Prior Lake has experienced brisk development in the past decade, and Bill Kallberg can provide information on just about any development project initiated in the city during that time.

Kallberg retired from his volunteer position on the Prior Lake Planning Commission in late January, following nine years of service. While he says he enjoyed being a member of that body and felt he was a good fit for the role, at age 87, it was time turn the seat over to another resident.

Kallberg, his wife, Liz, and children have lived in the area for nearly 30 years. A civil engineer by profession, he specialized in land development issues and public utilities. Prior to accepting the appointment to the planning commission, he was a member of the Prior Lake-Spring Lake Watershed District, through which he was a strong supporter of sewer and water services being installed around Spring Lake in 1999.

“It used to be that developers had to get approval from both the watershed district and the city,” Kallberg said. “Now it’s up to the city on whether it’s approved. A lot of changes have happened since we moved to Prior Lake in 2012. Most of the small cabins are gone and have been replaced with much larger houses.”

Liz said most people would underestimate the amount of time her husband put into the commission role. He would usually inspect property that was being discussed at an upcoming meeting, she said, and was diligent about “doing his homework” to make certain he had a thorough understanding of the project being proposed before his thoughts were shared with other commissioners.

“We had many public hearings during which only the developers were present, and others when the council chamber was filled with residents concerned about a project close to where they lived,” Kallberg said. “I’d say I voted against projects more often than some of the other commissioners, but I always tried to follow our zoning rules and do what was in the best interest of the city and the area when something was being proposed.”

Kallberg notes there were significant shifts in housing development trends during his tenure on the commission. He said the city has been challenged in having enough open land for commercial or business development that also offered good transportation options. Planned unit developments have now become more prevalent than single family subdivsions, a pattern seen throughout the metro area. He acknowledged that because the city is a desirable place to raise a family, demand can dictate price, and many newly constructed homes within Prior Lake are now sold for $750,000 and $1 million.

“Young families that want to live in Prior Lake need more affordable options,” Kallberg said. “We must make sure we have a good mix of housing options and at all price levels for people who want to live here.”

While he will always remain interested in how Prior Lake continues to develop and change, other activities will keep him busy. The Kallbergs have 12 grandchildren and three great grandchildren, so college sporting events consume much of their time, whether it be traveling to a game or watching it via livestream. Bill meets for breakfast weekly with friends, all of whom have all served in one of the U.S. military branches. He and Liz are quick to say they enjoy keeping busy, and appreciate having good health and the ability to do the things they want to do.

“Serving on the planning commission gave me the chance to use my experience from my primary career,” Kallberg said. “I’ve always felt it was a privilege to serve.”