Untitled - Laserfiche WebLink

Home

URBAN DEVELOPMENT populatio,p. The MetropQlitan Council's 19c86 population estimate as reported by the stat~ planning Ag~cy ~e<Jllographerestimq.tes RalRsey' s populatiQn at 11,395 comprising ~,102 households.* ~he Metropolitan Council esti- mated thq.t the number of householqs in the City increased by 132 dlfring 1987 with a total estimated 3,234 households** and an estimated population of 11,706. However, in 1987, 194 new residential building permits were issued. Based on actual figures through september, an estimated 190 permits will also be issued in 1.988. ThUS, even the most curre~t Mcpopulation estimates. ~re considered to be extremely conservative. while. the. City has not undertaken a special census, on the basis of the number of building permits issued and known vacant houses, it is believed that the City's current (12/88) population exceeds 12,000. This compares to MC's "official" population estimate of 12,600 for the year 2000. Residential The City has experienced steady growth in the 1980's with accelerated growth in real numbers of new households over the last two years. Figure ~ illustrates the number of building permits issued over the past eight years. As shown, urban service areas have only been avail- able the last four years with all prior development activity in non- sewered areas. Sewer and water systems were constructed in 1985 with an initial 22 . homes constructed in the sewered areas. The number of homes built in the urban area nearly doubled in 1986 and again in 1987. In 1988, the total number of permits issued was approximately the same as in 1987 indicating a leveling off of housing activity paralleling other trends. The "number of permits issued"fo~ urban area development, however, was essentially the same as in 1987. Discussions with con- tractors and developers in the city brought forth the concern that the flattening of growth in the urban area was due primarily to the limited supply of quality lots remaining in the urban service area. It is estimated that fewer than 90 urban lots are currently available in the entire city. Nevertheless, the number of permits issued indicate that the current balance is that approximately 55% of the lots developed are in the non-sewered area and 45% are in the urban area. The City desires to be able to achieve this kind of balance and continues to desire a greater emphasis on development within the urban area. *"population Notes", Minnesota state Demographer, November, 1987; Minnesota state planning Agency. **"Minnesota population and Household Estimates - 1987" Office of state Demographer, Mn/state Planning Agency, August, 1988. LJ