City briefs Mar. 2

Legalizing saunas
After receiving a citation requiring them to close down by March 3, a Linden Hills business, Embrace North, is trying to find a way to stay open and change the laws regulating saunas in the city. They have started an effort, called “Legalize Sauna Mpls Movement” to help get a permission to stay open while city rules are changed to allow saunas outside of downtown and to allow mobile saunas to operate outdoors. In addition to zoning code violations the city has also noted health and sanitation concerns. The business, located at 4420 Drew Ave. S. has released a video (https://embracenorth.com/) and held a town hall meeting on Feb. 22.

Pickleball court on Zenith
After Charles Mooty, at 3501-3515 Zenith Ave. S., purchased the property next to his home and tore down the home that was on it, he installed an outdoor pickleball court in the former home’s front yard. Subsequently, the city’s Zoning Board of Adjustment determined that it violated the city’s zoning code rules about a required front yard (from 96.7 feet to 18 feet) and retaining walls. He appealed the decision to the city’s Business, Inspections, Housing and Zoning committee, and they recommended granting the appeal, on Feb. 14. The committee’s recommendation was approved by the full council on two days later.

New City Health Commissioner
Following a public hearing on Feb 15, the committee voted to send the Mayor’s nomination of Damon Chaplin to be the next Minneapolis Commissioner of Health forward to the city council without recommendation. The council approved his appointment Feb. 23, and Chaplin is expected to begin his role on March 20.

Special Services District appointments
The City Council has approved a set of 2023 appointees to serve on the special services districts in the southwest Mpls area. Most will be serving two-year terms. For the 50th and France Special Service District Advisory Board the appointees are Peter Deanovic, Heidi Bing, and Steve Young. For the 54th & Lyndale Special Service District Board they are Josh Koempel, Kelby Howell, and Dan Leitner. For the Eat Street district they are Adam Erickson and Sam Turner. For the Linden Hills district they are Jen Bellefleur, Mark Dwyer, Mark Settergren, Felicity Britton, and Peter Hinke. For Lowry Hill they are Frank Inamagua and Tom Fletcher. For Lyndale-Lake the appointees are Stuart Ackerberg, Denise Arambadjis, Cole Rogers, John Meegan and Christina Le. The appointees for the Uptown district board are Samuel Ankin, Will Shew, Jacqueline Knight, Jeffery Herman and Nicholas Hall.

New shelter, housing at 1st and 28th
The Department of Community Planning and Economic Development is recommending approval of applications by Simpson Housing Services, Inc. for the properties located at 2730, 2734, and 2740 1st Ave. S. If the rezoning, conditional use permit and a site plan review is approved by the Planning Commission, they plan to build a new four-story 42-unit residential building, 72-bed emergency shelter and a clinic. They will demolish the Simpson United Methodist Church and other buildings that now stand on the site. The proposed mixed-use building will include a commercial kitchen and dining room community space, and a 24-hour front desk.

Money for cleaner air and energy
Minneapolis’ Green Cost Share program is taking applications until April 3 to provide matching funds to Minneapolis property owners who make property updates that lead to greater energy efficiency and pollution reduction. The program has an annual fund of $2,000,000.

28th Street Tot Lot Park improvements
The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board is working on improvements to the 28th St. Tot Lot Park and is seeking community input on two concepts they developed in partnership with City of Skate. Feedback and comments on the initial concept designs and park naming preferences is due by Friday, March 10. There is an online survey.

2023 Open Street calendar
In February, the city council approved five Open Streets events for this year as follows: June 10 on Lake Street from 2nd Ave. S. to 22 Ave. S.; July 16 on Glenwood Ave. from Washburn Ave. N. to Bryant Ave. N.; Aug. 20 on Cedar Ave. from Washington Ave. S. to 6th St. S.; Sept. 16 on West Broadway from Penn Ave. N. to Lyndale Ave. N; and on Oct. 8 on Lyndale Ave. from W. 22nd St. to W. 42nd St. During these events, the city closes the streets to motor vehicle traffic, and opens them for pedestrian use including walking, rolling, biking and to connect with neighbors and promote local businesses.