[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6103111,"mediaKeyId","2802002-b225b184fe8d63f4100722607e47d92b","parentId",2802002,"title","Planning commission recommends approval for OPUS headquarters project at 5100 Eden Avenue, with conditions on access and ground-level materials","audioSeconds",4350,"startMs",3728000,"endMs",8078000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2802002-b225b184fe8d63f4100722607e47d92b&start=3728&end=8078","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2802002-b225b184fe8d63f4100722607e47d92b/thumbnail_3728000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6103111/Edina/Hennepin-County/Minnesota/Planning-commission-recommends-approval-for-OPUS-headquarters-project-at-5100-Eden-Avenue-with-conditions-on-access-and-ground-level-materials","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6103111-d10149a25054a4eb4b81da4b086020c5/orig.mp4?Expires=1770976293&Signature=lRRDXyZOOR3WyNjh-EB2iTh5r4YOSXW46wCDsiJGlMJutYha3uoDTnmnsJBQOCHCn24G6RCRnRK3VVeU5LBGCNWdoI28TSA6T1eI-GDhvMRCun9SKctoEuQ~iKSLuihAUB6lvCBWlrtKj-3bWvC5AbXRbhFfTRKR3rRouDRdUfFHEEA~jQoQdwLR~QpyntRBp7vBgz1F8IutPzrKxt4qkeQHCzn-LHzSMiX1wiSikE7KdNTigS1j3wT91q7ilR6UsrfV2Fz40YjyGBPJFlEQ-RkKocXi0Sh6tRa0SuYB2NFJ~X8I6qI~1ek0KIHxL1nfLZ28GSSA2SztNUvPGTWwuQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Edina, MN","date","2025-03-28T00:16:41.277Z","article","The Edina Planning Commission on March 26 recommended City Council approval of a rezoning, subdivision, site plan and related variances for a proposed OPUS corporate headquarters at 5100 Eden Avenue in the Grandview district. The proposed development would demolish the existing “building on stilts,” consolidate seven parcels into one new plat and build a primarily glass 112,000-square-foot office building with roughly 6,000 square feet of street-level retail and restaurant space.

Staff described the property as uniquely constrained by surrounding roadways, large rights-of-way and steep topography. The application seeks rezoning from Planned Office District (POD) to Planned Commercial District 2 (PCD2), variances for floor area ratio (requesting 2.0 FAR where staff cited a typical requirement of 1.5), height (building to rise to about 81 feet where a 48-foot standard was referenced), and several setback and materials exceptions. Staff said the proposal is consistent with the Grandview mixed‑use land use designation and concluded the variances are justified by site constraints and by comparison to previously approved nearby projects with similar or greater heights and FAR.

Applicant representatives — Nick Renan (OPUS), Bob Loken and Matt Axman (ESG) — presented a revised design since sketch‑plan review that shifts the Level‑1 podium and increases Arcadia‑facing activation. The design includes a recessed pedestrian arcade on Arcadia, a landscaped “dock” element projecting into a pocket of planting, a rooftop tenant amenity terrace, and loading tucked under the building to reduce visibility. The team said they worked with staff to remove several earlier minor variance requests and that the project is code‑compliant for parking with proposed below‑grade and podium parking levels (two levels below grade and one above, reported in the presentation).

Commissioners who spoke praised the design moves that increase pedestrian activation on Arcadia and welcomed the headquarters as a generator of daytime activity for the Grandview district. Concerns were raised repeatedly during deliberations about (1) pedestrian and bicycle access from Eden (the east approach), which involves grade changes and roundabout crossings; (2) the long continuous north façade and the code provision limiting an uninterrupted façade to 200 feet; (3) the amount of glass and the adequacy of warm, durable materials at the ground plane; and (4) the location of required utility equipment and transformer screening in the right‑of‑way.

Staff and the applicant explained several technical tradeoffs. The applicant said the site’s stormwater mitigation (underground storage) and existing utility entries limited the amount the building could be shifted eastward; they said the infiltration tanks were sited at the east side to enable planting and to avoid tree root impacts. The applicant also said the rooftop terrace and its size are constrained by code‑required egress and travel distance limits, and they noted that the project team has been exploring wood‑look cladding alternatives and phenolic and composite panels to add warmth to the podium element.

