It is now 5:30 and I call this workshop of the Victoria City Council to order. Our workshops are informal and with that we'll dive right into our agenda. We have two items on our workshop agenda this evening which is a sketch plat for Hotel Victoria and our transportation project update. First on the agenda this evening is the Hotel Victoria Sketch Plat. Kicking us off this evening is city planner Brian McCann. So Mr. McCann, the floor is yours. >> Thank you. >> Tonight we have a submitt for Hotel Victoria. This is a commercial development proposed right in the heart of our downtown here. Uh this is a sketch plat submitt. So what that means is that they are just receiving initial feedback from the plan commission and the city council. There aren't any approvals or actions that are taken during the meeting this evening. This is just to provide guidance and feedback to the developer as they plan to move forward with any future land use applications. So the location and existing condition, it's currently located at 7929 Victoria Drive. Uh it currently has the Winchester and Rye restaurant on it here on the southern half of the parcel and then the northern half is existing green space. They are surrounded by streets on all sides as you can see in the image on the left. They are also in close proximity to the Lake Mananka regional trail and within 1,000 ft of Stiger Lake. Uh that comes into play when we talk about shoreland. We're allowed 80% in the Shoreland district and the site right now is approximately 50% impervious. So, moving on to their proposal, they are looking at building a 46 unit boutique hotel with various amenities including a covered parking garage with total capacity up to 41 parking stalls, a fitness center, a lobby with a breakfast bar for the guests, as well as multiple meeting rooms and spaces throughout the building. They have proposed on street marking on street parking modifications to Stiger Lake Lane. You can see there are two stalls here. Uh there are six existing currently. So they would be taking away two angled stalls or four angled stalls and having two parallel stalls here. There are also 22 existing parking stalls on Ry's Way. On the east side, they are proposing to reduce that down to 19. So they would be losing an additional three existing parking spaces here. Just for um some background, we'll get into the parking more later. And then their overall building at the lowest point to the tallest point is about five stories approximately 68 ft in height. The lowest uh or I guess the highest grade with the highest height is closer to about 50 55 ft adjacent to the Winchester and Ry building. So, here are some renderings that were submitted that were included with your packet this evening. Here's the ground floor entrance with the lobby and the breakfast bar. And then all of the rooms are located on the upper four levels. So, this is the side that has the highest height variance, I guess you could say, between 90 ft at grade to 148 ft to the roof truss. So, that's where we get that 68 feet approximately. Uh and then on the Winchester and Ry side, that's where it gets closer to 50 feet, which is compliant with our central business district standard for height with the existing grade at 100 ft and then going up to 148 ft here. So looking at our zoning and comprehensive plan, as I mentioned, this is within our central business district. So that's what it's currently zoned. And it's guided downtown mixed use in our 2040 comprehensive plan. Both of those districts allow various commercial uses such as a hotel. So, this would be compliance as a permitted use um or a conditional use actually within our central business district. Um and then building feet, building heights over 50 ft are also a conditional use. So, that's an additional application that the applicant would need to consider if they move forward with preliminary plat submittals. So for the Shoreland Overlay District, as I mentioned, they're within a thousand feet of Stiger Lake. They are proposing hotels, which are a commercial use in our shoreland district. So they would need a shoreland conditional use permit as well. And then that 80% impervious requirement that I mentioned, the applicant and myself did meet with our DNR area hydraologist to talk about the potential for a variance request to exceed the 80% impervious. uh given some storm water mitigation such as BMP storage tanks. So that's something that the applicant is aware of and that they'll have to look into further. And then for building materials, lighting and signage, we expect a subsequent application to look at all those more closely with the preliminary plat submitt um to look at their proposed exterior materials for the outside of their building, but also look at the signage requirements and the lighting locations on the building and on the street lights on the street. Uh the current renderings that you saw had about 1,500 square ft of signage. Our maximum per our code is 160 square feet. So they will have to modify that in future submitts. Looking at landscaping and tree preservation, they did not provide landscaping at this time. It's not a requirement of sketchplat, but it's helpful to relay the standards to city council and the applicants. So, they are exempt from minimum open space and planting requirements, but they do have to provide both of our trees, foundation plantings, and comply with our tree preservation requirements for the streets, parking, and drive aisles. Ry's way, as I mentioned, on the east side here, will uh accommodate some additional parking, but will also be expanded from about 18 ft to 20 ft. uh just making it a little wider for two-way traffic on Ry's way to have a more comfortable drive aisle. And then our parking requires one space per room and an additional 20% of the occupancy for a condo or yeah a condo or lodge. In either case, um neither of those are being proposed for this project. So we are strictly looking at the one space per room requirement. So, they're only required to comply with 46 parking stalls. They're showing 41 in their underground garage, which will utilize a valet service to maximize the potential stacking internally. And then they have 28 existing stalls on Stiger Lake Lane and Ry's Way. As I mentioned, they would be reducing by a few stalls in each of these areas. So there are still 21 available on street parking stalls that could be used towards this project as well since we have shared parking in our downtown. But the applicant has also provided interim parking to accommodate any additional parking that may be generated from this project in our downtown. So, they