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If you’ve ever wondered why your neighborhood looks the way it does, the answer likely lies in zoning codes. These are local laws that lay out how land can be used, including what can be built where. 

Luke Hanson is a St. Paul resident who dug into his city’s zoning history after noticing what he saw as a lack of small neighborhood businesses in some areas. It led him to write a 

 outlining why it may be time for St. Paul and other places with similar laws to change course. 

Hanson, who is a board member of an advocacy group called Sustain St. Paul, shared his perspective with MPR News guest host Clay Masters. 

For the full interview, click play on the audio player above.

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Luke Hanson is a St. Paul resident who dug into his city’s zoning history after noticing what he saw as a lack of small neighborhood businesses in some areas. It led him to write a three-part series outlining why it may be time for St. Paul and other places with similar laws to change course. 

Luke Hanson is a St. Paul resident who dug into his city's zoning history after noticing what he saw as a lack of small neighborhood businesses in some areas. It led him to write a three-part series outlining why it may be time for St. Paul and other places with similar laws to change course. Hanson, who is a board member of an advocacy group called Sustain St. Paul, shared his perspective with MPR News guest host Clay Masters. 

St. Paul resident says outdated zoning rules are holding cities back

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