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Lonsdale leaders review zoning changes, market study and funding options for EDA loan program
Summary
City Administrator Joel Erickson presented a review of zoning updates, the Comprehensive Plan’s economic development chapter and a draft retail/commercial market feasibility study; council and EDA members discussed housing, workforce, a potential business park and long-term funding for the EDA Revolving Loan Fund.
City Administrator Joel Erickson presented an economic development briefing at a March 19 work session of the Lonsdale City Council and Economic Development Authority, outlining recent zoning changes, the economic development chapter of the Comprehensive Plan and a draft retail and commercial market feasibility study.
Erickson described approaches to “community capital” and both traditional and “wicked” problems in local development planning and reviewed the recent revisions to the zoning map. Mayor Tom Berg said he wants amenities distributed throughout town and raised potential locations for a future Business Park as the council considers long-term growth options.
Council members agreed on a working process for project review: proposals will be presented to the City Council and, when appropriate, referred to the EDA for incentive analysis and recommendation back to the Council. Morgan Knutzen, an EDA member, asked that the feasibility study present more detailed guidance about the specific types of businesses the city needs and that the Comprehensive Plan be used to define those targets.
Scott Pelava said the Comprehensive Plan is several years old and should be updated in the next several years; Mayor Berg and Brian Wermerskirchen voiced agreement. Council member Kari Miller urged stronger outreach to boost participation in any public survey tied to a plan update and suggested recruiting entertainment options that serve all ages.
Council discussion emphasized that Lonsdale’s current population constrains the kinds of amenities that will locate in town. Participants identified Dayton Trucking as an existing anchor employer and said housing—both in type and supply—along with the availability of skilled and unskilled workers, should be addressed as prerequisites for attracting new retail and entertainment businesses. Transportation, state aid status and coordination with the Rice County capital improvement plan were also raised as relevant planning considerations.
Members reviewed the EDA’s Revolving Loan Fund policy, debated how to set loan interest rates, and discussed possible long-term funding strategies. Options included adding the Revolving Loan Fund to the regular budget process and reallocating any unspent funds from the Façade Rehabilitation program. No formal motion or vote was taken on those options during the session.
Participants also discussed using social media—including LinkedIn—to increase awareness of workforce needs and job postings. EDA members recommended inviting the Lonsdale Chamber to the next meeting to help coordinate outreach and recruitment efforts.
The work session ended at 9:00 p.m. There were no formal votes recorded; next steps identified were refining the feasibility study to include requested business-target details, scheduling a Comprehensive Plan update discussion in the coming years and sending project referrals to the EDA for review and recommendations.
