02-13-07 Worksession
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CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
Richfield, Minnesota
Special Worksession
February 13, 2007
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Goettel at 5:45 p.m.
I ROLL CALL
Members Present:
Debbie Goettel, Mayor; Bill Kilian; Fred Wroge; Susan Rosenberg; and Sue
Sandahl.
Staff Present:
Steven Devich, City Manager; Mike Eastling, Public Works Director; Bruce
Palmborg, Community Development Director; Dan Scott, Public Safety
Director; Pat Smith, Community Development Manager; and Cheryl
Krumholz, Recording Secretary.
Item # I DISCUSSION REGARDING GREATER SOUTHDALE AREA LAND USE AND
TRANSPORTATION STUDY (COUNCIL MEMO NO. 24)
Community Development Manager Smith reported on the pertinent aspects of the Greater
Southdale Area Land Use and Transportation Study. The final report was completed in December
2005, but was never adopted by the Edina City Council. Two high-rise developments were under
review during the study process and became very contentious, leading the City Council to accept but
not adopt the study. Edina will be evaluating aspects of the study during their Comprehensive Plan
update.
Community Development Manager Smith discussed concepts of proposed land uses and
building heights in the Southdale area.
Council Member Wroge asked about a city council's ability to approve variances to permit a
development project.
Community Development Manager Smith explained there is criteria to be met and a right to
appeal.
City Manager Devich stated the variance criteria is defined in State Statute.
Council Member Wroge questioned why Edina did not establish a moratorium on the York
Place development.
Community Development Manager Smith said Richfield staff asked Edina to consider a
moratorium to permit time to have a dialogue between cities.
Council Member Kilian stated that variances go through the Edina Planning Commission and
Edina Zoning Board; and then are considered by the city council.
Special Worksession Minutes
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February 13,2007
Community Development Manager Smith explained the new York Place development now
requires only a variance for the setback. He reviewed the proposed new development at 69th/70th
Streets and XerxeslYork Avenues, including site plan, first floor plan, streetscape and building
profiles from Richfield's side.
City Manager Devich said this is a big improvement over what was originally considered a few
weeks ago.
Public Works Director Eastling discussed the adjusted traffic volumes on 69th Street,
including a modest reduction from the original development and that the street works fine from a level
of service aspect.
Council Member Rosenberg stated traffic calming needs to be reviewed for that area.
Public Works Director Eastling said the Comprehensive Plan review will include traffic studies
of the City, especially on 69th/70th Streets.
Council Member Wroge questioned if the majority of traffic on those streets is Richfield
residents going into Edina.
Public Works Director Eastling stated that a specific study has not been done but, intuitively, it
could be mostly local traffic. The Transportation Commission is reviewing the traffic volumes on local
streets.
Community Development Manager Smith said mailings to residents from Xerxes/Penn
Avenues to 66th/72nd Streets will be sent to provide an update on the York Place development
changes.
Mayor Goettel stated she has received calls from Edina residents asking if Richfield is pleased
with the new development. She said it is more palatable.
Council Member Rosenberg said the Southdale area does have destination traffic.
There was discussion regarding the truck traffic entrance/exit onto York Avenue, emergency
lanes and parking space for residential and retail.
Community Development Manager Smith stated staff will provide clarification of the truck
access and movement on the site.
Community Development Manager Smith said the Edina Zoning Board meets on February 15
at 5:30 p.m.; the Edina Planning Commission on February 28; and the Edina City Council on March 6
to consider the proposed York Place development.
The City Council requested staff prepare a letter to be sent to the Edina City Council
expressing the Richfield City Council's appreciation for listening to residents' concerns, being good
neighbors and forging a good relationship.
I ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned by unanimous consen
Date Approved: February 27. 2007
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Recording Secretary