In the City of Minneapolis, today's zoning code regulations require that many neighborhoods remain incomplete—lacking shops, cafes, groceries and walkable streets—leaving us isolated and taking dollars out of our community. Opportunities to open businesses in more locations also supports Minneapolis 2040’s goals to increase residents and jobs and support small businesses and economic growth.

Zoning code is one of the most important things in a city, determining which kinds of buildings can be made throughout the entire city. This is particularly important when analyzing a major metropolitan area with high demand for housing, such as Minneapolis. Missing middle housing is a broad category which includes many different kinds of homes for many different kinds of people. These types of buildings allow for more space (and energy) efficient homes, while still maintaining that smaller form which may be desired in a neighborhood.

It’s important to recognize the broader effect when some privileged groups are allowed special escape clauses from land-use policies; it amplifies impacts on historically redlined neighborhoods and undermines the public perception of fairness.

The Neighbors for More Neighbors “What’s in Your Complete Neighborhood?” survey has been open since late October. We have received over 200 submissions from a variety of respondents. Let’s look at the trends in what people want and why they want it.

Zoning in Minneapolis—as in many American cities—over the past century has aimed to separate land uses perceived as “incompatible”... Hiding behind these policies is the idea that offices and shops are harmful to nearby houses. Before the current zoning policies were implemented, though, small businesses could be found throughout the city, a block or more away from streetcar or bus routes.

What is the justification for allowing amenities only where they already exist? I want a safe and complete neighborhood where I can safely walk with my kiddo, and get a gallon of milk and some mac and cheese.

Part of what makes a neighborhood a neighborhood is a sense of community. A sense of community is built in local shops, meeting spots, hangouts, and recreational areas. Should swaths of our city mandate more than a 10 minute walk to the nearest hypothetical legal corner store?