305 E. Luverne St.  
Luverne, MN 56156  
www.cityofluverne.org  
Announcement of Meeting  
Economic Development Authority  
Regular Meeting Minutes  
Monday, May 11, 2026  
8:00 AM  
Council Chambers  
A.  
CALL TO ORDER - ROLL CALL  
Patrick Baustian, Ryan DeBates, Tara Zewiske, and Quinn Buss  
Kevin Aaker  
Present  
Excused  
A Regular Meeting of the Luverne Economic Development Authority was held in the Council  
Chambers, commencing at 8:00 AM.  
Additional attendees include: City Administrator Jill Wolf, EDA Director Holly Sammons, Star  
Herald Editor Lori Sorenson, and Building Official Chad McClure.  
B.  
APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF PRECEDING MEETING  
LEDA - Regular Meeting - March 9, 2026  
1.  
A motion was made by DeBates, seconded by Zewiske, that these  
LEDA Minutes be approved. The motion carried by the following  
vote:  
Baustian, DeBates, Zewiske, and Buss  
Aye:  
BILLS AND COMMUNICATIONS  
C.  
Approval of Regular Department Payment Report - 03 & 04 2026  
1.  
A motion was made by Zewiske, seconded by DeBates, that this  
LEDA Regular Department Payment Report be approved. The  
motion carried by the following vote:  
Baustian, DeBates, Zewiske, and Buss  
Aye:  
Approval of Financial Report - 03 & 04 2026  
2.  
A motion was made by DeBates, seconded by Buss, that this LEDA  
Financial Report be approved. The motion carried by the following  
vote:  
Baustian, DeBates, Zewiske, and Buss  
Aye:  
D.  
DIRECTOR'S REPORTS & DISCUSSION  
1.  
Maple Street Redevelopment  
The City of Luverne is conveying six properties to the LEDA. The six properties  
are: 113 McKenzie St.; 117 McKenzie St.; 313 E. Maple St.; 315 E. Maple St.;  
319 E. Maple St.; and 321 E. Maple St. The City acquired these properties (5  
residential and 1 commercial) over a period of time between 2016-2021. The  
LEDA is equipped to determine the highest and best use of the parcels and to  
manage any future development in alignment with community objectives. The  
LEDA also has the authority to negotiate and manage development agreements,  
set project conditions, and guide responsible development.  
Background  
A housing development proposal was discussed at the February 10, 2026 City  
Council work session. Don Jahnke from Impresa Modular presented a housing  
development proposal for affordable housing on Maple St. The proposal  
includes a mix of duplexes, single-family homes, and town homes, and would  
offer a mix of rental and home ownership. Single family homes will have a foot  
print of over 800 square feet and cost between $269,000 to $289,000. Town  
homes will provide three-bedroom rental options, addressing a local market gap.  
The proposed development aims to add $3.5 million to the local tax base.  
Modular Construction Details  
-Modular homes will be built to Minnesota code and offer energy efficiency  
-Modular homes are built to Minnesota code with federal inspectors in the plant  
-Energy efficiency is a focus, with options for radiant heating and mini splits  
-Modular homes are constructed in controlled conditions, ensuring quality and  
efficiency  
-Construction time is reduced as homes are built in the factory while site  
preparation occurs  
-Modular homes are not to be confused with mobile homes; they are built to  
higher standards  
-Modular homes can be delivered in 8-10 weeks after ordering  
-Crane setup allows for quick assembly, with five houses set in two days  
City's comprehensive plan and housing needs  
-The proposal fits within the city's comprehensive plan and housing study needs  
-The property is in a downtown zoning district and would require a conditional  
use permit process  
-Replacing residential with residential is seen as a natural fit for the area  
-The development would provide much-needed entry-level homes and rental  
options  
- See pages 156-165 of Housing Demand Study  
https://cms3.revize.com/revize/luvernemn/Documents/Department/Economic%2  
0Development/Studies%20and%20Reports/2023_Luverne_Comprehensive_Ho  
using_Study_FINAL.pdf  
Potential Increase in Local Tax Base  
The proposed development aims to add $3.5 million to the local tax base  
Building Official Chad McClure also stated that there currently isn't  
an inventory of property where interested parties can construct  
housing under 1300 sq. ft. outside of finding something on the  
private market.  
DeBates asked about the vision for a Public Plaza as suggested by  
Roger Brooks. Sammons stated that the vision for the public plaza  
developed in 2019 was never formally presented to the council. The  
large-scale plan would require significant capital investment and  
ongoing maintenance, but no formal financial plan was presented.  
The City agreed to create a mini-plaza at the corner of Main St and  
McKenzie to serve the needs of summer events hosted by the  
Chamber & CVB. The City constructed a covered shelter and  
served it with power to provide a safe space for public events.  
McClure noted that some downtown property owners like to use the  
green space for their dogs. Buss suggested that additional  
locations along to Main Street could potentially better serve the  
downtown tourism needs if a different area could be redeveloped for  
a plaza in the future.  
Lopau Second Addition Covenants  
2.  
The Protective Covenants for Lopau Second Addition reference the  
establishment and powers of the Approving Authority (Article II, Section 201). It  
currently allows for each lot being entitled to one vote, which poses a potential  
problem when a twin home is developed on the lot and the homeowners need to  
share one vote. To clarify the legal interpretation, it is recommended to update  
the covenants to allow one vote per dwelling, and that the initial Approving  
Authority committee does not dissolve until 100% of the lots are sold by the EDA  
to keep uniform enforcement throughout the initial development of the addition.  
The Design and Quality Standards (Section 123) also states that no dwelling  
shall be erected which has gross livable floor area of less than 1300 square feet.  
With increasing construction costs and different trends in the housing market,  
the EDA may review and consider changing that requirement.  
The board directed staff to put together a recommendation on  
amending the covenants to be less restrictive on the minimum  
square footage requirements, as well as changing the Approving  
Authority section as previously discussed.  
E.  
BUSINESS  
Motion to Approve Residential Demolition Grant Request - Leon Pick Trust - 109  
1.  
W. Lincoln St.  
Dan Pick and Julie Becker, Trustees of Leon Pick Trust, have submitted an  
application for the Residential Demolition Grant Program for property at 109 W.  
Lincoln St.. Pick and Becker would like to demo the accessory structure on the  
southwest portion of the property to eliminate blight. Pick and Becker report that  
the structure is substandard, dilapidated, and beyond repair. Pick and Becker  
have submitted proper paperwork and meet all the requirements for a  
Residential Demolition grant for $1500.  
A motion was made by Zewiske, seconded by Buss, that this LEDA  
Business be approved. The motion carried by the following vote:  
Baustian, DeBates, Zewiske, and Buss  
Aye:  
F.  
ADJOURNMENT  
A motion was made by Buss, seconded by DeBates, that this meeting be adjourned.  
The motion carried by the following vote:  
Baustian, DeBates, Zewiske, and Buss  
Aye:  
G.  
SIGNATURES  
_____________________________  
Patrick T. Baustian, President  
____________________________  
Holly J. Sammons, EDA Director