Every ten years, the City of Minneapolis must create a long-range plan that lays the groundwork for development for the next 20 years. The zoning code, the development code, transportation infrastructure – all the things that shape how the City will develop - are based on this plan.

Now maybe this is the first time you are hearing about this. This is true for most residents. The City has actively tried to hide the fact that the Zoning Code is being changed. It hasn’t even provided rudimentary information about what the old code says and what changes are being made. Now the City is required by law to allow citizens to comment on this sweeping rewrite of the Zoning Code. The comment period started January 12^th and is open until March 26th. But this isn’t enough time for citizens to really understand what the City is proposing, much less give thoughtful comments.

While the city has stated lofty goals for the 2040 implementation, we believe most residences are not being given a true view on how those goals will be achieved and how the public will be affected by the wholesale changes. Many changes will have negative consequences on the health and wellbeing of so many communities across the city.

We Are Asking That You Amplify your Voice in This Important Matter by:

1.   Send a letter to all relevant stakeholders and demand that this land use zoning study pause, and the city listens and considers the needs of ALL communities

2.   Visit this website for more details including guidance on how to fill out the Zoning Code City survey. Yep, we are still encouraging you to fill out the survey because filling out the survey is another way of getting your voice heard and counted.

Why does it matter?

Maybe you have noticed the multiple six story cookie cutter buildings being built across the city. That is the 2040 plan in preemptive action. The zoning study now collecting public input, will set the types of uses (“land use”) allowed in those cookie cutter buildings, smaller scaled residential areas and industrial/production land (land that many artists, independent businesses, and start ups work out of). Many supporters want more uses in more places but the City is not explaining how that will work and what evidence they have to show it does work. Removing single-family exclusionary zoning was supposed to boost the housing supply for families, eliminate racial disparities, and increase access to jobs and housing. What we have observed is continuing patterns of segregating our city by income and class.  For now, we are not convinced that the 2040 Comprehensive Plan is living up to its stated goals.