Zoning Matters in Minneapolis
Reasons for Reform: This city’s 1963 zoning ordinance was out-of-date. City officials, urban planners, and citizens agreed reform was needed.
Reform Timetable: The rewrite of the zoning code and the zoning map took three years, and was adopted on November 1, 1999.
Reform Elements:
- A pedestrian-oriented overlay district strengthens the pedestrian character of neighborhoods and promotes street life and activity.
- An industrial living overlay district encourages the rehabilitation and mixed use of vacant industrial buildings.
- Density bonuses promote mixed-use buildings with residential on upper floors, and commercial or office uses on the street level.
Reform Innovation:
New transit station areas established throughout the city within a half-mile radius of public transit stations allow for increased density and mixed uses. The designs accommodate pedestrians, bicyclists and transit riders.
Link: To review the Minneapolis Zoning Code, go to http://www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/zoning/