategic Vision Framework – May 2015 11 INSERT SECTION TITLE HERE 5. EDUCATIONAL FOCUS Edina Public Schools are recognized as one of the principal assets of the community. The school district and its institutions are routinely recognized as among the best in the state and nation. Participants in the Vision Edina process routinely singled out quality education as one of the defining characteristics of their preferred future. However, respondents also expressed a desire for the greater use of technology in the classroom, expansion of cultural and ‘globally-focused’ learning opportunities and the promotion of lifelong learning. ISSUES • Education policy and funding are largely a state matter, placing the City in an advocacy and partnership role. • Respondents desire an educational system that maintains high quality while also embracing new techniques and technologies. A balance needs to be struck. • While Edina Public Schools and other local institutions adeptly provide K-12 education, lifelong learning and other cultural education opportunities requires leadership from a variety of community institutions. STRATEGIC ACTIONS • The community should promote a culture of learning among all of its residents, and continue to find ways to explore, understand and present best practices across a range of topics. In particular, it is important to expand the scope beyond regional expertise and explore best practices and emerging trends on a global scale. • The City should continue to foster its productive working partnership with Edina Public Schools. These two entities represent some of the key leverage points in the city, and combining their influence could accelerate the progress on key initiatives. Similar partnerships should be established with the Richfield and Hopkins school districts. • The City and school district should continue to explore future opportunities for expanded partnerships between the schools and existing employment opportunities within the community, thereby helping develop career paths and local workforce development. ENHANCING OUR COMMUNITY FABRIC AND CHARACTER Vision Edina – Strategic Vision Framework – May 201512 INSERT SECTION TITLE HERE 6. POPULATION MIX The demographics of the Twin Cities are constantly changing as new residents are attracted by strong regional employment prospects, economic tailwinds and quality cultural and public amenities. Edina is well positioned to attract many of these new residents because of its high quality of life. Edina’s population is also undergoing a generational transformation as its population continues to age, creating a new group of active senior citizens with different housing and amenity needs. Developing an effective balance in each of these areas is critical to ensuring future sustainable growth. ISSUES • The perception of an ‘Edina Bubble’ carries with it the stigma of being an exclusive and exclusionary community. • The relatively high cost of housing is a barrier to entry into the community, especially for younger families. • The needs of an aging population are often in conflict with the preferences of the younger residents the community seeks to attract. STRATEGIC ACTIONS • The City should expand its work with local school districts to expose students and parents to a variety of cultural experiences. This will serve to foster a global mindset while also cementing the education system as a key population draw. • Edina’s civic organizations should promote a welcoming image of the city. These efforts should be equally directed toward new residents and businesses. These organizations should also take a lead role in publicizing the city’s cultural amenities. • The City should continue to prioritize amenities that meet the needs of residents of all ages. The City should continue discussions about the effects of an aging population, as referenced in the Vision 20/20 process. Similar efforts should be used to engage young adults, including high school students. ENHANCING OUR COMMUNITY FABRIC AND CHARACTER Vision Edina – Strategic Vision Framework – May 2015 13 INSERT SECTION TITLE HEREENHANCING OUR COMMUNITY FABRIC AND CHARACTER 7. ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP Participants in the Vision Edina process were more supportive of environmentally responsible policies and practices than any other issue area. There is a growing awareness of the impact that the built environment has on the natural environment, and the individual and collective responsibility we all have toward good environmental stewardship. Community residents and stakeholders believe that Edina can take an active and ambitious internal and regional leadership role in embedding environmental stewardship principles through actions such as promoting more comprehensive recycling, smart building and energy efficiency practices. These themes couple well with the parallel benefits in smarter urban planning, increased transportation options and application of technology. ISSUES • Residential and commercial developers have little incentive to balance environmentally friendly building practices with market pressures, or in fact to provide leading-edge examples of energy efficient and environmentally sensitive construction. • Currently, residential waste removal and other environmental services are poorly coordinated, and in some cases multiple providers are serving the same streets, contributing to noise, environmental impact and inefficiencies. • The need for green spaces is well recognized, but the use of these areas currently follows more traditional ‘green lawn’ approaches rather than integrated habitat zones. • Developmental pressures are likely to continue to place increased demands on the City’s infrastructure and contribute to concerns about decline in environmental quality in the community. STRATEGIC ACTIONS • Develop a comprehensive city-wide environmental management plan that explores and includes best practices in water management, biodiversity, green space management, street scape enhancement and waste management. • Partner with energy and utility service providers to educate residents on the importance of energy efficiency in their daily living and promote energy efficiency and smart building practices at all City-owned properties. This could include