City Council Minutes

Pursuant to due call and posted notice thereof, the Joint Workshop of the Victoria City Council was called to order at 5:00 p.m. by Mayor Hershberger Thun in the Council Chambers at 7951 Rose.

Council Members Present: Mayor: Mary Hershberger Thun. Councilmembers: Jim Crowley, Tom O'Connor, Kim Roden and Tom Strigel.

Planning Commission Members Present: Michelle Siegert, Todd Triethart, Jim Donadio, Jeff Loeschen and Grant Peterson.

Park and Recreation Committee Members Present: Heather Cole, David Clayton David High and Peter Isabell.

Others Present: City Administrator, Don Uram; Cara Geheren, City Engineer; Jylan Johnson, Finance Director; Holly Kreft, Community Development Director; Mike Norton, City Attorney; Ann Mahnke, Public Works/Park and Recreation Director; Sue Orsen, Victoria Gazette; Unsie Zuege, The Chanhassen Villager, and others.

Mr. Uram said they are looking for feedback on the presentation that will be given. He talked about the world being different than it was in 2006 because of the economy and housing. Mr. Uram reviewed the city business model in which 80% of revenues come from property taxes. He said the City also relies on growth to fund infrastructure needs.

Mr. Uram talked about a new development model where few developers remain. He said there is limited financing and no speculative housing deals.

Mr. Uram said the City may need to change how they do business. He stated historically developers have paid for everything and then some. Going forward the city may need to participate to incent development. He explained how the city may change financially and having code flexibility. Mr. Uram said there are no two developments are the same.

Ms. Kreft talked about the development process. She said the process starts with a sketch plat followed by the preliminary plat and then the final plat. She stated the key stage in the process is the preliminary plat.

Ms. Geheren reviewed the natural resource protection:

Wetland buffers

• Previous rules required up to 35 feet

• New rules require up to 75 feet

• City requires buffers in outlots

Lake Wassermann

• Impaired water – internal phosphorus

• Steep slopes/fringe wetlands

Ms. Geheren said water quality will be an important consideration with any development.

Ms. Geheren talked about the extension of infrastructure.

Trunk Sanitary Sewer

• Easements needed

• Depth and sizing

Trunk Water

• Need to loop water line

Ms. Geheren said this is a significant piece of infrastructure. She noted easements are needed from five parcels that already have homes adjacent to Lake Wassermann. She stated financing all of this is a challenge.

Ms. Geheren reviewed Marsh Lake Road. She said the existing road is gravel. She stated this is a planned future county road, east-west corridor. She noted the alignment needs to be determined along with the berming requirements.

Ms. Mahnke talked about the parks and trails. She said they are looking at a neighborhood park located adjacent to the lake and regional trail. A neighborhood park is generally about 5-15 acres. Ms. Mahnke said the Park and Recreation Committee will have to look at the location.

Ms. Mahnke said the Chaska-Victoria Regional Trail when complete will provide a loop from and to Minneapolis. She explained the plan was approved in 2006 which calls for a 100 foot width corridor in the master plan. She noted one option would be to have it along the road right-of-way.

Mr. Uram talked about the development timeframe. He said the Segal property will be first and then most likely phased small scale developments. He stated Victoria has less than 80 single family lots to build on today. He said they have had about 66 new housing permits this year.

Mr. Uram reviewed the Staff recommendations:

Areas of flexibility

• Wetland buffers in conservation easements

• City leadership in extension of infrastructure

• Marsh Lake Road improvements

• Neighborhood park with size and location for active recreation

• Regional trail in right-of-way or park dedication for larger corridor

Councilmember Roden asked what the position of the water regulators regarding wetland buffers is and what is prohibited and not. Ms. Kreft said Victoria is unique because wetland buffers are required in outlots. She noted all other communities in the district do allow wetland buffers in conservation easements.

Mr. Isabell asked who has enforcement of conservation easement. Ms. Kreft said the Watershed District.

The question was asked if the green areas on the map are supposed to be preserved now. Ms. Kreft said it is the classification that means a higher quality wetland. It was clarified the green areas would not likely be developable. Ms. Kreft said any impact to a wetland would have replacement. Ms. Geheren stated the Wetland Conservation Act applies to any of the colors on the map.

