The Edina Housing Foundation presented council members with three development concepts for an 8-acre property on West 76th Street that the city purchased for Fire Station 2. Since the fire station will occupy less than half the site, officials are exploring how to use the remaining land for affordable housing.

The three options vary significantly in density. The first would create five clusters of two-story townhomes with four units each. The second combines a four-story apartment building containing 45 to 50 units with three sets of four-unit townhomes. The third and most ambitious option features both three and four-story apartment buildings.

City officials said the project would help Edina meet two key goals: building approximately 1,800 affordable housing units by 2030, as outlined in the city's comprehensive plan, and reducing car travel while boosting public transit use under the climate action plan. Supporters noted the site's proximity to transit and employment centers makes it well-suited for housing development.

Council members offered feedback on the proposals but did not take any formal votes during the retreat-style work session. They requested additional information before moving forward with any specific plan.

Before development can proceed, the Edina Housing Foundation must formally request control of the property from the city. Officials have not yet determined what the land acquisition cost would be for the housing portion of the site. The foundation is working with LHB Architecture and Engineering on the project designs.