Minnetonka Council approves development projects, appoints DEI commissioner
The Minnetonka City Council unanimously approved several development proposals and filled a vacancy on its Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Commission at its June 24 meeting. The council also discussed the importance of civility in public service and launched a monthlong awareness campaign for monarch butterflies.
The council voted 7-0 to approve a public hearing on a proposed two-lot subdivision at 16515 Hidden Valley Road. Lacy Brothers Construction plans to remove an existing home and divide the property into two lots, a project that requires preliminary and final plat approvals, a floodplane alteration permit, and the vacation and re-establishment of easements. City staff confirmed the project meets all ordinance and engineering standards. No public comments were received.
In a separate unanimous vote, the council approved four routine consent agenda items bundled together, including preliminary and final plat approval for the Tammy Edition subdivision at 15503 Robinwood Drive, an ordinance amending zoning regulations for interim uses, an opt-in resolution for Community Development Block Grant funding through the Urban County Consortium, and a resolution requesting state capital budget funding for 2026.
The council also unanimously appointed Wen Palingo as a young adult representative to the DEI Commission for a one-year term effective July 1, 2025. The appointment fills a vacancy created by a recent resignation and ensures continued youth perspective on the commission.
Beyond votes, council members and residents expressed deep concern about recent violence involving state legislators. Speakers emphasized the need for civility, respect, and compassion in public discourse, urging citizens to resolve differences through democratic processes rather than threats or violence. The council committed to modeling respectful behavior.
The mayor also proclaimed July 2025 as Monarch and Pollinator Awareness Month. The Natural Resources Manager highlighted the city's conservation efforts, including the Mayor's Monarch Pledge program and native planting initiatives. The city updated its nuisance ordinance to allow residents to include native landscaping features, and its zoning ordinance requires 25% native plants in landscaping to support pollinators. The city manager reminded residents about an upcoming deadline for the 2025 free home energy audit program.
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Votes (3)
Approval of Consent Agenda Items 10A, 10B, 10C, and 10D
Dissent: None
Moved by Council member Calbertt [0:55:54] · Seconded by Council member Wilburn [0:56:02]
The City Council voted on a bundled set of routine items without individual discussion, following an earlier agenda amendment. These items included an opt-in resolution for the Urban County Consortium CDBG consolidated pool, preliminary and final plat approval for Tammy Edition (a two-lot subdivision), an ordinance amending zoning regulations for interim uses, and a resolution requesting funding from the 2026 state capital budget.
Public Hearing on Preliminary and Final Plat with Floodplane Alteration Permit of Hidden Valley Third Edition at 16515 Hidden Valley Road
Dissent: None
Moved by Council member Calbertt [1:01:21] · Seconded by Council member Romey [1:01:28]
The public hearing concerned Lacy Brothers Construction's proposal to remove an existing home and divide the property at 16515 Hidden Valley Road into two lots. The project required preliminary and final plat approvals, a floodplane alteration permit, and the vacation and re-establishment of easements. Staff confirmed the project meets all ordinance and engineering standards, and the procedural change to a public hearing due to easement vacation was noted. No public comments were received.
DEI Commission Young Adult Reappointment
Dissent: None
Moved by Mayor [1:03:00] · Seconded by Council member Calbertt [1:03:04]
The City Council addressed a vacancy on the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Commission due to a resignation. The action involved reappointing Wen Palingo (PGO) as a young adult representative for a one-year term, effective July 1, 2025. This ensures continued youth perspective on the commission.
Notable Quotes (3)
Lacy Brothers Construction is proposing to remove the existing home on this, uh, Hidden Valley Road property and divide that property then into two lots.
The easements that exist right now are... obsolete easements and they would be uh reestablished uh with the final plat. All notices to area residents and the public hearing notification that was in the newspaper did include that vacation of easement um request.
really, as the mayor introduced, this is a appointment for a young adult for our DEI commission. Uh we've had a resignation, unfortunately. And so what this action does tonight is to appoint, hopefully I get the pronunciation correctly, Wen. Wen Palingo to the Pingo PGO PGO. Thank you for all by high school espanol. Okay. So, this will be a one. Thank you for all the assistance. PGO as noted by the mayor to serve a one-year term effective July 1st, 2025 and expiring on June 30th, 2026.
Ordinances & Resolutions (12)
A national program signed by the mayor in 2017 to raise awareness and implement action steps for monarch conservation.
A city program designed for private property owners to provide education, technical assistance, and incentives for native plant landscaping.
A city ordinance with a landscaping requirement that includes 25% native plants to support pollinators; also subject of an amendment regarding interim uses.
A city ordinance recently updated to allow residents to include native landscaping features.
A foundational document guiding the city's natural resource management efforts.
A resolution for opting into a consolidated pool for Community Development Block Grant funding.
An ordinance modifying the city's zoning regulations concerning temporary or short-term land uses.
A formal request for state funding for capital projects in the city.
An initial approval for a subdivision plan, specifically for Hidden Valley Third Edition and Tammy Edition.
The final approval for a subdivision plan, specifically for Hidden Valley Third Edition and Tammy Edition.
A permit required for modifying the flood plain area, specifically for the Hidden Valley Third Edition project.
The legal process of terminating existing easements, required for the Hidden Valley Third Edition project to re-establish new ones.
Source document
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Other Topics from This Document
Civility in Public Service and Response to Political Violence
Community Events and City Services Updates
Affordable Housing and Community Development Success
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