|
POLARIS COMES TO VICTORIA
WITH SNOWMOBILES, ATV'S, MOTORCYCLES
Councilmembers voted 5-0 on June 14th to approve a request from Doug Nagle for a conditional use permit to allow outdoor storage on the property formerly owned and occupied by Kahnke Brothers doing business as Nature's Bounty, formerly "the old ski factory."
Holly Kreft, Director of Planning for the City of Victoria, said that the address of the facility will be changed from Ar-boretum Boulevard to Stieger Lake Lane to correctly reflect its entrance.
She said the new owner is proposing a number of exterior changes including new windows, engineer's stucco facade, striped parking, the display of recreational vehicles, with minor indoor modifications and interior showroom.
Holly said the Planning Commission held hearings and there was no public comment regarding the request. The Planning Commission felt the use was appropriate. Staff recommended approval with 12 conditions.
"How do you test drive one of those vehicles?" asked Mayor Mary Thun who pointed out that motorized vehicles are not allowed on the LRT trail that runs adjacent to and along the north edge of the property. The city planner pointed out that the applicant must make customers aware that motorized vehicles are not allowed on the LRT.
Replied Chad Olson, representative for the business, "A short little run in the parking lot is all they need. Most people who come in, already ride. It'll be a full service store for motorcycles, boats, ATV's, and snowmobiles."
According to notation on the applica-tion, Digger's also has a location in Prior Lake. The applicant writes, "Currently, Digger's Polaris and Marine is the largest Polaris dealership in the Twin Cities Metro. I anticipate, and my business plan reflects, similar results in Victoria."
Councilmember Jim Paulsen com-mented on signage proposed for the build-ing facade, to read "Digger's Polaris." Stated Jim, "The Digger's sign is higher in elevation than the Welcome to Victoria sign. Is that what we want? It'll look like people are driving into Digger's instead of Victoria."
Agreed Mayor Mary Thun, "I don't want to see Digger's. I'm ready to ap-prove everything but the signage. All signage issues have to come back before the council."
Councilmember Richard Tieden asked that the applicant not have any sign at all on the building facade, but on a pro-posed monument sign for the business.
Added Councilmember Tim Amund-sen, "I appreciate you guys coming to town with a business and doing something decent to that building. It looks darn good."
FIRST WATER TOWER IN VICTORIA
SCHEDULED FOR DEMOLITION THIS SUMMER
The City of Victoria's first elevated water tower, which supplied the city's first municipal water system constructed less than 20 years ago, is being scheduled for demolition. Located along County Road 11 adjacent to Deer Run, it has been out of service ever since the "new" water tower was constructed near the Holy Family Catholic High School in 2000.
The old tower held 100,000 gallons of water. The new tower holds 500,000 gallons. The old tower cannot be used because of the 30-feet difference in elevation between the two towers.
Stated current City Engineer Cara Geheren, "It's becoming less esthetically pleasing. You can't use it. It's at a lower elevation than the other tower. The new tower needed to be at that elevation to service the neighborhoods."
Cara reported the city received three quotes for the removal, ranging from $11,900 to $29,970. She recommended the low quote from General Construction Services. Communication antenna was relocated to the other tower.
Click here for more City Scoop.
|
|
