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Missing Middle Housing Study
The Missing Middle Housing Study is a roadmap to understanding how smaller, multi-unit housing types—like duplexes, triplexes, townhomes, and courtyard apartments—can fit into neighborhoods in ways that are attractive, affordable, and sustainable. It is the next step to expanding housing choices in Golden Valley.
Popular Definition: Missing middle housing is a range of house-scale buildings with multiple units—compatible in scale and form with detached single-family homes—that help meet the growing demand for walkable urban living. (Polacheck, 2010)
For Golden Valley: Missing middle housing is a range of housing types and scales, from ADUs and twin homes to townhouses and small apartment buildings, that help create more choices and build long-term flexibility and affordability into the housing marketplace.
This study is related to the City Council’s 2030 Strategic Directives and was a budgeted expense for 2025. The City continues to hear from residents that they want to stay in their homes, age in place, and have additional housing options. This study will research ways to better provide options for our residents.
The City planned for this study after two years of discussions at the state-level regarding zoning changes. The state legislature considered numerous zoning preemptions, which would dictate increase zoning densities for cities statewide. The City intended for this study to allow for implementing those requirements on its own terms. More information about these changes are outlined on the League of Minnesota Cities website here: https://www.lmc.org/news-publications/news/all/lawmakers-to-hear-zoning-reform-bills-that-limit-loc…
Golden Valley's housing stock is mostly single-family homes or large apartment buildings. Missing middle housing fills the gap between these two options, providing:
- more housing choices for residents of all ages and incomes
- smaller scale buildings that fit into existing neighborhood character
- opportunities for affordability without sacrificing quality or design
The City hired Bolton & Menk, a Minneapolis-based firm, to complete the study. Bolton & Menk presented a thoughtful approach that seeks to maintain the mid-century modern character of the community while increasing housing options. They are researching infrastructure, financial, regulatory, and affordability barriers and opportunities as they relate to missing middle housing.
Bolton & Menk has a strong commitment to DEI, understands the requirements for the City’s upcoming comprehensive plan, and is basing its recommendations around its Community-Centered Design Guide (CCDG). They have experience implementing missing middle housing in Brooklyn Center, MN; New Brighton, MN; Nashville, TN; Minneapolis, MN; Charlotte, NC; and Florence, SC.
This study will:
- analyze current housing patterns, zoning rules, infrastructure, and local market trends
- engage residents, developers, and community leaders to understand preferences and concerns
- identify barriers—regulatory, financial, infrastructure—and strategies to overcome them
- develop clear, actionable recommendations for policy changes, design standards, and zoning updates
Community Outreach:
Citywide Postcard Mailer (PDF)
Community Survey - Summary of Results (PDF)
Homeowner Overview - One Pager (PDF)
Market Considerations - One Pager (PDF)
The final plan will guide:
- future zoning and policy updates that make it easier to build missing middle housing
- design standards to ensure new housing fits Golden Valley’s character
- implementation steps to prepare for the 2050 Comprehensive Plan
Resources
Previous City Studies
- Narrow Lot Study Community Input Report (PDF)
- Comprehensive Housing Needs Analysis (PDF)
- Housing Section of the City’s 2040 Comprehensive Plan (PDF)
Previous Meetings
- Aug 11, 2025: Joint work session of the Golden Valley Planning Commission (PC) and Diversity, Equity, and Including Commission (DEIC)
- View agenda packet (link)
- Oct 27, 2025: Joint work session of the Golden Valley Planning Commission (PC) and Environmental Commission (EC)
- View agenda packet (link)
- Dec 9, 2025: City Council Work Session
- View agenda packet (link)
Throughout the project, the City will host meetings so community members can share their thoughts on how to best integrate missing middle housing into Golden Valley. Please email planning@goldenvalleymn.gov with any questions.
Upcoming Meetings
Feb 9, 2026, Planning Commission Work Session - 6:30 pm (agenda to follow)
No formal actions are taken during work sessions. The public is invited to attend and listen to the discussion; public participation is allowed with approval from the City Council.