The fate of a building moratorium in Golden Valley's historic neighborhoods got a bit murkier on Tuesday.

The City Council voted 3-2 to draft a zoning ordinance amendment that would stop some new single-family subdivisions in the city. But a council member who voted for the measure warned that he might not vote for it when it comes up for a final decision.

In September, the council passed a six-month moratorium on new, single-family subdivisions in the city. The council plans to use the breather to update and revise the city's zoning code. Responding to concerns from residents of older neighborhoods, who are seeing large lots divided into multiple homesites, the council is considering expanding the moratorium to existing subdivision applications that have not yet received preliminary plat approval.

The council directed its staff to draft an expanded moratorium amendment for consideration at its next meeting, scheduled for Nov. 5.

Council Member Larry Fonnest voted in favor of drafting the expanded moratorium, but said he was keeping his options open on the final vote. Fonnest said he wants to get input from attorneys and city residents, and to be sure the city's final decision would get the backing of the League of Minnesota Cities.

John Reinan