Edina City Council — Transcript
Tuesday, June 2, 2026
2026 General Levy and Budget Process Critique
Wooddale Avenue Protected Bike Lanes
Braar Park Sponsor Advertising Ordinance Amendment Request
Pinewood Trail Residential Parking Concerns
Fred Richards Park Trail Damage and City Tree Maintenance
City Manager Scott Neil Recognition
Votes (3)
Tabling of Bag Fee Policy Report (Item 6.6)
Dissent: None
Moved by Council Member Pierce [00:03:30] · Seconded by Council Member Jackson [00:03:40]
City Manager Neil requested to pull Item 6.6, the bag fee policy report, from the evening's agenda to table it until July 21, 2026. This postponement was to ensure the availability of a subject matter expert to address any council questions.
Public Hearing: Salvation Army Secondhand Store (4200 76th Street West)
Dissent: None
Moved by Council Member Jackson [01:48:40] · Seconded by Council Member Pierce [01:48:40]
This public hearing addressed a proposal for the Salvation Army to adaptively reuse a vacant industrial building into an 18,000 sq ft retail secondhand store with a 9,000 sq ft warehouse. The project requires a zoning ordinance amendment to allow secondhand stores to exceed 2500 sq ft in PCD2/3 districts, a rezone from PI to PCD2, and site plan review. Staff and the Planning Commission recommended approval, citing consistency with the comprehensive plan and no significant traffic impact. The applicant highlighted the project's sustainability, job creation (up to 30 employees), and community resource aspect, detailing an enclosed donation drop-off system. Public comments were mixed: supporters praised the thrifting model and environmental benefits, while opponents raised concerns about increased traffic congestion, pedestrian safety on 76th Street and Park Lawn Avenue, the accuracy of traffic studies, and the adequacy of landscaping improvements.
Public Hearing: EV Charging Station (616 Vernon Avenue)
Dissent: Council Member Risser voiced strong concerns about safety, compliance with city code on arterial access, and the precedent set by developing small, irregularly shaped lots.
Moved by null · Seconded by null
This public hearing concerned the fifth proposal for the site, which was formerly an auto repair and gas station. The project involves remodeling the existing building for seven EV charging stations (14 ports), a 24/7 market, lounge, and restrooms. It requires a comprehensive plan amendment from 'Medium Density Residential' to 'Neighborhood Node' and multiple variances due to the lot's small, irregular shape and two roadway frontages. Staff and the Planning Commission recommended approval. Council members raised concerns about the site's residential surroundings, potential traffic/safety impacts given prior issues on similar lots (e.g., 4404 Valley View Road), and the necessity of variances. The applicant, Ayanna, described their security measures for the 24/7 facility, efforts to mitigate light/sound pollution, and the benefits of providing an autonomous, amenity-rich charging experience.
Notable Quotes (9)
staff would propose to take item 6.6, six, the bag fee policy report off tonight's agenda and table that to July 21st where we'll have our subject matter expert available and be able to answer any questions you might have.
this proposal is activating a vacant uh building, supporting a sustainable mission, and providing a valuable community resource.
All of the funds that we generate in these thrift stores go to fund our uh drug and alcohol rehabilitation center, the Salvation Army Adult Rehabilitation Center.
My main concern is traffic and personal safety. I live in the neighborhood in the little niche of 76th in Park Lawn. daily. I see heavy traffic on 76th.
we collected new traffic data at the intersections as requested by by city staff. ... found that there is adequate capacity at those intersections external to the site. ... So, I don't expect there to be a lot of development traffic using Park Lawn. There would be some local traffic of people that live in that area that would come down Park Lawn. So, I think the impact of this particular project would be minimal on Park Lawn.
The site is guided in our comprehensive plan for medium density residential. This designation goes back to the 1980s. ... So, we've got a conflict between the the zoning ordinance and the comprehensive plan.
no driveway shall intersect with a street designated in the comprehensive plan as an arterial. And I haven't received any feedback from staff on this concern that I raised back during the sketch plan review.
ion is a bonus and then you have the convenience store to stock up, refuel yourself with energy drinks, normal drinks, snacks, lounge to wait to wait for your car to charge and then that then you can drive away. So focusing from instead of being accessory use, we're the main driver of bringing people to our site.
I'd say that it does three important things for the neighborhood and for the community. The first is it makes EV ownership more reasonable. ... It also is going to reduce pollution ... It's not going to be a 24-hour car wash, which would be the only other option that could come in here without a comp plan amendment.
Ordinances & Resolutions (21)
Report on bag fees, pulled from the current agenda to be discussed at a later date.
Municipal levy discussed for its reduction and impact on the tax burden.
City's annual budget under scrutiny for its sustainability.
City plan aimed at reducing vehicle miles traveled (VMT).
City master plan for bikeways and shared use lanes, criticized for slow implementation.
Recently modified ordinance allowing electric bicycles on sidewalks.
Approved in 2018, includes Courtney Fields as a unified plan area.
Voter-approved funding supporting the Braar Master Plan.
City ordinance restricting banners, proposed for a narrow amendment regarding sponsor advertising at Braar Park.
City ordinance explicitly naming Braar Park for permitted sponsor advertising on scoreboards.
City ordinance codifying sponsor advertising at Braar Park.
Required for Salvation Army project to allow secondhand stores over 2500 sq ft in PCD2/3.
Proposed rezone district for Salvation Army, allows no size limitation for secondhand stores.
Current zoning district of Salvation Army site, proposed for rezone.
Zoning district for smaller commercial nodes, where 2500 sq ft limit for secondhand stores would remain.
Zoning district where no size limitation for secondhand stores would be permitted under proposed amendment.
Required for both Salvation Army and EV charging station projects.
City's guiding document for land use; conflict with existing zoning at Vernon Avenue EV site, amendment required.
City code section regarding driveway access on arterial/collector streets, raised as concern for EV charging station.
Recently adopted city plan, used to identify high injury areas.
Existing zoning for 616 Vernon Avenue, permits gas stations.