Posted: 5/17/05
New development approved; will replace mobile home park
By Jane Palen
Managing Editor
A mobile home park on the cityís west side will be used instead for single-family homes.
Developer Jack Edwards presented a revised plat to the Caledonia City Council on May 9, and a public hearing was held before the decision to allow the change was made.
The development being discussed, Pine Estates, is located along Gjere Avenue, between the West Main Townhomes and Caledonia Middle/High School.
There are currently three mobile homes located on the property. Two of the home owners attended the meeting to discuss the future of their homes.
After expressing concern over the possibility that they would have to move should the city approve the site for residential lots, Edwards said that he would be willing to leave them as long as the city does not object.
The city council agreed to put a 22-year sunset clause on the mobile homes. The time period corresponds to the remaining warranty on one of the mobile homes. The homes must be removed within 22 years. The homes may not be sold or rented out.
The building lots are all 10,000 square feet. Anyone building a home in the development will be required to put in a sidewalk. Once 80 percent of the lots are sold, the developer must put the rest of the sidewalks in.
Garbage contract renewed
In other business, the city renewed its contract for refuse hauling and recycling service with Richard Skauge of Richardís Sanitation.
Prices will remain at $1.40 per bag and $5.50 per household per month until September 1, 2007, when the bags will increase to $1.45 per bag and the charge per household to $5.65.
A subsequent increase is scheduled for September 1, 2009, when the bags will go to $1.50 and the charge per household will go to $5.80. The contract ends August 31, 2010.
Councilman Gary Klug told Skauge that he had heard complaints about materials blowing around near the transfer station in the industrial park. Skauge responded that with the cityís renewal of his contract, he will proceed with plans to build a shed in which to store all the recyclable materials. After the building is finished, he said, all materials will be stored inside.
In other news, the council:
ï agreed to have a booth at this yearís Houston County Fair;
ï approved maternity leave for Amy Hoscheit beginning approximately September 30;
ï tabled a decision on a lifetime rabies vaccination at a cost of $500-$600 for animal control officer Mike Gavin pending further information;
ï set up a meeting with Davy Engineering to discuss drainage problems on land within the city that is owned by Hillary Allen;
ï approved zoning applications on behalf of Ronald Lemke, 1026 East Washington, for a garage and Richard Kleist, 304 West Washington, for an addition.
Caledonia Argus
314 West Lincoln St.
P.O. Box 227
Caledonia, MN 55921-0227
507/724-3475
E-Mail: editor.argus@ecm-inc.com