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

mike g.
04/01/2008 10:57 AM

thanks to the willmar 4 who are literally "standing up" for willmar and listening to the citizens who elected them and actually live here.

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Jay C.
Willmar, MN     04/01/2008 10:55 AM

Marie, thank you for the information. I admit I haven't followed this issue as close as I have some others. Someone involved has said there will be rental units now. If this is the case, I'm wondering if there will be opposition to rental units, and if so, on what grounds. I really don't have an opinion on this issue. Just wondering...

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Werner N.
04/01/2008 10:51 AM

Jay, People can argue all they want about rental units. The SWMHP doesn't need a conditional use permit to build rental units. This whole situation just got flopped.

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Marie H.
04/01/2008 10:49 AM

Jay-As an habitual blogger that has previously commented on this issue, I'm surprised that you haven't grasped why the project is bad for Willmar. First, we have enough low-income housing to buy or rent. Second, if SWMHP want to use our tax dollars towards more low-income housing, they have the option to refurbish run-down existing homes throughout Willmar, which will beautify our city and offer additional low-income options. Third, segregation/discrimination of any race or religion is wrong. To fully integrate the various cultures they should not be "housed" in an established neighborhood. This project, according to the application, was set up to benefit the Muslim community since their religion doesn't allow the loaning of money. Fourth, statistically, low income congregate developments have an overwhelming crime rate. Fifth SWMHP has already illustrated to the adjoining neighbors that they do not maintain their property as they claim. The neighbors filed a complaint with the city to spray and cut weeds growing on Westwind Estates. Sixth, though the city would receive some short term financial compensation (tax base), the project halted three landowners from developing their adjoining properties that would have in the long term created more tax dollars. Seventh, the neighbors' homes have dropped in market value and are difficult to sell because of this project. Citizens of Willmar should be able to trust that their councilperson will represent them and the best interests of Willmar. Despite having all the facts (unlike the Planning & Zoning Commission) the mayor and his four pocketed councilmen did not follow all of the seven standards to approve the project in the first place.

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Jay C.
Willmar, MN     04/01/2008 10:45 AM

So are most people okay if rental units end up being built instead? Will there be opposition to rental units? If so, what would the argument be? I'm just wondering...

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Jay C.
Willmar, MN     04/01/2008 10:32 AM

Rachel, you're obviously arguing from one side of this issue. No matter which side walked out, I don't think that is the right thing to do. I don't have any stakes, any involvement, and don't really have an opinion one way or another. I'm just trying to understand the issue and why there is so much opposition to it.

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Werner N.
04/01/2008 10:30 AM

Because it doesn't really matter. Either way there will be houses built. But instead of being ownership. They have now become rental units.

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Jay C.
Willmar, MN     04/01/2008 10:27 AM

Why is the project not good for Willmar?

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Rachel W.
04/01/2008 10:26 AM

Jay, It even sounds more childish to call for a vote after they walked out.If you don't vote our way we will try to approve this with out you WOW!

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Beth H.
04/01/2008 10:24 AM

I'm glad that at least half of the council (Christianson, Dokken, Swenson, & Fagerlie) has some common sense and can see that this project is not good for Willmar. Keep up the GREAT work and don't back down!!

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