Page Title

8661 Deer Run Dr. * Victoria

952-443-2351

JOHNSON FUNERAL HOME

Waconia 952-442-2121

Leipold’s of Excelsior

Gifts. Books. Lamps. 952-474-5880

Metropolitan Ford

Jerry Chapman 952-943-9000

Pediatric Rehabilitation Clinic.

Occupational Therapy. Speech Therapy.

952-443-9888

Victoria’s Corner Bar. Nightly Specials and Menus. 952-443-9944

Buying or Selling Victoria?

Call Nan Emmer. 612-702-2020

Specialized assisted living for those

with memory challenges.

Victoria. 952-908-2215

Weinzierl

Jewelers

Waconia 952-442-2885

SHARING THOUGHTS ON SHARED PARKING

VICTORIA COUNCIL TRIES TO GET COMFORTABLE

The first reading of an amendment to the Shared Parking Ordinance and requirements for the Central Business District began on April 13th and was continued to a future council meeting, possibly on Monday, May 11th.

April 13th.

Trying to Get Comfortable.

Discussion began with City Attorney Mike Norton reviewing how and why the ordinance was up for amending.

“As we started to use it,” he said, “we learned a couple of things which we tried to put in the draft amendment here -- definitions, for example, like ‘base level of parking.’ Also, I tried to build in some flexibility. The ordinance specifically allows the city to change its standards. It provides for circumstances not in the ordinance but important to the city. It allows the ability to have alternate compliance. It allows a long term lease for parking. There is no substantial change in the overall Shared Parking concept, but this makes it more user friendly.”

Councilmember Tom O’Connor expressed his concern with shared parking and asked what if a parking situation changes, if a shared parking agreement can’t be maintained, if the parking in fact disappears because of a change in property use or ownership. “What if this loss makes a business no longer able to function?” he asked.

Attorney Norton replied that parking spaces can be built or leased or shared by a business owner. “The city will have to analyze and update the Shared Parking Ordinance on a regular basis,” he said. “I don’t think we’d be in a situation where the parking won’t be available.”

Councilmember O’Connor was also concerned about what future councilmembers might have to wrestle with because of action by current councilmembers.

Said Attorney Norton, “If the city [a future council] doesn’t pay attention to this and be diligent stewards, yes, there could be problems.”

Councilmember Jim Paulsen pointed out, “All the control does not lie with the city. A knowledgeable lender won’t put themselves in that position. The investors, the lenders, are not going to put themselves in a bad situation -- or they’re not going to be here.”

The city attorney added, “The ordinance is based on a reasonably perceived level of development. The concept is not that we’ll have such an abrupt horror story. The ordinance has to keep pace with the intensity of the development. The developer is told up front they have three choices -- to build, lease, or buy [parking space].”

Said Councilmember Tim Amundsen, “Jim is right. We’re not the only people looking at this ... but I am looking for more tangibles.”

Councilmember Paulsen had another thought. “If the council is going to have the discretion, let’s put it into a conditional use permit and not an ordinance. I think there are liabilities. I don’t see assets.”

Councilmember O’Connor repeated his concern. “I would like to get more comfortable about when a business might not have a practical option.”

The second reading is being scheduled at this time.

LANDSCAPE PLAN FOR ALLEGHENY GROVE

TO SHIELD FROM VICTORIA FIELD HOUSE TRAFFIC

Council approved a landscape plan for the berm along Kochia Lane across from the Victoria Field House as developed by a registered landscape architect with TKDA, the city’s engineering firm. The plan includes moving existing trees and earthwork to increase the height of the existing berm at a cost of $11,125.

Council also approved the purchase of a row of six-foot Black Hills Spruce and a row of Fall Fiesta Maples from the Hartman Tree Farm in an amount not to exceed $11,000. Holly Kreft, Victoria Planner and Community Development Director, had presented quotes from two local companies and recommended accepting the low bid from Hartman Tree Farm.

Landscaping and berm work was requested by residents of the Allegheny neighborhood after the scenery at the Field House was altered from a children’s playground area to a paved parking lot to accommodate the increased use of the Field House due to construction of a second sheet of ice and the joint agreement with School District 112.

“Planting will be done as soon as possible,” said Holly.

“Are there any guarantees on those trees?” asked Councilmember Tim Amundsen, who said that spruce trees grow best in the soil up north.

“There will be a one-year guarantee on the trees,” replied Holly.

A resident in the north part of the Allegheny neighborhood said the landscaping effort didn’t help to screen his home and yard from traffic at the Field House.

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