29^th Avenue/East Side Corridor

Steele County Open House at City Hall December 11 

This week, Steele County reported the Environmental Assessment Worksheet (EAW) for the 29th Avenue/East Side Corridor Project is now available for public review. The proposed project includes constructing a new north-south, two-lane county highway (29th Avenue) extending from SE 18th Street in Owatonna Township to Kenyon Road in Clinton Falls Township. Improvements include realigning a railroad crossing and intersection and adding Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) elements, intersection control, stormwater treatment and pedestrian and bicyclist trails. The plan includes reconstructing County State Aid Highway 34 (26th Street NE) from the new 29th Avenue to Kenyon Road/NE 24th Avenue in Owatonna including building a trail, making the roadway three lanes and making intersection improvements.

Find out more

The EAW, which assesses the potential environmental impacts of the project, can be viewed online at (www.eastsidecorridor.com) or in person during business hours at the following locations in Owatonna:

• Steele County Public Works Facility, 3000 Hoffman Drive NW
• Owatonna City Hall, 540 West Hills Circle
• Owatonna Public Library, 105 North Elm Avenue

Provide comments

The public comment period is November 18 through December 31. This is an important step in the environmental review process that helps inform project decisions. Comments may be submitted online or by mail to the Steele County Public Works Facility, 3000 Hoffman Drive NW, Owatonna, MN 55060.

Attend the open house

An in-person Open House will be December 11 at Owatonna’s City Hall in the Council Chambers from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Project information will be displayed and attendees can ask questions and provide comments. 

All other inquiries may be directed to info@eastsidecorridor.com.

2026 Proposed Budget & Levy

The December 18 City Council Study Session included an update on the development of the City’s 2026 budget. The City of Owatonna’s 2026 preliminary budget and levy were approved September 16 with a 13 percent increase over last year. Owatonna property owners received 2026 proposed tax statements this month from Steele County reflecting this increase.

Between now and the end of December, adjustments can be made to lower the levy; however, it cannot be increased from the amount that was certified to the County in September. City staff will continue refining the 2026 budget and levy to prepare to present it at the City’s annual Truth in Taxation Hearing December 2 at 6 p.m. which will include a summary of the 2026 budget and provide an opportunity for the public to provide input on the proposed budget. The City Council will be asked to approve a final budget and levy in its December 16 meeting.

Property taxes are formulated based on many variables including shifting market values. The percent increase in a City’s levy may not equal the same increase in property taxes. Additional information about how the City’s portion of taxes are calculated, property owner impacts and the City’s interactive budget documents are available at Owatonna.gov.

City Council Receives Update on Planning for New Police and Fire Facilities

At its November 18 Study Session, the Owatonna City Council received an update on the design process for two major public safety projects: a new fire station and a new police department building. These facilities are crucial to meeting Owatonna's growing need for fast and reliable emergency response services.

The City’s current public safety buildings have served the community well, but are now outdated, undersized and in need of costly repairs. The Law Enforcement Center (LEC), originally constructed in 1968 as a commercial bank, lacks secure areas, evidence processing space and adequate room for training. The fire station, built in 1906, can no longer accommodate modern equipment or provide appropriate space for firefighter training and decontamination.

Public safety is a core responsibility of city government. Coordinating the construction of both a new fire station and a new police department at the same time will help the City use its resources efficiently and minimize disruption. Phasing or delaying these improvements would increase costs as labor and materials continue to rise, and it would leave Owatonna with outdated public safety facilities at a time when the community is growing.

After a thorough 18-month assessment, the City is moving forward with new buildings for the police and fire departments on two City-owned sites:

• The existing LEC site for the future fire station
• The West Hills Campus for the new police department

Design work is underway, and the City anticipates seeking construction bids in the spring or summer of 2026. The current estimated project cost is $61 million, with funding options now under review. These modern facilities will provide safer and more efficient environments for first responders, helping to maintain a strong emergency response across the community. For additional information about the City’s Long Range Asset Plan, please visit owatonng.gov/lrap.

Public Input Shaping Land Use Regulations

 City staff thanks the 400-plus community members who completed the land use regulations survey in October! Most of the respondents live in Owatonna and over half of them also work in Owatonna. More detailed survey results will be shared early next year. In the meantime, here is a summary of the main areas where there was consensus in the survey responses: 

• Over half of the respondents support allowing Accessory Dwelling Units such as tiny homes and granny flats in residential districts.
• Over 60 percent of respondents support allowing three-car garages and driveways.
• Three-fourths of respondents are okay with converted shipping containers being used as storage in residential areas if they have some level of aesthetic improvements.
• Most respondents support home-based businesses as long as there are noise limits or restrictions.
• In the downtown area, the most desired uses are restaurants mixed in with offices, housing above retail and a civic plaza.

City staff is using this information to update and revise the uses and development or design standards for each zoning district. The next step is to update the zoning map.

What is a zoning map?

A zoning map shows what uses are allowed in what locations in city limits and states: 

• What goes where - different colors show areas for homes, businesses, commercial uses, parks and more.
• Special areas - identifies places using hatches where districts have extra rules such as flood zones
• Rules for building - based on the color on the map, zoning districts are identified along with the uses allowed within it, the required standards of development and process for approvals and permits

Ways to be involved

Check out this Interactive Zoning Map - Owatonna to learn more about the proposed zoning districts and provide feedback on where different types of uses should be allowed. The results will be used to update the Owatonna’s zoning and subdivision ordinances to meet current needs and make the code easier to use. Visit the project website to learn more about the process and other ways to be involved.

Learn the Sounds of Fire Safety

Carbon Monoxide Alarms

Is there a beep or a chirp coming from a carbon monoxide (CO) alarm, what does it mean? Knowing the difference can save lives and property. Make sure all family members understand the sounds and know how to respond.

What the beeps and chirps of a CO alarm mean:

• A continuous set of four loud beeps (beep, beep, beep, beep) means carbon monoxide is present in the home. Go outside, call 911 and stay out.
• A single chirp every 30 or 60 seconds means the battery is low and must be replaced. Even alarms that are plugged in have a battery back-up which needs replacing.
• Chirping that continues after the battery has been replaced means the alarm is at the end of its life and it must be replaced. Don’t remember how old the CO alarm is? Replace it! CO alarms should be replaced every seven years.

Helpful Links

Stay Informed

• Events: Access calendars to view upcoming events.

• City News Releases: View news releases published by the City of Owatonna.

• Newsletters: The City of Owatonna publishes a weekly newsletter called Owatonna Update. Current and past newsletters are available here.

• Social Media: Stay connected with the City of Owatonna by following these social media sites.

• Spotlight Videos: Videos produced by the City of Owatonna.

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