Edina Planning Commission approves public safety training facility
The Edina Planning Commission unanimously approved a conditional use permit and building height variance for a new South Metro Public Safety Training Facility on June 12. The 5,536-square-foot tactical training center will serve law enforcement and emergency medical personnel across the region.
The Planning Commission voted unanimously to allow the South Metro Public Safety Training Facility to increase its building height from 20 feet to 27 feet 9 inches at 7525 Brar Boulevard in Brar Park. The extra height is necessary to accommodate two-story training scenarios where first responders practice residential and commercial rescue operations, including stair climbing and overhead observation areas for instructors.
City Manager Scott Neil explained that the facility aims to expand training capabilities for law enforcement and emergency medical personnel serving the region. The project has received strong financial backing: $2 million in state grant funding from Minnesota's bonding bills in 2020 and 2023—$1 million each year—which is expected to cover the entire construction cost. The state Department of Public Safety is working with facility staff on design and construction standards.
Staff found the project complies with all city code requirements and the city's comprehensive plan, which designates the property as open space. The facility will be largely hidden from public view due to natural screening on the larger 42-acre Brar parcel. During the vote, Commissioner Aler moved for approval, and the commission added one condition: the project must comply with the city's Sustainable Building Policy, which aligns with state-mandated B3 sustainability standards.
The recommendation now moves to the Edina City Council for final approval. The project is a joint effort involving Edina, Eden Prairie, Bloomington, and the Metropolitan Airports Commission.
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Votes (1)
Public Hearing: Conditional Use Permit and Building Height Variance for South Metro Public Safety Training Facility
Dissent: None
Moved by Commissioner Aler [25:06] · Seconded by Unknown [26:20]
The Planning Commission reviewed an application from the South Metro Public Safety Training Facility for a Conditional Use Permit and a building height variance at 7525 Brar Boulevard. The variance sought to increase the building height from 20 ft to 27 ft 9 in to accommodate two-story tactical training scenarios and allow for proper air circulation and exhaust. Staff and the City Manager (also Chair of the facility's board) presented the project, noting its location within the larger Brar parcel, its non-visibility from public rights-of-way due to natural screening, and its compliance with all city code and comprehensive plan criteria. The project is fully funded by two $1 million state grants. An additional condition was added to ensure compliance with the city's Sustainable Building Policy, which aligns with state-mandated B3 standards.
Notable Quotes (5)
The South Metro Public Training Facility is requesting a conditional use permit and a building height variance from 20ft to 27ft 9in to build a 5,536 ft tactical Center center training facility at 7525 Brar Boulevard.
the training center building needs a minimum interior clear height of 20ft to be able to create twostory scenarios inside whether they're training for residential or commercial scenarios the training involves going up and down stairs and includes all elements or all different elements of stairs and that additional height allows for overhead observation and teaching from above.
The purpose of the proposed facility is to expand the training capabilities of the facility so we can meet current and future training needs of the First Responders that serve our emergency medical and our law enforcement needs.
the project received two rounds of grant funding from the state of Minnesota's bonding bills once in 2020 and again in 2023 both grants were for a million dollar the training center staff and Consultants are working closely with the State's Department of Public Safety on design and construction standards for the building we expect the $2 million in state grant funding to cover the entire cost of the building.
this sustainability uh Sustainable Building condition was added in during the presentation but it wasn't technically on the staff report we were given so that would of course be added to this motion of course right yes and um if it's included in the motion tonight it will be included in the staff report for city council.
Ordinances & Resolutions (9)
Requested for the establishment of the tactical center training facility.
Requested from 20 feet to 27 feet 9 inches for the tactical center.
Guiding document; the property is guided as open space and the project is consistent with it.
Governs criteria for conditional use permits and variances.
Requires certain conditions to be met for granting a variance.
State of Minnesota legislation that provided $2 million in grant funding for the project.
Document outlining the findings and conditions for the conditional use permit and variance.
Added condition for the project's approval, applicable with coordination with the city's sustainability division.
State grant funding condition for building design and construction standards.
Source document
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