Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Housing topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Residents urge caution on proposed apartments near Walmart and high‑density plan; callers ask for more detail
Summary
Multiple residents spoke during public comment opposing a proposed apartment project near Walmart and expressing concerns about traffic, crime, school capacity and infrastructure. Another speaker asked for specifics about a separate 10‑acre high‑density/subsidized housing proposal and how vouchers and population increases would be managed.
Several Faribault residents used the public‑comment period on April 14 to urge the council to reconsider or provide more details about proposed housing projects.
Kathy Hobb said she opposed building apartments near the Walmart site, citing worries about traffic, crime, sewer and water capacity and saying she did not support actions that could risk "fraud in our community." Her comments included concerns about demographic change and assimilation.
Gail Degrroot, who lives near the proposed site, said her family faces existing vandalism issues on nearby farmland and that additional apartments could increase traffic around a four‑way stop and strain local public services. She also cited concerns about school impacts and access to medical appointments.
Linda Budro asked for detailed specifics on a separate 10‑acre high‑density/subsidized housing proposal, saying the community had questions about the potential scale (she cited a figure of "up to 3,000 or more people" used by residents), how many voucher holders might come from the Twin Cities, and which financial and operational controls would be in place. Budro urged the council to obtain concrete financial numbers, origin of future residents and clarification on whether the city could exercise control over activities within the site.
Council members acknowledged the public concern and said they will ensure questions about infrastructure capacity, school impacts and voucher portability are addressed as proposals progress through the planning and review process.
