Residents of St. Louis Park who have thoughts or questions about the future look of their city will have an opportunity to voice their opinions at an upcoming event. The city is hosting an informational open house on December 19 to discuss proposals to update the local zoning code, a move aimed at addressing modern housing needs and city priorities. According to St. Louis Park announcement, the open house will take place at the city hall council chambers on 5005 Minnetonka Blvd, starting at 6 p.m., offering a platform for public engagement on the matter.
St. Louis Park's zoning code, which has remained largely unaltered since 1992, currently imposes restrictions that limit many neighborhoods to single-family housing. In an effort to create more sustainable and community-oriented neighborhoods, proposed changes have been drafted to permit a variety of housing structures. These include one-, two-, and three-unit housing units built to the same scale as existing single-family homes. Additionally, along key transportation corridors, the introduction of low-rise options like townhouses, fourplexes, and three-story structures —often referred to as "missing middle housing"— is expected to bring forth a more diverse and accessible housing market.
The city's zoning officials and the planning and zoning staff have been collecting public input throughout 2023, and 2024 and consider citizen feedback as a crucial part of the development process. The proposed zoning updates are designed with performance standards in mind, such as lot sizes, setbacks, and height for new districts and housing types. The city has made concerted efforts to weave community feedback into the ongoing discourse, emphasizing its importance in the shaping of the city's structural outline.
For those who can't attend the open house or prefer to get informed before the event, the city has made resources available online. A "story map", detailed timelines, zoning history, and comprehensive information about the update process can be found on the zoning code update webpage. This digital hub is intended to facilitate an informed public dialogue and ensure transparency through each step of the proposed zoning code changes.
