HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025.09.16 CC Packet - 165th Street AUAR Joint WorkshopAGENDA
Joint City Council, Planning Commission,
and EDA
165th Street AUAR Workshop
Peder Pederson Pavilion
Tuesday, September 16, 2025 @ 5:30 p.m.
1.Call to Order and Roll Call
2. Background
•AUAR
•Land Use
•Streets
•Utilities
•Environmental Impact/Mitigation
3.Discussion on August 14th Open House
•Overview of Feedback Received
4.Discussion on Land Use, Streets, Utilities based on background and feedback
5.Direction to Staff
6.Next Steps
7.Adjournment
Attachments:
•165th Street AUAR FAQ
•Land Use Scenarios and Constraints Map
•Map of 165th Street Area Related to Comments/Feedback
•Comment Sheets and Overview of Meetings, Phone Calls and Emails.
165TH STREET AUAR
August 14, 2025 Open House
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is an AUAR?
An AUAR (Alternative Urban Areawide Review) is an environmental review process that is used by the City
to understand how one or several development scenarios will impact the environment before development
occurs. It is a hybrid of the Environmental Assessment Worksheet (EAW) and Environmental Impact
Statement (EIS). These environmental review processes are described in Minnesota Rules 4410. An AUAR
analyzes potential issues in areas such as land use, traffic, water resources, fish and wildlife, historic
preservation, and compatibility with existing plans.
Why is the City doing the AUAR?
There is significant development interest in the 165th Street area and sewer and water access is becoming
available to several areas along 165th Street as development moves towards that area. This gravel street is
a critical connection between Everton Avenue and Highway 61. The AUAR will help the City identify
potential Land Uses, which will be used to plan for investment in sewer, water, roads, parks, and other
infrastructure. The AUAR will help to identify the potential for any significant environmental impacts and
develop strategies to mitigate for those impacts. This AUAR will analyze three different development
scenarios that compare land use, infrastructure, and environmental impacts. No specific projects are being
proposed or approved by this process.
Additionally, the work the City does now as part of the AUAR will be used to help kick off the 2050
Comprehensive Plan update next year. State law requires cities to update their Comprehensive Plan every
10 years. The Comprehensive Plan is a long range planning document for the entire City that guides
location, timing, and intensity of types of development such as residential, commercial, industrial, parks,
and more.
What development scenarios are being considered?
The City has prepared three different land use options for consideration and is looking for feedback on the
different scenarios. The AUAR allows for analysis of multiple scenarios and one of those scenarios must be
the land use plan from the adopted Comprehensive Plan. We will finalize the three land use scenarios after
gathering feedback at this open house.
What improvements could happen to 165th Street?
Development is expected along 165th Street and with development the road will need to be improved. The
Comprehensive Plan identifies 165th Street as collector road and to be improved to an urban style street
with pavement including curb and gutter with a trail. The land use scenarios that are identified with the
AUAR process and the traffic study will determine the design of the road that will be required for the types
of land uses.
What type of comments is the City looking for?
The City would like you to gather as much information as you can. Review land use scenarios,
environmental constraints maps, and road design concepts. The City would like comments on the maps.
Provide any insight you would like and what changes you think we should consider. There are comment
sheets to fill out or you can contact Rachel Juba, Community Development Director at 651-762-6304 or
rjuba@ci.hugo.mn.us to provide comments, questions, and/or set a separate meeting to discuss.
What are the next steps in the AUAR process?
The AUAR team will finalize the three land use scenarios after this open house. Then we will complete a
traffic study for the165th Corridor from Elmcrest Avenue to Ingersoll Avenue. The impact on traffic from
each land use scenario will be evaluated and discussed in the AUAR along with mitigation measures. The
AUAR will also evaluate geology/soils, water resources, potential contamination, fish/wildlife/plant/sensitive
ecological resources, historic properties, noise, air quality and cumulative impacts for each scenario. This
analysis will be incorporated into the AUAR document with a mitigation plan.
We expect a draft AUAR to completed this Fall for review and comment. Following the comment period, the
City Council is expected to adopt the Final AUAR in February/March 2026.
