Edina approves major France Avenue redevelopment and heritage protections
The Edina City Council approved a $9-acre mixed-use development on France Avenue and strengthened protections for the historic Country Club District, advancing the city's growth and preservation goals simultaneously.
The City Council unanimously approved plans to redevelop the former Macy's Furniture and Mattress Gallery site on France Avenue into a mixed-use community featuring four new buildings. The project will include an 11-story condominium with office and retail space, a 7-story apartment building with restaurants, and two additional 7-story apartment buildings. The development team, Enclave Companies and Lifestyle Communities, designed the site to visually connect with the adjacent promenade, with one representative explaining: "We were told we want the look and feel of the promenade to flow all the way up through the site so it feels like the promenade is actually being expanded into the property." The existing 9 Creek bicycle trail will be preserved along the property's southern edge. The developers are currently working to secure project financing.
In a separate action, the Council approved multiple measures to strengthen heritage preservation in Edina, particularly in the Country Club District—a neighborhood developed in the 1920s and listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1983. The new ordinance clarifies when property owners need a "certificate of appropriateness" before making modifications, reducing confusion for residents and builders. A new escrow policy requires contractors working on heritage properties to maintain accounts ensuring compliance with approved plans. City staff noted the ordinance "provides a tool for staff an enforcement tool to make sure that what's been approved by the heritage preservation commission is what's built." A 2019 survey found 88% of the district's 555 homes remain contributing historic resources, indicating strong preservation success.
The Council also heard presentations on two community initiatives. The Energy and Environment Commission showcased electric vehicles to advance the city's climate goals, which target a 45% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 and 25% electric vehicle adoption by 2030. Transportation currently accounts for 41.1% of Edina's emissions. The Human Rights and Relations Commission announced an upcoming "Pride in Edina" community event scheduled for October 22nd at City Hall, featuring Senator Scott Dibble and author Ellie Krug discussing how to make Edina welcoming for LGBTQ+ residents, workers, students, and visitors.
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Votes (4)
France Avenue Redevelopment - Planned Unit Development and Site Plan Approval
Dissent: None identified in transcript
Moved by Unknown [Timestamp] · Seconded by Unknown [Timestamp]
The development team presented plans for a mixed-use redevelopment of the 9-acre Macy's Furniture and Mattress Gallery site. The project includes four buildings with varying heights (11-story and 7-story structures) containing condominiums, apartments, office space, and retail/restaurant uses. The site plan incorporates public-facing design elements including new roadways, sidewalks, and landscaping intended to extend the aesthetic of the adjacent promenade into the property. Internal parking serves residents and employees, while street-level parking is available to the public. The existing 9 Creek bicycle trail will be preserved on the property's southern edge. The development team is currently working to secure project financing.
Heritage Preservation Commission Code Amendments and Country Club District Protection Measures
Dissent: None identified in transcript
Moved by Unknown [Timestamp] · Seconded by Unknown [Timestamp]
The City Council approved multiple measures to strengthen heritage preservation in Edina, with specific focus on the Country Club District. The amendments clarify when a certificate of appropriateness is required for property modifications, providing guidance to residents and builders. A new escrow policy was introduced for contractors working on heritage properties to ensure compliance with approved plans. The plan of treatment for the Country Club District was updated to reflect current conditions and preservation priorities. Historical context provided: the Country Club District was developed in the 1920s following Kansas City and East Coast models, with most homes built 1924-1944. The district was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1983 for its cohesive zoning and Period Revival architecture. A 2019 survey found 88% of homes (488 of 555) remained contributing resources, indicating excellent preservation status.
Electric Vehicle Showcase and Climate Action Plan Implementation
Dissent: None identified
Moved by Not applicable - informational/educational event · Seconded by Not applicable - informational/educational event
The Energy and Environment Commission hosted an electric vehicle showcase on October 5th to advance the city's climate action plan goals. The event featured EV owners, dealers, and experts providing information on vehicle reliability, performance, environmental benefits, and charging infrastructure. Key data presented: transportation accounts for 41.1% of Edina's greenhouse gas emissions (as of 2019). The climate action plan targets a 45% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 and 25% electric vehicle adoption by 2030. Moving the EV adoption needle by 1% prevents approximately 2,750 tons of annual greenhouse gas emissions. The city provided resources on its website (edina.mn.gov/sustainability) for residents interested in EV purchasing, home electrification, and EV charger installation.
LGBTQ+ Community Inclusion Event - Pride in Edina
Dissent: None identified
Moved by Not applicable - event announcement · Seconded by Not applicable - event announcement
The Edina Human Rights and Relations Commission announced an upcoming community event titled 'Pride in Edina: A Conversation on Making Edina Welcoming for LGBTQ+ Residents, Workers, Students and Visitors.' The event is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Tuesday, October 22nd in the City Hall Council Chambers. Featured panelists include Senator Scott Dibble (22-year Minnesota State Senate member and statewide LGBTQ+ advocate) and Ellie Krug (author of 'Getting to Ellen' and nationally recognized speaker on inclusiveness and transgender issues). The event emphasizes acceptance of the humanity in all people and addresses the broader national context of hostility toward LGBTQ+ communities in many regions.
Notable Quotes (6)
We were told we want the look and feel of the promenade to flow all the way up through the site so it feels like the promenade is actually being expanded into the property and we can see the swooping designs of the landscaping islands... for the casual user walking in and out of the site the intent is for it to feel like an expansion of the promenade versus private property
The ordinance provides clarity for residents and builders on when a certificate of appropriateness is needed and when it's not needed and it also provides a tool for staff an enforcement tool to make sure that what's been approved by the heritage preservation commission is what's built
We've had an EV for 2 years my wife and I both love the EV um it's a better driving experience it's very reliable um we have never had any issues with the battery going down to zero even close
Initially I was focused on the environmental footprint and wanting to do my part and then I test drove an EV and it's such a better driving experience there's more torque it's immediately available at all points in driving you can accelerate out of anything if you need to um it's just more fun to drive
The cool thing about EV is the technology is fantastic they're very safe um the range is getting better and the performance is phenomenal
In an era of outright hostility to the LGBTQ+ community in many parts of the country the Edina Human Rights and Relations Commission will host Pride in Edina welcome a conversation on making Edina welcoming for LGBTQ+ residents workers students and visitors
Ordinances & Resolutions (6)
City Council approval for France Avenue redevelopment site rezoning and development framework
Approved site plan including new roadways, sidewalks, landscaping, and parking arrangements for the 9-acre redevelopment
City code amendments clarifying certificate of appropriateness requirements and enforcement procedures for heritage properties
New policy requiring contractors working on Country Club District and Heritage landmark homes to maintain escrow accounts
Updated preservation guidance document for the Country Club District, originally approved in 2003, revised to ensure long-term historic preservation
City plan establishing goals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 45% by 2030 and achieve 25% electric vehicle adoption by 2030
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Other Topics from This Document
Heritage Preservation and Country Club District Protection
Electric Vehicle Adoption and Climate Action
LGBTQ+ Community Inclusion and Welcoming Initiative
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