Edina City Council — Transcript
Wednesday, August 12, 2026
Cavalry Church Variance Request (5300 France Avenue South)
5620 Woodrest Drive Variance Request
Votes (2)
Variance Request for Cavalry Church at 5300 France Avenue South
Dissent: None
Moved by Commissioner Felt [01:00:27] · Seconded by Unknown Commissioner [01:00:30]
The discussion centered on a request to reduce the north setback from 50 ft to 12 ft for a new storage building, replacing an existing non-conforming structure. Staff argued for approval due to practical difficulties and improved conformity. Public comments from neighbors strongly opposed the variance, citing negative impacts on a shared driveway, character alteration, and lack of true hardship for the church. Commissioners questioned the 'practical difficulty' criteria given the church's large property and expressed concern about the essential character of the neighborhood being affected by the driveway alteration.
Variance Request for 5620 Woodrest Drive
Dissent: Commissioner Smith, Commissioner Haniman
Moved by Commissioner Day [01:29:43] · Seconded by Commissioner Felt [01:29:47]
The homeowners sought variances for a four-season porch and deck, which would push the structure closer to a pond (12.1 ft vs 50 ft required) and exceed lot coverage limits. They argued for the functional necessity of the space, reusing existing footings, and addressing the hardship of having no backyard access. Staff recommended denial, citing the precedent it would set for similar non-conforming properties around the pond. Commissioners grappled with the desire to support reasonable home improvements versus strict adherence to zoning ordinances and the DNR's mandated water body setbacks, ultimately concluding that the legal criteria for a variance were not sufficiently met.
Notable Quotes (11)
The proposal moves the property towards a more conforming condition on the church property than currently exists on the site.
I firmly oppose granting this setback variance. Edina's zoning ordinance exists to protect neighbors and neighborhood stability. A variance should only be granted when there is true hardship or a clear public benefit, and neither exists here.
It is going to affect the character of the the whole area. It's now going to create sort of a industrial look.
I would have to be convinced that there is a practical difficulty that the landowner does not can't overcome and that we need to grant this variance to to meet that requirement.
I think the character pieces is probably what's most uh most applicable to the situation.
The intent of the water body setback again is to maintain adequate distance from the water body to provide proper buffer area between structures.
The second is the DNR's 50-ft water setback. Although the house is situated on a pond, it's actually worth mentioning that it's a man-made drainage easement from Minihaha Creek. If the house were to comply with the true 50-foot setback on the pond, the back of the house would be would would need to move back into the middle of the living room like Chris showed. Therefore, making this lot almost impossible to rebuild to meet any requirements.
I want to support single level living and reusing of existing. Like I think I'm struggling for the right reasons because it feels like a great use of the space. It feels like it's in keeping with the neighborhood. It feels like they're making something livable and wonderful and contributing that has been vacant for 15 years.
I just I can't help but thinking the way this pond is configured and so many others in the city are no different that um it's inviting um as um um Chris mentioned um that this would be inviting um other neighbors and other residents to do the same thing.
Our codes are not easy to decipher. Um but not understanding the code when you buy your house is insufficient reason for us to say, 'Well, we'll give you a pass this time.'
The only thing I wanted to point out was from the hardship perspective is that we cannot access the backyard from the home.
Ordinances & Resolutions (5)
Local regulation governing property development and setbacks.
City document guiding development, referenced by applicants for 5620 Woodrest Drive.
State-level regulation requiring a minimum 50-foot setback from water bodies.
Document providing findings and recommendations for variance requests.
Form required for public commenters to fill out.