Minneapolis Business, Housing and Zoning Committee Meeting - September 8, 2026

On September 8, 2026, the Minneapolis Business, Housing and Zoning Committee met with six members present (quorum established) to consider consent agenda items, hold public hearings, and discuss several regulatory changes. The meeting featured votes to approve a liquor license, delay the 2027 license fee schedule, adopt a new event center license ordinance, and amend fence regulations.

Consent Calendar

• Items 4-16 were approved unanimously, including liquor license approvals and renewals, gambling licenses, contract amendments, grant authorizations, and a public hearing date setting. Councilmember Rainville asked about Item 13 (grants) and received details on a $1 million grant for the 250 Fremont project, a $410,000 grant for Dreamland on 38th, and authorization to apply for up to $300,000 in pre-development funding for the New Nicollet Phase One and Penn Lowry projects. No other items were pulled.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Tropico Liquor License (Public Hearing): Amy, co-owner of Tropico Colombian Street Food, testified in support of the license, explaining the relocation and business expansion. No opposition was voiced.
• 2027 License Fee Schedule (Public Hearing): No public comments were received.
• Event Center License Ordinance (Public Hearing): Keenan Shanahan, co-owner of Mugan Entertainment, testified in strong support, noting the ordinance would provide a clearer path for small venues to host public events and help his organization establish a permanent home. No opposition.
• Fence Regulation Ordinance: Previous public hearings were held at the Planning Commission and Board of Adjustment with no public comment; no additional testimony was taken at this meeting.

Discussion Items

• Tropico Liquor License: Presented by Max Cervantes (Licenses and Consumer Services). The applicant requested an on-sale liquor, limited entertainment, and Sunday sales license at 10 5th Street South. The location had 78 interior seats, no exterior seats, with hours Sunday–Thursday 11 a.m.–9 p.m. and Friday–Saturday 11 a.m.–11 p.m. Notices were sent and one supportive comment received. Councilmember Schaefer (Ward 7) moved approval. The item was approved unanimously.
• 2027 License Fee Schedule: Ben Zimmerman (Budget) and Jane DeSenza (Deputy CFO) presented. The recommendation was to keep fees flat for 2027, pending completion of a comprehensive fee study mandated by a 2024 legislative directive. The study, initially due August 1, 2025, was delayed due to difficulty finding a vendor and the volume of work. Draft findings indicated an aggregate cost recovery rate of 94%. Councilmember Chavez raised concerns about the rental license fee recovery rate (noted as 64% in a prior staff analysis) and suggested a minimum increase to avoid layoffs in Regulatory Services. He moved to delay the item to the September 22 committee meeting to allow review of the final fee study. After discussion, the motion carried unanimously (6-0).
• Event Center License Ordinance: Amy Lingo (Licenses and Consumer Services) presented the ordinance amending Chapter 266 to allow rental halls to host both private and public events under a single license. Key features: public events do not require an alcohol license; alcohol remains prohibited unless a temporary license or caterer is used; a public hearing is required for each event center endorsement; a security review by Business Licensing and the Minneapolis Police Department is required. The change was supported by Councilmembers Schaefer and Chavez. Approved unanimously.
• Fence Regulation Ordinance: Sarah Roman (CPED Planning) presented three proposed amendments to the fence code: (1) allowing six-foot tall fences at the front corner of corner lots (open/decorative or a mix), (2) restoring the allowance for three-foot opaque fences in front yards (reversing a 2023 change), and (3) requiring a three-foot minimum setback from existing side doors on interior side yards for safety. The Planning Commission and Board of Adjustment had expressed support. Councilmember Warren asked clarifying questions about measuring fence height above retaining walls. Approved unanimously.

Key Outcomes

• Tropico Liquor License: Approved unanimously.
• 2027 License Fee Schedule: Delayed to the September 22, 2026 Business, Housing and Zoning Committee meeting to await the final comprehensive fee study report.
• Event Center License Ordinance: Approved unanimously, establishing a new streamlined license for rental halls to host both private and public events.
• Fence Regulation Ordinance: Approved unanimously, allowing greater flexibility for corner lot and front yard fences and adding a safety setback for side doors.
• Committee adjourned without further business.