Orion Investments received City Council approval to move forward with Phase Two of their France Avenue redevelopment, which will feature a six-story apartment building with 150 units and underground parking. The project underwent several modifications from its original design to address council concerns and community impact.

The developer reduced the first-floor ceiling height from 16 feet to 14 feet to improve energy efficiency and sustainability. They also removed a proposed ground-floor restaurant, a change intended to reduce traffic impacts on the surrounding area. Despite these modifications, the project maintains key community amenities including bike paths, pedestrian walkways, and an acre-and-a-quarter buffer zone between the building and adjacent neighborhoods. All parking is contained within the building rather than on surrounding streets.

"What makes this a project that ultimately received approvals from the council is that we're aligned with their plan but we did make some further tweaks to further better the project," an Orion Investments representative told the council. The company emphasized that these changes preserved the project's core benefits while addressing sustainability and neighborhood concerns.

The approval comes as Edina continues to pursue several major civic projects. Mayor Jim Huband, who was reelected along with council members Carolyn Jackson and James Pierce, highlighted $72 million in planned park system improvements, discussions about a new art center at 70th and York in partnership with the county, and a new fire station coming online. The reelected officials will be sworn in for four-year terms at the first city council meeting of the new year.