are adding 66 parking stalls with the site design in the image on the left here to add 66 new parking stalls at 1600 Arboritum Boulevard. Um, it's a very short walk to the existing proposed site for this project and would result in approximately a net gain of 54 stalls for our downtown in the interim. But I I say it's interim because they're looking at redevelopment of this Hartman [snorts] site. So in the future, we anticipate another sketch plaque coming forward that would take away those 66 stalls, but then replace them with an underground parking garage with condos and retail proposals in the image on the left here. So, the new garage, based on staff's evaluation of the preliminary plans that were submitted for that, um we anticipate 112 stalls being proposed with that. That would accommodate the uh missing hotel stalls that we talked about, the the Ry's Way and Stiger Lake Lane stalls. It would also accommodate for the new retail and condos as shown in the image on the left, and would add a few additional stalls. uh just generally for our downtown area as well. Then looking at pedestrian connections, they are showing a 8-foot sidewalk here outlined in yellow on the west side of the site and then some pavers on the north side here to have a central gathering plaza for their hotel guests. Um the east side of the building won't be able to accommodate park or a sidewalk, sorry. Um there's not a sidewalk on that side of the street on Randy's way currently. They're not proposing an additional sidewalk here just because of bumper overhang. There isn't enough space for the hotel site to work for that. Uh but the Lake Minnitanka Regional Trail is nearby for potential trail users and the applicant is also exploring the use of a bike rental service for the lobby of their hotel as well. Then looking at park dedication. This project is less than an acre in size. So, our code says they do not have to provide any parkland dedication. Uh they're not showing any parks on their plans and it we don't expect any cash fee in lie of land either because it doesn't meet the size requirements. But we do have various amenities in our downtown already including the Lake Mitanka Trail and Bayfront Park. And with that, I'll pass it over to Cara for a couple slides. >> All right. So, wetlands and storm water management. This site is within Minia Creek Wershed District, so is um subject to their rules and regulations. We aren't anticipating any wetland impacts. And then um we do want to note that this particular parcel is outside of the downtown regional storm water system. So, um water from this site drains north. it does not drain west um to the pond system that's located on the west side of downtown. So, uh they will need to um ha provide for some best management practices as required by MCWD because the s parcel size is so small under the district's current rules. It doesn't trigger the need to um construct extensive storm water management since the site is.3 acres. Um but they have already spoke with the watershed district and have gotten preliminary feedback from the district to the concept. So are planning accordingly. Uh site utilities utilities uh were made available to this property when we reconstructed the streets in downtown in 2003. So there's an existing water service stub and sanitary sewer stub available for connection. >> Thanks Cara. And then included with the packet your evening or your packet this evening I provide some general questions to help guide discussion with the applicant. Uh so these questions are here on the screen for you if you would like to refer to them during the discussion this evening. And then lastly uh next steps. So, if the applicant receives favorable favorable feedback from the city council this evening, it's likely that they'll move forward with generating a preliminary plat submitt which will include a public hearing with the planning commission and the formal decision by the city council. So, we're not sure when that meeting date will be, but just for those of you in the audience who want to stay informed, just know that if you live within 350 ft of the proposed development, you will receive a mail notice. Otherwise, you can always sign up to be notified of this development and any other future development on our city's web page. So, with that, representatives of the application are in the audience and staff can stand for questions as well. >> Great. Uh, thank you, Mr. McCouncil. I'll open the floor for discussion. I mean, I've been a supporter of this since I saw it from the planning commission last week and just rumors of it beforehand. Um, I think it brings in wallets that should help stimulate the businesses around the uh area of Victoria. I think it helps address some of our parking issues. And I think something that hasn't come up is is it also provides a level of advertisement. Come visit Victoria. Wow, this is great. Now, come stay in Victoria. So, as far as it conceptually in sketch plat, I'm all for it. Um, I have a few questions regarding signage and lighting, but that was kind of addressed with the fact that that's going to come up next uh with preliminary plat. Um, I guess my question would be how close to Stiger Lake is this? Um, acting mayor and council member, I didn't do exact measurements. Um, I would estimate at least 300 feet just on the image on the left here. >> Okay. >> Uh, if you give me just a moment though, I can get an exact measurement for you. My point really is that it's slightly closer than the Monarch development that we've already gone through sketch plat on and we've discussed different options for storm water mitigation regarding using engineering tools. Um it sounds like they're going to have to do the same type of thing. Correct. >> Correct. >> Thank you. Uh, how does the street impact the Monarch development that we've already discussed a lot here? Is the widening of Ry's way and the parking and everything that we've calculated for both properties. Is there anything that's affected by that or not? >> Um, not directly. So, as I mentioned, they're widening the north intersection here from 18 ft to 20 ft. Uh, the Monarch proposal is actually widening it to 20 feet the rest of the way down Ry's way. So, the entire road would have a 20 foot wide width. >> I know there's I know they're close and I know there's a there's a lot that can happen with Ry's way and I was just making sure that we're taking all of that into consideration. Um, thank you for approaching our discussing the utilities aspect. Miniha Creek Wershed District feels like they've already done some work there. Um, I've kind of taken