A Message from the Mayor

Hello Chanhassen Residents,

I am reaching out to you today because there is housing legislation being considered next week by state legislators at the Minnesota State Capitol that would negatively impact Chanhassen’s local control. More specifically, it removes not only the City Council’s ability to make zoning decisions, but it also minimizes residents’ ability to provide feedback by requiring only one “community meeting” before the administrative approval of projects.

Unequivocally, the state should not take this process away from our residents. Open dialogue and review with our residents are cornerstones to our process and result in improved outcomes.

While housing remains an important topic for policy discussions, such decisions should be made at the local level. A “one-size-fits-all” approach does not work because I believe cities should be able to create communities with unique identities and attributes tailored to each city.

We’re already making thoughtful progress locally. The City Council is currently evaluating policy changes to housing density requirements, reviewing our zoning and developing ways to have a broad range of housing options in Chanhassen that support a balanced mix of housing types and price points.

But these decisions should be made in Chanhassen – not St. Paul.

A few key points from the bills being proposed that I wanted to bring to your attention:

• These bills apply to all cities and remove local flexibility, replacing traditional planning and zoning tools with one-size-fits-all mandates
• The proposed legislation eliminates local decision-making by requiring increased density on all residential lots, including duplexes, townhomes and, in many cases, triplexes and fourplexes.
• It would force cities to allow for higher density even in areas where it doesn’t make sense. Here’s what that could mean: if you are in a single-family home, for instance, your neighbor could decide to put up a four-plex and neither you nor the city could stop this from happening.
• The proposed legislation would …
  • …permit multi-family buildings up to 75 ft. tall in commercial areas
  • …eliminate parking requirements for new residential, commercial/retail developments
  • …support smaller lot sizes and setbacks, limiting cities’ ability to ensure compatibility in scale and form

Local control remains one of Chanhassen’s Legislative Priorities – let’s not lose that.

Make Your Voice Heard

Please consider sending a quick email to the following legislators to express your opposition to this “one-size-fits-all” approach. Please act quickly to express your concerns about these bills prior to the hearings next week. 

Senate State and Local Government Committee
Chair Tou Xiong: sen.tou.xiong@senate.mn
Senator Ann Johnson Stewart: sen.ann.johnson.stewart@senate.mn

House Elections Committee
Co-Chair Representative Mike Freiberg  rep.mike.freiberg@house.mn.gov
Co-Chair Representive Duane Quam rep.duane.quam@house.mn.gov