There is a legitimate policy discussion here but I don't know about the race angle, Ken.
I do know that state law requires that a supermajority of nearby property owners (2-3rds within 100-150 feet) sign a petition supporting the zoning change before it can even be considered. SA couldn't get such a supermajority over on 40th & Lyndale (even though they pre-emptively tore down the house), so they are effectively stymied. This house/parking lot deal was not an easy call for those of us on the neighborhood board. I am extremely worried the houses will not be moved and am spending countless hours assuring they will be (I'm pessimistic today, so I'm grateful Ken is keeping the pressure on for housing preservation). There are conflicting interests that make this - pardon the expression - not a black and white issue. I've mentioned those before. Some people think a parking lot will keep people from driving to the 'burbs, others, like Ken, see it as a glide further down the slippery slope. People want neighborhood services so they won't have to drive to the 'burbs, but fret about space those services require if they become popular and actually used. On some level, it's a Catch-22. Anyway, I think Ken's tack with the race stuff is incomplete and unfair. One anecdotal story does not a Rondo make. The implication is that Ace Hardware and the Kingfield Neighborhood Association wants those houses down because there are black people in them (as the Rondo planners did). I don't know what's in Ace's mind but they employ a Rainbow coalition of people. I know what in my mind and Ken's implication is wrong. There have been newspaper stories (Ken quoted 'em), orange signs posted on the trees in front for the committee hearings (not big enough for drivers to see from the street, but way big enough for neighbors). The only neighbor who testified at the Planning Commission was in support of Ace's plan. Yeah, he was white, but I hope that doesn't disqualify him. We've had two neighborhood board meetings now, one public meeting, email list announcements (which I realize not everyone gets), but I can tell you through all of it most Kingfielders - and most neighbors - have been in support of the plan. No one, save Ken, has mentioned a racial angle. If Ken wants to really poll the neighbors and uncovers a racial split, perhaps then he can make this serious charge stick. We simply don't know who or how many minorities live near Ace and how they feel. Ken's fears about a slippery slope are very valid and something I worry about too. I may live to regret all this. But "Rondoizing" based on one anecdotal example is also regretful, and really unfair to the other parties who, whether right or wrong, aren't racially motivated. I do encourage interested parties to attend TODAY'S planning commission meeting at 1:30 at City Hall 317 and encourage council members to support the parking lot AND the house move. Perhaps the people who move into the houses that Lyndale Neighborhood Development Corp. are trying to save and restore in their neighborhood will be African-American...or just human and in need. David Brauer King Field - Ward 10 _________________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Get your free @yahoo.com address at http://mail.yahoo.com _______________________________________ 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
