Residential Variances

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Consultation has concluded

This page is intended to collect public input on Residential Variances that are to be heard by the Planning Commission. Comments submitted will provide feedback to the Planning Commission to be considered. Each page includes the information that was submitted by the applicant. The feedback provided for each project will be given to the Planning Commission for their consideration.

The page is open for feedback up until the noon on the Tuesday prior to the Planning Commission public hearing.


This page is intended to collect public input on Residential Variances that are to be heard by the Planning Commission. Comments submitted will provide feedback to the Planning Commission to be considered. Each page includes the information that was submitted by the applicant. The feedback provided for each project will be given to the Planning Commission for their consideration.

The page is open for feedback up until the noon on the Tuesday prior to the Planning Commission public hearing.


Discussions: All (14) Open (0)
  • B-21-01, 5844 Fairfax Avenue, Side Yard and Side Street Setback Variance

    about 3 years ago
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    CLOSED: This variance was approved by the Planning Commission on January 27, 2021.

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    The subject property is in the north west corner of West 58th Street and Fairfax Ave. consisting of a one-story rambler with a detached two car garage. The homeowners are requesting a .37-foot side yard and a 9.85-foot side street setback variance for a second story addition to an existing nonconforming house. The existing home is nonconforming from the north interior side yard and south side street setbacks. The second-floor addition will be directly above the first floor and will continue to provide the current setbacks as the first floor. The proposed addition will not reduce the existing setbacks. The proposed addition will conform to all other aspects of the zoning ordinance with the exception of maintaining existing nonconforming setbacks of the original home.

    Applicant Submittal


    This variance request is on the January 27, 2021 Planning Commission agenda. 

    If you have questions on this project, please contact Assistant City Planner, Kris Aaker. 

    All comments are reviewed by the governing body to gain insight into community perspective and values. This information in addition to other factors like legal requirements, infrastructure needs, long-term strategy, cost, etc help inform the decision. The feedback collected is not considered a "vote". 

    Everyone has the right to share their opinions and comments on the related project. While individuals may have varying opinions, respect each person's experience and insight.

    Comments are considered part of the public record. When making a comment:

    1. provide your full name
    2. let us know your relation to the project (i.e. physical address, neighborhood, visit the area often, etc)
    3. respect the views of other participants even if they don't agree with you

    If you have questions, please use our Q&A tool



  • B-21-2, 5716 Wooddale Avenue Side Yard Setback Variance

    about 3 years ago
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    CLOSED: This variance was approved by the Planning Commission on January 13, 2021.

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    The subject property is located on the west side of Wooddale Ave. consisting of a one-story rambler with an attached two car garage. The homeowners are requesting a 5.3-foot south side yard setback variance to extend an existing nonconforming porch an additional 13 feet 7 ½ inches into the rear yard. The existing porch on posts is a small uninsulated space that is currently within the required minimum 10-foot side yard setback.  The owner’s intent is to extend the porch into the rear yard to provide a more usable space and to condition it for cold weather.

    Applicant Submittal

    Please contact Assistant City Planner, Kris Aaker with questions regarding this project. 

    All comments are reviewed by the governing body to gain insight into community perspective and values. This information in addition to other factors like legal requirements, infrastructure needs, long-term strategy, cost, etc help inform the decision. The feedback collected is not considered a "vote". 

    Everyone has the right to share their opinions and comments on the related project. While individuals may have varying opinions, respect each person's experience and insight.

    Comments are considered part of the public record. When making a comment:

    1. provide your full name
    2. let us know your relation to the project (i.e. physical address, neighborhood, visit the area often, etc)
    3. respect the views of other participants even if they don't agree with you

    If you have questions, please use our Q&A tool

  • B-19-9: 4604 Browndale Avenue Variance

    about 3 years ago
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    CLOSED: This discussion has concluded.

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    The property, 4604 Browndale Avenue, is located on the west side of Browndale Avenue, south of Bridge Street, north of Edgebrook Place and east of Minnehaha Creek consisting of a two story home with an attached front loading garage. The home is located within the Country Club overlay zoning district requiring a Certificate of Appropriateness through the Heritage Preservation Commission for modifications to the front façade. The home was built in 1925 and is listed as a “Pivotal” design within Country Club District.

