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S-o o <br /> CITY OF ORONO <br /> RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL <br /> y�lktsHo1-tio 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 /> 1 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 /> MINNESOTA AS 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: CITY O NO <br /> Christine Lusian, Clerk Bob Tunheim,Mayor <br />