Bu s in e s s
C a m p u s
24th
Avenue
Co m me rc i a l
I nd ust r i al
L
i
n
o
L
a
k
e
s
Of fi c e
R e s id e nt ial
24th
Avenue
165th Street North
170th St re et Nor th
Low Density
Residential (LD)
Medium Density
Residential (MD)
High Density
Residential (HD)
Mixed Use (MIX)Commercial (COM)
Industrial (IND)
Public/Quasi-Public (PQ)
Business Park (BP)
AUAR Area
Oneka
Lake
Future Roadway
Municipal Boundary
Land Use Density
BP
IND
LD (2-4 upa)
MD (3-8 upa)
HD (6-12 upa)
MIX (10-60 upa on 50%)
COM
Total
Net Acres
0
134
134
170
30
74
0
542
Min Density
-
-
268
509
181
370
-
1329
Max Density
-
-
536
1358
363
2221
-
4478
8/14/2025
2040
Land Use Plan
Option 1
0 1,500 3,000750
US Feet
NORTH158thStreetNorth
E th anTrailNorth
Onek
a
P
a
r
k
w
a
y
North
162nd Wa y N o r t h
1 59 t h S t r e e t North
Farnha
m
A
v
e
nue
N
o
r
t
h 1 5 8th Stre e t N o r t h
Fenway
Avenu
e
North
H
u
g
o
Bu s in e s s
C a m p u s
Co m me rc i a l
24th
Avenue
1 6 5 t h S t r e e t N o r th
1 70 t h S t r e e t N o r th
Oneka
Lake
8/14/2025
0 1,500 3,000750
US Feet
NORTH158thStreetNorth
E th anTrailNorth
Onek
a
P
a
r
k
w
a
y
North
162nd Wa y N o r t h
1 59 t h S t r e e t North
Farnha
m
A
v
e
nue
N
o
r
t
h 1 5 8th Stre e t N o r t h
I nd ust r i al
Of fi c e
R e s id e nt ial
24th
Avenue
L
i
n
o
L
a
k
e
s
H
u
g
o
Fenway
Avenu
e
North
Low Density
Residential (LD)
Medium Density
Residential (MD)
High Density
Residential (HD)
Mixed Use (MIX)Commercial (COM)
Industrial (IND)
Public/Quasi-Public (PQ)
Business Park (BP)
AUAR Area
Future Roadway
Municipal Boundary
Land Use Density
BP
IND
LD (2-4 upa)
MD (3-8 upa)
HD (6-12 upa)
MIX (10-60 upa on 50%)
COM
Total
Net Acres
0
0
253
187
0
74
27
542
Min Density
-
-
506
562
0
371
-
1439
Max Density
-
-
1012
1499
0
2226
-
4737
2040
Land Use Plan
Option 2
Bu s in e s s
C a m p u s
Co m me rc i a l
I nd ust r i al
Of fi c e
R e s id e nt ial
1 6 5 t h S t r e e t N o r th
1 70 t h S t r e e t N o r th
24th
Avenue
24th
Avenue
Oneka
Lake
8/14/2025
0 1,500 3,000750
US Feet
NORTH158thStreetNorth
E th anTrailNorth
Onek
a
P
a
r
k
w
a
y
North
162nd Wa y N o r t h
1 59 t h S t r e e t North
Farnha
m
A
v
e
nue
N
o
r
t
h 1 5 8th Stre e t N o r t h
L
i
n
o
L
a
k
e
s
H
u
g
o
Fenway
Avenu
e
North
Low Density
Residential (LD)
Medium Density
Residential (MD)
High Density
Residential (HD)
Mixed Use (MIX)Commercial (COM)
Industrial (IND)
Public/Quasi-Public (PQ)
Business Park (BP)
AUAR Area
Future Roadway
Municipal Boundary
Land Use Density
BP
IND
LD (2-4 upa)
MD (3-8 upa)
HD (6-12 upa)
MIX (10-60 upa on 50%)
COM
Total
Net Acres
96
0
157
99
72
118
0
542
Min Density
-
-
314
298
429
590
-
1632
Max Density
-
-
629
796
859
3538
-
5821
2040
Land Use Plan
Option 3
AUAR Area
Municipal Boundary
8/14/2025
AUAR Area
0 1,500 3,000750
US Feet
NORTH
24th
Avenue
24th
Avenue
Fenway
Avenu
e
North
165th Street Nor th
170th St re et Nor th
L
i
n
o
L
a
k
e
s
H
u
g
o
Aerial imagery taken from Washington County GIS Mapping, 2024.
