On Tuesday night, all the stakeholders gathered at the Northfield Hospital to discuss the future of senior housing. While the hospital has been working with a developer, Yanik Companies, for a few years, the Northfield Council will end up with the final okay. NH&C President, Steve Underdahl, was on kymn earlier this year talking about the Aging in Place complex that would include independent living, assisted living and memory care. Benedictine Health System, a non profit, would operate the facilities. One of the reasons they gravitated toward these companies is that they require no “gifts” from the City or the Hospital. Benedictine VP of business development, Andy Opsahl commented on
locating these projects near hospitals saying, “development does come to that area. The project does do better and the seniors who live there tend to have better access to healthcare. It’s a big part of what we believe in. We believe in living fully and living well. That doesn’t involve us do everything but it does, in some cases, sometimes involve us providing the right environment and access”. In the meeting Administrator Martig mentioned that the project would be on taxable land. He said, “we have not received formal estimates of what the assessed value is, the [inaudible] office is taking a look at that but they have indicated that that $20 million plus project will be taxable”. The City Council’s role is to allow for a lease amendment with St. Olaf college. The development would be on their property, as is the hospital. St. Olaf has already agreed. If approved, Staff would then be working on a development agreement with Yanik. This would be voted on at Council’s January 19th meeting. Chester Yanik did comment that time is running out. They have an agreement with NH&C that the project get underway by June 1st, 2018. I have audio of the meeting on yesterday’s news post.
Dundas says slow down on solar
Dundas Council has placed a moratorium on ground-mounted solar gardens. Administrator John McCarthy said, “the City of Dundas has always considered them to be a use that would need to be addressed under the PUD process”. Turns out that wasn’t the case, in fact, they were allowed anywhere in the City. After being approached by developers, McCarthy looked into the zoning. After discovering there really weren’t regulations, Council chose to set up a temporary moratorium, “basically to give the Council the opportunity to see if they want to look at changing the zoning code to allow the elected officials the opportunity to review proposed independent ground-mounted solar installations”. The moratorium does not include panels on peoples homes. This will be back on Dundas Council’s agenda in January.
“Be The Match” drive surpasses donor registration goal
On November 16th, 80 new bone marrow donors were registered in Northfield. Northfield Hospital’s Surgical Services team and St. Olaf’s student-run Volunteer Network teamed up to register willing donors with Be The Match, an international registry that connects bone marrow transplant patients with compatible donors. Community Relations Director Betsy Spethmann called the drive “a huge success”! (They had hoped for 60) For the thousands of people diagnosed every year with life-threatening blood cancers like leukemia and lymphoma, bone marrow transplant is the cure. About 1 in 430 Be the Match members will go on to donate. If you missed it and you’re age 18-44, you can join online at https://join.bethematch.org/
