DEVELOPERS QUESTION FAIRNESS
AS CITY OF VICTORIA DISTRIBUTES SEWER CAPACITY
Council directed city staff to continue monitoring the number of building permits and vacant lots in the city as they relate to Growth Management Guidelines as adopt-ed in September 2005.
Holly Kreft, Victoria's Director of Planning, reported on December 14^th that there were 399 vacant platted lots within the city limits at this time.  She said that a developer has requested lots to be platted outside the city's development guidelines, and that the Planning Commission recom-mended no changes at this time.
Stated Councilmember Kim Roden, "We've already got a surplus of available platted lots.  I don't know why this is be-fore us."
Replied the Planning Director, "It was a developer's request.  It's also helpful to reassess the situation."
Continued Councilmember Roden, "This creates works for staff and it costs taxpayer dollars.  Nothing has changed.  Some developers are actually walking away from their developments.  I don't recall Council asking to entertain this.  It's a non-issue in my mind."
Stated Mayor-Elect Thun, "I've also had requests.  I'm sufficiently concerned about the market slowdown.  If there's some developer paying for all the infra-structure required for around Lake Wasser-man, let them do it.  Holly said it wouldn't take too long to review this item.  This is a way of being responsive to people."
Said Councilmember Roden, "I remember our current mayor asking why such things are before them and wasting staff time.  I've got a process problem."
Countered Mayor Jerry Bohn, "I think it's appropriate that staff bring this before council on an annual basis.  It reaffirms things for staff so they can give an updated direction to developers."
Agreed Councilmember Richard Tied-en, "[Developer] Mike Burton is a stake-holder in the community.  I thank you for your work, Holly.  It opens up dialogue, but I understand we don't want partially developed communities.  It's tough times.  Housing starts are down 50%."
Another developer in attendance, Peter Coyle, spoke to councilmembers on behalf of Lennar Homes.  "A couple years ago some of the developers were very helpful in helping the city determine its REC units."  One REC unit is roughly one single family home.  A certain number of REC units are allowed with the sewer capacity as granted by the Metropolitan Council.  The city controls development in order to not exceed allowed number of REC units.
Continuing to plead the developers' case, Mr. Coyle said, "Frankly, they feel like they haven't been treated fairly.  You have devoted your REC's to the downtown.  The city has brought forward new projects ... We request an opportunity to visit with you further on this ... Staff is telling us there isn't sewer capacity, yet the city is pulling forward other projects, after we've helped you.  It's to the detriment of the developers who helped you two years ago."
He said the Enterprise property is the place to add more RECs.
Replied Mayor Bohn, "We don't feel like we've done anything unfair.  Your property was placed in the 2010 section some time ago.  The year 2010 is coming up fairly quickly, quicker than the down-town land swap area."
Stated Councilmember Tieden, "We are not compromising Enterprise by way of downtown development.  This has not been pleasant for anyone, this downturn."
According to Administrator Urbia, the Enterprise property is located on the south-west edge of Lake Wasserman.  It is about 70 acres and the developer is Mike Burton with Prime Real Estate Group.

TOWNSHIP WANTS TO GET PAID
FOR PROPERTY ANNEXED TO VICTORIA
Council passed a resolution Decem-ber 14^th that approves annexation of cer-tain land south of 86^th Street and east of County Road 11 into the City of Victoria, as authorized in June of 2006.  A resolu-tion was also approved giving specific property definition.

This continuing annexation of por-tions of Laketown Township is in line with the Orderly Annexation Agreement and the Master Plan.
Since June, the developer of the Chevalle property - which includes a large acreage being annexed to Chaska plus the small portion above being annexed to Victoria.  The development plat of the Chevalle property did not show development, however, of the piece that lies in Victoria.
This particular annexation to Victoria consists of 41.64 acres.  Laketown Town-ship is therefore trying to collect over $16,000 from the City of Victoria.
Laketown Township will apparently receive $400 for every acre of the Igel-Chevalle property annexed to Chaska.  This new "assessment" by Laketown is perhaps being paid by the developer here, since the City of Chaska is not balking.  The City of Victoria is not interested in meeting this new demand of the township.
Stated Mayor Jerry Bohn, "Six months ago we had good reason to annex that property, and that issue has not gone away.  What the county decides is right for us may not be what we decide is right for us."  Without city control of the prop-erty, the county has control where road accesses will be located, for example.
City Attorney Mike Norton repeated that the City of Victoria has met all the requirements for annexation.  He has pre-viously stated that there is no legal basis for the city to pay the money asked by the township.

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