AUAR Area
Deciduous Tree Cover
Coniferous Tree Farm
Grassland
Wetlands
8/14/2025
Vegetation
0 1,500 3,000750
US Feet
NORTH
165th Street Nor th
170th St re et Nor th
24th
Avenue
24th
Avenue
Fenway
Avenu
e
North
L
i
n
o
L
a
k
e
s
H
u
g
o
Municipal Boundary
Data taken from condensed MN Land Cover Classification System
(2018), and MN Department of Natural Resources (2018).
AUAR Area
Shoreland Overlay
Floodplain
Groundwater Priority Areas
Wetland
8/14/2025
0 1,500 3,000750
US Feet
Wetlands and
Floodplains
NORTH
Fenway
Avenu
e
Nor
th
L
i
n
o
L
a
k
e
s
H
u
g
o
Municipal Boundary
Parcel Boundary
24th
Avenue
24th
Avenue
16 5t h Str ee t N o r th
17 0th Stree t N o r th
Groundwater priority areas are derived from the Land and Water
Legacy Program Conservation Priorities Drinking Ground Water
Model from the Washington County Land & Water Legacy Program
Conservation Plan, July 2010.
Wetland data taken from National Wetland Inventory by US Fish and
Wildlife Service.
Shoreland Overlay data taken from MN DNR.
Floodplain data taken from Rice Creek Watershed District.
AUAR Area
City Trail - Proposed
City Trail - Existing
Historic Schoolhouse
City Park
Frog Hollow Park
Heritage Ponds
Park
8/14/2025
Trails and
Amenities
0 1,500 3,000750
US Feet
NORTH
Frog Hollow Park
tage PondsHeritita
Park
Fenway
Avenu
e
North
L
i
n
o
L
a
k
e
s
H
u
g
o
24th
Avenue
24th
Avenue
165th Street Nor th
170th St re et Nor th
Municipal Boundary
Data taken from Hugo 2040 Comp Plan, Future Trails Map and
Features.
158th Stre e t N o r t h
E th anTrailNorth
O
n
e
k
a
P
a
r
k
w
a
y
N
o
r
th
y N o r t h
Fenway
Avenue
North
O
1 59 t h S t r e e t North
Farnha
m
A
v
e
nue
N
o
1 5 8th Stre e t N o r t h
L
i
n
o
L
a
k
e
s
H
u
g
o
L
i
n
o
L
a
k
e
s
H
u
g
o
Future Roadway
Minor Collector
Major Collector
Minor Connector
8/14/2025
0 1,500 3,000750
US Feet
AUAR Areau
w
O
kk
P
r
k
y Nyyy o r t h
N t h
11 515 8558tt8ththhh SStStrte eeee ttetttt N ooo
httNNNeteeetreSehSSShortNet9t
N
F 1 5
hhaha
m
a
m
A
m
AA
o
arnha
A
v
e
nue
N
oo
O
E
T
E thEth aananTnTraT
o
th
ilNN
thth
ortt
Noo
lNN
ailal
15 oNtNNetteetrStt8thtSttttNNN
1 o r tt ht
Roadways
NORTH
Municipal Boundary
24th
Avenue
24th
Avenue
165th Street Nor th
170th St re et Nor th
Data taken from Hugo 2040 Comp Plan, Future Functional Road
Classification Map..
