Anna Nelson
@anwmo.bsky.social
Minneapolis, bikes, transportation, and advocating for more homes in my neighborhood
Why wait for the 2050 plan? Let's make it legal to build like these Sheridan neighborhood beauties again! Today they are not allowed - not enough "front yard". This would be a minor tweak to city code... What d'ya say @minneapolismn.gov and @ward3.minneapolismn.gov ? :)
These cookie cutter (complimentary) duplexes on 13th Ave NE in Minneapolis are gorgeous with their short setbacks, well planted gardens, and two levels of porches. But not a design you can replicate now (setbacks)
August 13, 2025 at 1:17 AM
Why wait for the 2050 plan? Let's make it legal to build like these Sheridan neighborhood beauties again! Today they are not allowed - not enough "front yard". This would be a minor tweak to city code... What d'ya say @minneapolismn.gov and @ward3.minneapolismn.gov ? :)
Seems like a super creative way to build on a single lot with a slight hill. How many Minneapolis policies would we need to edit to allow this in Minneapolis @evanrobertsnz.bsky.social and @britvulcan.net
A developer has proposed a 10-unit SB 684/1123 project in East Hollywood.
- All two-bedroom small lot homes (one unit is affordable)
- No parking
- Lot is on a hill, so you need to climb stairs to get to rear units
I'm incredibly curious what these will sell for.
- All two-bedroom small lot homes (one unit is affordable)
- No parking
- Lot is on a hill, so you need to climb stairs to get to rear units
I'm incredibly curious what these will sell for.
August 1, 2025 at 9:12 PM
Seems like a super creative way to build on a single lot with a slight hill. How many Minneapolis policies would we need to edit to allow this in Minneapolis @evanrobertsnz.bsky.social and @britvulcan.net
Reposted by Anna Nelson
How Driving Less Benefits Us: https://streets.mn/2025/07/29/how-driving-less-benefits-us/
Driving less provides personal benefits and societal ones. Less rushing means a more involved day-to-day.
Driving less provides personal benefits and societal ones. Less rushing means a more involved day-to-day.
July 29, 2025 at 12:00 PM
How Driving Less Benefits Us: https://streets.mn/2025/07/29/how-driving-less-benefits-us/
Driving less provides personal benefits and societal ones. Less rushing means a more involved day-to-day.
Driving less provides personal benefits and societal ones. Less rushing means a more involved day-to-day.
@minneapolismn.gov whennn can we have this?!?! Please don't make us wait for the 2050 plan. This is a zero-cost-to-city change that will encourage more affordable homes. A no brainer! Cc @moreneighbors.org
"Based on both the existing conditions in St. Paul and the previous results of a comparable change in Houston, it seems likely that this lot size reduction could be at least as impactful as the legalization of multiple units per lot in single-family areas..."
Coming Soon to St. Paul: Little Lots
Little attention has been paid to a big proposed change in St. Paul’s zoning code: reducing minimum lot size requirements.
streets.mn
July 26, 2025 at 6:59 PM
@minneapolismn.gov whennn can we have this?!?! Please don't make us wait for the 2050 plan. This is a zero-cost-to-city change that will encourage more affordable homes. A no brainer! Cc @moreneighbors.org
Reposted by Anna Nelson
"Given the line’s nearly $3 billion price tag and the rarity of an undeveloped, city-owned parcel surrounding a new light-rail station, you’d think there would be more public discussion about the future of Linden Yards."
Roper: New Minneapolis light rail route threads through strange concrete wasteland
The city got a raw deal on the location of Southwest’s stations, but should make the most of them.
www.startribune.com
July 18, 2025 at 4:27 PM
"Given the line’s nearly $3 billion price tag and the rarity of an undeveloped, city-owned parcel surrounding a new light-rail station, you’d think there would be more public discussion about the future of Linden Yards."
Reposted by Anna Nelson
Evie saves my fiancé and I tons of money providing access to a car for the rare occasions we need one while avoiding the massive expenses of car ownership. If you're thinking about getting a car, consider getting an Evie membership instead if you don't drive every day.
Did you know the Twin Cities has the largest municipality-owned and nonprofit-operated electric carshare fleet in the country? Evie is now threatened federal funding cuts, but can survive with more users. It saves my family $10k/year by not purchasing a 2nd car. Check it out: eviecarshare.com
Meet Evie - Evie Carshare
Meet Evie: All Electric Carshare for the Twin Cities. One-way trips by the minute, hour or day. All-Electric Carshare for the Twin Cities
eviecarshare.com
July 17, 2025 at 8:18 PM
Evie saves my fiancé and I tons of money providing access to a car for the rare occasions we need one while avoiding the massive expenses of car ownership. If you're thinking about getting a car, consider getting an Evie membership instead if you don't drive every day.
