Edina City Council — Transcript

Wednesday, May 14, 2025

Story

Edina approves accessory dwelling unit setback variance

Review of Work-from-Home Ordinance

Updates on Development Projects and Plans

Votes (1)

Public Hearing: Variance Request for 6.5ft Rear Yard Setback at 5120 44th Street West

Unanimously Approved

Dissent: One audible 'I oppose' was heard, but the Chair declared the motion carried unanimously, indicating no formal dissent was recorded.

Moved by Commissioner Alky [00:43:08] · Seconded by Commissioner Nelson [00:43:10]

Staff recommended approval of a variance for an ADU addition, noting practical difficulties due to the property's unique dual front yard setbacks that limit buildable area. The applicant's design adapted a two-story portion to be further back, adhering to the spirit of the ADU ordinance. Neighbors were supportive. Commissioners discussed the intent of the ADU ordinance, especially for detached structures, and the impact on neighbors, ultimately agreeing the proposal met criteria despite the technical setback deviation.

Notable Quotes (4)

I also think that they are really meeting the spirit and intent of the ordinance in that um you know even though only a portion of it is the two stories and over the 18 feet in height the whole structure is required to meet that greater setback. However the portion that is two stories and is over 18 ft in height is set back more than 12 feet. It is 16 feet set back from that rear property line.

Addison [00:15:30]
Public Hearing: Variance Request for 6.5ft Rear Yard Setback at 5120 44th Street West

Uh yes, that was the hope and the intent was I think original plan was a full twostory structure on that and it just looked overbuilt um on that property size and I said at the end of the day if I could just get a third stall garage with enough of the loft space and we tried to build that within uh condition thus the inside of the 12 ft the taller part but to get the ceiling height to get up there was is the reason we need the 11 in

Andrew Vic [00:29:43]
Public Hearing: Variance Request for 6.5ft Rear Yard Setback at 5120 44th Street West

One of the things that we did talk about was a sliding scale and that if you could remember uh during the conversations we said okay for every foot you go up above the one story you go back one foot and that is what we came up with as the the sliding scale rule essentially.

Commissioner Padilla [00:37:37]
Public Hearing: Variance Request for 6.5ft Rear Yard Setback at 5120 44th Street West

But in your case, right, yes, there's a road behind there, but then there's also a train track and I don't see any homes being built anywhere on a train track, right? And so if I would have treated as an alleyway, you know, just mentally, then this again wouldn't really have an impact.

Commissioner Padilla [00:39:19]
Public Hearing: Variance Request for 6.5ft Rear Yard Setback at 5120 44th Street West

Ordinances & Resolutions (8)

Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) ordinanceOrdinance

Ordinance passed about a year prior, establishing ADU regulations, including setback requirements based on height.

state statuteOther

Legal basis for variance criteria.

city codeOther

Local code outlining variance criteria.

comprehensive planPlan

City plan used to evaluate variance consistency.

staff reportOther

Document containing staff's research, findings, and recommendation for the variance request.

Chapter 36Ordinance

Zoning section of the city code pertaining to work-from-home regulations.

Lincoln and London area small area planPlan

Approved plan by the Council.

zoning task forceOther

A group formed to help with zoning updates, for which a company was selected.

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