Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Small Area Plan topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Planning commission forwards Lincoln–Londonderry Small Area Plan to Met Council review
Summary
After year-long outreach and a working group, the commission voted to send the Lincoln–Londonderry Small Area Plan to the Metropolitan Council for review as an amendment to the comprehensive plan. Commissioners discussed sewer-capacity constraints and long-term redevelopment options.
The Edina Planning Commission voted Wednesday to recommend that the City Council authorize staff to submit the Lincoln–Londonderry Small Area Plan to the Metropolitan Council for review as an amendment to the comprehensive plan.
The plan, prepared with consultant MEN Collaborative and a citizen working group, lays out short-term public-realm improvements — trails, pedestrian and bicycle safety upgrades, greening and wayfinding — and longer-term land-use options should regional sewer-capacity constraints be resolved. Project manager Zach Lacham presented the document and summarized community engagement and the plan’s vision: “The Lincoln Londonderry area will be a welcoming gateway to Western Edina. There will be shops, restaurants, homes, and jobs all in a natural setting along 9 Mile Creek,” he said.
Draft recommendations distinguish actions that are feasible under current constraints — smaller-scale code and streetscape changes, trailhead improvements and beautification — from larger redevelopment scenarios that require additional sewer capacity, financing and master planning. City staff and the working group recommended a two-track approach: implement public-realm and design guideline changes now while reserving larger zoning or sewer investments for the next comprehensive-plan cycle.
Commission discussion focused on sewer capacity, the document’s role relative to the comprehensive plan, and whether the small area plan should be more prescriptive now or leave flexibility for market-driven change. Commissioner Hanneman voiced opposition and said the plan had been shaped by reaction rather than proactive policy; Commissioner Padilla abstained from the final vote. The roll call recorded six ayes, one abstention and one nay: Commissioners Nelson, Alkire, Smith, Day, Felt and Chair Bennett voted in favor; Commissioner Padilla abstained; Commissioner Hanneman voted no.
Staff will forward the plan and the Planning Commission’s recommendation to the City Council for authorization to submit the plan to the Met Council for formal review and adoption as a comprehensive-plan amendment.
