--- title: PC 07.15.2026 Mtg author: MJL date: D:20260724162500Z --- ## Draft Minutes☒ ## Approved Minutes☐ Approved Date: ___, 2026 Page 1 of 6 ## Minutes ## City Of Edina, Minnesota ## Planning Commission ## Edina City Hall Council Chambers July 15, 2026 ## I. Call To Order Chair Alkire called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. ## II. Roll Call Answering the roll call were: Commissioners Bennett, Brennan, Felt, Hahneman, Nelson, Smith, and Chair Alkire. Staff Present: Cary Teague, Community Development Director; Kris Aaker, Assistant ## Planner; Addison Lewis, Community Development Coordinator; and Miriam Laredo-Fuentes, Administrative Support Specialist. Absent from the roll call: Commissioner Daye, Padilla, Ja, and Just. ## III. Approval Of Meeting Agenda Commissioner Nelson moved to approve the July 15, 2026, agenda. Commissioner Felt seconded the motion. A roll call vote was performed: ## Commissioner Bennett aye ## Commissioner Brennan aye ## Commissioner Felt aye ## Commissioner Hahneman aye ## Commissioner Nelson aye ## Commissioner Smith aye ## Chair Alkire aye Motion carried. ## IV. Approval Of Meeting Minutes ## A. Minutes: Planning Commission, June 24, 2026 Commissioner Smith moved to approve the June 24, 2026, meeting minutes. Commissioner Hahneman seconded the motion. A roll call vote was performed: ## Draft Minutes☒ ## Approved Minutes☐ Approved Date: ___, 2026 Page 2 of 6 ## Commissioner Bennett aye ## Commissioner Brennan aye ## Commissioner Felt aye ## Commissioner Hahneman aye ## Commissioner Nelson aye ## Commissioner Smith aye ## Chair Alkire aye Motion carried. ## V. Community Comment None. ## VI. Public Hearings ## A. Variance Request – 5401 Londonderry Road Director Lewis presented the request for a Variance at 5401 Londonderry Road. Staff recommends approval of the variance, as requested, subject to the findings and conditions listed in the staff report. Appearing for the Applicant The applicant was in the audience but did not come to the podium to address the Commission. Staff answered Commission questions. ## Public Hearing The property owner at 5405 Londonderry Road, expressed concerns about the visual impact of the remodel, removal of mature trees, and the appearance of a new window well near the shared property line. She requested additional landscaping to restore the natural buffer that previously existed between the two homes. The builder responded that an arborist and City Forester had reviewed the tree removals, that all permits had been obtained. That revised landscape plans, including additional shrubbery, had already been shared with the neighbors. Commissioner Bennett moved to close the public hearing. Commissioner Brennan seconded the motion. A roll call vote was performed: ## Commissioner Bennett aye ## Commissioner Brennan aye ## Commissioner Felt aye ## Commissioner Hahneman aye ## Commissioner Nelson aye ## Commissioner Smith aye ## Draft Minutes☒ ## Approved Minutes☐ Approved Date: ___, 2026 Page 3 of 6 ## Chair Alkire aye Motion carried. The Commission discussed the variance request, acknowledged the neighbor's concerns regarding landscaping, and encouraged both parties to continue working together to improve screening between the properties, even though the proposal complied with City requirements. Finding the request reasonable and consistent with previous approvals involving unique lot conditions, the Commission unanimously approved the variance. ## Motion Commissioner Nelson moved that the Planning Commission recommend approval of the variance request to the City Council, as outlined in the staff memo, subject to the conditions and findings therein. Commissioner Hahneman seconded the motion. A roll call vote was performed: ## Commissioner Bennett aye ## Commissioner Brennan aye ## Commissioner Felt aye ## Commissioner Hahneman aye ## Commissioner Nelson aye ## Commissioner Smith aye ## Chair Alkire aye Motion carried. ## B. Variance Request – 6520 Gleason Court Assistant City Planner Aaker presented the request of 6520 Gleason Court for a variance. Staff recommends approval of the variance, as requested, subject to the findings and conditions listed in the staff report. Appearing for the Applicant Mr. Tom Gardner, the homeowner. The project developer, Mr. Aaron Virtue of Fox Homes, and Mr. Nick Shuman, the coordinator at Fox Homes, were available for comment. Staff answered the Commissioners' questions. ## Public