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Council approves daycare at 4201 W. 50th with parking, traffic conditions after neighbor concerns
Summary
The Edina City Council approved a conditional‑use permit and a parking variance to allow Mis Amigos Spanish‑immersion preschool to operate in the former church at 4201 W. 50th St., adding conditions to eliminate two reserved stalls that block garages and to relocate handicap parking closer to the building; council required traffic-safety review and signage to reduce impact on narrow J Place.
Edina — The City Council voted Feb. 4 to permit a daycare and maintain occasional church use at 4201 West 50th Street, approving the conditional‑use permit and a parking‑stall variance while imposing conditions aimed at neighbor concerns about driveway access and traffic flow.
Don Reby, owner and CEO of Mis Amigos Spanish Immersion Preschool, told the council his organization would adapt the existing 1955 church building to serve children from birth through age 5, estimating roughly 8–10 classrooms and capacity to serve about 150 children. "This project adds value to Edina by supporting families," Reby said, stressing a commitment to be "a good neighbor and a positive presence in the community." (Don Reby)
Neighbors at the hearing urged caution. Andrew Johnson, whose driveway connects directly to J Place, said weekday drop‑off and pick‑up during rush hour would cause queuing in the narrow alley and could block resident access. "It's not sustainable traffic flow in and out of that parking lot," Johnson said, describing existing backups and a one‑car‑length distance from his garage to the 50th Street stop sign. (Andrew Johnson)
Traffic consultant Ed Terar of Stantec told the council the study forecast about 60 inbound trips in the AM peak and 54 outbound trips in the PM peak, with trips spread over an hour. Terar said the analysis assumed roughly half the traffic would use J Place and half would use Indianola, and concluded overall intersection service levels remained "acceptable," though some specific movements (for example, exiting from J Place) could see heavier delays. (Ed Terar)
Council members focused on two neighbor complaints: queued cars blocking private garage access and safety on J Place. The council added three conditions before approval: have the city's Traffic Safety Committee study a potential crosswalk across 50th Street at Ardan Avenue, eliminate two marked "reserved" stalls that can obstruct access to adjacent private garages, and relocate required handicap stalls to be closer to the building entrance to ensure compliance with accessibility rules. The motion passed on a voice vote with one recorded opposition.
Council members and the applicant also agreed on operational measures to limit neighborhood disruption, including signage asking parents to enter from Indianola (rather than 50th) and one‑way in/out traffic control during peak drop‑off and pickup, and a commitment from the applicant to work with neighbors on ongoing adjustments.
What happens next: The resolution that approves the conditional use and variances includes the traffic‑committee review and the parking changes as conditions. City staff said the applicant will implement the required changes before operating the daycare and the city will monitor complaints and traffic impacts once the school opens.
