Statewide Zoning Reform Proposed in Minnesota

"State Rep. Steve Elkins, DFL–Bloomington, announced his Comprehensive Housing Affordability Act to reform zoning laws preventing affordable construction statewide," reports Scott McClallen.

"The bill aims to let cities assess development impact fees and street improvement districts in exchange for removing certain zoning and regulatory burdens," according to McClallen.

Elkins cited a recent StarTribune exposé on exclusionary housing practices in the Twin Cities to justify the changes proposed by the law in a statement quoted in the article. Elkin also explained that the bill is designed to provide new revenue for cities to fund the infrastructure to support new development and to remove obstacles preventing developers from building an "adequate supply of new homes and apartments affordable to young families."  

As proposed, the law builds on zoning reform momentum around the state, following shortly after the St. Paul City Council voted to remove parking minimums citywide and several years after the city of Minneapolis adopted the Minneapolis 2040 Comprehensive Plan, which led the city to allow multi-family dwellings up to three-plexes on residential properties citywide.