Edina Planning Commission Approves Heritage Preservation Rules 8-1
The Edina Planning Commission voted 8-1 on September 12 to approve new heritage preservation rules for the Country Club District, including escrow fees up to $15,000 and a requirement to acknowledge the neighborhood's history of racial covenants.
The commission approved amendments to the city's heritage preservation ordinance after extensive debate over how to balance historic preservation with homeowner costs and the district's exclusionary past.
Under the new rules, homeowners undertaking renovations valued over $100,000 in the Country Club District will be required to pay a $15,000 escrow fee to ensure historic structures remain weathertight during construction. Smaller projects will face fees ranging from $3,000 to $15,000 based on project value. The changes also define "demolition by neglect" and narrow the preservation focus to street-facing facades.
The most contentious discussion centered on how to address the district's history of racially restrictive covenants — discriminatory deed language that once barred non-white residents from purchasing homes. Commissioner Smith proposed requiring homeowners to remove such covenants as a condition of permit approval, noting the process is free through an initiative called Just Deeds. The final motion, made by Commissioner Elare, instead requires the district's official historical documents to acknowledge the use of these covenants during the neighborhood's early years. One commissioner voted against the measure, with concerns apparently related to the escrow requirements or the scope of land-use restrictions.
Residents offered mixed testimony. Brandon Swanson of 4602 Sunnyside Road spoke about window replacements, while Cheryl Doulas of 4609 Bruce Avenue testified in support of the preservation updates.
The commission also began reviewing a proposal to subdivide two oversized lots at 5120 and 5124 Hankerson Avenue into three 50-foot-wide lots. The applicant, Chad Beny, argued the plan would restore the properties to their original 1913 platted dimensions. "It really is basically just returning these lots to their original platted widths," Beny told commissioners. Planning Director Cary Teague noted the city has approved similar requests in the past, typically when the property is the last on a block. The meeting ended before a vote could be taken on the subdivision request.
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Votes (2)
Ordinance Amendment: Heritage Preservation Commission and Edina Heritage Landmarks
Dissent: A single nay vote was recorded, appearing to stem from concerns over the escrow implementation or the scope of the land-use restrictions.
Moved by Commissioner Elare [1:31:02] · Seconded by Unknown [1:38:32]
Commissioners debated the financial burden of the $15,000 escrow on fixed-income residents and the effectiveness of using cash vs. letters of credit. A significant portion of the debate focused on how to handle the district's history of racial covenants, with some members pushing for forced removal of covenants as a condition for permit approval.
Preliminary Plat with Variances: 5120 and 5124 Hankerson Avenue
Dissent: The transcript concludes during the applicant's testimony; no final vote on this item is recorded.
Moved by N/A [Transcript ends] · Seconded by N/A [Transcript ends]
The staff explained that although the current lots are 75 feet wide, the 1913 plat originally designated them as 50 feet. The applicant argued that the current 1950s-era homes are functionally obsolete and that subdividing into three lots aligns with 78% of the neighborhood's existing lot sizes.
Notable Quotes (5)
A fee of $15,000 would be required at the time of a permit if the valuation is over $100,000 and these fees would be due at the time of a permit and the city would be able to use those to keep structures weathertight.
How can we include a requirement that as part of the COA process if your home has a racial Covenant aligned with it that as part of the approval process you get it removed and it's free.
Provided that the history and the understand the country club District sections of the plan of treatment are amended to include acknowledgment of the use of racially restrictive covenants During the period of significance.
The city has a history of approving some and denying some in in the most of the instances where we've approved the reestablishment of the 50 Foot wide Lots it's the last one on the Block.
It really is basically just returning these lots to their original platted widths and allowing the original number of homes to be built there.
Ordinances & Resolutions (4)
Amendments to Chapter 2, 10, and 36 of Edina City Code regarding Heritage Preservation.
The guiding document for design review and preservation standards in Edina's landmark district.
Federal guidelines used as the basis for the city's heritage rehabilitation reviews.
An initiative cited during discussions to help homeowners renounce historical racial covenants.
Source document
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Other Topics from This Document
Racial Covenants and Historical Context
Preliminary Plat with Variances for Hankerson Avenue
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