Edina Council approves church road assessment despite nonprofit concerns
The Edina City Council approved a $25,350 road reconstruction assessment for Morningside Community Church on October 1, while leaving a decision pending on a contentious Blake Road project that drew heavy resident opposition over traffic and environmental impacts.
The council voted unanimously to approve the Morningside D&E Neighborhood Roadway Reconstruction Assessment, which charges the 102-year-old church for street improvements affecting its three-facing property. Council Member Pierce moved the approval, seconded by Council Member Risser. However, the council directed staff to work with the church to find alternative grant funding, signaling sympathy for the nonprofit's financial burden.
During public comment, Sandy Dibble from the church appealed to the council's sense of community investment: "By granting us relief from this assessment you would not just be helping a church you would be investing in the heart of Edina ensuring that this vital community space continues to thrive." But Council Member Risser expressed the council's core concern: "I am uncomfortable carving out an exception that would not be something that any other nonprofit could pursue." The council has maintained a 15-year policy of applying assessments uniformly and worried that exempting the church would create unsustainable precedent for other nonprofits.
The Blake Road reconstruction project faced a stormier reception. At least five residents opposed the $7,000-per-unit assessment, citing increased traffic speeds from a new roundabout, loss of old-growth trees for bike lanes, and shoreline erosion along Mirror Lake. One resident, John Loren, argued the improvements actually hurt property values: "I think the truth is my property would be worth more if Blake Road was a dirt path." City engineering staff defended the project, noting the roundabout was designed for traffic calming and a new vault system was installed to manage lake sediment. The council closed the public hearing but did not vote before the meeting transcript ended.
In other business, residents raised concerns about transparency regarding tax increment financing (TIF) at the Macy site and requested city-funded sidewalk snow maintenance on Concord Avenue. The council agreed to schedule a work session to discuss snow removal policies for "active school routes." The Explore Edina tourism organization also presented its 2023 results, noting a marketing grant for the 50th and France business district to offset construction impacts.
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Votes (2)
Morningside D&E Neighborhood Roadway Reconstruction Assessment
Dissent: None formally recorded, though staff was directed to meet with the church to find alternative grant funding.
Moved by Council Member Pierce [1:49:15] · Seconded by Council Member Risser [1:49:22]
The council debated whether to grant an exception to the Morningside Community Church, which faces a $25,350 assessment. While sympathetic, the council expressed concern that deviating from the 15-year policy would set an unsustainable precedent for other nonprofits.
Blake Road Neighborhood Roadway Reconstruction Assessment
Dissent: Heavy public opposition from at least five residents present or calling in.
Moved by Council Member Jackson [2:14:24] · Seconded by Council Member Pierce [2:14:31]
Residents strongly opposed the $7,000 per unit assessment, citing increased traffic speeds from the new roundabout, loss of old-growth trees for bike lanes, and shoreline erosion along Mirror Lake. Engineering staff defended the project, noting that the roundabout was designed for traffic calming and a new vault system was installed to catch lake sediment.
Notable Quotes (3)
By granting us relief from this assessment you would not just be helping a church you would be investing in the heart of Edina ensuring that this vital community space continues to thrive.
I am uncomfortable carving out an exception that would not be something that any other nonprofit could pursue.
I think the truth is my property would be worth more if Blake Road was a dirt path and I would take that dirt path up to interlockin or up to excelsia.
Ordinances & Resolutions (4)
Certification of delinquent utility bills to the county auditor.
Weed mowing special assessment (Improvement WD-24).
Morningside D & E neighborhood roadway reconstruction special assessment.
Morningside C neighborhood roadway reconstruction project.
Source document
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Other Topics from This Document
Explore Edina Annual Report
Special Assessments and Infrastructure Funding
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