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quite an extensive inventory," he stated. "We'd like to improve the site along with the rest of our building, if we do come to an agreement with Chris."
He said the small vacant CW parcel would be used for more cars, if acquired, and not for another building. Currently there's a conditional use permit on the parcel for 13 cars. Mr. Meadows also said that most of the vehicles sold would not be "cars" but trucks and SUV's. He stated that 63% to 64% of the vehicles sold in the country are vehicles larger than cars.
From where would the vehicles arrive? "From St. Paul and from out of Canada," he replied. "From auctions around the country and Canada. We do have people who buy vehicles for us. Every title sold through the auction has to have clear title. They are primarily one-owner, late-model vehicles, generally still under factory warranty."
Do they sell brand new cars? "No, but we do broker if someone needs a new car. Being in the business for 20 years, we do have some good contacts."
Compared to Eden Prairie Auto Sales, the Victoria business "would be more like a dealership." He added that the partners sell pretty much by word of mouth. "We sell 30 to 40 cars per month without any advertising."
Councilmembers were then invited to give their pulse. Stated Dave Lindgren, "I'm impressed. It will change the whole appearance of the place. Nice landscap-ing. I think this is a good opportunity."
Stated Jerry Bohn, "Twenty years from now I'd hope there'd be a higher and better use, but it's an improvement and I see it as an interim solution."
Stated Gordon Simanton, "For today it's an upgrade."
Stated Richard Tieden, "I think it's exciting, and you're working with the city planner. We've always talked about the tax base helping our city grow. It should stimulate other businesses to come here."
Stated Mayor Mary Meuwissen, "I'm very excited also, ... and that you want to meet city standards. Mason Motors in Excelsior has done a fantastic job on their building. It's charming. It fits in the town. I'd favor a conditional use permit for you. And it's wonderful that you're doing business with a local contractor. I think it's a wonderful package. It has to go through the process."
Mayor Mary also spoke of the Gun-nings, owners of the existing G & G Auto Sales who were in the audience that evening. "Barb and Stan have been fan-tastic Chamber members. You did a great job yourselves when you improved that property."
LOOKING AT LAKETOWN TOWNSHIP
PREPARING FOR ANNEXATION AND DEVELOPMENT
Councilmembers held a public hear-ing October 24th to review the "South Sub Area Study." Approximately 20 resi-dents of Laketown Township attended the hearing to get information on how the future annexation of their properties into the City of Victoria might affect them. The hearing lasted 90 minutes.
The "south sub area" consists of approximately 2,000 acres; it does not include all of the township that will eventually be annexed to the City of Victoria. It includes the acreage located south of Deer Run and west of County Road #11. The study area does not extend as far south as the proposed alignment of the proposed Hwy 212, but it is acknow-ledged that a major 212 intersection could one day be near the property.
Township Board Chair Ken Essig thanked the City of Victoria for keeping the Laketown residents part of the process and informed as the months have passed. "I want to pass on to you our appre-ciation," he said. "As you can imagine, annexation is an emotional issue for us."
City Planner Mark Kaltsas gave a lengthy introduction to the planning work that has occurred to date. He said it began when SRF was hired about 18 months ago to do the study. He said the boundary lines for the study were drawn "sort of arbitrarily" for an area that has good growth potential.
Mark said that about one-third of the 2,000 acres consists of woodlands, wet-lands, and steep slopes, and that conserva-tion of these amenities is responsible for the conceptual layout and zoning of the land.
"People want to see it develop as the existing Victoria has developed," he said. "There are quite a few hobby farms and agricultural parcels. The Marsh Lake Hunt club includes a portion of it. We left it designated as such. They and the city will continue to look at uses. They hope to continue as a hunt club for some time."
Mark said that 1,028 acres -- or about half of the study area -- are being designated for residential with varying densities up to 2.5 units per acre. A cor-porate campus is designated for the south-ern section of the south sub area.
Other statements made: "It might be necessary to introduce another north-south road ... Everyone says the south end of Lake Wasserman is pristine for a public beach and park ... A trail system will pretty much follow the roadway system ... We're looking at approximately 150 new housing units per year ... By the year 2020 we're looking at it as totally developed."
Mayor Mary Meuwissen spoke to township residents in the audience to allay fears. "In Victoria I don't think we've ever had a situation like with the Kelzers. We've never had a condemnation. We pay a premium for the property if some-one is willing to sell. We've always had a willing seller. It is within this body's nature. It is not our intent to go out and build new
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