Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Housing Development topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Eyota mayor outlines housing surge and plans for new 140,000-square-foot plant
Summary
Eyota Mayor Tyrell Clark told Olmsted County commissioners the small town is adding about 82 housing units across three developments and expects a 140,000-square-foot packing plant to occupy a former retail site; he described local tax-abatement use and partnership with regional housing coalition.
Mayor Tyrell Clark of Eyota told the Olmsted County Board of Commissioners that his town is experiencing a notable period of growth, with three housing developments accounting for roughly 82 new housing units and new commercial investment expected to create and retain jobs.
"We have 82 units coming in," Clark said, describing three developments: a 24-unit first phase of an East-side subdivision, a denser infill project with fourplexes, and twin-home construction. He said the town is using targeted tax abatement/TIF on select developments and has worked with the Rochester Housing Coalition on loans to reduce costs for some projects.
Clark also described a large commercial project moving into the former Menards site: a 140,000-square-foot packing plant and associated infrastructure work that he said would preserve jobs that might otherwise relocate. Clark said the town has a small staff, recent community surveys guiding local priorities, and ongoing efforts to invest in Main Street and regional trail connections such as the Great River Ridge and Chester Woods State Trail.
Board members questioned the mayor about library usage, housing incentives and trail coordination. On library usage, Clark said the local bookmobile stops are well used and offered to follow up with counts. On housing incentives, he said deals have involved negotiated infrastructure connections and limited local tax abatement and cited partnerships that helped lower costs for a fourplex development.
Why it matters: Eyota’s growth — in a town of about 2,000 residents, as Clark described it — could shift demand for schools, services and county-maintained roads. Commissioners and the mayor discussed coordinating on regional trail funding and potential inclusion in county or legislative bonding priorities.
What’s next: The board thanked the mayor and suggested continued conversations about regional trail projects and infrastructure requests in upcoming legislative and bonding cycles.
Sources: Presentation and answers by Tyrell Clark, mayor of Eyota.
