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Chanhassen * 952-934-5659

Leuthner Well Company

Victoria * 952-443-2582

Laser and Electrolysis

Chanhassen 952-474-7474

Dine in Downtown Victoria * 952-443-2858

Victoria * 952-443-2022

MACKENTHUN’S Gourmet Meats

Victoria * 952-443-1841

St. Bonifacius * 952-446-1338

Holy Family Catholic High School

Victoria * 952-443-4659

VACATING A FUTURE ROAD RIGHT OF WAY

COUNCILMEMBERS CONSIDER IT

Councilmembers voted 3-2 to table a proposal to sell a 60-foot wide strip of city-owned land called “Outlot A of Yetzer’s Addition.” Just over one acre in size, the parcel is located at 8399 Bavaria Road, sandwiched between the Ron Spargo property to the north and the recently approved Cornerstone development to the south.

A motion by Councilmember Kim Roden to advertise for bids on the parcel of land failed for lack of a second. The Carver County Assessor’s Office has given it a market value of $14,800.

The next motion by Councilmember Jim Paulsen to table the issue until the City of Victoria has an agreeable plan for the entire east side of Bavaria Road then passed 3-2. Councilmember Roden and Mayor Mary Thun voted against the tabling.

Holly Kreft, the city’s Community Development Director, said the City of Victoria acquired the parcel in 1974 but the deed cannot be located and she’s working with the County Recorder’s Office. She also stated, “If the city wants to sell it, we need to advertise for bids.”

City Administrator Don Uram reported there are two buyers at this time, the owner to the north and the owner to the south. He agreed that if the city wants to sell it, “we should put it out for bids.”

Stated Councilmember Paulsen, “I’m not inclined to sell the land. And why are we approving a plan for a small parcel of land instead of for all of that land along the east side of Bavaria Road?” He was referring to Council approval in August of the preliminary plat for the Cornerstone development. Cornerstone calls for eight single family homes, each on one-acre lots.

“I don’t think that was a good decision,” continued Jim, who had voted against the development. “I’m not inclined to sell any land, absent a plan for all of that property. The city may be getting six accesses onto Bavaria Road and that’s not good planning.”

“We should not be doing spot zoning,” he said. “The city needs to consider all of the parcels and all of the landowners, for the future and not just for today. Why don’t we do it comprehensively? Randy Vanderlinde showed me a design that calls for 25 homes on his property.”

Replied Councilmember Roden, “The [Cornerstone] plat we approved two weeks ago had been through the Planning Commission many times. I sat through some of the task force meetings.”

The Vanderlinde property is 21 acres located just south of Cornerstone. Randy has said he needs a lift station in order to develop his property, and that expense requires a higher density than Cornerstone. “It looks quite different than what Cornerstone is doing,” he said.

Councilmember Tim Amudsen recalled a Study over ten years ago that resulted in the Holy Family Catholic High School, the Victoria Field House and the various ballfields, and the neighborhoods with homes and townhomes. Said Tim, “I remember we did some multiple densing, but we did it with planning. We don’t know what we might need this 60 feet for.”

Resident Ron Spargo spoke to councilmembers about his desire to purchase the city-owned strip of land along the south side of his five-acre parcel. “I built my house here 30 years ago. That was a cornfield. I’ve been maintaining that piece as if it were my own, cutting trees as they fall down, weed control, the whole nine yards. Nothing will change. It [owning it] will not enhance my property value. It’s 60 feet.”

Said Councilmember Paulsen, “I will not be a party to the sale of that property. We don’t know if we need it or don’t need it. Somebody who preceded us had some sort of vision.”

City Administrator Don Uram summed up feelings of the evening: “It appears that a rural subdivision located between urban pieces is problematic.”

Most people think the 60 city-owned parcel is meant to be a road, since 60 feet is the necessary right of way for a road. In fact, it would tie Bavaria Road to yet undeveloped traffic patterns to the east.

PAYING FOR 2008 STREET PROJECTS

WHILE CONSIDERING EXISTING ECONOMY

On September 25th the City of Victoria authorized the competitive negotiated sale of $2.2 million in bonds to pay for the 2008 street, drainage, and utility project. Paul Donna, the city’s financial consultant with Northland Securities recommended waiting until the market settles down.

Councilmember Jim Paulsen asked how much it could cost the city if the bonds were sold immediately rather than waiting. The answer was $6,000 to $7,000.

Councilmember Paulsen said the amount was not large compared to the amount of sale. “The city has contracts to pay,” he stated. “It’s better to have this market than no market at all. It’s better than having to pay the bill without the bonds.” Council agreed. Bids are anticipated to be received and opened on Thursday, October 23rd, 2008.

Those street projects being financed with these bonds include Baycliffe, Victoria Circle, and Park Drive.

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