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CITY OF ORONO <br />RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL <br />NO.7573 <br />A RESOLUTION SUPPORTING RETENTION OF CITY ZONING AUTHORITY <br />WHEREAS, decisions regarding local zoning and land use that best fit community needs are <br />best left to city residents and officials; <br />WHEREAS, cities utilize zoning and land use regulations to balance property usage, guide <br />community growth, dedicate space and capacity for public infrastructure to support development (roads, <br />parks and trails, transportation, sewer, stormwater, water, etc.), mitigate flooding and erosion, and <br />preserve natural resources among others; <br />WHEREAS, the Minnesota State Legislature, in an attempt to address housing availability and <br />affordability challenges, is considering measures that would broadly limit city authority over zoning and <br />land use decisions, transferring that authority to the state government; <br />WHEREAS, these proposed measures fail to adequately address housing availability and <br />affordability and offer no guarantees that cost savings for developers would translate into lower housing <br />costs for prospective homeowners or renters; <br />WHEREAS, a rigid, state -mandated approach to zoning and land use —relying on overly <br />prescriptive mandates —would deprive cities of the flexibility necessary to accommodate their unique <br />circumstances; <br />WHEREAS, provisions would also limit opportunities for local residents to voice their concerns <br />regarding proposed developments during public hearings of city council and other public meetings; <br />AND, WHEREAS, cities across the state have invested years of work to address zoning issues, <br />and continue to do so, with the help of community engagement. <br />NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ORONO, <br />MINNESOTAAS FOLLOWS: <br />The City of Orono opposes state proposals that seek to broadly limit local zoning and land use decision - <br />making related to residential development; <br />Supports constructive policy alternatives that provide cities with performance -based standards to guide <br />development while maintaining local decision -making and flexibility and incentivize and bolster city <br />efforts for addressing housing challenges; <br />And, advocates for a city-state partnership to consider reforms that are proven to address housing <br />availability and affordability and respect locally -led zoning decisions and community input. <br />Adopted by the City Council of Orono, Minnesota at a regular meeting held on March 24, 2024. <br />ATTEST: <br />CITY OF ORONO <br />Christine Lusian, City Clerk Bob Tunheim, Mayor <br />54 <br />