Council keeps public hearing open on subdivision for two affordable homes at 316 Madison; action continued to Aug. 6

The Edina City Council on July 15 held a public hearing and agreed to keep the record open until noon on Sunday, July 27 for a proposal to subdivide 316 Madison Avenue into two lots so Homes Within Reach can construct and sell two permanently affordable homes via a community land‑trust ground lease. Why it matters: The applicant, nonprofit Homes Within Reach, would re‑establish the site’s original two‑lot configuration and sell the homes to households earning no more than 80 percent of area median income with the land retained by the nonprofit to keep the homes affordable in perpetuity. City staff described the proposal as a subdivision and three variances: reduced lot area (two lots roughly 6,000 square feet each vs. the 9,000‑sq. ft. standard), reduced lot width (about 46 feet vs. a 75‑foot standard), and a one‑foot depth variance related to neighborhood medians. The staff report noted that many nearby lots were platted with similar dimensions decades earlier, and the Planning Commission unanimously (9‑0) recommended approval. At the hearing resident Steve Brown spoke in support, calling the request consistent with the neighborhood’s historical lot pattern and helpful for expanding permanently affordable owner‑occupied housing options. No opponents appeared in person and no remote speakers called in. Staff recommended that the council close the hearing at noon on July 27 and take final action August 6; the council voted to do so. The council’s vote to continue the record allows additional written comments through Sunday. When the council reconvenes on Aug. 6 staff said it expects to recommend approval subject to standard conditions and to draft ground‑lease terms consistent with Homes Within Reach’s community‑land‑trust model.