Council extending special housing permit

City News June 24, 2025

At its meeting Monday, the Albert Lea City Council voted to approve extending a permit for temporary worker housing in an industrial building.

Habben Properties first applied for the interim use permit in 2023 to convert part of an industrial building at 1212 Sykes St. into a dormitory for new employees at Select Foods. The council approved the permit in 2023 and agreed to extend it for two more years.

While zoning laws prohibit residential uses in industrial districts, state law allows for interim use permits if meeting certain conditions.

After holding a public hearing June 3, the Albert Lea Planning Commission voted to recommend the council grant the extension based on the following findings:

• The temporary housing will help alleviate the local housing shortage, helping local employers attract workers.
• The temporary housing has no impact on nearby properties.
• Adequate utilities and other infrastructure are already in place and require no additional public costs.

The housing must continue to meet certain conditions, including complying with residential noise ordinances. One to four workers at a time have used the dorms with most finding permanent housing within a month. The Albert Lea Police Department has received no calls for service, such as noise complaints, at the location. The request reflects the lack of workforce housing in Albert Lea. A 2021 study found that several local employers could immediately fill positions if housing were available. The city is working to alleviate the shortage, including the council recently approving two development agreements for housing in the west and south parts of Albert Lea.