Victoria MN Newspaper

FINAL PLAT APPROVAL FOR AMBERGATE

BRINGING 49 NEW HOMES TO VICTORIA

Council unanimously approved the final plat by Mattamy Homes for Ambergate on March 10th. The single family home development consists of 49 lots located at 8730 County Road 43. The property, formerly known as Ambergate Gardens, is owned by Michael and Jean Heger. The preliminary plat was approved last year. It was annexed to Victoria in 2005.

Holly Kreft, Community Development Director, said that Carver County is requiring both right and left turn lanes at its primary entrance on County Road 43.

Holly reminded councilmembers there is a cell tower on the property in the northwest corner and that the Hegers' lease with the cell tower owner goes through 2020. This means that a city water tower cannot be located on that site as previously considered, and that an underground water tank is being recommended in the southwest area of the property.

She said the Hegers will retain ownership of the cell tower property until the end of the lease. After 2020, it can be developed into four single family lots.

"The Planning Commission recommended approval, and staff is recommending approval," said Holly.

Said Councilmember Joe Pavelko, "It seems the developer and city staff are making that decision for an underground tank, without council discussion. Why?"

Replied City Engineer Cara Geheren, "Obviously the owner and the developer of the property have some say. We started looking early at this outlot. Ultimately we don't have the authority. Staff will be recommending an underground storage tank also based on feedback from adjacent property owners. We're thinking we need to construct in 2015."

Councilmember Pavelko asked if Council would be approving the underground tank in approving the final plat. He wants the developer to understand there's a possibility of a water tower.

Councilmember Jim Crowley said the resolution before them doesn't approve water storage above or below ground.

Said Holly, "The developer is here this evening. City staff has told the developer we do not intend to build an elevated tower. We've also reported that to existing residents of the Rhapsody neighborhood. If there is another location for a water tower somewhere [in that area of Victoria], the outlot will just become another lot."

Said Cara, "From my perspective, it was the existing residents in Rhapsody causing the concern. There are a lot of communities that don't care for an elevated tower to be that close to residents." She pointed out, for example, that water towers need to be painted and that can mean overspray onto nearby homes.

As for preferences, said Cara, "Public Works people go back and forth to preferring gravity or pump. There are trade-offs to both. For this site, you'll be getting a recommendation from staff for underground storage. We'd get a fair amount of opposition from existing residents for an elevated tank."

Continued Cara, "Victoria has an underground storage tank behind the Water Treatment Plant. Basically, it's the construction of a big hole in the ground. You can basically put whatever you want over the top of it. I've seen tennis courts built on top of one. You do need to construct a little pump house."

Stated Mayor Tom O'Connor, "They are considerably more benign than a tower and they're cost neutral." Costs for a tower or an underground tank are about the same.

SEVERAL RESIDENTS OF VICTORIA STEP FORWARD

TO ACCEPT POSITIONS ON COMMISSIONS/COMMITTEES

At a special 5 p.m. workshop on March 24th city councilmembers and staff interviewed several residents of Victoria who applied to fill vacancies and serve on city commissions and committees. At the following council meeting that evening, councilmembers made the appointments. To serve three years on the Planning Commission, they reappointed Jim Donadio and appointed Gerald Brown and Derek Gunderson. Also serving on the Planning Commission: Ken Goulart and Jeff Loeschen.

To serve three years on the Park and Recreation Committee, they reappointed David High and appointed the other four residents that they interviewed: Teresa Gregory, Julie Hesse, Randy Miller, and Kevin Roberts. Also serving on the Park and Rec Committee: Carrie Botten, Heather Cole, David Clayton, and Kathy Endres.

To the Finance Committee, they reappointed Greg Evansky and appointed Susan Lovering. Resident Tom Vogt remains a member of the Finance Committee along with City Manager Don Uram and Mayor Tom O'Connor.

Click here to continue Residents Step Forward.