Reposted by Anna Nelson
Did you know the Twin Cities has the largest municipality-owned and nonprofit-operated electric carshare fleet in the country? Evie is now threatened federal funding cuts, but can survive with more users. It saves my family $10k/year by not purchasing a 2nd car. Check it out: eviecarshare.com
Meet Evie - Evie Carshare
Meet Evie: All Electric Carshare for the Twin Cities. One-way trips by the minute, hour or day. All-Electric Carshare for the Twin Cities
eviecarshare.com
July 17, 2025 at 12:55 PM
Did you know the Twin Cities has the largest municipality-owned and nonprofit-operated electric carshare fleet in the country? Evie is now threatened federal funding cuts, but can survive with more users. It saves my family $10k/year by not purchasing a 2nd car. Check it out: eviecarshare.com
This is such a small thing that adds to urban/pedestrian quality of life. Can we tweak the code @minneapolismn.gov ?
It's literally the city of Minneapolis' policy to discourage awnings attached to buildings, so thank them for the lack of shade at outdoor dining places ... but this is a recent policy. I recently discovered that in the 1970s the zoning code encouraged awnings. Now curious why this changed ...
July 16, 2025 at 12:00 PM
This is such a small thing that adds to urban/pedestrian quality of life. Can we tweak the code @minneapolismn.gov ?
This is a fascinating way to look at the issue. I wonder what these numbers are for Minneapolis/st Paul? And what they are today?
Finally getting around to this great article on Los Angeles' homelessness crisis and it's incredible how impactful Greg Morrow's dissertation has been.
Los Angeles' zoning code once allowed for 10 million people to find a home here and segregationsts reduced that number to 4 million in the 1970s.
Los Angeles' zoning code once allowed for 10 million people to find a home here and segregationsts reduced that number to 4 million in the 1970s.
The real story of how L.A. became the epicenter of America's homeless crisis
The surprising story, in words and pictures, behind the homeless crisis in Los Angeles — a tale of law enforcement, housing and economic crosswinds.
www.latimes.com
July 14, 2025 at 3:38 AM
This is a fascinating way to look at the issue. I wonder what these numbers are for Minneapolis/st Paul? And what they are today?
Perfect spot for lower-climate-impact Excelsior homes: walk to shops, restaurants AND grocery store. Arbitrary rules (council here wants 2 story blding vs 3?) are blocking homes of all price points in every suburb. This is what @moreneighbors.org works on for our climate, among other reasons...
Building height fight brews in this historic downtown
Excelsior officials are still debating the approval of a three-story, mixed-use building that’s too tall for the historic area’s regulations. Several other projects have failed to materialize at the p...
www.startribune.com
July 7, 2025 at 4:48 PM
Perfect spot for lower-climate-impact Excelsior homes: walk to shops, restaurants AND grocery store. Arbitrary rules (council here wants 2 story blding vs 3?) are blocking homes of all price points in every suburb. This is what @moreneighbors.org works on for our climate, among other reasons...
Reposted by Anna Nelson
Conscientious SUV Shopper Just Wants Something That Will Kill Family In Other Car In Case Of Accident theonion.com/conscie...
July 5, 2025 at 6:00 PM
Conscientious SUV Shopper Just Wants Something That Will Kill Family In Other Car In Case Of Accident theonion.com/conscie...
Reposted by Anna Nelson
It's so awesome (truly) that I recognize almost nobody in this picture. It means we were able to build an organization that can sustain itself beyond the initial energy of the first few members.
The committed volunteers and staff of Neighbors for @moreneighbors.org!
July 1, 2025 at 1:00 AM
It's so awesome (truly) that I recognize almost nobody in this picture. It means we were able to build an organization that can sustain itself beyond the initial energy of the first few members.
Evan *knows* what he is talking about. Legislators, pay attention for the 2025-2026 session and help us build more affordable, family-sized homes, please! cc #mnleg #yestohomes @moreneighbors.org
Our (American, not just MN) channeling of housing into 2.5 basic types-- single family homes, small apartments, townhouses--makes this issue more acute than it needs to be. SFHs and townhouses are (stairs!) less likely to be mobility friendly than new construction multi family.
One form of discrimination that’s explicitly legal! (Not defending it necessarily but getting seniors out of their homes is a good thing writ large.)
June 28, 2025 at 7:05 PM
Evan *knows* what he is talking about. Legislators, pay attention for the 2025-2026 session and help us build more affordable, family-sized homes, please! cc #mnleg #yestohomes @moreneighbors.org
Reposted by Anna Nelson
This afternoon, every Republican and every Democrat in the North Carolina House of Representatives voted to end costly bureaucratic parking mandates & give property owners full flexibility over how to handle parking.