Project_Area
Pedestrian and Natural
Corridor
Pedestrian Barrier
Forest Boulevard
Pedestrian connection with roundabout
to Oneka Lake
Future
Pedestrian Trail
Existing
Pedestrian Trail
Wooded and
Lowland Areas
8/14/2025
Opportunities and
Constraints
0 1,500 3,000750
US Feet
NORTH
Fenway
Avenue
North
L
i
n
o
L
a
k
e
s
H
u
g
o
24th
Avenue
24th
Avenue
165th Street Nor th
170th St re et Nor th
Oneka
Lake
Historic Schoolhouse
Ele
v
a
t
e
d
v
i
e
w
s
Elev
a
t
e
d
v
i
e
w
s
FFFFFFFFFFFFeeeeeeeeeeeennnnnnnnnnnwwwwwwwwwwwaaaaaaaaaaayyyyyyyyyyyyyy
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAvvvvvvvvvvvvveeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeennnnnnnnnnnnnnuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuueeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
NNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNooooooooooooorrrrrrrrrrtttttttttthhhhhhhhhhh
LLLLL
iiiii
nnnnn
oooooo
LLLLL
aa
kkkkkkkkkk
eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
sssssssssssssssssss
2222222224444444444tttttttttthhhhhhhh
AAAAAAAAAvvvvvveeeeeennnnnnuuuuueeeeeeeee
22222222222444444444tttttttthhhhhhhhhh
AAAAvvvveeeeennnnnnnnnnnnuuuuuuuuuuuuueeeeeeeeee
11111111111666666555555555ttttttthhhhhhhhhhhhh SSSSSSSSSSSSSStttttttttttrrrrrrrrrreeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeetttttttttttttt NNNNNNNNNNNNNoooooooooooorrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr ttttttttttttttttt hhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
1111111111111111777777777770000000000000ttttttttttttthhhhhhhhhhhhhh SSSSSSSSSSSSSSStttttttttttt rrrrrrrrrrrrreeeeeeeee eeeeeeeeeeetttttttttt NNNNNNNNNNNNNoooooooooooooorrrrrrrr ttttttttttttt hhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
OneOneOneOneOnekakakakaka
LakLakLakLakLeeee
hhhhhh
HHHHHH
uuuuuuuu
gggggggggg
oooooo
ElElElElElElElElElElElElElEEEeveveveatatttedededed
vvvvieieieie wswswswss
ElElElElElElElElElElElElElEEElE eveveveveveveveve atatatatatataa edededededededed vvvvvvvvvvvvvvvieieieieieieieieieieieieiii wswswswswswswswwwwwsww
AUAR Area
Municipal Boundary
9/5/2025
Open House
Comments
000,3005,10750
US Feet
NORTH
24th
Avenue
24th
Avenue
Fenway
Avenu
e
North
165th Stre et Nor ht
170th S tre et No r ht
L
i
n
o
L
a
k
e
s
H
u
g
o
Aerial imagery taken from Washington County GIS Mapping, 2024.
Signed in at meeting
Provided written comment11
2
345
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
51
61
17 17
17
18
19
19
19
165TH STREET AUAR
August 14, 2025 Open House
Summary of Participation
The following are the statistics gathered from materials at the Open House:
-58 total sign insoA total of 32 of the 85 unique properties in the area represented (38% or properties)o 8 people not within the AUAR area
-19 worksheets or meetings heldo17 within the AUAR areao2 from outside
Note:
Numerous people who were present at the meeting did not sign in or fill out the worksheet. There were
many more properties represented from staff discussions and observations.
165th Street AUAR – Open House
Meeting or Call Comments
1. August 14, 2025 – At open house
Laura Todd 5205 165th Street
# 651-231-3449
There is water in her back yard. She thinks it is due to the Meadows of Hugo
development. Liz to follow up with Laura.
2. August 15, 2025 – Meeting
Frank Puleo 6375 165th Street
# 248-3622
He would like the Land Use to stay the same as the 2040 Land Use Plan in the Comp
Plan. If it has to be option 2 or 3, he wants his property to be commercial or mixed use.
3. August 15, 2025 – Phone Call
Dick Bunde 16650 Fenway Ave
# 459-2773
He thinks there will be a lot of traffic on 165th Street and it should be improved if there is
traffic and a roundabout at 165th Street and Highway 61.
4. August 27, 2025 – Meeting
Liz and Carmelo Cinqueonce 4586 165th Street
#651-216-1242
Understands that development is coming. They like living in Hugo and this area in
particular. Would like to see the property either medium density or high density
residential. They had a lot of questions about what happens with 165th Street once
development occurs.
5. August 28, 2025 – Phone Call
Steve and Lauri Woolstendroft 5050 165th Street
Does not want their property guided as industrial. Their preference is if it is going to
develop around them would be low density residential. They have lived there for 40
years. No formal meeting needed at this time. Wants 165th Street paved whether
development occurs or not. They would like an improvement such as a round about at
165th Street and Highway 61. They want a section of our website to highlight
developments happening in the City.
