HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-07-13 Planning Commission Regular Meeting MinutesDraft Minutes☐
Approved Minutes☒
Approved Date: August 10, 2022
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Minutes
City Of Edina, Minnesota
Planning Commission
Edina City Hall Council Chambers
July 13, 2022
I. Call To Order
Chair Agnew called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM.
II. Roll Call
Answering the roll call were: Commissioners Miranda, Strauss, Alkire, Bennett, Olson, Padilla, Smith and
Chair Agnew. Staff Present: Cary Teague, Community Development Director, Kris Aaker, Assistant
Planner, Liz Olson, Administrative Support Specialist.
Absent from the roll call: Commissioner Hayward, Barbarot.
III. Approval Of Meeting Agenda
Commissioner Strauss moved to approve the July 13, 2022, agenda. Commissioner Padilla
seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.
IV. Approval Of Meeting Minutes
A. Minutes: Planning Commission, June 15, 2022
B. Minutes: Planning Commission, June 29, 2022
Commissioner Smith moved to approve the June 15, 2022 and June 29, 2022, meeting
minutes. Commissioner Strauss seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.
V. Special Recognitions and Presentations
A. Acknowledge and Thank You to Commissioner Olsen for Her Years of Service
Chair Agnew recognized Commission Olson for her eight years on the Planning Commission and wished
her well in retirement.
VI. Community Comment
None.
VII. Public Hearings
A. B-22-12, a 12.5 Foot Rear Yard Setback Variance – 4353 Oakdale Ave
Draft Minutes☐
Approved Minutes☒
Approved Date: August 10, 2022
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Assistant Planner Aaker presented the request of 4353 Oakdale Ave for a 12.5 Foot Rear Yard Setback
Variance. Staff recommends approval of the variance, as requested subject to the findings and conditions
listed in the staff report.
Mr. Ross Bitner, Engineering Services Manager, addressed the Commission.
Staff answered Commission questions.
Appearing for the Applicant
The Applicant was not at the meeting and the architect did not want to make a presentation.
Public Hearing
Mr. Lane Ayres, 4407 Branson Street, addressed the Commission and indicated he was not in favor of this
item.
Commissioner Alkire moved to close the public hearing. Commissioner Bennett seconded
the motion. Motion carried unanimously.
The Commission discussed the variance including drainage and water issues.
The Commission asked for more information from the architect of the project.
Ms. Marcy Townsend, Chisel Architecture, addressed the Commission.
Director Teague suggested a few additional conditions to the motion.
Motion
Commissioner Strauss moved that the Planning Commission recommend approval of the 12.5
Foot Rear Yard Setback Variance as outlined in the staff memo subject to the conditions and
findings therein. Commissioner Padilla seconded the motion. Motion carried 6 ayes, 2 nays
(Miranda, Agnew).
VIII. Reports/Recommendations
A. Sketch Plan – Life Time Living at Southdale
Director Teague presented the sketch plan for Life Time Living at Southdale.
Staff answered Commission questions.
Appearing for the Applicant
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Approved Minutes☒
Approved Date: August 10, 2022
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Mr. Eric Padget, Director of Mixed-Use Real Estate at Life Time Living and Ms. Christine Pecard, ESG
Architecture & Design, addressed the Commission.
The Commission asked questions of the applicant.
The Commission reviewed the sketch plan and offered the following comments:
Biggest issue is how tall the building is and how it stands out in this space
Would like to see more practicality
Want to make progress to have Southdale be different
Density and housing is good
Does not follow the Southdale guidelines
Very much like a gated community but the City, residents and Commission spent 3 years to come
up with guidelines and the proposal has zero response to that.
Greenspace is empty grass area, would like to see some kind of activity
Feels like a buffer to keep outsiders away
Pedestrian connections mostly look like sidewalks
Grand drop off is very much car focused
Ring road system seems to be piecemealed
Would like to see a Master Plan to address everything
Concerned with inclusivity and affordable housing aspect
Transformation has been good over each viewing
Greenspace does not feel like a park
Two shorter buildings might break things up more
Wants to see the vertical integration
Parking will be interesting, would like to see parking hidden with residential on all sides of the
building
Think about the proximity to transit and other areas within walking distance
Like this to be a welcoming environment for families
IX. Chair and Member Comments
Received.
X. Staff Comments
Received.
XI. Adjournment
Commissioner Olson moved to adjourn the July 13, 2022, Meeting of the Edina Planning
Commission at 9:56 PM. Commissioner Bennett seconded the motion. Motion carried
unanimously.