Minneapolis, MN

Minneapolis to resume multifamily projects under 2040 Plan as appeals court lifts injunction

Published

2 months ago

May 14, 2024

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Minneapolis to resume multifamily projects under 2040 Plan as appeals court lifts injunction

WCCO digital update: Afternoon of May 13, 2024

01:33

MINNEAPOLIS — An appeals court ruled Monday to lift an injunction on the Minneapolis 2040 Plan.

The 2040 Plan aims to provide all residents with access to affordable and quality housing by 2040, but environmental groups filed a lawsuit in 2018 arguing the plan may have severe unintended consequences on the environment. The core of the 2040 Plan eliminates single-family zoning in favor of developing more multi-family dwellings.

The case went back in front of a Hennepin County Court judge in June 2023. Last September, the judge ordered the city to revert to the 2030 Comprehensive Plan. The city argued it is noncompliant with state law and slows the process of building affordable, multi-unit housing.

On Monday, the appeals court concluded that the district court “clearly erred by finding that reversion to the 2030 Plan was necessary or appropriate to protect the environment, and abused its discretion in fashioning injunctive relief that imposes unnecessary hardship on the city.”

The Minneapolis City Council gave final approval to the 2040 plan in 2019, and the city began its implementation in 2020 before it was paused in 2022.

Since the implementation of the 2040 Plan, the city says it’s been able to build more than 250 affordable units that were not permitted under the 2030 Plan.

“While the Court’s reversal is a positive step, it does not end the litigation,” a spokesperson for the City of Minneapolis said. “It is critical that the State continue the path toward legislative clarification to ensure local jurisdictions across Minnesota, including Minneapolis, are able to move forward with much needed affordable housing projects, focus on undoing racial barriers and the crucial work to address the climate crisis without the threat of costly litigation.”

The spokesperson added that Minneapolis plans to resume permitting multifamily projects under the 2040 Plan.

WCCO Staff

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Minneapolis, MN

Davide Harabagiu Highlights Night 3 On Minneapolis Futures With 52.95 100 Fly

Published

1 hour ago

July 26, 2024

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Davide Harabagiu Highlights Night 3 On Minneapolis Futures With 52.95 100 Fly

2024 FUTURES CHAMPIONSHIPS- MINNEAPOLIS

Davide Harabagiu highlighted night 3 of competition in Minneapolis swimming to a 52.95 in the 100 butterfly. That was just off his personal best of a 52.75 from Settecolli in Rome last month. Harabagiu swims collegiately for Minnesota but originally hails from Italy.

Also highlighting the night was Annike Parkhe who swam to a 58.85 in the 100 fly, the only swimming under the 1:00 mark. Parkhe has a best time of a 58.58 that she swam for 13th during prelims of US Olympic Trials last month. She finished 16th in semifinals in a 59.02.

Finishing behind Parkhe in the 100 fly was Grace Rabb who swam a 1:00.28. Later in the session, Rabb earned a win touching in a 2:32.69 in the 200 breast. Rabb, a Florida commit, swam a best time in the 100 fly as her previous best was a 1:01.36. Her 200 breast best time stands at a 2:32.39 from May.

The final winner on the women’s side was Katie McCarthy who won the 400 free in a 4:15.81. McCarthy was 34th in the event at US Trials in a 4:14.90 and has a best time of a 4:14.89.

The men’s 400 free was a battle as Jiarui Xue earned the win in a 3:59.16 touching just ahead of Chase Maier who swam a 3:59.24. Xue has a best time of a 3:59.00 and is committed to Princeton while Maier dropped a huge best time as his previous best was a 4:05.01.

Sirui Wang won the 200 breast in a 2:17.24, almost a five second drop from his previous best of a 2:22.05 from May. He was a 2:22.65 in the event at the last summer.

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Minneapolis, MN

Minneapolis City Council introduces new safety plan with alternatives to police response

Published

8 hours ago

July 26, 2024

Press Room

Minneapolis City Council introduces new safety plan with alternatives to police response

Minneapolis leaders lay out new safety plan

The new plan folds in efforts already underway like the behavioral response team which is sent on some crisis calls where police are not necessary, or a new traffic control unit that is staffed by people who are not sworn officers. But the real purpose of the Safe and Thriving Communities plan is to offer a sort of road map to public safety.

MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) – Minneapolis City Council members are asking the public for feedback on a new public safety model that they hope will restore trust in public safety services.

Officials say the Public Safety Beyond Policing Action Plan is based on an outline of a community safety system that will include “preventative, restorative and response services beyond policing.”

What we know

City leaders say they are moving to codify the Public Safety Beyond Policing Action Plan after the Minneapolis Safe and Thriving Communities Blueprint that was announced last year.

READ MORE: Minneapolis leaders lay out a new plan for community safety

The first draft of the Public Safety Beyond Policing Action Plan was presented earlier this week. City officials say public comment and feedback on the 10-year plan will be taken for 45 days.

An overview and briefing detailing the progress of the Safe and Thriving Communities Report was presented during Wednesday’s Public Health and Safety Committee (PHS).

Public engagement and comment sessions will also be held in front of the PHS committee before the final adoption of the plan, which is expected to happen in the fall of 2024.

What they’re saying

Minneapolis officials say “there has been little or unclear movement on implementation by the administration” since the last city-wide community safety plan last year.

A news release announcing the latest policing plan said there are concerns over a “lack of seriousness” about the city implementing a new comprehensive safety system.

Vice Chair of the Public Health and Safety Committee and City Council Member Robin Wonsley said the following in the same news release: “Council is serious about realizing the comprehensive public safety system that our residents have asked for since May 2020. We can have a city where there are a multitude of preventive, responsive, and restorative services to meet our public safety needs efficiently and equitably. The Safe and Thriving Communities Report and the Public Safety Beyond Policing Action Plan includes a clear ten-year guide to make this vision a reality.”

Public Health and Safety Chair and City Council Member Chavez said “Ward 9 is home to one of the most diverse communities in the whole state and residents are deeply engaged in leading on public safety work. Residents are tired of empty promises and slow progress when it comes to their safety needs. The time to act is now and the Council is ready to continue to lead on keeping all of us safe.”

Minneapolis City Council President Elliot Paynes released a statement saying “This is the City Council flexing our oversight responsibility. The administration put forward a plan with the Safe and Thriving Communities report and we are making sure the promise of this plan is fulfilled with transparency and with the input of our community at the center of it.”

Background

This is the latest development after the Safe and Thriving Communities plan was announced last year. Advocates say it took a “holistic approach” to public safety.

That plan came after the development of a plan was requested by Mayor Jacob Frey in 2021.

City officials say they are currently in phase one of implementing the Safe and Thriving Communities plan.

The Minneapolis City Council also approved a new police contract earlier this month that includes a nearly 22% pay raise for officers over the next three years.

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