Minneapolis City Council — Transcript
Thursday, August 20, 2026
Zoning Variance for Interior Side Setback
Votes (1)
Zoning Variance Application for 53 23rd Avenue Northeast
Dissent: Staff recommended denial, but no board members voted against the motion to approve the variance.
Moved by Board member Hutchins [0:30:45] · Seconded by Board member Eykhholt [0:31:54]
Staff presented a recommendation for denial of the variance, arguing that the proposed expansion of the garage and resulting increased nonconformity were self-created and did not meet the unique circumstances finding. The applicant's representative countered by highlighting a critical 100-year-old clay sewer main that would be compromised by a 5-ft setback, the historical 1-ft setback of the existing garage, and the awkward application of front yard rules to an irregular corner lot historically facing 23rd Avenue, not Grand Street as platted. Board members expressed understanding of the practical difficulties presented by the sewer line and the challenges posed by corner lots with conflicting platting and addressing.
Notable Quotes (4)
Staff finds that the proposed use is reasonable and consistent with the spirit and intent of the ordinance. Although the proposed 1-ft setback does not meet the zoning requirement, the adjacent property is set 26 ft from the shared property line. Staff therefore finds that the proposal would not significantly significantly impact the light, air, or open space of the adjoining property.
Directly beneath the 5-ft setback zone lies my home's 100-year-old clay sewer main running heavy construction equipment and digging deep fittings directly over century-old clay sewer line creates an immediate risk of collapse and renders any future maintenance or repairs virtually impossible.
The only reasonable interpretation of the definition of a front yard, the area between the house and the street, the only reasonable interpretation of what a front yard is in this case is here, along 23rd, not Grand Avenue.
I think we run into the problem all the time. Uh the corner lots facing the wrong direction quote unquote wrong direction. I wish the city down the road would come up with some language to give us framework to move this through a little smarter, faster, and not make the applicants go through all this.
Ordinances & Resolutions (2)
A request to reduce the required interior side setback from 5 feet to 1 foot for a new garage.
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