5120-5124 Hankerson Ave. Townhomes

This is Mike and Ellie Lee at 6128 Oaklawn Ave in the Pamela Park neighborhood. We are vehemently opposed to this project and any future projects that would require re-zoning any single-dwelling sites in Edina. We were recently made aware developers have acquired and/or are in the process of acquiring 6132 and 6136 Oaklawn Ave. As you probably know, these lots are adjacent to the 4404 Valley View townhomes that are nearing completion. This caused us to start asking around, which led to our discovery of the 5120-5124 Hankerson Ave. Townhomes project that is up for public hearing at the May 7 City Council meeting. Other residents should have been notified of this project, as it impacts other neighborhoods. Why didn’t this happen?

The 5120-5124 Hankerson Ave Townhomes proposal opens a Pandora's box of issues that, if approved, will undoubtedly spread to other neighborhoods in our city. When did the city make the decision to stop following the comprehensive plan and small area plans it invested hard earned taxpayer dollars in? A Comprehensive Plan Amendment to re-guide the site from Low Density Residential to Medium Density Residential, which would allow 5-12 units per acre and a Rezoning from R-1, Single-Dwelling Unit District to PUD, Planned Unit Development, to be part of the adjacent Grandview Townhome PUD are enormous asks. The fact that developers put the time, effort and investment into a proposal that is so far out of scope with what is in the comprehensive plan is a direct result of the leeway the city has shown in recent years regarding new development and variances.

Bottom line and if approved, the precedent this project sets will mean there is essentially nothing to stop townhomes from taking over single-family homes in our neighborhoods. If this project is approved, what bar will developers need to meet to receive approval to demolish the existing single-family homes at 6132 and 6136 Oaklawn Ave? Is the city's goal to eliminate single-family homes in Edina?

In conclusion, if this project is approved, what will be left to protect single family homes in our neighborhoods?

This is Jim Pohle who lives at 5148 Hankerson Ave in one of the newly developed Grandview townhomes built by Donnay. We approve of the plans for Donnay to build two modest in size townhomes adjacent to the Grandview townhomes. Donnay is a responsible developer, our neighborhood is already undergoing change in the housing stock and Donnay builds respectful and quality homes that fit into the neighborhood they are building. Donnay is a local developer who has been building homes in Edina for a long time. They are not a national developer who doesn't care about the neighborhoods. Regarding this project, It would not be increasing density by that much and there are many duplex homes in the neighborhood already. I believe with this one level villa style townhomes it will beautify our neighborhood!

Hi, this is Kristin Kunz at 5024 William Avenue. Just calling to say that we're fine with the new dwelling units that they're planning. I think they're planning on being one level. Just wanted to make sure again that Hankerson would never connect directly to Vernon. Due to safety considerations for the neighborhood. Thanks. Bye. (Voicemail received 4/4/24 at 5:53 PM. Transcribed by city staff).

Bridget Lionette 5113 William Ave in Edina. I'm calling about the Hankerson Donnay Homes construction project that they’re trying to build some more townhomes next to the ones they've already built. I've lived in this neighborhood for 25 years. None of us are happy about this. The townhomes they’ve already put in have created a big problem in our alley with a lot of extra traffic going through it making it not safe for the kids and people are going too fast through the alleys and just so much traffic in the alleys. The alleys are getting overly used and there's so few single family homes that are entry level for people to move into Edina and the last thing we need to be doing is getting rid of more of those and putting up expensive townhomes. People need to be able to have the chance to live in Edina that are young starter families that can afford to move in to some of the small homes in Edina and there are just so few of them left. It is taking away value from our land with the trading of all these townhomes because we want a nice little pocked neighborhood, like we have. We need single family homes for young families. We are very opposed to it and would like to keep the 2 single family homes that are there instead of them turning into this multi-family unit. Edina has enough multi-family units and we are losing too much of our single-family homes. We need no more of these in this area. They’re everywhere in our area. We would like to keep these homes in the place that they are and not take away these single-family homes. Thank you. (Voicemail received 4/3/24 at 11:50 AM. Transcribed by city staff).

We have lived in the neighborhood for 25 years. We do not want any more town homes or multi family units built in our neighborhood! They already have enough. There are very few starter single family homes left in Edina in this small pocket neighborhood. We need to keep as many of these as we can. Not everyone want to live in expensive multi unit dwellings. It has already created a problem in our alley since they built the town homes with so much traffic and kids are not safe in the street and alley. They speed down the alley! I live at 5113 William Ave, Edina MN 55436 and I am very opposed to this, and so are most of my neighbors. Please reconsider passing this. We want to keep this a more traditional single home dwelling neighborhood that young families can afford to move into Edina and live in.
It also does not make our properties any more valuable putting these up. It takes value away.

Hi my name is Beth Pruett and I live at 5240 Interlachen Boulevard. I vehemently oppose this development. The town homes that are going up on that street are nearly $1 million for a town home plus fees. The two houses that they are talking about tearing down are two of the very only remaining affordable houses in this area. Everything in this neighborhood is being torn down and re-developed either into a home that is between $1.5 million and $4 million or into a townhome that costs nearly $1 million. This neighborhood is a very progressive neighborhood for Edina and its family centric. There are a lot of young families with children who love the Highlands School which is why many move into this area. It's also one of the most Minneapolis accessible neighborhoods, so a lot of young working families move into this neighborhood. By developing additional townhomes, that I imagine will be in the same price range because it is the same developer, that are going to be nearly $1 million a piece for a townhome plus fees. You are telling me and young families with elementary aged children that this is not a neighborhood for them, the current neighborhood, or older people who want the townhome without the maintenance. You are making this neighborhood inaccessible to the people who currently live here. Please reconsider and do not accept this proposal to redevelop two small family homes into additional $1 million townhomes. Thank you for your consideration. (Voicemail received 4/1/24 and transcribed by City Staff)