Council leaves Southdale Office Center hearing open, continues action to May 20

The council opened a public hearing May 6 on a proposal to rescind a 2017 planned‑unit‑development and rezone the 22‑acre Southdale Office Center site (directly west of Southdale) back to Planned Commercial District 3 with a conditional‑use permit for existing office uses.

Director Carrie Teague reviewed the site’s history and staff and the planning commission’s unanimous recommendation to rezone the property to PCD‑3, noting the updated proposal focuses on remodeling the existing middle office building, improving ADA access with new entry elements, and reconfiguring front parking. Staff said the proposal reduces the maximum floor‑area ratio compared with the 2017 PUD.

Applicant representative Della Colpien (Olympus Ventures) described new entries for 6700 and 6750, landscaping changes, a new surface infiltration basin approved by Nine Mile Creek Watershed District, and other curb‑appeal improvements. Several residents raised concerns about protection of the oak savanna stand along Valley View Road and asked whether any future parking‑ramp additions or new buildings would require return to the council; staff clarified that adding new buildings or a parking ramp would trigger site‑plan review and additional hearings.

After public testimony and council questions, staff recommended keeping the public hearing open to allow supplemental written input; the council voted to close the public hearing at noon on Sunday, May 11 and continue formal action to the May 20 meeting. No final rezoning decision was taken on May 6.