Edina City Council — Transcript
Wednesday, November 6, 2024
Story
Edina approves cannabis ordinance, conservation easement in divided votes
Environmental Preservation and Tree Ordinances
Public-Private Conservation Easement
7200 France Avenue Phase 2 Development
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.