Business, Inspections, Housing & Zoning Committee

350 S 5th St Minneapolis, MN 55415 (Directions)

• Approved the “Roof Depot” site (1860 28th St E and 2717 Longfellow Ave) for sale to East Phillips Neighborhood Institute (EPNI). Representatives of the East Phillips Neighborhood Institute thanked the City Council for agreeing to sell the property and spoke of their vision for an urban farm on the site. The agreement also extended the deadline for EPNI to raise funds for an initial deposit for the purchase through November 8. The deadline was originally September 7.

• Approved snow and ice removal as an element in the rental license tiering process. As an element of rental property evaluation, it is expected to reduce complaints and violations for non-compliance, which might have disproportionately impacted certain communities of renters (report).

• Approved a $3.7 million grant agreement with Minneapolis Public Housing Authority for rehabilitation of four properties, redevelopment of one property, and exterior rehab of 16 site houses.

• Denied a variance appeal for the property located on 2110 4th St NE, asking for an increase of max FAR and max front-facing garage width. A young couple was attempting to build a residential home on the lot but has faced some challenges. Council members expressed sympathy but did not see a legal basis for a variance, and encouraged the residents to work with staff to find an alternative design.

• Moved forward the site plan review appeal for the property located on 2432 Chicago Ave without recommendation. This relates to a dispute over whether a fence should be placed between the property and an adjacent private drive. The spokesperson on behalf of the board owning the private drive expressed concern that residents at the new property would use the drive without authorization. At the request of Chair Goodman, city staff agreed to work with the various parties to seek an amicable resolution.

• Postponed consideration of variance appeal for the property located at 2648 Marshall St NE to September 26, 2023 meeting. This relates to a property located near the Mississippi River and located within districts that have additional environmental protections limiting development in the area. A similar application was received by the council last year and was ultimately rejected. Groups advocating for environmental concerns and public access to parklands have been critical of the application.

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