WILLMAR — Construction of a small home development in the town of Willmar could begin within a year if Willmar City Council approves a land purchase deal it brokered with Justin Paffrath of Edina Realty.
A public hearing regarding the sale of the land will be held on August 15 at the city council meeting, scheduled for 6:30 p.m. at the Kandiyohi County Health and Human Services Building. After the public hearing, council will consider approving the purchase agreement for the sale.
A second public hearing will also take place at the meeting for the rezoning of the Rockstep Plaza property, which surrounds the Uptown Willmar mall owned by Rockstep Capital. It is proposed that the property be rezoned from the shopping center to the business district to accommodate the different types of businesses that move into the property.
Before appearing before Willmar City Council, sales of municipal property must be approved by the Willmar Planning Commission. The commission approved the sale of the tiny home development at its July 20 meeting in a 3-1 split vote. Commissioners Jonathan Marchand, Jeff Kimling, and Stacy Holwerda voted in favor of selling the land, and Commissioner Cletus Frank voted against.
Explaining why he voted ‘no’, Frank said: ‘This is based on the city’s estimated market value of the four parcels in question, not the transaction itself or the intended use of the property. by the buyer. The sale price is less than half of the estimated fair market value.
He noted it’s likely for property tax purposes, before adding, “I also recognize that these parcels have sat in city coffers for years and there is an upside to the transaction. “.
Contribution / City of Willmar
The subject land consists of four lots on the north side of Pleasant View Drive Southeast, west of the intersection with 15th Street Southeast. One lot has an estimated market value of $3,600, according to the Kandiyohi County Geographic Information System. The remaining three lots have an estimated market value of $20,200 each, for a total of $64,200.
The purchase agreement negotiated between the city and Paffrath values each lot at $8,000, for a total purchase price of $32,000. It also requires Paffrath to begin construction of the small home community within one year of the closing date.
If approved, Paffrath will work with Willmar’s planning and development department to draft project standards which will need to be approved by both the planning commission and council.