HomeMy WebLinkAbout20241202 - CC Workshop MinutesHastings, Minnesota
City Council Workshop
December 2, 2024
The City Council of the City of Hastings, Minnesota met in a workshop on Monday, December
2, 2024, at 5:30 p.m. in the Community Room at the Hastings City Hall, 101 East 4th Street,
Hastings, Minnesota.
Members Present: Mayor Fasbender, Councilmembers Fox, Haus, Lawrence, Leifeld,
Pemble, and Vihrachoff; Planning Commissioners Messina (Chair),
Teiken, LeBrun, McGrath, and Swedin
Members Absent: Commissioner Peters
Staff Present: City Administrator Dan Wietecha
Assistant City Administrator Kelly Murtaugh
Community Development Director John Hinzman
Economic Development Coordinator Alex Menke
Mayor Fasbender called the workshop to order at 5:30 pm and welcomed councilmembers and
Planning Commission members for a continued discussion on Highway 55/Jacob Avenue
Growth Area.
Highway 55 Study
HKGi representative, Bryan Harjes provided a quick overview for the presentation, focusing on
concept alternatives and discussion considerations for Council and Planning Commission.
Broader community input will be sought.
Harjes provided overview of uses found in the plans: low density (LDR), medium density
(MDR), and high density residential (HDR); and different forms that commercial/retail can take;
vertical mixed use (retail on ground floor with high density residential above); tech/employment
land use, like small business park; parks and greenways, connections and locations for parks.
Concepts
Concept 1
Commercial use along the north and south sides of HWY 55 connecting to the western edge of
the existing city boundary. LDR in most of the remaining areas, with some MDR and HDR
nearest the commercial areas. One additional commercial area surrounding existing Precision
Landscape facility. Existing homesteads would remain as is. Stormwater ponding placement is
also represented in the concept map, as well as the intended Water Treatment Plant, #3.
Concept 2
Commercial focus along HWY 55 but adding the tech/employment land use just north of some
of the commercial on the north side of HWY 55. Increase size of MDR, HDR near commercial,
additional LDR again.
Concept 3
Reduced commercial footprint, but increased use of mixed commercial/HDR. Placement of
MDR and HDR differently, more separated from one another. Surrounded by LDR as in other
concepts.
Harjes presented the possible phasing of development based on availability of the property as
well as infrastructure needs for development. The phases run from 1-5 years, 10-15 years, and
beyond.
Harjes opened the conversation to Councilmembers and Commissioners.
Discussion about busy times on streets near the area to be developed and the impact of this
project on traffic. Discussion about impact of the project current development projects on the
west side of the city. Discussion on the tax impact of the various concepts. Discussion about
building in flexibility into the plans to accommodate potential future changes. Hinzman indicated
that the concept plans are aspirational, not a comprehensive plan; this is a stand-alone plan for
property outside current city limits, which provides flexibility.
General support for adding the tech/employment small business park as an attractive feature.
Park and trail development is in its earliest stages and have not been detailed in these concepts.
Hinzman indicated that Jacob Avenue will become a collector road, with full non-motorized
movement and controlled intersections. Questions about earlier conversations regarding
expanded athletic/recreation facilities. Harjes indicated that it may fit in commercial or
tech/employment sections of the concept plans but did not want to presume a partnership in these
concept plans. Question about planning for future access to public transportation. Harjes
indicated that conversations would need to be had with Met Council or Metro Transit to
determine the best kind of facility and location to meet the needs of area residents.
Discussion about interest in the three Concepts. General interest in Concepts 2 and 3 with the
tech/employment and mixed-use areas. Discussion about the Hastings niche in appealing to new
residents and what future improvement to HWY 55 looks like. Interest in advocating the
placemaking in the concepts and keep working on the lifecycle housing. Hinzman indicates that
some of the key considerations are transportation, space for commercial, and type of commercial
use. Focus on green spaces and underpasses to keep people movement away from traffic.
Plan options show vision for the future but are not something the city enacts—it guides
developers with what the city would like to see.
Next step is to provide updates to stakeholders, engage the community in feedback and the create
a draft plan document.
ADJOURNMENT
Workshop adjourned at 6:50 p.m.
____________________________ ______________________________
Mary D. Fasbender, Mayor Kelly Murtaugh, City Clerk