Heritage Preservation Ordinance and Country Club Plan of Treatment

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This variance was approved at the March 10, 2021 Planning Commission meeting.

The City Council approved Ordinance 2024-06 Amendments concerning the Heritage Preservation Commission and the Edina Heritage Landmarks and and Resolution 2024-77 approving an update to the Country Club Plan of Treatment effective January 1, 2026. See the Ordinance, Resolution and final documents here. 


At the direction of City Council, the Heritage Preservation Commission has reviewed and is recommending updates to the existing Heritage Preservation Ordinance and the Country Club Plan of Treatment. The Commission is also recommending an escrow fee for Heritage Landmark properties and Properties within a Heritage Landmark District (Country Club District). 


A summary of proposed changes and document highlights include: 

Ordinance NO. 2024-06 Amending Chapter 2, Chapter 10 and Chapter 36 of the Edina City Code concerning the Heritage Preservation Commission and Edina Heritage Landmarks
  • added clarity to terms, including demolition and street facing facade
  • added definitions of demolition by neglect, character-defining features, and more
  • inserted a one-year time limit for Certificates of Appropriateness (COAs), during which time both a COA permit and a building
  • clarified when a COA is required as well as what work is exempt from a COA in a landmark district
  • expanded the Maintenance of Heritage Resources section forbidding deterioration by neglect
  • added escrow requirement for permits for all Heritage Landmark Properties/Districts (more below)


Edina Landmark Property and District Escrow Fee Policy
  • New form to be signed by contractor and property owner acknowledging responsibility to maintain the protection of historic resources throughout the construction process and to inform staff of proposed changes to approved plans. Staff may seek HPC approval if changes are significant.
  • Fee required based on project valuation ($3,000 fee if under $100,000 and $15,000 fee if over) that city may use if needed to keep structures weathertight and protected, to ensure compliance with other ordinances, and for reinspection fees. The balance must be maintained and will be refunded when all permits, including the COA permit, have been closed.
  • this form also states the ordinance language for Stop Work Orders and Enforcement


Plan of Treatment for the Country Club District
  • added historical context, map, and explanation of the period of significance
  • added one-year time limit on COAs per ordinance change, with detail on required permit timing
  • explained the COA application requirements and review process
  • listed projects exempt from a COA including replacement of exterior elements with like materials
  • emphasized that construction must follow approved COA plans and explained COA amendments
  • clarified which design review elements are recommended guidelines rather than requirements
  • Added section on character defining features, further expanded in supplement below


Examples of Architectural Styles in the Country Club District
  • New resource to supplement the Country Club Plan of Treatment, which provides photos and lists character-defining features for the seven most prevalent Period Revival architectural styles in the Country Club District. This guide emphasizes that each house is a unique blend of architectural elements – and even of architectural styles – that adds embellishments of local tastes and style.


The City Council approved Ordinance 2024-06 Amendments concerning the Heritage Preservation Commission and the Edina Heritage Landmarks and and Resolution 2024-77 approving an update to the Country Club Plan of Treatment effective January 1, 2026. See the Ordinance, Resolution and final documents here. 


At the direction of City Council, the Heritage Preservation Commission has reviewed and is recommending updates to the existing Heritage Preservation Ordinance and the Country Club Plan of Treatment. The Commission is also recommending an escrow fee for Heritage Landmark properties and Properties within a Heritage Landmark District (Country Club District). 


A summary of proposed changes and document highlights include: 

Ordinance NO. 2024-06 Amending Chapter 2, Chapter 10 and Chapter 36 of the Edina City Code concerning the Heritage Preservation Commission and Edina Heritage Landmarks
  • added clarity to terms, including demolition and street facing facade
  • added definitions of demolition by neglect, character-defining features, and more
  • inserted a one-year time limit for Certificates of Appropriateness (COAs), during which time both a COA permit and a building
  • clarified when a COA is required as well as what work is exempt from a COA in a landmark district
  • expanded the Maintenance of Heritage Resources section forbidding deterioration by neglect
  • added escrow requirement for permits for all Heritage Landmark Properties/Districts (more below)


Edina Landmark Property and District Escrow Fee Policy
  • New form to be signed by contractor and property owner acknowledging responsibility to maintain the protection of historic resources throughout the construction process and to inform staff of proposed changes to approved plans. Staff may seek HPC approval if changes are significant.
  • Fee required based on project valuation ($3,000 fee if under $100,000 and $15,000 fee if over) that city may use if needed to keep structures weathertight and protected, to ensure compliance with other ordinances, and for reinspection fees. The balance must be maintained and will be refunded when all permits, including the COA permit, have been closed.
  • this form also states the ordinance language for Stop Work Orders and Enforcement


Plan of Treatment for the Country Club District
  • added historical context, map, and explanation of the period of significance
  • added one-year time limit on COAs per ordinance change, with detail on required permit timing
  • explained the COA application requirements and review process
  • listed projects exempt from a COA including replacement of exterior elements with like materials
  • emphasized that construction must follow approved COA plans and explained COA amendments
  • clarified which design review elements are recommended guidelines rather than requirements
  • Added section on character defining features, further expanded in supplement below


Examples of Architectural Styles in the Country Club District
  • New resource to supplement the Country Club Plan of Treatment, which provides photos and lists character-defining features for the seven most prevalent Period Revival architectural styles in the Country Club District. This guide emphasizes that each house is a unique blend of architectural elements – and even of architectural styles – that adds embellishments of local tastes and style.


