My Platform

Smart development Smart development prioritizes the quality of life for residents. I'll rigorously evaluate projects to ensure they meet community needs, won't strain existing infrastructure, and won't create unmanageable traffic. I will scrutinize development incentives.

We must ensure thoughtful development that respects our current neighborhoods. I will limit the use of PUD zoning. Planned Use Development (PUD) allows our current zoning rules to be bypassed, leading to zoning negotiations with each development.

Some proposed developments (which the current mayor has advocated for) include much taller buildings than our current zoning allows, and in some cases, place skyscrapers near residential neighborhoods. I will prioritize enforcing our current zoning regulations, which require gradual height transitions from taller buildings to single-family homes.

The city is already bearing additional costs for police, firefighting, and other infrastructure due to population growth. Taxes on single-family homes have been rising to cover these new expenses. With my background in real estate, I assure you that I will negotiate vigorously on behalf of residents. Any financing provided by the city will not be used to enhance the development's profit margins or bottom lines.

What is TIF?

Tax increment financing (TIF) delays property taxes on new development from going into the city coffers.
When a new building is completed, the taxable value on that building is expected to increase. This normally results in an increase of tax money flowing into city coffers. Using TIF, this process is interrupted for up to 20 years as set forth in each TIF agreement.

The city (Edina residents) pay for adding services and infrastructure.
For 20 years under a TIF arrangement, the city receives no additional property tax revenue from new developments. During this time, the city must cover the costs of extra infrastructure and services required by residents of these new buildings. Consequently, these expenses are ultimately funded by the tax contributions of existing city residents.
For more information on TIF - visit this Minnesota House one-page summary. Or visit our TIF webpage for detailed resources.

Similar to well-run businesses, we will conduct an annual budget review to pinpoint potential cost savings and reductions. This thorough assessment will precede any decisions to increase the property tax levy.

The property tax levy has seen yearly increases and is projected to increase 13.5% in 2025. This trend, coupled with rising home value assessments, has resulted in residential property tax collections far outpacing inflation rates—a situation particularly burdensome for seniors living on fixed incomes.

The city's need for an additional 0.5% sales tax over the next 19 years to fund maintenance of Braemar Ice Rink and Fred Richards Park is a critical wake-up call. It underscores the urgent necessity for more responsible stewardship of resident tax contributions.

Multifamily apartment developments must allocate 10-20% of their units as affordable housing. The current $175,000 per-unit buy-out fee is inadequate and should be eliminated, ensuring development projects contribute directly to affordable housing stock. Currently, affordable housing units revert to market rates after 20 years and the city will lose those affordable units. These units should be permanently affordable.

While continuing to support multifamily housing, I'll prioritize diverse affordable housing options. This includes promoting smaller-scale developments that foster homeownership, such as pocket neighborhoods, townhomes, cooperatives, and condominiums. These alternatives can create pathways to sustainable, community-oriented affordable housing solutions.

Public safety is a top priority, and I share our community's concerns about rising crime rates. We've seen troubling increases in various offenses, from traffic violations and reckless e-bike use on sidewalks to organized thefts targeting businesses and homes, and even violent crimes like carjackings.

To address these issues, we need a stronger, more visible police presence for both deterrence and enforcement. I propose expanding our police force, focusing on putting more officers on the streets. This increased presence will help curb criminal activity and make our community safer.

To fund this initiative, I will advocate redirecting a larger portion of property tax revenue from new developments towards bolstering our police force (rather than continuing to heavily subsidize developments). This shift in resource allocation will directly contribute to improving public safety and quality of life for all residents.

My vision for Edina is one of collaborative governance, where community input is not just welcomed, but essential. I am committed to ensuring that our city's development truly reflects the diverse needs and aspirations of all residents.

To achieve this, I will champion consistent, transparent decision-making processes for both the city and council. This approach will provide residents with clear insights into:
  • The timing and rationale behind proposed plans and actions.
  • The rationale driving each decision
  • The potential impacts on neighborhoods and property taxes.

My duty will be to serve Edina residents. I pledge to foster trust through open dialogue and responsive governance. By prioritizing community engagement, we can build a city that not only meets our current needs but also aligns with our shared vision for the future.