By TESHA M. CHRISTENSEN
Yardville Precinct residents in Morris Park don’t trust the city to do what it says, and they made that clear during a neighborhood meeting on Sept. 30.
Thirty-year neighborhood resident Tim McGee pointed out that several years ago they were told that single family bungalows were going to be built on the lots along Riverview Rd. and 54th that MnDOT had purchased and leveled to widen Hiawatha Ave. He added that the former residents had been evicted and forced out of their homes by MnDOT. Now the city has purchased a few adjacent lots, and the development has morphed into high density.
He insisted that the city should build single family houses to replace what used to be there.
“We have people who can’t sell their houses right now because of what was built behind them,” added his wife, Pam McGee. “We don’t trust anyone anymore.”
Mindee Anton attended development meetings ten years ago and noted that she almost didn’t attend this meeting because she didn’t think it would make a difference. “The city did what they wanted,” she commented regarding the past.
Minneapolis Council Member Andrew Johnson, who is serving his first term, sought to reassure residents. “Know that your feedback absolutely matters here,” he said.
Johnson hosted the meeting on Sept. 30 in cooperation with the Nokomis East Neighborhood Association.
“We want to have your input on what is important to you,” Johnson said. “That will directly shape the requests for proposals.”
In response to a question, he stated that notices for this meeting were mailed to everyone within one block of the site, and everyone at the meeting confirmed via a show of hands that they lived within a few blocks of the development site.
Unique space
The Yardville Precinct is unique in that there is an open, public space running along the back yards of Riverview Rd. and Hiawatha Lane. The city maintains an easement, but the underlying owner is the Minnesota Dept. of Revenue.
The Nokomis East Light Rail Transit Station Area Plan adopted in 2007 encourages development in the area as single-family, two-family and two-to-three-story multi-family. It suggests that residential uses could be at a higher density because of the existing green space behind the lots, but stressed that the green space should remain a private space intended for adjacent residents, not for use by the general public.
Resident Andy Rinder stated that he would be fine with four stories as long as there were multiple entrances and good pedestrian flow.
When asked what details would help new development fit into the surrounding neighborhood, attendees listed: green space, owner occupancy, low density, underground parking, and multi-income. They also suggested that there be a grocery store or coffee shop.
“We don’t want something that is out of place in our neighborhood,” said T. McGee.
It will be a long process
Jimmy Lloyd, who is leading this project, pointed out that after the city receives proposals from developers, each will be evaluated based on the objectives set by the city and residents. After the proposals are ranked, the city may ask a developer to tweak their project to meet more of the criteria.
The city will not be returning to residents with the proposals.
“This is a long process,” explained Lloyd, “between the wants and needs of the city, the neighborhood, and what is cost effective for the developer.”
He asked residents to be flexible, stating, “Don’t let the perfect get in the way of the good.”
After listening to resident comments, Lloyd said that what he heard is that they don’t want massive structures like they’ve seen already, they don’t want the view to be blocked, they want different housing styles, and they want it to more accurately fit into the neighborhood.
Concerns in the neighborhood
Residents also expressed concerns about current parking along Riverview Dr., pointing out that people park for free there to avoid paying the parking fees at the dog park across Hiawatha Ave.
“It used to be a real calm, quiet neighborhood. Now we can’t get through,” said Ileen Johnson.
Council member Johnson responded that he would request that the road crew take a look at the parking situation and make a recommendation the next week. He said he would also ask the fire department to drive by to evaluate whether they could get a rig through the road when cars are parked on both sides.
Some residents are frustrated that there is no bus stop at the senior building along 54th near Riverview Rd.
Anton noted that there are no streetlights along Minnehaha to the lightrail station.
Another resident pointed out that the Blue Line stops for two hours a night, which affects how people who work nights can use the lightrail line for commuting to work. After midnight, the train only goes through once an hour.
Consider catering to younger professionals
Attendees were also asked to share their ideas on how the city can best leverage the benefit of the nearby lightrail station at the Veterans Hospital.
P. McGree isn’t sure that the city understands who lightrail uses are. “This is what the city doesn’t get. Everyone who uses the lightrail still has two cars,” she said. Because of this, any development done in the area needs to provide enough parking.
Anton suggested that development cater to young professionals who work downtown and want to commute via the lightrail, and want such amenities as solar panels.
“Whoever comes up with the best design for the community is who we will be going with,” promised Johnson. “Know that is my commitment to you.”
