2012–2013 Partner: Minnetonka

Strengthen and integrate existing City stormwater management regulations to streamline the stormwater permitting process and reduce illicit discharges; recommend stormwater management strategies to reduce runoff and surface water pollution on the Ridgedale Mall redevelopment site.

Identify opportunities and strategies to encourage development of a more diverse range of housing options for residents, with housing of various types, sizes, price points, and densities.

Revisit three previous developments—the Glen Lake Redevelopment Project, the Crest Ridge Corporate Center, and the Goodwill Industries Development—that were contentious at the time the projects were under review by the city to determine if community goals were met and neighborhood concerns were…

Develop education and outreach strategies that assist businesses in the community to address water and energy conservation, as well as surface water protection, through their operations and site management. 

Examine the City of Minnetonka's conservation development scorecard to assess its effectiveness in evaluating previous and proposed conservation developments in terms of protecting natural environmental features, preserving open space, protecting natural habitats for wildlife, and…

Develop a prioritization plan to guide city investments in preservation and restoration projects in four priority watersheds; model the feasibility and cost of mitigation actions for reducing nutrient levels in key water bodies within these watersheds.

Assess the feasibility of creating and supporting formal neighborhood associations in Minnetonka by surveying existing formal and informal neighborhood organizations in the community and researching local and national models for facilitating the creation of neighborhood associations.

Investigate opportunities and strategies for assisting residents to age in place in Minnetonka, either by remaining in their homes or relocating to more appropriate housing in the city.

Review Minnetonka's existing minimum parking regulations, and explore innovative parking management strategies and best practices to inform an update to the city’s parking ordinance.

Evaluate the city's existing transportation demand management ordinance and review TDM ordinances and best practices in comparable suburban communities nationwide to inform an update and expansion of TDM requirements in the city.

Assess the market for mid-priced housing in Minnetonka and neighboring communities to inform future efforts to increase the amount of mid-priced housing in the city. 

Assess the perceptions and attitudes among Minnetonka residents, developers, and community leaders toward green roof and rooftop garden projects; identify best practices for implementing green roofs in the context of a suburban community located in a northern climate.

Research transit‐oriented zoning district models in comparable suburban contexts, and recommend guidelines for the city’s financial and policy role in future redevelopment projects at the major station areas in Minnetonka along the proposed Southwest Light-Rail Transit line.

Conduct an evaluation of the Minnetonka Home Enhancement Program, a housing rehabilitation program established in 2011 to assist low- to medium-income residents to make improvements to their homes, and recommend strategies to increase use of the program.