Linden Hills Small Area Plan

Community Open House September 5

A draft of the Small Area Plan will be presented for public comment at an Open House Thursday, September 5, from 6:00 to 8:00 pm at Linden Hills Park Recreation Center. Stop by to share your feedback and discuss the plan with your neighbors, representatives from the city of Minneapolis, and the consulting team, SEH, Inc.

About the Linden Hills Small Area Plan

In 2012, the neighborhood initiated the planning process for a Small Area Plan. A Steering Committee (anchor needed to content below)of neighborhood residents and business owners was appointed to work with the City of Minneapolis to engage the community in the development of a plan for Linden Hills. In January of 2013, a consultant, Short Elliot Hendrikson, Inc. (SEH), was hired to lead the process and craft a plan for the community.

Visit the City of Minneapolis’ Linden Hills Small Area Plan project page, LHSAP.org, for up to date information and resources.

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What is a Small Area Plan?

A Small Area Plan (SAP) is a plan that is developed for a clearly delineated area and gives more detailed recommendations than would be provided in the City of Minneapolis’ Comprehensive Plan. A SAP does not function to replace the Comprehensive Plan but rather serves to augment it. It builds on the goals, policies and implementation steps in the Comprehensive Plan to provide a finer level of detail.

A Small Area Plan is a document that outlines a long-range vision of typically 15 to 20 years for land use and development in that area. The plan examines the current conditions of the area, develops a future vision of what residents and business representatives want the neighborhood or area to become and then formulates specific goals, objectives, and policies or projects to implement that vision.

Adoption of a Small Area Plan

Once a final draft of the plan is complete. The plan requires adoption by the City of Minneapolis. There will be a public hearing with the City Planning Commission. The City of Minneapolis Planning Commission will make recommendation to the City Council on the adoption of the plan. Prior to the public hearing on the adoption, the small area plan has a required 45-day public review and comment period. This is planned for the fall of 2013.

 

Linden Hills Small Area Plan Steering Committee

The LHiNC Board appointed the Linden Hills Small Area Plan (SAP) Steering Committee at its Board Meeting on July 17, 2012.

A nominating subcommittee reviewed the 27 applications that were received by the May 25 deadline. After completing consistent, objective interviews, the nominating committee identified 15 members and 3 alternates for the Committee. In accordance with the SAP objectives, these individuals represent a wide range of constituents from the Linden Hills neighborhood. The 18 total SAP Steering Committee members and alternates include home and condominium owners and local business owners. Members represent a wide range of age demographics and personal/professional experience, as well as varying degrees of acceptance regarding neighborhood development. The final SAP Steering Committee was appointed using a modified consensus approach, which provided the opportunity for attendees to provide feedback on the 18 proposed nominees, and to come to agreement on the group as a whole.

Steering Committee Members: Rick Anderson, Eric Hansen, Sara Jaehne (Vice-Chair), Gretchen Johns, Jean Johnson, Larry LaVercombe, David Luger, Jim Scott, Pat Smith, Ken Stone, Aaron Tag (Chair), Ann Voda.

The Role of the Steering Committee

The role of the Steering Committee is to advise on the planning process, help engage the public, advise on plan content, balance various values and make recommendations to the LHiNC Board. CPED is leading the project and facilitating the Steering Committee meetings.

The Steering Committee provides input in the development of the project scope for the SAP, selection of a consultant to develop the SAP, advises on public engagement, and plan content.  The backbone Small Area Plan is developed by the public through public meetings and other forums. The Consultant will develop the plan using this input with advisement from the Steering Committee and CPED.

Additional Resources

The Minneapolis Plan for Sustainable Growth:
View the complete Minneapolis Plan
Land Use Chapter
Urban Design Chapter

Past Plan for Linden Hills:
Linden Hill Neighborhood Design Framework: A Plan for the Commercial District

Historic Resources:
Linden Hills History Study Group
Commercial District Walking Tours

Example Small Area Plans:
West Broadway Alive
Uptown Small Area Plan
Marcy Holmes Master Plan
Bryn Mawr Neighborhood Plan

 

Contact

Please contact the CPED project manager, Brian Schaffer with questions.

Brian Schaffer, AICP, Principal City Planner
Minneapolis Department of Community Planning & Economic Development
Planning Division
250 South 4th Street, Room 110, Minneapolis, MN 55415
Phone: (612) 673-2670 Fax: (612) 673-2526