Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutCouncil_Connection_5_1_2012Council continues mulling 50th & France parking The Council continued its discus- sion on the merits of rebuilding one of the three parking ramps in downtown Edina. A recent parking study determined that there is a shortage of at least 150 parking spaces in the area. Since the study, the City’s Engi-neering Department has been working with property owners at 50th & France to develop plans to improve the public parking ramps and provide additional parking. City staff has proposed razing the “middle” ramp off of West 49½ Street and building a new ramp, which would result in several hun-dred additional spaces. The project would also include a renovation of the south ramp off of Halifax Ave- nue, a vehicle-counting system for all three parking ramps in the area, and streetscape improvements such as new pavers and landscap- ing. When the City Council reviewed the proposal last month, some mem- bers were concerned about the height of the proposed new middle ramp. Engineers said underground parking could be constructed on the site, but at a significantly high- er cost. At a work session prior to its regu- lar meeting, the Council met with property owners and tenants in the area to talk further about the pro- ject. Some in attendance ex- pressed concerns with how con- struction might impact their busi- nesses and suggested a vehicle- counting system be installed to validate a parking shortage before the parking improvements are contemplated. Members of the Council asked property owners to regroup and determine what they think is best for the area. The request will then be forwarded to the Council for action. Council turns down request for subdivision Council Members did not support a request for a subdivision with mul- tiple variances. JMS Custom Homes proposed subdividing the property at 6120 Brookview Ave. into two lots. The existing home would remain, and a new home built on the new lot. To accommodate the request, vari-ances would be needed for lot width, area and depth. Council members found that a reasonable use of the property exists today and the proposal does not meet the required standards and ordinances for a subdivision. Staff was directed to prepare find- ings of fact consistent with denial for action at the May 15 City Coun- cil meeting. Council moves forward with plans for Hornets’ Nest The Council agreed to move anoth- er step forward with plans to con-struct the Hornets’ Nest, an addi- tion at Braemar Arena. The Hornet’s Nest is a $2.95 mil- lion proposed addition to Braemar Arena that would include a private- ly leased, for-profit dry-land training facility and retail area. The lower level would provide new perma- nent locker rooms for Edina Varsity and Junior Varsity boys and girls hockey teams. Nearly $740,000 would be raised by the non-profit organization “Drive for the Hive” to cover 25 percent of the project. Edina Public Schools would pay approximately $12,000 more per year in ice rent- al and spectator fees. The Edina Hockey Association and Braemar- City of Lakes Figure Skating Club would pay a surcharge of $20 per participant per year for 20 years. Lease revenue for the training facility and retail area would also help pay for the project. The Council approved the concept for the project and all related im-provements to Braemar Arena, A summary of the May 1 Edina City Council meeting May 2, 2012 Volume 14, Issue 9 Council Connection Upcoming meetings:  Public Art Committee, 4 p.m. May 3  Heritage Preservation Board, 7 p.m. May 8  Park Board, 7 p.m. May 8  Planning Commission, 7 p.m. May 9  Energy & Environment Com- mission, 7 p.m. May 10 City Contacts City Manager Scott Neal 952-826-0401 Assistant City Manager Karen Kurt 952-826-0415 City Clerk Debra Mangen 952-826-0408 City Engineer Wayne Houle 952-826-0443 Community Development Director Cary Teague 952-826-0460 Parks & Recreation Director John Keprios 952-826-0430 We’d like to hear from you … If you have any comments, call Communications & Technology Services Director Jennifer Bennerotte at 952-833- 9520. The text of this publication will be available online at www.EdinaMN.gov. www.EdinaMN.gov subject to the success of the Drive for the Hive fundraising efforts; agreements with Edina Public Schools, Edina Hockey Association and Braemar-City of Lakes Figure Skating Club for the additional fees; and minimum 10-year leases for the dry-land training facility and retail store. The Council directed City staff and Drive for the Hive officials to negotiate a Memoran- dum of Understanding that re-solves the all the relevant details. Council approves change in liquor law The Council approved a change in the City’s liquor law that will allow for “Happy Hours” in Edina. Earlier this year, the Minnesota Restaurant Association requested that the City review its laws deal- ing with the sale of liquor and wine, specifically the subsection covering “sale prices.” The Associ-ation reported that members have found it difficult to comply with the local law that bans drink specials while remaining competitive with venues in nearby communities. The Association proposed a change that would allow restau- rants to offer discounts or sale prices on drinks, but not offer such things as two-for-ones that promote the consumption of alco- hol. After research, staff recommend- ed a change based on municipal ordinances in Indiana and Con- necticut clarifying that license holders may set and change their product prices, but cannot use games, schemes or other induce-ments that could lead to increases in problems related to over- consumption of alcohol. According to the new ordinance, “No licensee shall offer prizes, coupons, punch cards, games or barters that promote the sale or consumption of alcoholic beverag- es, or furnish two or more servings of an alcoholic beverage for the payment of the price regularly charged for one serving of that beverage.”