Stay out of local zoning, Bigfoot

Our state Legislature is considering two bills — AF 4009 and SF 3964 — that would eliminate local control over single-family zoning in Minnesota. Decisions on parking and housing aesthetics — as well as the subdivision of lots in your neighborhood — would be controlled by the state. This legislation is needed, according to bill sponsors, for ‘the common good.’

Cities around the state — like Bemidji — would essentially lose control of city zoning and land-use authority with this legislation.

Do we need more housing? Yes. The state already passed $1 billion for housing last year. That will have a huge impact of housing availability.

There are also thousands of homes around the state and in the Twin Cities that are in disrepair. The best solution would be to offer tax incentives to update them first before passing this draconian legislation. It will provide more housing, and business to the Minnesota construction industry.

The bottom line is Minnesotans should control their own local zoning laws without interference from the state.

Jim Piga, Mendota Heights

How about a St. Paul cease-fire resolution?

The Saint Paul City Council unanimously called for a cease fire in Gaza, which is about 6,200 miles from St. Paul. With crime so high in St. Paul and on the light rail Green Line in particular, perhaps the City Council should pay more attention to things closer to home and call for a “crime cease fire” for St. Paul.

Ron Schaaf, St. Paul

Hamstringing all other needs

I agree that early childhood education is vital. Reducing St. Paul families’ ability to afford homes and apartments by raising property taxes through a ballot referendum in November so that an ill-defined, marginally funded child care program can be developed is not the appropriate response.

Program backers have yet to identify some key items that, unfortunately, will lead to the program’s (expensive) failure. Even though tax increases would be significant, only a small portion of the demand would be met. According to economist Rob Grunewald, the city needs an additional $39 million annually (for comparison, the St. Paul library budget is $21 million annually). The city council resolution calls for “performance indicators” and yet does not even require a minimum Parent Aware quality rating.

St. Paul cannot afford to tackle an issue that, because of magnitude and complexity, needs to be addressed at the federal and state levels. It will make future potential increases for roads, housing, safety or school excess levy referendums that much more difficult to address. Hamstringing all other needs to address one is not a winning strategy.

Alan Ickler, St. Paul

Pass protections for renters

As a longtime St. Paul resident, I was pleased to read the news report, “District, teachers union reach deal, avoid strike.” Now I would like to see Mayor Carter work with the City Council to pass the Safe Housing Ordinance, which provides much-needed protections for the 47% of our city’s population who rent their homes.

My husband and I own and live in a duplex where we rent out our lower unit. We strive to provide safe, secure, affordable, fair housing. Not having moved for 42 years, I can’t imagine needing to move every six months or year because my rent is raised again, my lease is unexpectedly not renewed, or the landlord can make a lot more money by selling the property. Just imagine having less than 30 days to find a new place you can afford, pack up all of your belongings, arrange to have everything moved, get your children enrolled in a new school, change your address on your mail, driver’s license, etc., all while working and handling everyday life.

Strong public schools and safe, stable and affordable housing are essential, especially for our children. I’m proud to be a resident of St. Paul where City Council President Mitra Jalali has been a champion for passing strong renter protections that help to create a city and economy that work for all of us, now and in the future. Let’s pass a Safe Housing Ordinance that we feel good about.

Yvonne Cournoyer, St. Paul

That didn’t take long

Well, it didn’t take long for the graffiti punks to put their mark on the city’s sparkling new Highland Bridge development.

This is just an early indication of what comes next. The skateboard park (whose idea was that?) on Ford Parkway and River Road is now covered in graffiti, as is the construction fencing along Ford Parkway between Mt. Curve Boulevard and Cretin Avenue. It won’t be long before homeless encampments appear in Highland Bridge along with increased crime as development and density increase.

Look around the rest of St. Paul and you can see the future for Highland Bridge. This is what cities look like when they are controlled by socialist democrats.

Kevin J. Kelly, St. Paul

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