well-established practices such as publishing data on the carbon emission, waste levels and recycling levels. • Identify a series of environmental flagship pilot projects to bring stakeholders together and begin exploring creative solutions. Examples could include: waste collection and management across the city; recycling and green waste management; environmental overlays on development projects such as Pentagon Park; and utilization of available areas such as Fred Richards Park as community gardens and biodiversity spaces. • Develop incentives for individual households to take an active role in the overall city responsibility for environmental management, including reducing nutrient loads in run-off, local recycling and efficient resource usage. Vision Edina – Strategic Vision Framework – May 201514 INSERT SECTION TITLE HERE 8. REGIONAL LEADERSHIP Edina has long been recognized as one of the premier communities in the Twin Cities. The City has been historically viewed as somewhat progressive in its development policies and practices. The existing phase of redevelopment and the expanding pressures from the surrounding metropolitan area highlights the need and opportunity for Edina to continue as an innovator, seeking and implementing creative solutions to local and regional issues. ISSUES • City leadership has rightfully focused on many local issues, in large part driven by changing community needs and expectations. In recent years, City officials have also been playing an important role in some significant regional discussions. • Edina’s size may limit its influence when compared to larger neighboring communities, its popularity with respect to redevelopment has presented a unique set of challenges and the opportunity to lead on some issues previously not encountered in the larger metropolitan area. • The community has regional economic importance, but its cultural importance has been somewhat more limited. However, there is potential for Edina to have some destination value as a regional cultural center. STRATEGIC ACTIONS • City leaders should actively advocate for Edina’s interests in the Met Council and other regional bodies. In addition, the City should form particularly close functional connections with the immediately neighboring cities, as they share many aspects and challenges. • City leaders should continue to inform residents on the impact of issues of regional importance and work to better integrate an understanding of the importance of being an active participant, and leader, in the larger regional system • City leaders and residents should collaborate to discover, develop and apply new best practices in environmental sustainability, aging in place, educational quality and other broad areas of consensus. These efforts will ensure that Edina builds the future intelligence capacity to retain a future-focused worldview, and act as an example and role model to other cities in North America. ENHANCING OUR COMMUNITY FABRIC AND CHARACTER Vision Edina – Strategic Vision Framework – May 2015 15 INSERT SECTION TITLE HERECONCLUSION CONCLUSION The Vision Edina process has presented an opportunity for the community to come together and explore the longer-term future. The current period of intense redevelopment, which is occurring within Edina, represents an important juncture in the community’s history and evolution. This is coupled with a more gradual generational shift, as the predominant Baby Boom generation moves through the demographic system. The resultant situation is where Edina stands poised before some significant choices about future trajectory and outcomes. This has been well articulated in the Vision Edina process. The community has chosen a path forward that represents some significant change and reinvention, but without losing touch with the important family values and rationale that has always defined Edina as a community. The path ahead is not without its challenges and will require careful balancing of differing priorities, aspirations and desires. The collective decision-making process required to move forward will set Edina apart as an intelligent, engaged, thoughtful and forward-looking city. It will require maturity and patience on behalf of the citizens and leadership, and recognition that the complex resident mix, which makes Edina interesting, also brings with it differing opinions and perspectives. Understanding the importance of the common good over personal self-interests will be critical to build alignment around important future shaping decisions and actions. The population and leadership of Edina possess and exhibit more than sufficient knowledge and experience to guide the City toward the vibrant and balanced future desired by the residents and stakeholders. FOR MORE INFORMATION VISION EDINA The Vision Edina initiative has aimed to define a shared vision for the City of Edina. The vision and strategic framework is the outcome of a broad-based and inclusive community visioning process. The engagement portion of this important planning process ran from September to December 2014, and gathered significant community input. From a strategic planning perspective, Vision Edina examines the issues that have been identified as having the highest priority within the community. The initiative examined future trends in cities across North America and the world, and how generational values are changing. This was also linked to local aspirations, values and desires for the future. This process provides a clearer understanding of what people might be looking for in Edina in 2030 and beyond. Vision Edina has represented an opportunity for all residents to have a say and contribute to creating the shared future vision. Vision Edina is part of the overall community process to update the long-term vision for the City of Edina. Vision Edina will also serve as an important foundation for other strategic efforts, such as the City’s Comprehensive Plan and Capital Improvement Plans. The City of Edina partnered with Future iQ Partners, an international consultancy company, to design and facilitate the process. For more information on the Vision Edina project and the City of Edina, please contact: Scott H. Neal, City Manager City of Edina 952-826-0415 SNeal@EdinaMN.gov www.EdinaMN.gov