The vision set forth in one of the most ambitious and groundbreaking comprehensive plans in recent memory has yet to align with the practical realities of zoning in Minneapolis.
The implementation of the Minneapolis 2040 Comprehensive Plan—the first plan to eliminate single-family zoning citywide in a large U.S. city—is proving more difficult than anticipated due to challenges aligning the city’s zoning code with the vision set forth in the comprehensive plan.
“Despite the 2040 Comprehensive Plan's elimination of single-family zoning four years ago, zoning codes have not yet been updated to align with the plan, making it hard to redevelop lots into multifamily housing,” according to an article by Susan Du for the Star Tribune.
Case in point: a triplex development proposed for vacant properties in North Minneapolis.
“Lena Gardner's vision for a slate of vacant properties in north Minneapolis was exactly what city leaders said they want: denser, more affordable housing on former single-family lots,” according to the article. “The neighborhood supported it. The city offered her nonprofit, Black Lives of Unitarian Universalism (BLUU), assistance to fund it.”
Still, planning staff and a City Council rejected the project, compelling Lena Gardner to scale it back.
More details on how a project with full support from the neighborhood and a development plan fully supported by the city’s comprehensive plan ran afoul of the city’s zoning code can be found in the source article below.
More from Planetizen: “Minneapolis 2040 Implementation Allowed to Proceed … For Now” (July 28, 2022)
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