City turns down developer’s request

    Saying they were voting “what the people they represent feel,” three City Council members voted against a proposed development agreement for the redevelopment of the former Fredriksen Welding shop located at 209 1st Ave. S.
    Developer Tim Stenberg planned to build five new two-story condominiums on the L-shaped site and was requesting up to $25,000 from the City to defray costs for environmental expenses he would incur as a result of environmental circumstances at the site such as asbestos abatement,  soil remediation and water quality improvements.

    Councilmen Mike Callanan and Jim Boehnke were in the minority when they voted “no” to a motion for a public hearing for the proposed development agreement, saying they felt the city’s participation in private development could set a precedent for future developments. Monday night, At-Large Council representative Terry Unsworth surprisingly dropped his support of the agreement. 
    On a 3-2 vote the measure was turned down.
    Unsworth said that as a businessman he considers the agreement to have value.  He noted the area, which includes the lake watershed, would be improved and it’s tax base raised from- Read More Via e-Edition