Hastings residents will have a chance Thursday to learn more about a large residential development proposed for farmland north of the city, ask questions and offer feedback before the project moves further through the approval process.
The City of Hastings and Tradition Development Corp. will host a Pleasant Valley Farms neighborhood public meeting from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 3, at Hastings City Hall. The property is located north of Featherstone Road and 140th Street East and south of Dakota County Road 42 and 132nd Street East. The city’s meeting notice describes the current proposal as roughly 323 single-family lots and 64 attached townhome lots, for a total of about 387 residential lots.
The meeting comes as the approximately 158-acre project is undergoing environmental review. An Environmental Assessment Worksheet released by the city evaluates a somewhat larger potential development of up to 407 homes, including 341 single-family detached homes and 66 townhomes. The environmental review also includes proposed curving neighborhood streets, stormwater management areas, open space and an area that would be managed by a homeowner’s association.
The difference between the housing figures in the meeting notice and the maximum development reviewed in the environmental worksheet gives residents another item to ask about Thursday. Earlier versions of the Pleasant Valley Farms concept also carried different housing totals as the plan developed during the year.
The land is currently in Nininger Township. Hastings and Nininger Township previously approved an orderly annexation agreement covering property primarily owned by the Conzemius Family Limited Partnership. If the development receives the necessary approvals and the property is sold for development, the land would be transferred from township jurisdiction into the City of Hastings.
The project has been discussed by city boards and commissions since earlier this year. During the concept review stage, plans included a mix of housing, open space, trails and park land, with city officials emphasizing that the early discussions were part of a longer review process rather than final approval of the subdivision. More recent reporting on the project has included plans for a three-acre neighborhood park, about 10 acres of open space and new trail connections.
Tradition Development describes its work as covering multiple stages of land development, including identifying sites, working with local governments on ordinances, acquiring property and arranging financing, primarily for residential neighborhood developments. The company also lists several Twin Cities-area residential communities among its previous projects.
Thursday’s gathering is intended specifically as an opportunity for residents and nearby property owners to discuss the proposal with city and development representatives, ask questions and provide feedback. The formal environmental review is continuing separately, with the city accepting written comments on the Pleasant Valley Farms Environmental Assessment Worksheet through Sept. 10.