550.1050. - Alternatives to zoning ordinance standards.
(a) In general. The city planning commission may approve alternatives to the zoning regulations applicable to the zoning district in which the planned unit development is located, as authorized in this article and as listed in Table 550-5, Authorized Alternatives, where the planned unit development includes site amenities. Nothing in this article shall be construed to provide a property owner with any property right or other legal right to compel the city to grant alternatives to this zoning ordinance.
(b) Site amenities. Site amenities are listed in Table 550-4, Amenities, and are subject to the following standards:
(1) All planned unit developments shall provide at least one (1) amenity or a combination of amenities that total at least ten (10) points, beyond those required for any alternative(s), and even if no alternative(s) is requested.
(2) For each alternative requested, an amenity or a combination of amenities totaling at least five (5) points, in addition to the amenity(ies) required in section 550.1050(1), shall be provided. For multiple requests of the same alternative only one (1) amenity shall be required for those alternatives, except for revisions made to an already approved planned unit development as an amendment to the planned unit development.
(3) Unless otherwise determined by the city planning commission, each phase of the planned unit development shall include the amenities provided for any alternatives in that phase, as a part of the construction of that phase.
(4) In no case shall any item be counted as an amenity for an alternative if it is utilized to qualify for a floor area ratio or height incentive in the built form overlay districts or any other amenity in Table 550-4, Amenities.
(5) Where an amenity is provided that meets the standards required in Table 550-4, Amenities, the full point value assigned to said amenity shall be obtained. Where the amenity does not meet all of the standards required in Table 550-4, Amenities, no points shall be awarded. Partial points for alternatives shall not be awarded, except as otherwise allowed in Table 550-4, Amenities. For purposes of Table 550-4, "CUP" shall mean conditional use permit.
Table 550-4 Amenities
Points | Amenity | Standards
10 | Active liner uses as part of a parking garage | Inclusion of housing, office, or other active uses around the perimeter of all floors of a parking garage that face a public street, sidewalk, or pathway. In any district where liner uses are already required on the first floor, points shall only be awarded for liner uses on all other floors above the first where parking is located. False or display windows shall not qualify.
10 | Environmental sustainability—Ecological function | a. Installation of an extensive, intensive, semi-intensive, modular or integrated green roof system that covers a minimum of fifty (50) percent of the total roof area proposed for the development. b. Not less than fifty (50) percent of the site not occupied by buildings including all required landscaped yards shall be landscaped per the standards in Article V, Site Plan Review Standards of this chapter. c. Native species plantings shall be prioritized on the landscaping plan, including plantings that support pollinators.
10 | Historic preservation | a. The structure shall be a locally designated historic structure or shall be determined to be eligible to be locally designated as a historic structure, as provided in Chapter 599 of the Minneapolis Code of Ordinances, Heritage Preservation. b. The historic structure, if undesignated, shall be subject to the same restrictions that are applicable to locally designated historic structures and the recommendations contained in The Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation. c. The historic structure shall be rehabilitated pursuant to the applicable guidelines of the heritage preservation ordinance and the recommendations contained in The Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation, if necessary.
10 | Environmental sustainability—Climate resiliency | Any performance standard (LEED, PHIUS, EGC, etc.) that achieves the Minnesota Sustainable Building 2030 (SB 2030) 2010-2014 Energy Standard, a sixty (60) percent energy/carbon reduction from the 2003 Average Building Baseline. The evaluation shall be submitted by a certified architect. Building utility energy and water information shall be submitted annually as part of the Minneapolis Energy Benchmarking program.
10 | Public right-of-way dedication | Dedication of land and construction of a public road, alley, pathway, or greenway that is part of an approved City plan or that restores the city's traditional street grid subject to the approval of the applicable agencies or departments. Right-of-way improvements should be designed in accordance with Chapter 598, Land Subdivision Regulations. Points shall not be awarded for the reconstruction or relocation of an alley to facilitate an alley vacation.
10 | Underground parking | All parking shall be located underground. Where the grade of the site slopes significantly, all parking shall be enclosed in a floor level of the building that does not meet the definition of a story. Further, exterior parking garage walls adjacent to the public street shall not extend more than three (3) feet above the adjacent grade measured from the finished floor of the first level. Electric vehicle charging infrastructure must be provided in accordance with section 555.320, Specific electric vehicle charging infrastructure standards.
