Hermantown council approves zoning changes, fees, park purchases and trail easements; floodplain update set for second reading

The Hermantown City Council approved a package of ordinances and resolutions affecting zoning, fees, public safety, parks and infrastructure at its meeting.

Key approvals included second readings and adoptions of zoning and environmental review ordinances that standardize how the city refers to state environmental review thresholds and add a new Chapter 23 to the zoning code. City staff told the council the ordinances reference Minnesota Statute 4410 to clarify when environmental assessment worksheets, environmental impact statements or alternative urban area‑wide reviews are required, and add a fee schedule for those documents where none existed before.

Councilors also approved an amendment to the fee schedule that adds a $7.50 pass‑through water fee from the City of Duluth; council discussion noted that over 15 years Duluth would collect an estimated…