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It may be that the City could annex some land to the south under number three above.
However, a more in -depth look at the sewer capacity of the city, under the current conditions
would be needed. If existing systems cannot handle new capacity, the Met Council has
indicated they will be installing a new interceptor down Biscayne into Empire Township to the
Empire Plant. This interceptor serves two purposes, to siphon flows from the Rosemount
Plant and provide service into areas of Empire Township.
The second process is the orderly annexation process. This requires joint resolution for.
orderly annexation from the city and township. The emphasis is on negotiation between the
two parties, which results in a binding contract upon all parties. Ultimately the annexation
must be approved by Minnesota Planning, which uses similar criteria to the above when
determining if the annexation should be approved.
The third option is the petition and hearing process. If the two parties cannot agree on an
orderly annexation this is the methodology used. It is initiated by petition which can come
from the City, Township, 20 % of the property owners or 100 property owners, whichever is
less residing in the area to be annexed, or a resolution by the city with the town board stating
a desire to annex the entire township to the city. The petition must include a "fact- fining form ".
If the annexation is contested, the parties will be required to meet at least three times for
arbitration or mediation. Again, Minnesota Planning or its designated decision -maker
determines the final disposition of the annexation petition.
According to the article attached regarding Farmington appears to have an orderly
annexation agreement with Empire Township to allow a 1,000 acre residential development. I
have placed calls with the developer and the Community Development Director of
Farmington to see how that process went and what the timing is. As yet, I have not been able
to get a hold of them but hope to have a verbal update for the Council workshop meeting.
SUMMARY
At this time staff is not requesting any action by the Council. Rather this is being presented
for information only, due to recent contacts the city has received.
2
CHAPTER 2
HANDBOOK FOR MINNESOTA C1TIEs
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Often, an area being considered for annexation has been developed in a less
dense manner than the adjoining city; thus, the property tax revenues from
that area in relation to the amount of services it will receive as part of the city
will not be in the same proportion as the adjoining city. The council may
wish to weigh this factor against the longer -term implications of not bringing
the area into the city.
This information will let the city council make policy decisions regarding the
merits and demerits of an annexation proposal. Having obtained this
information, the council should seek a final decision that will protect and
promote the best interests of the city, the area to be annexed, the county and
town in which the area is located, and the entire social and economic
community surrounding the city.
A. Statutory requirements for annexation
Minn. Stat. §§ 414.031-
Annexation of land cannot occur unless it meets the following three
414.033.
requirements:
Minn. Stat. § 414.031, subd. 4.
First, the land must adjoin the corporate limits of the annexing city. The
Minn. Stat. § 414.011, subd. 6.
statute speaks of annexation of unincorporated territory abutting a city. Land
abuts a city when its boundaries and those of the city coincide or touch one
See, 12 McQuillin Municipal
Corporations § 7.20 {3' ed.
another so that after annexation, the annexed territory will be united with the
Revised 1996) (citing cases to
city in forming a homogeneous community that can provide all of its parts
this effect); See also, Stare v.
with the benefits of local government. The statute defines "abuts" to include
Village of Mound, 234 Minn.
531, 48 N.W.2d 855 (1951);
areas with boundaries that at least touch one another at a single point, or with
g p
Village of Orono v. village of
boundaries that would touch but for an intervening road, railroad, waterway
Long Lake, 247 Minn. 264, 77
or parcel of publicly -owned land. In those cases where an annexation needs
N.W.2d 46 (1956).
the approval of Minnesota Planning, it may alter the boundaries of the area to
preserve or improve the symmetry of the area.
Minn. Stat. § 414.031, subd. 4.
Second, Minnesota Planning may approve an annexation if it finds city
governance of the area is necessary to protect the public health, safety, and
welfare; if annexation is found to be in the best interests of the city and the
Long Lake, Village k Orono e, 247 M i nn. 264, 77 village of
territory to be annexed; or, if land is, or is about to become, suburban or
N.W.2d 46 (1956). -
urban in character. This generally refers to land in close proximity to the city,
of limited size, suburban in character, and with a community of interest so it
will adapt to city government.
