Edina Planning Commission Meeting / July 10, 2024
Edina approves patio expansion for constrained Arrowhead Pass property
Certificate of Occupancy and Site Work Requirements
Better Together Engagement Platform and Public Outreach
Lincoln and Londonderry Small Area Plan - Community Engagement Events
Minnesota Zoning Atlas Project
Southdale Area Development - Orion Phase 2 Project
Community Engagement and Development Financing Challenges
Cannabis Zoning Ordinance Amendment - Upcoming Work Session
Full Document Analysis
Votes (1)
Public Hearing: Front Yard Setback Variance Modification - 6716 Arrowhead Pass (Docket B245)
Dissent: None. All commissioners voted in favor. One commissioner expressed a conditional concern about retaining wall placement but voted to approve.
Moved by Commissioner [Timestamp: ~00:17:30] · Seconded by Commissioner [Timestamp: ~00:17:35]
Planner Chris Aker presented a modification to a 2021 variance approval for a tear-down rebuild project. The original variance was granted for a house built in the location of a previous structure on a constrained lot with dual street frontages and cul-de-sac access. The new owner seeks to modify the approved site plan to expand patio areas on the west, east, and north sides of the house. The modifications are necessary to complete site work including engineered retaining walls and storm water trenches. Staff determined that the modifications conform to city requirements and do not alter the essential character of the neighborhood. The applicant team (Patrick Sarver, landscape architect; Richard Brahma, representative; Amid Cella, contractor) confirmed the straightforward nature of the request and stood available for questions. No public comments were received in person or via remote queue. Commissioners discussed the practical difficulty created by the lot's unique constraints and noted that the building itself has not changed since the original 2021 approval. One commissioner expressed concern about retaining wall placement relative to property lines but indicated support for the modification.
Notable Quotes (6)
The applicant is actually requesting a plan modification for a variance that was granted back in 2021... it's a tear down rebuild... currently there is no certificate of occupancy that's been issued on the house because there is some outstanding site work that needs to be done.
So the building has not changed is that true? Has not changed okay... so we're just looking at the patio and that meets all city requirements is that what you're saying?
This is something that the staff would normally review and approve just a design change to the plans but for the fact that it's tied to the variance which has nothing to do with the changes that they're making.
I'm not aware I don't does the City Concern itself with um financing of um like I'm wondering there's there's a quite a few properties where the city council has approved it we have approved it or it doesn't matter suppose if we've approved it but the city council has approved it and um we haven't asked any questions I don't know that they have either about the financing um and they're sitting in their vacant.
When I look at this plan I'm going to vote in favor of this but if this had come to me before um if I had been part of this prior I would have ask that all of those retaining walls be moved away from the property line just because I live in a neighborhood where properties are on top of each other and property lines are where everything is kind of like left over.
I ran by the property on Monday and the Landscaping is gorgeous it's very close to my house um and it's fits right in with Indian Hills but you know it's it's definitely above and beyond so very nice.
Ordinances & Resolutions (9)
Original variance approval for tear-down rebuild at 6716 Arrowhead Pass, granting front yard setback variance. Subject of modification request in this meeting.
Docket number for front yard setback variance modification request for 6716 Arrowhead Pass.
Planning staff analysis and recommendation for approval of variance modification, including findings on practical difficulty and neighborhood compatibility.
Updated site plan showing expanded patio areas on west, east, and north sides of house at 6716 Arrowhead Pass, tied to variance approval.
Neighborhood development plan subject to community engagement events and upcoming Planning Commission review; first draft document expected for presentation at next meeting.
Development project at 7200-7250 France Avenue including zoning ordinance amendment and final site plan review; scheduled for public hearing on July 24.
Proposed zoning ordinance amendment subject to work session on August 14, 2024.
City engagement platform for public notification and feedback on development projects, planning initiatives, and infrastructure work; includes development tracker and project-specific feedback mechanisms.
University of Minnesota-funded initiative to standardize and digitize zoning rules across Minnesota; will produce public-use atlas, carbon emissions analysis, and guidance manual for adaptive urban infill housing.