Minneapolis City Council — Transcript
Monday, November 2, 2026
Outdoor Food Locker Expansion
Raised Planting Beds
Access to Grocery Stores
Food Trucks and Mobile Grocers
Anchors and Community
Community Gardens
Farmstands
Farmers Markets
Home Occupations
Urban Farm and Market Garden Code Clarification
Votes (1)
Briefing on Proposed Zoning Code Text Amendment for Food Access
Sarah Roman, a Senior City Planner, presented the Food Access Amendment, outlining proposed updates to the city's zoning code. The initiative aims to address community concerns about food insecurity and access to culturally relevant food by removing regulatory barriers and increasing flexibility for food-related activities. The briefing detailed ten specific policy changes, from expanding outdoor food locker locations to clarifying definitions for urban farms and market gardens. Roman also explained the formal adoption process, including City Council introduction and a future Planning Commission public hearing, and directed attendees to a city webpage for further information and public testimony opportunities.
Notable Quotes (6)
So what we do is we make updates to the zoning code uh for relevant work that's happening at the city whether that's led by our policy makers or work that we're doing to update based on comprehensive plans or other um guiding plans that the city has adopted.
But certainly this is a broader um effort and feedback that we have heard through um ongoing public input processes is being taken into account even if it doesn't uh fall into the hands of the zoning code.
very broadly speaking what we heard was that um the city should not be the barrier to people getting the food that they need. Um and we have taken that to heart.
So really we're looking at the breadth of community institutions that are involved in food access work um who may be interested in installing these types of uh uh outdoor food lockers.
but what we can do is we can examine the zoning code to say are there barriers in place that are preventing a grocery store from opening in a specific area.
And that's tricky, right? We want to be really clear with our code so that we can provide information and accurate information to people who are looking to either open a business um or just to farm do agricultural activities in the city.
Ordinances & Resolutions (11)
The overarching initiative and proposed zoning code text amendment aimed at enhancing food access throughout the city.
The primary municipal legal document that regulates land use, building standards, and where businesses can open, which is being updated by the Food Access Amendment.
Guiding plans adopted by the city that inform and lead to updates in the zoning code.
A specific ordinance from Public Works regarding raised planting beds, which the Food Access Amendment aims to align the zoning code with for consistency and flexibility.
A separate municipal code that governs standards like grass height and native plantings, distinct from the zoning code's regulation of agricultural produce.
A license required for facilities operating food shelves, including outdoor food lockers, to ensure food safety through health department inspections.
A type of business license that applies to various businesses selling food, being considered for expansion to qualify for grocery store development premiums if fresh produce is offered.
A standard license required for businesses operating as full grocery stores.
The first formal step in the legal adoption process for an ordinance at City Council.
Local health regulations that businesses must meet, ensuring food safety and public health.
State-level health regulations that businesses must meet, ensuring food safety and public health.