Minn. Stat. § 414.061.
Third, the land may not already be part of another city. A concurrent action
See section on detachment.
of the involved cities, however, could result in a detachment from one and
annexation to the other through a different procedure.
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Minn. Stat. §§ 115.49, subd.
2a; 414.0335.
Minn. Stat. § 414.033, subd. 3
See discussion of hearings
under the section on Petition,
hearing and order of
Minnesota Planning.
2 -16
The law considers land described above to be urban in character. The city can
annex it merely by passing an ordinance in all these situations. The city must
file copies of the ordinance with Minnesota Planning, the town clerk, the
county auditor, and the secretary of state. Annexation does not become
effective until Minnesota Planning approves the filing. Before a city may
annex land under the criteria specified in 2, 3 or 4 above, it must serve notice
of intent upon the town board and all landowners within and contiguous to
the area to be annexed, and hold a public hearing.
Land may also be annexed by ordinance if the Minnesota Pollution Control
Agency (MPCA) has required the city to extend a government service outside
its jurisdiction into an unincorporated area.
If 60 percent or more of the perimeter of the area to be annexed borders the
city and the area is 40 acres or less, the city may annex it by ordinance under
the criteria specified in 3 above. However, the city must serve notice of its
intent upon the town board and wait 90 days for the town's objection. If the
town board raises objections, the city may abandon the proceedings or
Minnesota Planning will hold hearings and order or deny the annexation.
HANDBOOK FOR MINNESOTA CITIES
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CILMI R 2
B. Annexation procedures
Contact Minnesota Planning
Although the statutes set out three different annexation procedures, only one
for more information at
Department of Administration,
procedure may apply n an given situation. The appropriate rocedure
p y pp y i y g p
Municipal Boundary
depends on the ownership, size, and other characteristics of the land under
Adjustments, Room 300; 658
consideration. For annexation purposes, the jurisdiction and authority of
Cedar Street, St. Paul, MN
Minnesota Planning is uniform for all communities throughout the state.
55155;(651)284 -3383;
tvww.mba.state.mn.us /index.ht
Minnesota Planning has information to assist units of government in
H.
presenting evidence in boundary- adjustment proceedings.
The three annexation procedures are applicable in different situations and
require completing certain steps.
1. Annexation by ordinance
Minn. Stat. § 414.033.
In some circumstances, unincorporated property may be annexed to a city
simply by passing an ordinance declaring the land as annexed to the city.
Cities may annex by ordinance when: (1) the city owns the land to be
annexed; (2) the land is completely surrounded by land already within city
limits; (3) the land abuts the city and the area to be annexed is 60 acres or
less, not presently served or capable of being served by available public
sewer facilities, and all the landowners petition the city for annexation; or (4)
the land is within two miles of the city and has been approved for platting
after Aug. 1, 1995, and the platted lots average 21,780 square -feet or less.
Minn. Stat. §§ 115.49, subd.
2a; 414.0335.
Minn. Stat. § 414.033, subd. 3
See discussion of hearings
under the section on Petition,
hearing and order of
Minnesota Planning.
2 -16
The law considers land described above to be urban in character. The city can
annex it merely by passing an ordinance in all these situations. The city must
file copies of the ordinance with Minnesota Planning, the town clerk, the
county auditor, and the secretary of state. Annexation does not become
effective until Minnesota Planning approves the filing. Before a city may
annex land under the criteria specified in 2, 3 or 4 above, it must serve notice
of intent upon the town board and all landowners within and contiguous to
the area to be annexed, and hold a public hearing.
Land may also be annexed by ordinance if the Minnesota Pollution Control
Agency (MPCA) has required the city to extend a government service outside
its jurisdiction into an unincorporated area.