What a stunning bipartisan awakening there has been on parking in 2025.
What a stunning bipartisan awakening there has been on parking in 2025.
June 26, 2025 at 3:02 AM
This afternoon, every Republican and every Democrat in the North Carolina House of Representatives voted to end costly bureaucratic parking mandates & give property owners full flexibility over how to handle parking.
What a stunning bipartisan awakening there has been on parking in 2025.
What a stunning bipartisan awakening there has been on parking in 2025.
Reposted by Anna Nelson
A few days ago, one of the most right-wing governors in the US signed a bipartisan law massively expanding where apartments can be built in Texas.
Today, a socialist who promises 200k new homes & an end to parking mandates became the presumptive mayor of NYC.
Housing abundance runs the gamut.
Today, a socialist who promises 200k new homes & an end to parking mandates became the presumptive mayor of NYC.
Housing abundance runs the gamut.
June 25, 2025 at 5:25 AM
A few days ago, one of the most right-wing governors in the US signed a bipartisan law massively expanding where apartments can be built in Texas.
Today, a socialist who promises 200k new homes & an end to parking mandates became the presumptive mayor of NYC.
Housing abundance runs the gamut.
Today, a socialist who promises 200k new homes & an end to parking mandates became the presumptive mayor of NYC.
Housing abundance runs the gamut.
"We all do better when we all do better." When everyone is too concentrated on their tiny corner, we lose track of the full community needs. Also wish the state could provide some incentive for smaller municipalities to combine with their big neighbors. (Looking at you Lauderdale and Hilltop!)
Roper: We’ve got a surplus of cities. The metro’s toughest problems require a regional approach.
Loads of local governments in the Twin Cities have created a patchwork of priorities and regulations.
www.startribune.com
June 23, 2025 at 1:24 PM
"We all do better when we all do better." When everyone is too concentrated on their tiny corner, we lose track of the full community needs. Also wish the state could provide some incentive for smaller municipalities to combine with their big neighbors. (Looking at you Lauderdale and Hilltop!)
My story and feelings are very similar to this author. More people should have the option of (and ability to afford) a walkable neighborhood, and it's why I got into my work with @moreneighbors.org
My new column at Governing is on my family's choice to take the convenience of an urban neighborhood over a larger home and yard.
Not everyone wants to raise kids in this environment, but more families should be able to make this choice if they want to: www.governing.com/urban/high-d...
Not everyone wants to raise kids in this environment, but more families should be able to make this choice if they want to: www.governing.com/urban/high-d...
High-Density Housing Is for Families, Too — and We Need More of It
Not everyone who wants to live in a dense walkable neighborhood is able to do so. A morass of regulations stands in the way.
www.governing.com
June 6, 2025 at 8:50 PM
My story and feelings are very similar to this author. More people should have the option of (and ability to afford) a walkable neighborhood, and it's why I got into my work with @moreneighbors.org
We have got to fix our floor area ratio problem -- we need to be building more "missing middle" homes, more 2 bedroom homes, more 3 bedroom homes. The devil is in the details, and we didn't get these right in Minneapolis.
@zyudhishthu.bsky.social, @christianb.bsky.social & others have shown how Minneapolis legalized triplexes but only built ~35 in its first 3 years.
Portland built 8x faster.
Why? Size. Minneapolis said triplex homes on a standard lot could average no more than 833sqft.
Portland built 8x faster.
Why? Size. Minneapolis said triplex homes on a standard lot could average no more than 833sqft.
Mapping Minneapolis’ Post-2040 Plan Duplexes and Triplexes
A geographic visualization of new duplexes and triplexes since the Minneapolis 2040 Plan passed shows what can work — or not — with local regulatory policy.
streets.mn
June 5, 2025 at 2:48 AM
We have got to fix our floor area ratio problem -- we need to be building more "missing middle" homes, more 2 bedroom homes, more 3 bedroom homes. The devil is in the details, and we didn't get these right in Minneapolis.
Reposted by Anna Nelson
I have three misc. thoughts about what happened today:
1. There seems to be absolutely no consideration within the law enforcement profession about the extent to which a militarized appearance and demeanor has disastrous consequences for public trust. For some agencies it's clearly intentional.
1. There seems to be absolutely no consideration within the law enforcement profession about the extent to which a militarized appearance and demeanor has disastrous consequences for public trust. For some agencies it's clearly intentional.
June 3, 2025 at 11:41 PM
I have three misc. thoughts about what happened today:
1. There seems to be absolutely no consideration within the law enforcement profession about the extent to which a militarized appearance and demeanor has disastrous consequences for public trust. For some agencies it's clearly intentional.
