The Local Government Issues Working Group (LGIWG) held its first meeting on 2018 on Wednesday. Formed last year as part of BATC-Housing First Minnesota’s expanding advocacy efforts, the LGIWG examines the growing regulatory pressures placed on the industry and homeowners by cities, counties, watershed districts and other local government entities.
LGIWG attendees discussed two emerging trends: increasing city fees and design ordinances. Last May in the northwest suburb of Dayton, planning commissions members were looking at adding $20,000 to the cost of new homes in the city, with the money spent solely on the visual aesthetics of home exteriors. Other cities in the area have also examined adopting similar ordinances.
For more information about the Local Government Issues Working Group, please contact Nick Erickson, regulatory affairs manager, at nick@HousingFirstMN.org.
