By Robert Williams

Editor

The Frazee Economic Development Authority (EDA) announced it has received two purchase agreements for properties in Red Willow Heights at the committee’s latest meeting Tuesday, May 26. 

A special meeting is scheduled for Monday, June 15, at 3 p.m., at the Fire Hall to discuss the potential sales. 

EDA sales in the development come with the following contingencies after receiving a purchase agreement:

Letter of Guarantee: A bank letter of commitment to finance construction of a new single-family dwelling, or a buyer letter of commitment showing proof of cash reserves necessary for construction.

An earnest money requirement payment of 20 percent of the sale price of the lot (non-refundable, remainder due at closing).

A site plan/survey and model home plans including minimum size footprint of home to be constructed. 

Construction Schedule: Construction must begin within 12 months of the closing date or property ownership reverts to the EDA.

The EDA has also continued outreach efforts with current Red Willow Heights residents by creating an online survey looking for more feedback on what residents would like to see developed on the EDA-owned lots on County Road 29.

Community Development Coordinator Joe Tonihka will report on the results of the survey after 30 days.

The EDA has attempted to engage residents of the development to assist in the future of the front lots that are covered by specific covenants; some of which have been a matter of discussion over the last year. 

Usage and prohibited uses have been the most contentious, especially after the EDA proposed multi-family dwellings after Turnkey Solutions & Development Vice President Jason Francis expressed interest in building there.

Residents expressed their concerns and lack of interest in apartments being built at the front of the development and declined, citing the covenants:

“Except for the lots specifically designated in the second paragraph of this Section 1, such Lots, each and every one thereof, are for single family or twin home residential purposes only. No building or structure intended for or adapted to business purposes, and no apartment house, double house, lodging house, or other multiple family dwelling shall be built, placed, permitted or maintained on such Property, or on any part thereof. No improvement or structure whatsoever, other than a first class private Dwelling, patio wall, swimming pool, gazebo, pool bathhouse, or garage may be built, placed or maintained on any Lot in such Property subject to the terms and conditions of these Restrictive Covenants and the approval of the Declarant. No mobile homes, doublewide mobile homes or the like are permitted. This provision shall not preclude Dynamic Homes type of modular homes upon these Lots provided, however, that any such modular home must be approved by the Declarant. This [sic] modular homes or prefabricated homes are allowed. No profession or home industry shall be conducted within any Dwelling or upon any Lot without the prior written approval of the Declarant. This provision shall not preclude a daycare business.

“Lots 10, 11, and 13 of Block 1, Lot 8 of Block 2, and Lot 1 of Block 7 may be used for commercial purposes. Lot 9 of Block 4 shall be used for church purposes. Lots 1 and 4 of Block 3 may be used for multi-family residential purposes. Except for the specific uses permitted by the foregoing, all of said Lots shall nevertheless be subject to the covenants and conditions contained within this Declaration.”

Francis has noted that Red Willow Heights was his first choice for developing in Frazee, but has since moved on. He met with the Frazee city council in a special meeting on Tuesday, May 26, to discuss a potential apartment building next to Dollar General. He supplied a preliminary drawing and will present more options at a meeting later this summer.

City Council Representative Andrea Froeber made strong points about the style of communication with residents, noting that online surveys and online advertising may not be the best way to constructively reach all Red Willow residents.

“I just think we have to address a situation that we are going to be more successful,” Froeber said. “We thought that a public meeting was the way to go; it turned out not to be. We were successful with that small group meeting. People could have questions answered. I think there are a lot of people who are not going to respond to an online situation.”

Both Froeber and Community Representative Hank Ludtke are in favor of visiting with residents in person to discuss, but that option has received pushback from some EDA members, along with Mayor Mike Sharp.

The recent passing and inclusion of Frazee in the state’s bonding bill to provide 75 percent of costs for the paving and city sewer and water for the North River Loop and Wannigan Park may open other avenues. The front lots can be rezoned and commercially developed, an idea some Red Willow residents were in favor of, especially in comparison to multi-family dwellings.

“If this isn’t something that we can do, the one-on-one situation, then let’s just move on and go after, now that the bonding came through, let’s explore our options and put some bids and feelers out for what we can do,” said Froeber.

The lots could also be split and marketed as single-family lots.