Blaine City Council Rejects Homeowner’s Tiny Home Proposal For Second Time

Blaine City Council Rejects Homeowner’s Tiny Home Proposal For Second Time

Blaine, MN — The Blaine City Council has, for the second time, rejected homeowner Alex Pepin’s proposal to build a 616-square-foot Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) in his backyard, despite the plan meeting all city zoning requirements and receiving a recommendation for approval from the city’s Planning Commission.

Blaine City Council Members

The council voted 4–3 against the proposal, citing concerns that the unit could place additional strain on nearby Carrara East Park and may not fit with the character of the surrounding neighborhood.

Home owner Alex Pepin

Pepin’s initial request, submitted in May, sought to construct a similar ADU to provide housing for a family experiencing homelessness. That application was denied, prompting the city to impose a year-long moratorium on new ADU applications to review and potentially revise related ordinances. The second application, submitted prior to the moratorium, proposed that the ADU would exclusively house family members, with no plans to rent it out.

Pepin’s Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU)

While the Planning Commission had approved the project, affirming compliance with city regulations, the council’s decision has led the Pepins to file a lawsuit against the city. Represented by the nonprofit public interest law firm Institute for Justice, the Pepins argue that the denial violates local, state, and federal laws, asserting that the council’s decision was based on unsubstantiated concerns regarding potential occupants.

The case has ignited a broader conversation about housing affordability and the regulation of accessory dwelling units. Advocates argue that ADUs provide flexible, affordable housing options that can help address homelessness, while opponents maintain concerns about neighborhood density and character.

As the legal process unfolds, the future of ADUs in Blaine remains uncertain. The city has indicated that it will respond to the lawsuit once formally served.

MinneapoliMedia