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Published April 01, 2008

Council OKs street plans, but Westwind contention continues ron christianson steve gardner planny commission gary peterson chat

By By David Little, West Central Tribune

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Steven T.
04/03/2008 6:05 PM

Do you understand the diffinition of congregate developments?

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Marie H.
04/03/2008 4:49 PM

Ben-For clarification, please refer to page ten of the SWMHP application. It does NOT include middle income families. My understanding is the structures are well-built but low-income congregate developments bring the value of property down, especially of they are not comparable to the adjoining neighborhood, which they are not. Personally, I would like SWMHP to use our tax dollars to refurbish existing large homes that are located throughout our city. It would offer additional low-income housing and beautify our All American City and integrate the diverse cultures.

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Ben C.
04/03/2008 3:28 PM

Marie I am calm, plenty calm. I just have to wonder why the fact that this project is targeting middle income and is not solely targeting muslims is being ignored by those against the project? I also wonder again why the property value will go down? Is the construction poor? Or is it solely because of the possible occupents?

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Marie H.
04/03/2008 2:12 PM

Ben-Calm down. The Appeals Hearing Board granted the appeal based on the FACTS (Testimony from one neighbor that sold their house at a drastic cut from its original value because of the proposed low-income congregate development, neighbors sharing the difference in market value versus the SWMHP twin home value, landowners withdrawing their plans to develop their property, local realtors offering their experienced and professional opinion, etc.). Please read the previous comments to understand the neighbors' opposition, such as SWMHP failing to maintain their property according to the city's ordinances and fidning discrepancies in their application and the Zoning & Planning Commission minutes. I appreciate that this issue has come to light under the public's watchful eye.

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Ben C.
04/03/2008 12:45 PM

Marie what is the issue then? How can it be about building quality when there is no building for Mr. Fagerlie to compare to? Has he personally inspected the properties in Marshall, St. Peter, New Ulm, Worthington? What will cause the property value to go down? Are there not twin homes already existing in neighboring areas of the development? YES! Are there homes on Richland Ave near this proposed project that have been built that are listing for $180,000? Yes. What about this project if going to cause the property values to go down? You perceptions, well what about the perception that the four are giving when they FAIL to state that this development will target MIDDLE INCOME people? What about the false perception given by Mr. Christianson when he "suggested" that this only targets Muslims? That is not true, what is true it that the financing that muslims use would be available for this project.

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Marie H.
04/03/2008 9:29 AM

Werner-I'm sick and tired of people who are judging the neighbors and the majority of Willmar citizens as people who discriminate against others of a different social-economic status, race and/or color. Many of us volunteer our skills, time, and money to help our fellow man on a personal and organized manner through our churches or civic groups. Shame on you! Its just a ploy that you and others are using to distract or cloud the readers' perception of this issue.

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Marie H.
04/03/2008 9:22 AM

Shannon-Excellent point! According to the SWMHP their twin homes are valued at $177,000. Councilman Fagerlie, a professional appraiser, shared at a city council meeting that the homes were nice structures but not worth that much money and they definetly were not comparable to the existing homes in the adjoining neighborhood.

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Shannon S.
04/02/2008 11:34 PM

$200,000 dollar home is now low income housing? I feel like I live in the Hood!

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Marie H.
04/02/2008 7:55 PM

Mike-From the information given at the Appeals Hearing, it sounded like the lease to own (now mute)units were for low-income. They even mentioned that a few rental units were for homeless people.

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Michael C.
04/02/2008 6:28 PM

I thought this project also would include middle income people. Has that changed?

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