Real Estate

'Go Live in Richfield or St. Louis Park': Minnetonka Residents Blast Smaller Lots

The city is seeking the best way to deal with changing housing trends and demographics, but residents like their community the way it is.

Minnetonka is looking for the best way to accommodate new housing trends and changing demographics—and that means ensuring people want to move into local homes as existing residents leave.

Between 2010 and 2030, forecasters expect about two-thirds of homebuyers to be looking to downsize. Aging baby boomers will be looking for smaller homes that are easier to manage in their golden years, while young families can have a hard time affording Minnetonka’s bigger homes.

With 58 percent of the lots bigger than 22,000 square feet, or about half an acre, the city is examining ways to welcome denser developments. Community Development Director Julie Wischnack suggested a special type of residential zoning that would allow the city to approve smaller lots provided the development brought certain valuable improvements to the city.

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That could also persuade residents that the city was moving forward in a deliberate way, especially since there would be substantial “pre-zoning” that would delve into key questions before implementation.

But Minnetonka Patch readers were skeptical. Here’s what they had to say.

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Steven

  • OK you social-engineering Nazis, if you want to live in a crappy little house with a crappy little yard go live in Richfield or St. Louis Park. Quit bashing the law abiding citizens of Minnetonka.

Melanie Lundheim

  • The homes in Lone Lake Highlands are practically on top of one another.

Steve

  • Spread the wealth

Rich Diaz

  • Not sure I understand the need or desire to compete for new residents. Why compete for more traffic, more crowded schools, and more pressure on infrastructure? Sure, the tax base would increase, but probably not enough to cover the need to expand infrastructure and services.

Melissa Miller Block

  • No. Large lots with mature trees are one reason people want to move to Minnetonka. If we become just like many other suburbs then people will choose those other suburbs. Minnetonka has been living on its old reputation for too long. Be careful, people may actually find out that Minnetonka doesn't really have anything unique. Maybe the largest number of banks, but I don't think that's on anyone's wish list when looking for a home.

What do you think? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.



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