Parking Reform Moving Forward in Minneapolis

The vision proposed by the groundbreaking Minneapolis 2040 Comprehensive Plan is taking shape as zoning amendments move toward adoption.

1 minute read

April 25, 2021, 5:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Parking Requirements

Jon T. Powers / Shutterstock

"The Minneapolis Planning Commission approved an ordinance last week that would get rid of parking minimums for new developments beginning in late May as an attempt to make the city less car-dependent," reports Emalyn Mazzy.

The zoning text amendment approved by the Minneapolis Planning Commission on April 12, 2021 will implement policies recommended the Minneapolis 2040 Comprehensive Plan and the Minneapolis Transportation Action Plan.

"The ordinance would also reduce the maximum number of parking spaces and adds bedroom limits," according to Mazzy. Minneapolis currently requires one parking space for every two bedrooms. The new bedroom limit would restrict "single-family homes, duplexes and triplexes to nine bedrooms at maximum […] to prevent dorm-style housing from popping up in residential neighborhoods."

The City Council is scheduled to consider the ordinance for approval on May 15. The article focuses on the politics of parking reform in the Southeast Como neighborhood of Minneapolis.

Thursday, April 22, 2021 in The Minnesota Daily

Black and white Rideshare Pick-Up Zone sign

The Slow Death of Ride Sharing

From the beginning, TNCs like Lyft and Uber touted shared rides as their key product. Now, Lyft is ending the practice.

June 1, 2023 - Human Transit

Red on white 'Room for Rent, Inquire Inside' sign

In Most U.S. Cities, Archaic Laws Limit Roommate Living

Critics argue laws preventing unrelated adults from living in the same home fail to understand the modern American household.

May 24, 2023 - The Atlantic

Vancouver Chuck Wolfe

Ten Signs of a Resurgent Downtown

In GeekWire, Chuck Wolfe continues his exploration of a holistic and practical approach to post-pandemic urban center recovery, anchored in local context and community-driven initiatives that promote livability, safety, and sustainability.

May 24, 2023 - GeekWire

Self-driving Mercedes semi truck on highway with white semi truck behind it

California Moves to Limit Autonomous Trucks

A bill passed by the State Assembly and moving on to the Senate would require autonomous semi trucks to have a trained human operator in the vehicle.

June 2 - The Sacramento Bee

Minnesota state capitol building with red flowers on green front lawn

Minnesota Budget Includes Significant Transit Investments

After a contentious debate, the state legislature passed a budget that changes how transportation projects are funded and supports increased transit service in the state.

June 2 - Governing

A vacant lot between two one-story brick buildings with graffiti in Detroit, Michigan

Proposed Land Value Tax Plan in Detroit

Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan proposes hiking property taxes for vacant land and buildings while lowering the rate for occupied homes and businesses in a split tax plan he contends will resolve many of Detroit's blight and high property tax woes.

June 2 - The Detroit News

Project Manager III

San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency

UDO Transportation Planner

City of Charlotte - Charlotte Area Transit

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.