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<br />March 20, 2025 <br /> <br />Dear Representative Engen, <br />The City of Centerville respectfully asks you to oppose HF 1987/SF 2229϶ЙЧ~ijŏŏđŹŗƂê϶¨ƂêŵƂđŵ϶ <br />cŗŎđ϶ąƂШКϽ϶HF 2140/ SF 2231϶ЙЧ~ŗŵđ϶cŗŎđŹ϶¤ijĩİƂ϶¡ňêąđŹ϶ąƂШКϽ϶êŏċ϶HF 2018/ SF 2286 <br />ЙЧ°ŵêŏŹĨŗŵŎijŏĩ϶~êijŏ϶¨ƂŵđđƂ϶ąƂШКϼ϶9ijƂijđŹ϶ŵđąŗĩŏijƬđ϶ƂİêƂ϶Ƃİđŵđ϶ijŹ϶ê϶İŗƇŹijŏĩ϶ŹİŗŵƂêĩđ϶êąŵŗŹŹ϶Ƃİđ϶ <br />state and across the housing spectrum, though the shortage looks dierent in each <br />community. Alongside the state, cities play a key role in tackling housing challenges and <br />continuing to lead with local solutions. In Centerville, we have continued to innovate at the <br />local level and have supported both aordable and market rate development. <br />We are currently working with the University of Minnesota, through their Empowering Small <br />Minnesota Communities program, on a renewed vision for our downtown. As part of this <br />process, our Planning and Zoning Commission is evaluating density, height, and parking <br />requirements to ensure they reect the needs of the community and comply with Met <br />Council requirements. <br />We are concerned that the aforementioned legislation seeks to broadly limit local decision- <br />making authority on residential development by imposing a state mandate on all cities, <br />regardless of their own unique needs and circumstances. These bills would eliminate low- <br />density zoning options, eliminate resident input before our city council and planning and <br />zoning commission on virtually all residential development, and strip reasonable local <br />planning and zoning standards, which ensure development compatibility and scale. <br />Additionally, these bills create signicant implementation challenges for our city, increasing <br />costs for taxpayers and complicating zoning and land-use planning, all without guaranteeing <br />more aordable housing or increased development. <br />While cities, including Centerville, have zoned land for higher density developments in areas <br />where it makes the most sense for our community, these bills would force cities to allow for <br />higher density in all residential areas without regard for strategic planning. This removes the <br />exibility needed to accommodate local housing needs. Conceptually, this means cities and <br />54 <br /> <br />