If 60 percent or more of the perimeter of the area to be annexed borders the
city and the area is 40 acres or less, the city may annex it by ordinance under
the criteria specified in 3 above. However, the city must serve notice of its
intent upon the town board and wait 90 days for the town's objection. If the
town board raises objections, the city may abandon the proceedings or
Minnesota Planning will hold hearings and order or deny the annexation.
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Minn. stat. § 414.033, subds.
If the land is platted, or if unplatted does not exceed 200 acres, a majority of
s 13.
the owners may petition the council for annexation. At least 60 days before a
petition is filed, the petitioner must notify the municipality that the petitioner
intends to file a petition for annexation.
Minn. stat. § 414.033, subd.
At least 30 days before a petition is filed for annexation, the petitioner must
13.
be notified by the municipality that the cost of electric utility service to the
petitioner may change if the land is annexed to the municipality. The notice
must include an estimate of the cost impact of any change in electric utility
services, including rate changes and assessments, resulting from the
annexation. Within 10 days, copies of the petition must go to Minnesota
Planning, the town board, and the county board of the town and county in
which all or any part of the land is located, and to the governing body of all
cities abutting the land to be annexed.
Minn. stat. §414.033, subd. S.
The town board or the governing body of another city can submit written
objections to the annexation within 90 days of the filing of the petition to
Minnesota Planning and to the city. If either the town or a city files
objections, the annexing city can take no further action on the petition. The
petition automatically goes to Minnesota Planning, which will hold a hearing
and issue its order.
Minn. stat. § 414.033, subd. s.
If no one files objections and the council determines the property proposed
for annexation is currently or is about to become urban or suburban in
character, the council may pass an ordinance annexing the land. However, if
all property owners involved do not sign the petition, a public hearing before
the city council is necessary before the city can adopt the ordinance. All
property owners in the affected area must receive a mailed notice at least 30
days before the hearing.
Minn. stat. § 414.033, subds.
Except when a town or city objects to an annexation, no action by Minnesota
7, 12.
Planning is necessary to annex land in this manner. However, the city must
file copies of the annexing ordinance with Minnesota Planning, the county
auditor, the town clerk, and the secretary of state. The annexation does not
become effective until Minnesota Planning approves the ordinance. Also,
laws require a sharing of the tax base between the city and the town, with
declining percentages over a five -year period.
Minn. stat. § 414.033, subd. 6.
If a city receives a petition for annexation of land, and all or part of the land
is already included in a petition pending before Minnesota Planning for
incorporation or annexation, the city cannot act on the petition until
Minnesota Planning makes a final order on the pending petition.
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Gilbert v. Minnesota State
ice of Strategic and Long -
Range Planning, CX -0 1 -1221
(Minn. Ct. App. Jan. 29, 2002)
(unpublished opinion).
Minnesota Planning stresses that most annexations by ordinance are
exceptions to the requirement for a hearing. Cities must clearly show that the
facts making the exception operative are present. Minnesota Planning will not
approve an annexation ordinance without this information. However, the
Minnesota Court of Appeals has held in an unpublished opinion that once the
criteria in the statute authorizing annexation by ordinance have been satisfied,
Minnesota Planning does not have authority to conduct a further review of
the proceeding, and it must approve the annexation.
2. Orderly annexation
Minn. Stat. § 414.0325. Minnesota Planning promotes orderly annexation because it emphasizes
negotiation and agreement. One or more townships and one or more cities can
initiate an orderly annexation process by passing a joint resolution. The
resolution designates an unincorporated area in need of orderly annexation. It
must include a description of the area. The resolution may also give
Minnesota Planning jurisdiction over annexation in the area and over various
provisions of the joint agreement.
Once Minnesota Planning has received the joint resolution, an initiation of an
annexation of any part of the designated area can occur by either the
submission of a resolution from any party to the original joint resolution or
by Minnesota Planning on its own motion.
