Planning Commission

Cary Teague Planning Director

Kris Aaker Assistant City Planner

The Edina Planning Commission is a group of nine volunteer residents appointed by the Mayor and City Council to hold hearings and provide recommendations to the Council on land use items. Only the Council can make the final decision on most land use issues; however, the Council relies on the Planning Commission as an advisory body to hold hearings, gather input and provide the Council with expert “planning” advice based on City codes and the Comprehensive Plan.

The Planning Commission serves as the Zoning Board of Appeals. As the Zoning Board of Appeals, the Planning Commission hears and decides on requests for variances from the literal provisions of the Edina Zoning Ordinance. In the instance when a variance request is made as part of another land use application, such as a conditional use permit, rezoning or site plan, the Planning Commission serves as an advisory body.

The Planning Commission typically meets the second and fourth Wednesday of the month. The Council meets the first and third Tuesdays of every month. Variance applications must be submitted 15 days prior to the Commission meeting; all other applications require at least a minimum of 31 days prior to the Commission meeting. Please contact the Planning Department at 952-826-0369 if you have any questions about meeting dates.

The Planning Commission holds public meetings on conditional use permits, site plans, variances, rezonings, subdivisions of land and lot divisions, as well as amendments to the City Zoning Code and City Comprehensive Plan. Applications are available Monday through Friday at the City of Edina Planning office, 4801 W. 50th St., Edina, MN between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. or applications can also be found online.

A visual outline of the variance and rezoning process can be found in the PDFs below.

	You'll need version 3.01 or later of Adobe Acrobat Reader™ to view this document.
Variance	Download a flowchart explaining "Can I build or do I need a variance?"
Phase 1 of Rezoning & New Development Review Process	Download a flowcart on the City of Edina’s Rezoning & New Development Review Process – Phase 1
Phase 2 of Rezoning & New Development Review Process	Download a flowchart on the City of Edina’s Rezoning & New Development Review Process – Phase 2
Phase 1 of Resident Involvement	Resident Involvement During A Request For Rezoning – Phase 1
Phase 2 of Resident Involvement	Resident Involvement During A Request For Rezoning – Phase 2

1. Have the application completed and submitted on time, with supporting documents and fees. Work with the Edina City Planner and Planning Staff to get all your questions answered. It is important that you meet with the Planner to discuss your application. The Planning Department has a schedule of monthly meetings and application deadlines (a schedule of the regular meeting dates can be found on the City’s web page or it can be obtained at City Hall). The Planner and pertinent City staff will review the application and materials to support the application and deem it complete or incomplete.

2. Once your application is considered complete by the Planning Staff, the staff review of the issue begins. By State Statute, the City has 60 days in which to have the City Council make a decision on your request. Normally, the process takes about 45 days. However, if there are unanswered questions, or if there are changes in the request, the City may extend its review period for an additional 60 days with approval of the City Council.

3. Familiarize yourself with how a Planning Commission meeting is run. The chair opens the hearing by announcing the title of the request. The City Planner than verbally presents the staff report at the podium. Typically, the Planner provides a recommendation on what action should be taken. Questions are than asked of the Planner. The Chairperson will also ask you if you have a presentation to add to the Planner’s report. Once you have finished your presentation, the Commission will ask you questions and solicit public comment before closing the hearing. The Commission will then discuss what action to take; make a motion, and vote on their recommended actions. (You may want to watch a previous meeting). DVDs of meetings are available at City Hall and the Edina Public Library. You may also watch a streamed version online.

4. Attend the meetings of the Planning Commission and City Council when your item is discussed. Either body may have questions only you can answer. If you are not present, your application could be delayed until a future meeting when you can be present.

5. Come prepared to answer questions at the podium and in front of a television camera. The meeting is held in the Edina City Hall Council Chambers. All Planning Commission and City Council meetings are videotaped and broadcast. Because of the microphones and cameras, you are required to speak at the podium about your project to the Commission and Council. Photos and drawings can be shown using the presentation camera. If you have special presentation needs (PowerPoint, etc.) please contact the Communications & Marketing Department at 952-826-0359.

6. Address your comments to the Chair and the Commission. The Planning Commission is holding the meeting and the Commission must make a recommendation, so target your remarks to them rather than the audience or camera.

Members of the Planning Commission are Jeff Carpenter, Michael Fischer, Arlene Forrest, Floyd Grabiel, Michael Platteter, Ken Potts, Nancy Scherer, Michael Schroeder, Kevin Staunton and students Emily Cherkassky and Matt Rock.

Staff liaisons to the Planning Commission are City Planner Cary Teague and Assistant City Planner Kris Aaker.

Meetings are aired on Edina Community Channel 16 at 3 a.m., 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. Thursdays and Saturdays for two weeks following a meeting.

For further information, contact the Planning Department at 952-826-0369.