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According to Planner Kreft, the Marsh Lake Hunting Preserve contains “large remnants of the Big Woods and other ecologically sensitive areas.” The Hunting Club has an existing conditional use permit to operate in Laketown Township. Once annexed to the City of Victoria, the zoning will default to agricultural until rezoned to residential/conservation.

Bud Hiivala, a member of the Victoria Planning Commission, asked, “What if our idea for the property is different than a developer’s?”

Replied Holly, “If a developer came forward, they have some baseline parameters they have to work with.”

Councilmember Roden stated, “To your point, that happens now. If a developer wants to do something different, then they have to do this and this and that. People see dollar signs if they’ve got some land.”

Stated Bud, “We’ve also had changes in Comp Plans because of the location of a school within our boundaries.”

Holly pointed out, “Typically, Comp Plans have not shown where schools would go.”

Said Mr. Thompson, “My experience with school districts is that they’re not typically good at long range planning.”

Councilmember Paulsen said that at least there are many references in Victoria’s 2030 Comp Plan about asking the School District to be part of the process.

Stated Councilmember Amundsen, “They’ve been rewarded for their failure to plan. Developers come in and give them the land for a school that helps sell lots.”

Said Kim, “Bottom line is that schools are an amenity, like roads. They affect the value of the property.”

The final line about the Comp Plan came from Councilmember Paulsen. “I only see three references to manure and feedlots. We should at least talk about it.”

A public hearing on Victoria’s 2030 Comprehensive Plan is scheduled for Monday, April 27th. It needs to be finalized to the Metropolitan Council by May 29th.

REVIEWING THE ENVIRONMENTAL SCAN

AS LISTED AND REVIEWED BY COUNCIL AND STAFF

Councilmembers and staff held a second strategic planning session in March to complete a listing of the city’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and challenges and to draft a series of goals and action steps. Some of the report includes the following thoughts and statements.

Victoria’s Top Strengths:

1) Dedicated, increasingly stable, high-ly educated staff.

2) Strategic sites for development, including the city-owned 13.5 acres adjacent to the central business district and the city-owned 94 acres along County Road 43.

3) Numerous lakes, parks, and trails.

4) The recent partnership with School District 112.

5) New businesses and ongoing building activity.

6) Beautiful property for growth.

7) Highly educated, forward thinking, and focused councilmembers and committees.

8) Variety of housing options.

9) Good financial base and high value homes.

10) Minimal foreclosures.

Victoria’s Top Weaknesses:

1) Inadequate City Hall and Public Works Garage.

2) Inadequate transportation system, including public.

3) Few local jobs for residents.