Edina City Council — Transcript
Tuesday, May 6, 2025
Story
Edina approves major office and residential development projects
Edina Police Department Recognition and National Police Week
Utility Franchise Fees and Street Reconstruction Funding
Bikeability and Transportation Planning
Southdale Office Center Rezoning and Renovation
Lincoln and Londonderry Small Area Plan Adoption
5100 Eden Avenue Rezoning and Development (Opus Corporation)
Kevin Keys Automotive Site - Memory Care Facility Sketch Plan
Edina High School Parking and Creek Valley Road Restrictions
Donations to the City
Votes (7)
National Police Week Proclamation (May 11-17, 2025)
Dissent: None
Moved by Council Member Jackson [Timestamp: ~00:42:00] · Seconded by Council Member Pierce [Timestamp: ~00:42:00]
The city council adopted a proclamation honoring law enforcement officers and recognizing National Police Week. Sergeants Darren Davis and Emily Jeepson presented remarks on behalf of the Edina Police Department, sharing the story of Deputy Jesse Perez who was killed in the line of duty on April 22, 2025 in Dawson County, Texas. The sergeants emphasized that law enforcement is a calling requiring compassion, resilience, and commitment to justice. A flag-raising ceremony was scheduled for May 13, 2025 at 9:00 AM, with the flag to be lowered to half-staff on May 15 (Peace Officers Memorial Day). The proclamation noted that 23 line-of-duty deaths have occurred in 2025 to date, and 345 new names are being added to the National Law Enforcement Memorial this spring.
Southdale Office Center Rezoning and Renovation (Public Hearing)
Dissent: None
Moved by Council Member Pierce [Timestamp: ~01:55:00] · Seconded by Council Member Jackson [Timestamp: ~01:55:00]
The city council held a public hearing on a proposal to rescind the 2017 PUD zoning and rezone the 22-acre Southdale office center property back to PCD3. Director Carrie Teague presented the staff recommendation for approval, noting that the original PUD was created for a development that never occurred (except for Bank of America). The applicant, Olympus Ventures (represented by Dela Colpin and Sean Smith of Wilder), proposes to preserve and enhance existing office buildings (6700 and 6750) by: installing new ADA-accessible entry cubes, improving parking areas, adding landscaping, and creating a rain garden infiltration basin. The project represents a reduction in floor area ratio from 1.0 (allowed under PUD) to 0.75 (allowed under PCD3). Public testimony included concerns from Nora Davis about tree preservation along Valley View Road and from Jerry Krauss about France Avenue pedestrian experience. The applicant assured the council that no work would occur on the west side of the property where the oak savannah stand is located. Council Member Agnu requested clarification on what future changes would require returning to the planning commission or city council; staff confirmed that new buildings or parking ramps would require site plan review. The public hearing remains open until May 11, 2025 (noon), with council action scheduled for May 20, 2025.
Lincoln and Londonderry Small Area Plan Adoption (Resolution 2025-32)
Dissent: None
Moved by Council Member Jackson [Timestamp: ~02:55:00] · Seconded by Council Member Pierce [Timestamp: ~02:55:00]
The city council adopted the Lincoln and Londonderry Small Area Plan following a year-long comprehensive planning process involving extensive public participation. The plan addresses transportation, environmental protection, walkability, and the relationship with Nine Mile Creek. Council members praised the plan's structure, including value statements, funding source identification, and final workshop validation survey confirming alignment with community input. Council Member Jackson emphasized the importance of the survey methodology as a template for future area plans. Council Member Pierce noted that the process successfully balanced competing interests and allowed residents to be heard. Council Member Agnu highlighted the plan's integration of existing city policies and value statements, and appreciated the identification of specific costs and funding sources for proposed improvements. The plan does not require a comprehensive plan amendment. The vote required four of five council members (four-fifths majority) due to Council Member Risser's absence.
5100 Eden Avenue Rezoning and Development (Opus Corporation) - Resolution 2025-33
Dissent: None
Moved by Council Member Jackson [Timestamp: ~02:20:00] · Seconded by Council Member Pierce [Timestamp: ~02:20:00]
The city council approved a rezoning, subdivision, and site plan with eight variances for Opus Corporation's proposed five-story, 112,000 sq ft office building at 5100 Eden Avenue. The project requires rezoning from POD1 to PCD2 and consolidation of seven parcels into one. The applicant incorporated planning commission recommendations regarding pedestrian and bicycle movement. Council Member Jackson praised the applicant's responsiveness to feedback and noted the building's sustainable design features (maximizing light, minimizing air conditioning). The project will close on land tomorrow, with demolition expected July-August and completion by end of 2026. Opus Corporation will be the first tenant. The building will be visible from Highway 100. Staff noted that the building height, floor area ratio, and setbacks align with recent development projects in the area (Maison Green, etc.). The applicant's representative, Mr. Manan, expressed gratitude for the collaborative process and noted the company's excitement about being in Edina, particularly given the city's historical connection to the Ronhorse family.
