Achieve higher density housing through at least two of the following strategies:
Best Practice of this action
Rating Guideline
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Use a process/ordinance (planned unit development or other) that allows increased density, and approves development on substandard lots through flexible frontage and lot sizes; create a density bonus in one residential or commercial zoning district; allow accessory dwelling units in one single-family zoning district or overlay area. |
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Have a rural residential cluster development ordinance/process; have a density bonus in multiple areas in the city; bonus for underground parking or EV charging or proximity to transit or multifamily playground space; allow accessory dwelling units and/or co-housing developments in multiple single-family districts; allow tiny houses (~400 sq. ft.) on small lots or small (~350 sq. ft.) apartments. |
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Create an additional density bonus linked to a transfer of development rights program that protects agricultural or natural resource land on the fringe of the urban area; tie accessory dwelling units (ADU)s explicitly into a plan for increasing affordable housing and/or reducing homelessness; allow rooming or boarding houses or single-resident occupancy units; uncap the number of roommates who may share a dwelling unit. |
Resources
- See the League of Minnesota Cities Housing and Development Resources for information on starter homes, housing needs, development fees, and more.
- Here is one way a 500-acre urban walkshed -- the circle area accessible to the average person walking 10 minutes (1/2 mile) -- can evolve over time from an average density of 10 dwelling units per acre (DUA) to 30 DUA. (1) Add just 2 DUA (2 backyard cottages on each block) to 80% (400 acres) of the walkshed. (2) Take only 40 acres and develop a high property tax-generating, people-focused core of 180 DUA (6- and 8-story mixed-use buildings). (3) Surround the core with a belt of blocks (60 acres) at 60 DUA (a mix of townhouses, cottages, and small condos). From Carbon Zero cities (Alex Steffen: 2012 - search for "tentpole density").
- Unlocking Home: Three Keys to Affordable Communities focuses on accessory dwelling units, rooming/boarding houses, and uncapping the number of roommates who may share a dwelling. Another density strategy is to lower the residential zoning requirement for minimum square feet per dwelling unit; Minneapolis dropped theirs to 390. The American Tiny Home Association has published guidelines for tiny home builders, which could be viewed as a model set of regulations for municipalities. View the 1-hour Regulatory Implications of Tiny Homes (Planetizen: 2017), a 1 AICP CM credit-approved online course. A related resource from 2013 is Policies for Shareable Cities: A Sharing Economy Policy Primer for Urban Leaders. A Shareable Cities resolution of support was adopted by the US Conference of Mayors in 2013.
- See a national resource on accessory dwelling units, a Strong Town guide to making ADU's legal and easy (e.g., city pre-approved designs), the Ventura Village (Minneapolis) carriage housing initiative, and background on cohousing, a specific residential building form, and also a type of intentional community. Defining characteristics include private homes for all ages supplemented by common facilities, and resident participation and management.
- Note that short-term rentals on platforms such as AirBnB and VRBO (Vacation Rental By Owner), while adding lodging options, income and vitality to neighborhoods, can have negative impacts. Cities may need common sense rules to protect true home-sharers while reining in commercial operators who can reduce affordable housing options (2019 Harvard Business Review study) and diminish the quality of life in residential neighborhoods.
- See the AirBnB Policy Tool Chest for information and examples of cities using tax collection, 21st century accountability tools, and promoting more sustainable tourism in vacation rental units.
- Missing Middle housing includes a variety of building types: duplexes, triplexes, courtyard apartments, bungalow courts, carriage houses, work/live units, townhouses and more.
- See also implementation tools for action 7.1
Sublist
a. Incorporate a flexible lot size/frontage requirement for infill development.
b. Use density and floor area ratio (FAR) bonuses in selected residential zoning districts.
c. Clustered residential development; tie a regulatory standard to comprehensive plan language defining compact city expansion zones that limit low-density development.
d. Allowing accessory dwelling units, single-room occupancy housing, senior housing, co-housing or tiny houses / apartments by right in selected zoning districts.
e. Implement a vacation rental property registration policy and/or special tax.
Order Number
2
Action Type
Finite