Hastings approves major residential development with new neighborhood park
The Hastings Public Schools board unanimously approved two key measures for the Pleasant Valley Farms development on August 4, clearing the way for a 387-unit residential project that will include a new 3-acre neighborhood park and 10 acres of open space.
The council voted unanimously to distribute an Environmental Assessment Worksheet (EAW) for Pleasant Valley Farms, a mandatory review required for developments exceeding 350 homes. The assessment examines potential impacts including traffic, geology, and historic resources. "It takes a look at a number of different aspects of impact for this residential development including transportation, environment, other things related to that," explained Community Development Director John Hinsman. The distribution triggers a 30-day public comment period, with the assessment posted on the city website and the Minnesota Environmental Quality Board monitor. State agencies, county officials, and neighboring municipalities will also have 30 days to submit feedback. The council will reconvene in September to review comments and determine whether additional environmental review is needed.
In a separate unanimous vote, the council approved the park dedication plan for Pleasant Valley Farms. Rather than accepting cash in lieu of parkland—a common practice—the developer will construct a 3-acre neighborhood park with amenities including a shelter, play equipment, and trails. The developer will also dedicate 10 acres of open space. "In the number of years that I've been here, I don't know how many times I think I could count on less than one hand how many times we have a development where they're putting the park in instead of giving cash in lieu of and I love this," said Council member Liechty. The park construction will occur during later phases of development, beginning along Featherstone Road and extending north through General Sieben Drive, with specific timelines to be defined in a future development agreement.
In other business, the council received an update on PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) treatment plant construction. The central treatment plant is on track for substantial completion by year-end, with roof installation underway and concrete floors scheduled for mid-August. Bids for the eastern treatment plant came in competitively, with construction expected to begin in September. However, a funding bottleneck has emerged: while the state legislature approved $17.5 million for the projects, the state agency overseeing the grant has not yet received instructions needed to complete paperwork. The council also held a closed session with attorneys regarding potential environmental litigation related to PFAS.
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Votes (3)
Distribution of Environmental Assessment Worksheet for Pleasant Valley Farms
Dissent: None
Moved by Council member Pemble [8:00] · Seconded by Council member Leifel [8:00]
Discussion centered on the purpose and scope of the EAW, which is mandatory for developments over 350 homes (Pleasant Valley Farms has ~380). It assesses impacts like traffic, geology, and historic resources. The distribution triggers a 30-day comment period for agencies (state, county, neighboring municipalities) and the public via the city website and EQB monitor. A determination on further environmental review will be made in September.
Approval for the Method of Park Dedication for Pleasant Valley Farms
Dissent: None
Moved by Council member Liechty [13:00] · Seconded by Council member House [14:00]
The council considered the method of park dedication for the 387-unit Pleasant Valley Farms development. The proposal, unanimously recommended by the Park and Recreation Commission, includes the dedication of 10 acres of open space and the creation of a 3-acre public neighborhood park with improvements (shelter, play equipment, trails) to be constructed at the developer's expense. This early decision helps in planning the subdivision layout. The park will be constructed in later phases of the development, with specific timelines defined in a future development agreement.
PFAS Update
Dissent: None
Moved by null · Seconded by null
The Administration provided an update on PFAS treatment plant construction. The central treatment plant's roof is being installed, with concrete floors and filtration pads to be poured in mid-August, targeting substantial completion by year-end. Bids for the eastern treatment plant were competitive, with construction expected to begin in September. Funding for these projects from state appropriations is awaiting instructions from the Minnesota Budget Office, causing a temporary stall in grant paperwork, prompting legislative engagement. Communications with federal agencies for congressionally directed spending are also open. The council also held a closed session for potential environmental litigation related to PFAS.
Notable Quotes (9)
There's two steps to this that the council will entertain. One of them is to distribute the EAW, which is the action tonight. We had a private consultant firm prepare the EAW. It takes a look at a number of different aspects of impact for this residential development including transportation, environment, other things related to that. It's a mandatory item that's necessary when a development reaches a certain size.
We have a number of agencies that we will distribute this to. They have a 30-day comment period to provide comment and then we will come back in September, respond to those, and make a determination as to whether more environmental review needs to be done or if the environmental review has been satisfied.
We will have it posted on our website, so people can can review that and provide comment that way. For the agencies, there is a publication site through Minnesota, state of Minnesota, the EQB monitor that this will be published in.
The action again that we're asking for you tonight is to recommend approval of the method of park dedication which would be creation of a three-acre neighborhood park, dedication of open space for 10 acres, construction of park improvements, and construction of park trails.
Um in the number of years that I've been here, I don't know how many times I think I could count on less than one hand how many times we have a development where they're putting the park in instead of giving cash in lieu of and I love this.
The development of the park is going to be in a later phase. The park the development would start down here on Featherstone Road Road, go north on General Sieben Drive through a couple of phases. It would be in the latter phases of it. So, it's going to be a few years down the road before this is constructed.
construction on the central treatment plant continues. Uh the last week or last couple of weeks and currently uh Magney is uh putting the roof on the building. Uh so uh certainly beginning to take shape. Uh in mid-August they should be uh beginning to pour concrete floors inside the building as well as pads to hold the filtration vessels. So, construction proceeds uh still anticipated being uh completed substantially completed end of the the calendar year.
we got good news uh earlier this year with 17 and a half million dollars from uh the the legislature, but the state agency that handles and oversees that has not received the instructions that they need in order to complete the grant paperwork uh to bring to us, which um sort of stalls things.
City Council earlier this evening held a closed session workshop uh to meet with our attorneys about uh potential environmental litigation this evening.
Ordinances & Resolutions (6)
Mandatory study for developments exceeding a certain size, examining environmental, transportation, and cultural impacts.
City plan that identifies a neighborhood park location within the Pleasant Valley Farms area.
City regulation governing parkland dedication or cash in lieu of land for new developments.
Minnesota state publication site for agency notification of environmental review documents.
Documents related to state and federal funding for PFAS treatment plants.
Document pertaining to the plat for Pleasant Valley Farms, will specify park construction timeline and obligations.
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Other Topics from This Document
Park Dedication for Pleasant Valley Farms
PFAS (Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances) Update
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