all the time here so far. What do you guys have to say or think? >> I just a couple things to add on to what you said, uh, Council Member Patterson. I think Victoria needs this. I think it's great for a number of reasons. um Bavaria Downs and all the things coming in with the weddings and everything like that, the town and people coming in and not just eating but staying overnight and then eating again the next day and continuing on in Victoria is great. The the one and I'll call it a detail but somebody brought it up I think in the planning commission meeting the one uh facing wall towards Winchester. Is there any way to put any type of window on that or something like that? [snorts] Um Mary >> Mary Neon 7929 Victoria Drive. Um yes, we are actually examining opening up to the deck like opening doing some open airspace so it's not a solid wall. >> Okay. The design is done with this beautiful curve >> and so we had it in there in the beginning. We took it back out because it was kind of taking away from the architecture of it. >> We're going to relook at it. I I called and talked to Jennifer right after that meeting. >> Okay. >> But I don't want to lose the um design element of this incredible curve that we're paying for because that's really the architectural style. So, we are looking at it and um opening to revisiting it if it works. But most of the stuff where you see the black lattice, that's the staircase going down. It's the mechanicals. It's the laundry. >> You can't do too much with that, >> right? So, we were just looking at the deck, but you can, you know, you can see how that really shapes >> y >> shapes and so there's just that balance. Thank you. >> Thank you. Uh I just have a few comments. Uh I mean I would I would uh agree with uh my colleagues. Um you know we've looked at with various other developments, right? Hotels in our south area and such. I think it is a need. Um as Andy said, you know, I think of uh all the uses Lions Pavilion gets during the summer, right? It's a lot of graduations, a lot of parties. Where are those people staying, right? like we don't have anything right here. Um I so I think this will be highly used um you know yeah with Bavaria Downs uh Chaza but it's closer to Victoria really than uh Chaza. Um I I do think it's needed. I think um you know I think it's a beautiful building. Um I do have a couple questions. Um so the just to make sure I understand. So the 66 spots that are going to be on the other site, the Hartman site, um when that redevelops, obviously that will be taken care of during that time, right? They'll have to come before with PL, uh but the the theory or I guess the proposal is that those 66 plus whatever they need in that future development will be in whatever future develop. So we won't lose uh parking with that future development. >> Council member Roberts, that's correct. Uh the interim would help the hotel now and then after it's redeveloped, it would accommodate the hotel, the retail, the condos and add extra parking. Do we, again, I know this is in the future and I don't know how soon that you're thinking of this Hartman development, but on the Hartman land, uh, what type of plan do we have for when that is being built out to replace, right? Like during construction to make sure we have enough parking for the hotel and other things. >> Yeah. Thank you, Council Member Chad Roberts. um the the Hartman piece uh you know as you were told we might be short like six or seven spots and we said why just create six or seven during the construction during the downtown let's just stripe it the most we can let the downtown people use it for any kind of overflow they need and we would like to move right into that project after the hotel is done um we don't want to hold that project and we'd like to do it while this, you know, council is in place and sees the vision. Um, and so we would be looking at moving right into we actually have floor plans and drawings that are coordinated right with the models. >> And so, um, we would be looking at moving right into that if possible. >> Okay. So, what would the Do you have a plan then yet about where those 66 parking stalls while you're building on that site where >> like how we'll park all those people? >> Again, we're not short. I just want to make sure that we're all clear. We're not short 66, right? We're we're short like six or seven. Yep. >> And so, um we would have to accommodate those on our site. Okay. >> Yes. Yes. and then roll it all into working with the city on an underground parking. >> Sure. >> And in the models, we can lift it off and show you all the parking underneath. It's a 1.4 acre site and we really felt it was important for the downtown. You know, if there was one site to grab, that was it because if we could get some underground parking, that was a really great spot. >> And then can you just because it's hard for me to vision, I didn't get a chance to get over there. How easy is it to get for Walker, right? Like you park there and walk to, >> you know, where everywhere else. I know you got this nice >> here's coming in the main street of downtown. Here's Winchester >> and right along this is the flats right here. And so you have a sidewalk right here. >> So you can come right down and get on the sidewalk. So you're from walking on the sidewalk, you come down >> right here. So Not eventually someday and we worked with Jen on this is eventually we would like the bank to work with us >> and we'd love to be able to get people right in downtown be able to funnel in underneath. >> Sure. >> You know and then be able to circle back out but um that takes time. >> Sure. Yep. >> We don't have that yet. But the 66 site uh spots, I just want to make sure that you're aware that we're not we're just saying if we're going to do it, let's give the downtown some extra >> that people use it. >> Understood. >> Thank you. >> So maybe to put it another way, the 66 spots is kind of like >> a thank you, Victoria, for helping us live through this construction, the difficulty that we know we're gonna >> kind of Okay. And then um we we've had we have heard some concerns I'll share that you know that that the you know you're going to approve something maybe on a temporary spots and >> um would you be amendable to maybe having a a an easement that we could put for seven or so spots so that we can say we've worked with the developer to make sure that we've always we Okay, great. you know, that just says that that, you know, we are going to need seven spots, you know, to to the hotel parking. Yeah. >> Just just to, you know, make a statement that says, you know, hey, we're