Commercial real estate in Minnesota holds so much promise with several businesses sprouting in the region, as reported by the Examiner. But its future in Wayzata is not that certain at this time, based on its strict zoning rules.
Wayzata's Zoning Rule Prohibits Heights Over Three Stories
Wayzata has strict regulations in the use of their land and construction of buildings in their area. In particular, the Examiner mentioned that it has a Zoning rule that prohibits "heights over three stories" for every building in its whole community.
Although the reported closed deals in the real estate market in Wayzata has been doing well, with transactions amounting from $335k to $4M, it is unknown how long this saturate the community's land, especially with its strict zoning rule.
One reisdent of the city shared his experience to the Examiner.
Brad Hoyt's Proposal Was Rejected.
In the case of Brad Hoyt, who proposed in December to transform his existing one-story into a 5-story building, he was very disheartened that his plan was met with such a strong opposition all because of this zoning rule.
In opposition to this ruling, he painted his building pink with a big signage "XXX" on top, showing an advertisement for a business offering X-rated materials and books. This business does not belong to him though, it belongs to his tenant.
While Hoyt lives in an ostentatiously wealthy community in Wayzata, lined with several restaurants and other commercial properties such as boutiques, there's one aberrant building in town --- Hoyt's pink one story-building
Hoyt reportedly decided to change his building's color because he was upset by the zoning restrictions imposed in their city.
Citizens' Reactions Over Hoyt's Building.
Naturally, all his neighbors were astounded of this "eyesore" that does not promote or uphold Wayzata community's values of sanctity and honor.
The mayor of Wayzata reportedly got hundreds of calls and several complaints from its concerned citizens.
However, while they are upset with the attention-grabbing building, they could do nothing about it too. In the laws of Wayzata, although there's a strict zoning rule for the number of stories a building has, it allows this kind of business.
As a consolation on their part, the sign shall be taken off. The City Government issued a statement, "the 'XXX' sign must come down because it's not permitted, but a sex shop is not banned by current regulations," noted the Examiner.
"I can understand where both sides are coming from. The City of Wayzata is enforcing the building height restriction, and the developer is obviously trying to suggest that there could be far worse commercial uses for the site. It will be interesting to see how everything will evolve moving forward," Darrin Dufresne, real estate expert from Blue Lake Commercial, told the Examiner.
Lesson Learned From Hoyt's Story
Hoyt's story is a reminder for future business owners. Before putting up your business, you must research on the regulations and zoning rules within the areas, as they will have great effect on the productivity and success of your business, reminds the US Small Business Administration.