Kevin Keys Automotive Site - Memory Care Facility (Sketch Plan Review)
Dissent: Council Member Agnu expressed concerns about resident safety and requested additional data on elopement incidents and emergency vehicle frequency.
Moved by None (Sketch plan review only; no formal vote taken) · Seconded by N/A
GCO Development presented a sketch plan for a three-story, 20-unit memory care facility on the former Kevin Keys automotive repair site. The proposal requires rezoning from PCD4 (auto repair only) to PRD5 (residential with nursing homes permitted) and multiple variances. The facility would serve individuals with dementia and include full-service medical care, occupational therapy, and nurse practitioner visits. Key discussion points included: (1) Parking: The facility would be short-parked with spillover onto Eden Prairie Road; a traffic and parking study would be required. (2) Access: The applicant proposed two access points (Eden Prairie Road and Vernon Road), with the Vernon connection as emergency-only with a decorative chain or automated lift system. (3) Building aesthetics: Council requested improved renderings showing context with adjacent condominiums and incorporating residential design elements. (4) Staffing and traffic: The operator estimates 7 staff members during daytime hours, 4 overnight, with 1-5 visitors per day on average and 1-3 emergency vehicle visits per month. (5) Security: The building would be completely secured with magnetic lock systems to prevent resident elopement. (6) Comprehensive plan: The proposal does not require a comprehensive plan amendment because nursing homes are permitted within medium-density residential guidance. Council Member Pierce requested data on resident elopement incidents at similar facilities. Council Member Agnu expressed concerns about resident safety given the proximity to busy Vernon Road and requested emergency vehicle frequency data. The mayor noted that memory care facilities in Edina are full with waiting lists, making this a valuable community service. The sketch plan is preliminary; formal application would include detailed site plan, traffic study, and architectural renderings.
Edina High School Parking and Creek Valley Road Restrictions
Dissent: Council Member Pierce requested additional data on comparable parks before finalizing decision.
Moved by None (Discussion and direction only; no formal vote taken) · Seconded by N/A
The city council discussed parking challenges at Edina High School, where permit demand exceeds supply, causing students to park in residential neighborhoods. Director Milner presented the history of the issue: in 2018, a parking study recommended restrictions in neighborhoods south and southeast of the school (Phase 1), which were implemented. Recently, parking overflow occurred on Creek Valley Road and Nordic Circle on the west side. The council approved no-parking restrictions on both sides of Creek Valley Road and Nordic Circle during school hours (8 AM-4 PM) through the traffic safety committee. However, residents subsequently requested that the city allow parking in the city-owned soccer field parking lot (45 stalls) adjacent to Creek Valley Elementary School instead of restricting street parking. Director Milner presented three options: (1) Allow parking with no snow removal (park at owner's risk); (2) Allow parking with city snow removal (cost: approximately one hour per snow event); (3) Maintain current no-parking restrictions with enhanced signage. Council discussion revealed consensus favoring Option 1 (allow parking without city snow removal). Council Member Jackson noted that the school's parking permit system prioritizes seniors, then juniors, then sophomores, with permits costing $450 at the high school or $180 at church lots (which are fully booked). Council Member Pierce requested data on comparable parks in the city to determine if the city maintains parking lots at other recreational facilities. Council Member Agnu raised questions about ADA accessibility requirements if the city permits the lot. The council agreed that allowing parking in the lot would address the underlying issue of insufficient parking while maintaining street safety restrictions. Council Member Jackson emphasized that the core problem being solved is student safety on streets without sidewalks, not overall parking availability.
Donations to the City (Resolution 2025-37)
Dissent: None
Moved by Council Member Jackson [Timestamp: ~02:03:00] · Seconded by Council Member Pierce [Timestamp: ~02:03:00]
The city council adopted Resolution 2025-37 accepting donations on behalf of the city. Bob Thompson and Jack Weston donated eight copies of their photographic book 'The Urban Sanctuary: A Photographic Journal of the Life of Minnehaha Creek' valued at $160. The mayor thanked the donors and noted that their names would be posted on the city website.
Notable Quotes (27)
Deputy Perez's sacrifice is a somber reminder that our daily routine is inherently dangerous.
Our work in law enforcement is not just a job, it's a calling. It demands compassion, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to justice and public safety.
It is through our partnership with the community that we are able to build trust, solve problems, and create a safer and stronger place to live.
We do love those trees. They are a perfect buffer for that entire neighborhood. Can something be added to that ordinance that says there shall be no touching of the trees along Valley View Road?
Our goal right now is really to focus on our current buildings on the site. We really want to look at preserving and enhancing the existing buildings, specifically the 6700 and the 6750 buildings.
We have no work going on the back side of the property and no intention of doing that. No intention of expanding the parking capacity on the backside on the west side on the Valley View roadside.
