City Council addresses rental conversion issues – First reading – May 14
Resolutions 12-0252R, by Councilor Stauber, recommends an Overlay area to be part of the Higher Education Small Area Plan, and 12-032-0, by Councilor Boyle, limits the number of bedrooms for new multi-tenant rental licenses to 4. (It is currently 6)
Until Jan. 1, 2012, only single-tenant rental licenses were allowed in the “Protection Zone” around the UMD and CSS campuses. Since the expiration of this restriction on January 1, a dozen or more homes have been purchased by investors hoping to convert the homes to 6-bedroom rentals marketed to college students. This is occurring in spite of increased fees for rental conversion and off-street parking requirements (5 off-street parking spaces are required for a new 6-bedroom license).
Why is this a concern?
We know that some neighborhoods around the colleges have “tipped”, more than half of the single-family homes have converted to multi-tenant rental, for example, the lower portion of Woodland Avenue. The new ordinances are designed to limit this condition and maintain a healthy balance of rental and homeownership.
It is likely that this will be a hot topic in the next few weeks. Watch for e-mail updates and media coverage. Contact your neighbors and City Councilors.
We will do our best to answer questions by email or refer you to the person who can.
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Campus Neighbors Advisory Group
Duluth, MN
campusneighbors@gmail.com
CampusNeighbors.org