Edina City Council — Transcript
Tuesday, July 30, 2024
Story
Edina planners split on density strategy, debate foundation variance
Variance Request for 5416 Grove Street
Votes (2)
University of Minnesota Resilient Communities Project (RCP) Study Presentation
Dissent: None
Moved by N/A · Seconded by N/A
The study found that Edina's current density targets are incompatible with its transportation and population growth goals. The team presented three scenarios: Basic, Enhanced, and Preferred, with the Preferred scenario achieving the highest reductions in VMT and greenhouse gas emissions by focusing on healthcare hubs and biking networks.
Variance Request: 5416 Grove Street
Dissent: Commissioners Bornstein and Schultz voiced opposition to the variance based on legal standards.
Moved by Not recorded in transcript · Seconded by Not recorded in transcript
The applicant sought to keep an existing high-quality 'spancrete' foundation for a new two-story home, requiring variances for 7.2-foot west and 9.7-foot east setbacks. Debate focused on whether the 2013 '50% wall removal' rule—which classifies such projects as new builds—mandates full code compliance regardless of foundation quality. Support was based on sustainability and neighborhood character, while dissent focused on the lack of a legal 'practical difficulty.'
Notable Quotes (4)
Density does matter... targeted density strategies around specific nodes and corridors perform better than blanket Citywide density increases.
The climate action plan projects a residential density increase of just 4% a goal that is incompatible both with these other planning efforts and with the results of our analysis.
I'm satisfied with a practical difficulty being the location of the existing reusable non-conforming Foundation... there are a lot of really significant sustainability reasons to support this.
We can't find sufficient findings of fact to say that we allow it to go through... there's nothing unique to this lot in its size, it's shape or location.
Ordinances & Resolutions (3)
City policy document outlining goals for 45% greenhouse gas reduction by 2030.
The city's long-range plan used to identify 'Areas of Change' for future development.
A University of Minnesota study evaluating Edina’s transportation emission reduction targets.