Victoria City Council — Transcript
Monday, August 24, 2026
City Announcements and General Information
Water Tower Rehabilitation Project Update
League of Minnesota Cities - Law Enforcement Technologies Discussion
New Victoria Fire Station Open House
Votes (7)
Conditional Use Permit Amendment for Hotel Victoria
Dissent: One council member expressed opposition by saying 'Opposed'.
Moved by Unidentified Council Member [0:37:36] · Seconded by Unidentified Council Member [0:37:46]
The discussion centered on a proposed amendment to the Hotel Victoria's conditional use permit, specifically the removal of a condition requiring on-street parking improvements and the addition of a condition for a $20,000 fee ($5,000 per space for 4 spaces) to the city's parking fund, with a re-evaluation of parking demand after one year of business operations. The applicant cited feasibility issues, significant costs, and storm water mitigation requirements as reasons for the amendment. Concerns were raised by council members about the existing parking deficit, the adequacy of the proposed fee, and the fate of a previously private outlot that could provide public parking. The applicant agreed to deed the outlot to the city for public parking, contingent on receiving credit for these two spots.
Easement Vacation for Enclave at Huntersbrook
Dissent: None
Moved by Unidentified Council Member [0:44:00] · Seconded by Unidentified Council Member [0:44:11]
The item proposed vacating a drainage and utility easement on Outlot A of West Creek Village First Edition to facilitate the Enclave at Huntersbrook development, a 13-home single-family project. The easements are planned to be reestablished on Outlot D of the new plat. The public hearing drew no comments, and there was no discussion from the council, indicating a routine administrative action.
Resolution Accepting Bids and Awarding Contract for Duck Trail Rehabilitation Project
Dissent: None
Moved by Unidentified Council Member [0:40:42] · Seconded by Unidentified Council Member [0:40:53]
Assistant City Engineer Amanda Meyer presented a proposal to accept bids and award a contract for the Duck Trail Rehabilitation Project, which includes reconstructing a boardwalk and replacing a trail section connecting the Ambergate and Watermark South developments. The project addresses safety concerns with a steep drop-off on the boardwalk by adding a custom railing with City of Victoria branding, and replaces deteriorated trail pavement, including a root barrier. Husky Construction was the lowest responsible bidder at $198,820, within the previously allocated budget. The Mayor expressed enthusiasm for the safety improvements.
Preliminary Plat Review for Atoria Lake Town (formerly Atoria Victoria)
Dissent: None
Moved by Unidentified Council Member [1:13:00] · Seconded by Unidentified Council Member [1:13:17]
The council reviewed a preliminary plat, comprehensive plan amendment, PUD rezoning, and site plan for Atoria Lake Town, a proposed 76-unit cooperative senior housing building, 6 townhomes, and 2 single-family homes. Significant discussion occurred regarding deviations from city code, including reduced setbacks, increased impervious surfaces (from 25% to 50% for high density), and building height (up to 60 feet). The project necessitated rezoning from CBD to R4 due to a lower unit density than previously approved for the Amira project on the same site. Parking requirements were exceeded (140 proposed vs 92 required), and the applicant indicated willingness to consider further reductions. The dedication of 7 acres for the Lake Minnetonka Regional Trail (LMRT) corridor, vastly exceeding the minimum, was noted as a significant benefit. Concerns about buffers along Highway 5 and potential for public access through the site's private trails were discussed. MDOT confirmed sufficient right-of-way for a trail along Highway 5 but construction challenges were noted, reinforcing the LMRT as a priority.
Preliminary Plat for Downtown West, Fourth Edition
Dissent: None
Moved by Unidentified Council Member [1:22:15] · Seconded by Unidentified Council Member [1:22:25]
The council reviewed the preliminary plat for Downtown West, Fourth Edition, proposing two commercial buildings on a <1 acre parcel, including a drive-thru coffee user and a grab-and-go food user. The project involved an extension of Main Street and new access from County Road 11 (right-in/right-out), with existing Highway 5 access to be removed. Conditional Use Permits were required for the drive-thru, permanent outdoor dining, and commercial uses in the shoreland overlay. Despite concerns from Carver County about the County Road 11 access, city engineers found no safety issues. A 50% parking reduction was requested and granted due to offsetting uses. MDOT did not request additional right-of-way for a potential future 4-lane Highway 5 expansion, easing concerns about the project's impact. The Planning Commission unanimously recommended approval.
Conditional Use Permit Request for Illuminated Commercial Signs for Harland
Dissent: None
Moved by Unidentified Council Member [1:25:21] · Seconded by Unidentified Council Member [1:25:31]
The council reviewed a request for a conditional use permit for a single, internally illuminated 'halo' commercial sign for Harland, a new restaurant downtown. The sign, approximately 52 square feet, would face Stiger Lake Lane, with 'Harland' illuminated and 'chicken and fish' not. The application followed proper notice, underwent a public hearing with no comments, and received a unanimous recommendation for approval from the Planning Commission. Standard conditions for illuminated signs were proposed.
