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Minnetonka staff present zoning rewrite progress, regional survey and public-opinion findings
Summary
Planning staff told the council they surveyed 65 large Minnesota cities (63 responses) and found most are pursuing zoning updates that expand housing types; a statistically projectable Minnetonka survey of 300 residents showed majority support for certain affordability tools and openness to ADUs and smaller-scale commercial areas. Draft code language is not yet written; staff expect draft language in months.
Minnetonka planning staff briefed the City Council study session on Sept. 15 about progress on a zoning ordinance rewrite, results from a 65-city outreach effort and two local public‑engagement efforts—including a statistically projectable phone survey of 300 residents.
Susan Thomas, city planner, said staff contacted planning counterparts in the state's 65 largest cities to learn what other jurisdictions are doing. "We had 63 of 65 cities respond," Thomas said, and she reported that 45 of the respondents were updating or had recently updated their zoning ordinances and that 50 reported changes intended to allow additional housing construction or affordability.
Thomas summarized common code changes other cities are pursuing: allowing greater housing-type diversity (ADUs, duplexes, townhomes), adjusting zoning district restrictions (lot sizes and setbacks), reducing parking requirements, and using incentives to encourage affordable…
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