Stop Bad Development
petition and ordinance update - 10 november 2022
With the overwhelming support of many concerned Crystal residents like you, and the strong efforts of a number of volunteer canvassers, the referndum petition with 1052 signatures was filed with the City on October 11. After the City's review, the petition was found sufficient under the City Charter.
As such, the ordinance did NOT go into effect.
The petition will be presented to the City Council at its next regular meeting on November 15, when the City Council will decide whether to repeal the ordinance or to reaffirm it. If it is reaffirmed, a referendum vote on the ordinance will be scheduled for a futue special or regular election.
Please join us at the City Council meeting at 7:00 pm on November 15 for your voice to continue to be heard. The metting will be held in the council chambers at Crystal City Hall, 4141 Douglas Drive N.
WHO WE ARE
Stop Bad Development is a grassroots coalition of ordinary Crystal citizens. When the City Council approved more than 50 changes, with many that compromise safety and welfare, to Crystal's Unified Development Code (UDC), we could not stand idly by. With a successful referendum petition, WE THE PEOPLE reclaimed our voice, demanding accountability and representation from our elected officials.
Background
On August 8, the Crystal Planning Commission, whose job is to assist the city council in all matters related to zoning and development, unanimously recommended denial of the change. On August 16th, however, the City Council advanced the changes and finally formally adopted the ordinance on September 6th. Now, Stop Bad Development is filing a referendum petition to repeal the ordinance and return this issue to the voters of Crystal.
Many of these changes were because the City lost a lawsuit over its approval of a plat creating lots with no public street access. These amendments were a transparent attempt to get the City out of the consequences of that approval. However, adopting a bad decision city-wide is not the right solution to losing a lawsuit.
Why this is important
The City of Crystal is attempting to permanently change the landscape of property development within the city in a negative way. These changes will adversely affect the safety, health, and welfare of all Crystal citizens. With the support and involvement of many, rather than let these changes pass, this successful referendum petition has returned these issues to the voters of Crystal where they belong.