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3/18/2021 Senate Committee to Hear City -Opposed Bill on Zoning Preemption on March 9 - League of Minnesota Cities <br />LMC <br />LEAGUE <br />MINNESOTA <br />CITIES <br />Your LMC Resource <br />Irene Kao <br />IGR Counsel <br />(651) 281-1260 or (800) 925-1122 <br />ikao@lmc.org <br />Senate Committee to Hear City -Opposed Bill on Zoning <br />Preemption on March 9 <br />March 8, 2021 <br />For the second consecutive year, local zoning authority is challenged by the Senate. <br />Note: There is updated information on this topic. Read the latest article. (https://www.lmc.org/news publications/news/all/zoning_preemption-bill- <br />update <br />On March 9, the Senate Housing Finance and Policy Committee (https://www.senate.mn/committees/committee_bio.html? <br />is=92&cmte_id=3108) will hear a League -opposed bill, SF 915 (https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/bill.php?b=senate&f=SF0915&ssn=0&y=2021) <br />(Sen. Rich Draheim (http://mai101.tinyletterapp.com/LMC_Action_Alerts/lmc-action-alert-bills-that-would-preempt-city-zoning-building_permit- <br />fees-and-park-dedication-fees-authority/16487158-mail01.tinyletterapp.com/lmc_action_alerts/lmc-action-alert-bills-that-preempt-city-authority-on- <br />zoning-and-the-use-of-city-building-inspectors/16414926-www.senate.mn/members/member bio.php?c=0330544d-3849-435a-8768-d060f52d9f4b), R- <br />Madison Lake), which would preempt local zoning authority. <br />The bill would limit planned unit development (PUD) conditions, prohibit aesthetic conditions, mandate city allowance of <br />temporary family health care dwellings, require a 60-day rule for building permits, and more. <br />The House companion, HF 1840 (https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/bill.php?f=HF1840&y=2021&ssn=0&b=house) (Rep. Steve Elkins <br />(https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/members/profile/15517), DFL-Bloomington), has been introduced but has not yet been scheduled <br />for a hearing. <br />League objections to the bill <br />Cities — not the Legislature — know their communities and are in the best position to address local zoning and respond to <br />local needs. The League opposes this one -size -fits -all bill because it attacks the fundamental importance of local control. SF <br />915 would preempt decisions that cities make to guide land use. Universally mandated zoning requirements would eliminate <br />the uniqueness of our communities. <br />Proponents allege city regulations and fees are some of the driving factors in housing costs; however, it is generally known <br />that land, labor, and materials are the highest cost drivers — not city regulations or fees. City fees only represent 3%-7% of the <br />cost of a home. <br />Home prices are market driven. Even if cities had no regulations or fees, anything a builder may save carries with it no <br />guarantee that a home would be sold for less and would likely end up as more profit for the builder. <br />City zoning does not appear to be an obstacle for builders, as illustrated by recent record -high, single-family home <br />construction. According to Twin Cities Business, the latest numbers (https://tcbmag.com/no-slowdown-for-metro-home-construction/) <br />show a 32% increase in February. <br />Reach out to legislators <br />City officials are encouraged to contact their legislators to express their opposition to this bill <br />Read more news articles (https://www.lmc.org/news-publications/news/latest-news/) <br />https://www.lmc.org/news-publications/news/all/zoning-preemption/ 1/2 <br />