Victoria City Council — Transcript
Monday, May 11, 2026
City Financial Audit
Planning Commission Capacity
Residential Development Standards (Enclave at Huntersbrook)
Environmental Review for Bell Maple Farm
Utility Infrastructure and Parkland Planning (Bell Maple Farm)
Commercial Development and Parking (Hotel Victoria)
Noise Ordinance Enforcement
Votes (10)
Independent Auditor's Report for year ending 2025
Moved by Unknown [0:20:00] · Seconded by Unknown [0:20:10]
Jackie Heagle of LB Carlson presented the audit results for the year ended December 31st, 2025. The audit resulted in an unmodified or 'clean' opinion on the basic financial statement, with no findings regarding internal controls or Minnesota legal compliance. The city's governmental funds saw a $14.7 million increase in fund balance, largely restricted for a new fire station. The general fund ended 2025 with $5.44 million, meeting the 30% unassigned fund balance policy for the fifth consecutive year. Revenues were $420,000 over budget due to building activity and fire aid, while expenditures were $244,000 under budget, with additional transfers for capital projects. Enterprise funds (water, sewer, stormwater) showed an $8.8 million increase in net position, attributed to utility infrastructure investment and developer contributions, with all funds showing positive operating results after accounting for depreciation.
Annual Liquor License Renewals (July 1st, 2026 through June 30th, 2027)
Moved by Unknown [0:22:42] · Seconded by Unknown [0:22:54]
City Clerk Claudia Edisfold presented the annual renewal of liquor licenses for the upcoming calendar year. A public hearing was held as required by municipal code, with notice published and posted. No one registered or stepped forward to speak during the public hearing. All applicants were confirmed to meet the necessary license requirements.
Consider an Appointment or Appointments for Planning Commission Alternate
Moved by Mayor [0:25:21] · Seconded by Unknown [0:25:40]
City Manager Dana Hardy informed the council that the city code allows for up to three Planning Commission alternates, though historically there have been two. The council decided to increase the number of alternates to three. Following interviews with qualified candidates, the council moved to appoint Dave Kleinfelder and Anna Siggoia as alternates, and to place Mike Anderson 'on deck' for future openings.
Consider a Final Plat for Enclave at Huntersbrook
Moved by Unknown [0:34:08] · Seconded by Unknown [0:34:20]
City Planner Brian McCann presented the final plat for Enclave at Huntersbrook, a 13 single-family home development. The project is part of the West Creek Village development and located near County Road 10 and West Chesa Creek, with zoning guided for conservation residential. Concerns were raised about the park dedication requirement, with the city attorney clarifying legal limitations on demanding developer contributions for off-site parks beyond standard fees. Discussion also focused on tree preservation, with the applicant proposing a cash fee for 118.5 inches of tree mitigation, as full replacement of 50-60 additional trees was deemed impractical due to space constraints and potential maintenance issues.
Consider a Determination of an Environmental Assessment Worksheet or Environmental Impact Statement for Bell Maple Farm
Moved by Unknown [0:43:40] · Seconded by Unknown [0:43:48]
Stantech consultant Courtney Bot presented a review of a petition from Kings Road Neighbors requesting an EAW or EIS for the Bell Maple Farm residential development and associated sewer project. Stantech concluded that neither project, independently or collectively, met state thresholds for environmental review, noting that a 'ghost plat' for future utility planning does not constitute a phased action requiring immediate environmental review. The consultant also affirmed that various local and state permitting processes (MCWD, MPCA, DNR) already incorporate environmental factors. The attorney clarified the two pathways for environmental review: mandatory based on thresholds and discretionary, allowing for future review if conditions change.
Preliminary Plat, Comprehensive Plan Amendment, and Easement Right of Way Vacations for Bell Maple Farm Residential Development
Dissent: Council Member Ivansky
Moved by Unknown [1:11:58] · Seconded by Unknown [1:12:12]
The council revisited the Bell Maple Farm preliminary plat for 15 single-family homes, previously tabled. City Engineer Cara Garin detailed city infrastructure planning, highlighting the need to size utilities for future regional growth. Two options for sewer extension were discussed: a city-maintained lift station (easier for future expansion, more city maintenance, more applicant cost) or individual low-pressure grinder systems (less city maintenance, shifts to homeowners, less applicant cost). The applicant, Pat Hiller (Norton Homes), clarified the grinder system's force main could support up to 60 homes and proposed backup generators to address power outage concerns. The council debated parkland, ultimately opting to designate a future park search area in the 2050 Comprehensive Plan, rather than creating a temporary or small permanent park amenity. A council member dissented on all motions, expressing concerns about long-term utility capacity and planning for future development in the area.
