The situation: My neighborhood is zoned R-1. We have plenty of rental property and rooming houses in the neighborhood, but supposedly since the R-1 zoning took effect, no more properties can move from SFD to rooming. Under R-1 zoning, you can have no more than three adults living in a dwelling unit who are not related by kinship or marriage.
A year ago the 900-square-foot 5-bedroom house next to me was sold to a landlord who promptly rented it to U of M students. When the house was first sold and renters started to show up, I went over and introduced myself and learned that four people had already signed up to live there. I reported this to my councilman who, forwarded my letter to an inspector. Within a few weeks, both men met with the Housing Committee of the neighborhood NRP (I'm a member) and took a bus tour of the neighborhood. I introduced myself to them both, reminded them that I had already written them about a developing problem next door to me, and they agreed they remembered my letters. That's it folks. No more response from either the rep or the inspector. There are now six people living in the house. They are good people and try to be good neighbors. If I was going to chose University students for next door neighbors, I'd happily have them with no problems, any THREE of them. I'd love to invite them over for dinner (difficult since they are not home much) and get to know them. BUT, and it's a big *BUT*: either the zoning law means something or it does not. I've already been promised that my council person and the inspector are "working on it", yadda, so what do I do next, please? I don't like the role of wicked witch of the east, and I hate nagging, but... something/someone needs to reinforce the line here or what is it worth? I would appreciate a road map from members of the list. I'd also like to know what zoning laws are worth if someone can violate them with this much impunity, even after being reported? Emilie Quast SE Como _______________________________________ 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
