St. Louis Park approves lot line variance, rescinds stalled development
The St. Louis Park City Council unanimously approved two zoning decisions on August 21, clearing the way for a home addition while formally ending variances for an ambitious mixed-use development that never broke ground.
The council voted unanimously to approve a variance request for 4000 Cedarwood Road, allowing the property's front lot line to be officially designated as Cedarwood Road rather than France Avenue. The 1940s-era corner lot has always faced Cedarwood Road functionally and historically, but a 1959 zoning code change made this orientation non-conforming. The variance will enable the homeowner to add a one-story addition to the property.
Zoning Administrator Gary explained the decision was straightforward: "The front yard has always been Cedarwood Road since it was built in 1940. It functions that way. Always has. Fits in the neighborhood that way." Commissioner Tom Weber noted the property was "the odd one right now" compared to neighboring homes along Cedarwood and Forest roads, and said the change simply aligns it with the established neighborhood pattern. Nearly all neighbors supported the request.
In a separate unanimous vote, the council rescinded two variances for a proposed multi-story mixed-use development at 2625 Louisiana Avenue South near Cedar Lake Road and Minnetonka Boulevard. The variances, originally approved in July 2022, were extended in June 2024 to expire July 6, 2026. However, the developer never began construction and did not request another extension, causing the variances to technically expire.
Gary noted that city policy requires development activity to commence within two years of variance approval. "They did not begin construction of this project, and they have not requested an extension," he said. Commissioner Weber expressed disappointment about the ambitious project's failure, calling it "a very ambitious idea for a very awkward piece of land," but acknowledged the city's efforts to make it work.
The rescission does not permanently block future development. Gary confirmed that a new developer could submit a fresh proposal and request new variances for the challenging site. The door remains open for alternative uses of the property.
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Votes (2)
Variance Application at 4000 Cedarwood Road
Dissent: None
Moved by Unknown Commissioner [15:00] · Seconded by Unknown Commissioner [15:00]
The Zoning Administrator presented a request for a variance to formally establish Cedarwood Road as the front lot line for 4000 Cedarwood Road. This corner lot property was built in 1940 with its front facing Cedarwood Road, a condition that became non-conforming after a 1959 code change. Staff recommended approval, stating it would not adversely affect health, safety, or welfare, was in harmony with zoning intent, and addressed a practical difficulty not created by the homeowner. Commissioners supported the variance, noting it aligns the property with its functional design and the character of the neighborhood.
Rescinding of Variances for 2625 Louisiana Avenue South
Dissent: None
Moved by Unknown Commissioner [19:00] · Seconded by Unknown Commissioner [19:00]
The Board addressed a request from the City of St. Louis Park to rescind Resolutions 2401 and 2402, pertaining to a multi-story mixed-use development at 2625 Louisiana Avenue South. Variances were initially approved in 2022, with an extension granted in 2024 to expire by July 6, 2026. However, the developer did not commence construction or request a further extension. Staff explained that the variances had technically expired due to financial reasons preventing project development. Commissioners expressed disappointment that the ambitious project for a challenging site did not proceed but confirmed that reapplication for new proposals remains an option.
Notable Quotes (6)
Basically, what we find is that this request does not adversely affect the health, safety, and welfare of the community because this house faces Cedarwood Road. The front yard has always been Cedarwood Road since it was built in 1940. It functions that way. Always has. Fits in the neighborhood that way.
I'll just say uh seems like a easy decision. It just kind of lines up the house with all the other houses along Cedarwood and along Forest. Along Forest are back-to-back, so they they're they're the odd one right now. So, just change it to match and and seems like I had support of uh almost all the neighbors, so uh seems like an easy decision for me, anyway.
I will just just for the record, the fact that the other There are houses that face that who front on France, for sure. To me the the piece that's very clear is that the house the front of the house as constructed is not on France. So, that to me is the rationale for it, not so much that the other houses around them are in the same way. It's that the the way that they inherited the house is is that it's facing this way.
Now, as a condition of these variances, we do require that uh activity development activity occur within 22 years. Uh they weren't able to make it through the first two years, so they asked for an extension in June 26th of 2024. And that extension was written into the resolution to expire on July 6th, 2026. Um they did not begin construction of this project, and they have not requested an extension. So, technically, that um those variance requests have expired.
This has been a little bit of a journey um with this uh property. It was a very ambitious idea for a very awkward piece of land. Um I'm sorry it's not going to happen, but um I uh I appreciate all the work the city did.
Yeah, no. Good question. Um there's always the opportunity with a new proposal to request variances. Absolutely.
Ordinances & Resolutions (5)
Section of code defining the front lot line for corner lots, from which a variance was requested.
Original variance approved July 6, 2022, to reduce minimum lot line coverage from 80% to 66% for 2625 Louisiana Avenue South.
Original variance approved July 6, 2022, to reduce total width of a parking drive aisle from 24 to 22 ft for 2625 Louisiana Avenue South.
Resolution pertaining to the development at 2625 Louisiana Avenue South, requested to be rescinded (likely an extension or re-approval resolution).
Resolution pertaining to the development at 2625 Louisiana Avenue South, requested to be rescinded (likely an extension or re-approval resolution).
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Rescinding Variances for 2625 Louisiana Avenue South Development
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