Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Housing Trailside Subdivision topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council approves Trailside zoning change and final plat to allow 28 townhome units
Summary
The council rezoned a parcel to RP3 plan district and approved the final plat for Trailside Subdivision, allowing 28 attached units (11 duplexes and 2 triplexes) intended to lower per-unit infrastructure costs and support affordable home construction; the project will use TIF support and staff said it should start by June 1.
The Hastings City Council voted to rezone property to an RP3 multiple-family residential plan district and approved the final plat for the Trailside Subdivision, clearing the way for 28 attached residential units intended to reduce per-unit infrastructure costs and expand local housing supply.
Why it matters: Developer representatives and housing advocates told the council the plan district mechanism permits higher density (tighter setbacks and easements) that lowers infrastructure and acquisition cost per unit and helps housing affordability without requiring city subsidies beyond existing TIF arrangements.
Developer Dave Rippey, representing Queen City Development and Trailside Village LLC, said the plan district will allow 28 units on the site by tightening setbacks and easements: "If your total cost for infrastructure and acquisition on a site is $1,400,000 divided by 28 homes, that's $50,000 a home," Rippey said, comparing that to a roughly $75,000 per-lot cost under a lower-density layout. He asked the council to suspend readings and allow the project to start immediately, with an intended grading start around June 1 and house deliveries following in July.
Sydney Erickson of Hastings Economic Development Corporation voiced HEDC support, saying the project complements nearby developments and will add affordable housing options.
Council members asked whether the project would affect school enrollment and financing. Rippey said any children from the development would attend Hastings Public Schools and that he had spoken to Superintendent Schneider who was supportive. Councilors also clarified that the project had used tax-increment financing (TIF) in its earlier approvals and that the current rezoning and final plat follow the plan the council had previously reviewed.
City planner Amber Bathlan told the council the final plat proposes 11 duplexes and two triplexes (~2,100 sq ft each), one new street (Trailside Drive) and two alleys for access; staff recommended approval conditioned on the rezoning vote. The planning commission recommended approval 5–0.
What happened: The council adopted ordinance 4,796 to change zoning from R3 to RP3 and approved the final plat; both votes passed by 7–1. Councilors asked about fire separation, traffic and timing; Rippey said buildings meet applicable fire separation requirements and that traffic impact is less than earlier anticipated apartment-level density for the same site.
Next steps: The developer said it would proceed with grading, utilities and home deliveries once readings are suspended and site work begins; staff will monitor construction and ensure compliance with the approved plat and plan district standards.
