Today I will be livetweeting perhaps the most shadowy and secretive organization in Minneapolis. Hardly anyone outside of a tight inner circle knows this meeting is happening. Maybe my most dangerous assignment yet.
I'm here. We have achieved quorum at the Lowry Hill Neighborhood Association. A guy made a joke about my name, and I told him I'm not that John Edwards.
Talking about the plan to "rezone Kenwood along Franklin Ave." Deadline for feedback is July 22. Nobody said the words "comprehensive plan" but I believe that's what they're talking about. Weirdly uninformed here.
That will be in the "email news" this week.
"A four story condo could be put up..."
"4 story, not just a 4plex..."
"A four story condo could be put up..."
"4 story, not just a 4plex..."
Hilarious grumbles about lack of affordability. They won't be affordable.
Then someone throws out the term "R4" so I think the city's plan is to legalize the number 4.
Breezy conversation here about latest articles people have read. Tax assessment appeals and the recent plan to cut taxes for landlords. Couple landlords on the board here.
Lowry Hill Neighborhood Association annual meeting in two weeks here at First Unitarian Church. May 15. Guest speaker Jacob Frey. They're gonna ask him about the "rezoning" (which is not actually a rezoning), among other things.
"I would be willing to be planted to ask a question about preservation of the historic character vs redevelopment."
Talking about Frey. "...making things affordable sounds great but it's a fundamentally flawed concept to take a crown jewel in the city and mess with it."
I may be murdered before this is over. People speaking freely.
Guy who made fun of my name is having trouble with Charles's name. He goes by Chaz. Chaz will be a candidate for the board in 2 weeks.
I'm so glad nobody cares who the strange man is sitting against the wall tapping on his phone.
Lisa Goodman is on the agenda tonight, so that's when things could really get weird for me.
Chaz making a pitch for his board campaign. has lived here since 2000, from Edina. Former senior vp of logistics at best buy.
Talking about the wads of cash that flow from the city to neighborhood organizations. Fair explanation here that Lowry Hill gets more money than Kenwood because they have more poverty/more renters due to proximity to Hennepin.
Somebody asked if there was a journalist in the room so I've been outed. Best Website 2018.
Board member talking about how lucky they are that a big chunk of NRP money was invested into affordable housing loan that was paid back to the neighborhood. I know who helped make that happen: friend of wedge live @janneformpls.
Bemoaning the perception this is a wealthy neighborhood. "We are 70% renter."
Analysis: are there any in this room?
Analysis: are there any in this room?
Basically, having a lot of renters along Hennepin should get you cash from the city and immunity from criticism. As you protect the true historic jewel that's within.
Extended discussion of the bags of cash available for spending here at the Lowry Hill Neighborhood Association. Annual meeting is next week if some renters want to crash the party, get elected to the board and spend money foolishly.
"Hobo jungle"? Discussion of "bleak" situation under an overpass in Kenwood.
Board member wants to get some plaques for neighborhood mansions and other landmarks. Teach people about some historic white dudes.
Anything from the historic committee? Gonna bring in a guy to talk about conservation districts (which is the little brother of historic districts.)
"If we're looking to stop teardowns, conservation districts are not gonna do that."
Fear that legalized 4plexes will lead to teardowns and the construction of expensive housing.
They want to "compromise with density advocates" by emphasizing ADUs and legalizing maid quarters and illegal basement apartments that currently exist in legal "grey zone."
What they don't want are "high priced condominiums." Very neat how the homeowners of Lowry Hill have embraced the language of concern about gentrification.
To clarify previous tweets, there's some concern comp plan (which is a phrase nobody has actual said tonight) will induce teardowns.
Graves Foundation people are here to present update on their affordable housing for young people coming out of foster care. Between Hennepin and Colfax.
Graves: "we're holding the density down" and they've kept curb cut off Colfax. "The planners aren't with us." That's why he wants neighborhood org support. 
Board member: "Is there a chance in hell the city's gonna let you come in off Hennepin?" Talking about curb cut.
There's no retail in this proposal.
Concerns about parking.
Graves: "this demographic doesn't have the means to buy a car."
Board member: "Worst case you've got 35 cars parked in the neighborhood."
Graves: "this demographic doesn't have the means to buy a car."
Board member: "Worst case you've got 35 cars parked in the neighborhood."
Board member worried about crowding on Colfax. They want to a plan that pushes pedestrians and car traffic to Hennepin Ave.
"all of the foster units will be single residents."
Affordable units could have couples.
Affordable units could have couples.
Board member: "It's a lot of units for this spot."
Analysis: 41 units on Hennepin!
Analysis: 41 units on Hennepin!
Board seeming more favorable to this proposal than last one. Grudging favorability.
Tweet from last year.
Graves says they've presented to Met Council and they loved it. Assumed there would be "pushback" on lack of density.
Security cameras and 24/7 staffing may allay concerns over "aggressive malingerers" which was a phrase used last year.
Graves people say there's support from county, including commissioner Greene. They find out next week if they get those funds. Neighborhood org support helps to secure tax credits.
Best case, spring of 2019 start.
Board member wants to make neighborhood org support contingent on keeping curb cut on Hennepin.
Questions about when Graves needs support. Answer: tonight. I sense some of these Lowry Hill folks want to kick the can.
Graves people vacate the room as board members deliberate...
"this is 100 times better than the original."
"We don't know if the city is ok with this."
"We'll withdraw support" if curb cut is moved to Colfax.
"We don't know if the city is ok with this."
"We'll withdraw support" if curb cut is moved to Colfax.
"The political momentum [for more housing] has increased to a fever pitch" and this might be better than a building with more units down the road.
"This may be the better alternative."
"This may be the better alternative."
"This can help to dampen people's misconception that this neighborhood is upper middle class homeowners against affordable housing."
Graves people spent a lot of time working with neighbors on this Colfax block and Lisa Goodman, trying to satisfy concerns.
"25,000 cars go down Hennepin every day." I don't think it's that big of an impact.
"if Colfax residents are comfortable..."
Colfax resident: "I wouldn't say we're comfortable." Grudging.
Colfax resident: "I wouldn't say we're comfortable." Grudging.
Colfax resident says there's still a lot of opposition. But they can't change zoning.
"This whole thing is like negotiating a divorce. People do not walk away equally happy, they walk away equally unhappy."
Someone just shouted "off the record" at me. Doesn't work that way!
Letter of support passes Lowry Hill Neighborhood Association. 41 units of affordable and supportive housing for young people out of foster care is one small step closer to reality.
I got out alive. Please support my courageous reporting this evening.
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