Posted: 9/30/04
by MaryHelen Swanson
A detailed housing analysis has been completed by Maxfield Research for the city of North Branch to use in determining the type and mix of housing it wants included in the proposed 400-acre development area northwest of town. In draft form, the document was reviewed briefly at Monday nights council meeting.
City Administrator Joe Lynch said the housing development in mind would include a range of home styles that could provide a life-cycle of housing - from beginning to family housing to housing for the older citizen. The city will hold an open house-type of meeting at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 19 for residents to learn about the proposed project.
The 400-acres in question is being considered for a mix of purposes including residential, light industrial and commercial building. As some of the property in the area has bee owned privately, the city has been purchasing individual properties to complete the 400-acre development site.
Monday night the council approved the final purchase of private property owned by Richard and Rose Klett for $829,5000 ($35,000 an acre). The money to purchase the Klett property is coming from a three-year loan from the Greater Minnesota Housing Fund, noted city financial director David Stutelberg.
The total loan of $1 million (also used for other land purchases) will be repaid in three years or when the land is sold to a developer, he added. The Kletts retain the right to live on the 3.7 acre homestead portion of the 24-acre site until the spring of 2006 when it is anticipated that development of this area will begin.
Council approval was unanimous, Councilman Rod Lofquist was absent. In other business Monday, Sept. 27, the council:
* Appointed new councilman Larry Erickson to the EDA replacing John Pace, Jr. * Authorized signatures for an automatic mutual aid agreement for the fire department. The agreement is for structural fires and would assure that the proper amount of manpower responds to all structure fires. More importantly, noted Fire Chief Don Brown, it lowers the city's ISO rating which in turn lowers residents' insurance costs.
* Moved to declare costs to be assessed and preparation of proposed assessments for six projects including: the Hemingway Avenue Project, Golden Avenue Project, Viking Park Project, Grand/Primary School Project, the fire hall street and utility project and 396th Court Project. When the assessment costs are determine a public assessment hearing will be held.
* Briefly discussed a request for preliminary design and cost estimate for North Branch Market Place, LLC which is contemplating a project in the northwest quadrant of I-35 and Hwy. 95. Public utilities would need to be extended to this area. While the developer does not yet own the property, according to City Engineer Julie Dresel, they are willing to escrow $15,000 for the city to do this work. The council agreed to do the work contingent upon the $15,000 being provided to the city up front.
* Approved 27 election judges for the Nov. 2 election at the rate of $8 per hour.
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