A New Zoning Code That Implements Minneapolis 2040

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Course Details

Minneapolis 2040, the City's comprehensive plan, was built around equity, access to housing options throughout the city, access to employment/goods/services, and reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. Attendees will learn how this was translated into a new zoning code.

Through new regulations that emphasize built form more than the regulation of land uses, the final product is resulting in greater predictability for all stakeholders, development of housing types that had not previously been legal or feasible, greater access to employment and commercial services, and environmental justice.

Another feature: far fewer zoning variances! Communication tools were also developed to make the ordinance accessible to more people who are not familiar with zoning lingo or navigating a zoning code.

Learning Outcomes

  • Understand the comprehensive redrafting of a major city's zoning code (completed entirely by City staff) following the adoption of a groundbreaking comprehensive plan.
  • Utilize communication tools during code adoption and to help the public navigate a new zoning code.
  • See early, on-the-ground outcomes of innovative new regulatory approaches, including development types that would not have been possible previously.
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