Hinzman talks roundabout

We’re working closely with MnDOT on the project at Michael and 316. Our conversations with MnDOT, they’ve been supportive of putting in a roundabout at that location, which is something that we’ve been pressing them for.”

Community Development Director John Hinzman

So, we’re working on two pretty substantial development that could come forward and see some approvals coming up later in 2024.”

Community Development Director John Hinzman

2024 will be a busy residential development year in Hastings.

With two large residential developments expected to get underway, 2024 will be a busy residential development year in Hastings.

Community Development Director John Hinzman told members of the Hastings Economic Development and Redevelopment Authority at their meeting Thursday night that in addition to 511 units proposed for the Walden at Hastings development at Hwy. 316 and Michael Avenue, a development with up to 300 units is possible at Jacob Avenue and Hwy. 55. The property would need to be annexed from Nininger Township.

On the Walden front, Hinzman said that a roundabout is being considered at Michael Avenue to alleviate some traffic concerns with the large development on Hwy. 316. The project is currently open for a review of its Environmental Assessment Worksheet until Jan. 11. In the traffic study that’s part of that, it shows Michael Avenue and one other road turning into the development with dedicated turn lanes that engineers said should handle the amount of traffic expected.

Hinzman said city staff is meeting with the Minnesota Department of Transportation about the roundabout idea.

“I know there’s concern about that project pertaining to its effect on Hwy. 316 and traffic not only for access in an out for this development, but also on the effect on 316 as well,” said Hinzman. “We’re working closely with MnDOT on the project at Michael and 316. Our conversations with MnDOT, they’ve been supportive of putting in a roundabout at that location, which is something that we’ve been pressing them for. In fact, we’re trying to establish a meeting with MnDOT in the next couple of weeks just to go through the logistics of that.”

Hinzman said that the traffic study for Walden at Hastings didn’t “trigger” the need for the roundabout.

“But it doesn’t preclude MnDOT from being supportive and allowing this to continue,” said Hinzman.

If all goes well with the EAW comment period, the plan should start working its way through the city permit process in coming months.

“If the environmental concerns are not substantial enough to warrant further investigation, then we will begin the site plan and planning process, and the engineers on the project are already beginning to get involved in that,” he said. Construction could start by late spring or summer he said, and he anticipates that the development will be built in two phases.

Walden at Hastings is being developed by LandEquity, LLC. It is planned as “life-cycle housing,” meaning housing for every stage of life. The development would have trails and park-like amenities, according to plans. The environmental study states, “The project aims to incorporate family living in one development. Whether a person is owning their first, having their second child, living their active lives in their senior years or needs assistance and care, they are welcome. The goal is to have families living and thriving in the same development.”

Proposed are 54 twin homes, 68 town homes, 170 apartments, assisted living unit complexes of 24 and 80 units and 60 active senior living units. In 2029, plans are for construction to start on 55 single family homes.

LandEquity plans for the development to be all rental units, with rents in the neighborhood of $2,000-$4,000 monthly.

Jacob Avenue development

The potential Jacob Avenue development is on what Hinzman referred as the “Augustine property.” Jacob Avenue is located just west of the city limits.

He said a study of city utility services shows they could handle a development in the size of 300 units.

“There’s a lot of property there,” said Hinzman. “We did a utility report to determine what the capacity of the existing sewer and water lines would be to handle development. We determined there could be about 300 units that could be developed there. We’ve shared that with the owner of the property and met with the owner to determine what type of density and how it will be laid out.”

He said a conceptual plan is expected “in the near future.”

“So, we’re working on two pretty substantial development that could come forward and see some approvals coming up later in 2024,” said Hinzman.

Vermillion Acres

Progress can be witnessed at the Vermillion Acres Senior Housing development at 1190 County Rd. 47.

Modular units are being put in place on the property. They are being built at a manufacturing facility in St. Michael.

“A lot of anxious people have awaited something to begin, and things have begun there,” said Hinzman. “I was down there earlier today, and they had a couple of modular units that had arrived that were being placed on the structure. That’ll continue to go on over the next week or two.”

Vermillion Acres will have assisted living and memory care units.