“We are looking at annexation tonight. The land would be agricultural use. The developer has put together a concept plan, but there’s no obligation the council is granting with annexation anything in that plan. Your actions tonight on the annexation do not approve any portion of that.”

John Hinzman, Community Development Director

The City of Hastings approved the annexation of 71 acres of land at Hwy. 316 and Michael Avenue at its meeting Monday, March 20 that will allow planning to get underway for a 450-unit “life-cycle housing” development.

The property is currently used for agriculture and has been owned for at least 25 years by Best Development. They have an agreement with LandEquity, LLC, which has plans for Walden of Hastings, a mix of single family, townhomes, apartments and assisted senior housing in the development. “Life cycle housing” means housing for every stage of life. The development would have trails and park-like amenities, according to plans.

Community Development Director John Hinzman said the city’s Comprehensive Plan earmarks the site for residential use. With the annexation from Marshan Township, the developer can get to work on an environmental assessment that will include a traffic study. Neighbors of the development are concerned that with 450 housing units, the already congested Hwy. 316 won’t be able to handle the additional traffic.

It will remain zoned for agricultural use until a development plan seeking zoning change is received by the city.

“There are many other steps we will be going through. One of the things we will be going through is an environmental assessment worksheet, reviewed by staff and a number of other entities,” he said. The Minnesota Department of Transportation will also review the traffic study when completed.

“The transportation question is one that has been brought up by a number of people. The developer has made the commitment to do a traffic study,” said Hinzman. “Before this development becomes reality, there’s a number of different steps that need to take place.”

He said the Comprehensive Plan would need to be updated because of the higher density of the development. The site needs to be rezoned, and site plan approvals would have to be granted.

“All those different acts by the city council will be prefaced by a public hearing to residents. They will be notified,” Hinzman said.

There’s no guarantee that Walden of Hastings will get final approval.

“The developer is moving forward with this at his own risk at this point,” said Hinzman. “We are looking at annexation tonight. The land would be agricultural use. The developer has put together a concept plan, but there’s no obligation the council is granting with annexation anything in that plan. Your actions tonight on the annexation do not approve any portion of that. If you come back at a later point and traffic or some other issues come up, it’s your discussion to say no to any such plan that comes forward.”

LandEquity plans for the development to be all rental units, with rents in the neighborhood of $2,000-$4,000 monthly. About 20 acres of the property wouldn’t be developed, as it’s the Sand Coulee.

Councilmember Lisa Leifeld asked if Best Development owned the property when the land north of it was developed as residential around 2000.

“I believe so,” said Hinzman.

Mayor Mary Fasbender asked, “We annex it in. What if it doesn’t happen at all? Is there a liability from a city standpoint after it’s already annexed it in?

Hinzman answered, “I don’t think anything would change. The tax structure of the city might be a little higher than the township.”

The council vote for annexation was unanimous.