Advertisement
The proposal, which caps city rental properties at 30 percent per block, has become the most contentious of the 14 the commission passed Monday afternoon. The proposed ordinances were created to address parking and rental issues around Winona State University. Nearly 75 percent of the blocks around the university have more than 30 percent rentals.
Supporters at the meeting argued the rental ordinance would strengthen the character of neighborhoods, restore pride in home ownership and alleviate problems associated with high-density rental areas, such as deteriorating houses and noise complaints.
“The (30 percent cap) is the most important proposed ordinance, and it’s long overdue. It’ll protect our fragile, inner-city neighborhood,” said Mike Kennedy, a member of the task force that developed the ordinances.
Those against it argue that problems will be pushed farther into the city, and it won’t address the problems of deterioration and noise.
“The problem is not students. It’s created by a small number of individuals, whether they’re students or not,” said Ryan Flynn, WSU student body president.
He argued that partnerships between Winona State and the community, such as clean-up programs, would better fix the problems.
“Let’s try to find new, creative solutions for people to improve our neighborhoods,” he said.
Some supporting the ordinance argued that without it, property values of single-family homes on rental-saturated blocks will decrease. Some opponents argued that if it passes, values of rental properties will decrease.
But there’s no clear evidence of either side, according to County Assessor Steve Hacken, who said in an interview that it’s nearly impossible to predict home values.
“We can anticipate until the cows come home, but the buyers and sellers will determine the market,” he said. “We’ll just have to wait and see.”
The ordinance passed 6-3, with commissioners LaVerne Olson, Craig Porter and Brian Russell voting against it.
The commission also approved 13 other ordinances related to parking and rental issues, including one that would decrease the number of unrelated adults allowed to live together from five to three.
The city council will hold public hearings for the ordinances next Monday night, and is expected to vote on them Dec. 5.
Reporter Brian Voerding can be reached at (507)-453-3514 or brian.voerding@winonadailynews.com.
