02-26-2024 City Council Work Session MinutesCHANHASSEN CITY COUNCIL
WORK SESSION
MINUTES
FEBRUARY 26, 2024
Mayor Ryan called the work session to order at 5:30 p.m.
COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: Mayor Ryan, Councilman McDonald, Councilwoman Schubert,
Councilman von Oven, and Councilman Kimber.
COUNCIL MEMBERS ABSENT: None.
STAFF PRESENT: Laurie Hokkanen, City Manager; Matt Unmacht, Assistant City Manager; Charlie
Howley, Public Works Director/City Engineer; George Bender, Assistant City Engineer; Erik
Henrickson, Project Engineer; Eric Maass, Planning Director; Rachel Jeske, Planner; Jerry Ruegemer,
Park and Recreation Director; Sam DiMaggio, Economic Development Manager; Ari Lyksett,
Communications Manager; and Kim Meuwissen, City Clerk.
PUBLIC PRESENT: None.
COMMISSION INTERVIEWS
The City Council interviewed the following commission applicants:
Erik Overlid
Jeremy Rosengren
Katie Trevena
Kristin Fulkerson
Paget Pengelly
John Stutzman
82ND STREET (CSAH 18) PROJECT UPDATE
Public Works Director/City Engineer Charlie Howley stated that the 82nd Street (CSAH 18/Lyman
Boulevard) Project is part of the Arboretum Area Transportation Plan (AATP) and is being led by
Carver County. Tonight’s presentation will be informational only, no City Council action is required.
The goals of the project are to reduce traffic congestion, improve road safety, enhance walking and
bicycling conditions and connections, respect the environment, and connect local destinations.
Assistant City Engineer George Bender presented the current design layout of the project, roadway
characteristics, and the bridge spanning the ravine trail and open channel. Mr. Bender reviewed the 82nd
Street “remnant area” which includes dual cul-de-sacs and is the City of Chaska’s preferred alignment.
A maintenance agreement will be needed between Chaska and Chanhassen.
Mr. Howley stated that the project is fully funded with no money being requested or committed from
Chanhassen. He reviewed the project timeline and indicated that Carver County has asked that the
Chanhassen City Council adopt a Resolution of Support for the project at a March City Council meeting.
The City Council discussed the proposed dual cul-de-sacs and directed staff to confirm with the City of
Chaska that the residents along these cul-de-sacs are in favor of the proposal.
City Council Work Session Minutes – February 26, 2024
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Mayor Ryan recessed the work session at 6:53 p.m.
Mayor Ryan reconvened the work session at 8:40 p.m.
RAILROAD DEPOT BUILDING AND PARCEL DISCUSSION
Economic Development Manager Sam DiMaggio received an inquiry from a local business owner and
resident to put up a coffee shop in downtown Chanhassen, specifically in the historic railroad depot. She
outlined the challenges of using the depot for the coffee shop. A meeting was held with the Chanhassen
Historical Society, and they were supportive of the proposal as they did not want to see the depot
continue to deteriorate. They also suggested that the Historical Society move out of Old Village Hall so
it could be used for a coffee shop since utilities were already connected to the building. Ms. DiMaggio
asked the City Council for direction on selling the depot building and/or the land or leasing the building.
Also, should the depot stay in its current location, or could it be moved?
The City Council discussed the issues presented and agreed that the depot should not remain vacant;
however, they preferred that the depot remain in its current location.
SHORT-TERM RENTAL ORDINANCE AND LICENSING PROGRAM DISCUSSION
Planner Rachel Jeske reviewed the history and timeline of the Short-Term Rental (STR) Program. Ms.
Jeske provided an overview of the current ordinance and a summary of the February 12 Work Session
presentation. Staff reached out to all STR owners and those who submitted complaints to invite them to
the STR Listening Session held during the February 12, 2024, City Council meeting. Staff corresponded
with those who were unable to attend the listening session to receive their feedback. Ms. Jeske
demonstrated the STR Host Compliance software available on the City’s website. Thirty complaints
were received in 2023 of which three resulted in violation notices including parking and noise. Out of
the 20 STR properties, 17 did not receive any complaints. The three violations issued were reviewed
along with changes that were made. Ms. Jeske stated that complaints are currently addressed on both a
proactive and retroactive basis. Staff are proposing that complaints should only be considered when
reported while the nuisance is occurring. Ms. Jeske presented staff’s proposed ordinance amendments.
The City Council discussed the short-term rental issues presented and staff’s proposed changes. Staff
was directed to move forward with the proposed changes and bring an ordinance to the City Council for
approval.
AUDUBON BUSINESS PARK UPDATE
Planning Director Eric Maass provided an update on the Audubon Business Park Project located on the
southwest corner of Audubon Road and Highway 5 next to the Xcel Energy project. The developer has
secured an end user who can use both buildings but will need less truck parking than originally planned
for the site due to a higher employee count. An updated site plan was submitted to address adequate
parking for the user based on the largest work shift. Staff finds that the update is generally consistent
with the approved site plan. The developer will have to update their traffic impact study to confirm that
shift changes can be accommodated. Staff will review and administratively process the changes.
City Council Work Session Minutes – February 26, 2024
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FUTURE WORK SESSION SCHEDULE
March 11, 2024
• Commission Interviews
• Discuss Commission Appointments
• Downtown Design Guidelines and Wayfinding Plan Review
March 15, 2024
• Chanhassen Bluffs Sports Complex Discussion
March 18, 2024
• Broadband/Internet Update and Discussion
• Chanhassen Cinema and Hotel Architecture Discussion
• City Council Roundtable
March 25, 2024
• Chanhassen Cinema and Hotel Architecture Discussion
April 8, 2024
• Downtown Design Guidelines Draft Plan Review
• Highway 5 Update
• City Manager Performance Review (CLOSED SESSION)
April 22, 2024
• SouthWest Transit Update
May 13, 2024
• Road Funding Discussion
May 20, 2024
• SAC and WAC Policy Discussion
June 10, 2024
•
June 24, 2024
• Consider Draft Recommendations Updating SAC/WAC Policy Discussion
• 2025 Preliminary Budget and Levy Discussion
• City Council Roundtable
Pending Items:
• Broadband Service
• Audit Presentation (May 13 or 20)
Mayor Ryan adjourned the work session at 9:40 p.m.
Submitted by Laurie Hokkanen
City Manager
Prepared by Kim Meuwissen
City Clerk