Wayzata City Council Dives into Retail Environment Discussion
A dedicated workshop session explored the current state and future prospects of Wayzata's commercial sector, highlighting the importance of vibrant downtown spaces and community partnerships.
The Wayzata City Council held a focused workshop discussion on the city's retail environment during its recent meeting on June 16, 2026. This dedicated session underscored the council's ongoing commitment to fostering a thriving commercial landscape, particularly in the downtown area, which is considered vital to the community's overall economic health and vibrancy. While specific details of strategies discussed were not immediately released, the conversation aimed to proactively assess challenges and opportunities for local businesses.
A robust retail sector is often seen as a cornerstone of a desirable community, contributing to local employment, tax revenue, and the unique character that attracts residents and visitors alike. The workshop's timing reflects a continuous effort by city leaders to ensure Wayzata's commercial areas remain competitive and appealing. The broader meeting agenda also touched on themes of community collaboration and development that indirectly support a healthy retail climate.
The City of Wayzata has been very good to our school district and the beautification and all of the changes that have taken place over the 18 years that I've been here in downtown Wayzata and throughout the community is just really incredible.
The introduction of Dr. Rob Virgin, who officially assumes his duties on July 1st, further reinforced the theme of inter-organizational cooperation. Dr. Virgin conveyed his enthusiasm for joining a community that prioritizes collaboration, acknowledging its broad positive impacts. Such partnerships are often seen as foundational for creating a stable and attractive environment not only for families but also for local businesses and retail establishments.
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.
Ongoing Development Projects
Beyond the retail workshop, the City Council also addressed other significant development items that impact the overall economic landscape and appeal of Wayzata. A key discussion revolved around the One Wayzata project, formerly known as Harbours of Wayzata/Kentissimo, a proposed senior living development at 1405 Holdridge Terrace and 15419/15429 Wayzata Boulevard East. This project, while not retail, represents a substantial investment in the community's residential infrastructure, which in turn influences local consumer base and economic activity.
Council members expressed mixed sentiments regarding the extension request. Council Member Ms. McDowell supported the extension, acknowledging the community's need for the facility despite disappointment over the project's protracted timeline. Conversely, Council Member Mr. Swenson voiced concerns about the unusual delays, stating a lack of confidence in the development's progress. Despite reservations, the council ultimately approved a resolution extending the zoning approvals, allowing the project to move forward with a revised business model.
The discussions, from the focused retail workshop to major development project considerations, collectively highlight the Wayzata City Council's active role in shaping the city's future. These efforts are geared toward ensuring a balanced and vibrant community that supports residents, businesses, and essential services, all contributing to a robust local economy and an attractive retail environment.
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Areas of Interest (6)
- 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.
Votes (2)
Approve the agenda.
Moved by Council Member · Seconded by Council Member
Approve the consent agenda as presented.
Moved by Council Member · Seconded by Council Member
Notable Quotes (12)
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.
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.
On July 1st, I'll be officially joining the community as the Wayzata schools' next superintendent.
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.
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.
We're one of the smaller cities contributing to to the ecosystem, but we're the namesake, you know, and the the originating city.
We don't know of any. We We don't know of any.
It's a great question because it hasn't been done.
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.
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.
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.
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.
People (8)
MayorMayorCalled the meeting to order, managed agenda items, welcomed and thanked the school superintendents, and facilitated council discussion.
Called the meeting to order, managed agenda items, welcomed and thanked the school superintendents, and facilitated council discussion.
Council Member CookCouncil MemberNoted as an excused absence during roll call for the meeting.
Noted as an excused absence during roll call for the meeting.
Dr. Chase AndersonOutgoing Superintendent, Wayzata Public SchoolsServing 18 years in the role and 43 years in education; thanked the City Council for collaboration and introduced his successor.
3 quotes
Serving 18 years in the role and 43 years in education; thanked the City Council for collaboration and introduced his successor.
“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.”
Announcing his retirement and tenure.
“It's been a great honor and I would just like to take an opportunity to thank you to the Wayzata City Council, Mr. Mayor and those mayors prior to you, and the city staff. 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.”