5 | Conservation of the built environment | Significant renovation, rehabilitation and adaptive reuse of an existing building(s), rather than demolition.
5 | Garden(s) or on-site food production | Permanent and viable growing space and/or facilities such as a greenhouse or a garden conservatory at a minimum of sixty (60) square feet per dwelling unit or rooming unit to a maximum required area of five thousand (5,000) square feet, which provide fencing, watering systems, soil, secured storage space for tools, solar access, and pedestrian access as applicable. The facility shall be designed to be architecturally compatible with the development and to minimize the visibility of mechanical equipment.
5 | Renewable energy | Not less than fifty (50) percent of electricity usage shall be derived from renewable energy sources through on-site generation and/or renewable energy credits (RECs).
5 | Outdoor open space | Contiguous ground level outdoor open space that is related to and proportional with the bulk of the building and landscaped with trees and shrubs. Rain gardens, where appropriate, are encouraged. Walkways and pathways shall be surfaced with pervious pavers, pervious concrete, decorative pavers, stamped concrete, colored concrete, brick or other decorative and durable materials. A minimum of thirty (30) percent of the site not occupied by buildings shall be landscaped outdoor open space. A minimum of fifty (50) percent of the provided open space shall be contiguous. The open space must be immediately accessible from the principal structure. Areas should be designed for winter use and relate to the built form with consideration given to elements such as providing shelter from wind, utilizing seasonally appropriate materials, maximizing access to sunlight and providing for snow and ice removal.
5 | Outdoor children's play area | An active, outdoor children's play area with a minimum of fifty (50) square feet for each unit containing three (3) or more bedrooms but not less than five hundred (500) square feet of play area to a maximum required area of five thousand (5,000) square feet. The play area shall be secure, shall be separated from parking and maneuvering areas, and shall be designed to facilitate adult supervision. The play area shall include play equipment, installed to the manufacturer's specifications, or natural features suitable for children in both preschool and elementary school. Play equipment shall not be located in a required yard and not more than twenty-five (25) percent of the required square footage of the play area may be located in a required yard. Play areas should be designed for winter use and relate to the built form with consideration given to elements such as providing shelter from wind, utilizing seasonally appropriate materials, maximizing access to sunlight and providing for snow and ice removal.
5 | Plaza | Plazas shall have a minimum area equivalent to ten (10) percent of the site not occupied by buildings, but not less than two thousand (2,000) square feet and shall comply with all provisions in Article XIV, Plazas in this chapter. Plazas for commercial or mixed-use development shall be open to the public during daylight hours.
3 | Art feature | Provision of art that shall strive to promote quality design, enhance a sense of place, contribute to a sense of vitality, show value for artist and artistic processes, and use resources wisely. The art shall be maintained in good order for the life of the principal structure. The art shall be located where it is highly visible to the public. If located indoors, such space shall be clearly visible and easily accessible from adjacent sidewalks or streets. The art shall be valued at not less than one-fourth (.25) of one (1) percent of the capital cost of the principal structure.
3 | Decorative or pervious surface for on-site parking and loading areas, drives, driveways and walkways. | Provide decorative pavers, pervious pavers, stamped concrete, colored concrete, pervious concrete, brick or other decorative or durable materials for a minimum of seventy-five (75) percent of surface parking and/or loading areas, drives aisles, driveways and walkways that comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act accessibility requirements.
3 | Energy efficiency | Utilization of energy design assistance programs or commissioning to ensure that building systems are designed to operate efficiently and exceed the Minnesota State Energy Code by at least thirty (30) percent of the annual energy costs. The developer must submit documentation to the City including a letter signed by the owner or a licensed design professional, that shows the project will comply with this standard.
3 | Living wall system | Provide a living wall system on at least one (1) building elevation. The living wall shall be composed of panels that total a minimum of sixty (60) percent of the wall area on the building elevation, or five hundred (500) square feet, whichever is greater. Window area is included in the calculation of the wall area, but in no case shall the living wall cover windows. Not less than twenty (20) percent of the plantings shall provide greenery year-round.
