Save the Edge of the Wedge
Donation protected
Hi everyone! I'm Deanna, and on behalf of my neighbors in the north Wedge area of Uptown, Minneapolis, we would like to ask for your help raising money to pay for an appeal to the City's Planning Commission regarding a large proposed development on the corner of our block; Franklin Ave S and Lyndale Ave S.
**Thank you to everyone who has donated, so far! Although we have met our initial goal of $500 to submit our appeal, anything raised beyond it will go towards any future appeals that we'll most likely need to file.**
Last week, the Planning Commission voted 5:2 to approve the developer's requested variances and conditional use permit (CUP) that will gravely affect our safety, our quality of living and the distinct character of our neighborhood.
We have just a few days to submit the forms, which will cost us approximately $500.
$365 fee for the appeal
$25 for publication of the notice
$60 (on average) for mailing labels
First Class postage per each label
There are several of us who live abutted to the property line of the new building, and the developer is asking for far more than their share of the plenty of space available in that area.
Variance: to reduce the rear yard setback from 15 feet to 3 feet (this is where we all live)
Variance: to reduce the south interior side yard setback from 15 feet to 5 feet
Conditional Use Permit: to increase the maximum allowed height from 4 stories/56 feet to 73 feet-6 inches
We are in support of developing this corner, as it could certainly use an update. However, we support and promote good responsible development. We want to see a quality project with a view to sustainability that doesn't infringe on current small businesses and residents' safety and quality of life.
This proposed super-sized building will:
Look out of place - there is not a single building over 4 stories for miles along Franklin Avenue.
Dwarf neighboring buildings - including the entire residential block of Aldrich that will sit right behind the new construction.
Shadow streets and backyards.
Block neighbor's views, air & natural light.
Create unsafe space - there is no alley as a buffer; an extreme fire hazard.
Most likely cause damage to the 100+ year old neighboring buildings during construction, especially due to poor soil conditions.
What is currently allowable according to zoning laws & acceptable by neighbors:
A 4 story mixed-use development
A 15 foot setback to the rear and south - allowing a greenspace for evergreens and trees to visually screen the concrete wall of the parking garage.
The developer putting up a bond to cover incurred damages.
My personal story: I moved to the Lowry Hill East (Wedge)Neighborhood of Minneapolis about five years ago after having moved to Minneapolis just a year prior. After living in the same apartment for four years, I discovered a one bedroom unit for sale in a co-op just across the street on Aldrich. As a single woman, I never thought that I would be able to afford to purchase a place on my own in my neighborhood. It was spacious, affordable, in wonderful condition considering its age (100+ years), and it had a beautiful view of downtown Minneapolis from the living room and sun room. I fell in love with the place, and just closed on it at the end of October this last year.
In January this year, I was informed by a neighbor that a development was in the works for a mixed-use restaurant, retail space, apartment building, and parking garage, that would tower over my 3 story building an additional 3 stories (6 total), and be within a car length from my windows!
You can imagine how distraught I was to hear the news that my two months new to me home was in jeopardy. I was hoping that the development plans were not as out of proportion as I had been told, but they truly were. We have asked the developer and his partners several times to greatly consider designing the building within the current zoning laws, to receive the same answer every time; it is "economically unfeasible" for them to do so.
I and several other neighbors have written to City Staff with our concerns. Unfortunately, we have still not been heard. We are submitting this appeal as we are steadfastly opposed to the requests for variances and the conditional use permit. The mass and height of the building do not fit the unique charm and character of our current area. The close proximity of a parking garage to its residential neighbors without an alley is unprecedented; we fear this is a fire safety hazard, not to mention the air, light, and noise pollution it will allow to spill out into our front & back yards and through our windows.
Please help us raise the money we need in order to submit this appeal! We are renters, homeowners, and proud residents who work multiple jobs, are on disability or retired. We support our community in so many ways - sitting on the neighborhood association board, planning and executing get-to-know-you events, promoting recycling, safety, and conviviality. We love our Wedge area and wish to keep it from becoming something it's not.
