Minnetonka church offers land for affordable housing as city reaches max capacity

MINNETONKA, Minn. — The Metropolis of Minnetonka is not a motel, and working at ability is not a very good difficulty.

True estate listings clearly show only 120 houses for sale in Minnetonka among approximately 16,000 single-family members properties – .75% of total stock – although just 3% of condominium models are presently accessible for hire.

“Minnetonka is a experienced suburb, so progress is a problem,” David Landt, Pastor at Mills Church, discussed to WCCO. “I never consider there is been new design of one-relatives houses or townhomes for under $750,000 for the past decade.”

Landt has been the non secular leader at Mills Church for practically 20 yrs, whilst the church by itself dates back again to the late 1800s. The historic church residence sits on 5.5 acres of key serious estate around the corner of Minnetonka Boulevard and Plymouth Street, a lot of which Landt explained is underutilized. 

That is why he explained the church is contemplating providing the land to Habitat for Humanity which could then change the land into cost-effective households and townhomes. In accordance to a Notion Plan submitted to the city, a parking good deal and open area could turn into two, 6-unit townhome structures, while two solitary-spouse and children residences could be created on vacant plenty on Elm Lane.

“I didn’t arrive to sense the way I consider about this overnight,” Landt described. “Looking at in our very own congregation how economical worry about housing and rent genuinely cripples family members – it is a truly critical challenge. Can I continue on to call this a community church if so many people today are not able to find the money for to live listed here? Not so much.”

The Notion Prepare is not an formal rezoning software, but it appeared prior to the Planning Commission and Metropolis Council for opinions from the two members and residents. In accordance to the minutes from those meetings, dozens of latest neighbors expressed normal assistance for affordable housing but they explained they keep reservations about elevated targeted visitors and how townhomes might alter the historic character of the region.

City officers explained to WCCO escalating cost-effective housing in common is a top precedence for town leaders as a city pricing out younger family members will not be able to sustain alone.

A 2021 report from the city’s financial growth and housing supervisor noted the town added 1,748 units of multifamily housing since 2015, with an supplemental 1,900 “that are below design or less than thing to consider.” The Metropolis of Minnetonka has also engaged future people with the Houses Inside Access program, as very well as provided down payment help.

Pastor Landt said Mills Church is hoping to submit a official software for rezoning afterwards this year, at which time the Setting up Fee and City Council can make an formal recommendation and vote. The proposal’s appearing on an upcoming assembly agenda will also be an prospect for public comment.

“We are in this exceptional condition the place we are not this developer obtaining this assets, producing it and leaving,” Landt mentioned. “We are listed here as well.”