The Hastings City Council is moving forward with plans for the proposed Pleasant Valley Farms development.
During the August 3 meeting, council members unanimously approved distributing an Environmental Assessment Worksheet, or EAW, for public comment.
The environmental review covers a proposed 160-acre residential development between 140th Street and County Road 42.
Community Development Direct John Hinzman reminded the city council that Monday night’s action only begins the environmental review process and does not approve the development itself.
The EAW will be available on the city’s website and sent to state agencies, neighboring communities, and watershed districts for review before the council considers the next steps in September.
The council also approved the proposed park dedication plan for the Pleasant Valley Farms development.
Pleasant Valley Farms is expected to include about 387 housing units, along with a three-acre neighborhood park, 10 acres of open space, and new trail connections.
Councilmember Lisa Leifeld praised the plan, noting it’s uncommon for developers to build a park instead of paying cash in lieu of parkland. The park would be built during a later phase of the development but would ultimately be open to the public.
Council members also received an update on Hastings’ PFAS water treatment projects.
City Administrator Dan Wietecha says construction of the city’s central treatment plant remains on schedule for completion by the end of the 2026 calendar year. Bidding has also wrapped up for the eastern treatment plant, with Rice Lake Construction Group identified as the low bidder. Construction on the eastern treatment plant is expected to begin in September.
Wietecha also reported state grant paperwork tied to $17.5 million in legislative funding is still pending. However, Hastings City leaders met with Senator Seeberger and State Representative Dippel for political weight to help move the process forward.
The city council met earlier on August 3, prior to Monday’s city council meeting, in a closed session involving city attorneys to discuss potential environmental litigation related to PFAS.
The next regular Hastings City Council meeting will be Monday, August 17, at 7 p.m.
[Click the soundbite to listen to the report.]