165TH STREET AUAR
August 14, 2025 Open House
Participant Worksheet
Thank you for participating in the 165th Street AUAR. Your feedback is important and helps the City
determine which land use alternatives to study.
1. What types of land uses do you envision along the 165th Street corridor? Is there a land use
scenario you prefer?
3
2. What type of improvements do you want to see to 165th Street?
City sewer, city water, paved road, sidewalks
3. Are there any changes you would like the City of Hugo to consider regarding your
property?
X Yes □ No
If yes, please describe specifically the changes you would like to see for your property.
Consider what happens if the people who live next door to us do not want to sell to a developer.
Would our property still be able to be developed as high density on only those 10 acres?
If developed, keeping walkway as close to trees as possible to avoid it being in middle of our property.
4. Is there anything else you want the City to know as we prepare the AUAR?
Please continue to involve land owners as decisions are made.
5. Please provide your contact information below, so we can follow up with you:
Name:
Property Address: PID 07.031.21.23.0007
Phone:
Email:
Mailing Address (if different from property address):
4637 Provence Way N
Would you like us to contact you for a meeting?
Yes X No
165th STREET AUAR
August 14, 2025 Open House
Participant Worksheet
1. What types of land uses do you envision along the 165th Street corridor? Is there a
land use scenario you prefer?
● If we HAVE to pick one, Option 3 is the most palatable. Of the three plans, this one
produces the least amount of “ugly transformation” / damage to our current
surroundings and way of life. However, we would ask that everything currently
coded MD (orange) on the Option 3 map INSTEAD be turned yellow (LD), including
the HD currently mapped to go right next door on the East - and also right behind us.
● We hate everything about Option 1. We didn’t buy our cute little hobby farm in
“rural-feeling” Hugo, only to end up “surrounded” by high-density housing right
across the street and Industrial operations just one property away, as well as down
the street and right behind us.) Sadly, we could have stayed where we were in St.
Paul for 30 years (nestled in a residential neighborhood) and had a much better
situation long term.
[Sorry if that all sounds “dramatic” but the heartbreak and regret at this point is real.]
● Option 2 is slightly “better” … but the idea of having just one property between us
and Commercial development (as well as mixed use kitty-corner) is almost as bad as
Option 1. It would change every single thing we love about where we live and why
we (intentionally) bought here.
2. What type of improvements do you want to see to 165th Street?
● None. Nothing at all. We love it exactly the way it is.
● IF a trail is implemented, as is being discussed, we STRONGLY prefer that it be
located on the NORTH side of 16th (please!). Homes on the North side are set back
further and are more easily able to absorb the land loss. Our property, on the other
hand, would practically be “on” the road if the trail was located on the South side.
1
3. Are there any changes you would like the city of Hugo to consider regarding your
property?
● Changes to our existing property? .. Or changes to the plans being proposed?
We can’t think of any answer for the former, but to the later, yes: We would very
much NOT like the road to be widened. (see 2nd bullet point under Question #2).
4. Is there anything else you want the City to know as we prepare the AUAR? Yes.
● In all 3 land use Options we ask that you replace as much “color" as possible with
YELLOW (LD) only; especially to our NORTH (1st*), but also to our East (2nd*),
West (3rd*), and South (4th*). *Priority order of importance.
● The development to date has already displaced a lot of the wonderful wild life we’ve
enjoyed here for 8 years. New development will destroy anything that is left. Your
Open House materials state that the AUAR studies the impact on the environment.
That seems to make no sense given that all of this development - especially anything
above MD - will clearly wipe out any/all of the natural environment remaining.
● We are very concerned about the high volume of traffic that will certainly accompany
all 3 plans, but most concerning are the Option 3 and Option 2 scenarios.
5. Please provide your contact information below, so we can follow up with you:
Jeff & Lynda Barry
5635 165th Street N
612-701-9194
Lyndabarry760@gmail.com
6. Would you like us to contact you for a meeting?
No meeting is required at this time, but we do have one additional question:
Q: We have not yet talked about street lights (UGH). What’s that going to look like?
