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The Victoria GAZETTE |
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GRANT WOULD CONNECT VICTORIA TRAILS INCLUDING 2012 UNDERPASS BY THE ARBORETUM Last February, the City of Victoria applied for a Trail Connectivity Grant that would help construct a paved trail along the east side of Rolling Acres Road -- from the Overlook at Tamarack neighborhood -- south to Hwy 5, then continue east along the north side of Hwy 5 to the existing trail in the Tristan Heights neighborhood near Minnewashta Parkway. That trail construction would help connect existing trails to the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum (especially with the 2012 construction of the underpass at Minnewashta Parkway) and the Lake Minnetonka Regional Trail. Holly Kreft, Community Development Director and city staff member making the several successful grant applications for Victoria, informed councilmembers October 24th that changes in state legislation require a re-application. Council approved that re-application. Estimated cost of the new trail connection is $212,000. Maximum amount of the grant is $100,000 so it would cost the city $112,000. There is a trail fund that currently contains $53,000 that can be used toward that end, plus a park improvement fund with additional funds. It was reported that grant awards will be announced in December 2011 and that the construction project would be completed by June of 2013.
VICTORIA SUPPORTS AFFORDABLE HOUSING SEEKS WORKSHOP WITH THE COUNTY CDA Back on August 22nd, councilmembers voted unanimously to sell three city-owned land-trust single-family residential lots back to developers at Rhapsody and Krey Lakes (also known as Lakebridge). Designating land trust lots in a development is a way for the city to meet affordable housing criteria set forth by the Metropolitan Council. The developers asked to purchase the land trust lots in order to construct homes more comparable to those in their neighborhoods. "The sale has moved forward," said Holly Kreft, Victoria Community Development Director on October 11th. "The developers are requesting a resolution." Council voted 4-0 to adopt a resolution authorizing the sale of the three lots. They paid the City of Victoria $60,000 to $65,000 per lot. [Councilmember Tom Strigel was absent.] *** Continued Holly, "We need discussion as to where the funds should be allocated or how used. There were challenges noted early on in the Rhapsody and Krey Lakes developments mostly due to the price points of the land trust lots and the adjacent homes. They will now be built as market rate single family homes. "The funds for the three lots is $185,000 and staff is recommending that the funds be placed in a city designated fund or land trust program. The funds would be used to help subsidize the purchase of homes. The city would have control over those funds. We would be working with the Carver County Community Development Agency (CDA). The model has been working well in Madelyn Creek. There are currently 73 homes for sale in Victoria. Thirteen (13) of those are under $250,000 and could potentially qualify for land-trust." Stated Councilmember Jim Crowley, "My main concern with the allocation of funds is the organization. I'd like information to help me understand the CDA." Replied Holly, "The CDA is the development arm for Carver County." According to the county website, the CDA currently owns and manages 81 single family homes/townhomes/apartments throughout Carver County. It is a public housing program with eligibility requirements set forth by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Said Councilmember Crowley, " We still don't have the facts of how they do this and how they will do this. Their objectives were not met. The program failed. We're obligated to fund a program that has delivered six homes [in Victoria] since 2008. It doesn't sound like it's doing a lot. I want to know how this program is measured for success." Stated Councilmember Roden, "I'm sympathetic to Jim's comments, but I've spent a lot of time in past processes and I'm very comfortable with the CDA." Said Councilmember Crowley, "You're asking me to make a decision and I don't have enough information. Before we make any commitments, I'd like a workshop on the CDA. I looked at their website and they also do business development services. There might be other uses for these funds. I will go out of my way to learn."
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November 2011 |
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Swanson Insurance 952-448-4580 |
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CORNERSTONE Insurance Agency Inc. |
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David Barsness, CPCU Chaska 952-448-5028 |
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Victoria Bar & Grill Home of the Blue Dog 952-443-2542 |