Congratulations on your plans to improve your property in Bryn Mawr. Our neighborhood takes pride in its housing stock and commercial developments which are well cared for and continually improved.

Most projects require a city permit http://www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/mdr/permits/ApplyingForPermit.asp

You can explore whether your plans will require a city approved variance by contacting their Planning and Zoning office (their number is available
at 311 or 673.3000).  If your project does require a City of Minneapolis re-zoning, variance, conditional use permit or other land use change requiring City approval, the following guide provides information on how the Bryn Mawr Neighborhood Association (BMNA) works with the City and you in this process.

Land Use Committee History and Purpose

In May 2002, the BMNA created the Land Use Committee (LUC).  The BMNA charged the Committee with developing a Land Use Plan for the neighborhood.  In December 2003, the BMNA approved the Plan.  Subsequently, the City Council approved the Plan as an amendment to the City’s Comprehensive Plan.  The BMNA Land Use Plan is found on our web site at the link http://bmna.org/planningnrp/landuseplan.pdf .  The Land Use Plan is the result of enormous effort.  The LUC and BMNA attempt to showcase its components to residents, both to educate and inform them, as well as continue validation of its principles as a living document.

The LUC plays an active part in monitoring the Land Use Plan and its application to development proposals in Bryn Mawr.  This has special importance for big projects, commercial developments, those related to a prospective light rail station, and the Bassett Creek Valley area for which Bryn Mawr’s interface is the Redevelopment Oversight Committee (ROC).  These projects have profound implications for the future look, feel and livability of Bryn Mawr.  The LUC has worked with many neighbors as they have brought forward land use applications and can help you understand the Bryn Mawr neighborhood vision and how your request supports or does not support that vision and how to better approach the City.

Applicants have benefited by having qualified constructive input and improved their chances of approval at the City level by identifying strengths/weaknesses and suggesting modifications with the LUC.  The BMNA, meanwhile, appreciates having an opportunity to suggest or influence design ideas, which would keep your plans in concert with the neighborhood land use plan.

BMNA Proposal / Review Process

1.            As part of the City’s variance/re-zoning process, you will need to notify our councilmember’s office (Lisa.Goodman@ci.minneapolis.mn.us) and the BMNA president (president@BMNA.org ) of a land use request. Here is a link to the city’s site for applicants - http://www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/cped/zoning-handouts-and-applications.asp

2.            You, as a Bryn Mawr land use applicant, will receive a written acknowledgment.  The acknowledgment verifies receipt by the BMNA of your notification and fulfills your requirement to do so.

3.            BMNA policy is that you discuss the details of your plans at a regularly scheduled LUC meeting (generally the first Wednesday of each month at Bryn Mawr Elementary School) and recommend that you contact the LUC Chair (Kevin Johnson;  KDJOHNSON@stoel.com ) to confirm your intent to do so. It is also helpful, if you have plans or architectural drawings, to submit those in advance so they can be distributed to committee members prior to the meeting.

4.            BMNA will advise the city that you’ve taken the time to meet with our LUC. There are occasions when the BMNA expresses its opinions to the City.  In such cases, the LUC will state whether the Bryn Mawr, from its review process, favors, remains neutral or opposes a land use proposal and why.  The BMNA Board reviews LUC recommendations and submits communication to the City.  Decisions by the BMNA Board are reflected in our regular meeting minutes, published in the monthly Bryn Mawr Bugle.

Good luck with your project and thank you for your consideration in providing BMNA’s Land Use Committee the opportunity to review it with you.