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Edina planning commission recommends approval of side-yard setback variance for 4630 Edgebrook Place
Summary
The Edina Planning Commission voted unanimously to recommend approval of a variance that would allow a rear addition at 4630 Edgebrook Place to sit 6.5 feet from the side property line, 1.2 inches closer than the existing nonconforming wall.
The Edina Planning Commission voted unanimously to recommend approval of a side-yard setback variance for an addition at 4630 Edgebrook Place, a two-story single-family home in the Country Club District.
Staff told the commission the house, built in 1935, sits on a nonconforming lot with an existing side-yard setback of 6.6 feet and that the proposed addition would have a 6.5-foot setback — about 1.2 inches closer to the property line than the existing wall. Planning staff said the addition continues off an existing nonconforming wall that is not parallel to the property line and that the project otherwise conforms to code requirements for the site.
"The existing nonconforming side yard setback is 6.6 feet. The proposed addition gets slightly closer to the property line and is proposed to have a setback of 6.5 feet from the side yard property line," planning staff said. Staff recommended approval after finding the request meets the standard variance findings: the proposal is in harmony with the intent of the code, is consistent with the comprehensive plan because the property will remain a single-family dwelling, and practical difficulties exist that are unique to the property and were not created by the homeowner.
The project also includes new living space in the basement where no living space currently exists and changes related to a garage addition. Planning staff noted the property is within the historic Country Club District and was built within the district's period of significance, which restricts demolition.
Angie Wingate, representing the property owner as an architect with Ray Camp Larson, said materials will largely match existing conditions on the street-facing facades. "We're showing that we're continuing the existing brick to a point ... The idea is to maintain as much brick as possible, but then finding a way to transition that to the rear," Wingate said.
Commissioner Bornstein characterized the variance as minimal and supported approval. "It's 1 inch of additional nonconformity. I'm actually amazed that someone actually figured that out instead of just thinking it was 0 inches. But for that reason, I think it's an obvious approval," Bornstein said.
The Heritage Preservation Commission reviewed a related certificate of appropriateness application the night before and approved changes associated with the garage addition and some street-facing facade work, while denying proposed changes to the front entry (removal of a fan pediment and the addition of an arched front door). Staff said those front-entry changes were not part of the variance request before the planning commission.
A motion to recommend approval of the side-yard setback variance for 4630 Edgebrook Place carried unanimously. The planning commission's recommendation was recorded as passing unanimously; the meeting did not record a roll-call vote listing each member's vote.
The commission closed the public hearing after no remote members of the public joined to testify. The recommendation will be included in the record for any subsequent city review required by ordinance and city procedures.
