02-07-1957 PCM cHUTCHINSON PLANNING COMMISSION
7 February 1957
The Hon. Mayor, Harold R. Popp, called a Special Meeting of the Hutchinson
Planning Commission for Thursday evening, February 7, 1957, at 6:00 P.M.
Promptly at 6:00 P.M., we were served a dinner in the lunchroom of the new
addition of the elementary school. This lunch was arranged for and paid for by
Wallace Reyerson; so, Wally, we say, "Thank you so much for your thoughtfulness and
for your generousity!"
The following were present: Representing the City of Hutchinson - Hon. Mayor
Harold R. Popp, Elmer Nelson, Joe Youmans, Irvin Burich, Elmer Jensen; Representing
the School Board - H.R. Kurth, E.W. Lippmann, Donald Dobratz, Donald Comer, Mrs. Ethne
Stearns, Milton Altmeyer, and S.R. Knutson; Representing the Light & Power Commission -
Dr. Ross Sheppard, Dr. A.J. Thompson, R.W. Dahl, Ralph Young; Representing the Civic &
Commerce - Marvin Menth and Wallace Kurth; Representing the Junior Chamber of Commerce -
Eugene Henke, Dr. Carl Bretzke; and Wallace Reyerson representing the City and the
Planning Commission at large.
Absent: Donald Falconer, Alderman.
Following the dinner, we assembled in the new visual education room where the
Chairman, Mayor Harold R. Popp, called the formal meeting to order at 6:30 P.M. with a
few basic remarks, reviewing for those assembled the history of the Hutchinson Planning
Commission and pointing out the activities that we have participated in during the past.
Mayor Popp pointed out that we were called this evening very basically to
discuss problems that are common to all governmental agencies in the City of Hutchinson;
in fact, problems that will affect every citizen in Hutchinson.
Mayor Popp then asked Wallace Reyerson to outline for us specifically our
immediate problem here at Hutchinson.
Wallace Reyerson pointed out that Hutchinson, like every other city, has a
definite personality or climate with which it is identified. It is tremendously import-
ant that we recognize that and that we keep this favorable personality or climate. He
mentioned that like a large family, if problems arise, it is well to have the entire
family sitting in, listening to, and assisting to solve this problem. In like manner,
it is important that we conduct our city affairs.
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Mr. Reyerson pointed out that Hutchinson is basically a conservative town.
Our past and present history proves beyond any question of a doubt that this has been
a good characteristic of this community. He pointed out that it is just absolutely
impossible that a town can spend itself rich any more than an individual can spend
oneself rich.
Mr. Reyerson pointed out that Hutchinson has been blessed during the past
and at present with the Light & Power Commission and has produced a very unusually
productive addition and effective light plant - - one that has produced for the City
great monetary wealth.
Mr. Reyerson then pointed out that we have had a School Board during the
past and present that has done an excellent job of very good continuous planning.
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They have known definitely where they were and they have planned well ahead so they
know where they are going. In other words, they are never caught short.,
The City Council, Mr. Reyerson said, has done an excellent job which we cant\
observe thru wonderful growth in industry and business. It is significant, he said,
to observe how reliable industry and business are almost daily looking to Hutchinson
as a city in which they might wish to come because of the excellent planning of the �-
City Council. r�
Mr. Reyerson next pointed out how approximately eighteen months ago, officials �t
of the M&StL Railroad had come to him, in all confidence, looking about for possible
areas of expansion in Hutchinson. Thru 10allace Reyerson's direction, they were urged
to consider a tract of land, of approximately 99 acres, immediately east of Hutchhinsonn
which they later authorized Mr. Reyerson to bid on, and if possible, to purchase thru�i Qr
third party. This property, Mr. Reyerson pointed out, is now the property of the M&StL
and it is for industrial developement, not for farming.
Mr. Reyerson pointed out that now we have a tremendously important immediate
problem. It is this: HOW ARE WE GOING TO YORK WITH M&StL AND OTHER BUSINESSES AND
INDUSTRIES THAT MIGHT WISH TO COME TO HUTCHINSON SO AS TO KEEP A BALANCE OF GROWTH
IN THIS CITY? He pointed out that any growth of business and industry requires growth
id housing. It is absolutely imperative that this housing growth be watched, encouraged,
and kept in balance.
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He indicated that with Minnesota Mining & Mfg. Co. who are now so well
established, and it is a mutually happy experience, we should do absolutely nothing
that might disturb this happy experience that now exists in Hutchinson.