1. There seems to be absolutely no consideration within the law enforcement profession about the extent to which a militarized appearance and demeanor has disastrous consequences for public trust. For some agencies it's clearly intentional.
Reposted by Anna Nelson
MN statewide housing and zoning reforms have been successfully blocked for two years in a row because the league of cities has fought to preserve local control.
The local control:
The local control:
Blaine City Council hits pause once they realize their zoning code might allow even a single homeless family to be housed.
www.startribune.com/blaine-homel...
www.startribune.com/blaine-homel...
Resident’s plan to build backyard dwelling for homeless family prompts Blaine to rethink rules
Blaine allowed accessory dwelling units. But when a resident asked to build one for a homeless family, the City Council hit pause on the idea.
www.startribune.com
May 27, 2025 at 5:39 PM
MN statewide housing and zoning reforms have been successfully blocked for two years in a row because the league of cities has fought to preserve local control.
The local control:
The local control:
If you care about our homelessness crisis, or about rising costs/housing shortage in the Twin Cities -- this article is a gut punch, and terribly sad. Another reason the state legislature needs to act instead of hoping cities will do the right thing....
Blaine allowed accessory dwelling units. But when a resident asked to build one for a homeless family, the City Council hit pause on the idea.
Resident’s plan to build backyard dwelling for homeless family prompts Blaine to rethink rules
Blaine allowed accessory dwelling units. But when a resident asked to build one for a homeless family, the City Council hit pause on the idea.
bit.ly
May 27, 2025 at 4:59 PM
If you care about our homelessness crisis, or about rising costs/housing shortage in the Twin Cities -- this article is a gut punch, and terribly sad. Another reason the state legislature needs to act instead of hoping cities will do the right thing....
Reposted by Anna Nelson
"Despite long-term population loss, Minneapolis still needs to build more housing. That’s the only way to accommodate a higher number of households. And not only does the city need to build more housing, it needs to build more types of housing to accommodate different kinds of households."
Minneapolis Has More Households Than Ever Before
Minneapolis’ population is increasing, but its housing needs are increasing even faster. Why? More individual households need more individual spaces.
streets.mn
May 20, 2025 at 12:22 AM
"Despite long-term population loss, Minneapolis still needs to build more housing. That’s the only way to accommodate a higher number of households. And not only does the city need to build more housing, it needs to build more types of housing to accommodate different kinds of households."
Reposted by Anna Nelson
Colorado governor’s new executive order will condition municipalities’ receipt of $100 million in state grants on those cities’ compliance with state housing laws, including:
—Allowing ADUs
—Eliminating parking requirements near transit
—Denser zoning districts near transit
—Allowing ADUs
—Eliminating parking requirements near transit
—Denser zoning districts near transit
Gov. Polis will shut off millions in state grants to cities and counties that don’t comply with state housing policies
The governor issued an executive order Friday requiring local governments to show they’re enacting policies to encourage more housing in order to qualify for transportation and energy funds.
www.cpr.org
May 18, 2025 at 5:08 PM
Colorado governor’s new executive order will condition municipalities’ receipt of $100 million in state grants on those cities’ compliance with state housing laws, including:
—Allowing ADUs
—Eliminating parking requirements near transit
—Denser zoning districts near transit
—Allowing ADUs
—Eliminating parking requirements near transit
—Denser zoning districts near transit
Dislike the "yimby" framing, but the story itself is why @moreneighbors.org organizes for statewide policy change in MN If every community in the state continues saying "no" (esp to modest 3 story multifamily developments), our housing shortage starts looking more like CA's in the nearer future
A controversial housing project in Duluth is pitting NIMBYs or "Not In My Backyard" opponents against yes-leaning YIMBYs who advocate for new housing. The Duluth City Council votes Monday on the housing development.
In Duluth, a controversial condo proposal brings out both NIMBYs and YIMBYs
The Duluth City Council votes Monday on a controversial housing development project. It pits NIMBYs or "Not In My Backyard" opponents against so-called YIMBYs or “Yes In My Backyard,” who advocate for...
www.mprnews.org
May 12, 2025 at 11:57 AM
Dislike the "yimby" framing, but the story itself is why @moreneighbors.org organizes for statewide policy change in MN If every community in the state continues saying "no" (esp to modest 3 story multifamily developments), our housing shortage starts looking more like CA's in the nearer future
Reposted by Anna Nelson
Has anyone ever thought of selling bikes that have what's needed to ride in normal conditions like in the rain, in the dark, with your stuff
May 9, 2025 at 12:41 AM
Has anyone ever thought of selling bikes that have what's needed to ride in normal conditions like in the rain, in the dark, with your stuff