Homeowners at 4603 Marylane received approval to build a garage and living space addition despite not meeting the calculated setback requirement under city zoning rules. The variance passed without opposition after Commissioner Smith made the motion.

The issue arose because Edina's zoning ordinance calculates required front yard setbacks by averaging the setbacks of adjacent properties. A neighboring home to the east sits 200 feet back from the street, which pushed the calculated average setback for the block to 116.4 feet — far deeper than the 56.3 feet the homeowners proposed for their addition.

City Planner Auer told commissioners the property presented a unique challenge. "The property is relatively unique in that is on a block with one home having that extreme front yard setback as compared to the other homes," Auer explained, noting that staff could not simply exclude the outlier property from the calculation under current rules.

Commissioner Miranda pointed to a broader problem with how the ordinance handles non-standard lots. "This ordinance makes sense only in the context of a typical suburban development with same-sized lots," Miranda said. "When you've got lots like this that are so widely different in size, the whole logic falls apart."

In other business, commissioners received an update on a draft ordinance that would allow accessory dwelling units — sometimes called in-law suites or backyard cottages — in the city. That proposal is heading to legal review before future public hearings and eventual consideration by the City Council. The commission also discussed staffing challenges for its subcommittees, particularly the Parking Committee, as members prepare to take on a new planning study for the Lincoln and Londonderry area recently assigned by the City Council.