Planning Commission approves 34‑unit, four‑story development at 734 and 800 Tyler St. NE with transformer setback variance

The Minneapolis Planning Commission on Aug. 4 approved a proposal to demolish an existing house and build a four‑story residential building with 34 dwelling units at 734 and 800 Tyler Street NE, and granted a variance allowing an electrical transformer to sit within the minimum front yard setback.

The project — presented to the commission by CPED planner Lindsay Silas — would replace a single‑family home and detached garage on the 734 parcel and develop the adjacent vacant 800 parcel. The applicant, Footprint Development, said the building is proposed to be Passive House certified, all‑electric, include rooftop solar accounting for about 40% of the building’s energy consumption, and provide a mix of studio, one‑ and two‑bedroom units with more than the required long‑term bicycle parking.

CPED’s recommendation and why it mattered

Silas said staff recommended approval of the site plan review and a variance for the transformer because the site lacks a public alley and is constrained by a rear rail spur and other access limitations. “There’s no vehicular access to the site, so there’s no other way for trucks to get into the site to service the transformer,” Silas said, and staff concluded the variance findings were met given both site constraints and Excel Energy’s servicing requirements. Staff also recommended alternative compliance on several ground‑floor standards because of the…