HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-05-26 Planning Commission Regular Meeting MinutesDraft Minutes☐
Approved Minutes☒
Approved Date: June 9, 2021
Page 1 of 5
Minutes
City Of Edina, Minnesota
Planning Commission
VIRTUAL MEETING
May 26, 2021
I. Call To Order
Chair Nemerov called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM.
II. Roll Call
Answering the roll call were: Commissioners Berube, Strauss, Agnew, Bartling, Alkire and Chair
Nemerov. Staff Present: Cary Teague, Community Development Director, Emily Bodeker, Assistant
Planner, Kris Aaker, Assistant Planner, Liz Olson, Administrative Support Specialist.
Absent from the roll call were: Commissioners Miranda, Cullen, Bennett, and Olsen.
III. Approval Of Meeting Agenda
Commissioner Bartling moved to approve the May 26, 2021, agenda. Commissioner Agnew
seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously as presented.
IV. Approval Of Meeting Minutes
A. Minutes: Planning Commission, April 28, 2021
B. Minutes: Planning Commission, May 12, 2021
Commissioner Bartling moved to approve the April 28, 2021, meeting minutes and the May
12, 2021, meeting minutes. Commissioner Agnew seconded the motion. Commissioner
Bartling offered up an amendment to the May 12, 2021, minutes to correct the section
regarding signage to change the name of the firm HGK to HGA. Motion carried
unanimously as amended.
V. Special Recognitions and Presentations
None.
VI. Public Hearings
A. B-21-16 – Fence Height Variance – 5828 Eastview Drive
Assistant Planner Bodeker presented the request of 5828 Eastview Drive for a fence height variance to the
front yard along Benton Avenue. Staff recommends denial of the 6-foot fence height variance, as
requested subject to the findings and conditions listed in the staff report.
Draft Minutes☐
Approved Minutes☒
Approved Date: June 9, 2021
Page 2 of 5
The Commission asked questions of staff.
Appearing for the Applicant
Matt Zung, appellant, introduced himself, made a presentation to the Commission, and asked a question of
staff.
Public Hearing
None.
Commissioner Strauss moved to close the public hearing. Commissioner Alkire seconded
the motion. Motion carried.
The Commission started deliberation and discussion.
Mr. Zung presented additional information for the Commission’s consideration.
The Commission asked questions of staff and concluded there were not compelling enough arguments to
consider a variance in this case. Video of the meeting is available on the City website for review of detailed
comments.
Motion
Commissioner Strauss moved that the Planning Commission recommend denial to the City
Council of the 6-foot fence height variance in the front yard at 5828 Eastview Drive as outlined in
the staff memo subject to the conditions and findings therein. Commissioner Alkire seconded the
motion.
Motion carried 5-1 (Agnew).
B. B-21-14 – Height Variance – 4604 W 56th Street
Assistant Planner Aaker presented the request of 4604 W 56th Street for a variance for a tear-down-re-
guild/new home variance. Staff recommends approval of the 3.2-foot first floor height increase from the 1-
foot maximum allowed for a new home, as requested subject to the findings and conditions listed in the
staff report.
Staff answered questions of the Commission.
Appearing for the Applicant
Andy Porter, appellant, made a presentation to the Commission.
The appellant and staff answered several questions of the Commission.
Draft Minutes☐
Approved Minutes☒
Approved Date: June 9, 2021
Page 3 of 5
Public Hearing
None.
Commissioner Strauss moved to close the public hearing. Commissioner Agnew seconded
the motion. Motion carried.
The Commission started deliberation and discussion. Video of the meeting is available on the City website for
review of detailed comments.
Mr. Porter provided additional information and noted the recently submitted survey.
Motion
Commissioner Berube moved that the Planning Commission recommend approval to the City
Council of the 3.2-foot first floor height increase at 4604 W 56th Street, using the updated survey,
as outlined in the staff memo subject to the conditions and findings therein. Commissioner Alkire
seconded the motion.
Motion carried unanimously.
