Adopt an historic preservation ordinance/regulations and encourage adaptive reuse.
City Detail
Background Information
City of Hugo
County: Washington
GreenStep City status and date: STEP 1 (
)
City Assessment Files and City Performance Metrics
City councils pass a resolution to join the GreenStep program and are recognized at Step 1. Step 2 and Step 3 recognition levels reflect completed city actions, reported and rated below with stars (1 star = good, 2 stars = better, 3 stars = best). The Assessment File below summarizes completed city actions in a short Word file. Step 4 recognition is awarded to cities who report a minimum number of core metrics for the previous calendar year. These metrics aim to show the aggregate, quantitative results of taking multiple GreenStep actions. Step 5 cities show improvement in the Step 4 metrics. See yearly data for Steps 4&5. Additional city data can be found by reviewing information on B3 Benchmarking and Regional Indicators Initiative.
Best Practice Actions Underway and Completed
Completed actions are denoted by stars.
Total completed actions: 6 
Buildings and Lighting
Building Redevelopment {BP no.5}
- Action 1:
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: 2002
Implementation details:
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.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links:
For more information contact:
Michele Lindau (City Staff) | mlindau@ci.hugo.mn.us | 651-762-6315
Michele Lindau (City Staff) | mlindau@ci.hugo.mn.us | 651-762-6315
Land Use
Comprehensive, Climate and Energy Plans {BP no.6}
- Action 2:
Demonstrate that regulatory ordinances comply with the comprehensive plan including but not limited to having the zoning ordinance explicitly reference the comprehensive plan as the foundational document for decision making.
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: 2019
Implementation details:
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).
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links:
For more information contact:
Rachel Juba (City Staff) | rjuba@ci.hugo.mn.us | 651-762-6304
Rachel Juba (City Staff) | rjuba@ci.hugo.mn.us | 651-762-6304
Mixed Uses {BP no.8}
- Action 5:
Have a downtown zoning district that emphasizes small and destination business, entrepreneurial spaces, and allows or requires residential and residential-compatible commercial development.
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: 2007
Implementation details:
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.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links:
For more information contact:
Rachel Juba (City Staff) | rjuba@ci.hugo.mn.us | 651-762-6304
Rachel Juba (City Staff) | rjuba@ci.hugo.mn.us | 651-762-6304
Environmental Management
Stormwater Management {BP no.17}
- Action 5:
Adopt and implement guidelines or design standards/incentives for at least one of the following stormwater infiltration/reuse practices:
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: 2021
Implementation details:
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.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Before converting to stormwater reuse, the Water’s Edge HOA spent around $120,000 annually on irrigation. With reuse, the HOA’s irrigation costs have significantly decreased to around $60,000 annually.
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links:
For more information contact:
Rachel Juba (City Staff) | rjuba@ci.hugo.mn.us | 651-762-6304
Rachel Juba (City Staff) | rjuba@ci.hugo.mn.us | 651-762-6304
Parks and Trails {BP no.18}
- Action 5:
Create park/city land management standards/practices that maximize at least one of the following:
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: 2022
Implementation details:
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.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
The project was estimated to reduce the annual amount of groundwater pumped by the City by 14 million gallons, and as of 2023 the project has used 15.2 million gallons of stormwater rather than groundwater.
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links:
For more information contact:
Rachel Juba (City Staff) | rjuba@ci.hugo.mn.us | 651-762-6304
Rachel Juba (City Staff) | rjuba@ci.hugo.mn.us | 651-762-6304
Sustainable Consumption and Waste {BP no.22}
- Action 2:
Address concerns over consumer products and packaging through encouragement/implementation of one or more of:
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: 2004
Implementation details:
The City of Hugo’s website provides information on how residents can properly dispose of compost, hazardous materials, electronics, and unused medication, and also 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. 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 have water bottle filling stations.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links:
For more information contact:
Scott Anderson (City Staff) | Sanderson@ci.hugo.mn.us | 651-762-6326
Scott Anderson (City Staff) | Sanderson@ci.hugo.mn.us | 651-762-6326