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HIGHWAY 5 IMPROVEMENTS IN 2012

WILL INVOLVE HIGHWAY CLOSURS IN VICTORIA

City Engineer Cara Geheren attended a meeting where she acquired information about upcoming transportation plans for State Highway 5. She pointed out that construction for improvements is targeted to begin 2012 and basically involves an overlay, but also other improvements.

“The overlay from Hwy 41 west to our bridge is moving forward,” she said, with reconstruction in the soil settlement area near HEI, turn lane improvements at Park Drive, turn lane improvements at Minnewashta Parkway and, a pedestrian/bicycle underpass at Minnewashta Pkwy.

“The county is moving forward with improvements to the south leg of Bavaria Road at that intersection with Hwy 5,” she said, “but not the north leg [Bavaria Road/Rolling Acres Road] at this time, not until we have four lanes on Highway 5.”

Cara noted that the “second piece” of Hwy 5 improvements will eventually include the expansion of the Hwy 5 corridor to four lanes. “An environmental assessment is needed from Hwy 41 through Waconia,” she said. “More information is to follow. It was a very productive meeting.”

Stated Mayor Mary Thun about the north leg at the Rolling Acres Road intersection at Hwy 5, “It’ll be backed up to Hwy 7 if we wait until Hwy 5 is four lanes!” She said traffic on Rolling Acres Road is already now backed up to Mount Olivet.

Councilmember Jim Paulsen suggested trying to move up that particular timetable. “There are a pretty small number of property owners along that corridor [Bavaria Road],” he noted.

“It’s very important to get an environmental assessment done ahead of time,” said the city engineer.

As for future plans regarding Hwy 5, Mayor Thun stated, “Early on we need to be aware of how to get traffic into Victoria, not around Victoria.”

Travelers on Hwy 5 will experience two closures during that construction year. One closure will result from replacement of the bridge on the west end of downtown Victoria, and the second closure will result from reconstruction of the re-occurring “wetland” settlement area near HEI.

“The official detours will officially detour people to Hwys 41, 7, and 212,” said Cara.

City Planner Holly Kreft has pointed out that the projects through Victoria are being combined and scheduled to occur during only one construction season, that of 2012.

PLANNING COMMISSION REVIEWS 2009

VICTORIA’S POPULATION GREW BY 139

The Victoria Planning Commission submitted their annual report to city council members January 11th that reflects building and planning activity from the previous year.

First of all, members of the Planning Commission include Gordon Simanton (chair), Michelle Siegert, Tom Vogt, Jim Donadio, and Grant Peterson with Mayor Mary Thun and Councilmember Tom O’Connor as ex-officio members.

To quote pretty much from the report, as of January 1st, 2010, the City of Victoria issued 50 new residential building permits in 2009. Of those units, 44 were single family homes and six were multi-family townhomes.

The city’s population estimate at the end of 2008 was 6,516 people, or 2,235 households. Based on permits issued in 2009, the estimated population of Victoria is now 6,655 people or 2,285 households.

As of January 1st, 2010, there were 239 vacant lots/units available within the city limits of Victoria. Most of those lots and/or units lie in the following residential developments: Madelyn Creek, Krey Lakes, The Gallery, Rhapsody I and Rhapsody II. Other available lots are located in Watermark East, Parkview Estates, Shores of Stieger Lake, Watermark East, Watermark South 2nd, Watermark, Fox Hollow, Overlook on Tamarack, Applewood, and Tall Trees.

In addition to new home or townhome permits, the Planning Commission reviewed permits for zoning, decks, signs, and trees or noxious weed removal.

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Drs. Dungey, Menser & Associates

Victoria and Waconia. 952-443-2816