Edina City Council — Transcript

Thursday, May 28, 2026

Zoning code updates

Residential districts, uses, and standards

Story map as guiding document

Comprehensive plan alignment

Zoning code diagnostic

Feedback on zoning code

Residential development examples (Hawthor Place, 5 tankers, View 44, Delorean)

Base zoning districts vs. PUDs

R1 district (lot size subarea)

R2 district (minimum lot size, rear setback, green space coverage)

Mixed Middle district (lot area per unit, building coverage, green space coverage)

PRD1 and PRD2 consolidation

R2 and Mixed Middle district consolidation discussion

MDR (Medium Density Residential) district (rebranding of PRD3)

HDR (High Density Residential) district (conversion of PR4, density based on comp plan)

Assisted Residential (AR) district (nursing homes, senior living)

Sustainable building policy (FIR trigger)

Green space coverage requirements

Parking requirements

Age-restricted senior independent living

Notable Quotes (4)

To remind everyone of the project goals, uh improve the zoning code alignment with the comprehensive plan. Currently the code and the plan are out of alignment and that creates development difficulties. Simplify the code. This is really to get administr make administration easier for the city staff and to make sure that standards that are objective are easy to understand for both code users and administrators. Promote sustainability in community. Uh this is kind of an extension of aligning the code with the comprehensive plans goals for the city and then enhance accessibility architectural graphics, visual guides, tables, making the code easier for the average person to understand.

Michael Stein
Zoning code updatesGoals of the zoning code update project.

The zoning code uh here is a traditional zoning code. It hasn't been updated comprehensively in quite some time and as a result it is as previously mentioned out of alignment with the comprehensive plan to bypass this uh misalignment. The city has relied heavily on the plan unit development process as you are all aware. Um, the planned unit development process has given a lot of control to the city but it also leads to a relatively unpredictable development atmosphere throughout the city and leads to lots of reasonzoning hearings and variance approvals.

Michael Stein
Zoning code updatesExplanation of current zoning code issues and reliance on PUDs.

With the goal of the goal of the project is to allow for there to be base zoning districts where a lot of these projects would still need to require resoning but instead of that resoning being negotiated between the city and the developer they would pick a base zoning district and avoid that back and forth process of speeding up the development time but also creating more predictable results for both the city and residents and developers.

Michael Stein
Zoning code updatesProposed solution to zoning code issues.

I would hate to invest all this time and money and do what amounts to, you know, kind of spit in the ocean in terms of increasing um the ability to house more people. Um, so I certainly think following that line of questioning that we should move towards something that um allows us as much flexibility as possible in providing housing options, especially along those corridors where we can get transit.

CL
Residential districts, uses, and standardsExpressing desire for greater housing flexibility.

People (11)

Carrie T.Community development director

Introduced at the beginning of the meeting.

Marvel PhelpingCommission

Introduced at the beginning of the meeting.

Claire NormanPlanning Commission

Introduced at the beginning of the meeting.

David AlirePlanning Commission

Introduced at the beginning of the meeting.

PadillaPlanning Commission

Introduced at the beginning of the meeting.

Joe BrennanCommissioner

Introduced at the beginning of the meeting.

Sean SudterZenco

Introduced at the beginning of the meeting.

Addison LewisCommunity development coordinator

Assisted with the presentation on zoning code updates.

Claire StlerMSA professional services

Introduced at the beginning of the meeting.

Places Mentioned

CityHawthor Place5 tankersView 44Delorean at 44th and FranceVernonSouth62100TracyBenton44th and France50th and FranceSouthdale areaAmericana

Events & Meetings (2)

  • Meeting to discuss zoning code updates
  • Tonight's discussion focus: residential districts, uses, and standards
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