David Brauer Wrote... So enabling the destruction of two homes really stuck in many members' craws. Ace said they'd called several organizations about moving the homes - they later identified two, neither of which had much experience doing that sort of thing....snip....as a board, we are scrambling to see if those houses really can be moved. Ace is open to this, though they've given us a very tight two-month timeframe. Our neighborhood executive director has recruited PPL, who has inspected the houses (we're awaiting their estimate).
DEAN WRITES: The problem is that it is really expensive to move houses, especially big two stories like the ones next to Nicollet Hardware. Not only do you have to find a vacant lot, you have to get neighborhood approval for the new house on the lot, and if the house doesn't fit with the rest of the block, forget it. Also there are a number of City regulations regarding house moves, with regards to bonding, distance, etc. Sometimes you have to move overhead powerlines, and that is a lengthy process requiring permits from Excel Engergy. If you want to go over a highway or on a highway, be prepared to make your case to MnDOT. Rarely can one move a house more than a 1 or 2 miles and let's face it, there are few, if any vacant lots in this part of the City. House moves are easily in the neighborhood of $50,000 to $60,000 each. That doesn't count the cost of the lot or any repairs to the house that are needed. For that kind of dough most will find it's easier to start new. Jay Clark Wrote: For me, the most important job of the neighborhood organization board in a situation like this is not to debate the pros and cons of the proposal, but to make sure that the community, and especially those living most closely to the proposed parking lot and those most effected by the lot, hear the proposal and say whether or not they want it. DEAN WRITES: First, let's remember, Nicollet Hardware now owns the property in question, and like it or not, the Constitution gives property owners a lot of rights in regards to what they can do with their property. Nicollet Hardware is going through the process of rezoning their property to allow them to put in a parking lot, there are opportunities for the public to comment, then there is a process where our elected officials judge whether a rezoning is warranted based upon what's written in the zoning code. The problem with the process outlined above is that it may exclude others impacted by the decision who may not live close by. I live 9 blocks from Nicollet Hardware and drive there. As a loyal (non-neighborhood) customer, do I get a say? Also unfortunately by leaving the decision up to the immediately impacted neighbors, many times constitutionally-guaranteed rights such as due process and equal protection get ignored. I say keep the decision with the elected officials, that's their job. Ken Avidor Wrote: The reason I oppose the removal of housing for parking at 38th and Nicollet is that it begins the process of transforming the urban, pedestrian friendly nature of that business node into a suburban style strip mall. DEAN WRITES: Sorry, have to disagree here too. I find it extremely difficult to call this area an "urban, pedestrian friendly business node." Also, I doubt that a surface parking lot taking two city blocks will begin the process of transforming this area to a suburban style strip mall. All the poetic and "green" language will not change the fact that this a busy car- and bus-dominated intersection with very little amenities for a pedestrian, minus a few restaurants to walk into. A well landscaped (as promised) parking lot may in fact help this intersection become a little more pedestrian friendly, especially after the new ramps are built at 38th Street. Dean E. Carlson Ward 10, East Harriet. _______________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