Mr. Reyerson then asked the question, "SHALL THIS NEW AREA BE ANNEXED? IF S02
HOW ABOUT LIGHT, POWER, WATER, SCHOOLS?" Mr. Reyerson pointed out that in his opinion,
it is extremely important that we be extremely selective so that we get absolutely the
right kind of business and industrial growth, the right kind of housing growth - - all
must be coordinated so as to keep a desirable climate or atmosphere and the right balance
in this fine city at all times.
It was then pointed out that the M&StL is planning to furnish trackage to 3M
and to the southeast section of the City of Hutchinson.
Mr. Reyerson suggested that it might be well for this body or some other agency
of this City to have a booth at the County Fair in which a reliable survey might be made
of labor supply in Hutchinson and in the immediate area so that this information might
be available to any one who wishes to come to Hutchinson to develop business, industry,
and housing.
In conclusion, Mr. Reyerson recommended that the officials of the M&StL meet
with the Hutchinson Planning Commission or a committee of the Hutchinson Planning Com-
mission at a date that might be mutually agreed upon so as to develop a continuous mutual
planning program.
Mayor Popp reminded us that this meeting might be considered an unofficial
meeting; that this might be considered a meeting in which we should discuss our present
problem, and that from this meeting might come some directions for future thinking and
planning.
Mayor Popp now called on H.R. Kurth, President of the Board of Education.
Mr. Kurth pointed out how the Hutchinson Board of Education had constantly
attempted to do planning which was forward-looking, one that would keep pace with their
growth, so that the boys and girls would never need to suffer. He pointed out that even
to the present, we are moving ahead on schedule.
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He said it should be obvious that we are still keeping pace for we now have
our new school site of 42 -acres. We hope that very soon - in fact on the 26th of Feb-
ruary - we will be able to accept bids which will provide for developement of this area
for physical education and athletics for at this time we are to open our new bids for
grading and site developement.
He pointed out that we are already well along with our planning of our new
Junior -Senior High School which will be placed on this site. He felt no later than
1965 and much sooner if need be, depending upon the growth picture and on re -organization
in this area.
Mr. Kurth, who is a member of the State Advisory Commission on School Re -organ-
ization, had just returned from a meeting of this State Advisory Commission Board at noon.
He pointed out how the general trend throughout the State is for the smaller, rural
schools to close and to join with a larger district, one where a more complete program
is provided. He pointed out how here in Hutchinson we have had several meetings with the
rural school boards, attempting to keep them informed on our thinking and the trends.
Mr. Kurth pointed out how in many areas in the State of Minnesota today in
the'smaller villages and towns where business and industry is moving out, the student
growth picture is one that is decreasing. He said here at Hutchinson it is exactly the
opposite. Here we are showing good growth and we have a corresponding growth in student
enrollment. He pointed out that the Board of Education is attempting to keep in mind
the importance of good timing, both as far as school re -organization, school building
and developement are concerned. He said he was certain that the Board will continue to
be very sensitive about these matters.
Mr. Kurth then pointed out that is practically daily contacts with people who
wish to come to Hutchinson, he recognized that possibly the most critical thing in Hutch-
inson at the present time was HOUSING - - the type of housing that people can afford.
Mr. Kurth pointed out how the Board of Education has increased the tuition charges to
non-resident students so as to take care of the entire maintenance costs plus the total
capital outlay costs. He also pointed out that the legislature is now in session and
one does not know exactly how this picture may change during this legislative session.
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However, as soon as the session is over, we will be better able to plan what we ought to
do about re -organization in Hutchinson. Something should be done to eliminate some of
these smaller schools but we should like to do so in a way in which we can keep that
same friendly climate atmosphere that we have in our entire shopping area.
Mayor Popp now called on Dr. Ross Sheppard, Chairman of the Light 41% Power
Commission. Dr. Sheppard pointed out how they are having "growing pains" but he said
they are very painful growth pains because they are coming on so rapidly.
Dr. Sheppard pointed out that presently they have 125,000 dollar expansion
program going, indicating that 3M is growing so fast that we will soon be very short of
power. 141e will need more power next year and he said, "Don't worry! The Commission
is doing something about it!"
Dr. Thompson arose to ask a question as follows: "DOES THIS NE41 PROPERTY OF
THE M&StL JOIN US SO THAT IT COULD BE ANNEXED?" The answer was "YES, ABOUT THREE BLOCKS
OF IT IS CONTIGUOUS V-1ITH THE CITY LIMITS AND HENCE COULD BE ANNEXED. THE PLANNING IN
THIS AREA IS SO LIMITED FOR IT IS ONLY SINCE THE 16th OF JANUARY."
