02-13-1980 Council Agenda - Laserfiche WebLink

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METROPOLITAN COALIT ION FOR FAMILY HOUSING 370 SELFBY AVENUE ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA 55102 (612) 222 -5863 Jan. 31,1980 To:_The Little Canada City Council From: Rick Lockard, Coordinator, MCFH 'i-7 Re: The Uniform Condominium Act (Senate File 140) introduced in the Minnesota Senate It has recently come to our attention that the above named act includes a clause which would prohibit any municipality from regulating the condominium structure any differntly than a physically identical unit under other ownership forms. I understand that the Little Canada City Council has been studying the need to regulate the conversion of rental units to condos for the last several months. We are deeply concerned that if SF 140 passes the legislature that you will not be legally allowed to determine the rate of conversion in your own city. I have enclosed a copy of the relevant section of SF 140. The full bill is 75 pages long and the reprinting costs are beyond our limited budget. However, a complete copy of the bill can be obtained by contacting the Secretary -of the Senate_ at 296 -2343. I urge each of you to do so. The need to regulate condominiums is controversial. However, the rapid growth of this new home ownership option must be studied to insure adequate housing for all. The purpose of SF 140 is largely to protect owner and developer, not the displaced tenants. Municipalities should have the right to determine how best to provide for the housing needs of its citizens, clause is removed nfrom athe hbill, developers swill beeablelto convert existing rental units as they wish, without muni- cipalities' supervision. I urge you to strongly support the need to strike the pre- emption clause from this act. Contact the Senator and Repre- sentatives from your district and urge them to discuss your concerns with the bill's author, Senator Jack Davies,(DFL,Mpls). The House companion bill (House File 544) is authored by Representative Robert Ellingson (DFL,Brooklyn Center). I will be happy to discuss this issue with any of you. Please contact me if I may be of any assistance. Thank you for your consideration.