HF2018

Purpose of the Bill

This Minnesota legislative bill aims to modify local government requirements related to zoning and comprehensive planning. It seeks to promote the development of multifamily and mixed-use housing, with a focus on affordable housing throughout the state.

Main Provisions

• Comprehensive Plan Amendments: Municipalities are not required to amend comprehensive plans for zoning changes related to housing developments until after December 31, 2029.

• Zoning and Adoption: Comprehensive plan amendments for affordable housing can be passed with a simple majority vote, simplifying the process compared to other zoning changes which require a two-thirds vote.

• Multifamily and Mixed-Use Developments Permitted: These types of developments must be allowed in any municipal zoning district that permits commercial use, unless it also allows heavy industrial use. Municipalities can enforce certain standards for public health and safety but cannot prohibit such developments based on traffic noise or nuisance concerns for developments with fewer than 300 units.

• Affordable Housing Density Bonuses: Municipalities must offer zoning bonuses to affordable housing projects, such as increased building height and floor area ratios, to encourage the development of such housing.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Parking Mandates: The bill restricts the ability of municipalities to impose minimum parking requirements for new multifamily developments, except where required for disability parking.

• Height and Setback Requirements: The bill establishes minimum standards for building height and setbacks for multifamily developments, making them consistent with those of commercial buildings.

• Administrative Approval Process: Municipalities must streamline the approval process for building permits and subdivision requests related to multifamily projects, using an administrative process, and may not charge excessive fees or require unnecessary permits.

• Prohibition on Interim Ordinances: Municipalities are prohibited from enacting temporary ordinances that could delay or restrict the developments outlined in this bill.

Relevant Terms

• Comprehensive plan
• Zoning
• Multifamily development
• Mixed-use development
• Affordable housing
• Density bonus
• Municipal ordinance