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Edina planning commission approves front-yard setback variance for 5205 Minnehaha Boulevard
Summary
The Planning Commission voted to approve a variance allowing a new house to be rebuilt at the same front setback as the current home on a curved section of Minnehaha Boulevard, citing unique lot geometry and matching the existing neighborhood pattern.
The Edina Planning Commission on Wednesday approved a front-yard setback variance for 5205 Minnehaha Boulevard, allowing the owners to tear down the existing house and build a new home at a setback matching the adjacent house to the north.
Staff and the applicant told commissioners the lot is constrained by a sharp curve in Minnehaha Boulevard that pushes the required front setback far into the site, creating a practical difficulty.
Planner Carrie (staff) told the commission the front-yard setback for the lot is calculated as the average of the two adjacent homes — about 60 feet — and that, “staff is recommending approval subject to the findings and conditions that are outlined in your staff report.” She said the proposed new home would match the existing home’s setback and would not alter the “essential character of the neighborhood.”
Applicant Fazashai, who purchased the property in October 2024, described neighborhood outreach and the project design. “Our goal is to build a house that would fit the lot in the neighborhood,” he said, adding that the proposed structure would be one-and-a-half stories and remain in the same general footprint as the existing house. Fazashai said he met with nearby neighbors and shared elevations with households within 300 feet of the property.
Commissioners noted the city routinely approves similar variances on nonstandard lots when a proposed house matches the existing setback pattern and does not encroach closer to the street. After brief discussion the commission made and seconded a motion to approve the variance; a voice vote carried the motion.
The approval carries conditions listed in the staff report, including compliance with other code requirements at building permit review. Commission discussion also noted the tree preservation ordinance applies at permit stage: if trees are removed at the time of building permit the owner will need to meet the tree replacement rules or work with the city forester on mitigation or escrow options.
The applicant may proceed to building permit review subject to the conditions in the staff report and standard permit checks on tree protection, grading and other site work.
