Minnesota Cities Say No To Cul-De-Sacs

City councils in Oregon and Minnesota have taken action against cul-de-sacs, the court-like bulbs of suburban housing that have been a standard in subdivisions and tract housing since their inception. These cities are calling for restrictions on the development of new cul-de-sacs, citing them as the cause of many problems in suburban developments such as subdivision entrance backups and resulting high road maintenance costs.

"City councils in St. Cloud, Northfield and other communities usually deny cul-de-sacs unless physically necessary. 'All things being equal, we try to minimize them when we can,' says Blaine community development director Bryan Schafer. 'But the market likes them, and people like living on them. Developers like them because they can get more for them. It's a balance.' "