Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Age Friendly Program topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Residents urge Oronoco council to prioritize housing for older residents, dispute demographic claims
Summary
Several public commenters told the council the city should plan for older residents, citing the 2020 census and the 2024 community engagement report to say roughly 30% of respondents are 65 or older and urging smaller lots and single‑level homes.
Multiple residents used the public forum at Oronoco’s March 17 council meeting to press the council to factor older residents into upcoming planning and zoning decisions. Joy Binger and Kevin Mcder both urged the council to include housing options suitable for people aged 65 and older — such as smaller lots and single‑level homes — and to ensure the city’s planning assumptions reflect recent demographic data.
"In the 2020 census, it's actually closer to 30%," Joy Binger said when disputing a prior remark that residents over 65 comprised only about 10% of the city. Binger pointed councilors to the city’s 2024 community engagement report and asked that lot sizes and zoning consider the needs of older residents who want to remain in Oronoco as they downsize.
Kevin Mcder, who identified himself as a former mayor and council member, supported those requests and described one‑level or slab‑style homes as an opportunity for longtime residents who prefer to stay in the community.
Kov, who said they are not a city resident, also attended to clarify the funding sources for the city’s age‑friendly initiative and noted a memo in the council packet (page 8) intended to explain the funding.
Why it matters: City planning and zoning decisions shape the housing options that will be available to residents as the community ages. Commenters asked the council to use more accurate demographic data and to consider smaller‑lot and single‑level housing in upcoming zoning and CIP discussions.
What the council said: Members thanked the speakers and noted the age‑friendly discussion will be considered in upcoming planning work and in parks/trails and CIP conversations.
