Minneapolis Neighborhoods Wrestle With Mansionization

Several neighborhoods in the southwestern corner of the city are hoping that the city will clamp down on monster homes, but builders and Realtors aren't going down without a fight.

1 minute read

July 1, 2007, 9:00 AM PDT

By Christian Madera @http://www.twitter.com/cpmadera


"The Minneapolis City Council is scheduled to vote on city-wide restrictions, proposed by area Council Member Betsy Hodges, which are designed to throttle back the size of such housing. The changes were approved unanimously by the council's committee on zoning.

"It's a very electric issue in both neighborhoods. There isn't any middle ground on it," said John Finlayson. He heads Fulton's neighborhood group, sits on the city board that considers zoning variances and is a housing appraiser.

Although parts of Linden Hills near Lakes Harriet and Calhoun sprouted larger houses more than a century ago, much of the two neighborhoods filled in with more modest houses -- either during in the 1920s boom or after World War II, when housing demand exploded."

"Finlayson...admits that some older homes aren't much to look at, but said that some builders are snapping them up, then pumping their replacements as big as they can to maximize profit.

That means houses that shade the yards of their neighbors. In one case, Finlayson said, a new Beard Avenue house is built so close to its neighbor that he doubts there's enough clearance between them to put up a ladder for maintenance."

Friday, June 29, 2007 in Minneapolis Star Tribune

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Aerial view of town of Wailuku in Maui, Hawaii with mountains in background against cloudy sunset sky.

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly

Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

July 1, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

July 2, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

White and purple sign for Slow Street in San Francisco, California with people crossing crosswalk.

San Francisco Suspends Traffic Calming Amidst Record Deaths

Citing “a challenging fiscal landscape,” the city will cease the program on the heels of 42 traffic deaths, including 24 pedestrians.

July 1, 2025 - KQED

Google street view of red brick multi-story power plant building in Pittsburgh, PA.

Defunct Pittsburgh Power Plant to Become Residential Tower

A decommissioned steam heat plant will be redeveloped into almost 100 affordable housing units.

July 4 - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Cyclist on protected bike lane in middle of street in Washington D.C. with Washington Monument obelisk visible in background.

Trump Prompts Restructuring of Transportation Research Board in “Unprecedented Overreach”

The TRB has eliminated more than half of its committees including those focused on climate, equity, and cities.

July 4 - Streetsblog USA

Blue and silver Amtrak train at small station.

Amtrak Rolls Out New Orleans to Alabama “Mardi Gras” Train

The new service will operate morning and evening departures between Mobile and New Orleans.

July 3 - New Orleans City Business