HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-01-27 Planning Commission Regular Meeting MinutesDraft Minutes☐
Approved Minutes☒
Approved Date: February 10, 2021
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Minutes
City Of Edina, Minnesota
Planning Commission
Electronic WebEx
January 27, 2021
I. Call To Order
Chair Nemerov called the meeting to order at 7:02 PM.
II. Roll Call
Answering the roll call were: Commissioners Miranda, Berube, Strauss, Olsen, Bennett, Agnew, and Chair
Nemerov. Staff Present: Cary Teague, Community Development Director, Kris Aaker, Assistant Planner,
and Liz Olson, Administrative Support Specialist.
Absent from the roll call: Cullen.
III. Approval Of Meeting Agenda
Commissioner Berube moved to approve the January 27, 2021, agenda. Commissioner
Strauss seconded the motion. Motion carried.
IV. Approval Of Meeting Minutes
A. Minutes: Planning Commission, January 13, 2021
Commissioner Berube moved to approve the January 13, 2021, meeting minutes.
Commissioner Strauss seconded the motion. Motion carried.
V. Special Recognitions and Presentations
A. Morningside Flood Infrastructure Project Update
Mr. Ross Bitner and Ms. Jessica Wilson, Edina Engineering Department, updated the Commission on the
Morningside Flood Infrastructure project.
Staff answered Commission questions.
VI. Public Hearings
A. B-21-01, Variance Request – 5844 Fairfax Ave
Assistant Planner Aaker presented the request of a variance for 5844 Fairfax Avenue . Staff recommends
approval of the variance request, as requested subject to the findings and conditions listed in the staff
report.
Draft Minutes☐
Approved Minutes☒
Approved Date: February 10, 2021
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Staff answered Commission questions.
Appearing for the Applicant
Mr. Robin Statz, Next Door Remodels thanked staff for everything and indicated he was available for
answers. He noted the neighbors were sent out a letter regarding this.
The applicant answered Commission questions.
Public Hearing
No one wished to address the Commission.
Commissioner Agnew moved to close the public hearing. Commissioner Bennett seconded
the motion. Motion carried.
Motion
Commissioner Bennett moved that the Planning Commission recommend approval of the .37-
foot side and 9.85-foot side street setback variance for an existing nonconforming home at 5844
Fairfax as outlined in the staff memo subject to the conditions and findings therein.
Commissioner Berube seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.
VII. Reports/Recommendations
A. Sketch Plan Review – 4660 77th Street West
Director Teague presented the request of a Sketch Plan review for 4660 77 th Street West.
Staff answered Commission questions.
Appearing for the Applicant
Mr. Kurt Gunsbury, Solhem Properties, along with Kristina Smitten, Jason Ward and Mike Krych and
George Johnson made a presentation to the Commission on the sketch plan at 4660 77 th Street West.
The Commission asked questions of the applicant.
The Commission reviewed the sketch plan and offered the following comments:
Likes the density.
Connections to the park from the street a important for the development.
There is a lot of building length along 77th would like to have an opening from the street to the
courtyard.
Nice to have a path on the west side of the development.
Applaud the underground parking efforts.
Housing is great the way it is structured with the park.
Draft Minutes☐
Approved Minutes☒
Approved Date: February 10, 2021
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Appreciates the sustainability.
Would like to see sustainability concepts, thinking outside the box and pushing the needle such as
rooftop gardens.
Make pathways extra wide.
Concerned with the long wall, would like some glass to break up the wall.
Front feels very suburban.
Nice concept.
Please refer to the official video recording for all of the comments from the Planning Commissioners.
VIII. Correspondence and Petitions
None.
IX. Chair and Member Comments
Commissioner Miranda addressed the Commission regarding Paris reducing car volumes tremendously and he
was reading the book Metropolis about cities evolving over time.
Commissioner Bennett addressed the Commission regarding the importance of connections.
X. Staff Comments
Planner Teague noted on the 6600- 6800 France Ave. development project the applicant withdrew their
application at the last City Council meeting.
XI. Adjournment
Commissioner Agnew moved to adjourn the January 27, 2021, Meeting of the Edina Planning
Commission at 9:23 PM. Commissioner Strauss seconded the motion. Motion carried.