Minn. Stat. § 414.0325, subd. If the joint resolution for orderly annexation of an area states that no
1 alteration of the area is appropriate, Minnesota Planning may review and
comment on the resolution, but it may not alter the boundaries. Likewise, if
the joint resolution sets conditions for the annexation and states Minnesota
Planning consideration is not necessary, Minnesota Planning may only
review and comment on the resolution and must order, within 30 days, the
annexation under the terms of the resolution.
Minn. Stat. § 414.0325, subd. An orderly annexation agreement is a binding contract upon all parties to the
6. agreement, and is enforceable in the district court in the county in which the
unincorporated property in question is located. The provisions of an orderly
annexation agreement are not pre - empted by any other provision of
annexation law unless specifically provided by the agreement. If an orderly
annexation agreement provides the exclusive procedures by which the
unincorporated property identified in the agreement may be annexed to the
city, the city shall not annex that property by any other procedure.
Minn. Stat. §§ 115.03, Whenever the MPCA or another state agency orders a city to extend
115.071, 115.49; 414.0335. municipal services to a certain unincorporated area, Minnesota Planning may
consider designating the area for orderly annexation.
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Minn, Stat. § 462.3535, subd.
If a city designates an urban growth area based on a community -based
5.
comprehensive plan, an orderly annexation agreement must then be
See Chapter 16 for a
negotiated.
discussion of community -
based planning.
Minn. Stat. § 414.09.
When Minnesota Planning receives a joint resolution for annexation of part
of the designated orderly annexation area, it must schedule a hearing
following the requirements for hearings in other annexation actions. If the
Minn. Rules 6000.01oo- .3aoo.
joint resolution provides for the conditions for annexation of an area and
states that board consideration is not necessary, Minnesota Planning may
Minn. Stat. § 414.0325, subds.
review and comment on the resolution, but it shall, within 30 days, order the
1, 3.
annexation under the terms of the resolution.
If the resolution allows for consideration by Minnesota Planning, Minnesota
Planning may order the annexation, if
• The area proposed for annexation is currently, or is about to become, '
urban or suburban in character, and the annexing city is capable of
providing the needed services within a reasonable time;
• The existing town form of government is not adequate to protect public
health, safety and welfare; or,
• Annexation would be in the best interest of the proposed area.
Minnesota Planning may deny the annexation if it conflicts with any
provision of the joint agreement. Minnesota Planning may increase or
decrease the boundaries of the proposed annexation to include property that is
in need of, or will be in need of, city services, unless the joint resolution
states no alteration of boundaries is appropriate.
If Minnesota Planning denies annexation, the law prohibits any other
proceedings for the annexation of substantially the same area within two
years of its order, unless a majority of the area's property owners initiate the
new proceeding and affected parties to the resolution support the resolution.
In all cases, Minnesota Planning will set out the factors that are the basis for
its decision.
_Mimi. star. § 414.036.
When Minnesota Planning orders the annexation of part of a town to a city
under an orderly annexation agreement, the agreement may provide a
reimbursement from the city to the town for all or part of the annexed taxable
property. The reimbursement must be in substantially equal payments over
not more than six years.
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Minn. Stat. § 414.031. If a city cannot annex land by ordinance or by orderly annexation, the
annexing procedure is outlined in this section.
a. Initiating the proceeding
Before initiating any boundary- adjustment request, the city, township, county
or property owner should meet to discuss planning issues. Any affected party `
may call a meeting at which the public should be allowed to participate. The
party requesting the boundary adjustment should notify Minnesota Planning
of the outcome of any meetings. Holding these meetings is optional, but it is
strongly encouraged by Minnesota Planning.
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CHAPTER 2
Minn. Stat. § 471.59.
In the area designated for orderly annexation, a joint resolution may provide
for the establishment of a planning and land use control board under the Joint
Powers Act. This board would have all of the powers contained in the
Minn. star §§ a62.3s -.364.
Municipal Planning Act. It also would have the authority to adopt and
enforce the uniform fire code. The joint resolution may provide that joint
planning and land -use controls apply to any or all parts of the area designated
for orderly annexation, as well as to any adjacent unincorporated or
incorporated area described by the joint resolution.
