HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-11-18 Planning Commission Regular Meeting MinutesDraft Minutes☐
Approved Minutes☒
Approved Date: December 9, 2020
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Minutes
City Of Edina, Minnesota
Planning Commission
VIRTUAL MEETING
November 18, 2020
I. Call To Order
Chair Nemerov called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM.
II. Roll Call
Answering the roll call were: Commissioners Miranda, Berube, Strauss, Cullen, Olsen, Bennett, Agnew,
and Chair Nemerov. Staff Present: Cary Teague, and Liz Olson, Administrative Support Specialist.
Absent from the roll call: None.
Chair Nemerov noted Commissioner Thorsen resigned from the Commission.
III. Approval Of Meeting Agenda
Commissioner Agnew moved to approve the November 18, 2020, agenda. Commissioner
Strauss seconded the motion. Motion carried.
IV. Approval Of Meeting Minutes
A. Minutes: Planning Commission, October 24, 2020
Commissioner Berube moved to approve the October 24, 2020, meeting minutes.
Commissioner Agnew seconded the motion. Motion carried.
V. Public Hearings
A. Preliminary Rezoning from PCD-3 to PUD, Overall Development Plan, Preliminary
Development Plan and Consideration of EAW for 7001 and 7025 France Avenue
Director Teague presented the request of preliminary rezoning from PCD-3 to PUD. Staff recommends
approval of the rezoning, as requested subject to the findings and conditions listed in the staff report.
Ms. Ashley Payne, Environmental Scientist at Kimley-Horn, introduced herself and addressed the Commission on
the EAW process.
Mr. Mike Spack, CEO of Spack Solutions, introduced himself and addressed the Commission on traffic and
pedestrian connections.
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Staff answered questions from the Commission.
Appearing for the Applicant
Mr. Ted Carlson, and Mr. Neal Reardon, ESG Architecture and Design, introduced themselves and addressed
the Commission.
Mr. Jeff Hysjulien, RSP, addressed the Commission regarding the drive-through and site lines within the US Bank
development.
The Commission asked questions of the applicant.
Public Hearing
It was noted the Planning Commission and staff have received comments via email and through Better
Together Edina.
Ms. Julie Risser, 6112 Ashcroft Avenue, addressed the Commission with concerns about the non-
compliant development.
Commissioner Strauss moved to close the public hearing. Commissioner Berube seconded
the motion. Motion carried.
The Commission reviewed the proposed rezoning request.
• Maintain the fifty-foot setback on France Avenue
• Would like to see green space rather than the public space south of the Tower Building
• Liked the North/South thorough fare ability in the future
• Would like to see more green space and wider sidewalks with less on street parking
• Emphasize alternative modes of transportation if possible
• Disappointed seeing an increase of parking at US Bank
• This project gets the City on its way and questions about density and parking were answered
• Affordable housing was addressed
• Desire for fewer drive-throughs
• The project is excellent overall
• Height and shadows did not seem to be an issue
• Need to give priority to pedestrians and biking
• Great improvement to the area and attractive
• This will benefit the retail
Motion
Commissioner Miranda moved that the Planning Commission recommend approval to the City
Council of the request as outlined in the staff memo subject to the conditions and findings
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Approved Date: December 9, 2020
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therein. Conditions added included providing ten-foot wide drive lanes, additional green space and
a fifty-foot setback on France; the motion included that an EIS not be required. Commissioner
Agnew seconded the motion. Motion carried 5-2 (nays were Commissioner Agnew and Bennett).
Chair Nemerov noted this will go to the City Council on December 1, 2020.
B. Zoning Ordinance Amendment/Preliminary Rezoning, Revised Overall Development Plan,
Preliminary Development and EAW consideration for 6600-6800 France Avenue
Director Teague presented the request of a Zoning Ordinance Amendment/Preliminary Rezoning, Revised
overall Development Plan, Preliminary Development and EAW consideration. Staff recommends denial of
the Zoning Ordinance Amendment/Preliminary Rezoning, as requested subject to the findings and
conditions listed in the staff report and that an EIS not be required.
Ms. Ashley Payne, Environmental Scientist at Kimley-Horn, introduced herself and addressed the Commission on
the EAW process.
Mr. Mike Spack, CEO of Spack Solutions, introduced himself and addressed the Commission on traffic and
pedestrian connections.
Staff answered Commission questions.
Appearing for the Applicant
Mr. Andy Mcintosh, McGough; Mr. Victor Pechaty, HGA; Mr. Tom Lincoln, Kimley-Horn; and Mr. Dave Stahl,
Cunningham Group, introduced themselves and addressed the Commission.
The Commission asked questions of the applicants.
Public Hearing
Mr. David Poerschke, 6609 Southdale Road, introduced himself and addressed the Commission.
Commissioner Agnew moved to close the public hearing. Commissioner Strauss seconded
the motion. Motion carried.
It was noted Commission Olsen needed to leave the meeting.
The Commission reviewed the proposed rezoning request.
• Appreciated the effort by the developer but this is very old school suburban
• Needs to have more vision to the project
• Thought this was very under-developed
• This is an improvement but is not fabulous for a prime location in Edina
• Similar to what is there today
• Needs less parking
• Concern of increasing congestion of traffic
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• Needs more green space
• Would like to see a better connectivity to the neighborhood to the west
• Exciting site that can transform into something spectacular
• More pedestrian focus is needed because it is a transitional property from an existing
neighborhood
• The project does not meet the Design Experience Guidelines sufficiently
Motion
Commissioner Miranda moved that the Planning Commission recommend denial to the City
Council of the request as outlined in the staff memo subject to the conditions and findings therein
and that an EIS not be required. Commissioner Agnew seconded the motion. Motion carried
unanimously 6-0.
Chair Nemerov noted this will go to the City Council on December 1, 2020.
VII. Reports/Recommendations
None.
VIII. Correspondence and Petitions
None.
IX. Chair and Member Comments
None.
X. Staff Comments
None.
XI. Adjournment
Commissioner Agnew moved to adjourn the November 18, 2020, Meeting of the Edina Planning
Commission at 12:07 AM. Commissioner Miranda seconded the motion. Motion carried.