Politics & Government

What New Ordinances Do Minnetonka Candidates Want?

Part of a seven-part series of interviews with mayoral and City Council candidates.

In the coming years, the City of Minnetonka will have to tackle many complex issues. Patch asked this year’s City Council and mayoral candidates about how they’d handle some of the major issues facing the district.

Today’s question is:

  • What, if any, new ordinances should Minnetonka enact? What, if any, existing ordinances should Minnetonka repeal?

Click here to see the full list of questions and read the candidates’ responses.

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Mayor

Terry Schneider

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I can’t think of a specific ordinance that should be enacted or repealed, but there could be a more defined process of reviewing existing ordinances to make sure they are meeting the current needs of the city.

Minnetonka’s ordinances are patterned after well-established templates that have been developed by entities such as the League of Minnesota Cities to provide some consistency and defend ability (we obtain our city liability insurance from the League insurance trust).  The challenge with that approach is that most ordinances are structured as fairly prescriptive rather than performance based.  While most ordinances work well when they are adopted they can over time lose their relevance or don’t achieve their original intent due to continual changes in circumstances.  What often happens is that we have a situation come before the council that was never anticipated when the original ordinance was adopted and then need to scramble to figure out the best way to get the result that was originally intended.

City staff has talked about instituting a regular review of our ordinances, but the council has not yet formalized that approach.

 

Grace Sheely

Prior to Desyl Peterson’s retirement as City Attorney, Minnetonka improved much of the language within its ordinances.  I am not aware of ordinance changes or repeals that are in immediate need of enactment.  An ordinance to allow single family home lots sizes below the half acre Minnetonka standard is under discussion in the Special Study Sessions.  I have attended these sessions and I am not convinced that this ordinance change will benefit the City or its residents.  I also question if developers are interested in building smaller homes.  If residents believe that a change to single family home zoning is needed, the PUD ordinance can accommodate changes to lot sizes within its zoning.

 

At Large Seat A

Dick Allendorf

We add and/or revise ordinances on an on-going basis.

 

Angela Griffin

I would like to see the City of Minnetonka make it easier for multi-generational living spaces including garage spaces. 

 

At Large Seat B

Patty Acomb

Minnetonka has done a good job of addressing emerging issues, whether brought forward by citizens, staff or legal counsel.  For example, the city has added new ordinances this year addressing issues ranging from commercial kennels to bow fishing.  Minnetonka has a strong process to examine and address changes to the city code in response to changes in our city.  The same process also can identify when existing ordinances become outdated or need to be updated in light of changes or new information. 

 

Brian Grogan

Enact

I’m running for Minnetonka City Council because I want to bring a common sense approach to community development and non-essential spending.  Ultimately, I want to reduce our city’s reliance on residential property taxes.

In order to accomplish these goals, I do not foresee the need to expand government regulations just bring about a more common sense approach to the current ordinances in effect.  Lastly, in regard to ordinances, my philosophy is one in which I believe government should effect change through proactive partnerships not regulations. 

 

Repeal

I’m running for Minnetonka City Council because I want to bring a common sense approach to community development and non-essential spending.  Ultimately, I want to reduce our city’s reliance on residential property taxes.

Though not a priority, if there are ordinances cited by Minnetonka residents that need to be redacted, I would be open to exploring their effectiveness.  My philosophy is one in which I believe government should effect change through proactive partnerships not regulations.

However, I do have a concern with any existing ordinances that alter or deny fundamental, private property ownership rights to homeowners who live in environmentally sensitive areas.  I am especially sensitive to land owners with a property on or adjacent to a wetland, wooded lots or lake front property such as Lake Minnetonka. 



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