Planning Commission

The Edina Planning Commission is a group of nine (9) volunteer residents appointed by the Mayor and City Council to hold hearings and provide recommendations to the Council on land use items.  Only the Council can make the final decision on most land use issues; however, the Council relies on the Planning Commission as an advisory body to hold hearings, gather input, and provide the Council with expert “planning” advice based on city codes and the comprehensive plan.

The Planning Commission traditionally meets the Wednesday before the first Council meeting of the month.  The Council meets the first and third Tuesdays of every month. Deadline date for Planning Commission Agenda:  at minimum, 31 days prior to the Commission meeting. Please contact the Planning Department at 952-826-0369 if you have any questions about meeting dates.

The Planning Commission holds public meetings on conditional use permits, final development plans, rezonings, subdivisions of land,and lot divisions, as well as amendments to the City Zoning Code and City Comprehensive Plan.  Applications are available Monday-Friday at the City of Edina Planning office, 4801 W. 50th St., Edina, MN between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. or applications can also be found online.

The following are guidelines that may make your application and presentation process more successful:

1. Have the application completed and submitted on time, with supporting documents and fees.

Work with the Edina City Planner and Planning Staff to get all your questions answered.  It is important that you meet with the Planner to discuss your application.  The Planning Department has a schedule of monthly meetings and application deadlines (a schedule of the regular meeting dates can be found on the City’s web page or it can be obtained at City Hall).  The Planner and pertinent City staff will review the application and materials to support the application and deem it complete or incomplete.   

2. Once your application is considered complete by the Planning Staff, the staff review of the issue begins.

By State Statute, the City has sixty (60) days in which to have the City Council make a decision on your request.  Normally the process takes about 45 days.  However, if there are unanswered questions, or if there are changes in the request, the City may extend its review period for an additional 60 days with approval of the City Council. 

3. Familiarize yourself with how a Planning Commission meeting is run.

The chairperson opens the hearing by announcing the title of the request.  The City Planner than verbally presents the staff report at the podium.  Typically the Planner provides a recommendation on what action should be taken.  Questions are than asked of the Planner.  The Chairperson will also ask you if you have a presentation to add to the Planner’s report.  Once you have finished your presentation the Commission will ask you questions and solicit public comment before closing the hearing.  The Commission will then discuss what action to take; make a motion, and vote on their recommended actions.  (You may want to watch a previous meeting).  Tapes are available at City Hall and the Edina Public Library.  You may also watch a streamed version on the Edina web page, Watch a Meeting.

4. Attend the meetings of the Planning Commission and City Council when your item is discussed.

Either body may have questions only you can answer.  If you are not present, your application could be delayed until a future meeting when you can be present.

5. Come prepared to answer questions at the podium and in front of a television camera.

The meeting is held in the Edina City Hall Council Chambers.   All Planning Commission and City Council meetings are televised and rebroadcast.  Because of the microphones and cameras, you are required to speak at the podium about your project to the Commission and Council.  Photos and drawings can be shown using the presentation camera.  If you have special presentation needs (Power Point, etc.) please contact the Communications Department at 952-826-0396.

6. Address your comments to the Chairperson and the Commission.

The Planning Commission is holding the meeting and the Commission must make a recommendation, so target your remarks to them rather than the audience or camera.

Members of the Planning Commission are Stephen Brown, Jeff Carpenter, Michael Fischer, Arlene Forrest, Floyd Grabiel, Julie Risser, Nancy Scherer, Michael Schroeder, Kevin Staunton and Patrick Schnettler (student member).

Meetings are aired on Edina Community Channel 16 at 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. Thursdays and 3 p.m. Sundays for two weeks following a meeting.

All members of the Planning Commission are also members of the Zoning Board.  The Zoning Board, which acts upon requests for variances, meets 5:30 p.m., the first and third Thursdays of each month.  Submittal deadline for the Zoning Board is 15 days prior to the Zoning Board meeting.

For further information, contact the Planning Department at 952-826-0369.