Hvistendahl's Involvement with Waterford Township Annexation Issues

David Hvistendahl was mentioned in yesterday's on-line version of the Northfield News, in an article titled "City Will Review its Annexing Policy." The City of Northfield is considering modifying its ordinance, which currently requires landowners to obtain permission from their township before asking Northfield for annexation. Click here for the Northfield News article regarding the proposed ordinance modification. The city ordinance conflicts with state law, which preempts the city ordinance.

David was also mentioned in an earlier article in the Northfield News, titled "No man's land: A problem property." The article shows how the long-standing Waterford/Northfield annexation issue has a pragmatic effect on landowners; in this instance, property owner Eugene Sitzmann cannot develop his commercial property located in Waterford Township. Undeveloped, the property is an eyesore to the community, and a burden to Sitzmann.

Photo of Sitzmann property, courtesy of the Northfield News

Sitzmann therefore will be requesting annexation into Northfield. A 1980 annexation agreement between Waterford Township and the City of Northfield provides that no more land would be annexed into Northfield without both township and city approval. The terms of the annexation agreement were perpetual, which is also contrary to state law.

David Hvistendahl is no stranger to the realm of annexation. He's been a long-term proponent of annexation as a tool for sustainable economic growth. David has spoken at planning commission meetings. In fact, when he ran for mayor of Northfield, a key tenent of David's platform was to urge the city to pursue an aggressive policy of annexation to the north and west to accommodate commercial and industrial growth.

Hvistendahl Named to Safety Center Task Force

David Hvistendahl has been named as one of 11 local citizens to sit on the Safety Center Task Force. David has been a long-term proponent of updating and expanding Northfield's Safety Center; when he announced his for Mayor in April 2008, he proclaimed "[t]he highest priority should be given to building a new police/fire complex." The Task Force has been asked to make recommendations regarding the building's size, preferred location, and methods of financing.

The Task Force may also recommend how the city could use the current Safety Center. Currently, the Safety Center is located at the corner of Highway 3 and 5th Street in Northfield, and houses the Northfield Police Department and the Northfield Fire Department.

The building was built in the early 1970s, and is now widely believed to be too small and outdated to serve today's public safety needs.