Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Transportation topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council weighs options for Edina High School parking; leans toward opening city lot 'at own risk'
Summary
Council discussed three options for the city‑owned Creek Valley/soccer‑field lot to ease Edina High School student parking pressures — allow use at users’ risk, allow use with city snow removal (costly), or keep current no‑parking restrictions. Several council members favored allowing use at users’ risk pending further ADA and cost research.
The council considered options May 6 to address student parking spillover around Edina High School. Director Milner presented a history of prior parking studies, explained there are 45 stalls at a city‑maintained soccer‑field lot (but no ADA route to the high school), and outlined three options: (1) allow parking with no winter snow removal ("park at your own risk"), (2) allow parking and provide city snow removal (added operating cost), or (3) retain existing restrictions that prohibit parking during school hours.
Staff said the lot is technically city property but that the parks department does not currently plow the lot; making it available with maintenance would require regular winter service and pull crews from other park duties. The council asked staff to research ADA obligations if the lot were dedicated for school parking, since ADA access to the high school would likely be required for a permitted lot.
Several council members said permitting the lot for student parking (with an option to pilot an approach) could reduce illegal street parking and neighborhood impacts. Member Jackson favored allowing lot use at users’ risk, noting permitting and maintenance would carry extra expense and accessibility requirements; Member Pierce emphasized addressing the immediate safety problem on the streets and suggested a pilot approach.
Milner said staff heard neighborhood preference in surveys for restricting street parking during school hours; council discussion centered on whether to pilot opening the lot with no plowing this year and revisit maintenance questions after additional data and coordination with the school on permit processes. No formal resolution was adopted; staff will research ADA implications and provide cost estimates.