    The applicant, Jean Rehkamp Larson on behalf of the property owner Diane Mulligan, received a variance allowing the back wall of an addition to 4604 Browndale Avenue to be built within the required setback of Minnehaha Creek and with an alternate setback standard that exceeds the allowable 200 square feet of encroachment in 2018. The applicant has made a few changes to the project that requires an updated variance application. Generally, the project is similar to what was approved in 2018 with the exception of an additional 17 square feet of additional encroachment within the 50 foot ordinary high water mark and a porch that exceeds 80 square feet and is located within the required front yard setback.

    The applicant was also required to receive an updated Certificate of Appropriateness from the Heritage Preservation Commission for changes made to the front façade. The HPC reviewed the updated COA application on Tuesday, May 14th and approved a COA for changes made to the southeast corner of the house and front elevation.

    Staff Report



  • B-21-3, 5117 Richmond Drive Front Yard Setback Variance

    about 3 years ago
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    CLOSED: This variance was approved by the Planning Commission on January 13, 2021.

    You need to be signed in to add your comment.

    The subject property is located on the south side of Richmond Drive consisting of a one-story rambler with an attached two car garage. The homeowners are requesting an 8.35-foot front yard yard setback variance to extend an existing nonconforming garage an additional 2 feet into the front yard. The existing garage is under sized and is currently within the required minimum front yard setback.  The owner’s intent is to extend the garage into the front yard to provide a more usable garage space.

    Applicant Submittal

    Please contact Assistant City Planner, Kris Aaker with questions regarding this project. 

    All comments are reviewed by the governing body to gain insight into community perspective and values. This information in addition to other factors like legal requirements, infrastructure needs, long-term strategy, cost, etc help inform the decision. The feedback collected is not considered a "vote". 

    Everyone has the right to share their opinions and comments on the related project. While individuals may have varying opinions, respect each person's experience and insight.

    Comments are considered part of the public record. When making a comment:

    1. provide your full name
    2. let us know your relation to the project (i.e. physical address, neighborhood, visit the area often, etc)
    3. respect the views of other participants even if they don't agree with you

    If you have questions, please use our Q&A tool


  • B-20-17, 4904 Bywood West Variance

    over 3 years ago
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    CLOSED: This item is on the October 28th Planning Commission agenda.

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    October 16, 2020 Update: 

    The subject property is located at 4904 Bywood West, consisting of two lots, one fronting Bywood, (Lot 2), with the existing home and a vacant lot, (Lot 5), that abuts to the rear of their current Bywood property accessing from Interlachen. The proposal is to tear down/rebuild on the property for a new home without at least a 50 percent basement, an attached garage and in-ground swimming pool and sport court fronting Bywood West and a detached garage proposed for the vacant Lot 5, fronting Interlachen. The applicant would like to combine the properties into one parcel. There are 2 variance requests and one request to consolidate the two separate lots. 

    Variance 1- Relief from requirement for all single dwelling unit buildings to be constructed with a basement having a gross floor area equal to at least 50 percent of the gross floor area of the story next above. 

    Variance 2- To increase the first floor of the new home 2.3’ above the elevation of existing home  requiring a 1.3 foot first floor height variance.   

     Acceptance of proposed merging the two lots.   

    Applicant Submittal

    October 6, 2020 Update: The applicant has submitted revised plans. The variance requests have changed based on those revised plans. Due to the variance requests changing, new public hearing notices will be sent out for a future Planning Commission meeting.

    Updated request information and plans are forthcoming and will be posted prior to the Planning Commission public hearing.  

    This item is continued to the October 14th Planning Commission agenda to continue internal review given identified challenges and opportunities in the zoning and engineering code for the property. 

    The subject property is located at 4904 Bywood West, consisting of two lots, one fronting Bywood, (Lot 2), with the existing home and a vacant lot, (Lot 5), that abuts to the rear of their current Bywood property accessing from Interlachen. The proposal is to tear down/rebuild on the property for a new home without a basement, an attached garage and in-ground swimming pool and sport court fronting Bywood West and a detached garage proposed for the vacant Lot 5, fronting Interlachen. The applicant would like to combine the properties into one parcel. There are 2 variance requests and one request to consolidate the two separate lots. 

    Variance 1- Relief from requirement to have full depth basement under main floor of new home.

    Variance 2- To allow building a basement for health and safety where the floor elevation extends below the flood elevation.  

     Acceptance of proposed merging the two lots.   

    Applicant Submittal

    Please contact Assistant City Planner, Kris Aaker with questions regarding this project. 


    All comments are reviewed by the governing body to gain insight into community perspective and values. This information in addition to other factors like legal requirements, infrastructure needs, long-term strategy, cost, etc help inform the decision. The feedback collected is not considered a "vote". 

