Minnetonka approves new concession stand and bathrooms at Veterans Field
The Minnetonka City Council unanimously approved plans for a new concession stand and permanent bathroom facilities at Veterans Field on the Minnetonka High School campus on July 11. The project addresses a long-standing community need for better amenities at the baseball field.
The council voted 4-0 to approve the Conditional Use Permit and Site and Building Plan Review for the Veterans Field project. The new facility will include a concession stand and two-stall restroom, along with significant infrastructure improvements to the area.
The project emerged from community feedback about the lack of permanent restrooms at the field. According to project details presented to the council, the new concession stand and restroom will create better viewing areas for spectators while addressing a major gap in facility amenities. The design also includes a new retaining wall—replacing an older two-tiered wall with a single, stronger 14-22 foot wall—along with improved drainage systems and pedestrian safety features like a drop-off zone near the main entrance and narrower traffic lanes designed to slow vehicles.
A notable aspect of the project is its community partnership. The Diamond Club, a local organization that previously funded 90% of the original field project over 15 years, has agreed to donate the full cost of the concession stand. The school district is funding the concourse structure itself. Engineers have approved the structural design of the new retaining wall and other safety features.
The council also approved a separate permit for a portable classroom at Glen Lake Elementary School in a 4-0 vote. The item was approved as routine business with no additional discussion needed.
Both projects now move forward with city approval. More information about Minnetonka city projects and meetings is available at minnotonkamn.gov.
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Votes (2)
Consent Agenda Item 7A: Interim Use Permit for a portable classroom at Glen Lake Elementary School
Moved by Henry [6:04] · Seconded by Brink [6:05]
The item was presented on the consent agenda as routine, with a brief mention of a change memo to address a commissioner's prior question, but without changing the recommendation or conditions. No separate discussion or public hearing was requested by commissioners or the audience.
Non-Consent Agenda Item 8A: Conditional Use Permit and Site and Building Plan Review for a concession stand with bathroom facilities for Veterans Field at Minnetonka High School campus
Moved by Minion [17:34] · Seconded by Brink [17:35]
The project involves building a new concession stand and permanent restrooms at Veterans Field, filling in a two-tiered retaining wall to create a single, stronger wall, and making pedestrian flow improvements. Discussion focused on the structural integrity of the retaining wall, the capacity of the two-stall restrooms, and pedestrian safety in the parking area. The applicant detailed engineering approvals, code compliance for restrooms, water erosion mitigation, and the multi-use nature of the facility for various events throughout the year. The funding from the Diamond Club was highlighted as a community partnership.
Notable Quotes (4)
Portables are functional, but they're not popular. And so the biggest question we had is how come you don't have restrooms? Uh and so with putting this particular um uh concourse in place, it it creates enough space to actually maybe then put a a restroom facility and a little bit of bigger concession facility on it and uh still allow for you know good viewing area for people who want to be standing standing uh you know spectators versus sitting spectators.
The Diamond Club actually uh who paid 90% of the original project over 15 years, they've actually fundraised and and they actually uh have agreed to donate the cost of the concession stand. So the district is actually uh is has district resources are paying for the actual concourse, but then the Diamond Club is act has actually donated the dollars to basically do this. So it's a nice community partnership.
Our engineers have signed off on it. uh the uh and and you you'll see maybe if I just mention you you'll as you'll drive around you'll see these large larger taller walls with the with the big block just you know one straight up um and uh uh so yeah they've it it's designed by engineers their names are on the plans.
Well, we're we're we're bumping out the sidewalk uh in a manner where we're kind of creating a little drop off zone closer to the main entrance to the field so that people would be able more pull to the side uh and take a little more time. Uh and and then the idea was that a narrower a narrower lane would would basically also slow traffic down.
Ordinances & Resolutions (8)
Permit for a portable classroom at Glen Lake Elementary School
Document for City Council to adopt approving the interim use permit
Permit for a concession stand with bathroom facilities at Veterans Field
Review for the concession stand and bathroom facilities project
Document for City Council to adopt approving the conditional use permit and plan review
City's effort to balance rights and responsibilities
City's effort to balance rights and responsibilities
City's effort to balance rights and responsibilities
Source document
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Other Topics from This Document
Interim Use Permit for Portable Classroom
Veterans Field Concession Stand and Bathroom Facilities Project
Infrastructure and Safety Improvements
Community Partnerships and Multi-Use Facilities
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