Dr. Thompson pointed out that for forty years or more Hutchinson as a city
has had a very unique and wonderful slogan. This slogan he said of late has been lost
on the lips of the citizens of Hutchinson. Dr. Thompson suggested that we begin to use
our slogan and teach it to all. The slogan is: "HUTCHINSON . . . THE CITY OF MINE o& THINE"
Mayor Popp now reported for the City as follows. He indicated that the City
has during the past attempted and is at present attempting to keep abreast of Hutchinson's
growth by providing good planning at all times. He pointed out that the "growing pains"
we now have are as the direct result of past and present good planning and administration.
He indicated how Hutchinson has been very selective during the past and currently about
business. They have not and should not encourage industry to come to Hutchinson too
rapidly. Right now, he said, it may take two years to catch up on the necessary home
construction in the city.
Mayor Popp said that the City has hired special engineers who are planning for
the City a ten-year water developement program which covers everything from the city well
to the sewer. Plans of the city now are to employ special engineers to study storm sewer
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system and to make recommendations to the City. They are planning new areas that may
be annexed such as streets, playgrounds, etc. The City is continuing on their policy
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of pay-as-you-go basis and he said, by all means, we are going to continue to do this,
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except - let us put it this way - let us pay as you go and grov.., ! ! ?
Don Comer then asked certain questions about perimeter planning to which the
Mayor reported that two years ago the City started in earnest with this type of planning
but it bogged down because of city engineering problems.
Mr. Popp pointed out that problems have come upon us extremely suddenly;
however, we must grow orderly. He listed the problems that are before the City in the
order of their importance right now. 1. 17ater Problem 2. Storm Sewer Problem.
3. Perimeter Planning - - where they expect to employ engineers and architects to make
plans and drawings of the entire perimeter area.
Don Comer asked if there was any opposition whatsoever to the developement
of our new school site area and to the placement of our new Junior -Senior High School
Building on this new area. No opposition was indicated whatsoever.
Dr. Thompson asked the question: "W'OULD IT BE PROPER TO ZONE ALL AREAS THAT
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ARE BEING ANNEXED?" The answer was: "YES, IT IS ENTIRELY PROPER AND MUST BE DONE."
Irvin Burich asanswered furtner that the City of Hutchinson is authorized by
law to plan the developement of an area one and one-half miles in the perimeter. This
law he said has not been too well tested but into this planning should be brought the
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thinking of the County Board.
Donald Comer then raised the question: "Ha`l CAN THE M(.StL OFFICIALS BEST BE
CONTACTED AND BROUGHT INTO OUR PICTURE OF PLANNING?" Harold Popp then asked if anyone
wished to reply to this question. !";allace Reyerson suggested that it should be left up
to this Planning Commission to determine how best to proceed. Elmer Jensen suggested
that the officials of the M£,StL be contacted and call a meeting which meets with their
approval. Marvin Menth of the Civic & Commerce suggested that he was certain that the
1,ivic & Commerce would be willing to cooperate whenever called upon. Eugene Henke of
the Junior Chamber of Commerce assured us that the Junior Chamber were anxious and willing
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to cooperate. Mr. Henke felt however that a larger group should be called in. Mayor
Popp then said that a larger group often becomes too large and suggested that possibly
a smaller group should be appointed to meet with the officials and that this small com-
mittee should report back to a larger Commission.
Wallace Reyerson then reported that the officials `of the MCStL are very
anxious to meet with people of Hutchinson and to plan well to make good mutual growth
and understanding .
Dr. Thompson moved that the Committee be composed of the president and secretary
of each group or body represented at this current Planning Commission meeting and
Attorneys Elmer Jensen and Wallace Reyerson. This committee has power to act and {'
is to report back to the Commission at a special meeting which is to be held with the
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officials of the M&StL. This motion was seconded by Eimer Jensen. All members voted
"yes". His Honor, Mayor Popp, was ordered to serve as spokesman for this smaller com-
mittee. He is to take the initiative for arranging for a meeting as soon as possible.
It was moved by Dr. E.11. Lippmann, seconded by Eugene Henke, to adjourn.
Motion prevailed. Meeting adjourned at 8:10 P.M.
S. R. KNUTSOH, Recording Secretary
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