we're committed to this. We understand we're taking some spaces away, >> but we'll we'll commit to we will commit to that. And I guess that >> and I'll just add to, you know, this this is a a beautiful design. You the the pictures look great. Um, I'll say that a comment that I have that we really haven't talked about, and thank you for bringing this forward, is that um, hotel rooms don't clean themselves. Air conditioning units and hotel rooms don't fix themselves. These cars won't be parked by aliens or AI. These are people. These are jobs. This is bringing employment to Victoria in our downtown area. So there's a huge economic benefit that this plan is bringing in addition to like what council member Peterson said about um bringing wallets. Well well we need to serve the wallets and we need to you know so the employment opportunities are great here. Um and it it it ticks a lot of boxes for some of the things that uh Victoria has been I I don't know if criticism is the right word but you know bringing some substantial commercial to our downtown area. This this gets it done. So thanks for bringing this. >> Thank you. When we met with Confluence over in Hastings, they just said that that hotel had such a dramatic impact on their economics of the downtown. And uh one of the things that we really want to strive to do is in is encourage all the other businesses to gain work off of the hotel. We don't have to be a spa to everyone, but we want our hairdressers and spas to be able to expand. You know, we don't want to be the gift shop. We want our local shops in the downtown to get that business and we'll be linking everything to those shops. So, we don't plan on being everything. We just want to make sure that we're a great neighbor for all of our mom and pop shops and hope that brings more wallets to them. >> Great. Now, my my next question is kind of probably more of a more of a practical, more of a technical um and I didn't see it and maybe it's there. Is there going to be a marquee in front of where the where guests can come in and unload so that um in a Minnesota winter in rain so that you can just get your car underneath unload without having a clement weather or is that something that will sort of be a gap that is >> we just have we'd have to work with our fire department on that. So, we did have an in and then an out and we would had hoped to do some type of an awning or something where people could get out and walk in. The fire department wanted uh 20 ft and we didn't have the space. So, Matt with civil site redesigned it for just a drop off. But, if that's something that you want, that is what we had in the original and we could certainly go back and talk with the fire chief about it and see how we could incorporate it. >> Okay. I mean, it just feels like that, you know, somebody be like, I love staying there. >> That normal little horseshoe where you come in and you come back out. >> Okay, great. >> And but we've changed it so that we were meeting, you know, the different reviews. >> Understood. >> And we could always go back and ask them what what they could see that could maybe work too. >> Great. >> Thank you. >> Can I ask you one more question, Mary? >> Sure. There was one question that was kind of answered, not answered, and then it was changed, and there were a few different things with the planning commission, and it became a little bit unclear. Um, conference room space within the hotel. >> Yes, >> that's for guests only at this point. Correct. >> Yes, it's it's for guests only. I did get some calls on that. >> Okay. So, I wasn't the only one. >> No, the corporation. I had a company call me and say, "Wait a minute. are you telling me that I'm not going to be able to let like some of our Victoria employees come to a company meeting if they want to come and do it? And I said, I'm gonna have to get some clarification. I think we have plenty of room to park any of that extra over on the Hartman site. >> Exactly. >> And so that became actually I mean a direct question from one of the corporations that desperately wants to be able to use this, but they did not like that I answered it that way. So, um, you know, obviously there's there could be some people that are coming. If it's a local company and they end up taking the hotel, but somebody wants to drive home and drive there, I don't think we'd be able to control it. But what we can do if there's any corporate events, which are typically going to be Monday through Thursday is the corporate time that saves the hotel. Um, those could all be parked on that Hartman site. That's why we're making sure that we got plenty of spots. But, yep. That was a that was actually a concern of some local businesses here. >> Good deal. And then I mean we're looking at valet options and personal park options. If you're parking under the building, you're going to have to use valet >> and then option valet to the Hartman building or >> That's going to be valet, too. >> Okay. So, I show up at the hotel, drop my car off, and you guys figure out where to put it. >> Yeah, we have people that are going to take it, park it, >> perfect >> and scooch back. >> Thank you for answering that. Thank you, >> council. >> Any further discussion? >> Sorry. Uh, one other question that we've been asked about and you know, we know you I know you talked about the 41 uh one space per room, right? So, uh, 41 spaces. Uh, what about the right uh, Greg talked about the workers, right? There's going to be people who are parking cars. There's going to be people cleaning uh, you know, front desk. Um is that included in the requirement for parking or where >> acting mayor and council members? Um so that 46 parking stalls required is assuming a full occupancy of the building. So um I think Mary talked about it a little bit at the plane commission meeting that it's hotels are typically occupied about 65%. So that additional available parking within the garage u for that 35% gap could be utilized towards employee parking potentially. >> Would the plan also be to have employees park on the Hartman site or you know you know so that the parking spots downtown right right in downtown. >> Absolutely. Okay. >> Absolutely. Okay. >> Yeah. And with that 46 per room that does account in the ordinance that you're going to have cleaning staff, you're going to have those type things. Um, but definitely that's why we were like, let's just pave out the make sure we got the Hartman piece. Let's have it available and then we have some extra underground when we actually build the underground over there. >> Yeah. >> Council, anything else? Well, seeing no further