At 11:33 AM 10/7/03 -0700, Constance Nompelis wrote:
>I find this code to be ridiculous and discriminatory
>in favor of the so-called "traditional" family.

You are free to get the law changed, or to petition for a variance, just
like everyone else.  That's how the system works.

>
>Suppose two lesbian couples wanted to buy a house
>together SNIP  Can they not do that? 

Sure: get a variance.  The nice thing about city ordinances, is that you
can always petition for a variance and if you have a good reason, it will
be granted.  This would certainly be a good reason in my books.  I think it
would be smarter to get a statewide law passed making domestic partnerships
a non-sexual business arrangement.  If it was my battle, I think I'd go for
that one first.

Here's the issue:

We are not talking about one house.  If you drive through the area between
Dinkytown and 8th St. SE, walk up and down the blocks on Saturday night,
try to imagine raising a family in the neighborhood.  

six bedrooms: assuming each bedroom only was rented to one person and no
one doubled up with a friend to save more money, if each renter had one
friend over, that's 12 people in the house, probably with 6 TVs going or
VCRs or other loud electronic noises.  Maybe one of them is playing an
instrument loudly enough to be able to hear himself, too.  And they will be
talking to each other, loudly enough to be heard over the electronics.
Maybe each has a car, and maybe each friend has a car, and maybe one or two
of them calls a second friend to comeon over, and parking is limited (by
ordinance) to three spaces on the lot for each dwelling unit.

Now picture yourself living next door or across the street and trying to
get to sleep because you have to get up early in the morning.  Or your 2
year old keeps waking up because of the noise.  OR your geriatric neighbor
who has a heart condition can't get to sleep at all, or, or, or,  

THAT is what we are trying to avoid.

We don't worry about domestic arrangements in Como unless we can hear them
in the next house.  Trust me: we are a diverse place to live.  We are also
living in Como because we like having students for next door neighbors.
What we don't like is events that undermine the decent, safe, friendly
place that Como is.  

Emilie Quast
SE Como
REMINDERS:
1. Think a member has violated the rules? Email the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] 
before continuing it on the list. 
2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait.
________________________________

Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy
Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls

Reply via email to