07-22-2024 City Council Work Session MinutesCHANHASSEN CITY COUNCIL
WORK SESSION
MINUTES
July 22, 2024
Mayor Ryan called the work session to order at 5:30 p.m.
COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: Mayor Ryan, Councilmember Schubert, Councilmember
Kimber, Councilmember von Oven, and Councilmember McDonald
COUNCIL MEMBERS ABSENT:
STAFF PRESENT: Laurie Hokkanen, City Manager; Charlie Howley, Public Works Director/City
Engineer; Jerry Ruegemer, Parks Director; Eric Maass, Planning Director; Kelly Grinnell, Finance
Director; Matt Unmacht, Assistant City Manager; Jenny Potter, City Clerk
PUBLIC PRESENT: Clark Wicklund, Alliant Engineering, Mario Cocchiarella, Maplewood
Development
Bluff Creek Drive Development - Concept Review
Eric Maas, Planning Director, gave an overview of the land use application that would possibly be on
the December 9th City Council agenda for submittal. The development company would like to have the
council review their plans now and give feedback so they can make an informed decision on what to
bring back for approval.
The location of the parcel is at Highway 212 and Bluff Creek Drive. This is just one of two separate
projects that will need to have a lift station to have sewer and water for their development. This project
has 48.21 acres and there are 163 units proposed. 69 single family villas and 94 townhomes. The land
is currently zoned A2, Agricultural. The area would need to be rezoned to come into line with the
Comprehensive Plan. The land is also in the Bluff Creek Overlay District and needs to have a
Conditional Use Permit to be able to be developed.
Charlie Howley, Public Works Director/City Engineer, discussed that the sewer comprehensive plan
would have to have a minor amendment to supply the sewer to this area of the city.
Mayor Ryan asked who would pay the costs of the lift station. Mr. Mass replied that there would be a
sharing of the costs of the sewer to both the developers and then the maintenance would be turned over
to the city.
Clark Wicklund, Alliant Engineering, said that there is a bluff setback that they would need to do a
survey and finalize the setbacks. They are currently working off the GIS information they are getting
from the County. Mario Cocchiarella, Maplewood Development, stated that if this project were of
interest to the city, they would solve any issues with the lift station.
Councilmember McDonald asked if there were pictures of the houses to be developed. Mr. Cocchiarella
replied that there were several builders interested in the project but that has not been finalized. He
stated that they could provide renderings of the homes that could be built on the property.
Councilmember Schubert asked how much grading and tree removal would happen in the development
area. Mr. Wicklund responded that there would be preservation of trees around the perimeter of the
development but there would need to be grading and tree removal within the development to build the
lines for the sewer and the houses.
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Mayor Ryan asked about the Bluff Creek Drive Road repair and how that would be managed since
there would now be construction along that road.
Mr. Howley said that the development would extend the trail and the road is set to be repaired in the
near future, between 2028-2030 and would most likely be a full reconstruction.
Mayor Ryan asked for a future presentation that showed the possible homes that would be constructed
on the property. She is concerned that the new houses fit with the feel of the existing neighborhood.
She then asked what the next steps would be.
Mr. Maass responded that he would work with the developer to bring back drawings of possible homes
for the development at a future work session meeting.
Chanhassen Bluffs Community Center: Ballot Question
Laurie Hokkanen, City Manager, started a discussion about the ballot question for the November
election for the Local Area Sales Tax. There has been feedback from residents and the main question
has been about a pool being part of the project.
The questions for the council to discuss:
Should this plan include a pool?
If it doesn’t include a pool does the current plan stay in place?
If a pool is included, do we look at buying more land and amending the current plan?
Councilmember Schubert asked when staff hears about a pool if people are asking for a lap pool or
aquatic center?
Ms. Hokkanen replied that most residents are looking for a family aquatic center.
Councilmember McDonald asked what the cost of a pool that we are quoted would cover an aquatic
center.
Ms. Hokkanen replied that it would be for an aquatic center facility for approximately $25 million and
it would be a standard pool.
Councilmember von Oven asked what the potential operating costs would be.
Ms. Hokkanen said that those operating costs are approximately $60-$250 thousand a year. Most pools
have major renovations every 20 years. The city can’t save for those deferred maintenance costs.
Councilmember Kimber said that if there is public desire for a pool to be built there should be a second
ballot question letting residents decide.
Councilmember von Oven agreed with Councilmember Kimber and said that the public should make
the choice, but that communication should be very transparent about the cost of building and
maintaining the pool.
The council discussed having one question on the ballot but including the pool within that question.
There was also discussion that if there was one question that it would be an all or nothing decision.
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The council then decided that the original question did not include a pool and that the question should
just be regarding the Local Option Sales Tax (LOST) to help pay for the new Recreation Center.
The City Council decided to go with the current question and fine-tune as needed. The pool would not
be part of the question on the ballot. They asked that the city website be updated to educate on what
residents are actually voting on and how their voices can still be heard. The website would be updated
to detail the costs of a pool.
Ms. Hokkanen said she would get feedback from our council and updated language for the ballot
question for the August 12 City Council meeting.
Mayor Ryan adjourned the meeting at 6:57 p.m.
Submitted by Laurie Hokkanen
City Manager
Prepared by Jenny Potter
City Clerk