to change a section of the zoning code city-wide. For multi-family
constructions and commercial buildings, there would now be standards and
regulations about what building materials and methods and design must be
used.
This particularly addresses recent "el-cheapo" building materials and the
odd mixtures of materials we see on apartment and condo buildings and many
commercial buildings, where you wonder who was drinking what when they
designed the structure. The changes also address the effects of said "el
cheapo" materials--chipping, peeling, water damage to the structure, etc.
Especially targeted? the failures of fiber cement products. Who would have
guessed!
The Planning Department has finally caught up with the developers!
Here's a paragraph from the report attached:
"What problem is the amendment designed to solve?
Recent development in the City of Minneapolis has been employing newer
materials and architectural technologies. These include things like fiber
cement, wood composites, and metal cladding products. Traditional building
materials like stone, brick and stucco have also evolved into a variety of
application
methods. While many of the newer materials and material technologies have
delivered significant efficiencies and cost-savings to recent development
projects, cities have begun to understand both their long-term viability
and their impacts to the public experience of the urban built environment.
While many aspects of design can be considered subjective, material
technologies and applications have a strong impact on the strength and
character of buildings and cities. The proposed amendment seeks to
incorporate and reflect our research and experience with respect to the
demonstrable differences in quality and appropriateness between different
building materials in Minneapolis. Up to this point, the City has not had a
strong regulatory tool for ensuring that building materials meet our policy
goals for building design."
Connie Sullivan
Como, in Southeast Minneapolis