Page Title

Waconia Dodge Chrysler Jeep

Highway 5 * 952-442-2010

Jay Swenson

Chanhassen 952-906-2405

Sue’s Album

A symphony of photos

and fewer than a thousand words

at www.VictoriaGazette.com

The Victoria Lions We Serve.

Lake Auburn Moravian Church

Victoria * 952-443-2051

ABC Family Chiropractic

952-443-3710

Call for a clinic near you.

952-442-8094

Headlines

and bylines

Front Page

Feature Story

From the

Editor

Addie’s

Drawing

Letters

to the Editor

Victoria

Moments

Hook

Line & Sinker

Calendar

of Events

Click here to

Advertise

the Gazette

Return to

Home Page

Order

paper Gazette

Notes and

Quotes

The Scoop

at City Hall

NEW PLANNING COMMISSION MEMBER

VICTORIA COUNCIL APPOINTS MICHELLE SIEGERT

Council appointed Michelle Siegert to the Victoria Planning Commission to fill the position vacated upon the recent death of Bud Hiivala. That terms ends March 31st, 2010, at which time other Planning Commission members are also up for appointment or reappointment.

Other candidates were Scott Rollin and Ben Merriman. Said Councilmember Tom O’Connor, “It’s been edifying to see the quality and quantity of interested people.”

Originally from Iowa, Michelle Siegert and husband moved to Victoria in November of 2008 after five years in Chaska. She has a B.S. degree in biology and worked as a production chemist and microbiologist, then moved into a management position.

Other Victoria Planning Commission members currently include Chairman Gordy Simanton, James Donadio, Grant Peterson, and Tom Vogt.

The Commission hears appeals regarding enforcement of ordinances, interprets boundary lines between zoning districts in the city, hears requests for variances, and makes recommendations to Council.

SHARED PARKING ORDINANCE APPROVED

VICTORIA COUNCILS MUST STAY ON THE BALL

Councilmembers voted 3-1 on September 14th to adopt Requirements of the Central Business District, also known as the Shared Parking Ordinance. Jim Paulsen voted against adoption. Tim Amundsen was absent.

About the ordinance City Attorney Mike Norton said, “We tried to make it more readable. There are not substantive changes. We attempted to respond to Mr. Paulsen’s concerns. Staff is recommending approval.

Mr. Paulsen’s concern is liability for the city to provide parking space for a business that gets approval to develop a location in Victoria that doesn’t satisfy their future parking needs.

Stated Attorney Norton, “The city doesn’t have a specific liability to provide parking. We have a role. I’m afraid there will come a day of reckoning. If future councils are not managing the ordinance and paying attention, that will present a problem. It’s hard to see so far in the future.”

He said a future council may deviate on desired level of growth. “The ordinance wasn’t written to limit the city’s discretion,” he said.

Said Todd Brown who was in the audience that evening of September 14th, “I am an employee of a Victoria business. Is there a time frame that a city has to perform on providing those shared parking spaces?”

“No,” replied Attorney Norton. “This doesn’t imply we have a shortage and have to come up with more parking.”

Said Mr. Brown, “I see the ordinance as being very protective of the city, and I don’t see the other half. If the city is taking some kind of funds for parking from a developer, I’d like to see it used for parking.”

Said Attorney Norton, “It’s up to staff, of course, to keep score. How much did we use up this year? How much did we use up last year? It’s not possible to look into the future and say when or if we’ll need a parking ramp, for example. We have a number of other ordinances that put requirements on property owners. Either a plan is consistent or not consistent with our downtown plan.”

Stated Councilmember O’Connor, “I’m a supporter of this and I don’t know what Jim’s concern is.”

“Liability,” stated Councilmember Paulsen.

Asked Councilmember O’Connor rhetorically, “Is this really going to come to a head with the next development?”

The Shared Parking Ordinance was adopted. Those who develop in downtown Victoria can provide their own parking, share parking with another business, pay a parking fee to the city, or dedicate land with a value equivalent to that fee.

WHO OWNS THE VICTORIA VOLKSFEST?

“THERE’S A LOT OF ENERGY AROUND THIS”

Reported Mayor Thun on September 14th in regard to the recent Victoria Volksfest, “The people that have been running it these past two to four years are exhausted. Within the next months we should know more of the direction to take for next year.” On September 28th it was reported that the Volksfest, which has been sponsored by the Victoria Chamber of Commerce, cost the City of Victoria $5,700 in wages and Public Works personnel. Said Councilmember Kim Roden, “They made a significant amount of money this year. There are questions of ownership. Who owns the event? There’s a lot of energy around this.”

Click here for more City Scoop.