City Planning Commission approves rezoning and parking garage for Greater Hampton Healthcare

A significant step towards the expansion of the Greater Hampton Healthcare Hospital campus was taken during the March 10, 2025, Planning Commission meeting in Minneapolis. The commission recommended approval for a crucial rezoning application that will allow the hospital to align its zoning across the entire development site, transitioning from DT1 to DT2 zoning. This change is deemed consistent with the city’s comprehensive plan and is essential for accommodating the hospital's growth.

The proposed rezoning is strategically located on the West Side of Centennial, adjacent to Chicago Avenue, a designated goods and services corridor. This area is guided for public office and institutional use, making the rezoning appropriate given the surrounding context. The commission emphasized that the establishment of a new parking garage is a vital first step in the hospital's redevelopment vision, ensuring it does not negatively impact nearby residential structures.

In addition to the rezoning, the commission also recommended approval for a Conditional Use Permit for the parking garage, which is designed with increased setbacks to minimize disturbances to adjacent homes. The garage will replace an existing structure of similar size, maintaining the overall development footprint while providing necessary commercial space on the ground floor.

The commission addressed the need for a variance concerning the minimum Floor Area Ratio (FAR), which is required to facilitate the parking garage's construction. The variance is justified due to unique circumstances surrounding the property, and the overall FAR of the hospital campus will exceed the minimum requirements once the project is completed.

Other applications discussed included a preliminary plat, which meets all design standards, and the vacation of Centennial Place between Ninth and Tenth Streets, both of which received support from Public Works. These recommendations will proceed to the full city council for final approval, marking a pivotal moment for the future of healthcare services in the area.