HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-07-14 Planning Commission Regular Meeting MinutesDraft Minutes☐
Approved Minutes☒
Approved Date: July 28, 2021
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Minutes
City Of Edina, Minnesota
Planning Commission
Edina City Hall Council Chambers
July 14, 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 Miranda, Strauss, Olsen, Bennett, Agnew (remote), Bartling,
Alkire and Chair Nemerov. Staff Present: Cary Teague, Community Development Director, Kris Aaker,
Assistant Planner Emily Bodeker, Assistant Planner, and Liz Olson, Administrative Support Specialist.
Absent from the roll call: Commissioners Berube and Cullen.
III. Approval Of Meeting Agenda
Commissioner Strauss moved to approve the July 14, 2021, agenda. Commissioner Alkire
seconded the motion. Motion carried.
IV. Approval Of Meeting Minutes
A. Minutes: Planning Commission, June 23, 2021
Commissioner Alkire moved to approve the June 23, 2021, meeting minutes. Commissioner
Strauss seconded the motion. Commissioner Alkire offered up the amendment to change
wording on page 1 to read, “July 14.” As well as an amendment to replace wording on page 2
that reads “2.66-foot” with “2.33-foot.” Motion carried as amended.
V. Community Comment
Ms. Janie Weston, 6136 Brookview Avenue, Edina, addressed the Commission regarding a number of proposals
for 4404 Valleyview Road for redevelopment. She expressed her concerns about the possibility of a three-story
residential home being built on the lot. She requested the Planning Commission follow the
Wooddale/Valleyview Small Area Plan which indicates no higher than a two-story home can be built there.
VI. Public Hearings
A. B-21-17, A 36-Foot Front Yard Setback Variance for New Home Construction –
5404 Stauder Circle
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Approved Date: July 28, 2021
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Assistant Planner Aaker presented the request for a 36-foot front yard setback variance for new home
construction. Staff recommends approval of the variance, as requested subject to the findings and
conditions listed in the staff report.
Staff answered Commission questions.
Appearing for the Applicant
Mr. Ryan Fish, PK Architecture, 4329 29th Avenue S., Minneapolis introduced himself and addressed the
Commission. He answered questions of the Commission.
Public Hearing
None.
Commissioner Bennett moved to close the public hearing. Commissioner Bartling seconded
the motion. Motion carried.
The Commission discussed the front yard setback variance.
Motion
Commissioner Bartling moved that the Planning Commission approve the 36-foot front yard
setback variance for new home construction as outlined in the staff memo subject to the
conditions and findings therein. Commissioner Olsen seconded the motion. Motion carried.
Video of the meeting is available on the City website for review of detailed comments.
B. B-21-20, Rear Yard and Lot Coverage Variance Request – 6601 Biscayne Blvd
Assistant Planner Aaker presented the request for a rear yard and lot coverage variance. Staff
recommends denial of the variance, subject to the findings and conditions listed in the staff report.
The Commission asked questions of staff.
Appearing for the Applicant
Mr. Christopher Strohm, architect, 4901 Abbott Ave So, Minneapolis, introduced himself and addressed the
Commission.
Mr. Russ Rubin, applicant, 6601 Biscayne Blvd, introduced himself and addressed he Commission.
The Commission asked questions of the applicant.
Public Hearing
Mr. Jim Vandervelde, 6605 Biscayne Blvd, addressed the Commission and indicated he was in favor of the
variance.
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Approved Date: July 28, 2021
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It was noted there were two other comments via Better Together Edina in favor of the variance request.
Commissioner Miranda moved to close the public hearing. Commissioner Strauss seconded
the motion. Motion carried.
The Commission discussed the variance request. Some of the Commissioners supported the building
coverage and thought the addition would improve the property with the rain garden addition and other
improvements. As well as some of the Commissioners thought the addition could be redesigned to fit
within the current setback area to meet the goals without a variance.
Motion
Commissioner Agnew moved that the Planning Commission approve the rear yard and lot
coverage variance request given that this aligns with the goals that City set out within the
Comprehensive Plan of being able to age in place as well as this is reducing the overall footprint of
their coverage area. Commissioner Bartling seconded the motion.
