Stay Curious. Stay Connected.
MailNewsletters♡Donate Now
Sign up
*Password must be at least 8 characters and contain one uppercase letter, one lowercase letter, one number and one symbol.
Already have an account?
By submitting, you consent that you are at least 18 years of age and to receive information about MPR's or APMG entities' programs and offerings. The personally identifying information you provide will not be sold, shared, or used for purposes other than to communicate with you about MPR, APMG entities, and its sponsors. You may opt-out at any time clicking the unsubscribe link at the bottom of any email communication. View our Privacy Policy.
Sign in to your profile
Forgot Password?
New to MPR News?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Reset Password

Enter the username on file and we'll send you a code to reset your password.

Still require assistance or not sure what your User Name is?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Email Verification

A verification code has been emailed to

Still awaiting the code?
Dan Gunderson

Minneapolis City Council adopts 2040 plan

An audience member holds up a sign.
An audience member holds up a sign Wednesday, Nov. 14, 2018, during the Minneapolis City Council's public hearing on the city's 2040 comprehensive plan. The plan would promote more density in the city in an effort to create more affordable housing.
Peter Cox | MPR News

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Log inCreate a free Account

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Show me!

The Minneapolis City Council has approved a controversial long-range comprehensive plan.

The Minneapolis 2040 plan is the city's vision for growth over the coming decades. It includes 14 goals and nearly 100 policies designed to guide long-term growth in the city.

The plan will try to mitigate the effects of climate change and racial discrimination in part by increasing density in the city, particularly along transit corridors. Among other things, the document allows triplexes in every neighborhood, a provision that many residents criticized.

Mayor Jacob Frey said the plan was built on years of hard work and a great deal of public input.

"We wanted to make sure that a comprehensive plan didn't become an apprehensive one and we did want to ensure that feedback was sought throughout the city. And I do acknowledge that the process was messy along the way," he said.

About 120 people shared strong views at a final public hearing on the plan last month, many opposed the plan to allow triplex housing units in place of single-family homes.

It's the most divisive issue in the plan, and many residents raised concerns about the impact of adding housing density in neighborhoods.

City Council President Lisa Bender said adding housing near transportation corridors and improving public transportation are key components in achieving long-term goals.

"The comprehensive plan is just one tool to reach these goals of eliminating racial disparity and contributing to our local fight against climate change," said Bender.

The plan now goes to the Metropolitan Council, and also faces a legal challenge.

The group Smart Growth Minneapolis has filed lawsuit to stop the plan, on the grounds the city must conduct an environmental review before approving the plan.

A judge this week denied a temporary restraining order seeking to block the city council vote.

See a draft of the document below.

Correction (Dec. 8, 2018): An earlier version of this story included an outdated draft of the 2040 plan zoning map.