Conditional Use Permit Request for Illuminated Commercial Signs for Upstream Financial Advisors
Dissent: None
Moved by Unidentified Council Member [1:28:44] · Seconded by Unidentified Council Member [1:28:54]
A conditional use permit was requested for two halo-illuminated commercial signs for Upstream Financial Advisors, which is taking over the former Tazzy baby and child space. Each sign is approximately 48 square feet, with one facing Victoria Drive and the other facing a private parking lot. Both signs will be fully illuminated. The process mirrored that of the Harland sign, with proper notice, no public comments during the Planning Commission's public hearing, and a unanimous recommendation for approval. Standard conditions for illuminated signs were applied.
Notable Quotes (9)
I don't think we should lose this project based on four parking spots. We've got a bunch of different things that we're doing right now for parking in the city. Um, we've expanded parking on Stiger and I think we should have this project go forward. It's good for the city. It's good for everybody and I don't want to lose it based on four parking spots.
The project itself though is underparked by five spaces. That's clear. We're losing four. That's clear. The math is a total of nine. So, we're down. Um, and it's adding parking problems that our residents are saying we're having and they want us to do something about it. So the um we're also a little bit light on details as the the amendment of you know figuring out additional parking demands in a year. Where are we going to who's going to renumerate the city? Who's going to figure out what is adequate parking at that time? I I think we needed a little bit more clarity on that.
I think one of the things that will happen with the expanded tax increment financing district is that this hotel project will bring property taxes that will be in the district that is dedicated towards parking. Yeah. And so, um, that is going to go to the city to be able to hopefully improve the parking lot at the Gant behind the Ganon site and be able to move forward um, with the tax increment financing that's being provided by the hotel.
I have been on this boardwalk and it is very nerve-wracking that there's not a railing on it without a railing. Yeah, it it makes me very nervous, so I'm excited to see this and it's a lovely railing besides.
Basically, um we're talking about a reduction in about half the units that was previously approved with the air project, which is forcing that resoning, which is forcing us to evaluate it differently than how it was previously approved. Um so, yeah, it it all has to go back to that density requirement. They couldn't meet the project's minimum requirement of 24 units per acre. They're at about 17 units per acre right now. So that's driving the R4 reszoning.
I do think a reduction of five additional spaces would not hurt our programming. Um if that was the direction that I'm wondering if that type of reduction would help us overall though or if we're thinking more of a sizable reduction to really move the needle if you will.
So I'm I'm kind of thinking a little bit maybe I don't know if this is truly outside the box, but the outlots like outlot C for instance that will become the city of Victoria in this project. Correct. Correct. So council, you know, one perhaps one of the things we could ask staff to consider is, hey, it's it's going to take a long time to get this turned into a regional trail. That's clear, right? There's private property that the owners don't want to give that up. However, you know, I I see an opportunity here in that perhaps we could have community gardens built in these outlaws in the interim while life works its way to that point. What would be better than to have the residents of this project be able to use that to grow fresh vegetables, etc., and even have, you know, if we have good neighbors from Lakebridge come over and use a product that is really just enormously popular within the city.
So, as I sit here today, I'm not recommending that you scratch the community development department's vision or the developers vision for this intersection and this plan development, but did want to flag it for you in case we're back here in two years talking about the fourlane and I'm saying we don't have enough room for a free right turn lane. So that comment that has been in my comment letter repeatedly as it's coming through is going to go away. Think I explained it in English. I I got it.
I'm not in love with the name Main Street for here. I don't think that this speaks as a main street. This does however anchor this site to the broader overall downtown west. So feel like a more appropriate name might be anchor perhaps way anchor terrace anchor something so that it just does not speak main street to me.
Ordinances & Resolutions (20)
Request for conditional use permit amendment for Hotel Victoria project.
To adopt the resolution amending the conditional use permit for Hotel Victoria.
Request for easement vacation for the Enclave at Huntersbrook development on Outlot A from West Creek Village First Edition.
To adopt the resolution vacating a drainage and utility easement on Outlot A in West Creek Village.
Project for reconstructing a boardwalk and replacing a trail section.
To adopt a resolution accepting bids and awarding a contract for the Duck Trail Rehabilitation Project.
Detailed plans for a 76-unit cooperative senior housing, 6 townhomes, and 2 single-family homes.
Request to change the guiding land use for the Atoria Lake Town project from Downtown Mixed-Use to High-Density Residential.
Request for rezoning the Atoria Lake Town property from PUD (underlying Central Business District) to PUD (underlying R4 High-Density Residential) with proposed deviations.
Review of the detailed site plan and proposed building materials for the Atoria Lake Town project.
Approving the preliminary plat, preliminary planned unit development, and site plan and building materials request for Atoria Lake Town.
Authorizing submittal of a comprehensive plan amendment to the Metropolitan Council for Atoria Lake Town.
Detailed plans for two commercial buildings, including a drive-thru coffee user and a grab-and-go food user, as part of the Downtown West development.
Request for three conditional uses: a drive-thru, permanent outdoor dining areas, and commercial uses within the shoreland overlay district for Downtown West, Fourth Edition.
Review of the detailed site plan and proposed building materials for the Downtown West, Fourth Edition project.
Approving the preliminary plat, conditional use permit, and site plan and building materials requests for Downtown West, Fourth Edition.
Request for an illuminated commercial sign for Harland restaurant.
Granting a conditional use permit for an illuminated commercial sign for Harland at 1715 Stiger Lake Lane.
Request for illuminated commercial signs for Upstream Financial Advisors.
Granting a conditional use permit for illuminated commercial signs for Upstream Financial Advisors at 1750 Tower Boulevard.