Mirm. Stat. § 462.357, subd.1.
If the joint resolution does not provide for joint planning and land use
Minn. Stat. § 462.358, subd. 1.
control, the following procedures take effect. If the county and townships
agree to exclude the area from their zoning and subdivision ordinances, the
city may extend its zoning and subdivision regulations to include the orderly
annexation area. If the county and township do not agree to such
extraterritorial zoning and subdivision regulation, zoning and subdivision
regulation within the orderly annexation area will be under the control of a
three- member committee. The governing bodies of the city, town, and county
will each appoint one member to the committee. The committee serves as the
governing body and the board of appeals and adjustments within the orderly
annexation area. The committee has all the powers provided by the Municipal
Planning Act, plus the authority to adopt and enforce the uniform fire code.
Minnesota Planning's order is effective when the director issues it or at some
later date, if specified in the order. No annexation election is necessary.
Contact Minnesota Planning
for more information at
3. Petition, hearing, and order by Minnesota
Department of Administmuon,
Municipal Boundary
Planning
Adjustments, Room 300,658
Cedar Street, St. Paul, MN
55155; (651) 284 -3383;
www.mba. state.mn.us /index.ht
nil.
Minn. Stat. § 414.031. If a city cannot annex land by ordinance or by orderly annexation, the
annexing procedure is outlined in this section.
a. Initiating the proceeding
Before initiating any boundary- adjustment request, the city, township, county
or property owner should meet to discuss planning issues. Any affected party `
may call a meeting at which the public should be allowed to participate. The
party requesting the boundary adjustment should notify Minnesota Planning
of the outcome of any meetings. Holding these meetings is optional, but it is
strongly encouraged by Minnesota Planning.
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CHAPTER 2
b. The petition
A petition for a public hearing before Minnesota Planning may come from:
(1) a resolution of the annexing city; (2) a resolution of the town containing
the area to be annexed; (3) a petition of 20 percent of the property owners or
100 property owners, whichever is less, residing in the area to be annexed; or
(4) a resolution of the city council, together with a resolution of the town
board, stating a desire to annex the entire township to the city. In addition, in
the case of state -owned property, the executive council of the state may
Minn. Stat. § 414.065. petition for a hearing.
The petition must go to Minnesota Planning. If property owners initiate the
proceeding, they must also include a copy of a resolution of the annexing city
supporting the proposed annexation. The petition must set forth the
boundaries of the area proposed for annexation, names of all parties entitled
to notice, and reasons for requesting annexation. For jurisdictional purposes,
the petition should also show the area meets the three minimum statutory
requirements for annexation.
All petitions for boundary adjustment must include a fact - finding form. The
form must detail the results of the planning meeting outlined above if one
was held. If the boundary adjustment is contested, Minnesota Planning may
require the parties to meet at least three times over a 60 -day period. At least
Minn. scat. § 414.01, subd. 16. one of the meetings must be open to the public and allow public comment. In
addition, a contested boundary adjustment will trigger the preparation of a
fact- finding report by Minnesota Planning.
C. Mediation and arbitration
Minn. scat. § 414.12. If efforts to resolve boundary issues fail, and the issues have not previously
been mediated, the parties may be required to participate in an alternative
dispute resolution process. Minnesota Planning may require parties to: choose
a mediator of their own; accept a mediator assigned by the Office of Dispute
Resolution; or accept the mediation services provided by the Office of
Administrative Hearings. Fees for mediation may be split as agreed to by all
the parties. If the parties do not agree to a division of the costs, they must be
allocated on an equitable basis by the mediator, arbitrator or chief
administrative law judge.
d. The powers and duties of Minnesota Planning
After mediation and arbitration, Minnesota Planning or its designated
decision -maker (mediator or arbitrator) may order the annexation:
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CHAPTER 2
• If city government of the property will protect the public health, welfare,
and safety, and if annexation is found to be in the best interests of the
property proposed for annexation; or,
• If the property is, or is about to become, urban or suburban in character;
or,
• If the annexation would be in the best interest of the subject area.
