Council gives nods to Woodley Street project
City staff has been working with a local developer on a multi family residential development project at 1012 East Woodley Street. Council had 4 action steps to approve. Mayor Graham said they had to approve storm sewer improvements, accept easement changes, vacate existing easement and approve the relocation of utility pipes. Neighbors who spoke at the open mic were concerned about the stormwater issues as many have had standing water on their property. City Engineer Dave Bennett said the City will be installing new pipes. He assured them the size of the pipes will be sufficient to handle the stormwater. There was concern over the loss of trees, 29 were removed but 96 will be planted.
Bennett estimates the cost of the pipes to the City about $39,000. The developer is planting the trees. Another neighbor said they were told 35 years ago that there would be no development. Community Development Director Chris Heineman said the area was subdivided into residential lots about 45 years ago. It’s permitted principal use as multi-family residential property. That was the context in which the developer purchased the property in 2014. Originally the City installed the utility pipes in the wrong location. Bennett said there’s about 200 feet of piping north to Woodley that they might as well replace as they relocate the pipes because they are old cast iron sitting in clay. That will cost the City and additional $115,000. Neighbor Jonathon Davis wanted the developer to install a fence. Heineman said it’s not required but the developer was willing to negotiate a fence on that property. There’s not room due to oversizing issues of the driveway access for Fire access. He said there’s only room for landscaping which “is paramount to satisfying the land development code”. All four items passed on a 6 to 1 vote with Nakasian dissenting.
Primary Candidate: Mike J. Hofstad – Ward 2
KYMN is talking with each of the candidates running for Council in the Primary coming up August 9th. We’re featuring them in order of their return calls/email. Mark J. Hofstad is running in Ward 2. He is a father of triplets who will be seniors at Northfield High School next year. Hofstad describes himself as a “very progressive thinker who’s conservatively, who’s fiscally conservative. I’m very willing to listen to any point of view as long as it makes sense for Northfield”. He said there’s a lack of experience on the Council of anyone who’s been involved in development. Hofstad works for Tradition Mortgage, owns properties and is a businessman who, he says, brings a strong sense of ethics and moral decision making to the table. He spoke with neighbors who encouraged him to run for the seat. He added, “they need a fresh face, someone who’s not going to complain”, continuing,”that attitude is just old”. Each interview will be posted on kymn.net in the daily news and then I will also put them all together in one spot after they’ve aired. Polls are open August 9th from 7a to 8p. Check the City’s website for further information.
Four positions will open on Northfield School Board – incumbents that have filed
There are 4 positions on the Northfield School Board opening up at the end of this year. Running for re-election is long time member Noel Stratomoen. Ellen Iverson has also filed for re-election. She told KYMN that there are a number of significant issues facing the Board in the next two years including possible budget cuts, operating levy considerations, and decisions regarding facilities. For those reasons she said she has more work left to do on the Board. In addition, her work as liaison to the data team for Northfield Promise allows her to use her Board experience and professional experience to contribute further to Northfield educational issues. Fritz Bogott was appointed to the Board last February. He told KYMN he will file for election saying the timing of his appointment gave him the opportunity to help select Dr. Matt Hillmann to replace Dr. Richardson. He wants to continue working with newly appointed Administrator Dr. Matt Hillmann and Board colleagues in their stewardship of Northfield’s schools. as they move forward on the commitments Northfield Promise has made to all Northfield’s kids. Filing for the 4 seats coming available runs through August 16th. Contact the School district clerk for more information on filing. UPDATE: Rob Hardy filed this morning for re-election.
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