All:
There are some big changes in the works on zoning and related
regulations in Minneapolis . But, the changes may be below everyone's
radar. In view of that, scrutiny and discussion by list members may be
help everyone.
It seems to be pretty complex stuff, which is part of the problem.
It starts with "The Minneapolis Plan" that was adopted a few years back
after major public input. But these changes aren't getting the same
major public input. The "TMP" is the city's master planning document.
>From it flows zoning and other regulations of activity in the city. The
documents are long and reading them to find out what is happening is
difficult since there are separate "new" and "old" documents. So you
can't read them with strike and underline to see what the changes are.
There are other documents too, including the text of amendments to TMP
and ordinances and a staff report. But, somehow, everything together
doesn't seem to add up to 100% as far as knowing what is going on is
concerned.
Whatever it is, it's got something to do with changes to "plan that
support strategies increasing the supply of affordable housing in the
City, as well as the amount of housing in general." However, the
changes in "TMP" and zoning seem to affect all residential property in
the whole city. At least on the face of the documents, it isn't evident
how the changes are supposed to achieve the goals. If nothing else,
through the "Law of Unintended Consequences" they may wind up
counter-productive.
Here is where to start:
http://www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/citywork/planning/housing/current-activity.html
The whole thing is going to come up at a special meeting of the
Planning Commission next Monday (10/21/2002) at 4:30 PM, in the Council
Chamber at City Hall. (Currently, it's last on their agenda.) From
there, it's on to the Planning and Zoning Committee and then the full
City Council.
In any case, it wouldn't hurt for "city-citizen policy wonks" to
look at it all, make up their own minds, and do whatever they think
best.
Steve Cross
Prospect Park
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