Who Decides Which Businesses Open in the North Loop?
Out of more than 300 comments and questions to come out of the North Loop Neighborhood Association’s Annual Meeting, by far the top category involved the types of businesses North Loop residents want to see in the neighborhood. The most-requested business was a grocery store. A hardware store and sandwich shop were also popular requests.
Unfortunately, the volunteers with the NLNA don’t have the official say in terms of attracting or approving businesses. The owners and developers of North Loop properties are the ones deciding who will go into their buildings, and the ultimate approval comes from the City.
However, the City does want to know if our neighborhood supports or opposes a specific project, and that’s where the NLNA’s Planning & Zoning (P+Z) Committee comes in.
Once businesses announce their intent to open here, our P+Z Committee steps in to learn from the developer and/or management about the type of business, how its storefront will look and when it will operate, among other things. The Committee offers what are called “Letters of Support” when it approves of what a business plans to do. Developers share that Letter of Support with various City agencies as they navigate the necessary steps to eventually open.
“Businesses need a lot of City approvals to open and do business in Minneapolis,” explained Jo Vos, who co-chairs P+Z. “And City staff will often check to see if the neighborhood has approved of the plans or has concerns, so taking time to meet with us is an important step.”
Jo Vos has volunteered on the NLNA Planning+Zoning Committee for 20 years.
For a recent example, the developers of Bathhouse, which is proposed for the current dog park site, presented to P+Z at its January meeting. While P+Z liked the overall concept, it didn’t offer a Letter of Support because current building plans don’t have the 30% windows at street level as the City requires. Residents also voiced their concerns, and the City Planning Commission rejected the developers’ request for “alternative compliance” for street-level windows. Bathhouse is appealing at the March 3 meeting of the City Council’s Committee of the Whole.
Existing businesses also meet with P+Z if they want to make changes to their storefronts. Last fall, Bellecour asked about installing a temporary vestibule for the winter months, to keep blasts of cold air out of their entrance. “This is an example of something that seems really simple, but there are a lot of things to consider,” explained Vos. “We’re not only thinking of this request, but any other similar requests in the future, so we work hard at establishing standards.” Committee members voted in favor of the temporary vestibule, provided it allowed for six feet of sidewalk space, was made of high-quality materials that matched the building exterior and was free of any branding.
The P+Z Committee developed standards for temporary vestibules like this one at Bellecour.
Another example of influencing property developments is the conversion of the IDC Building into apartments. The street-level businesses (Arch Salon & Suites, Vivid, Spoon & Stable, among others) will remain, but plans call for upper floors to be converted from office space to apartments. The Committee listened to the developers’ presentation, and offered suggestions for Hour Car space, greening the sidewalk and adding a pet relief area.
The P+Z Committee suggested improvements for greening, pet relief and other items for the conversion of the top floors of this building to apartments.
Jo Vos has lived in the North Loop since 2003 and has volunteered on P+Z for 20 years, with the last six or so years as co-chair. “When I first started, our priority was increasing density. We knew businesses wouldn’t be attracted to the neighborhood without people, so we approved a lot of apartments and condos. Now with all the people here, businesses want to cater to residents and visitors alike.”
P+Z is made up of 13 volunteers, some with expertise in architecture, construction and planning, but all just have a love for the neighborhood. “We’re all interested in helping shape the neighborhood, maintaining its historical significance and keeping up with the times,” said Vos. The committee meets the 2nd to last Wednesday of the month at 6pm at the Itasca Event Gallery at 701 N. 1st St. All meetings are open to the public.
— By Mary Binkley, NLNA President