2
16. Tom Zollinger 5040 165th Street- August September 5, 2025 – Phone call
We bought the land knowing it is in the MUSA. Medium density is okay. He would
likely sell if development came this way. His kids are in the WBL schools and he
want to keep them there, so timing is important. Okay with paving 165th Street, but
it is a long straight road and worries about speeding and people in the ditch. Does
not want to be assessed for road improvements.
17. Mark Guenther – Meeting
Contract on Busy B Parcels 08.031.21.44.0004 and 17.031.21.11.0001
Wants to keep Mixed Use along Highway 61.
18. September 10, 2025 – Email
Jay Smigielski on behalf of Brad Oren 16028 Forest Blvd
Wants to keep Land Use Industrial - see email
I am working setting a meeting with them.
1
Zeke Peters, AICP
From:Rachel Juba <RJuba@ci.hugo.mn.us>
Sent:Thursday, September 11, 2025 10:05 AM
To:Kendra Lindahl, AICP; Zeke Peters, AICP; Mark Erichson; Alison Harwood; Max Gort
Subject:FW: 165th Street Area Study
This is from the property owner at 16028 Forest Blvd.
From: Jay Smigielski <jsmigielski@ferdlaw.com>
Sent: Wednesday, September 10, 2025 4:29 PM
To: Rachel Juba <RJuba@ci.hugo.mn.us>; Friedner, Dan <dan.friedner@nmrk.com>; bradoren@dart.net
Subject: Re: 165th Street Area Study
Caution: This email originated outside our organization; please use
caution.
Hello Rachel,
Thank you for reaching out, we greatly appreciate you emailing us about this review, and for the invitation
to provide some feedback at this stage.
Yes, we are interested in meeting with you at your office in Hugo to discuss the review of the 165th Street
area and learn more about the process, timeline, and possible outcomes.
As you know, Brad has a strong interest in maintaining his trucking / storage business in Hugo, and it is
upsetting to see that the property he recently purchased could possibly be rezoned as residential.
If you could please suggest a few dates and times that we could meet with you in person, I think that
would be best for us to coordinate scheduling on our end.
Sincerely,
Jay Smigielski, Attorney
Ferdinand F. Peters Esq. Law Firm
711 S. Smith Ave.
St. Paul, MN 55107
USA
Office: 651-647-6250
Fax: 651-560-7022
Subject to all notices at http://www.ferdlaw.com
From: Rachel Juba <RJuba@ci.hugo.mn.us>
Sent: Monday, September 8, 2025 10:59 AM
To: Friedner, Dan <dan.friedner@nmrk.com>; bradoren@dart.net <bradoren@dart.net>; Jay Smigielski
<jsmigielski@ferdlaw.com>
Subject: 165th Street Area Study
2
Hi Brad, Jay, and Dan.
We are completing a land use, street design, sewer/water, and environmental study called an Alternate
Urban Areawide Review (AUAR). We sent a mailer to the address about an open house and to share
additional information.
We are looking for feedback from property owners in the area.
I wanted to reach out to see if you would be interested in meeting or talking over the phone.
Here is the link to the section of the website:
https://www.ci.hugo.mn.us/index.asp?SEC=9FECEE4D-0A13-4FD9-82BF-9EE60D12AD4B
Let know if you would like to know more and have a conversation.
Thanks,
19. September 11, 2025 – Email
Rebecca Penovich 16673 and 16635 Forest Blvd
Sent in comments – see email
1
Zeke Peters, AICP
From:Rachel Juba <rjuba@ci.hugo.mn.us>
Sent:Thursday, September 11, 2025 10:19 AM
To:Kendra Lindahl, AICP; Zeke Peters, AICP; Mark Erichson; Alison Harwood; Max Gort
Subject:FW: 165th Street AUAR Open House 8/14 feedback
This is from the property owner at 16673 and 16635 Forest Blvd
They own 3 parcels
08.031.21.14.0001
08.031.21.14.0002
08.031.21.11.0002
From: Rebecca Penovich <rebecca.penovich@gmail.com>
Sent: Thursday, September 11, 2025 8:24 AM
To: Rachel Juba <rjuba@ci.hugo.mn.us>
Cc: Michael Dolan <mdolan@corecommercialre.com>
Subject: Re: 165th Street AUAR Open House 8/14 feedback
Caution: This email originated outside our organization; please use
caution.
