On my way to this. Starts at 7.
It's weird to be in that part of Minneapolis that is actually St Paul.
Guy just introduced himself to Cam Gordon as a "new resident of Longfellow, used to live in Uptown" and can Cam said, "so you grew up." And a guy from the Wedge said "hey I'm from the Wedge!"
(guy from the Wedge was me)
People complain about government workers, but these two just solved forgetting a power cord for their projector by scrounging up an extension cord at this church. 
People at my table are very impressed with the hard copy of these maps: "oooh, you can't print these at home."
Look who sat next to me.
Cam said "we didn't print out enough of those booklet dealies, but I can email one to you."
Heavy representation from Prospect Park at this meeting.
Cam calls once-a-decade comprehensive plan update: "One of the bigger decisions we're gonna make in a long time."
Scoop: Minneapolis director of long range planning Heather Worthington says there's a planner with bundles of post it notes from all the comp plan public meetings on the floor of his office.
Planner says she likes to think of navigating the comp plan website as a "choose your own adventure" book she read as a child. You can click through to explore policy topics and how they relate to plan.
Minneapolis2040.com
Minneapolis2040.com
Lady says it's "really difficult" to get to the "bottom line of what the plan really means." Also concerns about having a paper copy. Wants PDF version people can print.
Now a question about extending public comment period because of lack of PDF to this point.
Planner starts to speak. "excuse me who are you and what is your role?" These people are very precise.
Comp plan, once adopted, has the force of law, says planner Joe Bernard. Update to zoning code follows comp plan update over the last few years. Comp plan is not zoning, it's a guide to inform an upcoming process.
*zoning update over next few years
Analysis: one of the dirty secrets of the comp plan is that so much of our current policy conflict with the current comp plan so concerned residents have plenty of room to fuck with this process going forward.
Not a static document. It can be amended, says Heather Worthington.
Cam calls comp plan a lever to get your chosen policies down the road.
Guy: "my home is zoned single family, and this plan says somebody can come in and buy my house and build a 4plex. Why are you trying to do away with single family homes?"
Hey guy, you don't have to sell your home.
Hey guy, you don't have to sell your home.
Presentation stalled by flurry of questions...
I say legalize 4plexes and small apartment buildings. People will continue to live in single family homes, and buy single family homes for use as single family homes far, far into the future. The sky is not falling. Making something legal doesn't make it mandatory.
