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TALKING ABOUT THE POTENTIAL OF A LAND GRAB IN VICTORIA
WHERE DO THEY GET THEIR MONEY? WATERSHED DISTRICT PLOWS INTO VICTORIA January 11th, 2010 It seems that the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District (MCWD) wants to purchase property in Laketown Township, property that is planned to be annexed into the City of Victoria as part of an orderly annexation agreement, property that is identified in Victoria’s Comprehensive Plan to be developed into 150 single family homes. The City of Victoria was directed to pull all stops to prohibit the encroachment and purchase by the MCWD. City staff was directed on January 11th to work with Councilmembers Jim Paulsen and Tom O’Connor to draft “something strong” for a meeting of the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District on January 14th. The city attorney was directed to look at legalities. It was asked that Victoria’s representative and senator also be involved. “And I’d like to look at their history in their purchase of land!” stated Councilmember Tim Amundsen. “And if there’s precedent,” confirmed Councilmember O’Connor. City Engineer Cara Geheren will raise the issue with the Minnesota League of Cities. City Administrator Don Uram will contact Craig Peterson, this community’s representative on the Metropolitan Council. *** Holly Kreft, Victoria Planner and Community Development Director, reported on January 11th that the MCWD is interested in preserving the “Six Mile Creek” that is located south of Lake Wasserman. “They’re buying developable property and would potentially impact our ability to locate infrastructure,” said Holly. “We need water and collector streets out there. The six-mile creek is actually a ditch constructed in the 1940’s. The MCWD wants to re-meander that ditch. They’ve got $1.4 million to spend on such projects. They need easements and are interested in purchasing more than just the wetland. Staff feels strongly this issue needs to be raised to their Board.” Stated Administrator Uram, “This would impact our Comprehensive Plan. It would reduce our 150 planned units down to 75. We have critical infrastructure through that piece. The financial impact on us, based on the loss of 75 units moderately priced, is $1 million, so it has a significant impact on Victoria.” He added that Victoria constructed its costly Water Treatment Plant and sized its municipal water pipes based on that property being developed with 150 homes. “The property is currently located in Laketown Township, so from a legal standpoint I don’t know if we have a right to deny their sale,” said Mr. Uram. “There are other significant water quality improvements they could make to Victoria instead of this.” Said City Attorney Mike Norton, “We have an orderly annexation agreement approved by the State, and it seems their purchase would have a significant effect on the Metropolitan Council plans.” “Where does their money come from?” asked Councilmember Amundsen. “And where do they get the right to develop? To me, it’s if you want to fight, let’s fight. This goes way beyond their rights, using the money we gave them. What in the world is going on? ... Let’s get Pawlenty and Kohls here ... I feel like somebody just walked in here with a bomb vest. They’re using our money to stick it to our community. These watershed districts have run amuck. This is insane.” Stated Councilmember O’Connor, “They ignore the obvious and approach a grandiose development plan. This is ludicrous.” “They know what’s in our Comprehensive Plan!” stated Mayor Mary Thun. Holly Kreft stated, “I’ve met with their staff and told them we’d be not interested in their purchase under any scenario.” “What if a developer came to us and said forget about your Comprehensive Plan, forget about your Water Treatment Plant?” said Councilmember Paulsen. “It’s a critical issue,” agreed City Engineer Cara Geheren. “It just landed on our desks too. The message is not getting from their staff back to their Board.” “You’re dealing with very erudite counselors and lawyers with this,” said Councilmember Paulsen. The attorney informed, “This particular watershed district is very aggressive. We should certainly look at the authority and public finance issues. This district tends to usurp some authority of the other watershed districts.”
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February 2010 |
