Group working on housing in Lancaster
By Anna Jauhola
A group of citizens is forming a housing organization to bring more residential options to Lancaster. During the regular Lancaster City Council meeting on Wednesday, April 9, the council approved an agreement with Bollig Engineering to begin looking for grants to cover infrastructure costs for new homes in the west addition.
Justin Peterson represented the Lancaster Housing Solutions group, which will be obtaining a limited liability corporation (LLC) designation.
“I’m with a group of people who want to move some houses into town,” he said. “In order to do that, we need to buy some lots. … We have an opportunity to buy some nicer houses, so we need to find some lots.”
The group has already purchased a private lot elsewhere in town that already has city infrastructure. Peterson said they’d like to purchase four to five of the city-owned lots in the west addition, which are currently undeveloped. This section of town was added after the 1997 flood to allow space for people who needed to move from the flood plain.
The city has only developed Third Street, but Fourth Street and Fifth Street are platted out, along with two full city blocks and two half city blocks. This space provides for approximately 12 150-by-150-foot lots, but the city would need to dig in water and sewer, as well as develop streets.
Peterson said the group would like to purchase lots from the city to develop. The council agreed they’d like to see houses moved into town not only to bring people to town, but to increase the tax roll.
Mayor Kathy Bernstrom said she would look into stipulations regarding when any work can start and how that would affect the grant process. The city also needs to figure a cost per lot and how long after a purchase the group has to put a house on the lot.
The agreement with Bollig Engineering does not cost the city any money immediately. Bernstrom said the city will only be charged when Bollig starts any processes, such as applying for grants.
In other business, the council:
• Approved the quote from Lancaster Lumber for the materials for the new fire department building. That was not officially approved at the March meeting.
• Welcomed new councilor Kevin Grabowska after he took the oath of office.
• Approved submitting a donation request for $3,000 from the Lancaster American Legion to help with building materials for the fire department building.
• Accepted a donation of $15,000 to the Lancaster Fire Department, the proceeds from the department’s burger basket night.
• Approved a $40,000 bid from Vig Construction for labor to build the framed structure of the new fire department building.
• Approved purchasing 10 new flags and poles for street lights for Flag Day, not to exceed $700.
• Approved paying up to $7,000 extra for fixing the pavement by Lancaster School when Agassiz Asphalt comes the week of June 9 to fix three other rough roads in town.
• Approved getting quotes on placing a water hydrant near the skating rink.
The next regular city council meeting is set for Wednesday, May 14 at 7 p.m.
