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St Paul weighs changes to voter-approved rent control

Illustration: Brendan Lynch/Axios Proposed changes to St. Paul's rent control policy will get a public hearing today. What's happening: Several City Council members plan to introduce amendments to the policy at today's meeting as lawmakers weigh whether and how to change the rules this fall. The big picture: The new policy — which caps rent increases at 3% annually with few exceptions, even if a unit turns over — has been the subject of debate, hand-wringing and since it was approved by voters last November. New construction in the wake of the policy's passage. Zoom in: A proposed ordinance from Council President Amy Brendmoen and Council Member Chris Tolbert includes exemptions for new construction and affordable housing.Owners would also be able to "bank" their annual increases to raise rents when a unit becomes vacant. Yes, and: The proposal also includes tenant protection provisions and requirements that renters are notified about increases above 3%. The intrigue: Several other council members have their own amendments on the agenda, some of which would modify or roll back elements of the Brendmoen-Tolbert package, . Driving the debate: Developers say the policy has forced them to pause or reevaluate projects, including future buildings at the . Some top lawmakers, including St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter, have called for changes to the policy.Supporters, meanwhile, want the strict cap to stand. Many that some property owners are passing increases onto tenants in the form of higher utility fees. Of note: As written, the current ordinance does allow property owners to seek a bigger increase .The city received 121 exemption requests between May 1 and July 31, according to information Axios obtained via a public records request.Ninety-five were approved and one denied as of early August. The rest were pending staff review. Get more local stories in your inbox with .Subscribe Support local journalism by becoming a member.

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