City Detail

Hugo City Code contains a Heritage Preservation ordinance which requires that an inventory and analysis of any significant historic site be performed prior to any excavation, fill, or construction that may affect its historic value. City Code also establishes a Historical Preservation Commission, which collects and distributes information, artifacts or materials which promote the education, awareness and enrichment of citizens and visitors concerning historical matters, and makes recommendations to City Council regarding the history of the city. Currently, the Commission and City Council are supporting an effort to preserve and restore historic Hopkins Schoolhouse to a heritage center and meeting space.

The City of Hugo’s 2040 Comprehensive Plan was approved by the Met Council in 2019. Community open houses and other outreach efforts were key in the development of the 2040 Comp Plan. The plan includes a Resiliency Plan (Ch. 7), as well as plans for Comprehensive Water Resource Supply and Distribution (Ch. 9) and Comprehensive Water Resource Management (Ch. 10) which highlight the City’s goal of water conservation. The Parks Trails and Open Space Plan (Ch. 6) and Transportation Plan (Ch. 8) discuss expansion and improvement of bike-ped infrastructure; community feedback revealed that citizens place high value on the existing trail system and want to see it expanded. Guiding principles of the Land Use Plan (Ch. 3) include: maintaining a diversity of land uses that allows for urban development while preserving rural and agricultural lands; supporting the development of a land use plan that responds to regional growth strategies while maintaining the character and vision of the community; and encouraging environmentally-friendly development in all areas to promote a sustainable land use pattern. Community Background (Ch. 2) includes a community history and heritage section which includes history on the Dakota community that historically inhabited the community now known as Hugo.

Hugo City Code references the Comprehensive Plan in multiple locations. For example, compatibility with the Comprehensive Plan is required for land division and platting (90-323), zoning amendments (90-40), park dedication (90-324), variances (90-38, and conditional and interim use permits (90-37 & 90-37.1).

In 2007, the City of Hugo developed a Downtown Plan & Design Guidelines, which shares many of the guiding principles of the MN Model Ordinances for Sustainable Development’s Town Center District Model. The Downtown Plan dictates that new development shall provide for pedestrian as well as vehicular circulation, and auto-dominated commercial development is discouraged. Architectural design of new development in the downtown area is guided to respect existing historical buildings and seek compatibility with downtown Hugo’s character. Key principles of the Downtown Plan include preserving and celebrating Hugo’s small-town character, enhancing the public realm and expanding civic space, maintaining a pedestrian-oriented downtown, and drawing unique small businesses which support downtown neighborhoods. Horizontal mixed use is permitted in the central business district, and the 2040 Comprehensive Plan notes that mixed use is desirable in the downtown area.

The City of Hugo is a local leader in stormwater reuse. The City has facilitated 10 projects in which stormwater is stored and reused for irrigation on public (see BP 18.5) and private land. For example, in 2021 the City partnered with the Water’s Edge Homeowners Association to connect the development’s existing irrigation system to a nearby stormwater pond. Educational signage at the Water’s Edge stormwater pond and other project sites informs citizens on how stormwater reuse serves the community. Additionally, public facilities such as City Hall and Hanifl Shelter include rain gardens and rain barrels, with educational signage and City website content to educate and encourage residents to pursue similar practices.

Hugo has approximately 856 acres of city, state, and county owned parkland in the City’s boundaries, which translates to around 50 acres per 1000 residents. According to the Trust for Public Land, 52% of residents live within a 10 minute walk of a park. Increasing walkable and bikeable access to parks is a guiding principle of the City's 2040 Parks, Trails and Open Space Plan.

The City of Hugo completed construction of the County Road 8 stormwater reuse project in 2022. The project connected new and existing irrigation systems for green space near County Road 8 to a nearby stormwater pond. The project irrigates Lions Park, County Road 8 medians, 147th Street, and City Hall, as well as private green space in Keystone Senior Living and Jack Pine Place Apartments. By utilizing stormwater for irrigation, the City is able to improve the water quality of downstream surface water sources such as Peltier Lake, while also decreasing the total amount of groundwater pumped from nearby aquifers.

The City of Hugo’s website provides information on how residents can properly dispose of compost, hazardous materials, electronics, and unused medication. The City also hosts an annual Hugo Cleanup Day, in which residents may drop off non-curbside items, such as household appliances, furniture, and tires, to Hugo Public Works. City Hall and Peder Pederson Pavilion provide water bottle filling stations to encourage visitors to refill water bottles.

The City of Hugo’s website provides information on how residents can properly dispose of compost, hazardous materials, electronics, and unused medication. The City of Hugo’s Waste and Recycling page promotes mattress recycling and car donation programs. Biannual City newsletters regularly feature promotion of Washington County yard and hazardous waste disposal, the Washington County Disposal Directory, and county compost bin sales.