On Better Together: Subdivision of 5235 Highwood Dr. There will hearings on Jan 15 at the Planning Comm and Jan 21 at the CC Mtg.

This is a done deal, but I am still not fond it. The argument about needing to save trees is weak in a neighborhood with large lots and great tree canopy. It would have been interesting to hear what a developer would need in the way of variances to make it work. A driveway on the north side with a retaining wall would be very similar to properties elsewhere in west Edina. 

But, even if undeveloped, I would still rather it remain private. There is already enough city-owned property that is neglected and full of buckthorn. A few quotes from the Apr 16 CC mtg.

Mayor Hovland: “It's basically unbuildable and it's got a real sharp increase in elevation. The only place you could probably put a driveway would've been right on the cul-de-sac and then try to work your way back in there.”

Mayor Hovland: “When that builder came to see you, they really couldn't build anything on it because they'd need so many variances to get anything built and then they walked away.”

Community Dev Dir Teague: “As the property sits today, the full 19,000 square feet, they may be able to get a house in there that doesn't require the variances that may come into play. As in regard to the steep slopes, we have a steep slope ordinance that says you can only disturb a certain percentage of those slopes. So that might be where the variances come in. But just given the large area, they may be able to locate without setback variances.”