WS 2008 05 12
CHANHASSEN CITY COUNCIL
WORK SESSION
MAY 12, 2008
Mayor Furlong called the work session to order at 5:35 p.m.
COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT:
Mayor Furlong, Councilman Litsey, Councilwoman
Ernst, Councilwoman Tjornhom, and Councilman McDonald
STAFF PRESENT:
Todd Gerhardt, Kate Aanenson, Paul Oehme, Jill Sinclair, Terry Jeffrey,
and Krista Spreiter
DISCUSSION OF 2003 COMPREHENSIVE PLAN:
Todd Gerhardt thanked the department heads and staff for their hard work, a lot of which was
done in-house, on the comprehensive plan update. He reminded the council that the goal was for
them to understand the proposed changes in the final chapters, noting that a lot of cities had just
begun their comprehensive plan update process.
HOUSING CHAPTER.
Kate Aanenson reviewed the regulatory goals set by the Met Council which incorporated census
data and information obtained from the Maxfield Study that was done for Carver County. She
showed land use comparisons, and the demand for additional rental and for sale single family
and multi-family housing. Councilman McDonald asked if the city is required to meet a certain
density. Kate Aanenson explained how the city tries to meet the goals set forth by the Met
Council in the Livable Communities Act and how the number of units set for the city were
determined. Mayor Furlong asked for clarification on the average number of affordable housing
units that have been built per year over the past 10 years. Councilman McDonald asked how
transit figures into the affordability numbers. Todd Gerhardt explained how the city might have
to amend the nuisance ordinance to address property maintenance problems. Kate Aanenson
explained how the city differs with the Met Council on their population numbers and explained
the goals and policies that the City will follow into the future.
RESOURCE PROTECTION.
In discussing solar protection, Mayor Furlong asked if any issues had occurred with trees
interfering with solar power in the past and what can be done to address future issues. In
discussing historic preservation, Kate Aanenson explained how the city works with Carver
County and the 106 Group Ltd when working with historically significant sites. Councilman
McDonald asked what the city’s role should be with historic preservation issues. The council
and staff discussed what can be done in the future to protect historically significant sites in
Chanhassen. Todd Gerhardt provided background information on the Pauly, Pony, Pryzmus site
which was affected by the realignment of Highway 101 through downtown Chanhassen.
City Council Work Session - May 12, 2008
NATURAL RESOURCES.
Jill Sinclair reviewed the natural resources chapter, explaining that a new component has been
added to address management and sustainability of existing environmental areas. She explained
how the city has a cost sharing program with area corporations for management of private/public
areas. Mayor Furlong asked about the difference between the management plan versus the
forestry plan and if and how the city prioritizes projects. Todd Gerhardt asked staff to prepare a
prioritized list of management projects similar to the Capital Improvement Program.
WATER RESOURCES.
Terry Jeffrey acknowledged the work that had been done by Krista Spreiter on this chapter prior
to his arrival at the city. He reviewed the lake management classifications and the work being
done by private citizens to monitor area lakes, management plans for streams, wetlands, ground
water protection, Clean Water Act provisions and surface water management projects (past,
current and future), as well as the capital improvement program and funding sources.
WATER CONSERVATION AND MANAGEMENT EDUCATION.
Jill Sinclair described the application procedure the City went through in obtaining a $21,000
grant from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency to implement a water conservation program
for city residents. The program will include a WaterWise Conservation Contest, Energy Star
Rebate Program, Landscape Rebate Program, and educational series being held at the Minnesota
Landscape Arboretum.
Mayor Furlong adjourned the work session at 7:05 p.m.
Submitted by Todd Gerhardt
City Manager
Prepared by Nann Opheim
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