Fall 2020 Hometown Messenger

NEWS & NOTES

WHAT IS ANNEXATION? Annexation is the process by which cities bring property into city limits. It is the primary way cities grow. HOW DOES THE CITY DECIDE WHICH LAND TO ANNEX? The City of Shakopee has an orderly annexation agreement with Jackson Township that lays out a framework for annexing township property into the city. The agreement is intended to ensure the proper expansion of city utilities and infrastructure. Areas for possible annexation are set up as A through F, with A being the first area the city can annex without a property owner’s permission. HOW DOES ANNEXATIONWORK? There are two ways cities can authorize annexation. Property owners can request annexation through a petition process if the property shares at least 50 feet of its boundary with the city. The city can also initiate property annexation without the consent of the City awards small business relief grants Eleven Shakopee small businesses recently received one-time forgivable loans to assist with operating expenses incurred during COVID-19. The Small Business Relief Fund awarded grants up to $15,000 to business adversely affected by COVID-19. Businesses can use the funds to assist with expenses related to mortgage, rent, payroll and more. The City Council established the relief fund through dollars received from the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. The council allocated up to $200,000 toward the program. #AsktheCity

Development expands to include apartments, new west-end dog park Site work has started on a new mixed-use development near Marystown Road and 17th Avenue. Trident Development LLC plans to construct a 15,000-square-foot Veterans Administration clinic, 138-unit apartment complex and 16,000-square-foot medical/ retail building at 12321 Marystown Road and 1601 Lusitano St. The first phase of the development, the VA clinic, was approved in December 2019. In June, the City Council approved a planned unit development amendment and final plat to incorporate additional land acquired that will be used for storm water retention, open space and a city-owned dog park. The dog park is tentatively scheduled for completion in late 2021. City explores rental housing inspection program With Shakopee’s growing stock of rental housing, the City Council recently directed staff to draft language for a rental housing ordinance aimed at preserving and maintaining the community’s rental stock. The ordinance could include a citywide inspection program to ensure the city’s 4,000-plus rental properties are in good living condition. Many metro cities have similar ordinances. The council directed staff to work with the city’s Equity Team to draft the language with a proposed ordinance and program coming back for review later in 2020.

ANNEXATION

property owner for parcels in which 25 percent of the boundary abuts city limits. WHY DOES A PROPERTY NEED TO ADJOIN SHAKOPEE TO BE ANNEXED? Annexation typically includes the extension of municipal sewer and water to the newly annexed properties. Extending these services requires detailed planning, as adding sewer and water lines is very expensive. Also, the city will be providing police and fire service, so adjacency is important. Therefore, it is critical land is annexed in an orderly fashion. IS THERE A LIMIT ON HOW MUCH LAND THE CITY CAN ANNEX? Yes, the orderly annexation agreement with Jackson Township allows the city to annex up to 250 acres per year without a property owner’s permission. If a property owner requests annexation, that is not included in the 250 acres. The city does pay a one-time reimbursement to the township for property annexed into city limits to make up for lost tax revenue to the township.

Greystone Construction to build new corporate headquarters The next phase of Canterbury Commons could include a hotel, senior housing complex, retail and more. In June, the City Council approved Canterbury Southwest, a 14-acre, mixed- use development at the intersection of Vierling Drive and Shenandoah Drive. The first phase of the development is a new two-story office for Greystone Construction. The 27,000-square-foot building will provide tenant lease opportunities on the first level and Greystone Construction's new corporate headquarters on the second level.

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