Hello Rachel,
Mike Brandt of Hugo Auto Parts mailed the AUAR Study Open House materials to me with the Participant
Worksheet. (I didn't find the Worksheet or the FAQ and maps on the City website, just the Open House
flyer.)
Here I submit feedback as a property owner on 165th Street which is within the AUAR Study Area and
also is within the Highway 61 Visioning corridor.
City of Hugo
Participant Worksheet
165th Street AUAR
August, 14, 2025 Open House
1. What types of land uses do you envision along the 165th Street corridor? Is there a land scenario
you prefer?
My concern is the land use along Highway 61 and 165th Street, where highway improvement or traffic
calming (a roundabout, a lighted intersection, a lane widening) projects in the future are planned as
Washington County prepares to take over the highway according to the Comp Plan 2040.
Highway 61 from 165th north to 170th in particular is the entry and exitway for the City of Hugo to all the
suburban commuters who drive it north toward Stillwater and south toward White Bear Lake. As such it
should be a thriving and attractive gateway to the City with shops and retail, mixed use business and
2
housing, and green spaces. The City should attract businesses and stores with incentives and tax breaks
and special use permits, all tools other municipalities use in abundance to attract business and
developers to invest in housing, retail, and commercial sectors.
Hugo has done a great job attracting big housing developers and housing developments continue to grow
with Hugo city limits and housing is needed. But where roofs go, retail should follow. I do not believe the
City of Hugo is working to show the same enthusiasm and willingness to compromise on land uses and
water uses etc to attract businesses and big box stores.
A retail center with a variety of places to shop for Hugo citizens, or a vet or pet boarding place, an Apple
store, a Target, mature trees and welcome to Hugo banners would be a thriving center to show both
residents and visitors passing through that Hugo is a good place to live AND work.
2. What type of improvements do you want to see to 165th Street?
I believe there are highway projects already in planning at this intersection--it will become more of a
major intersection, including widening and will need to accommodate more traffic and cars as Hugo
continues to grow. My property is adjacent to this so I support highway improvement and safety
cautions. I would like the City and the Hugo Planning Commission to be open to how the City might
stimulate development and growth to signal to businesses that Hugo is open for business along the
corridor and wants to see economic development and make a supportive environment to attract
commercial developers to serve all the residents moving in. I also would like to have the City have MN
DoT come talk to the people at City Hall over the specifics of the Highway improvements. I feel like this
information is difficult to find although the Highway 61 Study on the Hugo website has a lot of
information.
3. Are there any changes you would like the City of Hugo to consider regarding your property?
Yes.
If yes, please describe specifically the changes you would like to see for your property.
My property is in a restrictive zoning category, RC-1 which only a few businesses and properties are
zoned along the corridor. Other large properties along the Corridor are zoned Agricultural. I paid almost
$17K/annually to the City for taxes on vacant land this year and my neighbor across the Highway pays
less than $500/year as his land is Ag and this is wildly disparate. I went to court to appeal the tax to
Washington County. I have written and discussed my concerns with the City for over 10 years now as I
would like to attract a buyer (and have brokers who have brought buyers to the table to work with the
City). We could benefit from assistance from the City and the County how to make these 26 acres useful
to a developer. I am open to any City proposals on the matter.
4. Is there anything else you want the City to know as we prepare the AUAR?
Yes, thank you for communicating with the citizens and property owners in Hugo about plans for the
future of the City. It can be difficult to get feedback from people on matters that don't directly affect
them and not all people come to public open houses to express themselves.
3
Hugo residents love the suburban/ag feel of the town as it transitions from an agricultural community to
an urban/suburban one outside a major metropolitan city and near a growing main highway and tech
corridor. There should be a way for Hugo to plan for this, keep some open spaces, but also make it less
restrictive for businesses to put roots in Hugo instead of moving their planned new headquarters or
expansions to White Bear or Stilwater instead. Responsible development has been the watchword for
the Planning Commission. That means development has to be in that equation.
Please provide your contact information below, so we can follow up with you:
Rebecca Horton Penovich
16673 Forest Blvd N, Hugo, MN
301-807-0362
rebecca.penovich@gmail.com
Mailing address: 3109 Lee Street, Silver Spring, MD 20910