Posted: Wednesday, Jul 22nd, 2015 BY: ROGER LARSEN
HURON — A property management comp-any’s proposal to build a 48-unit apartment complex targeting senior households in southeast Huron has the approval of the City Commission.
The board authorized Mayor Paul Aylward on Monday to sign a letter of support directed to the South Dakota Housing Authority. Haan Development of Harbor Springs, Mich., will ask the authority for loan funds and tax credits for the project. The company plans to build what it is calling Jefferson Village Apartments at the southwest intersection of 21st Street and Idaho Avenue Southeast in the city’s South Town Addition.
It purchased the property at the city’s auction this spring, during which single-family and multi-family lots were sold. The work is expected to get under way next year with completion in 2017. Haan Development is the same company that built the Pheasant Run Apartments a few years ago at 21st Street and Frank Avenue Southeast.
Greater Huron Development Corporation Chief Executive Officer Jim Borszich said the newest project would not be happening without the city’s willingness to sell the land at reasonable rates. While the design may change, the proposal now is to construct a three-story complex, he said.
A market study to be done this summer will be provided to the commission. Meanwhile, in her semi-annual update for commissioners, Beadle County Humane Society Executive Director Kim Krueger said there have been 469 calls for animal control in the first six months of this year.
The most calls have been for dogs running at large. But she said an alarming statistic is the fact that there have been 14 cases of animal bites so far, mostly involving young children.
“We really need to stress we need to get the parents involved here,” Krueger said. She is also stressing the fact that there is a city ordinance that requires owners to get their animals licensed. Since the first of the year, 575 licenses have been sold. She said the society is working with the code enforcement officer to get people to comply with the ordinance.
The shelter has taken in 493 animals in 2015, compared with 415 at this point last year. The current shelter population is 118 animals, of which 30 are adult dogs, which is at capacity.
She also wants to remind the public that people are prohibited from bringing their dogs to the State Fair when they walk in the gates. But they should not leave them in their cars as Krueger said she is working with the parks and recreation department in planning an event later this summer that will allow owners to bring their dogs to Splash Central to swim on one occasion before the pools are drained for the season. The plan is to make it a fund raiser for a nominal fee. Other communities also offer a time for dogs to swim at their facilities. In Brookings, for example, the event has drawn over 500 dogs.
Commissioners also:
- Approved a conditional use permit requested by SBA Communications & Verizon Wireless to install an 80-foot-tall monopole cell tower and have an associated equipment shelter at 1726 Dakota Ave. S. An existing 50-foot tower will be removed.
- Approved the regular full-time status of fire Capt. Ron Hines following completion of his probationary period.
- Hired Kurt Huehl as a concrete laborer for the street department.
- Hired Kevin Fritzsche for golf maintenance.
- Approved requests for alcoholic beverage consumption in a public place filed by Christian Antezana for July 25 at the Campus Center for a celebration, the Knights of Columbus for Aug. 9 at Ravine Lake east shelter for a family picnic and Wilbur Ellis for Aug. 14 at Prospect Park’s glide and slide shelter for a company picnic.
- Renewed mobile home court licenses for Sheltered Trailer Court, 1500 Third St. S.W.; Prairie Villa, 1400 21st St. S.W.; Huron Mobile Court, 602 Jersey Ave. N.E.; Woody’s Trailer Court, 1350 Fourth St. S.W.; and Huron Mobile Estates, 541 Ohio Ave. N.W.
- Approved a request from the State Fair for law enforcement assistance during the Wissota 100 Sept. 15-19. Uniformed officers will work their days off in nightly shifts from 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. due to increased traffic on the fairgrounds and the possibility of alcohol violations.
- Approved a request to provide security at the Crossroads July 25 for a concert.
- Went into executive session for a contractual matter. For the complete article see the 07-21-2015 issue.