Councilmember Roden asked why Victoria has historically chosen to have a higher standard. Ms. Geheren said the higher standard is a conscious effort to preserve the natural resources.

Councilmember Roden asked for an example of what a development looks like with the current standard and how it would look different if there was flexibility. Mr. Uram said because of the significant buffer increase from 35 feet to 75 feet it would be much less dense. He noted the minimum width is 67 feet for the preserve wetlands based on the District rules.

Councilmember Strigel asked how the process gets formalized and what a developer would need to do. Ms. Geheren explained the developer would hire a wetland delineator.

Councilmember Crowley asked about another taxing authority dictating density. Chair Donadio said the Metropolitan Council would be an authority.

Mr. Uram summarized the discussion of wetland buffers and said there may be interest in flexibility but the group would like examples.

Mr. Uram referred to the utilities and said the cost would be approximately $1.2 million for the sanitary sewer and $200,000 for the water trunk.

Mayor Hershberger Thun clarified that the City will still talk to developers about partnerships. Ms. Geheren said the City may have to lead the process versus having the developers take the lead.

Chair Donadio commented on being reimbursed for the costs. Mr. Uram said he didn't think developments could handle the costs and still be viable. He commented on an area wide assessment for all the properties.

Councilmember Strigel asked about the current landowners. Mr. Uram said there are investor land owners in this area.

Councilmember Roden commented on city governments making contributions and not getting reimbursed. She said she would also have a hard time explaining to the tax payers using City funds if reimbursement weren't available.

Chair Donadio commented on other properties down County Road 11 being developable.

Mr. Uram questioned if the city should continue to take a leadership role or wait for development.

Councilmember Roden said she would want to know what the city would be giving up if investments are made.

Councilmember Roden stated it is a small area that can be developed. Mr. Uram said the whole utility system has been designed serve a larger area. Ms. Geheren noted it is not uncommon for cities to fund trunk infrastructure. She said it sounds like more information is needed.

Councilmember Strigel asked about the cost per foot. Ms. Geheren said the challenge is with the depth and terrain.

Councilmember Crowley commented on going on both sides on County Road 43. Ms. Kreft said the staging was chosen for the Comprehensive Plan and the willing property owners.

Mr. Uram said staff will come back with more financial information and timing.

Mr. Uram stated the Marsh Lake Road improvements are the next discussion topic.

Commissioner Triethart asked what the county plan is to pave Marsh Lake Road. Ms. Geheren said they don't currently have it programmed and we had to worked to get it in included in the 2020 planning area. She noted there is interest by the County to review this, but the County also needs to set priorities.

Commissioner Triethart commented on the impact to the current homeowners and the amount of traffic. Mr. Uram said the long term plan is 16,000 trips.

Mr. Uram stated the cost for 1.6 miles is $4.6 million. He noted the county will be a part of all the discussions.

Mr. Uram questioned the willingness to accept any financial burden.

Commissioner Isabell commented on the timing and cleanup of Lake Wassermann.

Councilmember Strigel asked if the feedlot is adding to the water quality issues. Ms. Geheren said yes.

Mr. Uram summarized the discussion on the paving of Marsh Lake Road and said more information is needed on the pay back model and if improvements would add to the value of the properties.

Commissioner Triethart asked who maintains Marsh Lake Road. Mr. Uram said there is a maintenance agreement with the township.

Mr. Uram said the next topic is park size, location and trail.

Commissioner Cole said she doesn't think the park has to be on the lake.

Ms. Mahnke said an active park would be warranted. Commissioner High commented on the importance of trail connectivity to other neighborhoods and parks.

Commissioner Siegert said they still need to think about the function of the park and the possibility of having a winter park.

The group questioned if 100 feet is necessary for the regional trail. Mr. Uram said 30 feet is a normal corridor and there was group consensus that 30 feet was acceptable.

Mayor Hershberger Thun clarified staff will be back with more information and suggested another joint workshop early next spring to continue discussions.

The City Council workshop adjourned at 6:25 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Tanya Schmieg
Recording Secretary
TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc.