Zoning Matters in Minneapolis

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Reasons for Reform: This city’s 1963 zoning ordinance was out-of-date.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/