The Babbitt city council breezed through a light agenda Tuesday night.
The council discussed an agreement with the Iron Range Partnership for Sustainability, which is overseeing a greenhouse project.
Sara Powell clarified a question over whether the PUC allows wells in town.
“I believe that there was a little bit of a rumor going around about the wells, and it sounds like just the difference would be that it’s an irrigation well,” said Powell. “I think there was clarification that we don’t do drilled wells for drinking water anymore, but we do allow for interrogation wells.”
The council then approved the agreement for the property at 103 Central Boulevard.
Council and planning commission member Jim Lassi brought forth recommendations for rezoning.
The first was for a request from Rich Evenstad to rezone a parcel from conservancy to R2, single-family residential.
The 26.65-acre parcel is on the southeast side of Babbitt near Elm Boulevard.
“Richie will be working with the zoning officer to develop the particulars to go through a lot of a lot of regulations and a lot of stuff,” said Lassi.
Evenstad said if the city water and sewer were extended, there could be 20 houses developed.
“The biggest stuff is just to have it rezoned, so I can move forward to find out what can come,” said Evenstad.
“It’s just step one and what’s going to be a very long process,” said Lassi.
The council approved the change. The second parcel was the 6.45 acres the city rezoned to light industrial, and will now go back to the conservancy district. Lassi said the plan for a dog park has been abandoned for that area.
Selling a 2.75 acre parcel was also discussed. Lassi said the recommendation from the planning commission was not to sell at this time.
“We heard Gary (Kurpius) proposed a couple different things. Richie proposed some interest in it at one time. But after discussion, we thought, let’s just hang on to it for now,” said Lassi.
The motion to turn down offers to sell the parcels was passed on a 3-2 vote with Joe White, John Fitzpatrick and Lassi voting in favor, Mayor Andrea Zupancich and Duane Lossing voted no.
In other business the council:
• Tabled a discussion on an information technology agreement with Roger’s Online.
• Reinstated ambulance employee Rebecca Littler from a leave of absence pending onboarding.
• Received an update on Green Mining looking to purchase land from the city south of the golf course. Lassi said the wetland delineation has been completed and the land is suitable for building.