Resolution approving vacation of easements and right of way for the Bell Maple Farms residential development
Dissent: Council Member Ivansky
Moved by Unknown [1:12:56] · Seconded by Unknown [1:13:03]
This resolution was part of the Bell Maple Farms development approvals, relating to the vacation of specific easements and rights-of-way necessary for the proposed 15 single-family homes and their associated infrastructure.
Resolution authorizing submittal of a comprehensive plan amendment to the Metropolitan Council for Bell Farms residential development
Dissent: Council Member Ivansky
Moved by Unknown [1:13:39] · Seconded by Unknown [1:13:46]
This resolution authorized the submittal of a comprehensive plan amendment for Bell Maple Farms to the Metropolitan Council. The amendment aimed to re-guide portions of the development area from low-density residential to conservation residential, allowing for a slightly lower density (approximately 1.6 units per acre) within the shoreland overlay district.
Preliminary Plat Conditional Use Permits, Shoreland Variance, Site Plan, and Building Materials Review and Right-of-Way Vacations for the Hotel Victoria Commercial Development
Moved by Unknown [1:21:49] · Seconded by Unknown [1:21:58]
City Planner Brian McCann presented revised plans for the Hotel Victoria, a 46-unit boutique hotel, addressing parking concerns from a previous meeting. The new design achieved a net-zero impact on existing on-street parking by adding stalls on Stiger Lake Lane to offset removals on Ry's Way. This revision involves sidewalk removal/replacement and a retaining wall, requiring Carver County approval. The project also requires a conditional use permit for shared parking to account for a deficit of five stalls in the underground garage. Council members expressed strong support for the revised plan, noting it resolved the main outstanding issue and would be a 'home run' for the city. The applicant indicated a goal for a fall construction start, with a 15-month build time.
Resolution approving rightway vacations for Hotel Victoria
Moved by Unknown [1:22:23] · Seconded by Unknown [1:22:31]
This resolution was part of the Hotel Victoria development approvals, specifically concerning the vacation of certain rights-of-way to facilitate the construction of the commercial project.
Notable Quotes (15)
for the audit results over that basic financial statement, we issued an unmodified or a clean opinion on that basic financial statement. That is the opinion you're looking for as part of an audit.
So, our statute does allow for up to three alternates. So, I would like to make a motion that we increase our planning commission to accommodate three alternates with the consensus of the council.
We've talked Well, we've talked about trying to do more to take care of our parks and to build them. So, I just I was wondering if there's anything out there that we can do, I guess, to have anything to say about that?
But we really can't demand or require that as an exaction, and that's the term used in state law. So we we've got we've got our system for parkland or fees and loo and beyond that it would have to be by just agreement and and consent of the developer.
I'm just um actually moving on a different topic than the park dedication. It just uh we seem to be clearing a pretty fair number of trees here. We're not uh meeting the 60 we're not meeting the 50% development open space required. enlarging that the 60% um council how do you feel about uh instead of allowing a contribution of the tree fund to hold to our requirement of having all 456 caliber inches of trees replaced in this
mayor and council members that could potentially become a space issue When we're talking about um 120 in approximately ofation of 2 and 1/2 in trees, that's in the ballpark of 50 to 60 trees that would have to be placed somewhere. Uh between 13 single family homes and an outlot that is likely going to be maintained by the city and deed to the city. um that may oversaturate the area and cause some complications with various things such as snow storage, maintenance, um route accessibility, things like that. That's just something to consider.
Based on the project information provided. Um neither the Bell Maple residential project or the sewer project independently or collectively according to our professional view and experience exceeds the state environmental review requirements. So triggering an environmental assessment worksheet or an environmental impact statement.
I think you understand, council, that you have in front of you a petition that seeks to have you do an environmental review either because there are some state rules that mandate further review. There are some thresholds spelled out in state rules that say if these are thresholds are met, you must do a review. And then there's also a discretionary you can do it even though these thresholds aren't met.