After extended deliberation the commission made a motion to recommend approval of the rezoning, subdivision, site plan and variances, and also attached three direction/conditions for the City Council and applicant to address during final review: (1) that the applicant consider revisions to improve safe pedestrian and bicycle access from Eden to the building (including clearer paths from the east approach), (2) provide a continuous pedestrian connection (sidewalk or paved public route) around the building’s plinth on the north and east sides to reduce routing through parking and service areas, and (3) revise ground‑level materials and screening at vehicle and service entrances to add warmer, durable materials or other architectural measures to improve the pedestrian experience at street level. The commission recommended approval subject to those conditions and the normal engineering, screening and MnDOT reviews required for right‑of‑way work.

The commission’s recommendation will go to City Council for final action; staff noted the city has an open request for proposals for the adjacent former public‑works site, which could influence future pedestrian and public‑realm connections in the Grandview district.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Edina Planning Commission Meeting / Mach 26, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","On March 26 the Edina Planning Commission recommended City Council approval of rezoning, subdivision, site plan and variances for a proposed OPUS corporate headquarters at 5100 Eden Avenue — a primarily glass, roughly 112,000-square-foot office building with ground-floor retail — subject to specified access and materials conditions.","taxTitle","Edina, Hennepin County, Minnesota","taxId",5133,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6103116,"Planning commission approves two sign variances for Meeting House Church",887,2749000,3636000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2802002-b225b184fe8d63f4100722607e47d92b&start=2749&end=3636","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2802002-b225b184fe8d63f4100722607e47d92b/thumbnail_2749000.jpg","/articles/6103116/Edina/Hennepin-County/Minnesota/Planning-commission-approves-two-sign-variances-for-Meeting-House-Church","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6103116-9b98c21b6f9bc8c2679185045a92d884/orig.mp4?Expires=1770976293&Signature=RwLaHrMu3RFkEHfk0Hf8~N-hIzfvr5zTfk5Lk5H-8jOsJ633sNc4qAw7y0qNNeR3mrVhsfmg~bXIN-s~FkLoLtZVRZtXAd0nkqVzhQq2chPwd8S22NWgC-kG52XEBDaR5MGPkcaR8i0cPZgXWsMUu1YUDmXBYtN7uB0f9CeVDDfz-eXsoSySokn9knnf0QPIcMz2F4WMC-UMz24~l3sfzpC1etDxO~gHxPbJJa-SLFtcIILAbIuX1pjcNvFu0o31DJuTHiCznlNoyOIFNnahqv6~poVEPK~rr1R8Mq2KaDOWsCCVDpe0tqwtoJSDH58MObxci9wQ3OOIGDPHpFeRrQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Edina Planning Commission on March 26 recommended approval of two sign variances for Meeting House Church, 6200 Colonial Way. The commission voted to allow one freestanding monument sign to be placed at about 20 feet from an on‑site pond (a 30‑foot setback variance from the 50‑foot ordinary‑high‑water setback) and to allow a second monument sign adjacent to Highway 62 to stand 14 feet tall (a 6‑foot height variance) to achieve visibility above the highway grade.

Staff told the commission that the church’s property is a 13‑acre single‑dwelling‑unit district site with past permitted signage and that one of the prior freestanding signs had fallen over in recent years. Engineering staff reported no concerns with the proposed sign locations in proximity to the pond. Staff’s report concluded practical difficulties exist because the combination of the water setback, curb setback and a drainage/utility easement leaves no viable place at the corner for a freestanding sign in the same general location as the historic sign.

The applicants — represented at the hearing by sign consultant Mike Hasboom and facility manager Eric Hansen — said the new signs replace prior permitted signs, will use backlit LED illumination, and that the taller sign is needed to be visible above the Highway 62 centerline because of the difference in elevation. The church’s representatives said the illuminated signs would be operated in conformance with city lighting standards and that the church expects to limit hours of operation consistent with city rules.

No members of the public testified during the public hearing. Commissioners noted the visibility constraints created by the highway elevation and the site’s wetlands and drainage easement. The commission approved the two variances with the condition that any illuminated sign comply with Edina’s illumination limits in the sign code.

