Civil Municipal - Feb 2024

Whitewater River Restoration Project, was initiated as a result of a major flooding of the river in August 2007,when heavy rains and a stalled frontal boundary pelted the region with rainfall rates of one to two inches per hour. “In 2021 we received a $500,000 grant from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources for phase one,” says Langholz. “and we were recently notified that we were approved for another grant to complete phase two in 2025. We’re shooting for three phases to get through the entire community.” HOUSING NEEDS AND REMEDIES Langholz believes that the city is headed for another boom in housing.“In the ‘90s and early 2000s, we had a tremendous amount of development,” he recounts. “St. Charles was very blessed to have several local, very dedicated developers that did a tremendous amount for the city. They are nearing retirement age, so we’re looking for the next wave of developers that view our proximity to Rochester and Winona as a benefit for their next residential developments.” “We do have a recent development on the southeast side of the city along Hwy. 14, and the city has recently approved another zoning district which allows for larger apartment units , as that has been identified as being one of the needs for the community. We also have several recent subdivisions in the northeast corner of the community that includes over one hundred newer homes, and these lots are filling up quickly.” During the early 2000s, when St. Charles experienced its first housing boom, some residents moved from smaller homes in the downtown core to larger homes further out. That created an inventory of older, less expensive, starter homes for a new generation of residents, and that process is likely to recur as even newer housing gets built. Langholz says that the city has “lifecycle housing.” “We have affordable homes, some very nice larger homes, a retirement home, and also an assisted living facility in town,” he notes. “Once people move here, they can put down roots and stay forever. That’s pretty unique in a small town.” 85 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 5, ISSUE 02 ST. CHARLES, MN