3 | Natural features | Site planning that preserves significant natural features or restores ecological functions of a previously damaged natural environment.
3 | Pedestrian improvements | A site and building design that allows for exceptional and accessible pedestrian and/or bicycle access through and/or around a site that exceeds the requirements of Article V, Site Plan Review Standards in this chapter. The improvements shall use a combination of landscaping, decorative materials, access control and lighting to create a safe, clear and aesthetically pleasing access through and/or around the site that complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act accessibility requirements.
3 | Reflective Roof | Utilize roofing materials for seventy-five (75) percent or more of the total roof surface having a Solar Reflectance Index (SRI) equal to or greater than the values as required by the US Green Building Council (USGBC) for low-sloped and steep-sloped roofs.
3 | Shared bicycles | Public access to shared bicycles available for short-term use. Applies to mixed-use and nonresidential uses only. A minimum of ten (10) shared bicycles per one (1) commercial use must be provided to qualify as an amenity. Bicycle parking spaces and racks shall be located in an area that is convenient and visible from the principal entrance of the building.
3 | Shared vehicles | Access to a shared passenger automobile available for short-term use. For residential uses, a minimum of one (1) car per one hundred (100) dwelling units and/or rooming units is required.
1 | Decorative fencing | Install high-quality decorative metal fencing where visible from the public street, public sidewalk or public pathway. The point for decorative fencing may be obtained when it is included as part of another amenity if it is also provided in other areas on the site. In no case shall chain-link fencing be considered decorative fencing.
1 | Enhanced exterior lighting | Lighting plan that highlights significant areas of the site or architectural features of the building(s), subject to the standards of section 550.2230, Lighting.
1 | Enhanced landscaping | A landscaping plan of exceptional design that has a variety of native tree, shrub, and plant types that provide seasonal interest and that exceed the requirements of Article V, Site Plan Review Standards, in this chapter. The landscaped areas shall have a resource efficient irrigation system. The landscaping plan shall be prepared by a licensed landscape architect.
1 | Enhanced stormwater management | Provide capacity for infiltrating stormwater generated onsite with artful rain garden design, or subterranean stormwater collection and filtration system, that serves as a visible and/or visually appealing amenity. Rain garden designs shall be visually compatible with the form and function of the space and shall include for long-term maintenance of the design. The design shall conform to requirements of the stormwater management plan approved by public works.
1 | Heated drives or sidewalks | Heated drives or sidewalks that are designed to provide snow and ice-free surfaces.
1 | Pet exercise area | A pet exercise area shall have a minimum dimension of twelve (12) feet by sixty (60) feet. It shall be enclosed with decorative fencing, include lighting in compliance with section 550.2230, Lighting, and provide accommodations for proper disposal of animal waste. The pet exercise area shall not be located in a required yard.
1 | Recycling storage area | Provide an easily accessible area that serves the entire building and is dedicated to the collection and storage of non-hazardous materials for recycling, including but not limited to paper, corrugated cardboard, glass, plastics and metals. The recycling storage area shall be located entirely below grade or entirely enclosed within the building.
1 | Tree islands | The inclusion of additional or larger tree islands in the interior of parking lots that exceed the requirements of Article V, Site Plan Review Standards, in this chapter. Larger tree islands shall have a minimum width of ten (10) feet in any direction and shall provide shrubs, plant materials, and/or rain garden plantings in addition to the trees.
1 | Water feature | A water feature, including but not limited to a reflecting pond, a children's play feature or a drinking fountain shall be located where it is highly visible to and useable by the public.
As deter-mined by CUP | Amenities proposed by the applicant or others | The city planning commission may consider other amenities not listed in Table 550-4, Amenities, that are proportionally related to the alternative requested. The commission may assign one (1), three (3), five (5), or ten (10) points based on the proportionality.
As deter-mined by CUP | Amenities that significantly exceed standards | The city planning commission may consider up to five (5) additional points to the point value listed for any amenity in Table 550-4, Amenities, where the commission finds the proposed amenity substantially exceeds the standards required in Table 550-4, Amenities, for the amenity.
(Ord. No. 2025-023, § 59, 5-15-2025)
