Edina approves cannabis ordinance, conservation easement in divided votes
The Edina City Council unanimously approved a new ordinance regulating recreational cannabis businesses on Nov. 6, while narrowly approving a controversial plan to use city financing to help neighbors preserve a vacant lot as a conservation easement.
The council passed the cannabis ordinance without dissent, though Council Member Risser raised concerns about how the city will enforce rules against smoking on sidewalks. The ordinance allows for five retail cannabis licenses based on the city's population and includes 500-foot buffer zones around schools, daycares, and parks—a measure Council Member Jackson supported to protect children from exposure to cannabis businesses. However, the Planning Commission had recommended dropping buffers for daycares and parks, and Council Member Pierce questioned whether buffers provide real safety or merely "a false sense of security."
The council voted 4-1 to approve a more unusual proposal: using city financing to purchase a vacant lot at 5235 Highwood Drive, which neighbors would then repay through special assessments over 15 years. The land would become a permanent conservation easement. Council Member Risser cast the lone dissenting vote, expressing concern about the process. "It's just really rather disconcerting that it came to us and this issue hadn't been addressed earlier on," Risser said, arguing the arrangement bypassed standard platting procedures and set a problematic precedent for the city facilitating private land preservation.
The council also discussed a preliminary site plan for Phase 2 of a major development at 7200 France Avenue, which would include 153 apartment units. Council Member Risser questioned whether the building's square footage matched original promises. Engineering Director Chad Milner proposed using an upcoming sanitary sewer project as an opportunity to add traffic-calming measures like narrower streets, curb bump-outs, and additional sidewalks to address resident concerns about cut-through traffic on 72nd Street.
Additionally, residents raised concerns about tree removal during private construction and weed maintenance at vacant commercial sites, prompting discussion about the effectiveness of the city's tree ordinance and code enforcement. The council also approved a conditional use permit with variances for a new home construction project at 4208 Philbrook Lane and accepted donations totaling $14,000 for a police K9 unit.
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Full analysis
Votes (3)
Cannabis Ordinance Public Hearing
Dissent: None for the continuation; however, Member Risser expressed concern about sidewalk smoking enforcement.
Moved by Council Member Jackson [1:15:13] · Seconded by Council Member Pierce [1:15:15]
Staff presented a plan for five retail licenses based on population. Discussion focused on 500-foot buffers. The Planning Commission recommended dropping buffers for daycares and parks, but Council Member Jackson argued for their inclusion to protect children from 'impressionable' exposure.
5235 Highwood Drive Conservation Easement
Dissent: Council Member Risser [1:45:59] voted 'Nay' due to procedural concerns.
Moved by Council Member Jackson [1:45:40] · Seconded by Council Member Pierce [1:45:45]
Debate over using municipal financing (special assessments) to help neighbors preserve private land. Member Risser objected to the process, arguing it creates non-conforming lots and bypasses standard platting procedures.
7200 France Preliminary Site Plan (Phase 2)
Dissent: Council Member Risser questioned if the building square footage was 'similar' to Phase 1 as originally promised.
Moved by Not recorded in transcript excerpt · Seconded by Not recorded in transcript excerpt
The developer requested a reduction in first-floor ceiling height from 16 to 14 feet as the project shifted from retail to residential. Engineering staff proposed a right-out-only median on 72nd Street to prevent cut-through traffic into the residential neighborhood.
Notable Quotes (3)
Current conversation just around the buffers... can give us a false sense of security and control around this and so I definitely want to make sure... that we're focusing on the right balance.
It's just really rather disconcerting that it came to us and this issue hadn't been addressed earlier on... because of the way it has come forward I really can't support this.
We have this opportunity with the sewer project... now we could look at doing those same techniques of narrowing streets, doing more curb bump outs, adding sidewalks... and consider it a Recon.
Ordinances & Resolutions (5)
Accepting various donations including $14,000 for a police K9.
Approving a CUP with variances for 4208 Philbrook Lane.
Approving the acquisition of real property at 5235 Highwood Drive for conservation.
Adopting the special assessment agreement for the Highwood Drive conservation project.
The Planned Unit Development ordinance governing the 7200 France Avenue site.
Source document
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Other Topics from This Document
Environmental Preservation and Tree Ordinances
Public-Private Conservation Easement
7200 France Avenue Phase 2 Development
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