Expressing gratitude for the partnership with the city.
“The City of Wayzata has been very good to our school district and the beautification and all of the changes that have taken place over the 18 years that I've been here in downtown Wayzata and throughout the community is just really incredible.”
Praising the city's development and support.
Dr. Rob VirginIncoming Superintendent, Wayzata SchoolsOfficially joining July 1st; committed to continuing strong community partnerships; shared his extensive background in education.
3 quotes
Officially joining July 1st; committed to continuing strong community partnerships; shared his extensive background in education.
“On July 1st, I'll be officially joining the community as the Wayzata schools' next superintendent.”
Announcing his start date.
“I also want to just let you know that how fortunate I feel to be joining a school system that works so well with its community partners, like the city of Wayzata. And 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.”
Emphasizing the importance of community partnerships.
“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 that year over year has produced just an amazing culture for students and staff.”
Explaining his reasons for joining Wayzata Schools.
Todd HomersPartner, One Wayzata ProjectPresented the project's revised ownership model and explained delays, stating the application would be resubmitted within 30-60 days; agreed to site cleanup.
1 quote
Presented the project's revised ownership model and explained delays, stating the application would be resubmitted within 30-60 days; agreed to site cleanup.
“We don't know of any. We We don't know of any.”
Responding to a question about other senior care facilities with an ownership structure, indicating the uniqueness of their model.
Kyle DidierRepresentative, The Waters / Partner, One Wayzata ProjectProvided detailed explanation of the unique senior living ownership model, citing market changes due to COVID-19 and new Minnesota building codes as reasons for delays.
4 quotes
Provided detailed explanation of the unique senior living ownership model, citing market changes due to COVID-19 and new Minnesota building codes as reasons for delays.
“It's a great question because it hasn't been done.”
Confirming the novelty of the ownership model for senior living.
“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.”
Explaining delays in senior living construction and market conditions.
“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.”
Explaining changes in building codes affecting senior living costs.
“I'm a big believer that this is a game changer. I was one of the founding members of the Watermark Senior Living and we started to approach the design and how senior living was approached from a wellness and well-being perspective and not a nursing home perspective and people just said that's never going to work.”
Expressing confidence in the innovative senior living model.
Ms. McDowellCouncil MemberSupported the One Wayzata project extension, citing community need and understanding the rationale for delays, despite disappointment in the time taken.
1 quote
Supported the One Wayzata project extension, citing community need and understanding the rationale for delays, despite disappointment in the time taken.
“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 and I recall um the the neighborhood being really supportive of this, so I I'm in favor of offering this extension.”
Expressing support for the One Wayzata project and its extension.
Mr. SwensonCouncil MemberExpressed enthusiasm for the One Wayzata project but also a lack of confidence due to unusual delays and questioned the appropriateness of a full year's extension.
1 quote
Expressed enthusiasm for the One Wayzata project but also a lack of confidence due to unusual delays and questioned the appropriateness of a full year's extension.
“Well, I you know, likewise, I'm enthused about the project. I think it'd be a great asset to the community. Um I think city, you know, wants to be a good partner and we've tried. Uh I think we've been patient. Um 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.”
Expressing concerns about the One Wayzata project's delays and questioning confidence in the development.
Places Mentioned
Events & Meetings (3)
- June 16th, 2026 City Council meeting
- City Council workshop (earlier on June 16th, 2026)
- State swimming meet (where Dr. Anderson and Dr. Virgin met)
Ordinances & Resolutions (4)
Appointing a new member to the Public Art Committee.
Approving an extension of zoning approvals for One Wayzata (formerly Harbours of Wayzata/Kentissimo) at 1405 Holdridge Terrace and 15419/15429 Wayzata Boulevard East.
First reading to amend chapter 936 of the city's tree preservation ordinance.
First reading to amend chapter 950 of the general zoning district provisions.
Source document
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Other Topics from This Document
Call to order
Public attendance and remote viewing information
Pledge of Allegiance
Roll Call
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
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