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5036 France Property, LLC is proposing a partial second story addition to the building at 5036 France Avenue (Cocina Del Barrio Restaurant). The addition is approximately 1,508 square feet of gross floor area. The building is proposed to continue to be used as a restaurant. There is no off-street parking existing or proposed on the property. Businesses in the 50th & France area may rely on the City's public parking ramps up to a floor area ratio of 1.0 before additional off-street parking must be provided. With the proposed addition, the floor area ratio is approximately 1.2, which results in approximately 14 parking stalls being required. Plans are available under the "Documents" section of this page.
The request requires the following:
Site Plan Review.
Variance from Section 36-1311 and 36-1312 to allow floor area ratio of approximately 1.2 without providing additional off-street parking spaces where a floor area ratio up to 1.0 is allowed before additional off-street parking spaces must be provided. The proposal results in a parking stall variance of approximately 14 stalls.
5036 France Property, LLC is proposing a partial second story addition to the building at 5036 France Avenue (Cocina Del Barrio Restaurant). The addition is approximately 1,508 square feet of gross floor area. The building is proposed to continue to be used as a restaurant. There is no off-street parking existing or proposed on the property. Businesses in the 50th & France area may rely on the City's public parking ramps up to a floor area ratio of 1.0 before additional off-street parking must be provided. With the proposed addition, the floor area ratio is approximately 1.2, which results in approximately 14 parking stalls being required. Plans are available under the "Documents" section of this page.
The request requires the following:
Site Plan Review.
Variance from Section 36-1311 and 36-1312 to allow floor area ratio of approximately 1.2 without providing additional off-street parking spaces where a floor area ratio up to 1.0 is allowed before additional off-street parking spaces must be provided. The proposal results in a parking stall variance of approximately 14 stalls.
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I live and work in this area and fully support this project/variance. The aesthetic and quality of a project like this will further elevate 50th and France and all businesses around it. I have never had an issue with parking and I believe Edina should support businesses seeking to revitalize and enhance the neighborhood, particularly given other restaurant closures in the area.
Dylan
about 11 hours ago
Hello We are longtime Morningside residents of Edina who considers the 50th and France area to be an important part of an ideal restaurant and shopping destination. It’s very walkable for many, but more importantly, has the off street parking ramps to house those who drive in to the store and restaurant locales. It has never been my experience to find the South Public Parking Ramp completely full. Even during peak dining hours, parking in that ramp has not been an issue for us. The plans for the build out look great, Del Prado and company always brings excellent dining concepts to the restaurant scene, and off street parking is already in place. With the closure of several restaurants in the area, this looks a win for 50th and France. We wholeheartedly support the project! Pete & Mena Bjerke
PB
about 11 hours ago
I am an Edina resident and have developed housing in the 50th and France neighborhood - both multifamily and single family over the years. A major part of the draw of developing in this area is the idea of walk ability to a vibrant downtown, bustling with shops and restaurants. Downtown Edina has come a long way over the past few years but the recent restaurant closings have me concerned. I support this variance because it serves to enhance the neighborhood’s restaurant scene and overall appeal. Not to mention, this restaurant group is incredibly respectful and responsible and are stewards of the neighborhoods within which they operate.
Alex Gese
about 11 hours ago
I am a frequent visitor to the 50th and France area. I am fully in support of this project as I believe that this restaurant group not only raises the bar for dining in the communities it serves, but also across the metro area. This project would be a welcome addition.
SU
about 11 hours ago
Hi everyone, I’m FT and I live in the Birchcrest neighborhood. I have lived in Edina for a total of 10 years. I want to strongly voice my support for the redevelopment of the Barrio property. This area deserves to stay vibrant and full of life, and new options will only help bring more people in. Edina has so much potential, and this project would be a huge step forward. I truly hope we get to see something new and exciting on that corner soon. It worries me that with the upcoming closing of 2 other restaurants, the area will loose its livelihood!
FT
about 11 hours ago
Hello, I live near this area and am supporting this restaurant development fully as we need to maintain the vibrancy of the community, especially with the recent and future restaurant closings in the area. Parking has never been an issue and this only helps the other businesses in the area.
