Minneapolis has received its first waiver request to a controversial moratorium on teardowns and rebuilds in the southwest corner of the city.
The request was filed for a property at 4205 Xerxes Av. S.
The moratorium was imposed on March 7 and remains in place while moving through the City Council approval processes.
After a heated public hearing March 20, the Zoning and Planning Committee approved a two-week continuation, giving city officials time to look for quick measures to ease concerns over an escalation of home teardowns and rebuilds.
The committee will take the issue up again Thursday.
Residents who live in the five affected neighborhoods — Fulton, Linden Hills, Kenny, Armatage and Lynnhurst — say they've had it with construction debris and new homes they say are too large.
Builders, architects and real estate agents say it's costing jobs and sending a message that Minneapolis doesn't want to improve housing or attract new homeowners.
Neighboring Edina had similar concerns over teardowns but resolved them without a moratorium.
