The City of Hastings is looking for community input for its Highway 55/Jacob Avenue growth area plan, a speculative zoning map that imagines what a district just west of the current city limits might look like decades into the future.
On Monday, Dec. 2, the city council and planning commission held the second workshop to discuss future plans for how the city of Hastings might expand west along Highway 55 past Jacob Avenue. The study focuses on the area west of the current Hastings boundary from 140th Street to the north past 150th Street to the south centered around Jacob Avenue.
While city councilors and members of the planning commission discussed details of the area from topography to stormwater to future land use, one thing was clear: “We are not taking the land. There is no eminent domain. We are not actively implementing,” said Community Development Director John Hinzman. The goal of this plan is, “if someone wants to join the city, there is a plan for it,” continued Hinzman.
From discussions with current landowners to the utility of having a plan for the area if and when future developers arrive, the work session was an exercise in looking to shape the future whenever it may arrive.
At the Dec. 2 meeting, the plan was joked about as a “rebel plan,” because it concerns land outside of city limits and therefore is not recognized by the Met Council. That being said, “The more we have a vision for this area, the more ammunition we are giving the Met Council for it,” said Hinzman, explaining that development of a plan could allow the city more agency in shaping how the land is one day used.
Of the proposed options presented by Vice President of HKGi Consulting Bryan Harjes, the members of the city council and planning commission decided on the plan centered around an employment zone. This “high density” employment zone, often related to tech or light manufacturing is pictured as a business that provides employment without the need of large industrial areas. The group also imaged this area as containing not only high-density housing like apartment complexes but vertical mixed-use areas with commercial space on the street level with housing above.
When discussing this new plan for a future district within the city, Economic Development Coordinator Alex Menke wanted to make clear that these zones were grounded in reality rather than simply optimistic speculation: “We did utilize the subcontractor LOCi Consulting which performed a market analysis on the area so when looking at the concepts they are grounded in what we feel is reality and what the market would feasibly see in this area.”
While most of the conversation of the plan focused on the possibilities of employment zones and mixed-use areas, the plurality of the area unsurprisingly is low density housing in single family homes. Forty-seven percent of the area for new concept is expected to be low density housing, just under 300 acres.
Another aspect of the westward expansion is the creation of a new water tower due to the high elevation of the area. Despite the proximity to another city water tower located near the intersection of Fourth Street and Dakota Summit Drive, the elevation of the area would necessitate the construction of a new city water tower “within direct eyesight of an existing water tower,” said Menke.
Given that this “rebel plan” was speculating about what a district in Hastings might look like decades into the future where there are currently cornfields, councilors and commissioners were hesitant to impose the ideals of 2024 onto the area. “Let’s not build a strip mall,” said City Councilor Jen Fox referencing their proliferation in previous decades which are now sometimes considered eye blights and especially difficult for pedestrians. While pedestrian friendly, mixed-use districts are popular now.
“It’s hard to plan to build something in 40-50 years,” said City Councilor Lisa Leifeld.
As to the exact timing of when implementation might occur that was still unclear: “It’s not in our five-year capital improvement plan, but it’s not so far out depending on your crystal ball,” said Hinzman. In the Dec. 12 Hastings Economic Development and Redevelopment Authority meeting, Hinzman further clarified the timeline by saying, “the plan itself is meant to guide local land use for a period of time [of] 20 or more years.”
Another concern of the meeting was the first view of the city as it expands westward. Just west of the current city border is a steep valley, “almost blufflike,” said Harjes, which drivers must ascend before coming into town. With the plan for the area, what that first view of the city could be for drivers coming into the city via Highway 55 is able to be shaped. Attendees of the Dec. 2 workshop discussed how that first view could be curated and how the plan might facilitate an inviting first look to the city. Other members spoke to the area as an opportunity to bring new residents to the city, speaking to the attractions that bring and keep residents like the greenways and parks.
Residents are encouraged to view and comment on the plan using the city’s interactive map of the site. Commenters can pin ideas and concerns directly onto the map. To comment and view the whole plan, visit https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/6e09081b188c45f3aae2dfcb73b99c15