HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-05-13 Planning Commission Regular Meeting MinutesDraft Minutes☐
Approved Minutes☒
Approved Date: May 27, 2020
Page 1 of 4
Minutes
City Of Edina, Minnesota
Planning Commission
WexEx Virtual Meeting
May 13, 2020
I. Call To Order
Chair Nemerov called the meeting to order at 7:04 PM.
II. Roll Call
Answering the roll call were: Commissioners Miranda, Berube, Thorsen, Strauss, Olsen, Agnew, and
Chair Nemerov. Staff Present: Cary Teague, Community Development Director, Emily Bodeker, Assistant
Planner, Liz Olson, Administrative Support Specialist, Jennifer Bennerotte, Communications Director.
Absent from the roll call: Commissioner Velavuli, Bennett, Douglas.
III. Approval Of Meeting Agenda
Commissioner Thorsen moved to approve the May 13, 2020, agenda. Commissioner Strauss
seconded the motion. Motion carried.
IV. Approval Of Meeting Minutes
A. Minutes: Planning Commission, April 29, 2020
Chair Nemerov requested staff note resident participation in the minutes. The Commission discussed this
item. The minutes were tabled until the next meeting for staff to add language.
V. Public Hearings
Chair Nemerov acknowledged that the City received comments on Better Together Edina and the
voicemail line for the public hearings being considered.
A. B-20-10, A 18.6-Foot Front Yard Setback Variance to the required front yard
setback along Morningside Road at 4248 Alden Drive
Assistant Planner Bodeker presented the request of a 18.6 Foot Front Yard Setback Variance to the
required front yard setback along Morningside Road at 4248 Alden Drive. Staff recommends approval of
the Front Yard Setback Variance, as requested subject to the findings and conditions listed in the staff
report.
Staff answered the Commission’s questions.
Draft Minutes☐
Approved Minutes☒
Approved Date: May 27, 2020
Page 2 of 4
Appearing for the Applicant
Mr. Curt Brekke, introduced himself and addressed the Commission.
Public Hearing
Mr. Frank Wassmer, 4246 Alden Drive, addressed the Commission with suggestions for driveway changes
and comments on the size of the house.
Mr. Andy Warner, 4107 Morningside, addressed the Commission and voiced his disappointment in the
changes.
Mr. Scott Nelson, 4244 Alden Drive, addressed the Commission with concerns about the size of the
building and neighboring property trees.
Ms. Nicole Williams, 3915 Morningside, addressed the Commission and indicated she was not in favor of
the variance.
Commissioner Strauss moved to close the public hearing. Commissioner Berube seconded
the motion. Motion carried.
Staff answered additional Commission questions.
Mr. Brekke answered resident comments and questions.
The Commission discussed the proposal
Chair Nemerov asked Mr. Brekke if he would like to come back with a revised plan to address
commission concerns or have the Commission vote on this item. Mr. Brekke addressed the Commission
with his concerns and asked if the Commission could vote on this.
Mr. Terry Robertson and Ellie Jelsing, Potential owners of the property, addressed the Commission.
The Commission continued with its discussions.
Motion
Commissioner Olson moved that the Planning Commission recommend denial of the 18.6 Foot
Front Yard Setback Variance to the required front yard setback along Morningside Road at 4248
Alden Drive based on the fact that the variance will alter the essential character of the
neighborhood. Commissioner Miranda seconded the motion. Motion failed 3 ayes (Agnew, Olsen,
Miranda), 4 nays (Strauss, Thorsen, Berube, Nemerov).
Draft Minutes☐
Approved Minutes☒
Approved Date: May 27, 2020
Page 3 of 4
Commissioner Thorsen moved that the Planning Commission recommend approval of the 18.6
Foot Front Yard Setback Variance to the required front yard setback along Morningside Road at
4248 Alden Drive as outlined in the staff memo subject to the conditions and findings therein.
Commissioner Berube seconded the motion. Motion Failed 3 ayes (Strauss, Thorsen, Berube) 4
nays (Agnew, Olsen, Miranda, Nemerov).
Chair Nemerov moved that the Planning Commission recommend denial of the 18.6 Foot Front
Yard Setback Variance to the required front yard setback along Morningside Road at 4248 Alden
Drive based on the fact that the variance will alter the essential character of the neighborhood,
size of the home and location of the garage and amount of setback on Morningside.
Commissioner Agnew seconded the motion. Motion Failed 3 ayes (Agnew, Miranda, Nemerov) 4
nays (Olsen, Strauss, Thorsen, Berube).
The Commission asked if the applicant could come back with a revised plan for the driveway.
The Applicant discussed issues with the Commission with a possible revised plan.
Commissioner Thorsen moved that the Planning Commission recommend approval of the 18.6
Foot Front Yard Setback Variance to the required front yard setback along Morningside Road at
4248 Alden Drive as outlined in the staff memo subject to the conditions and findings therein.
Commissioner Berube seconded the motion. Motion carried 4 ayes (Agnew, Strauss, Thorsen,
Berube) 3 nays (Olsen, Miranda, Nemerov).
VII. Reports/Recommendations
None.
VIII. Correspondence and Petitions
None.
IX. Chair and Member Comments
Commissioner Miranda commented on some of the projects that were approved by the Commission in the past
few years that are coming to completion.
Chair Nemerov mentioned the Planning Commission work session coming up in the next two weeks. He noted
Commissioner Douglas will be leaving the Planning Commission as well as Commissioner Melton.
X. Staff Comments
Planner Teague reported Planning Commission items that were brought forward to the City Council for
review and approval.
Draft Minutes☐
Approved Minutes☒
Approved Date: May 27, 2020
Page 4 of 4
XI. Adjournment
Commissioner Thorsen moved to adjourn the May 13, 2020, Meeting of the Edina Planning
Commission at 9:20 PM. Commissioner Agnew seconded the motion. Motion carried.