City considers leasing 30 acres of Government Center property

Talk about it

A proposal for the city of Hudson to lease land from the county didn’t make it out of the Finance Committee Monday night.

Committee member Rich Vanselow raised the strongest objections to paying St. Croix County $4,000 a year for the right to use 30 acres of Government Center property for “passive non-motorized recreation” and “trails.”

“I don’t know what sense that makes since the taxpayers are paying for it anyway,” Vanselow said.

“I like the idea,” he said later in the discussion. “I just don’t like paying the $4,000.”

At the end of the discussion, the committee voted 2-1 to have Community Development Director Dennis Darnold approach the county about allowing the city to use the land for $1 a year. In return, the city would maintain the unpaved trails on the property.

Committee member Lori Bernard voted with Vanselow in approving the motion. It was opposed by Mayor Alan Burchill. Finance Committee member Randy Morrissette II was absent from the meeting.

The property in question lies between the St. Croix County Government Center on Carmichael Road and the back yards of residences along Grandview Drive. It is north of St. Croix Valley YMCA.

An issue sheet submitted by Darnold said county officials approached the city in January inquiring about whether the city was interested leasing the property.

The county has the property posted against trespassing. It lies south of a paved pedestrian and bicycle trail between Grandview Drive and Carmichael Road that is maintained by the city.

Burchill hinted that the property might be used for things in addition to hiking, such as a dog park or “throwing a Frisbee.”

A group of city and area residents have been pushing for the establishment of a disc golf course in Hudson.

Burchill didn’t say whether there was a connection between their effort and the proposal to lease the county land.

Tags: news, government, hudson