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Oronoco administrator outlines housing, wastewater and regional recreation plans as city seeks growth
Summary
Jason Baker, Oronoco city administrator, told the county board about a push to expand housing (including a 54‑unit Pine Southwest project), improvements to wastewater infrastructure, a recent wastewater plant upgrade, and a $170,000 grant for a Zumbro River regional water‑trail project.
Jason Baker, city administrator for Oronoco, briefed the county board on Aug. 7 about housing developments, recent wastewater infrastructure, and regional partnerships intended to support growth in the small city.
Baker said Oronoco’s population is about 1,800 with roughly 600 housing units and a relatively high median household income he described as “about $150,000.” He said the city is pursuing new housing options to address an aging population and local affordability concerns.
Baker outlined a Pine Southwest project planned as a common‑interest community. He described a phased plan totaling about 54 units, with the first phase including several single‑story attached units and a community amenity area. He said the developer has experience in Rochester and has held multiple community outreach events; residents and the developer are discussing mitigations such as a berm and tree line to address neighbor concerns about headlights.
On utilities, Baker said Oronoco completed a new wastewater treatment plant (Phase 1A) that went into service in April of the prior year and that phases to connect additional properties are planned; the city supplies sewer to Oronoco Estates (about 190 units not inside city limits). He said the city is preparing for Phase 1B of sewer expansion in about five years.
Baker also described a $170,000 grant secured for the Zumbro River regional water‑trail project, which will coordinate multiple communities to identify public launch and access points along the river. He said the city is pursuing a capital improvement plan, facility assessments, and potential tax abatement tools to help attract commercial development and fund parks and infrastructure needs.
Commissioners asked several questions about project location, sewer connections and community reception; Baker said outreach has generally been positive and that developers contributed funds to a city branding effort.
