City approves vacation of 20 feet of Arizona Avenue for HMMI project pending easement with Northwestern

The Huron City Commission on Sept. 15 approved a petition from HMMI LLC to vacate the east 20 feet of Arizona Avenue — roughly 658.46 feet running north–south — so the company can relocate air handling equipment and install a large press brake as part of a new building addition. The commission’s approval was expressly conditioned on a utility easement and agreement satisfactory to the city and Northwestern.

The vote followed a public hearing and more than 20 minutes of discussion among city staff, the commission and HMMI representatives. Planning staff summarized the request and noted the planning commission unanimously recommended approval, subject to an agreement with Northwestern about an existing 4-inch gas line in the right of way.

City engineer Dennis Bennett said the engineering department’s position was not opposition to the project itself but caution about allowing private use of public right of way. “We’re against anything in public right away that can be damaged, moved, caused hindrance to public utilities, transportation, whatever,” Bennett said.

HMMI president Dave Hubdi described the project as a major investment for the company and for Huron. “We’re making a substantial investment,” Hubdi said, and explained the company will add “a 60 foot press brake” and move air-handling equipment to the west side of a new building. Hubdi said the air-handling equipment sits on a concrete pad and can be made portable; he offered to pay to put the unit on a cart so it could be moved if access or maintenance were needed.

Commissioners pressed for explicit protections for city utilities. Staff said the city would require an easement that preserves the city’s ability to access and, if necessary, replace water and gas infrastructure beneath the vacated right of way. Commissioners also required that any relocation or alteration of the existing 4-inch gas line be the responsibility of the property owner.

Commissioner Rich moved to approve the vacation with conditions; he later amended his motion to add the requirement that final easement terms be “to the satisfaction of all the stakeholders, the city, and Northwestern.” Rich said the easement should “give us the same amount of access that we have now.” The amendment was seconded and commissioners voted to approve the motion by roll call.

The commission discussion noted technical details city staff will address during the easement drafting, including a 12-inch water line in the area and language restricting permanent structures that would block utility access. City staff and the applicant agreed to continue negotiations with Northwestern and to return final easement documents to the city attorney for review before the vacation becomes effective.

The commission described the decision as a way to enable local industrial expansion while preserving utility access. Commissioners also emphasized the economic benefit of the HMMI investment, noting potential job and tax revenue impacts.

The street vacation becomes effective only after the city’s attorney finalizes easement language satisfactory to the city and Northwestern and the applicant records required documents with the city.