Trader Joe's plan faces big zoning test Thursday

Trader Joe's in Minneapolis faces its biggest test Thursday.

The City Council's zoning committee will decide whether a property on 27th and Lyndale should be rezoned to allow for a Trader Joe's with an attached liquor store. It should be an interesting vote, since the local council member, Meg Tuthill, opposes the rezoning.

The project would be the first Trader Joe's in Minneapolis. But zoning chair Gary Schiff said in April that the committee generally sides with the local council member.

In a report for Thursday's meeting, city development staff recommend that the rezoning be approved. The report said rezoning could be considered in the "public interest" because it is consistent with policies for commercial corridors.