04-08-14 Special CC/PC Worksession CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
Richfield, Minnesota
g4641dd Special Concurrent City Council
and
Planning Commission Worksession
April 8, 2014
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Goettel at 6:07 p.m. in the Bartholomew Room.
Council Members Debbie Goettel, Mayor; Pat Elliott; Sue Sandahl; Edwina Garcia; and Tom
Present: Fitzhenry.
Planning Commission Rick Jabs, Chair; Daniel Kitzenberger; Susan Rosenberg; Gordon Vizecky;
Members Present: and Tom Rublein.
Planning Commission Josh Root and Charles Standfuss.
Members Absent:
Staff Present: Steven L. Devich, City Manager; John Stark, Community Development
Director; Melissa Poehlman, City Planner; Mary Tietjen, City Attorney and
Cheryl Krumholz, Executive Coordinator.
Item #1 DISCUSSION REGARDING AN EDINA REDEVELOPMENT PROPOSAL AT 6725
YORK AVENUE (COUNCIL MEMO NO. 40)
Community Development Director Stark explained the redevelopment proposed by Lennar
Corporation. The residential portion of this proposed development would abut Xerxes Avenue and be
immediately adjacent to seven single-family homes in Richfield.
Mr. Stark reviewed the approvals needed by the Edina Planning Commission and Edina City
Council, including Comprehensive Plan amendments and rezoning. He also reviewed the
Metropolitan Council approval process for the Comprehensive Plan amendments.
City Planner Poehlman reviewed the issues related to the proposed redevelopment which are
either inconsistent with Richfield's Comprehensive Plan, adversely affect Richfield homes and/or are
in conflict with Edina's own requirements. These include:
• A height in excess of five stories.
• A building setback of less than 132 feet from existing single-family lot lines.
• Excessive shadow impacts result from both the building height and its minimal setback.
Community Development Director Stark stated the actionable issues related to the proposed
redevelopment that the City of Richfield could address includes the building height, building setback
and shadow impact.
Mayor Goettel suggested there be a transition in height because six-stories is overbearing.
Special Worksession Minutes -2- April 8, 2014
Council Member Elliott stated that he found the proposed building to be not aesthetically
pleasing and was disappointed in the lack of regard for residents on Xerxes Avenue. He stated he
desired a joint cooperative effort.
Planning Commission Chair Jabs stated he found the proposed redevelopment hideous for
the neighbors and suggested the dog park be removed due to noise concerns and the building height
be reduced.
Council Member Sandahl stated that Richfield should be treated the same as Edina for
meeting their redevelopment requirements.
The City Council and Planning Commission consensus was for staff to prepare a letter
addressed to the City of Edina expressing concerns and suggestions for the proposed redevelopment
at 6725 York Avenue, including building height, setback, shadow impacts, elimination of the dog park
and concessions for architectural content.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned by unanimous consent at 6:45 p.m.
Date Approved: April 22, 2014.
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Cheryl KrOmholl - -v-` . Devi.
Executive Coordinator City Manager