The Bottom-Up Revolution Bottom-Up Shorts: How To Legalize Strong Neighborhoods
Mar 25, 2025
Sean Hayford Oleary, a city council member in Richfield, Minnesota, discusses his advocacy for housing reform and community development. He shares insights on legalizing duplexes and revising zoning laws to combat housing shortages. Oleary highlights Richfield's success in becoming a stronger town, notably making it to the Sweet 16 in the Strongest Town Contest. The conversation also emphasizes the importance of community engagement and citizen involvement in creating safer, more accessible neighborhoods.
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Woodlawn Terrace Preservation
- Richfield preserved Woodlawn Terrace, a manufactured home community, by changing city programs and funding.
- They helped residents buy the land and made manufactured homes eligible for assistance programs.
Legalizing Richfield
- Outdated zoning rules often make existing homes "illegal" to rebuild.
- "Legalizing" means reverting restrictions to allow diverse, affordable housing like smaller lots.
Engaging Citizens
- Increase citizen engagement through diverse recruitment on advisory boards.
- Improve transparency by making agendas, meeting materials, and recordings easily accessible online.
