Zoning Code Update

Zoning Code Update

On April 1, 2024 the City hosted two open houses to share the progress of the zoning code update project and gather community input. The open house materials and survey have been published online so community members who were unable to attend can learn more and share their feedback. We ask you to review the materials linked below and complete this survey.  We look forward to hearing from you! The survey will be available through April 25th. 

You can see the open house display boards here, the project handout here and take the survey here. Thank you in advance for your feedback!

In September 2023, the City of White Bear Lake launched an 18-month process to review and update its zoning regulations.  This project is necessary because state law requires all metropolitan area cities to update their zoning regulations so they are consistent with the community’s long range planning document - the 2040 Comprehensive Plan.  The comprehensive plan was last updated in 2021 and sets the future vision and development goals for White Bear Lake.  The zoning regulations are the legal tool to implement the vision and development goals found in the comprehensive plan. 

Commonly, zoning regulations include two parts (1) a zoning map which divides the city into various zones (generally residential, commercial, industrial or institutional) and (2) text which details the development standards for the various zones.  The current version of the zoning regulations are available for review on the city’s website by clicking here.  While White Bear Lake has made revisions and updates to the zoning regulations over the years, it has not done a full-scale review and update since the early 1980’s and many of the city’s review processes and development standards are out of date. 

To ensure community involvement in this process, Mayor Dan Louismet appointed a Community Advisory Committee (CAC) to help inform and guide the zoning update.  This committee includes members from the City Council, Planning Commission, Environmental Advisory Commission, Housing Task Force, County Road E Corridor Committee and others from throughout the community who represent various economic development, transportation, education, and arts and cultural interests.  In addition to the committee, the city will seek feedback from the general public through several open house style meetings and this website.  Once a final draft of the zoning regulations is complete, the public will have additional opportunities to provide feedback through a public hearing with the Planning Commission and meetings before the City Council.   

For additional information, please contact Community Development Director, Jason Lindahl:

jlindahl@whitebearlake.org

651-429-8562