Jason Wittenberg

city planner * transit user * bike rider * walker * EV driver * music listener * Ⓥ

[Jason Wittenberg @WittenbergJason]

@EastBankMpls 😢

[Jason Wittenberg @WittenbergJason]

FYI, I’ve been moving away from this site. Find me on the Blue place.

[Jason Wittenberg @WittenbergJason]

Observations about housing approved in Minneapolis in 2024.
No surprise: current costs relative to rents resulted in a drastic reduction in overall number of units approved.
However: significant increase in missing middle-scale.

[Jason Wittenberg @WittenbergJason]

At this point, data is based on land use/zoning approvals. Building permit numbers aren’t compiled yet. Some projects that obtain zoning approval don’t obtain a building permit due to financing or other issues.

[City of Mpls CPED @Growingmpls]

Congrats to NYC on the passage of City of Yes! Welcome to the ranks of big cities where innovative zoning reforms are helping increase housing supply and stabilize rents. https://t.co/TJkSsBAY4L

[Jason Wittenberg @WittenbergJason]

A final note following the previous three threads. The 1924 code was replaced by a new one in 1963. Then another was adopted in 1999. Nearly a century after the first, the fourth and most recent Minneapolis zoning code took effect July 1, 2023.

[Jason Wittenberg @WittenbergJason]

Note that the 1924 Minneapolis zoning code didn't have single-family zoning. Duplexes were allowed. However, in the lowest density districts, a larger-than-normal lot was required in order to establish a duplex.

[Jason Wittenberg @WittenbergJason]

When the law and lenders didn't prevent people of color from purchasing a home, some neighbors took matters into their own hands. In 1931, Arthur and Edith Lee faced ongoing threats from a mob after purchasing the home at 4600 Columbus Ave. The site is now a historic landmark.

[Jason Wittenberg @WittenbergJason]

This wasn't unique to Minneapolis. Though the city had a very small Black population, racist private covenants had started to appear. Check out the Mapping Prejudice project if you haven't already.

[Jason Wittenberg @WittenbergJason]

A variety of factors motivated people to support zoning. It should be noted that some people were certainly motivated by segregating by race.

[Jason Wittenberg @WittenbergJason]

In July, Godward said that the new ordinance “is operating very satisfactorily in directing the orderly development of the city.”

[Jason Wittenberg @WittenbergJason]

A similar lawsuit, shortly thereafter, failed to establish the right to a retail store at 600 16th Ave SE. This was the first lawsuit where a court explicitly upheld the City’s zoning code as a valid exercise of the police power.

[Jason Wittenberg @WittenbergJason]

Buck purchased the land for $2,750 and apparently had a plan to sell the properties to Standard Oil for $7,500 for the construction of a gas station. He apparently wasn’t forthright with his constituents or colleagues about the matter.

[Jason Wittenberg @WittenbergJason]

The first lawsuit: B. Ratner filed a legal challenge compelling the City to grant a food license for a confectionery store at 1726 8th Ave N. It was determined that he had operated a store before the zoning ordinance went into effect.

[Jason Wittenberg @WittenbergJason]

The first rezoning request was submitted for property on 18th Ave S between 40th and 41st streets.

[Jason Wittenberg @WittenbergJason]

Bonus content: The first appeal was filed by the Lutheran Children’s Friend Society to construct a children’s home at E 36th St and 46th Ave S.

[Jason Wittenberg @WittenbergJason]

In addition to the text of the ordinance, three maps governed the following: building height, density, and uses.

[Jason Wittenberg @WittenbergJason]

The ordinance was published and became effective on April 17, 1924.

[Jason Wittenberg @WittenbergJason]

On April 2, 1924, the zoning code was adopted. (Note: there were apparently two council members for each of the 13 wards at the time. The final vote on the ordinance was 23 to 3.) The mayor signed the revised ordinance.