Summerville
about 11 hours ago
Hello, I live in the 50th and France area and fully support this project. I believe it will help revitalize the neighborhood and benefit both the Edina community and surrounding areas. I often visit the restaurants in the 50th and France district and am excited to see something new added. I’ve never had any issues with parking and don’t anticipate it becoming a problem in the future.
JTW
about 12 hours ago
Hello, I live blocks from the 50th and France area and am in support of this new restaurant development. We very much need new and refreshed restaurant concepts in this area. We have seen many restaurant options close and this restaurant group has a proven track record of success. More dining options in the area is also great for the retail vendors as it invites more people to shop around before or after dining.
EAJ
about 12 hours ago
I am a resident of 5000 France.Avenue South. I am in favor of this variance as the new restaurant itwill add energy and vitality to the 50th and France District. It has been great to see the success of 50th and France and our growing dining scene. We dine at these venues on a weekly basis. Many of the patrons walk from their homes in the ditrict so I don't see a concern with needing more parking. One thing I would like the Planning Commisson and City Council to consider would be to assume maintenance of the road surface and sidewalks in the alley behind the proposed restaurant. With the added restaurant development, the alley is used more heavily by delivery trucks for the restaurants. Residents of our 5000 France building exit the residence by driving over the alley to the exit. We also walk out of our back entrance and cross the alley to walk to nearby shops. Due to the extra truck traffic on the alley, our condo building has had to resurface the waterproof coating on the section of alley that goes under our building (the waterproof coating protects our parking garage below). As part of the variance, I would like the city to consider assuming control of the future maintenance of the alley coating. Thank you.
Scott Busyn
about 22 hours ago
Hi, I’m Mark Watson. I live a few blocks away from this site and think that a vibrant restaurant like this could be a much needed breath of fresh air in the area. The parking is rarely an issue on this block, epically with businesses opening and closing constantly. We need to preserve our small businesses and give them the much needed relieve.
123markwatson
1 day ago
Hi, my name is Molly Vanmetre. I live at 5000 France Avenue South, and I am calling with regard to the redevelopment of the Barrio property on France Avenue. My husband and I are all for this. This district should remain vibrant and with plenty of options for people to bring them in. We think that Edina has so much potential and it would be a delight to see something new in that property. Thank you for listening. (Voicemail received 9/8/25 at 10:08 AM. Transcribed by City Staff)
Liz Olson
2 days ago
We are 100% behind a new restaurant at 5036 France Ave S. With the imminent closing of Salut and Edina Grill, please open the doors to more restaurant projects in the 50th & France area.
PJF
6 days ago
Time of day for parking demand should be a consideration for applying the 1.0 floor area ratio standard. All restaurants in the area will be in demand at the same time. What is the current ramp usage compared to time of day? Is this addition restaurant area offset by the loss of existing restaurants? Would a new restaurant increase parking demand? It seems reasonable to allow an expansion of an existing restaurant if the overall number of restaurants is not limited. If parking becomes an issue and limits the number of diners coming to the area, the best restaurants will continue, while marginal ones would close. The variance should be allowed to improve the overall available restaurant seating and provide reason for people to come and make impulse shopping purchases in the area.
I live and work in this area and fully support this project/variance. The aesthetic and quality of a project like this will further elevate 50th and France and all businesses around it. I have never had an issue with parking and I believe Edina should support businesses seeking to revitalize and enhance the neighborhood, particularly given other restaurant closures in the area.
Hello
We are longtime Morningside residents of Edina who considers the 50th and France area to be an important part of an ideal restaurant and shopping destination. It’s very walkable for many, but more importantly, has the off street parking ramps to house those who drive in to the store and restaurant locales. It has never been my experience to find the South Public Parking Ramp completely full. Even during peak dining hours, parking in that ramp has not been an issue for us. The plans for the build out look great, Del Prado and company always brings excellent dining concepts to the restaurant scene, and off street parking is already in place. With the closure of several restaurants in the area, this looks a win for 50th and France.
We wholeheartedly support the project!
