EDA asks city council to reconsider listing Lake Lane parcel as residential

The Lindstrom Economic Development Authority voted to ask the city council to reconsider its prior direction that the 1 To 215 Lake Lane parcel be marketed for commercial redevelopment, favoring a residential listing instead.

"We believe its best purpose is to sell it as a residential property because our responsibility is to the citizens of Lindstrom and we will gain the most equity to service our responsibilities to the city of Lindstrom if we sell it as a residential property," the member who moved the recommendation said. The motion asked staff to reject the most recent offer and forward a recommendation to council to allow a residential listing or reconsider the platform used for sale.

Staff cautioned members that they lack current market data and recommended an appraisal be in place before completing any listing. Staff also said the EDA had previously been directed toward commercial redevelopment in public meetings and that, if council does not change its marching orders, agents will continue to present the parcel as commercial. Several members proposed alternative interim approaches, including renting the house to generate modest net income while the market and relocation costs are analyzed.

The motion was seconded and members debated whether the EDA's role was to recommend or to direct. The EDA confirmed the action is a recommendation to the city council; any final decision on classification or sale remains with council. The transcript shows multiple members voiced 'aye' and several explicitly stated 'no,' and the chair moved the meeting on after recording the EDA's request to the council.