Muenster Village Council was joined by local developers Ralph and Josh Hinz, community members and an engineering consultant to talk about the process of annexing a parcel of land for development in the community’s northwest corner. The land is currently owned by Ralph Hinz, and the intent is to develop approximately seven residential lots and available commercial space. The meeting was to allow the public the opportunity to inquire and give feedback about the proposed annexation. Ralph and Josh Hinz answered questions on their plans for the development. 

For the parcel to be incorporated into the village limits, council needs to publicly advertise the intent for two weeks and allow for a four-week response period before applying to Community Planning, Land Use and Development.  

The current proposal looks to develop lots north of the existing residential perimeter along Taphorn Street. If approved, the residences would be connected by extensions to 1st and 2nd Avenues in a crescent styled roadway. Carolyn Wright, consulting engineer from Catterall and Wright, joined online to provide information about the necessary ground cover to provide for water and sewer line installation and to support adequate drainage.  

If the development proceeds, the possibility to amend drainage along Taphorn Street exists to ameliorate some water pooling issues in the area. By providing additional drainage ditching and altering the slope of the land, more efficient drainage could be integrated into the plan.  

Council also noted that costs of providing infrastructure such as water, sewer and other utilities would fall to the developers. Council members estimated that lagoon and water pumphouse capacities would be sufficient to support the development, but if changes were necessary, the parties could enter into a service fee agreement.  

“The village is always excited with an opportunity to expand,” said Councillor Jim Wassermann, “And the developers, the Hinzes, are expressing a lot of interest in cooperating and doing what’s good for the village as well as for them. We’re quite supportive of what we’re hearing so far.” 

Given the current and projected demand for housing in the area, with continued mining and industrial developments, it’s a win-win for Ralph Hinz. 

“With more people settling into town, and hopefully with younger families, the school is going to benefit. With the Co-op Store, if more people are living here, they’ll shop there, so it’ll keep the Co-op going and maybe lead to a bigger Co-op Store. It’s more taxes for the town and better road systems.” 

Hinz cited estimates of the need for around 600 additional houses in the area, and he and his son, Josh, are hoping to be a small part of that growth. The plan is to develop two initial residential lots for their own use and continue with the remainder of the development in the months to come.