The commission’s decision will go to City Council for final action; staff said engineering review and sign‑permit application materials will be required before installation of the signs.","The commission approved two sign variances at Meeting House Church, allowing one sign to sit closer to a natural water feature and another to be taller to account for highway elevation; illuminated signage must meet city code.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6103120,"Planning commission backs variance to expand pump house at Edina Aquatic Center",2084,660000,2744000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2802002-b225b184fe8d63f4100722607e47d92b&start=660&end=2744","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2802002-b225b184fe8d63f4100722607e47d92b/thumbnail_660000.jpg","/articles/6103120/Edina/Hennepin-County/Minnesota/Planning-commission-backs-variance-to-expand-pump-house-at-Edina-Aquatic-Center","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6103120-2b58ae62433a4274c2260833eadc4f99/orig.mp4?Expires=1770976293&Signature=iqgoG-MwNkSPw-LNlnEyVrJUSVfvbDhXaXh0veNfHG7yd0L6IyMtF4ioHU3iFkIc6vbILCmB-vDsDx8WpLTfWnYtkswCWf52AA8aZ8wbyv4EaI3UJ4aydfRM5Vz3t8bdxYrY1Ivsebg8uVIfKacrXZ4zGDaaiXmqS-PVMLeD~fCTQJLjO3H7t~vO9mP7eDjVKwTYMTTzlPK9j1ulS8LjR-2VcgoGGnn6r7uny417OksX07r8BPLQ-tnnRLLxULCqWrhrzaoFRHt0f4dkPmuoqPoBbAN4PuMMjJI34ll5NhZiq~cZAz2U4u2s5vCVeuLrQrk4MYQozx0UH6o3SGjd4A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The City of Edina Planning Commission on March 26 recommended approval of a variance to allow the expansion and partial relocation of the pump room at the Edina Aquatic Center, 4300 West 60th Street. The commission voted to recommend an 11.5-foot variance from the city code setback requirement to allow the relocated pump house to come as close as about 38.5 feet from the pond’s ordinary high water elevation.

Commission staff and the applicant said the expansion is driven by functional needs: the existing pump room dates to 1958, has low headroom and is corroded and undersized for modern equipment. Planning staff recommended approval, saying the existing structure was built under older setback requirements and that moving the pump house would require rebuilding pool infrastructure and underground utilities.

Staff said the project would remove and rebuild the existing pump room in roughly the same area and add an upper-level amenity deck with cabanas above the service area. The staff report recommended the commission find that the use is consistent with the single‑dwelling district’s permitted uses and the city comprehensive plan, that the request responds to practical difficulties created by the age and configuration of the existing building, and that the addition would not alter the essential character of the locality. Staff’s recommendation included conditions requiring Watershed District approval, conformance with the city engineer’s building permit review, and compliance with the tree protection plan.

Commission discussion focused on alternatives and risks. Commissioners and the project team explained why moving the pump equipment to a new location was economically and technically impractical: existing pool drains and supply piping enter the pump room from beneath the pool structure, and digging deeper under the present room would require undercutting and reconstructing pool walls. Staff and the applicant also described mitigation measures for corrosive gases and ventilation improvements in the rebuilt pump room, and said the new equipment room floor would be set 30 inches above grade to remain above expected flood elevations.

Commissioners asked about the pond that fronts the site (referred to in staff materials as the “Swimming Pool Pond”), proposed infiltration basin sizing and locations, and potential impacts to Bur Oak trees near the planned infiltration area. The project team said the infiltration basin will capture about 5,000 square feet of new drainage area and will be located in the surface parking area; they said tree protection measures are part of the permit review and that tree removal would be avoided where feasible.

Public comment during the hearing produced no outside speakers. At deliberation commissioners cited the public benefit of updating the aging facility and the practical constraints posed by existing utilities and pool structure. Commissioner Nelson announced an abstention because of a prior relationship with a project consultant; the record shows the commission approved the staff‑recommended variance and conditions.

The commission’s recommendation to approve is subject to final technical approvals required by engineering and the Watershed District and adherence to the tree-protection and building-permit conditions noted in staff materials.","On March 26 the Edina Planning Commission recommended approval of an 11.5-foot variance to allow an expansion and replacement of the pump house at the Edina Aquatic Center, citing aging infrastructure and operational constraints; approval is subject to standard engineering, watershed and tree-plan reviews.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Planning commission recommends approval for OPUS headquarters project at 5100 Eden Avenue, with conditions on access and ground-level materials

Planning commission approves two sign variances for Meeting House Church

Planning commission backs variance to expand pump house at Edina Aquatic Center