Wayzata City Council — Transcript
Tuesday, February 24, 2026
Weisetta School District Facilities Referendum
Harbors of Weisetta Zoning Approval Extension
Walzer Project Planned Unit Development (PUD) Approval
Votes (3)
Weisetta School District Referendum Presentation
Superintendent Chase Anderson outlined the school district's growth history and future projections, necessitating a facilities referendum. He detailed three ballot questions: a technology levy renewal, a significant investment in new school buildings (elementary, middle, high school additions) on district-owned land in Medina, and a new high school swimming pool. Anderson discussed the financial impacts for homeowners, the reasons for an off-cycle election, and general community engagement efforts including a video and website information. Council members questioned the average home valuation used for tax impact calculations, the history and transparency of the technology levy, and expressed concern over the overall tax burden on residents. The Mayor thanked the Superintendent for his service and partnership.
Harbors of Weisetta Zoning Approval Extension
Dissent: Council Member Mr. Pish (expressed inclination to deny the extension)
Moved by Council Member [00:37:37] · Seconded by Council Member [00:37:41]
Community Development Director Alex Sharp presented the request from Care Cliff LLC for a third one-year extension of zoning approvals for the Harbors of Weisetta senior living facility. The applicant cited financing challenges and health issues for the delay. Council members expressed concern over setting a precedent for multiple extensions, the vague justification provided, and the applicant's absence from the meeting. While acknowledging the health issues, the Council sought more detailed information on the project's viability. The City Attorney clarified that a shorter extension was permissible under code. Council decided to grant a 120-day extension, expecting the applicant to provide more substantial information in person.
Walzer Project PUD General Plan and Related Requests
Community Development Director Alex Sharp provided an in-depth overview of the Walzer project, a proposed Lamborghini dealership that would replace Malber's and a former gas station. The plan included a PUD general plan, preliminary plat, five variances (parking stall count, parking setback, fence height/opacity, access separation), and two design deviations (planting strip, street tree spacing). The applicant team explained their design choices, including the rationale for the access point on Huntington Avenue due to grade changes and their commitment to an 8-foot opaque fence for noise/light mitigation for neighbors. Council members inquired about pedestrian safety along Weisetta Boulevard, the possibility of a green buffer, and specifics of Lamborghini's dealership operations like test drives and repair volumes, noting inconsistencies in previous statements regarding 'appointment-only' access.
Notable Quotes (10)
If we were to wait until this upcoming November, I've been told by our construction managers that it would probably increase the uh through inflationary uh increases by maybe up to $8 million.
I think the the people that are out there listening ought to take a very very careful look at this before they vote in favor of it.
you've always been a champion of our little town and our you know moderate contributions to the overall ecosystem of lucky that we are the namesake of the district. We're proud of that as well and um certainly uh high functioning and high impact public schools are part of what make communities great for sure.
In the nine years or so that I've been on council, I've never heard of anybody requesting a third extension. Um, are you aware that we've done this in the past, gone to three extensions?
I would chime in and just add that their approvals lapse, I believe, March 6th and our next council meeting March 7th and our next council meeting isn't until March 10th. So that they did put us at the very end of the timeline.
I think u the vagueness of a letter and a refusal to appear just causes me to question the viability of the project. It's just as simple as that.
Walzer chose to keep these items in their application at the request of neighbors, uh they could potentially these are the two variances that if council did not support could be dropped from the application without substantially changing the site plan.
Without the design of that corridor, this uh actual design could be in significant flux of what the council sees. But it is outside of the purview of this specific application.
So, this is completely different than any other, you know, dealership that that I or any of us are probably used to frequenting. You cannot just show up and test drive a $300,000 vehicle. Uh, so it is it is scheduled. Um, they are very sporadic in terms of trying to vet those customers to make sure it's not somebody out for a joy ride.
on on your on your original meeting at the planning commission you were you told the commission that these were appointment only but then at the most recent planning commission I mean it was you you guys stated that you did allow walk-ins and now today you said that it's appointment only. So I'm can you clarify on
Ordinances & Resolutions (12)
An update on this plan was discussed in a workshop.
Appointing a Housing and Redevelopment Commissioner; approved as part of the consent agenda.
Amending city code chapters 501-505 regarding general licensing and liquor provisions, specifically changing timing of fee payments; approved as part of the consent agenda.
Accepting a donation from the Wise American Legion; approved as part of the consent agenda.
Approving an extension of zoning approvals for the Harbors of Weisetta project.
Initial stage of development for the Harbors of Weisetta project, approved in February 2022.
Later stage of development for the Harbors of Weisetta project, approved in March 2023, and subject to extension.
Approved for Harbors of Weisetta project in April 2024.
Approved for Harbors of Weisetta project in April 2024.
Approving a PUD General Plan and other related requests for the Walzer project.
Requested for the Walzer project, consolidating two parcels into one.
Encourages buffers along Weisetta Boulevard; county is soliciting bids for design.