Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Housing Hra Redevelopment topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Hibbing council advances HRA Green Haven redevelopment with zoning, surveys and site‑preparation contracts
Summary
The Hibbing City Council approved zoning amendments and contracts to make the HRA of Hibbing’s Green Haven site shovel ready, including survey and geotechnical work and authorization to negotiate a land purchase from Grace Lutheran Church.
The Hibbing City Council on Feb. 5 approved a series of steps to move a Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA) multifamily redevelopment at the Green Haven site closer to construction readiness.
Community Development Director Ms. Solavanti told the council the City and the HRA have collaborated since 2023 on planning and that a July 2024 resolution designated the identified parcel for new multifamily development should funding be secured. The council approved a zoning amendment application for Parcel 1395004676 and referred it to the Zoning Commission; the stated application fee was $375.
Ms. Solavanti also requested approval to sign an agreement with Widseth to perform boundary and topography surveys and wetland delineation for both Phase 1 and Phase 2, at a budgetary maximum of $15,000 payable from funds in the 2024 mineral amendment. The council approved the Widseth agreement by motion.
Separately, the council approved a Braun Intertech Corporation agreement for geotechnical work for Phase 1 (and Phase 2 if needed) with a not‑to‑exceed amount of $44,001, also to be paid from the 2024 mineral amendment funds.
Councilors voted to authorize the community development director to negotiate purchase of three acres from Grace Lutheran Church for the HRA project, a direction that followed the meeting’s brief closed session on parcel transactions. The motion to authorize negotiations carried without further discussion.
Why it matters: The zoning amendment, survey and geotechnical agreements, and authorization to pursue land acquisition are intended to make the HRA parcel "shovel ready" so the city and HRA can move quickly if funding becomes available. Ms. Solavanti said the actions implement the City’s 2023 strategic plan priorities for quality, affordable housing.
What’s next: the zoning amendment will proceed through the Zoning Commission process and any negotiated purchase agreement will return to the council for final approval.
