Minneapolis Council Committee Meeting – October 28, 2025: Consent, Licenses, Heritage, and Historic Demolition Appeal

On October 28, 2025, the Minneapolis City Council committee chaired by Councilmember Jamal Osman met with a quorum of four members (Councilmembers Vita, Chowdry, Osman; Cashman and Jenkins absent). The meeting included approval of a consent calendar, public hearings on a cannabis events ordinance, major heritage preservation regulation updates, a parkland dedication amendment for tribal entities, a new liquor license for Chiba Hut Uptown, revocation proceedings for two liquor licenses due to tax non‑compliance, and a quasi‑judicial appeal regarding demolition of the historic John Cook House. Public hearings were continued for the heritage regulations and the Cook House appeal to the next meeting on November 13, 2025.

Consent Calendar

• Item 8 – Approved one liquor license.
• Item 9 – Approved 19 liquor license renewals.
• Item 10 – Approved six gambling licenses.
• Item 11 – Authorized a cooperative agreement for demolition services at 1410 West Broadway.
• Item 12 – Approved a rezoning plan for Mortenson Development at 1020 Essex Street SE.
• Item 13 – Authorized a grant agreement with the Minnesota National Independent Venue Association.
• Item 14 – Authorized a carry‑forward of NUS 2025 revenue bonds for the multifamily housing program.
• Item 15 – Authorized a joint power agreement with Hennepin County to support the office to end homelessness.
• Item 16 – Authorized a change to the amended 2026‑27 housing tax credit qualified allocations plan.
• Item 17 – Authorized a contract with Hennepin County and Avivo for funding support.
• Item 18 – Accepted and authorized spring 2025 Brownfield grants.
• Item 19 – Authorized a program revision for the Naturally Accurate Affordable Housing Preservation Fund.
• Item 20 – Referred an ordinance on public safety regulations for on‑sale establishments to staff for further work. All items approved unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Cannabis Events Ordinance – No public speakers.
• Heritage Preservation Regulations – No public speakers.
• Parkland Dedication (Tribal Exemption) – No public speakers.
• Chiba Hut Uptown Liquor License – Nick, the owner, spoke in support, describing the business (sandwich shop with full bar, limited live entertainment), anticipated opening date of December 8, 2025, and community optimism. No opposition was expressed.
• Liquor License Revocations (Mento Jamaica Kitchen) – No public speakers.
• John Cook House Demolition Appeal – Multiple speakers:
  • Jacob Steen (attorney for owner 1717 Developers) argued that the building is unsafe and condemned, repair costs (~$1.5 million) far exceed the assessed value (~$280,000), making rehabilitation economically infeasible. He contended that neglect was due to “red tape” and the burden of landmark status, not owner inaction.
  • Melanie Ng (Northeast resident) opposed demolition, stating the house is a “striking example of Queen Anne architecture” and has been deliberately neglected by speculators. She noted the Aaron Carlson fire as a cautionary tale.
  • Seth Miller urged preservation, arguing that allowing demolition would undermine Minneapolis landmark protections and reward owner neglect.
  • Elizabeth Richardson (co‑owner of Recovery Bike Shop) emphasized the house’s cultural and historical significance to Northeast’s working‑class community and argued the owner had a legal duty to maintain it.
  • Karen Gribna (neighbor) expressed safety concerns from squatters and decay, asking the city to take stronger action regardless of the demolition decision.
  • Kevin Reich (former Council Member, Ward 1) supported staff and HPC findings, noting the rigorous designation process and urging the committee to protect the community’s history.

Discussion Items

• Cannabis Events Ordinance (Continued from Oct. 14) – Manager Amy Lingo presented the ordinance, which sets time, place, and manner regulations for public cannabis events. No questions or public testimony. Approved.
• Heritage Preservation Regulations (Chapter 599 Update) – Senior City Planner Rob Skolecki presented a comprehensive update (first major revision since 2001) to simplify processes, align with state/federal law, and improve transparency. Key changes include new administrative review types, updated fees for inflation, streamlined demolition review, and clarified designation and appeal procedures. The Heritage Preservation Commission (HPC) recommended four amendments; staff supported one (aligning demolition approval validity with two‑year standard) and opposed three (regarding appeal redundancy, application deadlines, and HPC nomination bypass). The public hearing was continued to November 13, 2025 for further council review.
• Parkland Dedication Ordinance – Councilmember Shavas introduced an amendment to add tribal governments to the list of entities exempt from parkland dedication fees (currently exempt for affordable housing funded by local, state, or federal governments). The ordinance was approved unanimously.
• Chiba Hut Uptown Liquor License (1118 West Lake St.) – Alexis Sornson (Licensing) presented the application for on‑sale liquor, limited entertainment, Sunday sales, and 2 a.m. license. Hours: indoor Sun‑Thu 10:30 a.m.–midnight, Fri‑Sat 10:30 a.m.–2 a.m.; outdoor patio Sun‑Thu 10:30 a.m.–10 p.m., Fri‑Sat 10:30 a.m.–11 p.m. 124 public hearing notices sent; no responses received. No police or 311 issues. Approved unanimously.
• Liquor License Revocations (Mento Jamaica Kitchen – two licenses; Minto on Lake St. – one strong beer license) – City attorney noted non‑compliance with state tax requirements. No response from applicants. Committee voted to continue both items without recommendation to the full council.
• John Cook House Demolition Appeal (948 18th Ave. NE) – Rob Skolecki explained that HPC denied the certificate of appropriateness on September 30, 2025, finding the property (designated in 2021) retains significance and integrity, repairs are possible, and demolition is not necessary. The appellant (Jacob Steen) argued the building is unsafe and economically unfeasible to rehabilitate. Public testimony followed. Council discussed the owner’s duty to maintain, the history of neglect (vacant since 2014, condemned in 2020), and available enforcement tools (e.g., prolonged vacancy fines). The public hearing was continued to November 13, 2025.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Calendar – Approved unanimously; Item 20 referred to staff.
• Cannabis Events Ordinance – Approved.
• Heritage Preservation Regulations – Public hearing continued to November 13, 2025.
• Parkland Dedication Ordinance (Tribal Exemption) – Approved unanimously.
• Chiba Hut Uptown Liquor License – Approved unanimously.
• Liquor License Revocations – Continued without recommendation to full council.
• John Cook House Demolition Appeal – Public hearing continued to November 13, 2025; no decision rendered. Council directed staff to provide information on vacancy fines and enforcement at the next meeting.