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Just West of Waconia on Hwy 5

952-442-5000

Sebenaler Chiropractic Center

Chaska * 952-448-9908

CORNERSTONE Insurance Agency

David Barsness * 952-448-5028

8661 Deer Run Dr. * Victoria

952-443-2351

MACKENTHUN’S MEAT & DELI

St. Bonifacius * 952-446-1234

Highway 5 in Victoria

952-443-2491

CORNERSTONE DEVELOPMENT APPROVED

FOR 8 SINGLE FAMILY HOMES EAST OF BAVARIA ROAD

Council voted 3-2 to approve the preliminary plat for a new development in Victoria called “Cornerstone.” It consists of eight single family lots on nearly nine acres and is located on the east side of Bavaria Road. To be more specific, the property, which is a vacant field, lies between five 5-acre single family properties to the north (Spargo’s most immediately north) and the 20-acre Vanderlinde parcel to the south.

Planner Holly Kreft said staff and Planning Commission recommend approval of the development. The developer is Daryl Snader.

Councilmember Jim Paulsen referred to past city efforts, such as at Watermark and with the East Side Study some years ago, whereby a larger view is taken and adjacent properties are considered in an overall development plan. “Maybe we should do that here,” he said. “I just want to make sure we’re doing the right thing for all the adjacent landowners.”

Mark Vanderlinde spoke in that regard. “Cornerstone looks acceptable,” he said, adding, “All the information we’ve received says we will need a lift station to develop our property, so making our property into one-acre lots [like Cornerstone] wouldn’t be economically feasible. We want to make sure this isn’t setting a precedent.”

Mark continued, “We don’t want to tell our neighbors what to do with their property, but we don’t want our property to be affected in a negative way either. But one-acre lots will not support our lift station.”

It was pointed out that a couple dozen homes on the Vanderlinde property could be adding lots of unanticipated traffic past the more private homes in Cornerstone.

Councilmember Tim Amundsen commented that the city has placed development moratoriums in the past “until we could get everything in order, rather than looking at parcels in snippets.”

Councilmember Paulsen looked at the developer and said, “When the concept was brought to us initially, we said plan for the whole area.”

The developer’s engineer said, “We’re located between two land uses that are purely incompatible. We provided access to the south because we saw the property was listed.”

Developer Daryl Snader summarized the situation and the development plan. “It fits the criteria you set forth. We did everything you asked us to do. I’m not looking for a different field. I’m looking for these bigger lots. That’s what will sell. I’m willing to stub sewer and water to the south, but would have preferred a closed cul de sac.”

He said that, in fact, his development would be a natural buffer between the large low density properties to the north and a high density neighborhood that might be developed on the Vanderlinde property.

Mayor Thun and Councilmembers Kim Roden and Jim Paulsen voted in favor of the Cornerstone plat as presented. Councilmembers Tim Amundsen and Richard Tieden voted against it. Motion passed.

VICTORIA TO HIRE CITY ENGINEER

TO SERVE AS PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR

Council voted 4-1 on August 28th to create a new position in the City of Victoria and hire a Public Works Director/City Engineer. Tim Amundsen voted against the motion saying, “It’s a matter of timing,” probably referring to the layoffs of two city employees.

The recommendation came from City Administrator Don Uram. “My responsibility is to run the city efficiently and effectively. This is critical. It would bring value to the City of Victoria. An in-house engineer could save $20,000 on consulting contracts.”

He said the Personnel Committee recommended approval of filling that position and hoping for a candidate at the $75,000 to $80,000 salary level. “I’d like this person hired by December 1st,” said Administrator Uram.

Stated Councilmember Kim Roden, “I’ve felt we needed this for three years. We have some municipal assets and I’d like someone on site. I’m glad the city administrator brought this forward.”

“I heard that we’re going to save $20,000 and spend $80,000,” said Councilmember Amundsen.

Countered Councilmember Jim Paulsen, “On a larger scale, we’ve struggled for many years with this. We haven’t had checks and balances.”

Don added, “Gradually this person should begin to pull from the consultants. But right now I’m more concerned about our Public Works Department than our engineering department.” About pushing forward he said, “It’s in my job description. We need to staff appropriately.”

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