Last Friday morning a proposed moratorium on teardowns and major remodelings (1500sf or more) went into effect in five Southwest neighborhoods until the Minneapolis City Council weighs in on the matter. Most of us discovered the moratorium in an article in the StarTribune the following morning. Needless to say builders, architects, and landowners intending to build were up in arms. On the other side were the joyous supporters that have endured surprise teardowns, overrun silt fences, closed sidewalks, pre-dawn construction noise and finally an enormous house where a bungalow had been.
Before photo of a Southwest Minneapolis home.
After photo of a Southwest Minneapolis home.
The issue of teardowns as they relate to the urban fabric in these transitional neighborhoods is a complex one and deserves the attention this proposed moratorium is generating. Hopefully an informed dialog leading to insightful action will make the transition from old to new a benefit for all.
Before photo of a Southwest Minneapolis home.
After photo of a 2004 Star Tribune Home of the Month and RAVE Award winning Southwest home.
Below is a paraphrased version of a letter I sent to my councilperson, Linea Palmisano, summarizing my assessment of the situation and the moratorium. I would like to add that five minutes after receiving my letter I got a call from Linea’s office assuring me that the discussion had just begun and that they greatly appreciated the input. There will be a public hearing on the matter on Thursday, March 20th at 9:30am in City Hall.
“I am a resident of Linden Hills as well as a residential architect who works extensively in SW Minneapolis and an ardent supporter of your councilship. I am also sensitive to the tide of teardowns that is sweeping through SW communities, primarily executed by developers whose sole purpose appears to be maximizing new home size and profit. Since these projects are primarily speculative homes without a client, they lack soul and character in their effort to have generic appeal.
I design homes for individuals who plan to plant roots and invest in the quality and character of their neighborhood. I have been working with such a client for a few months now who bought a small house in SW late last year with the hope of building a new 1950sf house on the lot this spring in order not to have to carry two mortgages any longer than possible. In my opinion a moratorium is far too blunt an instrument in this case. Due to the financial burden of carrying two mortgages for another year, I feel that the unintended consequence will be the elimination of the artfully crafted smaller homes that manifest the soul and character of their owners, leaving only a generic rebirth in a year.
Thanks for your attention and concern in this important matter. I would enjoy a conversation that would help refine this instrument. “
Here are a few other SALA projects in the Southwest neighborhoods that concentrate on character, design, and charm while respecting the feel of the surrounding locality.
Before photo of a Southwest Minneapolis home.
After photo of a 2007 B.L.E.N.D Award winning Southwest Minneapolis home.
After photo of a 2007 B.L.E.N.D Award winning Southwest Minneapolis home.
Before photo of a Southwest Minneapolis home.
After photo of a 2010 Star Tribune Home of the Month Southwest Minneapolis home.
After photo of a 2010 Star Tribune Home of the Month Southwest Minneapolis home.
LEED Certified Southwest home on a 42-foot by 128-foot infill lot in the Linden Hills neighborhood.
For additional information, here is a subsequent Star Tribune article and a couple Star Tribune opinion letters covering this ongoing matter. For some extra perspective on the art of building with progressive design while respecting your neighbors, here is a prior blog post by Paul Hannan discussing how he accomplished this wtih a Southeast Minneapolis home. To take a look at more innovative projects that coalesce well with surrounding neighborhoods by Eric Odor, visit his profile page!