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
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.
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
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.
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.
Ordinances & Resolutions (8)
Ordinance passed about a year prior, establishing ADU regulations, including setback requirements based on height.
Legal basis for variance criteria.
Local code outlining variance criteria.
City plan used to evaluate variance consistency.
Document containing staff's research, findings, and recommendation for the variance request.
Zoning section of the city code pertaining to work-from-home regulations.
Approved plan by the Council.
A group formed to help with zoning updates, for which a company was selected.