City briefs - Sep 2026

Safe parking ordinance
Ward 12 Council Member Aurin Chowdhury and Ward 9 Council Member Jason Chavez have outlined plans for a new ordinance that would permit safe outdoor parking areas in Minneapolis where people could stay in their vehicles overnight. People would be allowed to park on surface parking lots that are at least 10,000 square feet. The ordinance requires participating parking lots to have an interim use permit, a business license, staffing during operating hours, daily clearing, security plans, and proper hygiene facilities. Recreational vehicles and tents would not be allowed.

Data center regulations
City staff have drafted a set of regulations for the size and location of data centers in Minneapolis. The City’s Planning Commission will hold a public hearing on the proposal on Oct. 13.

Expanding organized waste collection
Ward 2 Council Member Robin Wonsley is proposing that the City create regulations to organize commercial waste collection. Waste collection is already organized by the City for properties with four units or less. Larger residential buildings and businesses, that generate roughly 53% of the waste currently being burned downtown, are not. Under a system recommended in a study done for the City by Burns & McDonnell, franchised haulers would meet City service requirements and pay franchise fees. This could support efforts to track and reduce waste. Such a change is regulated by state law and requires notifications, a public hearing and establishment of a Council-appointed committee.

2027 Hennepin County Budget
Hennepin County commissioners are expected to review the 2027 recommended Hennepin County budget at their board meeting on Sept. 22 and approve a maximum county levy for next year. The County budget and tax levy will be discussed at a public meeting on Dec. 2, before the commissioners approve a final budget and levy amount that could be lower, but not more than, the maximum levy approved in September.

Behavioral Crisis Response services
Mayor Jacob Frey and City Council have authorized an increase of $2.2 million for Canopy Roots, LLC to continue its behavior crisis response service through the remainder of the year. Canopy Roots has been providing this emergency response, through 911, since December 2021. The program started with limited hours but has been providing 24-hour, 7-days service since July 2023.

Public housing accountability ordinance
Ward 5 Council Member Pearll Warren has announced plans to amend the City’s public housing ordinance to strengthen accountability of the Minneapolis Public Housing Authority.

Minnesota Church Center demolition
The Heritage Preservation Commission voted in August to permit the demolition of the Minnesota Church Center at 122 Franklin Ave W., built in 1963. Diversified Equities is seeking a demolition permit to build a 145-unit apartment building. The project still needs to go through a staff review and City Council approval before the demolition permit is finalized.