Minnesota Planning or its designated decision -maker must deny the
annexation:
Town of Burnsville v. City of 0 If the increase in revenues for the annexing city bears no reasonable
Bloomington, 268 Minn. 84, relation to the monetary value of benefits conferred upon the annexed
128 N.W.2d 97 (1964).
area;
If annexation of all or a part of the property to an adjacent city would
better serve the interest of the residents of the property; or,
If the remainder of the town would suffer undue hardship.
Minnesota Planning or its designated decision -maker may alter the
boundaries of the area to be annexed:
• By increasing or decreasing the area to include only property that is, or is
about to become, urban or suburban in character;
• To add property abutting the area proposed for annexation in order to
follow visible, clearly recognizable features; or,
• To exclude property that may be better served by another unit of
government.
If Minnesota Planning or its designated decision -maker determines another
city or town could better serve part of the area, Minnesota Planning may
initiate and approve annexation on its own motion by conducting further
hearings and issuing orders. In all cases, Minnesota Planning must indicate
the basis for the decision.
Minn. stat. § 414.031, subd. 4. In arriving at its decision, Minnesota Planning or its designated decision-
maker must consider the following factors:
Present population and number of households, past population, and
projected population growth of the subject area and adjacent units of
local government.
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Quantity of land within the subject area and adjacent units of local
government and natural terrain, including recognizable physical features;
general topography; major watersheds; soil conditions; and such natural
features as rivers, lakes, and major bluffs.
Degree of contiguity of the boundaries between the annexing city and the
subject area.
Present pattern of physical development, planning and intended land uses
in the subject area and the annexing city including residential, industrial,
commercial, agricultural, and institutional land uses and the impact of the
proposed action on those land uses.
The present transportation network and potential transportation issues,
including proposed highway development.
Land use controls and planning presently-in use in the annexing city and
in the subject area, including comprehensive plans for development in the
area and plans and policies of the Metropolitan Council and whether
there are inconsistencies between the proposed development and the
existing land use planning controls.
Existing levels of governmental services in the annexing city and the
subject area, including water and sewer, fire rating and protection, law
enforcement, street improvements and maintenance, administrative
services, and recreational facilities, and the impact of the proposed action
on the delivery of these services.
Existing or potential environmental problems and whether the proposed
action is likely to improve or resolve these problems.
The annexing city's plans and programs for providing needed
governmental services to the subject area.
An analysis of the fiscal impact on the annexing city and the property
proposed for annexation, and adjacent units of local government,
including assessed valuation and the present bonded indebtedness and the
mill rates of the county, school district, and town.
Relationship and impact of the proposed action on affected and adjacent
school districts and communities.
Adequacy of town government to deliver services to the subject area.
Analysis of whether necessary governmental services can best be
provided through the proposed action or another form of boundary
adjustment.
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Minn. Stat. § 414.031, subd.
4a.
Minn. Stat. § 414.031, subd.
4a; Minn. Stat. § 414.09.
Minn. Star. § 414.031, subd.
4a.
If only part of a town is annexed, the ability of the remainder of the town
to continue, or the feasibility of it being incorporated separately or
annexed to another city.
e. Annexation of an entire township
Whenever annexation by Minnesota Planning's order involves the annexation
of an entire township, the order must include a provision for the election of
new city officers. The expanded city would have a home rule charter or
statutory form of government depending on what form is currently used in
the annexing city. However, any ward system for the election of
councilmembers would be inoperable. The ordinances of both the annexing
city and the town would continue within the former boundaries until repealed
by the governing body of the city.
f. Other powers of Minnesota Planning
Minnesota Planning may also order the election of new city officers as part of
any other annexation order under this procedure, if the director or the
director's designee determines that such an election would be equitable.
