Sod house developments

Star Tribune Sun, 25 May 2008 02:48:49 GMT
Sod-farm use develops into grass-roots issue in Ham Lake

The northern suburb is split on the right approach for retaining the community's rural character. The Ham Lake City Council has drawn a line in the sod. On one side is the mayor, who says it's time to let landowners develop sod fields without city restrictions that call for a minimum of one acre of land for each house. "Instead of spreading 40 houses over 40 acres, what I'd like to do is take these 40 houses, cluster them," said Mayor Paul Meunier. "Use 5 or 6 acres for housing and turn the rest back to its natural habitat. You'd have wetlands, wildlife preserves that guarantee open space forever. We'd maintain our rural character." But that's not how things have been done before in Ham Lake, say other members of the City Council. "One acre, one house," said Joey Erikson, one of four City Council members who support the current development plan. "I support future farm-sod development," Erikson said. "I've seen the great developments that have occurred in Blaine. But I don't support cluster." At issue is the very fabric -- or sod -- on which this community in northern Anoka County is built.

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