Baldwin Township is a small but growing community in central Minnesota that maintains a “rural identity” with just over 7,000 residents, according to its website.
It's also home to decades of debate over boundaries, growth, sewers and taxes. Baldwin Township is seeking to urbanize amid concerns that it would otherwise lose a third of its land to neighboring Princeton.
Officials on both sides of the border accused other countries of misinformation. Princeton city officials have said the city has no intention of annexing town land, but Baldwin officials have accused the city in court of secret efforts to do so. Meanwhile, Princeton city officials are accusing Baldwin Township officials of misleading residents about the true impact of annexation or incorporation as an independent city.
Jay Swanson, director of the Baldwin Township Board of Commissioners, said that by making the township its own city, residents can enjoy a lifestyle of homes built on acres, open nature and few neighbors in sight. He said he could protect the
“They want the rural character to be maintained,” Swanson said.
But Princeton Mayor Tom Walker questioned this. He said Baldwin's reliance on septic tanks poses a threat to the city's groundwater supply. Walker said property owners in the annexed area can expect to see increased property values because Princeton allows higher density buildings and has a sewer system in place.
“We believe this is a legitimate place to end the city's boundaries,” Walker said of the land the city might acquire.
The City of Princeton has annexed land in several townships in the past, but these were small parcels and the changes were requested by property owners. In 2021, the city is considering a larger annexation proposal, and at that meeting, Walker said, “If Baldwin Township really wanted to become Baldwin City, we would have all the businesses right in front of us. They wouldn't have parked there. They're there because it's cheap and they want a connection to the city of Princeton.”
An administrative law judge has asked Baldwin Township to incorporate as a city, and is considering what its boundaries should be.
The public comment period ends at the end of March, and cities and towns must submit final comments by April 19, and a decision must be made within 90 days, said Administrative Hearings spokeswoman Kendra Schmidt. It is said that there is.
Baldwin or Princeton?
Swanson said Baldwin Township has had annexation discussions and concerns about annexation during his 15 years as town board supervisor.
Swanson said annexation fears have a real impact on the town. Losing a third of the town and the revenue that comes with it could make it difficult to repay the loan. The area in question includes Baldwin's business district and local parks, as well as an area of about 900 homes and 2,500 people.
Baldwin Fire Chief and Town Board Supervisor Scott Case said annexation would shrink the town's tax base and hurt services.
“All taxes that are based on the township-wide budget will go to the city of Princeton,” Case said, adding that township residents will pay higher property taxes once they become part of Princeton. He also pointed out that there is a possibility.
Meanwhile, Princeton's move to bring more land into the city is motivated by efforts to increase development opportunities and reduce risks associated with Baldwin Township's septic tanks, the mayor said. .
Walker said Baldwin's rural design prevents development near the city's southern border because property owners can't build high-density buildings like apartments.
Reliance on local septic tanks is also a concern to Princeton city officials, who fear leaks could affect the city's groundwater supply. Walker said if the city were to absorb a portion of Baldwin Township, properties currently using septic tanks would be added to Princeton's sewer system “on an as-requested, as-needed basis.” .
While Walker agrees that residents could experience an increase in taxes, he added that Baldwin residents should also expect an increase in taxes if the town becomes its own city. Ta.
Princeton Executive Michelle McPherson said that to comply with state law, cities must provide more services than townships in areas such as snow removal and street maintenance, increasing the burden on residents.
Elizabeth Weffel, an attorney with the firm Flaherty & Hood and an annexation lobbyist for the Minnesota Association of Cities, said judges are weighing the city's request to incorporate as a city while considering the expected housing available in the township. He said he would consider growth. Other factors such as environmental risks, sewerage services, land use objectives and local government structure will also influence decisions, Wefel added.
Baldwin Township officials argue that Princeton misled the public about its goals for annexation by seeking annexation in court and publicly saying it had no plans to annex.
“Why are we playing games here? I really don’t understand what’s going on,” said Swanson, the town commissioner.
Meanwhile, Princeton's mayor said town officials are stirring up concerns.
”[Residents] These concerns wouldn't exist if the Baldwin District Supervisors hadn't sent the letter and made false claims about what would happen if they were part of the city, Walker said.
Case, who lives in the area that could be annexed, said she just hopes the judge will uphold keeping the Princeton-Baldwin border as is.
“Part of what drives us is the fact that we feel the Baldwin sense of community,” Case said. “I would like [Baldwin to incorporate], but that's up to the administrative law judge, and we're putting our trust in her hands. ”
Jack O'Connor is a student reporter at the University of Minnesota on assignment for the Star Tribune.
