Ward 2 Councilman Cam Gordon proposed an ordinance last month that could give Minneapolis neighborhoods the power to block inappropriate developments. While these “conservation districts” could protect older, smart development, they also add another check to growth and participation.
Conservation districts have been a tool for historic preservation for the past decade, and they are effectually similar to the city’s historic districts. Though many cities may use this tool, Minneapolis should be wary about implementing districts without care.