Rochester Mayor Explains Non-Veto of Historic District Project

Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News) - Rochester Mayor Kim Norton is being criticized by some of her own supporters for her decision not to veto a recent decision by the Rochester City Council.

Mayor Also Discusses Public Transit Finances

The mayor explained her reasons for not issuing the veto during her regular monthly appearance on Rochester Today with Andy Brownell on News-Talk 1340 KROC-AM and 96.9 FM. The mayor also discussed a recent presentation to the City Council concerning the dire financial situation facing Rochester's public transit system due to a precipitous drop in ridership since the COVID-19 pandemic.

Listen to the entire interview by clicking on the link below.

Council's 4-3 Vote on Downtown Development

Earlier this week, Mayor Norton announced that she had decided not to veto a recent 4-3 vote by the City Council to overturn a decision by the Rochester Heritage Preservation Commission to reject plans for development involving several historic buildings in downtown Rochester. Developer Hal Henderson is seeking to construct a seven-story building for student housing at the backs of several buildings in the 300 block of South Broadway, including the former Paines Furniture building.

Why the Decision Is Considered Quasi-Judicial

According to the mayor, it should be noted that the City Council decision is considered a "quasi-judicial" action that could be subject to appeal in the courts. She says the majority of the City Council members supported findings of fact that determined the developer's proposed project met standards set by the U.S. Department of the Interior for changes to the historic structures that are part of Rochester's building codes.

"It is also important for me to say that I do not view the Council’s majority decision as an affront to the Heritage Preservation Commission (HPC), or to the people who spoke at the hearing. The process we have created will naturally lead to times when an advisory commission and the elected body, the City Council, may disagree. The work and input of Boards and Commissions is very important, of course, and I have always encouraged the Council to take that input seriously. And likewise, I encourage those serving on Boards and Commissions to be respectful of the role and the decisions of the Council."
—Mayor Kim Norton

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Why Mayor Norton Chose Not to Issue a Veto

The mayor also stressed that, while she may not agree with all of the arguments that led to the 4-3 vote to allow the proposed project to proceed, she believes the discussion was thoughtful and focused on the legally relevant criteria and that the process that led to the decision is legally defensible.