Yardville Precinct residents in Morris Park don’t trust the city to do what it says, and they made that clear during a neighborhood meeting on Sept. 30.
Thirty-year neighborhood resident Tim McGee pointed out that several years ago they were told that single family bungalows were going to be built on the lots along Riverview Rd. and 54th that MnDOT had purchased and leveled to widen Hiawatha Ave. He added that the former residents had been evicted and forced out of their homes by MnDOT. Now the city has purchased a few adjacent lots, and the development has morphed into high density.
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| Tim McGee addresses his concerns at the meeting. (Photo by Tesha M. Christensen) |
“We have people who can’t sell their houses right now because of what was built behind them,” added his wife, Pam McGee. “We don’t trust anyone anymore.”
Mindee Anton attended development meetings ten years ago and noted that she almost didn’t attend this meeting because she didn’t think it would make a difference. “The city did what they wanted,” she commented regarding the past.
Minneapolis Council Member Andrew Johnson, who is serving his first term, sought to reassure residents. “Know that your feedback absolutely matters here,” he said.
Johnson hosted the meeting on Sept. 30 in cooperation with the Nokomis East Neighborhood Association.
“We want to have your input on what is important to you,” Johnson said. “That will directly shape the requests for proposals.”
In response to a question, he stated that notices for this meeting were mailed to everyone within one block of the site, and everyone at the meeting confirmed via a show of hands that they lived within a few blocks of the development site.
Unique space
The Yardville Precinct is unique in that there is an open, public space running along the back yards of Riverview Rd. and Hiawatha Lane. The city maintains an easement, but the underlying owner is the Minnesota Dept. of Revenue.
The Nokomis East Light Rail Transit Station Area Plan adopted in 2007 encourages development in the area as single-family, two-family and two-to-three-story multi-family. It suggests that residential uses could be at a higher density because of the existing green space behind the lots, but stressed that the green space should remain a private space intended for adjacent residents, not for use by the general public.
Resident Andy Rinder stated that he would be fine with four stories as long as there were multiple entrances and good pedestrian flow.
When asked what details would help new development fit into the surrounding neighborhood, attendees listed: green space, owner occupancy, low density, underground parking, and multi-income. They also suggested that there be a grocery store or coffee shop.
“We don’t want something that is out of place in our neighborhood,” said T. McGee.
It will be a long process
Jimmy Lloyd, who is leading this project, pointed out that after the city receives proposals from developers, each will be evaluated based on the objectives set by the city and residents. After the proposals are ranked, the city may ask a developer to tweak their project to meet more of the criteria.
The city will not be returning to residents with the proposals.
 |
| Jimmy Lloyd (Photo by Tesha M. Christensen) |
“This is a long process,” explained Lloyd, “between the wants and needs of the city, the neighborhood, and what is cost effective for the developer.”
He asked residents to be flexible, stating, “Don’t let the perfect get in the way of the good.”
After listening to resident comments, Lloyd said that what he heard is that they don’t want massive structures like they’ve seen already, they don’t want the view to be blocked, they want different housing styles, and they want it to more accurately fit into the neighborhood.
Concerns in the neighborhood
Residents also expressed concerns about current parking along Riverview Dr., pointing out that people park for free there to avoid paying the parking fees at the dog park across Hiawatha Ave.
“It used to be a real calm, quiet neighborhood. Now we can’t get through,” said Ileen Johnson.
Council member Johnson responded that he would request that the road crew take a look at the parking situation and make a recommendation the next week. He said he would also ask the fire department to drive by to evaluate whether they could get a rig through the road when cars are parked on both sides.
Some residents are frustrated that there is no bus stop at the senior building along 54th near Riverview Rd.
Anton noted that there are no streetlights along Minnehaha to the lightrail station.
Another resident pointed out that the Blue Line stops for two hours a night, which affects how people who work nights can use the lightrail line for commuting to work. After midnight, the train only goes through once an hour.
Consider catering to younger professionals
Attendees were also asked to share their ideas on how the city can best leverage the benefit of the nearby lightrail station at the Veterans Hospital.
P. McGree isn’t sure that the city understands who lightrail uses are. “This is what the city doesn’t get. Everyone who uses the lightrail still has two cars,” she said. Because of this, any development done in the area needs to provide enough parking.
Anton suggested that development cater to young professionals who work downtown and want to commute via the lightrail, and want such amenities as solar panels.
“Whoever comes up with the best design for the community is who we will be going with,” promised Johnson. “Know that is my commitment to you.”
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