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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCouncil Connection 08222013City hires firm to plan parking improvements at 50th & France The City Council voted to retain a consulting firm to plan parking improvements in downtown Edina at 50th & France. Building off of work done in 2012 by Walker Parking, Kimley-Horn will identify strategies for in- creasing the efficient use of park- ing spaces; determine appropriate streetscape improvements to update and unify the shopping area; study expansion options of the North Ramp, including new commercial space on the street level; and study options for im- proving the South and Middle ramps. In addition to completing a feasi- bility study, the firm will develop design documents for priority repairs and lighting improvements to be completed yet this year. The maximum cost of the work will be $260,000, which will be as- sessed back to the commercial properties in the area. It is anticipated that if the feasi- bility study is approved, Kimley- Horn would be hired again to prepare design documents so that the preferred solutions can be implemented and construct- ed in 2014 and 2015. Council adopts Living Streets Policy The Council approved a Liv- ing Streets Policy. Living Streets balances the needs of motorists, pedestrians, bicy-clists and transit riders in a way that promotes safety and conven- ience, enhances economic vitality, creates opportunities for active living and sustains the environ-ment. Just over two years ago, the Edina City Council authorized the Edina Transportation Commission to draft a Living Streets Policy and implemen-tation plan. The City Council approved that policy at its meeting Aug. 20. Now, Transportation Planner Mark Nolan will work with an advisory group to draft content for the Living Streets Plan. The Plan will address how the policy will be implemented with detail on street design, traffic calming tactics, bike facilities, land- scaping and lighting, as well as best practices for community engage- ment during the design process. Council OKs plans for ‘Vernon Avenue Housing’ The Council approved a new hous- ing development – Vernon Avenue Housing – for northwest Edina. The City Council recently approved the redevelopment of three lots located at 5109 to 5125 W. 49th St. The developer, Hunt Associates, plans to tear down the existing single-family home and two apart-ment buildings on the site and build a new 16-unit attached hous- ing development. The properties total 1.43 acres in area, so the proposed density of the project will be II units per acre. The developer has two years to start construction. Council denies subdivision The Council voted against a subdi- vision on Tracy Avenue and di- rected the City Attorney to prepare findings of fact to support a denial. Rodney Helm, on behalf of Tom and Gretchen Shanight, proposed subdividing the property at 5612 Tracy Ave. into two lots. The exist- ing home would be torn down, and two new homes built. To accom- modate the request, a subdivision would be required, as well as vari- ances for lot width, depth and area. Both lots would gain access off Tracy Avenue by a shared drive- way, utilizing the existing driveway to the site. Among other things, the Council A summary of the Aug. 20 Edina City Council meetings Aug. 26, 2013 Volume 15, Issue 12 Council Connection Upcoming meetings: Aviation Noise Meeting with Congressman Keith Ellison, 5:30 p.m. Aug. 27 Human Rights & Relations Commission, 7 p.m. Aug. 27 Planning Commission, 7 p.m. Aug. 28 City Council, 7 p.m. Sept. 3 Public Art Committee, 4 p.m. Sept. 5 City Contacts City Manager Scott Neal 952-826-0401 Assistant City Manager Karen Kurt 952-826-0415 City Clerk Debra Mangen 952-826-0408 Economic Development Manager Bill Neuendorf 952-826-0407 Community Development Director Cary Teague 952-826-0460 Transportation Planner Mark Nolan 952-826-0322 We’d like to hear from you … If you have any comments, call Communications & Technology Services Director Jennifer Bennerotte at 952-833- 9520. The text of this publication will be available online at www.EdinaMN.gov. www.EdinaMN.gov was concerned about the shared driveway and voted against the proposal. Council reviews sketch plan The Council reviewed a sketch plan for a change in building use on Edina Industrial Blvd. The Council reviewed plans to change 5801 Edina Industrial Blvd. from office uses to retail uses including a drive-through. Currently, the building on the site contains a real estate office, hair loss treatment center, telecom- munication switching site and a small vacancy formerly occupied by a builder office/showroom. Frauenshuh Commercial Real Estate Group would like to repur- pose and remodel the existing building with neighborhood retail services. To accommodate such a proposal, the site will need to be rezoned to Planned Commercial District-2 (PCD-2) and the Comprehensive Guide Plan would have to be amended. The property lies just west of Highway 100 and is locat-ed across the street from retail uses that are zoned PCD-2. Uses include a gas station, Burger King and a small retail strip. North and east of the site are office/light industrial uses. Because the proposed uses of the property would be consistent with the existing land uses to the south, and because the site is within an area of the City that was designated as a “Potential Area of Change” within the 2008 Compre- hensive Plan, Council Members were generally supportive of the idea. Frauenshuh Commercial Real Estate Group will now need to formally apply for rezoning and the Comprehensive Guide Plan amendment and go through the approval process.