HomeMy WebLinkAbout08/04/1981 Minutes of Business Meeting
MAPLEWOOD HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION
August 4, 1981
Present: Lucille Bryant, Peter Fischer, Maria Larsen, Sister Claire Lynch,
Pat Williamson, Robert Williamson
Regrets: Jim Haynes, Earl Marlow, Scott Rostron
Guests: Lorraine Fischer (HRA) , Randy Johnson (Community Planning Dept)
Minutes of the meeting of June 2, 1981, were approved upon motion by Fischer,
second by Sister Claire, and carried.
Chair Larsen announced an addition to the Agenda: Building Code. In
connection with this, two guests were in attendance.
It was explained that the Maplewood HRA had requested input from the Human
Relations Commission concerning a proposal to reduce the minimum floor area
standards for single-family dwellings. The Human Relations Commission Chair
had prepared a letter expressing support for the HRA's position, and this
was distributed for review and discussion.
Randy Johnson, Community Planning Department, presented detailed information
on the report and explained the rationale involved. He indicated that a
�.. survey of,metro area communities revealed that Maplewood's present codes are
overly restrictive with recent trends to build smaller dwellings. In light of
rising building costs, smaller family sizes, rising utility costs, and an
industry trend toward making smaller housing styles available, the Department
is recommending that mimimum floor area requirementsshould be revised
downward.
The HRA made visits to several homes representative of the minimum floor areas
proposed by Staff, and at its meeting on June 9, 1981, made two recommendations:
(1) to establish the Uniform Building Code as the minimum floor area for
single-family detached dwellings, and (2) in the event that the Planning
Commission.or City Council considers the UBC's floor area requirements to be
too low, that 800 square feet be established as a minimum floor area for all
styles of single-family detached dwellings.
Following a somewhat heated discussion, Lucille Bryant recommended that the
Commission support the HRA's recommendations as presented. The following motions
were approved:
Moved by Bryant, seconded by Fischer, to establish the Uniform
Building Code as a standard for the minimum floor area of single
family detached dwellings.
Moved by Bryant, seconded by Fischer, that in the event the
Planning Commission or City Council consider the UBC floor
area requirements to be too low, that 800 square feet should
be established as a minimum floor area for all styles of single
family detached dwellings.
(over)
MHRC
August 4, 1981
Page 2
The Secretary was instructed to forward the content of these motions to the
City Manager, together with Minutes of the Meeting, and the explanatory cover
letter prepared by the Commission Chair.
Lorraine Fischer indicated that the HRC should be represented at the next
meeting of the Planning Commission when this item will be up for action.
This is tentatively set for August 17, but most likely will not be held until
September.
Bob Williamson distributed copies of Ordinance No. 405 for information. This
was passed by the City Council in October, 1976 and related to the appointment
procedure. It was decided that this would be reviewed at a meeting this Fall.
Chair Larsen read a letter sent to Joe Benkovics which thanked him for his
participation in the HRC and accepted his resignation.
An update on the Familial Housing issue was given by Peter Fischer. He then
read a draft of a letter to be sent to Commission McClure of the State Department
of Human Rights . The letter expressed our concern and requested information
on the issue. Following brief discussion, motion was moved by Bryant, seconded
by Larsen, that the letter be sent to the SDHR. Motion carried.
Maria Larsen suggested that items 5, 6, 8 and 9 on the agenda be postponed
until the next meeting.
Sister Claire indicated that the Archdiocese is conducting a study to determine.
which issues need study and attention. One item previously mentioned is the
public buildings accessibility project.
An item to be added to the next agenda will be "The New Right's Alert". If
any..tmembers have additional items for the meeting, they should contact the Chair
or the Secretary.
Meeting adjourned at 9:30 p.m.
Submitted by
Pat Williamson
Secretary