People who want to build or expand a house in Excelsior will need to get city approval on the design, under a new rule that is among the most restrictive development ordinances in Minnesota.
Under the new ordinance taking effect Oct. 1, the city's Planning Commission will review each project and approve or deny the design, with input from an architect and neighbors who own property within 350 feet.
The 3-2 council vote follows years of local debate over the need for strict zoning rules to preserve the look and feel of older residential areas in Excelsior, a Lake Minnetonka city of 2,400 that measures only one square mile.
Its neighborhoods include around 450 houses from different eras, some dating back to the 1800s. The eclectic mix is considered by many a key element of the lakeshore city's charm and character.
Residents have complained that some newly built homes and additions loom over neighboring properties, blocking their light and views. Some say the new structures don't fit in with surrounding houses in scale or structure.
Under the ordinance passed Monday night, projects will be reviewed using "Good Neighbor Guidelines," a set of criteria for building homes compatible with neighboring houses.
In addition to size and setback provisions, the guidelines recommend front porches, breezeways, upper-level half stories and other design elements to mitigate a bulky-looking house and large expanses of blank walls.
Proponents of the ordinance said standardized zoning requirements such as height and setback don't work in Excelsior because the city's properties vary widely by age, size and other characteristics.