Minneapolis Regulatory Initiatives for Affordable Housing Thomas Deegan Manager, Problem Properties Unit [e-mail] 612.673.3310

1
Minneapolis Regulatory Initiatives for
Affordable Housing Thomas DeeganManager,
Problem Properties UnitThomas.Deegan_at_ci.minneapo
lis.mn.us612.673.3310
City of Minneapolis Regulatory Services October
2008
2
Problem Properties Unit Mission

To analyze and resolve property issues that have
not been responsive to Normal processes of
enforcement

• Focus Areas
• Vacant, Boarded, Condemned
• Problem Addresses (police and housing)
• Complex Non-responsive (commercial)

City of Minneapolis Regulatory Services
3
Foreclosure Crisis

• This map shows total foreclosure sales in 2007,
  according to the Hennepin County Sherriffs
  Office
• Foreclosures are concentrated in North and South
  Central Minneapolis

4
Regulatory Strategies and Programs

• Vacant Building Registration
• Restoration Agreements
• Fee Waiver Public Developments
• Cluster Focused Developments
• Truth in Sale of Housing
• Minneapolis Development Review

City of Minneapolis Regulatory Services
5
Vacant Building Registration Program

• Monitor and Track Boarded, Vacant and Condemned
  Properties
• Oversee Vacant Building Registration (6000 fee)
• List provided on Web for easy access
• Administer Ordinance Governing Boarded, Vacant
  and Nuisance Properties (Chapter 249)
• Determine appropriate abatement action
  demolition or restoration

City of Minneapolis Regulatory Services
6
Restoration Agreements

• Expedites the rehab of a property to a livable
  condition.
• Used as
• Alternative to demolition order
• Method to hold fee in abeyance
• Approximately 30 in progress and 15 complete over
  the past 2 years
• Possible Future Use Order Rehab with Follow
  Through by City (repair)

City of Minneapolis Regulatory Services
7
Elements of Restoration Agreement

• Contract between the owner and Regulatory
  Services
• Based on Code Compliance Inspection or Inspection
  by PPU Inspector
• 6 months to complete the work
• Requires Escrow / Bond to ensure success
• Inspector assigned to track/assist

City of Minneapolis Regulatory Services
8
Waive Regulatory Fees Assessments

• For City Owned/Acquired Properties
• Waive all Regulatory Fees
• Special Assessments (board up nuisance
  abatement utility bills admin citations)
• Provide expedited plan review
• For Non-Profits Working with City
• Waive Code Compliance fee requirements (2000
  deposit)

City of Minneapolis Regulatory Services
9
Cluster Focused Development

• Six Areas - Coordinated Planning Development
• Partnership between Minneapolis Family Housing
  Fund Community Development Agency Reg Services
  Neighborhood and Developer
• Identify Development Opportunities and Regulatory
  Concerns

10
Truth in Sale of Housing - Web

• The evaluation, the Certificate of Approval (if
  issued), the list of violations, can be found on
  the City of Minneapolis website
  www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/propertyinfo/
• Ease of Access for Evaluators and Potential
  Buyers
• Expedites Process ensures ordinance compliance

City of Minneapolis Regulatory Services
11
Minneapolis Development Review

• State of the Art Development Review Center
• Significantly reduced time of plan review/permits
  (41 to 9)
• Plan Review Appointments
• Permits
• Questions / Reviews
• Licenses
• Payment of Special Assessments