Edina Planning Commission Gives OK to Whole Foods

Conversation was lively, but the Edina Planning Commission ultimately had no major qualms with plans for a Whole Foods in Centennial Lakes Plaza.

The commission approved a final development project for the grocery store on a 7-0 vote during a Dec. 1 meeting, sending it along to City Council for final approval later this month. City Planner Cary Teague said that hearing will likely take place at the council's Dec. 21 meeting.

The planned Whole Foods Market would occupy more than 36,000 square feet at the intersection of France and Parklawn avenue. Construction would require demolishing the 35,000 square feet of retail space housing Thomasville Furniture and Storables.

Kathy Anderson, project architect and president of Architectural Consortium, said it was particularly enjoyable for her to be a part of this development as she was one of the original designers of Centennial Lakes Plaza. Aesthetically speaking, the new store will fit right in with its neighboring structures.

"We certainly are going to match the existing brick that is out there, because I think that's a strong component of the site," Anderson said. "But we're also adding this element of a limestone—similar to your city hall here—which I feel to be kind of a nice upscale reflection of Edina."

Bruce Carlson, project director with Mid-America Real Estate, said the development team hopes to begin construction by March 2011, with work wrapping up by October 2011 at the latest. Because of the inherent chaos of the holiday season for grocery stores, he said he suspects Whole Foods will wait until early 2012 to open its doors.

"This is a critical period of time for a grocery operator," Carlson said. "I don't think Whole Foods planned to open during that period of time; there's just too much going on."

The plan was approved, with the caveat that city staff work with the developer to ensure some minor issues related to sidewalks along France Avenue, traffic from delivery trucks and planters in the parking lot are ironed out before it goes before City Council.

Commission members joked this was one of the first developments they could remember that come before them without asking for a single variance or zoning change.

"If I tear down my house, as long as I'm staying within the setbacks of my lot and building a single-family residence I have now…I don't have to do anything," Commissioner Floyd Grabiel said. "What are we doing here tonight?"

Edina would be the fourth Twin Cities locale for Whole Foods. A store is opening in 2011 in Minnetonka. Whole Foods Market estimates the two new stores will add approximately 250 additional jobs in the area.

There are existing Whole Foods markets in St. Paul and Minneapolis. It has been 11 years since Whole Foods opened a market in the Twin Cities and the company has long sought other locations here. Edina seemed like a "perfect fit," said Kate Klotz, Midwest spokeswoman for Whole Foods.

"We have a laundry list of things we look for when opening stores, one of them being competition in the area," Klotz said. "Edina and the Centennial Lakes area is just a great place to be."