Edina Planning Commission Advances Affordable Housing Review, Launches Area Study
The Edina Planning Commission on February 14 provided initial feedback on a proposed 89-unit affordable housing development at 5780 Lincoln Drive while unanimously approving a new neighborhood planning study — both decisions shaped by resident concerns and a looming federal funding deadline.
Commissioners spent much of the meeting reviewing revised plans for 'Lincoln on the Creek,' a 100% affordable housing project proposed for a site near Highway 169 and Londonderry Road. Developer Amal Dixit presented a scaled-back design, reducing the building from five stories to three and adding eight townhome units to better fit the surrounding neighborhood.
The sketch plan review drew pointed questions about infrastructure and timing. The site currently lacks adequate sewer capacity in Edina's system, forcing staff and the developer to explore a temporary connection to neighboring Minnetonka's sewer lines — an arrangement that would require approval from both the Edina City Council and the Metropolitan Council. Dixit told commissioners the project faces a hard deadline: 'If the building is not occupied by the end of 2026 we lose our MHFA funding... there's no flexibility with the federal funds,' referring to a competitive 9% tax credit award from the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency.
Commissioner Ryan Day voiced the strongest reservations, questioning whether converting industrial land to housing was the right choice. 'I struggle with this particular development on this particular site... making it basically a residential desert in terms of everybody has to now travel outside of Edina,' Day said, expressing concern about losing commercial and employment uses in the area.
In a related unanimous vote, the commission approved a 'Greenprint' to launch a Small Area Plan study for the Lincoln and Londonderry corridor. The effort will create a nine-member working group, including three planning commissioners, to examine how the area should develop. Chair Jimmy Bennett credited resident involvement for accelerating the planning effort: 'This is purely in response to you caring and sharing your feedback and getting involved.'
The commission also unanimously elected its 2024 officers, marking the departure of Commissioner Jerry Strauss after nine years of service on the board. The affordable housing proposal will return for formal review at a future meeting.
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Votes (3)
Election of 2024 Planning Commission Officers
Dissent: None.
Moved by Miranda [7:15] · Seconded by Unknown [7:22]
Annual selection of leadership. Commissioner Jerry Strauss is rotating off after nine years of service.
Sketch Plan Review: 5780 Lincoln Drive
Dissent: Commissioner Day expressed the most significant conceptual opposition based on land-use balance.
Moved by N/A · Seconded by N/A
The applicant presented a lower-density, three-story model with townhomes. Commissioners debated the use of PUD vs. PRD-4 zoning and the urgency created by expiring MHFA funding. Resident Ingred Manai questioned potential conflicts of interest on the board.
Notable Quotes (4)
Jerry was vice chair but he will have served three full terms meaning nine years on the Planning Commission... so we need to recommend a new Vice chair.
If the building is not occupied by the end of 2026 we lose our mhfa funding... there's no flexibility with the federal funds.
I struggle with this particular development on this particular site... making it basically a residential desert in terms of everybody has to now travel outside of Edina.
This is purely in response to you [residents] caring and sharing your feedback and getting involved... helping provide this sense of urgency.
Ordinances & Resolutions (4)
The city's 10-to-30-year vision guiding land use toward office and residential for the site.
The framework for establishing the Lincoln and Londonderry Small Area Plan working group.
Planned Residential District zoning standard for high-density residential.
Federal funding through the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency with strict 2026 occupancy deadlines.
Source document
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Other Topics from This Document
Sewer Capacity and Inter-City Negotiations
Lincoln and Londonderry Small Area Plan
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