Rochester’s Pill Hill neighborhood is dotted with historic homes, large and small. Now, the city council is considering zoning changes that could usher in new development.
The proposal stemmed from research conducted last spring by students at the College of St. Benedict and St. John’s University, who uncovered dozens of discriminatory covenants in Stearns County. The measure failed after some board members seemed confused about what it would do, and questioned whether it’s needed.
The students from the College of St. Benedict and St. John’s University found dozens of discriminatory covenants in St. Cloud, St. Joseph, Cold Spring and Sauk Centre proving that attempts to prevent people of color from owning property extended well beyond the Twin Cities.