Wayzata — Transcript

Wednesday, June 17, 2026Analysis complete

Areas of Interest

  • Long-delayed Wayzata senior living project, One Wayzata, seeks another extension amidst council concerns over progress and communication, with a unique ownership model at its core.
  • Wayzata's outgoing and incoming school superintendents underscore the importance of city-school partnerships as a leadership transition takes place.
  • New business model for senior living in Wayzata: developer proposes 'country club style' facility where residents own units, a concept not seen before in the market.
  • Developer cites COVID-19 and new Minnesota building codes as major hurdles causing delays and increased costs for senior living projects, including One Wayzata.
  • City Council discusses the retail environment in downtown Wayzata and the city's potential role in promoting local businesses.
  • Public comments regarding site cleanup at the One Wayzata project location highlight neighbor concerns about fallen and dead trees.

20 Topics in This Document

Call to order

Public attendance and remote viewing information

Pledge of Allegiance

Roll Call

Workshop discussion: Retail environment in Wayzata

Approval of Agenda

Public Forum

Introduction of Wayzata School Superintendents

Outgoing Superintendent's farewell address

Incoming Superintendent's introduction and commitment to partnerships

New Agenda Items discussion

Consent Agenda approval

Public Hearing (none scheduled)

Old Business: Extension of zoning approvals for One Wayzata project

Applicant presentation on One Wayzata business model change

Council deliberation on zoning approval extension request

Site cleanup for One Wayzata property

Senior living ownership model vs. lease model

Impact of COVID-19 on senior living development

Minnesota building code changes for assisted living facilities

Full Extraction
  • Long-delayed Wayzata senior living project, One Wayzata, seeks another extension amidst council concerns over progress and communication, with a unique ownership model at its core.
  • Wayzata's outgoing and incoming school superintendents underscore the importance of city-school partnerships as a leadership transition takes place.
  • New business model for senior living in Wayzata: developer proposes 'country club style' facility where residents own units, a concept not seen before in the market.
  • Developer cites COVID-19 and new Minnesota building codes as major hurdles causing delays and increased costs for senior living projects, including One Wayzata.
  • City Council discusses the retail environment in downtown Wayzata and the city's potential role in promoting local businesses.
  • Public comments regarding site cleanup at the One Wayzata project location highlight neighbor concerns about fallen and dead trees.
Passes
Passes

My new title is the outgoing superintendent of Wayzata Public Schools after serving 18 years in this role and 25 years prior to that in various educational positions. After 43 years, I'm retiring in about 2 weeks from tonight.

Dr. Chase AndersonRetirement and careerAnnouncing his retirement and tenure during the public forum.

We so much appreciate the collaboration and the work that we've done together over the years on a number of projects and just really appreciate hopefully from your perspectives as well being mutual strategic partners.

Dr. Chase AndersonCity-School partnershipExpressing gratitude to the Wayzata City Council and staff for years of partnership.

On July 1st, I'll be officially joining the community as the Wayzata schools' next superintendent.

Dr. Rob VirginNew role commencementAnnouncing his official start date in his new role.

I know that great communities are built on those partnerships, and they when our leadership teams work together, all of our residents, our students, our families, everybody, our businesses, everybody benefits from that.

Dr. Rob VirginCommunity partnershipsEmphasizing the importance of strong community partnerships, including with the city.

A big part of what attracted me to Wayzata... is just how well cared for it is and just the the grounded approach of the school district that has a commitment to just everyday sustained excellence.

Dr. Rob VirginWayzata's community and school district cultureExplaining why he was drawn to the Wayzata school district and community.

We're one of the smaller cities contributing to to the ecosystem, but we're the namesake, you know, and the the originating city.

MayorWayzata's identityHighlighting Wayzata's unique and foundational role within the school district, despite its smaller size.

We don't know of any. We We don't know of any.

Todd HomersUnique business modelResponding to a Council Member's question about whether other senior care facilities operate with an ownership structure for units.

It's a great question because it hasn't been done.

Kyle DidierUnique business modelConfirming the novelty of the proposed senior living ownership model in the market.

COVID disrupted the senior living space quite significantly. And if you looked at the market today, many senior living communities are trading or selling at extremely high premiums. And the reason for that was is from 2020 till about 2025, nothing was getting built.

Kyle DidierImpact of COVID-19 on senior livingExplaining the market conditions and construction halts that contributed to project delays.

In addition, the state of Minnesota changed the building code standards in 2023. Assisted livings could be built like an apartment in the past and they can't anymore. So, I-2 construction is the requirement. It requires significantly more um construction costs associated with it.

Kyle DidierBuilding code changesDetailing how recent changes in Minnesota building codes have impacted construction requirements and costs for assisted living facilities.

I I think this is a nice use. I supported the the initial appeared here and I think this is still something that our community needs. It has been a little disappointing that it has taken so long, but I understand the rationale.

Ms. McDowellZoning approval extensionExpressing support for the One Wayzata project's concept and the requested extension, despite frustration with past delays.

I got to tell you though, I lack some confidence in this development. I think it's been taken a long time and um uh I know we've got some rationale about why, but it's taken an an unusually long time.

Mr. SwensonZoning approval extensionVoicing skepticism regarding the One Wayzata project's progress and the extended timeline for development.