RES 2024-27 Supporting Retention of City Land Use and Zoning AuthorityCITY OF OTSEGO
COUNTY OF WRIGHT
STATE OF MINNESOTA
RESOLUTION NO: 2024-27
SUPPORTING RETENTION OF CITY LAND USE AND ZONING AUTHORITY
WHEREAS, decisions about local land use and zoning that best fit community needs are best left to City residents and
officials; and
WHEREAS, cities use land use and zoning regulations to balance property compatibility, plan for community growth,
dedicate space and capacity for public infrastructure to support development (streets, parks and trails, transportation,
sewer, stormwater, water, etc.), mitigate flooding and erosion, and preserve natural resources among others; and
WHEREAS, the Minnesota State Legislature, in an attempt to address housing availability and affordability challenges, is
considering measures that would preempt city authority to regulate land use and zoning and assign that authority to
State government; and
WHEREAS, passage of those measures would inadequately address housing availability and affordability challenges; and
WHEREAS, a rigid framework for land use and zoning mandated by the State makes little sense and cities require
flexibility to address their own unique circumstances; and
WHEREAS, provisions of the proposed State measures would place the fiscal burden for infrastructure cost of new
residential development on the shoulders of existing homeowners and renters in our local communities; and
WHEREAS, building of multiple housing units on a single residential lot with inadequate spacing, as allowed in the
proposed zoning preemption measures, could result in service delivery problems like limiting emergency medical
services and fire departments' access to city neighborhoods; and
WHEREAS, provisions would also silence local residents from their concerns regarding proposed developments during
public comment periods of City Council and Planning Commission meetings; and
WHEREAS, the City of Otsego has already invested greatly in its commitment to leading the community through
innovative communication to address zoning issues, and continue to do so, with the help of community engagement.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF OTSEGO, MINNESOTA:
1. The City of Otsego opposes state proposals that seek to preempt local zoning and land use decision -making
when it comes to residential development.
2. The City of Otsego supports constructive policy alternatives to mcentivize and bolster city efforts for addressing
housing challenges.
3. The City of Otsego advocates for acity-state partnership to consider reforms that are proven to address housing
availability and affordability and that ensure efforts can be locally led and shaped.
[The remainder of this page is intentionally left blank]
ADOPTED by the Otsego City Council this 25th day of March, 2024.
MOTION BY: Dahl
SECONDED BY: Moores
IN FAVOR: S tockamp,
OPPOSED: Dunlap
Dahl, Goede,
and Moores
3
CITY OF OTSEGO
Jessica L. Stockamp, Ma or
ATTEST:
Audra ` tzel, City Clerk