Can I just ask one clarifying question to that? You you said 07 is our on the residential site. Got it. Got it. Thank you.
if that were to take place and it's a long shot but certainly if there there's only one way to now at this point bring utilities to this section of the city and that is through the easement that we've taken on parcels that we've previously owned and never really had the intention to turn those into develop a We kept that easement and uh put it in place for serving the existing areas that are there and then any potential uh development that might play take place pursuant to our our comprehensive plan and how it's guided.
my view on the the the option that would be the the most prudent view for the future would be the lift station option. so that we have capacity for what we intended when we kept that easement. And that that easement was to support the existing properties there so that they could at some point connect or if development then serves that area that we have a way to get back to the a properly sized system for future development.
Um, with these E1 grinder systems, the the 3-in force mane that's going all the way over to the interlock and culde-sac is sized for up to 60 homes. There's going to be stubs provided north and south. And the uh manufacturer says you could easily um put up to 60 of these grinder pumps on that system for the future expansion. Um so it is no way undersized for this area.
I like that option. That gives us I mean that reserves our rights to a a park for the future. um it does none of the options that are available to us at this point in time make real good sense to me other than if you just leave it an open field. So I I would opt for option three and saying let's designate something in our 2050 for a future park in that area of town.
Um, I mean, I just, you know, I think at the last meeting, we all stated how much we loved the idea. We thought it was needed in Victoria. We wanted to see it work. Um, we just had concerns about some of the parking spots we lost. And now that we're back to net zero, I don't see any reason to not move forward. So, I mean, I'm glad we were able to work it out and make it work.
Thoughts is like this gets us where we needed to be because I would agree. We uh we're not taking away. We're leaving things as they are. And um I I think it's a I think it's a great solution and it it's going to be something that, you know, I this is just more of a home run. This is going to provide positive benefit in that space to the city and its residents. So, I'm pleased that we took the action we did and, you know, made made the efforts to to get a quality product. So, thanks to staff, thanks to the uh the applicant.
Ordinances & Resolutions (32)
Financial audit report for the City of Victoria, presented by LB Carlson.
Annual manual released by the Office of the State Auditor requiring specific statutes to be tested by auditors.
Governing document requiring a public hearing for liquor license renewals.
Official approval for annual liquor license renewals.
Governing document allowing up to three Planning Commission alternates.
Final approval for the subdivision of 13 single family homes.
Zoning classification for Enclave at Huntersbrook.
Underlying zoning for Enclave at Huntersbrook.
Special zoning district applying to areas near water bodies, affecting development standards.
Regulations from the Carver County Water Management Organization that must be met for developments.
State environmental review document for projects with potential environmental impacts.
More detailed state environmental review document for projects with significant environmental impacts.
Request submitted by Kings Road Neighbors for environmental review.
Official denial of the request for environmental review for Bell Maple Farm.
Initial approval for the subdivision of 15 single-family homes.
Proposed change to the city's comprehensive plan, specifically for Bell Maple Farm to re-guide land from low-density to conservation residential.
Proposals to vacate existing easements and right-of-ways to facilitate Bell Maple Farm development.
The city's current comprehensive plan guiding future development and infrastructure.
Future comprehensive plan where park search areas could be incorporated.
Permit required for developments impacting wetlands and water resources.
Permit required from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency for sanitary sewer extensions.
Approval required on MPCA permit applications to ensure consistency with the city's comprehensive plan.
Official approval of the preliminary plat, specifying the chosen utility system and parkland approach.
Official approval to vacate specific easements and right-of-ways for Bell Maple Farm.
Official authorization to submit the comprehensive plan amendment for Bell Maple Farm to the Metropolitan Council.
Combined requests for approval for the Hotel Victoria project.
Zoning district where the Hotel Victoria is proposed.
Permit required for specific uses like a hotel in certain districts and for shared parking.
Variance requested for Hotel Victoria to exceed maximum impervious coverage in the shoreland overlay district.
Official approval for multiple aspects of the Hotel Victoria development.
Official approval to vacate specific right-of-ways for Hotel Victoria.
City regulation undergoing review due to resident complaints.