Wayzata City Council — Transcript
Tuesday, April 7, 2026
Short-Term Rental Regulation & Moratorium
Special Event Permits & Noise Management
Environmental Initiatives & Community Engagement
City Operations & Infrastructure Concerns
Votes (2)
Consider the need of to have an emergency moratorium and first reading of ordinance 859 declaring a temporary moratorium on new short-term rentals.
Dissent: Mayor Mullen voted against both motions, citing concerns about process and lack of full legal briefing.
Moved by Council Member [0:41:43] · Seconded by Council Member [0:41:51]
The discussion centered on the recent district court order declaring the city's Ordinance 852, which prohibited short-term rentals, void as a zoning regulation. Staff proposed an emergency moratorium to prevent new short-term rental applications from being processed while the city considers new regulations. Concerns were raised about the potential for 'legal non-conforming uses' if new permits were issued before a new zoning ordinance. The mayor expressed dissent, advocating for a full legal briefing on the court ruling's implications before enacting the moratorium. The City Attorney clarified the statutory allowance for a one-year moratorium and the two-part voting process required for an emergency ordinance.
Consider approval of the special event permit for 2026 concert by RBA
Moved by Council Member [1:07:35] · Seconded by Council Member [1:07:40]
The applicant, Rick Bourne of RBA, requested a special event permit for two concerts during James J. Hill Days, seeking an 11 p.m. end time for music, which was one hour later than staff's recommendation. Bourne explained the 11 p.m. allowance was crucial for flexibility due to potential weather delays and artist contracts, emphasizing the significant financial risk involved. He noted past events rarely went until 11 p.m. and that starting times would be later to shorten overall duration. Council members debated the impact of EDM music and the prospect of two consecutive nights of concerts, referencing past negative public feedback on noise levels, but ultimately expressed trust in the applicant to manage sound and event quality.
Notable Quotes (8)
On March 30th, 2026, the district court issued an order declaring that ordinance 852 was a zoning regulation and therefore void.
Under a zoning ordinance, that would be correct. Uh, seeing as the city attorney is wanting to lead for lean forward and provide comment, I want to make sure that I allow him that time.
I am in favor of this moratorum. I think it's prudent since we had really studied this, engaged the community and I think really came to uh the right conclusion.
My issue is how the information is coming to us and not having a full understanding of the implication of the court ruling. And so that's why I feel um we're out of order in pushing the moratorum now.
Staff's recommending um to place a condition of approval of ending the time at 10:30. um the applicant did include a letter and is also here tonight as well and can also address the council and answer any questions you may have.
If they don't go on, we technically have to refund all the money. We've got all the expense in the show. The artist still gets paid and we have to refund everybody's ticket. So, it it creates a liability that's just kind of, you know, if it was an indoor show, it'd be a different thing, but it's an outdoor show.
The amount of feedback, we'll call it was um immense. And so two nights in a row I think would um I think they blow a gasket again.
I'm in support of the later start time and I'm also in support of like I I don't want to limit the genre to like say I I I put a lot of faith um in Mr. Bourne in doing the right thing.
Ordinances & Resolutions (9)
City ordinance adopted on October 9th that prohibited short-term rentals, later declared void by district court.
Emergency ordinance declaring a temporary moratorium on new short-term rentals, considered and adopted.
Appointing Cameron Bentrot to the Energy and Environment Committee.
Approving the draft deed grant application for 200 Lake Street East.
Amending the 2026 liquor fund budget.
Approved for the Wisetta West Metro Chamber of Commerce.
Approved for the Wisetta West Metro Chamber of Commerce.
Approved for the Wisetta West Metro Chamber of Commerce.
Permit application to hold two concerts during James J. Hill Days, approved with an 11 p.m. end time.