Its a huge tactical mistake to create two different density requirements, one for affordable housing and one for "non affordable housing." Its an official end to the policy of requiring that affordable housing be like all other housing. As a result, NIMBYs once again have a "hook" to oppose affordable housing developments due to design. You may as well send out a press release saying, "Housing for poor people IS going to be different than housing for the rest of us..." Now people can argue that they would rather have unsubsidized housing next to them because it won't be as close, as tall, won't create as many parking hassles, etc.
Substantively, there is no rational relationship between density and income level. Density should be determined based on fire danger, access to light and air, traffic and parking considerations, etc. Height and setback requirements have NOTHING to do with income. The proposed density bonus is a tactical and substantive mistake. Planners should pound the pavement and determine what density is appropriate in each neighborhood/zoning district, and then create a uniform standard for that applies to everyone, regardless of income. Sure, its easier to sit at your desk, surf the internet, and find "off the rack" code language that arguably will increase the supply of affordable housing. But in the long run Minneapolis will be better served if planners tailor density requirement to our unique local built environments. Dave Harstad Whittier __________________________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! Web Hosting - Let the expert host your site http://webhosting.yahoo.com _______________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:mpls@;mnforum.org Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