Pete & Mena Bjerke
I am an Edina resident and have developed housing in the 50th and France neighborhood - both multifamily and single family over the years. A major part of the draw of developing in this area is the idea of walk ability to a vibrant downtown, bustling with shops and restaurants. Downtown Edina has come a long way over the past few years but the recent restaurant closings have me concerned. I support this variance because it serves to enhance the neighborhood’s restaurant scene and overall appeal. Not to mention, this restaurant group is incredibly respectful and responsible and are stewards of the neighborhoods within which they operate.
I am a frequent visitor to the 50th and France area. I am fully in support of this project as I believe that this restaurant group not only raises the bar for dining in the communities it serves, but also across the metro area. This project would be a welcome addition.
Hi everyone,
I’m FT and I live in the Birchcrest neighborhood. I have lived in Edina for a total of 10 years. I want to strongly voice my support for the redevelopment of the Barrio property. This area deserves to stay vibrant and full of life, and new options will only help bring more people in. Edina has so much potential, and this project would be a huge step forward. I truly hope we get to see something new and exciting on that corner soon. It worries me that with the upcoming closing of 2 other restaurants, the area will loose its livelihood!
Hello, I live near this area and am supporting this restaurant development fully as we need to maintain the vibrancy of the community, especially with the recent and future restaurant closings in the area. Parking has never been an issue and this only helps the other businesses in the area.
Hello, I live in the 50th and France area and fully support this project. I believe it will help revitalize the neighborhood and benefit both the Edina community and surrounding areas. I often visit the restaurants in the 50th and France district and am excited to see something new added. I’ve never had any issues with parking and don’t anticipate it becoming a problem in the future.
Hello,
I live blocks from the 50th and France area and am in support of this new restaurant development. We very much need new and refreshed restaurant concepts in this area. We have seen many restaurant options close and this restaurant group has a proven track record of success. More dining options in the area is also great for the retail vendors as it invites more people to shop around before or after dining.
I am a resident of 5000 France.Avenue South. I am in favor of this variance as the new restaurant itwill add energy and vitality to the 50th and France District. It has been great to see the success of 50th and France and our growing dining scene. We dine at these venues on a weekly basis. Many of the patrons walk from their homes in the ditrict so I don't see a concern with needing more parking. One thing I would like the Planning Commisson and City Council to consider would be to assume maintenance of the road surface and sidewalks in the alley behind the proposed restaurant. With the added restaurant development, the alley is used more heavily by delivery trucks for the restaurants. Residents of our 5000 France building exit the residence by driving over the alley to the exit. We also walk out of our back entrance and cross the alley to walk to nearby shops. Due to the extra truck traffic on the alley, our condo building has had to resurface the waterproof coating on the section of alley that goes under our building (the waterproof coating protects our parking garage below). As part of the variance, I would like the city to consider assuming control of the future maintenance of the alley coating. Thank you.
Hi, I’m Mark Watson. I live a few blocks away from this site and think that a vibrant restaurant like this could be a much needed breath of fresh air in the area. The parking is rarely an issue on this block, epically with businesses opening and closing constantly. We need to preserve our small businesses and give them the much needed relieve.
Hi, my name is Molly Vanmetre. I live at 5000 France Avenue South, and I am calling with regard to the redevelopment of the Barrio property on France Avenue. My husband and I are all for this. This district should remain vibrant and with plenty of options for people to bring them in. We think that Edina has so much potential and it would be a delight to see something new in that property. Thank you for listening. (Voicemail received 9/8/25 at 10:08 AM. Transcribed by City Staff)
We are 100% behind a new restaurant at 5036 France Ave S. With the imminent closing of Salut and Edina Grill, please open the doors to more restaurant projects in the 50th & France area.
Time of day for parking demand should be a consideration for applying the 1.0 floor area ratio standard. All restaurants in the area will be in demand at the same time. What is the current ramp usage compared to time of day? Is this addition restaurant area offset by the loss of existing restaurants? Would a new restaurant increase parking demand? It seems reasonable to allow an expansion of an existing restaurant if the overall number of restaurants is not limited. If parking becomes an issue and limits the number of diners coming to the area, the best restaurants will continue, while marginal ones would close.
The variance should be allowed to improve the overall available restaurant seating and provide reason for people to come and make impulse shopping purchases in the area.