Victoria MN Newspaper-The Scoop at City Hall

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PRELIMINARY PLAT FOR 50 NEW HOMES

NEW VICTORIA NEIGHBORHOOD: AMBERGATE

Council voted 5-0 on November 12th to approve the preliminary plat for 50 new single family lots in a neighborhood to be called Ambergate. The property has been the home of Mike and Jean Heger and their Ambergate Gardens. It is located at 8730 County Road 43.

Community Development Director Holly Kreft reported that the plat was reviewed by the Planning Commission, they held a public hearing, and recommended approval.

She said access to the neighborhood will be on County Road 43, aligned with the entrance to Waterbrooke Fellowship. Others accesses will be connected to the adjacent neighborhoods of Rhapsody, Rhapsody North, and property to the north owned by Hartman Communities.

"The site is challenging but it also has a number of amenities," said Holly. A cell tower is located on the property with an agreement through 2020. There is potentially an opportunity to locate a water tower on that site, but consideration is also being given to an underground storage tank.

Said City Engineer Cara Geheren, "Our 2030 plan calls for a water tower in that area. We've been reviewing our water use. Water use has increased. Since we put higher rates in place, existing customers are actually increasing water use so we'll need a new tower earlier than thought. We're looking at 2015 as the target."

"What are the cost differences between a tower and an underground storage tank?" asked Councilmember Tom Strigel.

Replied Cara, "In a tower, gravity does the work. In ground storage, water is pumped up to the houses. Costs are pretty much the same. Towers need to be painted. The developer here does have a preference for ground storage because of the saleability of lots."

The developer is Mattamay Homes, with several Minnesota offices.

FINAL PLAT FOR 16 NEW HOMES

RHAPSODY NORTH IS NORTH OF RHAPSODY:)

Council approved the final plat for 16 single family lots in a development to be known as Rhapsody North. Located north of Rhapsody and south of Carl Krey Lake, it was formerly called the Hartman 40. Holly Kreft, Victoria Community Development Director, reminded Council it was purchased by Lennar. The preliminary plat included 49 single family lots that will be developed in phases. The property was part of the 2005 annexation.

Holly said the Planning Commission recommended approval. Access will be an extension of Northwest Boulevard.

SKETCH PLAT FOR 63 NEW HOMES

TO BE CALLED WASSERMAN WOODS

Council reviewed a sketch plat for 63 new single family homes at Lake Wasserman Woods on November 12th. Developer of the proposed new neighborhood is Golden Valley Land Company. Owner of the property is Haala Properties. Location is 5980 Marsh Lake Road. Part of the property abuts Lake Wasserman.

Holly Kreft, Community Development Director, said the property consists of 40 acres and has two riparian lots. "There was some discussion about public access but there are steep slopes there," she said. "Overall, the Planning Commission comments were positive. The existing home on the property will be removed."

The Lakeside Estates neighborhood is immediately to the west. Lennar Homes has a concept plan for a neighborhood (continuation of Laketown) to the east.

No action is required by city councilmembers until they are presented with the preliminary plat, which nearly always leads to the final plat. The sketch plat stage is for council review and comment. There was no comment.

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