|
,tings defends moratori,,m on multifamily horn,
<br /> Ies see blatant effort to block rentals requirements. But rather than rarely as blatantly as Hastings' apartments by 2010.Ti
<br /> give final approval, the City moratorium. built 80,said Timothy
<br /> NON PRATHER a low-income high-rise. Council passed a moratorium on Figures from the Metropoli- senior attorney for th
<br /> neer Press "We thought there would be all condo and apartment develop- tan Council, which coordinates Preservation Project,a
<br /> some town homes, not a three- ments, leaving the project in Twin Cities regional transporta- public interest law
<br /> Thuets built their story, cheapo condominium with limbo. lion, housing and growth plan- focuses on affordab
<br /> re 13 years ago,they garages lined up in the front," Affordable-housing advocates ning,show Hastings—like virtu- issues.
<br /> aware city zoning Linda Thuet said. charge similar efforts to discour- ally every other suburban city— "It would certainly
<br /> 3e kind of multifam- The Crestview Drive condo age sorely needed rental-proper- is well behind goals set in 1996 to red flags for me, wt
<br /> own the street. But project was approved by city ty development go on all the time build more apartments.Hastings'
<br /> cpect what they call planners and met zoning in Twin Cities suburbs, but goal is to build 473 affordable HASTINGS MORATO
<br /> t§'<1 n �. G "",.w W° h'YWO srec3eI;se� a ".'ee)N 4.c24b1?" 47.6tl6 TXP�i 8 y k�r tiF+r s a a r:fi.lrs. it 'Mvi 'di t tI i
<br /> a
<br /> 0 • SUBSCRIBER SERVICE 1-800-678-7737 r CUSTOMER SERVICE 651-222-1111 V'DL.156,NO.el • 4 SECTIONS,42 PAGES • 02004 ST PAUL PIONEER PRESS (Northwest
<br /> r Aa
<br /> "It's not like we say, "There is a general feeling everywhere that
<br /> `There's some rich people nearby, apartment dwellers are inferior occupants.
<br /> so let's not put it there.'It's what you do I am concerned the city is increasing
<br /> to the flavor of the neighborhood." its liability under the Fair Housing Act."
<br /> ANTHONY ALONG!,Hastings planning commissioner DAVE HARRIS,Riverwood apartment project architect
<br /> Hastings moratorium adhering to laws mandating
<br /> affordable-housing planning.
<br /> According to the Metropolitan
<br /> (continued) ment that, by denying this Council, Eagan should build 222
<br /> development, we would some- affordable apartments by 2010.
<br /> doing in Hastings,"said Thomp- how be engaging in some snob- The city had not built one,
<br /> son. You have to wonder if they bishness or prejudice," said according to an April 2002 report.
<br /> have a justification for what Hastings Planning Commission- "It's very much a problem.
<br /> they're doing." er Anthony Alongi."It's not like Communities tend to all believe
<br /> The Hastings moratorium we say, `There's some rich peo- they have done their share and
<br /> passed earlier this summer put a pie nearby, so let's not put it their neighborhoods have done
<br /> six-month hold on all multifamily there.' It's what you do to the enough,"Thompson said.
<br /> residential developments of more flavor of the neighborhood." By rejecting all apartments,
<br /> than two units after a developer Developers say it's not just cities make it impossible for '
<br /> tried to switch a project from 36 about flavor,because the city is their own often-modestly-paid e
<br /> owner-occupied condos to rental even snubbing upscale condos rookie police officers, firelight-
<br /> apartments. The city attorney is and apartments. ers and teachers to live in the
<br /> trying to figure out a way to Hastings developer Todd cities where they work,Thomp-
<br /> ensure the project doesn't turn Siewert, whose Riverwood son said.
<br /> into a rental property apartment project provoked the Planning Commissioner
<br /> "I understand the issue of Are moratorium,said the units were Alongi, who is running for City
<br /> we trying to keep low-income to be market-rate, not low- Council, said there's plenty of
<br /> people outT I think its a matter income. Project architect Dave time for Hastings to figure out
<br /> of degrees," said City Council Harris said that wasn't enough ways to meet its housing goals -
<br /> Member Hanna Elting Schultz. to overcome the stereotyping by and to protect homeowners.
<br /> We are trying to get these homeowners. "(Homeowners) work hard
<br /> neighborhoods to fit together. "There is a general feeling for a long time and spend a lot —
<br /> That becomes a difficult issue." everywhere that apartment of money on a home, and they
<br /> Schultz said the city has dwellers are inferior occupants," want a good view,"Alongi said.
<br /> approved affordable housing, Harris said."I am concerned the "I would expect the city to be a
<br /> including a 28-unit town-home city is increasing its liability responsible steward of its
<br /> project that was built in 2002.Its under the Fair Housing Act. assets. One of its assets is
<br /> developer, the Dakota County They could be exposing them- smart planning and its sensitiv-
<br /> Community Development Agen- selves to some civil action." ity to what people want in their
<br /> cy,said the city cooperated. But while state law requires neighborhood."
<br /> Homeowners argue they cities to plan for affordable For Hastings resident Eliza-
<br /> have a right to insulate their housing and offers incentives, beth Nelson, the unknowns
<br /> neighborhoods from increased so far there's no penalty for not associated with renters are not
<br /> traffic and the other issues that meeting goals. something she wants to invite
<br /> come with renters. "There's not much you can into her Crestwood Drive neigh-
<br /> Thnat ..
<br />
|