Hearing No one wished to address the Commission. Commissioner Felt moved to close the public hearing. Commissioner Smith seconded the motion. ## Draft Minutes☒ ## Approved Minutes☐ Approved Date: ___, 2026 Page 4 of 6 A roll call vote was performed: ## Commissioner Bennett aye ## Commissioner Brennan aye ## Commissioner Felt aye ## Commissioner Hahneman aye ## Commissioner Nelson aye ## Commissioner Smith aye ## Chair Alkire aye Motion carried. The Commission spent considerable time discussing the consistency with which residential variances should be evaluated. Several Commissioners reflected on previous applications that had been denied because homeowners had alternative design options. Others questioned whether this proposal represented a genuine hardship or simply a preference for a larger bedroom. Many Commissioners concluded the requested encroachment was modest and would have virtually no impact on neighboring properties. They noted the addition would remain behind the house, preserve the streetscape, and allow the homeowners to improve the livability of their existing home without requiring a larger reconstruction project. Several Commissioners emphasized that Edina should encourage residents to remain in their homes as their needs change, provided additions remain compatible with surrounding neighborhoods. Others stressed that each variance must still be evaluated individually because no two properties present identical circumstances. ## Motion Commissioner Bennett moved that the Planning Commission recommend approval of the variance request to the City Council, as outlined in the staff memo, subject to the conditions and findings therein. Commissioner Hahneman seconded the motion. A roll call vote was performed: ## Commissioner Bennett aye ## Commissioner Brennan aye ## Commissioner Felt aye ## Commissioner Hahneman aye ## Commissioner Nelson aye ## Commissioner Smith aye ## Chair Alkire aye Motion carried. C. Variance Request – Saint Stephen’s Church – 4439 West 50 th ## Street Assistant City Planner Aaker presented the request of Saint Stephen’s Church for a variance. ## Draft Minutes☒ ## Approved Minutes☐ Approved Date: ___, 2026 Page 5 of 6 Appearing for the Applicant Ms. Mary Sue Vorbrick, Lay Leader for Saint Stephen’s Church, addressed the Commission. The applicant and staff answered the Commission’s questions. ## Public Hearing Name, Company, introduced himself and explained ?? Commissioner Hahneman moved to close the public hearing. Commissioner Nelson seconded the motion. A roll call vote was performed: ## Commissioner Bennett aye ## Commissioner Brennan aye ## Commissioner Felt aye ## Commissioner Hahneman aye ## Commissioner Nelson aye ## Commissioner Smith aye ## Chair Alkire aye Motion carried. The Commission discussed the variance request and, finding that it satisfied the required variance findings, recommended approval. ## Motion Commissioner Hahneman moved that the Planning Commission recommend approval of the variance request to the City Council, as outlined in the staff memo, subject to the conditions and findings therein. Commissioner Nelson seconded the motion. A roll call vote was performed: ## Commissioner Bennett aye ## Commissioner Brennan aye ## Commissioner Felt aye ## Commissioner Hahneman aye ## Commissioner Nelson aye ## Commissioner Smith aye ## Chair Alkire aye Motion carried. ## VII. Reports/Recommendations ## A. Sketch Plan Review – 7600 France Avenue ## Draft Minutes☒ ## Approved Minutes☐ Approved Date: ___, 2026 Page 6 of 6 Director Teague presented the request for a sketch plan review. Appearing for the Applicant Mr. Michael Magulies, Project Manager at Newton Res LLC, addressed the Commission. The Commission asked questions of the applicant and staff. The Commission reviewed the sketch plan and offered comments, which can be viewed in the official meeting video. B. Sketch Plan Review – Macy’s Furniture Store Site, Northwest Lot (7235 France ## Avenue) Director Teague presented the request for a sketch plan review for Macy’s Furniture Store. Appearing for the Applicant Mr. Evan Doran, CEO of Doran Group, addressed the Commission. The Commission asked the applicant and staff questions. The Commission reviewed the sketch plan and offered comments, which can be viewed in the official meeting video. ## VIII. Chair and Member Comments Received. ## IX. Staff Comments Received. ## X. Adjournment Chair Alkire adjourned the meeting at 10:05 p.m.