Advertisement
Landlords are in favor of reducing the number of non-related people who can share an apartment from five to three, said Kevin Brady, a co-chairman of the group of 50 to 60 landlords, who own about half of the city's estimated $200 million of residential rental property. They also support increasing the required number of off-street parking spaces from one-and-a-half per unit to two, provided it includes provisions for university housing.
Current codes don't require any off-street parking for university dormitories. The proposal before the planning commission would change that to one space per bed; it would also require fraternities, sororities and rooming houses to provide one space per bed.
The WHA members would like clarification of the commission's proposal that parking areas for more than five vehicles be at least 10 feet from any residence, Brady said. He also asked that the commission allow for two-deep "stacking" of cars for long-term parking.
Brady said the group was intrigued by a recent proposal by Don Salyards for on-street parking permits in the neighborhood around Winona State University and encouraged the commission to consider it.
Introduced at last week's public meeting for residents and homeowners in the neighborhood, Salyards' proposal would require a permit to park in the 56-square block area around WSU between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Homeowners would get one free permit; a limited number of non-homestead permits could be sold to generate enough revenue to pay for stricter enforcement.
Planning commissioner Richard Jarvinen asked the landlords, whose existing rental units would not be affected by the changes, why they support the proposed changes — to address the problem or to keep out new competition.
"The reason is simply to put the brakes on (the problem)," said Paul Johnson. "The time has come when we have to change."
Jarvinen also asked the landlords if they agreed that there was a problem whether any of them would voluntarily comply with the more restrictive codes.
Brady said that many were already moving to smaller units because of market forces; last year he bought a five-bedroom house and converted it into two three-bedroom apartments, Brady said.
Current zoning laws require Brady to provide three off-street parking spaces for those two units, which can legally house up to 10 people. The new codes would require four parking spaces and allow up to six residents.
Jim Brandt, of Dodge, Wis., said landlords make their investment decisions based on expected revenues and thus would not be able to change their occupancy standards.
This was the second of two information-gathering meetings the commission has held since the city council imposed a six-month moratorium on new rental licenses. The council has directed the planning commission to complete its discussion and to deliver new zoning ordinances this spring.
Reporter Chris Hubbuch can be reached at (507) 453-3511 or chubbuch@winonadailynews.com.
