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City Councilmember Jim Paulsen and City Attorney Mike Norton survey the spacious new rooms at the Victoria Recreation Center.
VICTORIA QUESTIONS FUTURE DENSITIES AS DICTATED BY THE METROPOLITAN COUNCIL Although it was on the September 14th consent agenda to be approved as “a routine and noncontroversial” issue, the 2030 Comprehensive Plan was pulled from consent by Councilmember Jim Paulsen, discussed by the councilmembers, and unanimously tabled. “I’m not sure I agree with the Metroppolitan Council’s comments as drafted,” said Councilmember Paulsen. “I’d like to table this for further study. We’re not even close to the density they want.” He added, “I’m very uncomfortable when we get documents that don’t reflect our intentions.” The document shows that the City of Victoria has only achieved an average of 1.9 residential units per acre since 2003. The Met Council wants Victoria to achieve a density of 3 units per acre within the next ten years. Victoria must try to reach that goal or the Met Council can limit the city’s development. It is the Met Council that divvies out sewer capacities, for example, and more sewer capacity is needed for future development. Asked Councilmember Tom O’Connor, “Can we do what we say we’re going to do?” “Yes,” replied City Planner Holly Kreft. “These are advisory comments They don’t have legal status to my knowledge. It’s for your information.” City Attorney Mike Norton stated, however, “They are part of the record. At least we also have our comments on the record.” About approving the 2003 Comp Plan Update, Councilmember O’Connor asked, “We don’t have a choice, do we?” “No,” stated Holly. Regarding the positions of the Met Council and the City of Victoria, City Councilmember Kim Roden stated, “If both parties are not equally invested, it can be like two ships passing in the night. You can’t have these increases in densities without compatible infrastructure for us. Nobody is looking at a comprehensive transportation plan. There is a gaping hole in the process.” Asked Mayor Mary Thun, “If we table this, what information do we expect to get? Are there specific things we wish our staff to do?” “If we were going to have a dialogue with the Met Council, I’d want it with Craig Peterson and not the staff,” said Councilmember Roden, who agreed there were clearly gaps in the process. Craig Peterson of Chanhassen represents Victoria on the Metropolitan Council. City staff will gather pertinent questions and concerns from Victoria city councilmembers and submit them in advance to the Metropolitan Council in preparation for a dialogue with them, perhaps at the end of October.
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