C. B-21-13 – Side and Front Yard Variance – 4236 Scott Terrace
Assistant Planner Aaker presented the request of 4236 Scott Terrace for side yard setback and front yard
setback variances. Staff recommends approval of the 1.27-foot south side yard setback and the 4.12-foot
front yard setback variances, as requested subject to the findings and conditions listed in the staff report.
Staff answered questions of the Commission.
Appearing for the Applicant
Joseph Backer, appellant, and Jason Strodl, architect for the appellants, made presentations to the
Commission.
The appellant answered Commission questions.
Public Hearing
None.
Commissioner Bartling moved to close the public hearing. Commissioner Strauss seconded
the motion. Motion carried.
The Commission started deliberation and discussion and indicated support for the proposed house design.
Draft Minutes☐
Approved Minutes☒
Approved Date: June 9, 2021
Page 4 of 5
Motion
Commissioner Bartling moved that the Planning Commission recommend approval to the City
Council of the 1.27-foot south side yard setback and the 4.12-foot front yard setback variances at
4236 Scott Terrace as outlined in the staff memo subject to the conditions and findings therein.
Commissioner Berube seconded the motion.
The Commission concluded deliberation. Video of the meeting is available on the City website for review of
detailed comments.
Motion carried unanimously.
D. Preliminary Rezoning & Preliminary Development Plan for Solhem Companies at 4660
77th Street West
Director Teague presented the request of 4660 77th Street West for a preliminary rezoning and
development plan. Staff recommends approval as requested subject to the findings and conditions listed in
the staff report.
Staff and Ed Terhar, representing Solhem Companies, answered questions of the Commission.
Appearing for the Applicant
Curt Gunsbury and Jason Lord, representing Solhem Companies, and Mark Krych, architect with BKV
Group introduced the project team and made a presentation to the Commission.
Public Hearing
Chair Nemerov indicated several comments from Better Together were received.
None.
Commissioner Berube moved to close the public hearing. Commissioner Strauss seconded
the motion. Motion carried.
The Commission started deliberation, discussed its support for this plan, and asked questions of the appellants
and staff. Video of the meeting is available on the City website for review of detailed comments.
Motion
Commissioner Strauss moved that the Planning Commission recommend approval to the City
Council of the preliminary rezoning and preliminary development plan for the property located at
4660 77th Street West as outlined in the staff memo subject to the conditions and findings therein.
Commissioner Bartling seconded the motion.
Motion carried unanimously.
Draft Minutes☐
Approved Minutes☒
Approved Date: June 9, 2021
Page 5 of 5
VII. Reports/Recommendations
A. Sketch Plan Review – 6500 Barrie Road
Director Teague presented the request of 6500 Barrie Road for a sketch plan review to tear down the
existing building and construct a medical clinic and surgical center.
Don Rolf, Pope Architect representing the appellants, introduced himself and made a presentation to the
Commission.
The appellant and staff answered Commission questions about the sketch plan, surrounding uses, and
parking.
The Commission reviewed the sketch plan and offered the following comments:
Zoned for 12 stories so consider a taller building so additional clinicians can use this space
Conduct a parking study since it has influenced the size of the project and design
First level solid wall is overbearing at street level since this is a mixed use area
Add sidewalks and pathways to improve pedestrian experience at street level and connectivity
Add greenscape to soften appearance of first level solid wall
Entry point into parking is too tight at ground level
Work with neighboring parcel on shared parking
Proposed use is vastly more aesthetically pleasing with less building and more trees
Applaud effort to save mature trees and add more trees
Video of the meeting is available on the City website for review of all comments.
VIII. Chair and Member Comments
None.
IX. Staff Comments
Planner Teague updated the Commission on recent action items brought forward to the City Council. He
answered questions of the Commission about specific project outcomes.
X. Adjournment
Commissioner Agnew moved to adjourn the May 26, 2021, Meeting of the Edina Planning
Commission at 10:02 PM. Commissioner Bartling seconded the motion. Motion carried.