The right tool is a scalpel, not a sledgehammer
Some very troubling proposed legislation (“the missing middle,” SF1370/HF1667) is making its rounds at the Capitol, but hasn’t received nearly the attention it should.
“Middle” refers to the types of housing between single-family homes and large apartment buildings. It includes duplexes, fourplexes, sixplexes, courtyard apartments, cottage housing (groups of small homes on a shared lot), etc. The state is faced with a lack of affordable housing units, and some legislators have decided on this heavy-handed way to try to fix it — by passing legislation that would override zoning regulations, long-range development plans, or unique issues of every city in the state. City governments are understandably opposed.
This bill would eliminate single-family zoning statewide. Any owner of a single-family lot could choose to build more housing on that lot. And if a builder bought your next-door neighbor’s home, multi-family dwellings would pop up.
A builder would not be required to provide sufficient off-street parking for these new dwellings — in fact, no parking at all if a building is within a half-mile of a “major transit stop.” (Our senator’s office said that includes a simple bus stop.) They would like to get rid of cars — when in fact it would cause a glut of cars parked in the street. Even more housing units could be built on a lot if they are deemed “energy efficient” or “affordable,” or are a half-mile from that transit stop. A city would have no say in exterior appearance, minimum square footage, and other issues.
Our city had already decided not to press for more development in our area, which consists of single-family lots with private wells and septic systems — also woods, wildlife, and wetlands. But if lots were split up and additional dwellings built, the legislation mandates that the city (i.e., taxpayers) would be on-the-hook for extending city water and sewer to the area. It would be an environmental disaster. Woodbury is already near the top of the list of Minnesota cities in new construction. And the city already struggles to keep enough wells in operation due to ongoing chemicals-in-the-water issues. But, this bill is one-size-fits-all.
The rush to pass this doesn’t seem all that above-board, as most home owners were totally unaware of it. Although our state senator wrote and introduced the Senate version, city administrators say they were not consulted beforehand by our local legislators. (It does make one wonder if they’ve already forgotten who put them in office.)
Likely there are zoning laws throughout the state that should be revisited. However, the way to do that is by local planning with input from affected residents, concern for green spaces, traffic issues, etc. — not by taking a sledgehammer to the entire state when one ought to use a scalpel instead. If you agree, make your voice heard.
Carol Turnbull, Woodbury
In the constitution, but with limits
On Tuesday, March 5, the article “France makes abortion a constitutional right” stated “French lawmakers overwhelmingly approved a bill to enshrine abortion rights in France’s constitution … Abortion enjoys wide support in France across most of the political spectrum, and has been legal since 1975.”
However, the Associated Press article failed to mention this, as found in Wikipedia: “Abortion in France is legal upon request until 14 weeks after conception (16 weeks after the pregnant woman’s last menstrual period). Abortions at later stages of pregnancy up until birth are allowed if two physicians certify that the abortion will be done to prevent injury to the physical or mental health of the pregnant woman; or that the child will suffer from a particularly severe illness recognized as incurable.”
Rich McCabe, Apple Valley
A surprise, perhaps
A number of letters recently complain about Americans having to bear the costs of public assistance to immigrants. Why, they asked, can’t we keep these undesirables out of the U.S.?
Some of these letter writers will be quite surprised when they wake up in a hospital one day to see that they are being cared for by people born in other countries and other continents. Undesirables? The person pushing your wheelchair, the nurse monitoring your medications, and perhaps the doctor who has just performed surgery on you may well have been born elsewhere. So are the people who are installing a roof over your head, processing the meat on your plate, maintaining your lawns and parks, and performing many other vital duties to help make America great.
Dutton Foster, St. Paul
See what sticks
Donald Trump has a solid legal strategy that has worked for him for decades. It would be called, “Throw anything at the wall and see if it sticks.” Using lawyers as legal shotguns is expensive. It can work but can be hard on lawyers’ reputations and professional standing as we have seen.
Joe Danko, North St. Paul
End-of-life decisions are nothing new
So, according to my reading, an average human being will survive for roughly three days without water. In many end-of-life scenarios humans will become incapable of drinking on their own and must be assisted in some way, either orally or intravenously. For a person longing to die, it seems this would be a natural occasion to refuse fluids. It is a decision that doesn’t really need anyone else’s “assistance”. I think most people would see this as a natural death, not a suicide. In years past this was once referred to as, “Turning your face to the wall.” End-of-life decisions are nothing new.
We tend to like arguing about things from extreme positions. But this is usually neither necessary nor helpful. End-of-life choices don’t need to be limited to either killing a person outright or insisting they live as long as modern medicine can make it possible. Most hospice programs are very helpful about informing patients and their families of ethical options. I don’t really see the need for “assisted suicide.”
G.J. Mayer, M.D. (retired), Lino Lakes
How to boost downtown
In December we stayed in Miami, the Brickell area in/near downtown. We were astonished to find free public restrooms. These were installed as a successful response to reports of public defecation. We did not see any tent camps or evidence of persons experiencing homelessness. Two guys in a lawn service truck were the “customers” we saw.
Driving around Shoreview yesterday, there are porta-potties in every park. And I did not see any tents.
Lower parking rates for short term use would be good. Free evenings and weekends would be fine also.
Rent control, which discourages private rental housing construction, needs to be repealed. Montgomery County, Maryland, has built a partnership with developers to build new apartments. I think we have plenty of luxury housing, how about some non-luxury units? This has to be easier than it looks.
More of those cleaner/ambassadors around as I see in Minneapolis around are cheaper than actual police. If they have a radio, they can call in instances of anarchy, wire theft, street racing, etc. Crime does poorly under close observation.
Speaking of Minneapolis I think there were problems years ago with the ride-share app companies exploiting their drivers. I remember long rides in other cities priced not far above the per mile IRS cost of driving a car. This is no longer in 2024 a thing. A former MBA student of mine from Pakistan says he is supporting his family driving Uber. Putting 10,000 people in our informal economy out of work to send a message seems stupid.
Erik Westgard, Shoreview
Too close for comfort
Have we driven off of the moral high ground beyond redemption? When the vice president of the United States characterizes the pro-life movement as “immoral” and it gets printed on the front page of our newspaper of record for the last 175 years, I’d say we’ve driven way too close for comfort.
Louis S. Baratto, St. Paul
Who would have noticed?
Last week we were all thrilled to learn that our educators would not walk off the job.
Sunday, our Pioneer Press informed us that “Third-grade reading proficiency drops.” We further learn that, “Eighth-grade math proficiency plummets.”
Had the teachers actually gone on strike, who would have noticed?
Jon Swenson, Eagan
Taxes and opportunities for all
I remember being taught in American History class, some 60 years ago, the government should assess taxes only for purposes that benefit ALL taxpayers. It was my understanding all levels of government followed those lines.
I remember being taught that the government shall put into effect laws that govern everyone, that no person shall be above the law, nor should selective enforcement be tolerated.
I remember being taught in a civics class how important it was that all U.S. citizens be treated equally.
All people shall be given the same opportunities, no one group shall receive special treatment or funds not available to all.
I wish President Biden, Gov. Walz and Mayor Carter had attended the same classes.
Michael Miller, St. Paul
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