HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution No. 2019-49 Site Plan with Variances 6950 FranceRESOLUTION NO. 2019-49
APPROVING A SITE PLAN WITH VARIANCES
AT 6950 FRANCE AVENUE
BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Edina, Minnesota, as follows:
Section I. BACKGROUND.
1.01 The applicant, Luigi Bernardi, is proposing to tear down the existing 28,000 square foot office
building at 6950 France Avenue, and build a new 10,000 square-foot retail building with
surface parking in the rear. The request requires a Site Plan Review with a side street setback
Variance from 35 feet to 16 feet from an unimproved right-of-way.
1.02 The proposed building would have three entrances to the retail space that face both France
Avenue and the parking lot to the west. The building would be set 50 feet back from the
paved portion of France Avenue per the Southdale District Experience Guidelines.
Landscaping, stormwater features, pedestrian plaza zones with bench seating, decorative
lighting and plantings are planned within the 50 foot area.
1.03 The site is currently zoned PCD-3, Planned Commercial District; retail use is permitted.
1.04 The site is relatively small at I acre. The site plan demonstrates 62 parking stalls, 11 of which
would be proof-of-parking. The future west promenade (suggested in the Southdale District
Plan) could be provided for in the future along the west lot line.
1.05 The property is legally described as follows:
Lot 2, Block I Re-plat of Southdale Office Park I st Addition, Hennepin County, Minnesota.
1.06 On July 10, 2019, the Planning Commission recommended approval of the request, and added
a condition that the existing sidewalk remains on the site. Vote: 5 Ayes and I Nay.
1.07 On July 16, 2019, the City Council held a public hearing on the proposed site plan and
variance.
Section 2. FINDINGS
2.01 Approval is based on the following findings:
I. The proposal would meet the required standards and ordinances for a Site Plan with the
exception of the setback variance.
2. The findings for a variance are met.
CITY OF EDINA
4801 West 50th Street • Edina, Minnesota 55424
www.EdinaMN.gov • 952-927-8861 • Fax 952-826-0390
RESOLUTION NO. 2019-49
Page 2
3. Practical difficulties include the small size of the site and a right-of-way that dead ends 2/3 of
through the subject property. If the City were to vacate this right-of-way, half of the
property would be dedicated to the subject property, and the required setback would be
met.
4. The City does not have plans to improve this right-of-way at this time; however, in the
future it could be used as a pedestrian/vehicle (woonerf) to provide an east-west
connection through this block per the Greater Southdale District Plan.
5. The existing structure on the site is nonconforming with side yard setbacks of 14 feet to the
south lot line and 24 feet to the north; therefore the existing building is nonconforming.
The cumulative side yard setbacks of the existing building are 38 feet. The cumulative
setbacks for the proposed building would be 51 feet. The result would be greater separation
and green space between buildings than exists today. (See attached existing and proposed
building graphic.)
6. There would no impact to the property to the north, as the separation between the two
buildings would be over 100 feet.
Section 3. APPROVAL
NOW THEREFORE, it is hereby resolved by the City Council of the City of Edina, approves
the Site Plan and side street setback Variance from 35 feet to 16 feet from the unimproved right-of-
way at 6950 France Avenue.
Approval is subject to the following conditions:
I. Subject to staff approval, the site must be developed and maintained in substantial
conformance with the following plans, unless modified by the conditions below:
• Site plan date stamped May 31, 2018.
• Grading plan date stamped May 31, 20187.
• Landscaping plan date stamped May 31, 2018.
• Building elevations date stamped May 31, 2018.
2. Prior the issuance of a building permit, a final landscape plan must be submitted, subject to
staff approval. Landscape plan must meet all minimum Zoning Ordinance requirements. The
trees on the east side of the site shall be preserved if possible during construction.
3. The property owner is responsible for replacing any required landscaping that dies.
4. Submit a copy of the Nine Mile Creek Watershed District permit. The City may require
revisions to the approved plans to meet the district's requirements.
5. Compliance with the conditions required by the city engineer in his memo dated July 3,
2019.
ATTEST:
aron Allison, City Clerk James B. Hovland, Mayor
STATE OF MINNESOTA
COUNTY OF HENNEPIN
)SS
CITY OF EDINA
RESOLUTION NO. 2019-49
Page 3
6. Building plans are subject to review and approval of the fire marshal at the time of building
permit.
7. The existing sidewalk shall remain on the site.
Adopted by the City Council of the City of Edina, Minnesota, 16, 2019.
CERTIFICATE OF CITY CLERK
I, the undersigned duly appointed and acting City Clerk for the City of Edina do hereby certify that
the attached and foregoing Resolution was duly adopted by the Edina City Council at its Regular
Meeting of July 16, 2019, and as recorded in the Minutes of said Regular Meeting.
WITNESS my hand and seal of said City this day of , 2019.
City Clerk