Proposed Before & After:
Please give what you can. If you cannot afford to give anything monetary, feel free to send good vibes our way while we fight the good fight. Thanks in advance!
**Thank you to everyone who has donated, so far! Although we have met our initial goal of $500 to submit our appeal, anything raised beyond it will go towards any future appeals that we'll most likely need to file.**
Last week, the Planning Commission voted 5:2 to approve the developer's requested variances and conditional use permit (CUP) that will gravely affect our safety, our quality of living and the distinct character of our neighborhood.
We have just a few days to submit the forms, which will cost us approximately $500.
$365 fee for the appeal
$25 for publication of the notice
$60 (on average) for mailing labels
First Class postage per each label
There are several of us who live abutted to the property line of the new building, and the developer is asking for far more than their share of the plenty of space available in that area.
Variance: to reduce the rear yard setback from 15 feet to 3 feet (this is where we all live)
Variance: to reduce the south interior side yard setback from 15 feet to 5 feet
Conditional Use Permit: to increase the maximum allowed height from 4 stories/56 feet to 73 feet-6 inches
We are in support of developing this corner, as it could certainly use an update. However, we support and promote good responsible development. We want to see a quality project with a view to sustainability that doesn't infringe on current small businesses and residents' safety and quality of life.
This proposed super-sized building will:
Look out of place - there is not a single building over 4 stories for miles along Franklin Avenue.
Dwarf neighboring buildings - including the entire residential block of Aldrich that will sit right behind the new construction.
Shadow streets and backyards.
Block neighbor's views, air & natural light.
Create unsafe space - there is no alley as a buffer; an extreme fire hazard.
Most likely cause damage to the 100+ year old neighboring buildings during construction, especially due to poor soil conditions.
What is currently allowable according to zoning laws & acceptable by neighbors:
A 4 story mixed-use development
A 15 foot setback to the rear and south - allowing a greenspace for evergreens and trees to visually screen the concrete wall of the parking garage.
The developer putting up a bond to cover incurred damages.
My personal story: I moved to the Lowry Hill East (Wedge)Neighborhood of Minneapolis about five years ago after having moved to Minneapolis just a year prior. After living in the same apartment for four years, I discovered a one bedroom unit for sale in a co-op just across the street on Aldrich. As a single woman, I never thought that I would be able to afford to purchase a place on my own in my neighborhood. It was spacious, affordable, in wonderful condition considering its age (100+ years), and it had a beautiful view of downtown Minneapolis from the living room and sun room. I fell in love with the place, and just closed on it at the end of October this last year.
In January this year, I was informed by a neighbor that a development was in the works for a mixed-use restaurant, retail space, apartment building, and parking garage, that would tower over my 3 story building an additional 3 stories (6 total), and be within a car length from my windows!
You can imagine how distraught I was to hear the news that my two months new to me home was in jeopardy. I was hoping that the development plans were not as out of proportion as I had been told, but they truly were. We have asked the developer and his partners several times to greatly consider designing the building within the current zoning laws, to receive the same answer every time; it is "economically unfeasible" for them to do so.
I and several other neighbors have written to City Staff with our concerns. Unfortunately, we have still not been heard. We are submitting this appeal as we are steadfastly opposed to the requests for variances and the conditional use permit. The mass and height of the building do not fit the unique charm and character of our current area. The close proximity of a parking garage to its residential neighbors without an alley is unprecedented; we fear this is a fire safety hazard, not to mention the air, light, and noise pollution it will allow to spill out into our front & back yards and through our windows.
Please help us raise the money we need in order to submit this appeal! We are renters, homeowners, and proud residents who work multiple jobs, are on disability or retired. We support our community in so many ways - sitting on the neighborhood association board, planning and executing get-to-know-you events, promoting recycling, safety, and conviviality. We love our Wedge area and wish to keep it from becoming something it's not.
Proposed Before & After:
Please give what you can. If you cannot afford to give anything monetary, feel free to send good vibes our way while we fight the good fight. Thanks in advance!
Organizer
Deanna E. Hagg
Organizer
Minneapolis, MN