discussion and tonight we don't have any action required from council on this. So, I'll check in with uh staff. Mr. McCann, do you have what you need from council? >> Yes, acting mayor and council members. Thank you. >> Great. Council, we'll move on to item 2.2, which is our transportation projects update. And presenting this evening is our city engineer, Cara Garin. Welcome, Miss Garren. >> Thank you, acting mayor. Members of the city council, I'll try to not make you the mayor unless you want to be tonight. Um so tonight's workshop item is just to um give the council an update on the very many transportation projects um going on in the city. But a bit of a pivot tonight. We're going to be talking about not only the highway 5 projects but the projects that come after Highway 5. So, uh, we've spent the last however many workshops talking about, um, all the projects that were constructed in 2025 and starting in 2026. And >> there's other projects. >> There's other projects coming in 20829. So, uh, we wanted to start to make sure that was on everybody's radar, too. Um, so first, these are the three we're going to cover. the highway 5 project um plan 10 and 11 improvements and then a study um that was underway for highway 7. So talking first about the highway 5 project uh contract has been awarded for that project to CS McCrosen uh meetings have started. So weekly construction meetings are underway um communications teams meetings are underway. So it is in fact actually happening. There will be actual construction. So um relocation of private utilities has already started to a certain extent. um you've maybe seen a periodic piece of equipment out um doing some investigative work, but that work is underway. Um the biggest thing that's going to be starting though is tree clearing and vegetation removal. So, I'm going to spend a little bit of time on that tonight. Um also, early work could include some minor earth work that needs to happen. Um the power poles that are all the way along Highway 5 need to be relocated. And so there may need to be some grading to accommodate their new pole locations. And then also some early searchcharge placement work is going to happen. So as a reminder, what a searchcharge is is when um the contractor places a big pile of material on top of existing ground and it sits there for a long period of time to help the ground settle. So, it's can be a little bit frustrating because work starts and then everybody's like, why is nothing happening? But the soil is sitting there doing its job ahead of time. Um, for all of this early work, there could be some traffic impacts. Now, what that would look like would be like a shoulder closure, potential lane closure, just to make sure that um when different parts of the tree removal work is happening, it can be done safely. Typically that'll happen outside of rush hour. Um but it's not like we'll be impact free once this work started. Um there will be an open house scheduled prior to the fullblown construction starting. Um they're thinking probably the end of March. the project team doesn't want to schedule that openhouse until they have the contractor's actual schedule in hand so that they can communicate with the public some of the more finer grain details beyond what's already been presented for staging. Um the other thing that I do want to highlight is that there is a new um email address for the project as well as a phone number hotline number. So, I would encourage anybody with questions to utilize uh those two resources. Part of the reason why we want to direct communication there is they will keep a log of all of the communication and we'll be sure to deploy the right person or people to respond to questions considering what type of question might come in. So, um just want to make sure people are aware of that. So, I do want to talk about the tree clearing and vegetation removal because this is going to be significant. Um, it the entire corridor is going to look very different after this work is completed. Um, you know, if you just drive along the roadway, I encourage you to just pay attention to what's on either side of it. And we're taking a two-lane road and we're making it four lanes with a median in the middle. So, all that vegetation that you see adjacent to the roadway needs to be cleared. So, I do have a full-size plan set marked up with those areas if any individual council member wants to take a look at that with me, but I'm just going to run through these slides here quick. Um, the stuff you see in red is areas where uh vegetation or trees will be removed. So, just to get you oriented here, this is the um fire station site right here. So, I'm going from I'm working my way from downtown towards Chanhassen. An area of pretty significant uh vegetation removal is going to be between 78th Street and um Park Coochia. Uh right here on the left is the welcome to Victoria sign. All the vegetation around that sign is coming out. So, pretty significant tree removal. And then um all of the property between Highway 5 and the trail, there's going to be a lot of clearing up through there to accommodate um grading that needs to occur and then also storm water management will be occurring in those areas. On the side of the property with um the residents, there is going to be clearing along the roadway, but it's less ex extensive on that side of the roadway. They tried to minimize the impacts there. It's a pretty good buffer for some of those folks along there. So, um trying to keep that intact uh as much as they could. [snorts] Um then just continuing on, here's Parkia on your left. Here's Rolling Acres Road on your right. Um so the Park Park View Lane neighborhood, there's a trail back here. Lots of vegetation coming out on either side of that. There'll be tree removal in the Maline Creek Park. So within the park itself where the new pedestrian underpass needs to be constructed. Have to clear the trees in order to put that in. Um and then this is Rolling Acres Road on the left. This is Minawashta Parkway on the right. Um there's a lot of tree removal that needs to come out near the Tristan Heights development. We talked about that at a previous workshop. That tree removal isn't actually going to happen until 2027. So, winter of 26 and 27, they won't be constructing this pond until then. So, um it didn't make sense to clear that early. The one thing that I want to say about why the tree clearing is happening right now is it's required by the environmental agencies that the tree removal has to happen in winter to protect bats. Um, so the trees are getting removed now even though work won't happen