Stated Councilmember Mary Thun, "The Comprehensive Plan does say the city would like a European look.  In the former plan I see a more interesting and homey entry.  Overall, I prefer the previ-ous plan in terms of how it looked.  I don't like the entry at all.  It hits me as very, very cold."
Stated Councilmember Richard Tied-en, "From the lake side it looks rather in-stitutional.  It doesn't have any zip to it.  I agree with Mary.  It doesn't spark any in-terest for me.  It looks commercial to me."
A representative of Wensmann Homes said, that evening of June 12th, that she would work on softening up the entry and exterior, and that some of the entry redesign was in order to better accommodate parking.  Councilmembers thanked her and the Wensmanns for bringing such a nice building to Victoria.
Site work has not commenced on the Wensmann property.  The equipment and activity at the site is related to construc-tion on the downtown utility improvement projects.  Mr. Wensmann said that he hopes that foundation work can begin by September 1st, 2003. 
Mr. Wensmann said some of the units may sell for in the "$200,000's definitely reaching into the $400,000's."

CITY IS NOT BUYING THE CREAMERY
TRYING TO PROVIDE DOWNTOWN PARKING
The City of Victoria used its powers of eminent domain last week in order to complete utility improvements and pro-vide adequate downtown parking in the Central Business District.  The property which was acquired through the court system consists of 12,000 square feet on the perimeter of the old creamery build-ing.
As dictated by the court, the city will pay $64,400 for the 12,000 sq. ft.  The city had been willing to pay a comparable amount prior to the "taking."
Stated City Attorney Laurie Miller on June 26th, "The court approved the quick take.  The court did not accept the own-er's objection.  The city is authorized to take it." 
Victoria city councilmembers and staff had held a special workshop on Thursday, June 5th, to discuss the Creamery property.  Jill Anecki, owner of the Creamery along with husband Dean, also attended the workshop.
The City of Victoria needs approxi-mately 12,000 square feet of land on the perimeter of the property for "the public good," to help provide adequate down-town parking space.
The city had been trying to negotiate a price for the 12,000 square feet with the owners with the understanding that if a price could not be successfully negotiated, the city would file to take the parking property by eminent domain at an ap-praised price.
City Planner Mark Kaltsas said that the rest of the Creamery property amounts to less than one acre, although the Anecki's said it consists of 1.8 acres.  They asked the city to buy it and the exist-ing building for $1.8 million.
Each of the five city councilmembers agreed that the city is not flush enough to purchase the Creamery, and that the owners will have to put it on the open market if they want to sell it. 
Jill Anecki said that the city could use the Creamery as a library or art museum.  Councilmember Terry Bishop repeated that the city is not interested in purchasing the property.
It was pointed out that the City of Victoria has previously purchased some downtown parcels in order to spur development.  Development has now been spurred.  It was also pointed out that some properties, such as the three single family homes on Stieger Lake, had been pur-chased by the city in order to combine parcels into a larger property more attrac-tive to a developer and purpose. 
The city's purchase of other down-town properties, such as Sidco 4x4 and Tuffy's Tavern, was also an opportunity to clean up the place.
There was a hearing on Tuesday morning, June 17th, at which time the city also did not reach agreement on the pur-chase of the 12,000 square feet. 
On June 26th, after the court ruling, Mark stated that utility construction can now proceed on the Creamery property's perimeter, that contractors had been forced these past weeks to work around the area as streets in downtown Victoria are being ripped from one end to the other and back again.  He stated the property includes an abandoned well which the city will fill after the pump is pulled.
Overall, the city has successfully negotiated 22 out of 24 downtown ease-ments.  The city is still working with the Victoria House to acquire necessary property.  The Victoria House deck, which was built legally and long ago over the restaurant's own property, will now have to be removed to accommodate the street and new sidewalk.  City Planner Kaltasas said the city wants to assist in providing other amenities to the satisfac-tion of the Victoria House.

RE-OPENING ROSE STREET?
"THERE'S AN ISSUE WITH THE ISSUE"
Councilmember Dave Lindgren said he received a call about re-opening Rose Street near the Cenex Station.  "I would like to see the street open," he said.  "I really regret voting for it to be closed.  Cenex has lost business because of it.  We didn't vacate the road.  We just closed it."
The road was closed in response to five residents who objected to potential noise and traffic from the installation of a car wash at Midcounty Coop a few years ago.
Stated City Planner Mark Kaltsas, "The five residents are pretty adamant about it staying closed."  He also said he's received several calls from other residents at Kirke-Lachen and Kelzer's Pond who would like it re-opened.   "There's definitely an issue with the issue," he said.
Mark will put together a sketch plan of an alternative design that would open the street to in-bound traffic, not through traffic, and bring it to the council in July.

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