Author: Billie Jo Parmely
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City of Plymouth proposes new inclusionary zoning policy
The city of Plymouth unveiled the final draft of its moderate-income housing policy, which aims to increase the production of housing units in the city available to residents making less than the area median income. Under the proposal, all types of new housing receiving financial assistance from the city would need to reserve 10% to […] Read More
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St. Paul revisits rent control after federal lawsuit and decline in production
After a citywide slowdown in housing construction and a federal lawsuit, the city of St. Paul has taken steps to amend the city’s voter-approved rent-control ordinance that took effect in May. In November 2021, St. Paul residents approved the nation’s strictest rent control measure. St. Paul’s rent control policy capped rent increases to 3%, and […] Read More
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Energy Code review, 2023 National Electrical Code, water quality fees
On Aug. 23, Administrative Law Judge Eric Lipman held a virtual hearing on the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) review of the 2021 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC). At this hearing and over the next several weeks, stakeholders weighed in on this review and whether to open Minnesota’s residential energy code for rulemaking. Back in […] Read More
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Fed raises rates by 75 basis points
In its continued effort to fight inflation, the Federal Reserve raised the federal funds target rate another 75 basis points mid-September. This is the third consecutive increase of 75 basis points. The large hikes are sending shockwaves through the financial markets and the overall economy. Federal Reserve officials have now hinted at plans to continue […] Read More
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Housing inventory remains low even as housing market shifts
Across the country rising mortgage rates and inflation have had a stifling impact on the housing market. It is no surprise when considering that from the start of the year, mortgage rates have more than doubled, increasing from 3% in January to rates now over 6% this fall. Permits for new single-family homes have fallen […] Read More
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State Supreme Court hears Puce v. Burnsville park fee case
The Minnesota Supreme Court heard oral arguments in Puce v. Burnsville on Oct. 4 in the Minnesota State Capitol. Puce v. Burnsville is a challenge to the city’s park fee ordinance. Under Minnesota law, any development fees or dedications must have a direct connection to the project and the impact must be specific to that […] Read More
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Minnesota Office of the Legislative Auditor releases report on the Southwest Light Rail Transit delays and costs
Since the inception of the Southwest Light Rail Transit (LRT) in 2011, the cost of the project has more than doubled and the line’s opening date has been delayed nine years, the Office of the Legislative Auditor reported at the beginning of September. The light rail line, which is meant to connect Minneapolis to the […] Read More
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Construction labor shortage continues even as wages increase
Despite Minnesota construction wages being up 8.9% from last year, the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) reported in September that the state is down 1,568 construction jobs from a year ago. Although construction employment in the U.S. is up 4% overall, Minnesota doesn’t seem to be following the same trend line. Brian […] Read More
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Xcel Energy approved to build one of the nation’s largest solar plants
On Sept. 15, Xcel Energy received unanimous approval from Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (PUC) to move forward with building a massive solar power plant in Becker, Minnesota. Sherco Solar will be the largest solar development in the Upper Midwest covering 3,497 acres in the Becker area. The facility will help replace the three coal-fired Sherco […] Read More
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National Truck Driver Appreciation Week celebrated by industry
Dakota County Lumber Company celebrated National Truck Driver Appreciation Week in September by making boxes of treats for their delivery team. The staff also created a snack station for the many vendor drivers that keep their inventory stocked. “Our drivers are our logistics experts, problem solvers, first line of customer service and often the only […] Read More
