Highland Hills Housing Development

The city currently owns six parcels of land totaling approximately 65 acres behind the Highland Park neighborhood and desires to develop this area into a new residential neighborhood with a park. About 34 acres of land there could be developed into single-family housing (after removing the areas that are not buildable due to steep grades, the land required for the park, and the area to accommodate roads, ponds, and utility easements).

This area, being referred to as Highland Hills, is one of the last large vacant areas served by public and private utilities. The area is partially occupied by a city park and walking trails and is largely undeveloped.

Strategic Initiative

City of Hibbing and HRA of Hibbing began collaborating in the Fall of 2022 on various housing projects: 

  • Comprehensive Housing Needs Analysis
  • Local Housing Trust Fund Ordinance and Land Trust research
  • Rental licensing/registration research

City Council undertook a Strategic Planning Initiative in April 2023, which outlined the following values and goals for housing: 

  • Core Strategy #2: Well-rounded, Strong Quality of Life - Quality housing stock that is affordable and accessible
  • Core Strategy #5: Safe, Secure, and Valued Community - Everyone feels they are an integral and involved part of the community, Safe place to live and raise a family

A Comprehensive Housing Needs Analysis was completed and presented to the HRA of Hibbing Board of Commissioners on Nov. 29, 2023, the City Council on Dec. 20, 2023, and the Planning Commission on Feb. 26, 2024. This analysis identified several factors for the need for additional housing units and preservation of current housing units, including demand for more than1,200 new housing units through 2035, equally divided between general-occupancy housing (48%) and age-restricted senior housing (52%).

In December of 2023, the Parks and Trails Master Plan was presented to City Council highlighting a few key points, including the need for a reduction in the number of parks or reduced overall acreage of the parks.

Thus, the city has been actively reviewing city-owned property for residential development. This includes a legal review of the title and property, as well as a phase I/II ESA, survey work and the like to get parcels shovel ready. Certain sites will require additional evaluation or remediation prior to any new residential development, which means the city council is prioritizing sites that are easier to develop and than working on the parcels that require the additional work. 

According to the deed, development restrictions include:

  • only single-family detached homes are permitted
  • the development must include at least an 8-acre contiguous city park
  • motorized vehicles are prohibited from using any trails on the property

Project Timeline:

For questions or more information on the project, email Community Development Director Betsy Olivanti at betsyolivanti@hibbingmn.gov 

Highland Hills map