Bottom-Up Shorts: How To Legalize Strong Neighborhoods
Mar 25, 2025
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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.
Sean Hayford Oleary's advocacy for duplexes and reduced parking mandates highlights the importance of reforming outdated zoning regulations for better housing diversity.
The successful preservation of Woodlawn Terrace demonstrates how community-driven initiatives can effectively tackle affordable housing challenges and promote long-term sustainability.
Deep dives
Upcoming Strong Towns Accelerator Program
A new session of the Strong Towns Accelerator is set to begin in April, focusing on escaping the housing trap. This six-course series is designed for individuals eager to enact positive change in their communities regarding housing reform and development. Participants will receive guidance on how to implement strong town principles effectively and transform their local environments. Interested individuals are encouraged to reach out to a program coordinator to get more information and sign up for the program.
Community Engagement and Local Leadership
Sean Hayford O'Leary has emerged as a key leader in his community of Richfield, advocating for substantial changes in local housing policies. His initiative, 'Legalize Richfield,' aims to address outdated zoning regulations and promote more diverse housing options, including the introduction of duplexes and reduced parking mandates. By prioritizing community engagement, he has been able to rally support and influence local decisions, showcasing the importance of active citizen participation in municipal leadership. This grassroots approach exemplifies how ordinary residents can spearhead significant transformations in their towns.
Success Stories in Affordable Housing Preservation
The preservation of Woodlawn Terrace, a manufactured home community in Richfield, illustrates a successful model of community-driven action in the face of affordable housing challenges. Unlike many similar initiatives that faltered, Richfield's approach involved a collaborative effort that included residents purchasing the land beneath their homes, thus ensuring long-term affordability. This shift in perspective—viewing affordable housing as an asset rather than a burden—has significantly contributed to the community's adaptive strategies for housing reform. By making informed adjustments to local policies, Richfield has empowered residents and strengthened its commitment to maintaining diverse, accessible housing options.
Sean Hayford Oleary is a city council member in Richfield, Minnesota. A Strong Towns member of seven years, Hayford Oleary has helped reintroduce duplexes, reduce parking mandates, and support walkable, financially strong neighborhoods in his community. In this episode of Bottom-Up Shorts, he and Norm discuss the progress Richfield is making in becoming a stronger town.
ADDITIONAL SHOW NOTES
Richfield made it to the Sweet 16 in this year’s Strongest Town Contest, from a list of almost 40 nominees. There are many great lessons that cities of all sizes can learn from their hard work. Click here to read more about their progress, and remember to vote next week in the Final Four matchup!