    Everyone has the right to share their opinions and comments on the related project. While individuals may have varying opinions, respect each person's experience and insight.

    Comments are considered part of the public record. When making a comment:

    1. provide your full name
    2. let us know your relation to the project (i.e. physical address, neighborhood, visit the area often, etc)
    3. respect the views of other participants even if they don't agree with you

    If you have questions, please use our Q&A tool

  • B-20-20, 309 Dearborn Court Variance

    over 3 years ago
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    CLOSED: This item is on the October 28th Planning Commission agenda.

    You need to be signed in to add your comment.


    A variance is requested from the zoning ordinance basement requirement for a new home to be rebuilt at 309 Dearborn Court. A variance is requested from the following ordinance requirement:

    Basements. All single dwelling unit buildings shall be constructed with a basement having a gross floor area equal to at least 50 percent of the gross floor area of the story next above. 

    The property is over 14,000 square feet in area and is located at the end of Dearborn cul-de-sac. The property currently a vacant lot. There has never been a home on the lot. The applicant is requesting a variance from the minimum basement requirements in order to construct a new one -story home at 309 Dearborn Court. The goal is to have one level living. The proposed home will conform to all of the zoning ordinance requirements with the exception that it will not have a basement. The City of Edina’s zoning ordinance requires that all new homes have a basement. 

    Applicant Submittal

    Please contact Assistant City Planner, Kris Aaker, with questions on this project. 

    All comments are reviewed by the governing body to gain insight into community perspective and values. This information in addition to other factors like legal requirements, infrastructure needs, long-term strategy, cost, etc help inform the decision. The feedback collected is not considered a "vote". 

    Everyone has the right to share their opinions and comments on the related project. While individuals may have varying opinions, respect each person's experience and insight.

    Comments are considered part of the public record. When making a comment:

    1. provide your full name
    2. let us know your relation to the project (i.e. physical address, neighborhood, visit the area often, etc)
    3. respect the views of other participants even if they don't agree with you

    If you have questions, please use our Q&A tool




  • B-20-16 6720 Samuel Road, Front Yard Setback Variance

    over 3 years ago
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    CLOSED: This item is on the September 9 Planning Commission agenda.

    You need to be signed in to add your comment.

    The subject property is located at 6720 Samuel Road. The applicant is proposing an entryway addition on the front of the existing home. The proposed entryway addition requires a 4.9-foot front yard setback variance. 

    The applicant has indicated that the current small entry landing has only 3 inches of clearance between the open door and the first step of the stairway which makes it difficult for guest with limited accessibility. They have indicated that the proposed new entry improves accessibility and curb appeal. 

    Applicant Submittal

    Final action on this project is taken by the Planning Commission.

    Please contact Assistant City Planner, Emily Bodeker with questions regarding this project. 


    All comments are reviewed by the governing body to gain insight into community perspective and values. This information in addition to other factors like legal requirements, infrastructure needs, long-term strategy, cost, etc help inform the decision. The feedback collected is not considered a "vote". 

    Everyone has the right to share their opinions and comments on the related project. While individuals may have varying opinions, respect each person's experience and insight.

    Comments are considered part of the public record. When making a comment:

    1. provide your full name
    2. let us know your relation to the project (i.e. physical address, neighborhood, visit the area often, etc)
    3. respect the views of other participants even if they don't agree with you

    If you have questions, please use our Q&A tool

  • B-20-19 4630 Drexel Avenue, Rear Yard Setback Variance

    over 3 years ago
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    CLOSED: This item is on the September 23 Planning Commission agenda.

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    4630 Drexel Avenue is located on the north west corner of Drexel Avenue and Country Club Road. The Mediterranean style home was built in 1924. The applicant is proposing an addition off of the west side of the existing home. The proposed addition is setback 10 feet from the west property line requiring a 15-foot rear yard setback variance. 

    This project also required a Certificate of Appropriateness through the Heritage Preservation Commission. The HPC approved the COA request subject to the plans presented at the September 8th HPC meeting with the condition that asphalt shingles are not an allowable roofing material. 

    Applicant Submittal 

    Please contact Assistant City Planner, Emily Bodeker with questions regarding this project. 

  • B-20-5 4209 Crocker Avenue

    over 3 years ago
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    CLOSED: This item was reviewed at the October 20th City Council agenda. The City Council denied the appeal and upheld the Planning Commission's approval of both variance requests.

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    The decision made by the Planning Commission on August 26th was appealed to the City Council. The public hearing at City Council will take place on October 7th and action will be taken at the October 20th City Council meeting.

