Hallock council reviews road-construction schedule and tightens assessment rules for new development

Councilors heard an update from a Moore Engineering representative on the town's road construction project and reviewed a draft assessment policy intended to clarify how street-improvement costs will be apportioned.

Zach, representing Moore Engineering, said the contractor expected to meet scheduled deadlines and that weekly project updates are being published. He explained key proposals in the draft assessment policy, including a new provision that for first-time development 100% of improvement costs could be assessed to lots adjacent to the improvement. The draft also proposes that unbuildable lots would receive a reduction in assessable cost to one-tenth of the calculated footage and that dual-frontage lots be assessed only where an access exists, with secondary entrances assessed at half the calculated footage. Zach said the council will determine which entrance is primary when multiple accesses exist.

Councilors asked staff to produce a written list of special considerations (for example, identified parcels on 5th Street that would not receive front-street assessments under the new rules) and to return with a revised draft that documents prior practice so new council members can review the changes in writing.