This variance was approved at the March 10, 2021 Planning Commission meeting.

  • When would I need a COA in the Country Club District?

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    Projects that will require a Certificate of Appropriateness in the Country Club District:

    (1) Removal, modification, or addition to character-defining features on street-facing facades

    (2) Replacement of exterior materials that are not in-kind replacement

    (3) The addition of and/or replacement of windows that are not the same size, shape, style of operation and or pane arrangement on street-facing facades

    (4) The addition of and/or replacement of doors that are not the same size and shape on street-facing facades

    (5) Demolition of an existing detached garage and the construction of a new detached garage

    (6) An addition to a street-facing facade

    (7) Change in pitch or height of a roofline visible from the street

    (8) Demolition of a contributing resource (to designate as a non-preservation resource) structure

    (9) Design and construction of a new home within a historic district.

  • What projects in Country Club District would not require a COA?

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    Projects in the Country Club District that would not require a Certificate of Appropriateness include:

    (1) Ordinary maintenance, such as repainting.

    (2) In-kind replacement of exterior materials, such as replacement of deteriorated wood lap siding with new wood lap siding or replacement of windows and doors of the same shape, size, and type.

    (3) Work affecting only the interior of a structure.

    (4) Furnishings and moveable items, such as window boxes, light fixtures, shutters.

    (5) Site work, including retaining walls, fences, and pools.

    (6) Items that do not require a building permit.

  • Timeline changes for permitting in Country Club District

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    Permits that you could once get over the counter would now need to be reviewed by staff (window, siding, and roofing permits). They would no longer be issued same day and may take up to 5 business days to be issued. A permit for these projects will need to be applied for, a plan review fee is charged, and staff would review whether or not a certificate of appropriateness is required prior to issuing the permit.

    If a COA is required, the applicant would then need to submit a separate and complete COA application and fee and the COA will need to be reviewed by the Heritage Preservation Commission at a regularly scheduled meeting. COA applications are due to staff 30 days prior to an HPC meeting.

  • Would I need a COA for new windows/roof/siding in the Country Club District?

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    Windows:

    A Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) may be required for new windows. If a property owner in the Country Club District is adding or replacing windows that are not the same size, shape, style of operation and/or pane arrangement on street facing facade, a COA would be required. A COA would not be required if a property owner is replacing existing windows that are the same size, style of operation and pane arrangement.

    Roof:

    A Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) may be required for a new roof. If a property owner is changing the proposed roofing material a COA would be required. If a property owner is replacing a roof with the same material, a COA is not required.

    Siding/Building Materials:

    A Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) would be required if a property owner is replacing exterior materials with materials that are not the same materials as existing. If a property owner is replacing wood siding with wood siding, a COA is not required. If a property owner is replacing stucco with brick, a COA would be required.

  • When would an Escrow fee be required?

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    An escrow fee would be required with a building permit that is associated with the exterior of the house. For projects with a valuation of over $100,000 an escrow fee of $15,000 would be required at the time of permitting. For projects that require a Certificate of Appropriateness and have a building permit valuation under $100,000 an escrow fee of $3,000 would be required. The City would be able to draw on the cash escrow to keep the structures weather tight and protected. Once the building permit has been closed out and the work is completed per the approved building permit and plans approved with approved with a Certificate of Appropriateness, the escrow fee would be returned.


    This is for all Landmark Properties and all properties located within a Landmark District (Country Club District).

  • How long would a Certificate of Appropriateness be good for?

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    A permit for a project would need to be applied for at least one year after a COA has been approved by the Heritage Preservation Commission. The applicant may request a one time extension to the HPC prior to the original COA expiring. Once a COA expires, the applicant would be required to apply for a new COA.

  • When would I need a Certificate of Appropriateness for a Landmark Property (outside of Country Club District)?

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    No changes are proposed for when a Certificate of Appropriateness is required for a Landmark Property (individually designated properties).

  • What does the Ordinance say today?

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    Existing Ordinance Links:

    Chapter 2-Administration

    Chapter 10- Building

    Chapter 36- Zoning

  • What does the Country Club Plan of Treatment say today?

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    Existing Country Club Plan of Treatment

  • Links to Existing Landmark Property Plan of Treatment Documents

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    Baird House

    Browndale Bridge

    Cahill School

    Edina Mills Site

    Edina Theatre Sign

    Grange Hall

    Grimes House

    Oskam House

    Paul Peterson House

    Wooddale Avenue Bridge