The Edina City Council voted 3-2 on March 15 to reject a proposal to convert a former auto repair shop into a 20-seat pizza restaurant, with council members citing concerns that the project would negatively impact the surrounding neighborhood.

The proposal would have transformed the former Kevin Key's Auto site at 6016 Vernon Avenue into Station Pizza restaurant. The project required multiple approvals from the city, including a comprehensive plan amendment, rezoning, and a site plan with variances — all of which the council ultimately denied.

The debate centered on competing visions for the property. While some neighbors supported bringing a local restaurant to the area, others argued the site should be developed as housing, which aligns with Edina's comprehensive plan — the city's long-term development guide. Council members weighed whether the public benefit of a new restaurant outweighed potential problems for nearby residents.

One council member explained the reasoning behind the rejection: "First of all I ask myself the question does the proposed use have a potential benefit to the public? Yeah it probably does. But then I have to ask myself the question: is there a potential adverse impact on the immediate neighborhood? And if so, does that potential adverse effect outweigh the potential benefit to the broader public? There's only one way I can answer that question. I say yes — the potential adverse impact on the nearby neighborhood to me is more significant than the overall benefit to the public."

The 3-2 vote shows the council was divided on the issue, with two members supporting the restaurant proposal. The rejection means the property's future remains uncertain, though developers could potentially revise their proposal or pursue other uses that better align with the city's comprehensive plan.