Edina council continues debate over Vernon Avenue 'Station Pizza' rezoning after hours of testimony

A public hearing on Dec. 3 drew dozens of residents and more than two hours of council questioning over a proposed small pizza restaurant at 6016 Vernon Avenue, prompting the Edina City Council to close oral testimony and leave the written record open through noon on Dec. 8 before taking up final action Dec. 17.

Community development director Kerry Teague told the council staff and the planning commission recommend approval of a comprehensive-plan amendment to re‑guide the site to “neighborhood commercial,” a rezoning from PCD 4 to PCD 1, and multiple variances to allow a roughly 1,600‑square‑foot Station Pizza with 20 indoor seats and takeout/delivery. Teague said the site has been commercial for more than 50 years and staff views the reuse and added landscaping as an improvement over current conditions.

The applicant’s architect and owner described the scaled‑down proposal as responsive to prior feedback. Jesse Hamer, the architect, said the changes were prompted by requests from planning commissioners and some council members; owner Jake Shaffer said, “20 seats is not a large restaurant. It gives you a place to meet,” adding the design includes bike parking, landscaping and three overflow tandem spaces behind employee stalls that would not be counted in the formal parking total.

Traffic consultant Ed Terhaar of Stantec said the firm collected new turn‑movement data and applied restaurant trip‑generation rates to peak-hour traffic on Vernon; he reported the study found neither the two access points nor left turns would operate below acceptable levels. “I don’t see an issue with those left turns,” he told the council.

Neighbors who live closest to the site gave contrasting testimony. Samuel Reed, who lives a short distance from the property, told the council rezoning to commercial worries him: “It could become anything — the next step is a liquor license and then it’s open late at night. There’s cars, doors slamming, carousing. We’d much prefer residential as intended by the comprehensive plan.” Several other residents cited narrow on‑site parking, the absence of a turn lane on Vernon and the potential for late‑night deliveries or overflow parking on Eden Prairie Road.

Proponents said the long‑vacant, blighted building needs reactivation. Tony Camp, who said he can see the site from his home, called the proposal “just the right fit for the right neighborhood” and said a small gathering spot would benefit local families.

Council members probed the applicant and staff about code compliance, the legal effect of variances, future uses allowed under PCD 1, and whether rooftop dining or a future change of use could increase intensity. Teague and the city attorney explained variances apply to physical characteristics of the parcel and that any new use would require its own approvals; Teague noted the planning commission recommended approval on an 8–0 vote.

After extensive questioning and public testimony, the council voted to close oral testimony for the item, keep the public hearing record open for written submissions until noon on Sunday, Dec. 8, and continue final council action to the Dec. 17 meeting.

The council did not take a final vote on the amendments, rezoning or variances on Dec. 3; action is scheduled for Dec. 17 when council members said they will revisit traffic, parking and potential mitigations recommended by staff and public safety.