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.(NEWS)

From: Star Tribune (Minneapolis, MN) | Date: May 25, 2008| Author: | Copyright information

Byline: PAUL LEVY; STAFF WRITER

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 ...

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