Minnesota Planning may provide for election of councilmembers by wards,
not less than three nor more than seven in number, if it finds that area
representation is necessary for proper representation due to an uneven
population density or the existence of agricultural lands in the path of
suburban development. After four years from the effective date of an
annexation, the council may adopt a resolution by a four - fifths vote to abolish
the ward system and provide for election of councilmembers at large.
Until the effective date of the annexation order, the town board and other
officers of the town continue to exercise their powers and duties under the
town laws in the portion of the city that was formerly the town. The council
and other officers of the annexing city continue to exercise their powers and
duties in the portion of the expanded city that was formerly the city. When
the order takes effect, the town board and the council of the annexing city
have no jurisdiction within the city. Then, the new city council and other new
officers have jurisdiction, including jurisdiction over improvements and the
levying of special assessments. The new city council can continue or
discontinue any board that may have previously existed in the town or former
city.
2-24
This chapter last revised 12/10/2003
HANDBOOK FOR MINNESOTA CIT Es
Page 1 of 2
Undquist,Kim
From: Verbrugge,Jamie
Sent: Wednesday, May 05, 2004 9:14 AM
To: Lindquist,Kim; Brotzler,Andy
Cc: Rosemount Mayor
Subject: Farmington annexation
Kim,
Please read the article from the Pioneer Press below. Let's find out what they are planning to annex. We might
also want to touch base with Kevin Carroll, CD Director, to figure out the process they are going through. Thanks.
Farmington poised to annex site
BY BOB SHAW
Pioneer Press
One of the metro area's biggest developments ever — a 1,000 -acre project with up to 2,800 homes and
townhouses — is coming to Farmington.
Or rather, Farmington is coming to the development. The city plans to annex the project, some time after
work begins on the site next year.
"This is going to be big," said Dave Urbia, Farmington city administrator.
Farmington's population of 18,300 is expected to double in 14 years, and the annexation will accelerate its
evolution from a small town to a mid -sized suburb.
That worries Urbia. He said the unnamed development would definitely change the character of the town. "But
we are trying to grow in an orderly fashion," he said.
A key to the future of the city, he said, is to make sure the historic downtown area thrives. The location of the
development and a planned east -west corridor, linking Interstate 35 with Minnesota Highway 3 along 195th
Street, will help.
"Our goal is to connect the original part of town to where all the growth has been" to the north, said Urbia.
The housing project poses complex issues for city officials, such as placing sites for streets, schools and parks.
The city already is struggling with the pressure of growth — for example, hiring more police for the expanding
population in the face of budget cutbacks.
Urbia said the goal in this, and other developments, is to keep growth as steady as possible. To him, that
means about 440 building permits a year — a big decline from a peak of 600 building permits issued in 2003.
The developer, Genstar Land Midwest, is owned by the company that developed Stonemill Farms in Woodbury.
That 650 -acre project is based on the idea of creating close -knit neighborhoods with sidewalks, smaller lots
for homes and a central campus with swimming pools, a movie theater, ice rink, clubhouse and athletic club.
"To a certain extent, we will transfer what is successful about Stonemill down here," said Steve Juetten, vice
president of Genstar. "Clearly, our thought is some kind of association - maintained area," he said.
5/6/2004
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He said, though, that the company would wait for a market analysis before committing to any particular plan.
At 1,000 acres, Juetten said the development would certainly be one of the biggest in the metro area.
Juetten said that his company, the city and Empire Township had agreed in principle on the annexation, but
the details have yet to be settled. "My gut tells me it will be phased over time," he said.
Juetten said that 2,200 to 2,800 housing units would be built, about three- quarters of them single- family
homes. He said the company plans housing, for various stages of life — starter homes, family homes and
smaller units for older buyers.
Prices for single - family homes will range from $250,000 to about $400,000, Juetten said.
About 800 acres of the property are usable, said Juetten, but the remaining 200 acres are in a flood plain or
near railroad tracks.
Bob Shaw can be reached at bshaw0pioneerpress.com or 651- 228 -5433.
Jamie Verbrugge
City Administrator
City of Rosemount
651- 322 -2006
r
5/6/2004