     Appeal Letter

    Applicant Submittal

    The variance request is for a new home at 4209 Crocker and is a return item for Planning Commission review. The applicant is requesting identical front yard and 1st floor height variances as approved by the Commission in March 2020. All plans for the project are the same with the exception of the stormwater management plan. The applicant has revised the approved stormwater plan so is returning for Planning Commission review.

    The proposed project is a teardown-rebuild at 4209 Crocker Ave. consisting of a two story home with an attached three car garage. The variance request is for a 2.6 foot first floor height variance from the allowable 1 foot increase and a 16.2 foot front yard setback variance. 

    The property is within a flood risk area with the rear yard of the site landlocked for the 10% annual chance event. The basement will be elevated to 871.58’ from 870.4’ to comply with the minimum required low floor elevation. The required lowest floor elevation is 871.58’ (10% annual chance event elevation of 869.58’ + 2’).  The existing basement is a walk-out with the new basement proposed to be a “look-out” and partially below grade. The lot is under a flood risk, so code requires the lowest entry elevation of the rear portion of the structure to be no lower than 873’. The owners are not planning to elevate the basement to achieve/continue a walk-out.

    The height difference from existing to proposed first floor elevation will be 3.6 feet with a variance request of 2.6 feet. The required lowest entry elevation for the front portion of the structure is 877.20’ (1% annual chance event elevation of 875.20’ + 2’). The garage elevation will be at 877.2’ with a new first floor height of 881.27’. 

    The over-all building height will be 32.6 feet as measured from existing grade along the new front building wall and in compliance with the maximum allowable height of 36.25 feet. The proposed front yard setback will match the existing front yard setback of the current home. The new home is proposed to provide the same front yard setback as the original home on site and since torn down, which keeps the home closer to the front and continuing to maintain stormwater storage in the back yard as proposed by the previously approved stormwater management plan as part of the original March 2020, variance request.


    March 2020 Applicant Submittal

    March 2020 Better Together page


    Final action on this project is taken by the Planning Commission.

    Please contact Assistant City Planner, Kris Aaker with questions regarding this project. 


    All comments are reviewed by the governing body to gain insight into community perspective and values. This information in addition to other factors like legal requirements, infrastructure needs, long-term strategy, cost, etc help inform the decision. The feedback collected is not considered a "vote". 

    Everyone has the right to share their opinions and comments on the related project. While individuals may have varying opinions, respect each person's experience and insight.

    Comments are considered part of the public record. When making a comment:

    1. provide your full name
    2. let us know your relation to the project (i.e. physical address, neighborhood, visit the area often, etc)
    3. respect the views of other participants even if they don't agree with you

    If you have questions, please use our Q&A tool

  • B-20-18 5313 60th St W, First Floor Elevation Variance

    over 3 years ago
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    CLOSED: This item is on the September 9 Planning Commission agenda.

    You need to be signed in to add your comment.

    The subject property is located at 5316 West 60th St. and is planned for a tear-down re-build with the existing house to be replaced with a two-story home with an attached three car garage. The new home will conform to all of the ordinance requirements with the exception of the new first floor height.

    The applicant is applying for a variance to the rule that only allows the proposed elevation of the first floor of a new house to be no greater than 1' above the existing floor elevation. The existing first floor elevation is 909.53'. The plans indicate the first floor to be at 912.2' which is 2.67' above the existing but is within 1.5" of both neighboring homes (912.15' and 912.32'). The applicant has stated the 2.67' higher in first floor elevation is 1.67' more than allowed but the existing house is positioned unusually low relative to the adjacent homes. The applicant has indicated the project won't be able to meet the standard required grading of 6" of fall in the first 10' from the home and 2% grade from there to the curb without the benefit of a variance.

    Applicant Submittal

    Final action on this project is taken by the Planning Commission.

    Please contact Assistant City Planner, Kris Aaker with questions regarding this project. 


    All comments are reviewed by the governing body to gain insight into community perspective and values. This information in addition to other factors like legal requirements, infrastructure needs, long-term strategy, cost, etc help inform the decision. The feedback collected is not considered a "vote". 

    Everyone has the right to share their opinions and comments on the related project. While individuals may have varying opinions, respect each person's experience and insight.

    Comments are considered part of the public record. When making a comment:

    1. provide your full name
    2. let us know your relation to the project (i.e. physical address, neighborhood, visit the area often, etc)
    3. respect the views of other participants even if they don't agree with you

    If you have questions, please use our Q&A tool