During the recent Big Lake Town Board meetingTherese Haffner, City of Big Lake Planner, presented a Community Development Department Update for the board of supervisors starting with Business Retention and Expansion.
BLEDA Business Retention and Expansion Program (BR & E)
So far in 2023 the Businesses that were visited were Engaged Technologies Corporations/Eastey, Paragon Store Fixtures, Kelco Supply, Cargill, Premier Marine, LISI Medical, Flour City Bending, Ice-O-Metric, CentraCare, Arrow Components, and Bionote.
BLEDA Development and Redevelopment Projects
For Development and Redevelopment projects, there are two BLEDA owned parcels and a former school building attached to city hall.
First parcel SE corner of Fern St. and Martin Ave. executed a contract between Blackbird Laundry Co. LLC and BLEDA for development of a two-story laundromat ground level with apartments on the top level. They have a PUD Rezoning Request under review.
Second parcel 421 Foley Ave. had the Environmental Review, Inspection report and Analysis for Qualification of Redevelopment Tax Increment Financing District completed. It will be a future redevelopment project.
The EDA purchased the old school building in April 2023. It will be a future redevelopment and renovation project. Phases one, Environmental Site Assessment, and two, ESA Exterior, were completed. The next steps for this redevelopment will be the ALTA survey, phase two ESA Hazardous Building Materials, Inspection Report and Analysis for Qualification of Redevelopment Taz Increment Financing District, and Reporting existing conditions to BLEDA.
Housing
There were 13 YTD Single-family building Permit Applications issued in 2023.
There will be 60 market rate and affordable rental units for Marketplace Crossings. The developer involved is CommonBond, it has been under construction, and is planned to be completed this summer.
There will be 75 Single-family twin homes/townhomes for Prairie Meadows third addition. The construction is in its first phase and the developer involved is Cavaliera Homes, LLC.
There are plans for 74 Senior affordable rental units for Goldenrod Glen. Construction is planned for some time in 2023, it was final plat/PUD approved, and the developer involved is Aeon.
There are plans for 139 Detached Townhomes for Prairie Rose. The developer involved is Capstone Homes. The preliminary plat was approved, and they are awaiting final plat application. The construction is planned for 2024.
Commercial / Industrial
Arrow Components has been completed.
Big Lake Car Condos had their first phase completed. Car Condos west preliminary and final plat PUD was approved.
M&M Express Sales and Services construction of 5,000 SF cold storage accessory building was completed.
310 Lake Street South, the former Montessori School, has their Interim Use Permit for proof of parking and a rezoning from residential to commercial to allow operation of a medical clinic was approved. The building renovation for a dermatology clinic is set for summer 2023.
Indoor Antique & Collector Vehicle Dealership, Big Lake Marketplace ninth addition 166th St. NW and 197th Ave. NW, had their Site Plan approved for construction of a new building. The construction is planned for summer 2023.
Vision Transportation, 16676 197th Ave. NW, had their Site Plan for building expansion approved. The construction is planned for summer 2023.
Nord Excavation, Big Lake Marketplace tenth addition, has their Site Plan review in process for a new building.
Permit Activity YTD 2023
The total permits issued in 2023 is 570. 13 for Single-family, zero for Multi-family, 29 for Commercial Projects, 362 for Residential Projects. 45 for HVAC/Mechanical, 55 for Plumbing, 60 for Zoning, two for Land Alteration, and four for Fire.
Building Permit Activity
The total valuation YTD for 2023 is $18,129,102 compared to 2022’s total valuation YTD $40,856.527.
Communication and Recreation
• Big Lake Spud Fest took place the week of June 22 through the 25 at the Big Lake Middle School grounds. There were a bunch of events including bingo, music, fireworks, a parade, ambassador coronation, potato soup contest, pickleball, and beanbag tournaments.
• Summer Farmers Market takes place every Wednesday from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. from June-August and 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. in September at Lakeside Park. Parking is free.
• Music in the Park takes place each week from June-August tenth at Lakeside Park with food trucks arriving at 5 p.m. and music from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
• Movie in the Park coming up will take place on Friday, September 15th featuring Encanto at 7:45 p.m. There will be multiple food trucks onsite and staff scheduled Spidexx to spray for mosquitos.
Business from the Clerk’s Office
Registered Land Survey
There was action requested for acknowledging Registered Land Survey combining five parcels into three tracts for Revised plat of Eagle Lake Park (18949 227th Ave. NW). The board approved the county’s work and passed the motion.
Resolution 2023-13
The board recommended Sherburne County to Set Public hearing for 6 p.m. July 26th, 2023, at Big Lake Townhall for Vacation of Humboldt Avenue (22575 159th St. NW).
Request for Town Comments on Simple Plat
The board discussed the Menkveld addition request, giving their positive recommendation to agree. There were some questions about the property line between the two lots, however there are plans to possibly split the property line and drive off the edge before it gets to where the property starts.
Road Committee
Dean Brenteson had been working on maps for projects dealing with snowplow damage and potholes. There are two separate vendors for the jobs. Cracks still need to be taken care of and the Road committee is waiting for new bids. Bids open July 12th.
Business from the Board
Laura Hayes started her official grounds keeping duties with Duplicate Lawn Company and the Game Time Company working together to work on the playground. They will be fixing the slide, which has a crack in the elbow, so it will be taken down for the time being to avoid injuries. New chains will also be made to replace the toddler swing chains.
Bruce Aubol had meeting items for BL Twp. such as Nick Christensen’s lot request.
The request for a new solar array at the old airport failed three to two. It still needs to go on to commissioners for final judgement.
Sheriff’s Report
There has been a speed study with analysis showing very high speeds, with sporadic and inconsistent patrol. The speed study has been measuring if cars slow down when the speed display changes, ad whether driving are watching for other vehicles.
BLFD Report
Calls for Service in May totaled 43, with Big Lake City at 29 calls, Big Lake Twp. at six, Orrock at three, and Mutual Aid at five. Total calls as of May totaled 196, with the city at 138, BL Twp. at 37, Orrock at 12, Elk River at six, Monticello at two, and Clear Lake at one to lend a hand after their Chief’s passing.
Calls of Interest; Fires had six, Motor vehicle accidents had two, Hazardous conditions had two, and medical assists had four.
Training for May had a Live burn trailer and SCBA confidence trailer. The BLFD also participated a lot at Spud Fest.