for quite some time because it had to be done at this time um to protect the bat. Uh, working our way up Rolling Acres Road. Um, the most significant area of tree removal is along the trail. So this is the Lake Minnetonka Regional Trail where the new underpass is going. So, a bunch of vegetation removal needs to happen in order to accommodate construction of an underpass. And then I just grabbed some Google photos so I could highlight some of these areas um pictorially for you. Um but here's the welcome to Victoria sign. All of this vegetation that you see is coming out. Um this is where the pedestrian overpass is coming in. They can't construct a pedestrian overpass with all of the trees intact. >> [snorts] >> Um the opposite side of the street um there are trees coming out on that side as well. Um the project had to obtain some temporary construction easements from that property owner. So the property owner is aware of the trees that are being removed by their property to accommodate the overpass. Um and then I just grabbed this one just to give you an idea of you know picture. You've got two lanes here now. We got to double it. We got to go to four. These overhead power lines are sort of a good reference point because they're back towards the end of the rideway. So all the vegetation that you see between the road and the power lines is likely to be coming out. If you're just trying to get an idea when you're driving it. And then this is the area that I was talking about um that the city owns the property between here and the trail. That's all going to get cleared out. This is uh percoa actually facing back towards downtown. Power lines again on your left. So this vegetation will be coming out here. Um some vegetation and tree removal on this corner as well. Again, just trying to take the opportunity to point these things out that this is all going to get cleared out. Um, so it's going to it's going to have a um really change the character of the roadway and for folks that may or may not have been paying attention to the coming project, it will be very obvious that a project is coming once that happens. Um, I did want to note on Bavaria, so of Highway 5 by the intersection of 78th Street, there is some tree removal planned in that area. That's the only tree removal of anything measurable on Bavaria. Um and that is in this area. This is where our um warning siren is. This area is needing to be expanded to accommodate some additional storm water management. So there'll be vegetation on there that's city-owned property. >> [snorts] >> Uh this is just a picture of that regional trail to get in your mind that you know obviously you cannot construct a pedestrian underpass amidst all that vegetation. So that's going to be cleared out to accommodate that um work up on Rolling Acres. Just wanted to note here this is at Mount Olivet. These trees are all coming out. All this vegetation is coming out. Um they're they're aware the project's been working in concert with Mount Olivet. um and needed easements from them in order to do the work. So, figured it was worthwhile to just quickly run through the after pictures to remind you all of what it's supposed to look like when it's complete. There is a video on the project website that you can watch that shows um what these improvements look like, but wanted to just drop them in there as a reminder. And then before I move on to the other two projects, um there was a postcard that was mailed out letting everybody know that construction would be coming. That went to nearly all of Victoria. Um and then the city is going to be doing some more targeted social media posts closer to when the tree removal is coming, providing more information about why the clearing's happening. um little bit more detail than what the county would communicate at more of a 50,000 foot level. Uh Kendra is going to do some more specific um newsletter and uh website social media pushes. It's the word I was trying to think of. So, uh before I move on to the other two, are there any questions on Highway 5? >> Just a quick clarification. The uh website and phone number that's on our website. Um, it's on the county's website. Kendra has been revamping all of our stuff, so I haven't confirmed with her today that she got that updated on our site, but >> it will be at some point. Good. >> Yeah. >> Do we do we replace any of I mean, obviously, I know there's right, we're expanding, so there's space. That's why we're taking clearing stuff out, but where we can will there be plantings of other things once this like to recind of grow vegetation there? >> Yeah. So, the project plans did include some um replanting of areas that we had talked about probably 18 months ago. So, like by the pedestrian overpass, um that was one area. That area that's going to be cleared in 27, that area we've talked about replanting. Um the median along Rolling Road is getting planting. I do think that the city though that's a city cost to do any of that work. So, I do think we'll want to continue to evaluate if there's any additional areas after the project's complete that the city would want to look at planting. Um, but at that at this point, it didn't make a whole lot of sense to incorporate that into the project beyond what was already discussed. Could I ask just one quick question? Um so 2026 which is going to be now looking at rolling acres in Bavaria are going to get the trees are being cleared and things are going to be taken care of from a grading perspective. 2026 to 2027 winter is when the rest of these are going or are all of these trees going in the next three months? >> All the trees are going in the next two months except for that one little area over by Tristan Heights. [snorts] >> Okay. Thank you. So work will start on Highway 5 in 2026, but it won't be work that results in the road being closed. So there'll be utility work happening outside of the road right away. Um grading, >> but no partial closures of >> correct road. Yeah. >> Okay. >> Um there will be lane impacts up by 41. So the section of 41 of five between 41 and the arboritum entrance has to start in 26 because that part needs to be completed before the 27 closure starts um for the rest of Highway 5 to make sure that there's always access to the arboritum. So the improvements on five from 41 to the entrance to the arboritum will be happening under traffic. So that right now it's sort of like two lanes that drops into one. That'll be one lane and it'll shift back and forth as they rebuild the other half of the roadway. So there will be traffic impacts as a result of that. Um we are working on an additional