HRA Meeting Date: March 10, 2026
To: Members of the Housing and Redevelopment Authority
From: Melissa Hanson, Housing Coordinator
Title
Staff Updates on Outstanding HRA Items
Body
Action Requested:
No action requested. There are several outstanding items related to Community Development and the HRA. A summary update on each item is provided below. Staff will also provide a verbal update during the meeting, and the Board may discuss any item individually as desired.
Summary Report:
City Redevelopment Projects, EDA, HRA, Planning Applications & Related Updates
See hyperlink in the attachment of this agenda item.
• Cleanup update
Staff from Housing, Engineering, and Streets Department have coordinated on planning for upcoming community cleanup activities. Prior to the establishment of the Citywide Cleanup in 2021, the HRA operated and funded a labor‑intensive Fall Cleanup pilot at Viking Terrace and later at Riverside to address ongoing issues with improper disposal of large household items in rights‑of‑way. Staff have also recently met with the owners of Viking Terrace and Riverside to discuss site needs and ensure alignment with this year’s cleanup approach.
• Development updates
The Archer, located at 212 Division Street South, previously received conditional City Redevelopment Tax Increment Financing (TIF) assistance for a mixed use residential and commercial building. Rebound Partners announced last November that the current redevelopment plans in downtown Northfield are not financially viable at that time. Staff is in ongoing discussions with Rebound on the development. Concurrently, staff is actively initiating enforcement requirements for site aesthetic and safety improvements to the site while development plans are being revisited. More information will be shared when available.
Heritage Lofts, located at 2125 Declaration Street (adjacent to the Mosaic apartments), has submitted a site plan review application proposing approximately 138 units. The development is in an active Housing TIF District certified by City Council in 2022. Staff are working with the developer to meet the affordability and sustainable building policy requirements in consideration of a potential TIF agreement. More information will be shared when available.
Harvest Hills is a 70+ unit proposed phased residential development located just west of the middle school. Phase I includes 38 units, and the developer has submitted a TIF request for consideration. The proposed use of TIF would support eight (8) units of housing affordable to households at 50% AMI for Phase 1. The project is not currently within an active TIF District. Staff will continue reviewing project details and will provide updates as the development advances.
Cedar Meadows is a proposed residential development located directly east of the Northfield Hospital. A development agreement for Phase I is now in place. Phase I includes a mix of 45 market rate single family homes and townhomes, as well as a 45-unit, age restricted (55+) senior cooperative.
Affordable Housing Impact
The projected number of affordable units generated through the use of TIF across these projects is estimated between 36 and 64 units.
• Community Land Trust (CLT)
The Rice County Community Land Trust (RCCLT) recently approved and adopted Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws. Laura Bock, Faribault Foundation Executive Director and Nort Johnson, President/CEO of Faribault Area Chamber of Commerce and Tourism, will present on the RCCLT at the April 21, 2026 meeting. CLT’s are a well-established program model and a tool to encourage single family homeownership for households in the 50-120% of AMI range. In short, they separate the value of the land from the purchase price of the home, to make the home purchase more affordable. A nonprofit or government agency retains ownership of the land. A CLT called “Cannon River Community Land Trust” was established in the Northfield area in the early 2000’s and failed in the housing crash in 2008. Staff are preserving lessons learned from this history.
Alternative Options:
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Financial Impacts:
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Tentative Timelines:
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