GIFT OF PROPERTY TO CITY OF VICTORIA
CALLED A "WIN-WIN" FOR EVERYBODY
On December 18th Victoria city councilmembers accepted a gift of land to the City of Victoria.  It was given and received as a "Charitable Gift and Assign-ment" to which gifts are deductible under the Internal Revenue Code.  The eight acres are located between Schutz Lake and the bike trail at Park Drive.
In giving some background informa-tion on this property, Planner Mark Kalt-sas reminded councilmembers that it was owned by the Three Rivers Park District for many years, until it was traded (for land in Golden Valley) to the Goodman Group who tried to rezone it last year from agricultural to residential property. 
This year, instead of getting the prop-erty rezoned, the Goodmans offered it to the city as parkland.  Since the gift ex-ceeds $5,000 in value, a formal appraisal of the land's value will be required.  The gift actually comes from Elmo Park Apartment Homes, a Minnesota general partnership, of which the Goodmans are general partners.
"They will deed the land over to the city to be used for park," said Mark, "and they'd like naming rights, to name it after one of the Goodmans."
In conclusion, he said, "This is some-thing different for Victoria -- being given land.  It's a win-win for everybody.  Victoria will have a nice park along the LRT trail."  A group of Parkside residents had earlier opposed the construction of homes on that property and requested that it remain parkland as shown in the city's Comprehensive Plan.
The land lies adjacent to municipal water, sewer, natural gas, and paved road as well as Carver Park amenities and bike trails.  If it's worth $40,000 per acre, this land gift to Victoria could be appraised at over $300,000.
The City of Victoria is under no obligation to turn the property into "developed" parkland; it can remain in its present natural state.  Stated Council-member Richard Tieden, "It's a wonderful gift." 

MINOR SUBDIVISION ON SCHUTZ LAKE
FOR PROPERTY WITH A LONG HISTORY
Robert Kemmerer received a minor subdivision and variance from the shore-land ordinance for 1.8 acres located on the south shore of Schutz Lake at 74th Street.
At the December 11th council meet-ing Planner Mark Kaltsas pointed out that the property has been designated as un-buildable, possibly related to tax relief.
"There is a long history with this property," said Mark.  "It was dredged and there was disturbance to the shore-land.  The watershed district approved this particular building request about a month ago.  Mr. Kemmerer is here for a minor subdivision, for Lot 1, Block 1 Kemmerer Addition."
Mark said Mr. Kemmerer is also asking for a 40-foot variance from the Ordinary Highwater Mark.  "The home is proposed to be 400 plus feet from the perceived shoreline of Schutz Lake, but much closer to the man-dredged pond," explained the planner.  "The original intent of the ordinance was to reduce impact to the shoreline, and also visual impact."
Council was also informed that the fill being brought to the site is fill for the house pad, which will not have a base-ment, only crawl space.  Said Mark, "The fill will only be put in front of the house.  They will not mow in back but will try to restore part of the wetland in a five-year program."
Mark also informed council that two residents came forward to speak against this proposal because it rewards the orig-inal property owner who dredged the swamp land without permission.  The Planning Commission recommended ap-proval, however. 
Stated Planner Kaltsas, "The original owner altered where the tributary comes into Schutz Lake, illegally, without ap-provals.  The DNR says it would be more disruptive to restore it to the original state than to leave as is.  An unbelievable amount of dirt was moved around." 
The property has lakeshore and rights to dockage on Schutz Lake.
Part of the motion to approve the variance request included placing Outlot C up for sale to the highest bidder.  This nearby outlot, according to Planner Kalt-sas, is a couple thousand square feet of public access to Schutz Lake.  There is no public street leading up to the access and is "probably useless to anyone but Mr. Kemmerer."

OTHER NEWS FROM DECEMBER 2003
NEW DOWNTOWN STREET IS "TOWER BOULEVARD"
*The Planning Commission presented Victoria councilmembers with three possi-ble names for the new 600-foot street in downtown Victoria:  Victoria Trail, Hart-man Lane, and Tower Boulevard.  Coun-cil chose Tower Boulevard.  The new Clocktower retail and office building fronts directly on Tower Blvd.
*Stated Dave Lindgren, "I want to discuss the use of Floyd's parking lot.  One reason the city plows their parking lot is so we can use it.  It irritates me to no end when they dictate when our Lions and others can use it.  I'm done.  That's all I want to say."  He said that if the city doesn't retain benefit from plowing that parking lot, what's to keep the city from being asked to plow every other private parking lot in town.
*Floyd's Bar and Schmitty's Tavern received licenses to operate games of skill at their establishments in 2004.
*The Victoria Fire Relief Association received permission to conduct a lawful gambling raffle at its 16th Annual Fishing Contest on Sunday, February 15th.  The fishing contest helps raise money for buy-ing firefighting equipment.
*On December 11th councilmembers approved the final plat for Tall Trees, a 2.6-acre subdivision located in the north-east corner of Victoria on Aster Trail and 62nd Street.  It will consist of four single family homes.  The Planning Commission reviewed the project and recommended approval.
*Bud Hiivala received permission to locate a development sign at the entrance to Parkview Estates.
*Council approved a Final Tax Levy of $2,445,261 and General Fund Operat-ing Budget of $2,417,419 for 2004.  Budget discussions have been reported in past editions of the Gazette.  As usual, the final total numbers didn't change from the preliminary levy and budget.
*Council authorized the initiation of a trunk watermain connection along Church Lake Blvd to accommodate the proposed annexation area.  The motion to approve included looking at options to share some of its costs.

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