I think everybody that's familiar with the site loves that oak savannah stand and wants to see it remain as part of nature in an otherwise pretty urban environment.
I know that the neighbors are concerned about that. I am very pleased that the way you set the expectations, including the size and costs for the different ideas, because now when something comes over, 'Oh that's a great idea.' Well, who's going to pay for it? Now we know.
I really appreciate including the city policies and the value statements that we already have into the framework of this. It really echoes back what we hear over and over again that we like our green spaces in Edina, like the environment and we want a place that we can walk and enjoy.
I do think that this is how the process is supposed to work. The hard part is when people want to be heard and they want you to agree with them.
I think that this is a really wonderful opportunity to create something extraordinarily special over there, especially with that regional trail going through there.
I want to thank Opus for coming to Edina. I think this is exciting. I want to say my appreciation for taking the comments from the site plan and from the planning commission, making the movement around by foot and bicycle. You took that to heart and you incorporated it. I want to say thank you.
I really appreciate that's one of the things I look for and hope for in new development. So, it's nicely done and welcome to Edina.
Thank you for all the comments. Thank you for the cooperation and collaboration throughout. It took a little while on this site to get there, but we really appreciate it. We're excited to be in Edina.
We close on the land tomorrow. We are working to get our demolition underway hopefully by July or August. So we're going to hit the ground running here pretty quick. And then it's about 16 months of construction. So it would be complete end of 26.
We got introduced to this project about 60 to 75 days ago and really they've been on kind of a conquest to get as much feedback as possible from all the interested stakeholders, both directly adjacent to the site and the broader neighborhood, to really kind of hear what where the consternation's been on the prior site plans.
The majority about 95% of our traffic flow at this site happens between Monday through Friday between 8 and 8 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. So kind of a reverse peak of occupancy versus what you would see in a residential neighborhood.
The building is completely secured at all times. You're not going to want your elderly mother or grandmother wandering out into the exterior during January with no coat. They may not recognize why they're there, but you want for their safety for them to be secured within the building.
When you get to site plan, the first thing I think about is how people move through the site. Is it in your intention to leave that as it is? The sidewalk to the sidewalk to... We would install this sidewalk right here.
I think you've done really kind of a remarkable job with fitting something on the site that works from an economic return standpoint but also provides service to folks in our community as an aging community with as many people over 65 as under 18.
I know that memory care places in Edina are full and there are waiting lists. So it's an interesting possibility here.
Cars start to squirt out into the neighborhoods in all directions as more of those drivers get their license and want to drive to school.
I think we should consider permitting out whether it's 40 or all 45 of the stalls that are within that parking lot. I'm open on whether or not we maintain it. I feel like if they're going to pay us $180 per year, we probably should maintain it.
I'm leaning towards saying you can park there at your own risk and not pay for the things because if we did the permitting, then we have to have an ADA accessible sidewalk up to the high school and that's expensive.
I really think this came up because a kid got a ticket for parking in a public parking lot. And that was one issue. The other was when there's cars on both sides of the street, it's dangerous for folks to be walking.
I think allowing people to park in there seems like that's a trend. That's a common view.
Thank you for that generous gift and their names will be posted up on the website as donors.
Ordinances & Resolutions (16)
Accepts donations on behalf of the city of Edina, including eight copies of 'The Urban Sanctuary' book valued at $160.
Approves rezoning, subdivision, and site plan with variances for Opus Corporation's five-story office building at 5100 Eden Avenue.
Approves the Lincoln and Londonderry Small Area Plan and authorizes submission to the Metropolitan Council.
Designates May 11-17, 2025 as National Police Week in the city of Edina; honors fallen law enforcement officers; notes 345 new names being added to National Law Enforcement Memorial, including 148 officers killed in 2024.
Original planned unit development zoning for 22-acre Southdale office center; proposed to be rescinded and rezoned to PCD3.
Original zoning designation for Southdale office center; allows office use as conditionally permitted use.
Includes small institutional uses such as nursing homes; used to justify Kevin Keys memory care facility without comprehensive plan amendment.
Year-long comprehensive planning effort addressing transportation, environment, walkability, and Nine Mile Creek connectivity in the neighborhood.
Referenced by Taylor Brushwin; breaks down city population by cycling interest levels (1%, 7%, 60% interested but concerned).
Conducted for Edina High School expansion; identified parking restrictions for neighborhoods south and southeast of school; Phase 1 implemented with no-parking 8 AM-4 PM on multiple streets.
Current zoning for 5100 Eden Avenue; proposed to be rezoned to PCD2 for Opus Corporation project.
Proposed zoning for 5100 Eden Avenue to accommodate Opus Corporation office building.
Current zoning for Kevin Keys automotive site; allows only car washes and auto repair.
Proposed zoning for Kevin Keys site; allows rest homes, convalescent homes, and nursing homes.
Completed by Opus Corporation; demonstrates building placement to maximize light and minimize air conditioning.
Approval obtained for infiltration basin at Southdale office center.