year, $20 million investment in utilities for the industrial park and an ongoing $2 million annual street improvement initiative. Sanders acknowledges the need for continued focus on residential development, keeping pace with growth.To encourage this, he says Becker is currently overhauling existing zoning and subdivision codes to make the process easier for developers. “It contemplates mixed use in some spots on the commercial corridor that would allow for some mixed residential or business,” he details. “We are also looking at how to be a little more flexible on some larger parcel development.” The city also owns 212 acres of land and is working on a property development plan to assist in accommodating anticipated future residential growth. Two years ago, Becker facilitated a major housing project by selling available land adjacent to the Becker Community Center for $1. “Presently we have one 52 unit apartment building built on it,” Lerud elaborates. “Another one is under construction, and eight of 22 twin home lots have homes built on them.” In addition, the Public Works Department is working on the utilities side to ensure the infrastructure is in place to handle this growth. 7 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 06, ISSUE 04 BECKER, MN
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTI5MjAx