[PAGE 1]
CITY OF ST. JOSEPH
www.cityofstjoseph.com
St. Joseph City Council Work Session
March 16, 2026
5:00 PM
1. Baker Street Bike Lane
2. Housing Overview Discussion
“A safe and welcoming community valuing open communication and civic trust while
maintaining the enduring spirit of small-town life.”
75 Callaway Street East | Saint Joseph, Minnesota 56374
Email: cityoffices@cityofstjoseph.com | Phone: 320.363.7201 | Fax 320.363.0342

[PAGE 2]
STAFF MEMO
Prepared by: Meeting Date: Consent Agenda Item Agenda Item #
☐
Community Development Mar. 16th 2
Regular Agenda Item
☒
Reviewed by: Item:
General Update on Housing
Council Priority: Dispensary Industrial Park Expansion Housing
☐ ☐ ☒
Public Safety Facility/Safe Crossing of CSAH 75 N/A
☐ ☐
ACTION REQUESTED
None – just an update and discussion on progress as it relates to the Council’s Strategic priority of growing
housing (single family) in the community.
BOARD/COMMISSION/COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION N/A
PREVIOUS COUNCIL ACTION
Discussion last occurred at the Council’s strategic planning work session
REFERENCE AND BACKGROUND
Staff will provide a general update on single-family Housing initiatives and developments along with tools
that could be used to help support housing. Please note formal applications have not been submitted for
many projects so discussion will stay at a high-level overview.
Potential projects which do not require lift station. Listed in rough order of potential likelihood of
occuring:
• River’s bend 5 (approved by Council)
4 SF lots and twin home lot
o
• 70+ acre parcel - Southern Part of Town
Approximately 30 potential single family lots
o
Larger lots of 1.5 acre or more
o
Rural-style development
o
 Tool – creation of a new rural residential zoning district
• 25-acre parcel – Southern Part of Town
Single-family lots
o
Water and sewer pipe runs through the lot. Utility extension needed on some areas of the
o
site for future cul-de-sac
 Potential Tool – Greater MN Housing Infrastructure grant
• Could reduce infrastructure costs
• Low to moderate income (workforce housing) requirement
• 3.5-acre infill outlot
Senior rental apartments – although not single family in nature senior rental units could
o
open up existing single-family homes. Part of the challenge is the lack of available homes
for sale in the community. This lack of inventory prevents people from moving into the
community.
 Tool – might be eligible for TIF housing
• 28-acre parcel – Northern Part of Town
Single-family lots and developer owns
o
 Potential Tool – Greater MN Housing Infrastructure grant
• Could reduce infrastructure costs
• Low to moderate income (workforce housing) requirement

[PAGE 3]
• Central infill lot
Single family patio homes (9ish) and developer owns
o
 Potential Tool – PUD could allow greater density within the parcel then traditional
zoning- current zoning limits lot to two lots.
• 48-acre parcel
Single family lots
o
Needs to be subdivided, platted, etc
o
Not developer owned
o
Housing Challenges
• Limited inventory of vacant single-family lots
18 new homes constructed in 2025 (highest total in last 5+ years…city typically does less
o
than 10 in a year). Increase in construction shows there is demand.
Northland heights nearing build out
o
Jefferson lane lots are filling up
o
Lanigan Way almost fully built out
o
• Infrastructure costs
Lift station requirements for future growth areas
o
 Same challenge of low lot inventory plagues Industrial area thus why city is
pursuing funding to help spur 2nd Phase of Industrial Park
• Financial barriers for first time home buyers – avg age of first time home buyer in MN was 38 in
2025 (according to a survey from National Association of Realtors)
This along with other factors including lifestyle choices have resulted in increase in multi-
o
family interest/construction
Next Steps
• Continue coordination with developers on projects (reaching out to existing and new)
• Continue work on establishing a new rural residential zoning district (again this district will be very
limited in scope)
• Monitor and explore the Greater MN Infrastructure grant ( if funding is available again)
• Utilize TIF when appropriate and when projects meet incentive criteria
• Looking ahead to 2028 when the Comprehensive Plan is scheduled for updating - housing will be
one of the most important elements discussed in the Comprehensive Plan update
BUDGET IMPACT None right now. Grants and other tools may require investments from the city.
STAFF RECOMMENDED ACTION N/A
SUPPORTING DATA/ATTACHMENTS
Zoning map
Future Land Use map
Other visuals will be shared at the meeting