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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHEDRA Minutes - 2025.05.08HEDRA HASTINGS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT and REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY The Hastings Economic Development and Redevelopment Authority of the City of Hastings, Minnesota met in a regular meeting on Thursday, May 8th, 2025 at 6:00 p.m. at Hastings City Hall. HEDRA Commissioners Present: Carter, Johnson, Goblirsch, Haus, Horsch, and Pemble. HEDRA Commissioners Absent: Anderson Staff Present: Community Development Director John Hinzman Economic Development Coordinator Alex Menke I. Quorum A quorum was established, and the meeting was called to order by Vice President Carter at 6:00 PM with six members present. II. Minutes Vice President Carter asked if there were any additions or corrections to the minutes of the regular meeting of March 13, 2025 and the special meeting of April 30, 2025. Minutes were approved as presented. III. Bills Hinzman summarized the bills for the previous two months including payments for fees associated with Block 28 and the Open to Business annual fee. Commissioner Horsch motioned to approve, seconded by Commissioner Johnson. Ayes 6; Nays 0. Motion approved. IV. Business A. Façade Improvement Grant – 208 Sibley St. Menke introduces a façade improvement grant application that has been received. This application was submitted by Lynette Hoeschen for 208 Sibley Street. The project would include repairing and painting the stucco on the east and south facing walls. The proposed scope of work has an expected cost of $5,400.00 and the grant would match up to one third of the total project cost. No commission discussion. Commissioner Pemble motioned to approve, seconded by Commissioner Haus. Ayes 6, Nays 0. Motioned approved. B. Industrial Park Shovel Ready Site – Alternative Uses. Hinzman introduced a discussion on the possibilities for the 50-acre industrial park shovel ready site. He posed the question of whether alternative options or uses for the site should be examined. He explained the history of the site, including that it is owned by the city and HEDRA and has been marketed for larger industrial development for the past 20-30 years. One major challenge of the site is its location and its lack of proximity to a four lane highway. There is currently an agricultural lease on the site which generates some income and there are no costs to maintain the property. Commissioner Pemble questioned if a section of the site of this could be rezoned for residential. Commissioner Horsch and Commissioner Haus also ask about the potential for residential development. Commissioner Johnson asked about the other surrounding neighbors and lot types. Hinzman responded that there is state owned land to the northwest with private lands to the other sides. Commissioner Goblirsch asked if a developer comes later, what is the possibility of an industrial park in another location that would be better for trucking and transportation. Hinzman responded that there are two other possible industrial locations, sites near County Road 46 and Jacob Ave, as noted in the Comprehensive Plan, as well as sites mentioned in the Highway 55 and Jacob Growth Plan. Commissioner Goblirsch asked about the size of the lot south of the trail that connects the development to the east to the water tower in the west, . could the property be subdivided into smaller lots about the size of the surrounding industrial park lots. Hinzman responded that the lot south of the trail is approximately 50 acres. However, the trail can be easily moved to accommodate development. He believes that the subdivision could happen but would be inefficient and would rather keep the lot as a larger space ready for development. Hinzman suggested that it seems worthwhile taking a deeper look into the other possibilities. No formal action by the board V. Reports and Information A. Housing Needs Report. Hinzman summarized the 2024 Dakota County Community Development Agency’s Housing Needs Assessment report. It is projected that Hastings will have a gap of 1,500 housing units over the next five years. Currently about 30 single family homes are being built per year. In the past four years there has been strong growth in apartment construction, with approximately. 600-700 units, however apartment construction is more of a cyclical process. Overall, construction is not keeping up with demand. Hinzman has been sharing the report’s findings with developers to gage their reaction. Commissioner Johnson asked how the CDA established these values and how many units per acre could be built on the shovel ready site. Hinzman explained that the report is based upon comparing supply and demand in the real estate market and interviews with builders. If the site was developed for mid density, Hinzman estimated 5-8 per acre for townhomes, so the 50-acre site has the capacity for between 200-300 possibly 400 units. B. Highway 55 and Jacob Growth Plan. Menke summarized the final updates for the Highway 55 and Jacob Growth Plan. The final report was adopted by the City Council in March and was funded by HEDRA. He reiterated that this plan is not being used to seek annexation but will serve as a guide if and went private landowners pursue development and annexation. The timeline for development is 15-20 years but is dependent on the Metropolitan Council’s wastewater treatment plant. Menke believes the project went smoothly and the community engagement went well. Commissioner Carter asked about the success and methods for community engagement. Menke discussed the web app that was created in collaboration with HKGi and how community members were able to comment on the web map. As well as social media engagement. Commissioner Horsch asked for clarification about the timeline and use of the plan and how the plan will aid developers. Menke clarified that the plan will not be proactively implemented by the City but by private landowners seeking development of land. He also noted that development of this is restricted by the capacity of wastewater service until new sewer lines can be built which is contingent on the location of a future wastewater treatment plant. By having this plan ready, it helps developers know what the city is looking for in terms of future types of development. C. Open To Business 1st Quarter Report. Hinzman provided an update on the Open To Business Report, which served four businesses with connections to Hastings in the 1st Quarter. D. Development Updates: Hinzman provided an update on current developments. - Rio Gran Express – property sale closed, and construction should start shortly. - 1292 North Frontage Rd – closed on the property earlier in the month, acquired for central PFAS water treatment plant. Current tenants have until June 30th to vacate, and staff have been working with them for relocation. Construction should start later this summer. - Broadway Pizza – renovations continue and will be opening shortly. - Cannabis permits – approved a process for registration, two sites applying, 215 Ramsey St. and 2100 block of Vermillion St. - Zoning code update process continues - 418 Vermillion St.- vacant, building is being closed - New wastewater treatment plant - Metropolitan Council is now looking at alternative options. VI. Closed Session A. Commissioner Haus made a motion to close the meeting at 6:38 p.m., seconded by Commissioner Goblirsch. Motion passed 6-0. Meeting closed. Closed Session pursuant to Minnesota Statutes Section 13D.05 subd. 3(c) to discuss the potential sale of property at the southwest corner of Pleasant Drive and South Frontage Rd. VII. Adjourn A. Meeting adjourned at 6:56 after the closed session. Next Meeting: Thursday, June 12, 2025 Respectively Submitted: Amelia Thibault