Minneapolis Draft Comprehensive Plan Revealed

The city of Minneapolis is deploying many of the most contemporary planning tools as it works toward approval of the Minneapolis 2040 plan.

2 minute read

March 26, 2018, 11:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Minneapolis

gmstockstudio / Shutterstock

The city of Minneapolis is updating its comprehensive plan—Planetizen readers will recall that the plan already made news for proposing zoning to allow "fourplexes" in single-family neighborhoods around the city.

The city hadn't even rolled out the initial draft of the comprehensive plan update yet, but the news about the fourplexes amounted to an "unscripted, hair-on-fire introduction to the public," according to Peter Callaghan.

Late last week city staff actually did introduce the draft comprehensive plan to the city's Planning Commission, and as reported by Callaghan, there is a lot more detail to attend to other than the headlining news about fourplexes.

The ten-year update of the plan will guide development in the city through 2040, "[reflecting] directions by the council for the city to absorb a growing population as well as build denser neighborhoods with better access to transit, employment and services."  The plan is available for review on an interactive website.

As for the nitty-gritty of the new plan, especially all nitty-gritty not called fourplexes, Callaghan takes a dive into the draft plan, introducing new terminology, the plan's approach to affordable housing (the plan does not propose inclusionary zoning, although the idea has been bandied about in Minneapolis in recent months), changes to parking requirements, and the possibility of more development intensity in parts of the city already attracting development investment. Callaghan list a lot more of the details included in the plan.

Callaghan also addresses the fallout from the "fourplex fracas," which "put the city on the defensive." Some opponents have taken to calling the idea "freyplexes," named after Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey.

Friday, March 23, 2018 in MinnPost

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Red 1972 Ford Pinto with black racing stripes on display with man sitting in driver's seat.

Analysis: Cybertruck Fatality Rate Far Exceeds That of Ford Pinto

The Tesla Cybertruck was recalled seven times last year.

July 2, 2025 - Mother Jones

Close-up of park ranger in green jacket and khaki hat looking out at Bryce Canyon National Park red rock formations.

National Parks Layoffs Will Cause Communities to Lose Billions

Thousands of essential park workers were laid off this week, just before the busy spring break season.

February 18, 2025 - National Parks Traveler

Paved walking path next to canal in The Woodlands, Texas with office buildings in background.

Retro-silient?: America’s First “Eco-burb,” The Woodlands Turns 50

A master-planned community north of Houston offers lessons on green infrastructure and resilient design, but falls short of its founder’s lofty affordability and walkability goals.

February 19, 2025 - Greg Flisram

Screenshot of shade map of Buffalo, New York with legend.

Test News Post 1

This is a summary

0 seconds ago - 2TheAdvocate.com

Red 1972 Ford Pinto with black racing stripes on display with man sitting in driver's seat.

Analysis: Cybertruck Fatality Rate Far Exceeds That of Ford Pinto

The Tesla Cybertruck was recalled seven times last year.

18 minutes ago - Mother Jones

test alt text

Test News Headline 46

Test for the image on the front page.

March 5 - Cleantech blog