graphic that we think better conveys when the closures are going to be and what those alternative routes look like. Uh so Kendra is working on that as well and that again is going to be just more Victoria focused. The whole project is working on some graphics related to even just traffic impacts beyond just the city of Victoria, but we're um repurposing for our residents purposes specifically. >> So, April, we're going to look a lot different than we do today. >> Correct. >> Shockingly, I'm sure. >> Yes. And they will put changeable message signs up at all of these tree clearing limits. um saying, you know, tree clearing starts whenever once they have a date. Right now, it is looking like the beginning of February is the best information I have right now, but we get updates weekly. >> All right, >> just to hammer the nail home on that, I think I would ask that Kendra have I know she will have a good communication program for that. I mean, the number of calls, emails, text messages I received just on the tree clearing for the gas line was amazing. So, with this being 10 times that, um I just want to make sure we're prepared for it. >> And and if things change, I think in the past we've done a really done a really good job of saying, "Okay, we were scheduled to close here, we're going to close at this time." The sooner the residents know about that or people coming into town, whatever, the better, right? Hey, this is out two weeks because of this or whatever. So, keeping up that notification and change changes to the notifications are are huge. >> Yeah, the project team has a robust communications team and plan. Now, this is a county-led project. So, it's >> working through the county, but the comm's team from Chan, Chaza, Victoria, the Arboritum, and the county will be meeting regularly. And of course, Kendall will be looking to supplement their efforts with Victoria specific messaging. >> That's great. >> Excellent. Miss Gary, do you have more for us? >> I do. I have two other projects. So, um, Highway 10 and 11 improvements we'll talk about next. So, um, now we're talking about south of Victoria. So, this is County Road 11, uh, Victoria Drive on the right side of the picture here, and this is Highway 10. So 212 and Chaza would be to the um right if you're looking at the screen and Wakonia to the left. So um first focusing on County Road 11. So I'm sure you don't remember but the county was successful in getting funding to improve the intersection of 10 and 11. So the 2028 project will include the reconstruction of 11 to match what we did north of the railroad tracks, south of the railroad tracks. So adding the median and um getting the trail in the rest of the way and then improving the intersection. So that's scheduled to happen in 28. And then because we like construction to just be forever happening, then in 2029, um then improvements to County Road 10 from where the four-lane stops in Chaska out to some to be determined end point on the other side. The county wanted to get going on the design work for this project on County Road 10 because we're feeling development pressure out in this area. So the county needs to understand what their rightaway needs are and what their plans are. Uh particularly, you know, with projects like Athletes Village if that becomes a reality or as we start seeing residential development um or additional commercial development south of Quicktrip. Um it it's pretty important that the county knows what they need. Um, as part of that design work, they are also going to study the realignment of 43 43 that runs through um, the area that Athletes Village is uh, looking at so that the county can understand what their needs are there as well. There is an open house scheduled for this project on February 12th. I believe it's from 5 to 7. It's at the church whose name of the church I'm forgetting right now, but it's on the corner of 10 and 11. >> Westbrook. >> Westbrook. Yeah. So, they'll be holding it there. Um, notices will go out about that at some point soon. And then on the website for this project, you can sign up for links to get update update emails about it. Um, one thing that will become important for the city to talk about is going to be the typical section for Highway 10 um along the length of Highway 10, but of particular interest is going to be within the commercial area. So, do we think that should be a urban section road with curbon gutter or rural with ditches? Um, and then access management to the site is going to be really important. So, we don't have anything to report on that tonight, but um that's stuff the studies or the design work will start working on that we'll have to weigh in on. >> Am I remembering right that we disagree with the correct the county once? Yeah. Okay. >> Yeah. The county has an adopted corridor study for this corridor that the city of Victoria did not recommend approval of because we weren't in agreement on access spacing for particularly the commercial area and we hadn't settled on a typical section that we all could agree with. Um the county's preferred is typically what you see on the left. So, it's a, you know, wide rural roadway with a ditch in the middle and ditches on the outside. Um, this is a, um, typical from the county's comprehensive plan. On the right side is what a four-lane urban might look like um, from the county's comprehensive plan. One of the things that staff's already talked about is if we're talking about an urban section on 10, staff doesn't think this would be an appropriate place for landscaping in a median. Um, so we have landscaping envisioned up on Rolling Acres Road. We weren't so sure that was a good idea on a road like County Road 10 because there's going to be so much traffic on it um compared to Rolling Acres Road as an example. So, those are things that staff starting to talk about that we'll um solicit input from the council when the time's right. >> Is it fair to say that I mean access to our commercial development in off of 10 is the big thing for us too, right? Like and is that something that the county is not in alignment with like we're not in alignment with on how exactly like they may want to write in right out and full access type thing. >> That is exactly that is exactly the problem. >> Okay. [laughter] And you know it's complicated because of the railroad tracks here. You know that >> Yep. >> makes things more of a challenge. So, >> but they kind of know where we stand on this. >> Correct. >> I mean, it's been communicated and >> Yes. Okay. >> Yep. And the goal So, the goal is to work through some of those um different perspectives early in the