The single-family home, once considered the antithesis of the vision Burnsville had for its Heart of the City project, has emerged as the city's knight in shining cement siding.
The Burnsville City Council this week approved a change in land use to allow eight single-family homes to be built next to Nicollet Plaza rather than keep holding out hope for the 19 townhouses originally planned.
John Klingelhutz, owner of KSH Development, the developer of the project, said construction will begin by June 15. The homes, which will sell for approximately $250,000, will feature 2,100 square feet of living space on one level. The homes will be zero-lot line, meaning the lots will be maintenance free.
The amendment was approved by the City Council on a 4-1 vote, with Charlie Crichton the lone dissenter. Approval came despite the Planning Commission voting 5-0 last week to recommend that the amendment not be approved. Crichton said he did not object to adding single-family homes to the Heart of the City but pointed to the ordinance that clearly states they are not allowed in the area.
"We can't just run around breaking the rules," Crichton said. "If we want to change things, we [first] have to look at changing the ordinance."
Council Member Mary Sherry suggested it was worth reexamining the zoning laws for the area in the near future.
The argument made by all four proponents of the amendment focused on how the market has changed to the point where continuing to limit the area to multifamily housing simply didn't make any sense.
"We need to be flexible," Council Member Dan Kealey said. If we hold the line, these lots are going to remain empty for at least five more years."
