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The Victoria GAZETTE |
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FIBER HUT TO BE BUILT IN VICTORIA OWNED AND MAINTAINED BY CARVER COUNTY The City of Victoria approved Carver County's request for a conditional use permit to construct a public utility building within the City of Victoria, on a county-owned parcel located on the northeast corner at the intersection of County Road 11 and County Road 43. Stated Holly Kreft, Community Development Director for the City of Victoria, "We've worked with Carver County to address the issues. Size of the building is 15 feet by 21 feet. It is approximately the size of a single car garage. The applicant has met with adjacent property owners." Holly informed Council that the utility building is related to the fiber ring being installed throughout the county by Jaguar Communications. As part of the construction of the fiber ring, three fiber huts are needed. Aesthetics was a concern of the Victoria neighbors. "We've worked with the applicant to plant shrubs and screening," said Holly. "This has been through numerous meetings with residents. Much of the discussion centered on increased traffic and the possibility of a turn lane at that intersection. But it's not within the 2030 Comprehensive Plan to have it be a four-lane road. Staff is recommending approval of the conditional use permit with the conditions from the Planning Commission." The Planning Commission also recommended approval. Those conditions include stipulations that the building will not have restroom facilities nor be used for habitation; a landscaping plan will be completed and installed; there will be no driveway constructed to access the site. Randy Lehs, project manager for the county, said the utility building will be funded 80% by a grant and 20% by the county. In that regard, Mr. Lehs replied to the Gazette, "The County has not received bids for the three fiber huts for the Carver County Open Fiber Initiative fiber project, which includes the hut in Victoria, but we estimate the huts will cost around $35,000 each, with the Victoria hut costing an estimated $10,000 more due to requirements added by the city." He said that one of the conditions of the grant was that the building had to be constructed on county-owned property. According to Mr. Lehs, "The County purchased the property in June of 2000, and as to the initial intent or reason for the purchase, I do not have that information." In fact, that parcel on County Road 11 was the former location of a single family home owned by Bob and Doris Schmieg, which was purchased by the county in order to construct a road [Co. Rd. 18] through that property directly east of County Road 43. Size of the land parcel? "According to County property tax records, size of the parcel is .37 acres," he replied. "It is an advantage for the community to have this facility," said Mr. Lehs, who had informed that there is a need to have a hub located every 30 miles for the 89 miles of fiber ring; thus, three hubs have located throughout the county. "Fiber is becoming a necessity in today's world," he reported. "The need for speed is increasing at a rate that will outstrip the ability of wireless, copper, or coaxial to provide it. This leaves fiber as the only long-term viable solution to provide the ultra-high speed broadband that is becoming the lifeblood of a community." It was pointed out at the Planning Commission meeting that the county will own the building and the grounds and that Jaguar Communications will maintain the building. Stated Holly, "Ultimately, Carver County is responsible." Stated Councilmember Tom O'Connor, "This building will never win a Parade of Homes award." Drawings indicate it will have a brick fascia with one window and one door. It was mentioned that Carver County owns another small parcel in Victoria in that general vicinity. "The County owns a small strip on the north side of County Road 18 that varies between 10 to 15 feet in width that starts just east of Lions Park and runs for approximately 1,100 feet to the east." That is also about 1/3 acre.
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Sue’s Album A symphony of photos and fewer than a thousand words at www.VictoriaGazette.com |
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March 2012 |
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WATERBROOKE Fellowship A place where all may experience God in a meaningful and personal way, in Victoria. 952-443-0062 |