Additional Commission discussion ensued.
Director Teague indicated he could provide some additional findings for approval for the Commission to
consider in the motion and/or the Commission could ask the applicants if they would be willing to revise their
plans and come back.
Chair Nemerov asked the applicants if they would like to amend their plans. Mr. Rubin indicated he would like
to amend the plans and come back to the Commission.
Chair Nemerov asked Commissioner Agnew if she would like to remove her motion. Commissioner Agnew
agreed to remove her motion if the applicant was willing to come back.
Commissioner Miranda moved to continue this item to the August 11, 2021 Planning Commission
meeting. Commissioner Alkire seconded the motion. Motion carried.
Video of the meeting is available on the City website for review of detailed comments.
C. B-21-21, 2.1-Foot Side Yard Setback Variance – 5615 Sherwood Drive
Assistant Planner Bodeker presented the request for a 2.1-foot side yard setback variance . Staff cannot
support a side yard setback variance for a structure that can be designed or placed on the lot so that it
meets the 10-foot setback requirements. Staff does not believe there are unique circumstances to the
subject property.
The Commission asked questions of staff.
Appearing for the Applicant
Mr. Matt Kirshner and Ms. Margaret Kirshner, introduced themselves and addressed the Commission. Mr.
Sonnek was also at the meeting and answered Commission questions.
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Public Hearing
No one wished to address the Commission.
It was noted there were two comments from Better Together Edina in support of the variance.
Commissioner Bennett moved to close the public hearing. Commissioner Alkire seconded
the motion. Motion carried.
The Commission discussed the variance.
Motion
Commissioner Miranda moved that the Planning Commission recommend denial of the 2.1-foot
side yard setback variance as outlined in the staff memo subject to the conditions and findings
therein. Commissioner Bennett seconded the motion. Motion carried with 8 ayes, 0 nays.
Video of the meeting is available on the City website for review of detailed comments.
D. Zoning Ordinance Amendment, Revised Overall Development Plan, Site Plan Review –
4911 77th Street West
Director Teague presented the request for a zoning ordinance amendment . Staff recommends approval of
the zoning ordinance amendment, as requested subject to the findings and conditions listed in the staff
report.
Staff answered Commission questions.
Appearing for the Applicant
Mr. Jay Scott, Solomon Real Estate Group, introduced himself and addressed the Commission. Mr. Davis Stahl,
Cuningham Architects was also at the meeting and reviewed the plans with the Commission. The Commission
asked the applicants questions.
Public Hearing
Mr. Steve Brown, 5528 Halifax Lane, addressed the Commission and indicated he was in favor of the project.
Ms. Lori Grotz, 5513 Park Place, addressed the Commission and indicated she was not in favor of the project.
Commissioner Bennett moved to close the public hearing. Commissioner Bartling seconded
the motion. Motion carried.
Resident comments were addressed by City Staff and the applicants.
The Commission discussed the Zoning Ordinance Amendment. The Commission was divided on approval
of the project.
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Approved Minutes☒
Approved Date: July 28, 2021
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Motion
Commissioner Strauss moved that the Planning Commission recommend approval to the City
Council of the Zoning Ordinance Amendment, revised overall development plan, site plan review
at 4911 77th Street West as outlined in the staff memo subject to the conditions and findings
therein. Commissioner Alkie seconded the motion. Motion failed due to a tie vote.
Commissioner Bennett moved that the Planning Commission recommend denial to the City
Council of the Zoning Ordinance Amendment, revised overall development plan, site plan review
at 4911 77th Street West as outlined in the staff memo subject to the conditions and findings
therein. Commissioner Bartling seconded the motion. Motion failed due to a tie vote.
The Commission continued to debate possible alternatives to a motion. The applicant preferred to move this
forward to the City Council as presented.
Video of the meeting is available on the City website for review of detailed comments.
VII. Reports/Recommendations
None.
VIII. Correspondence and Petitions
None.
IX. Chair and Member Comments
Received.
X. Staff Comments
Received.
XI. Adjournment
Commissioner Strauss moved to adjourn the July 14, 2020, Meeting of the Edina Planning
Commission at 10:50 PM. Commissioner Bartling seconded the motion. Motion carried.