Background
The Southeast Minneapolis Industrial (SEMI) area is located just east of the University of Minnesota and is bounded by University Avenue SE, 15th Avenue SE, Elm Street SE and the Minneapolis-Saint Paul border. The area is a priority in the City of Minneapolis’ efforts to increase its high-technology industrial workforce in close conjunction with the University of Minnesota. A small area plan for SEMI was adopted by the Minneapolis City Council in July 2001 and was amended into the City’s comprehensive plan in August 2006.
The 29th Avenue SE & University Avenue SE area focuses on the University Avenue SE corridor from the Minneapolis/Saint Paul border to the University of Minnesota. The plan area overlaps slightly with portions of SEMI along University Avenue but also gives guidance for the south side of the University Avenue SE corridor and is in the process of being adopted by the Minneapolis City Council. Amendment of this plan into the City’s larger comprehensive plan will occur as part of the City’s 2008 comprehensive plan update.
Southeast Minneapolis Industrial (SEMI)/Bridal Veil Refined Master Plan
University Avenue SE & 29th Avenue SE Development Objectives and Design Guidelines
Reason for the rezoning study
State law requires municipalities to adopt a zoning ordinance that allows for the implementation of the City’s comprehensive plan. The amendment of the SEMI plan into the City’s comprehensive plan gave the city an opportunity to look at base and overlay zoning in this geographic area and make sure it was consistent with future land use direction. The area comprised by the 29th Avenue SE & University Avenue SE plan area was also evaluated at the same time since that plan would soon go through an approval process.
In addition to the plan basis, several significant, upcoming projects are poised to affect change for the future of the area. Projects such as a new University of Minnesota Gopher football stadium, University of Minnesota research facilities, and Central Corridor Light Rail Transit will impact the area in the next five to ten years and the City wants to ensure that it has a regulatory framework in place that will encourage compact, transit-oriented development.
Summary of rezoning study results
CPED Planning Division staff reviewed parcel information, existing uses, future land use maps from the SEMI and 29th & University Avenue SE small area plans, and conducted field research from May through August 2006. It was concluded that a large-scale change to the base zoning was not needed and that the addition of an overlay district may provide a more practical strategy for guiding the type and scale for future development. As a result, staff is proposing to add a Transit Station Area Pedestrian-Oriented (TSAPO) overlay zoning district to a portion of the University Avenue SE corridor. No changes to base zoning are being proposed at this time.
- Land Use Plan Boundaries
- Draft Pedestrian Oriented Overlay District Text
- Draft Pedestrian Oriented Overlay District Boundaries
- Draft Pedestrian Oriented Overlay District Base Zoning
45-Day Review Process
Proposed ordinance language and maps
December 8, 2006 – March 5, 2007
Public Open House
January 9, 2007
2221 University Avenue SE, Room 116
Minneapolis, MN
Planning Commission Committee of the Whole
January 11, 2007
Planning Commission Public Hearing
March 5, 2007
Zoning & Planning Committee of the City Council
April 5, 2007