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8661 Deer Run Dr. * Victoria 952-443-2351 |
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Buying or Selling Victoria? Call Nan Emmer. 612-702-2020 |
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Specialized assisted living for those with memory challenges. Victoria. 952-908-2215 |
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The Victoria GAZETTE |
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ACQUIRING ALL RIGHT OF WAY AT 86TH STREET PREPARING FOR 2011 OR 2012 CONSTRUCTION On October 25th Victoria councilmembers approved two resolutions related to 86th Street, an unimproved street on the southern boundary of Victoria with Chaska. The City of Victoria hopes to acquire all of the right of way along 86th Street and place the street on the Municipal State Aid street system. Because part of the property (2.03 acres) was slated to be annexed from Laketown Township into the City of Chaska according to terms of the annexation agreement, a resolution was needed to amend the agreement so it could instead be annexed to the City of Victoria. A second resolution was needed because another part of the property (.77 acres) was located in the City of Chaska and needed to be detached from Chaska so it, too, could be annexed to the City of Victoria. Stated City Engineer Cara Geheren, “The primary purpose is to get approval to annex the right of way to Victoria. We need to get approval by November 1st for it to be part of our State Aid system.” “We’re continuing to evaluate street improvements for either 2011 or 2012,” said Cara. “We held a residents meeting on October 18th. Input we received was split. There were opinions on both sides. With Hwy 5 improvements planned for 2012, it might be uncomfortable to also have 86th Street under construction. Staff will take a look at that and come back with a recommendation in December.” Stated City Planner Holly Kreft, “Annexation is required for the entire right of way. Now in Laketown Township, it was originally slated for Chaska. A portion is already in Chaska.” Councilmember Jim Paulsen commented on the 66 feet of right of way that is being proposed for the whole 86th Street corridor. “I would have preferred 80 feet of right of way,” said Cara. “It would allow us more opportunity to be creative with the improvements.” “What are the implied understandings of another access onto 86th Street?” asked Councilmember Paulsen. “I’m concerned that Victoria has some kind of say about that southern entrance to Victoria.” The city engineer said that Chaska or a developer on the south side of 86th Street would need to get some kind of approval from the City of Victoria in order to put another access onto the city street. Regarding a wider right of way, City Administrator Don Uram stated, “It will be virtually impossible to acquire additional right of way at this time.” Councilmember Tim Amundsen also expressed concerned about verbiage in the resolution. “I’m concerned it doesn’t give us all the rights we need,” he said. City Attorney Mike Norton weighed in on the matter. “If discretion is an issue,” he said, “we generally have control of where an access would go on our right of way. As a practical matter, we don’t control the land use anyhow. [Land south of 86th Street is located in Chaska.] We certainly hope the City of Chaska would work with us. Would we give Chaska control of land use on our land? No.” Regarding the undeveloped Chaska land on the border property, Councilmember Paulsen said, “We may be dealing with much larger densities than we’re currently talking about. You’re dealing with a river of land use coming into 86th Street. I am uncomfortable with this whole process.” “We have no idea what their land use is going to be,” said Administrator Uram. “Victoria controls most of the land along 86th Street. We will control where the access will be.” “There are 50 acres of undeveloped property there,” said Councilmember Paulsen. “We’ve been told at one point that we’re going to get a horse barn there, right across from the entry to Deer Run. And now we’re told not to worry.” Cara, the engineer, pointed out, “Technically today, the City of Chaska could put an access there, if Laketown Township approved it. Right now we have no jurisdiction on the access.” Mayor Mary Thun stated, “I think playing around with the language [ the verbiage in the resolution] is folly. We have more power with this language than without it.” Councilmember Paulsen voted against the first resolution. Councilmember Amundsen voted against the second resolution. “It hasn’t been explained clearly enough for me. A lot of the information doesn’t guarantee the City of Victoria its rights.” Administrator Uram said that if Victoria ever granted Chaska an access onto 86th Street, it is his understanding they would help pay for the road.
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November 2010 |
