Westbrooke Patio Homes Phase II (Housing Improvement Area Fee)
Overview
The City of Hopkins has the authority to establish housing improvement areas under 1994 Minnesota Laws, Chapter 587, Article 9, Section 22 through 31.
Within a housing improvement area, the City can sell bonds to pay for various improvements to individual housing units and common areas. Those bonds are then repaid through fees imposed on the owners of the units.
What is the history of the Westbrooke Patio Homes Housing Improvement Area?
In 1997, the City of Hopkins created a Housing Improvement Area for the Westbrooke Patio Homes and financed a $2.3 million improvement project. This project, considered phase I of a two-phase capitol improvement project, involved redesigning and replacing the roofs, insulating and constructing draft stops in the attics (see information sheet on Phase I for more information).
In November 1998, the Westbrooke Patio Homes association members voted on the phase II improvement program and in December submitted the required petitions to hold a public hearing regarding setting fees for the project. Petitions were signed by more than 37 percent of the owners.
The City of Hopkins held the necessary public hearings and approved the housing improvement area and fees. Owners were then given the opportunity to veto the imposition of the fees. This did not happen and the phase II fees went into effect on April 2, 1999.
What are the improvements financed through Housing Improvement Area No. 2 - Phase II?
The improvements financed through Housing Improvement Area No. 2 - Phase II include the following:
- Street and drive replacement
- Curb, gutter and concrete
- Drainage and utility work, retaining wall replacement
- Landscaping repairs and corrections
- Reside building exteriors
- Fencing, including privacy and patio fences, deck railings
- Replace gas meter bollards
- Furnace duct chasing modifications
How are the fees paid?
Owners were given from April 5, 1999 to July 3, 1999 to prepay a portion (25% minimum) or the entire $9,954 fee. If an owner chose not to prepay the entire fee, payment of the fee must then be made twice annually for the 20-year term of the district. The payment is made through a fee on an owner's property tax statement (including interest and associated financing costs) beginning with property taxes payable in 2000. The interest rate is 7.56%.
Important: If the fee was not prepaid, the balance cannot be paid off at any time during the 20-year term of the district. If the property is sold, the new owner must assume the fee as part of the property taxes. This fee is not a special assessment.
Who can I contact for more information?
For more information, including the outstanding annual fee on a particular unit, you may contact:
Housing & Development Coordinator
952-548-6343