Proposed St. Louis Park Rezoning Could Redefine Minneapolis' Western Edge

The City of St. Louis Park has unveiled a sweeping rezoning proposal for its West End commercial corridor, a plan that could transform the sleepy inner-ring suburb into a denser hub of apartments, retail, and office space adjoining Minneapolis city limits. The draft ordinance, delivered to city council members at a packed July 2nd work session, would allow mid-rise housing and mixed-use projects along the stretch of Excelsior Boulevard between Wooddale Avenue and Hwy. 100.

Why St. Louis Park, Why Now?

The proposal arrives as Minneapolis’ housing shortage pushes buyers and renters into adjacent suburbs. With citywide vacancy rates holding below 4%, and rents rising 8% over the past year (Minneapolis Area Realtors data, May 2026), the high-demand corridor—minutes from Uptown and the new Southwest LRT—is under pressure. Minneapolis proper has also tightened zoning within some historic neighborhoods, leaving spots like St. Louis Park eyed as the next frontier for growth. Planners cited the ongoing success of the Beltline Boulevard Greenway apartments as proof that higher-density living can thrive near single-family blocks—and drive new business.

The West End’s current zoning—dating from 1986—limits most land to low-rise commercial or detached homes. Under the proposed changes, buildings up to six stories could rise near Knollwood Mall, and parcels within a quarter mile of the Minikahda Club would be cleared for multi-family developments with ground-floor retail. The city says this would add more than 700 new homes, an essential boost as regional housing demand far outpaces supply.

Details and Local Stakes

Despite the ambitious vision, not every resident is cheering. At Tuesday’s meeting inside the SLP Municipal Service Center, representatives from the Cedarhurst neighborhood association voiced worries about parking and school crowding. The school district, ISD 283, is already tracking a 9% jump in enrollment at Peter Hobart Elementary since 2022. Meanwhile, local developer Ryan Companies, which completed the Blackstone Flats apartments last year on Oxford Street, presented conceptual drawings for a 150-unit complex along Park Commons Drive, contingent on the zoning overhaul moving forward.

Property prices in St. Louis Park have jumped 20% since 2021 (CoreLogic Home Price Index), with the median single-family home now selling for $462,800. Multifamily developers are eyeing the area as Minneapolis’ Inclusionary Zoning policy nudges projects outward, seeking larger sites and easier approvals. City planner Amy Windham projected that a fully built-out West End corridor could generate over $2 million in additional annual tax revenue and attract 1,200 more residents within ten years.

Next steps: The city plans a series of open houses starting July 18 at the Westwood Hills Nature Center and a dedicated online comment portal through August 10. If the rezoning proposal passes council in September, developers could file site plans as early as this winter. Residents along Monterey Drive and Minnetonka Boulevard should watch their mailboxes for official notices. Anyone hoping to shape the future of St. Louis Park’s western edge will have a busy summer ahead.