Housing-Oriented Zoning Code Update

HKGi’s work on the 2040 Comprehensive Plan Update for the City of St. Louis Park addressed several new initiatives and directions such as resiliency planning; addressing the need for affordable housing; and redevelopment of several key areas. HKGi subsequently assisted the City with implementation initiatives including developing zoning ordinances and regulatory tools related to housing, mixed use, and transit-supportive development.

In 2022 HKGi conducted a detailed zoning and housing audit to explore potential new ordinance approaches, understand current development contexts, and identify potential housing-related strategies for further exploration. Audit findings indicated that the code contains multiple barriers to achieving the City’s development goals. HKGi’s team identified key recommendations to help address these regulatory issues.

Following completion of the audit, HKGi and city staff began the process of revising the zoning code in two phases. Phase 1 included the establishment of new neighborhood districts intended to facilitate new housing development throughout the city, particularly in key transportation corridors. Phase 2 will involve updating the rest of the zoning districts and the remaining zoning code sections.