Minn. committee advances bill to require allowance of triplexes, quadplexes in many cities

Senate File 2231, a bill by Sen. Lindsey Bolden that would require many Minnesota cities to allow triplexes and quadplexes in designated mixed-housing and commercial corridor districts, was recommended to pass and re-referred to the Committee on State and Local Government after a public hearing and debate.

The bill’s author said the proposal is intended to increase housing variety and supply across urban, suburban and rural communities. “This bill is one piece of a larger package of bipartisan bills backed by the Yes to Homes Coalition,” Senate Majority Author Lindsey Bolden said, adding that the bill legalizes specific housing types and establishes where and how they may be built.

Supporters at the hearing focused on affordability and permitting efficiency. Charlie Gardner, research fellow at the Mercatus Center, said restrictions that limit housing types and density raise costs and that the bill would both increase allowable density and add a streamlined administrative approval like an existing Section 15.99 process. “Restoring property owners' flexibility to build housing in different configurations and at higher…