process. And so we'll be back with you back in front of you with information on that when the >> I think we have overhead power line issues too. >> Or is that north? >> Yeah, those are those are a little bit to the north. Okay. >> So this is county road 11. Now I flipped. North is to the right, 10 is to the left. >> Thank you. >> Um so there's transmission overhead transmission lines that then get closer to 10. Um the other thing too that I should just note on 10. So, this is the railroad tracks over here. County Road 43 is here. The county does want to realign County Road 10. Um, if you if you pay attention to where 43 from the south comes in, it's got a really tight curve. If you're ever going north on 43 and trying to decide when you can turn left, the sight lines are not great. Um, so the corridor study did complicate contemplate realigning the roadway, which has pretty significant property impacts. So, um, they've got to sort through that too as part of this early phase to see if that's feasible. Um, then just 11 again, it would be a continuation of the design that you see from the north, the quickrip site, the Victoria Ridge site, those were all designed in accordance with that plan. So, um, that is not a surprise. Any questions on 10 and 11 before I hop to seven? All right. So, Highway 7, um, there has been a study ongoing by MDOT, actually to look at improvements to Highway 7 from basically St. Bonnie over to Hopkins. And so, um, the study that was completed by Mandot produced a couple of recommendations, uh, pertaining to improvements to seven, specifically that it should be a two-lane road with a median barrier down the whole length of it. And then roundabouts at major intersections. Now, what's coming up is a pavement preservation project for Highway 7 scheduled for 2029. So, Mindot and the communities along the corridor are trying to figure out typically when you have a pavement preservation project, it's an opportunity to potentially add some additional improvements based on funding availability to address safety. um to implement any part of a vision that might exist for the corridor, but there's a pretty significant funding gap between what the study recommended and the funding that's available for the pavement preservation project. So, it's going to be a lot of work happening, I think, over the next year to try to figure out uh what comes next. And I want to note for the council then, and I'm sure some of you have probably heard from some of the residents, there's some pretty significant concerns by the residents of Victoria who live along this section of Highway 7, particularly relating to the roundabouts and the median barrier. Um, so take for example the Baycliffe neighborhood and uh Waterford Landing and Hawks Point. All of those intersections potentially become right in, right out only. and you would have to go down to a pretty major intersection in order to hit a roundabout to make a Uturn to go back the other way. Um so Mindot has been engaging with the residents with the concerns that have been raised. There was a um Mindot hosted a meeting in conjunction with the homeowners associations and residents from all the way along this corridor from St. Bonnie, Minatrista, St. Bonnie Victoria Chaza um that was held at Mount Olivet in maybe November I think it was and it was really well attended. So there's a lot more discussion to happen before anything becomes a real project. So this one's a lot further away from anything complete compared to any of the previous projects we've talked about. So there'll be more study, there'll be more public engagement. I don't yet know what their next steps are going to be. Um when we hear from MDOT what they're thinking for a next step, we'll be sure to share that with Dana to share with the council. This is just a um picture from the information that they provided of where um roundabouts could be located. And then I just wanted to show this little picture of what the median barrier would look like. So, um, when you're talking median barrier in this condition, it's not like we're looking at at highway five where it's a low wider median. This would be a taller medium barrier for safety. >> What is the it's a safety like why you would do that versus what we're doing on Highway 5, which is a bigger >> uh bigger impact. So, this corridor is pretty challenged. If you if you think about the tree removal that we're talking about for the Highway 5 project, um, and you drive Highway 7, particularly, I typically only pay attention within Victoria. Um, you know, the corridor is narrow. Um, there's steep grades off either side of the roadway. There's a lot of vegetation and so any sort of widening is going to be a challenge there. I should note that the residents, one of the other concerns that the residents raised is wanting to understand why it's not planned for a fourlane. Um, so that's a question that would need to be answered too for those folks as something where to move forward. I think the other thing that they I was at that meeting. The other thing that they brought up was the fact that there was very little notification and while it's not the city's responsibility, we still get the heat for it, the state did not do a great job of communicating with those folks. So, whenever we see something or hear about it, I think we still need it and owe it to them to get out some level of communication. I tried to do it with my online stuff, but that doesn't hit very many people. But just to keep in mind, you know, as long as we're communicating and trying to make them aware of studies and make them aware of things that those are those are concerns that they have as well. Anyway, thank you. Yeah, the staff report from tonight did have links to all of the project pages for these projects, and they all do a pretty good job of having a sign up for email updates um thing that I recommend people do. Mindot doesn't overcommunicate, so you don't get completely spammed with emails, but they would let you know of any upcoming open houses or opportunities for input. council, we've seem to have taken their questioning sort of as we come. Is there any other items that we we want to address this evening? >> That's all I've got. >> Given we have no further discussion on this and no action needs to be taken, uh we'll move forward. Uh are there any more items to come before our body tonight? Well, with that, may I have a motion to adjurnn? >> Motion to adjurnn. >> Second. We have a motion and a second. All in favor? >> I I >> I opposed. Motion carries. Thank you. We stand a journ and we'll be convening a regular city council very shortly.