The proposed municipal services building, located in the southwest area of Chaska near Highway 212, aims to centralize various city departments including public works, streets, parks, and maintenance. Spanning 148,000 square feet and standing 38 feet tall, the building will accommodate up to 118 employees and feature a parking lot with space for 118 vehicles. Notably, the design includes a fuel island, though outdoor storage will remain at the existing facility on Victoria Drive.

Central to the commission’s discussion was the design of the building, which seeks to blend industrial functionality with residential aesthetics. The building’s northern facade will incorporate clerestory windows and a combination of precast concrete and brick materials. This design strategy is intended to mitigate the visual impact of the large warehouse space, drawing inspiration from a similar public works building in Maple Grove. Budget constraints and material availability were acknowledged as factors influencing the design choices.

A significant aspect of the project is the proposed amendment to the zoning ordinance for the Planned Industrial District (P10), originally established in 2022. The amendment seeks to update permitted uses, building setbacks, and include provisions for a fuel island operation in outlot B. Additionally, the planning staff outlined plans to integrate a public trail segment along Chaska Creek Boulevard, connecting it to the Southwest Regional Trail and extending into future developments.

The commission’s meeting included a comprehensive presentation by city staff, which covered the technical details of the site plan and landscaping efforts designed to screen the building from adjacent residential areas. The landscape plan involves strategically placed tree species to create effective visual barriers over time. Renderings were presented to illustrate the anticipated growth of the landscaping over a 20-year period, reassuring residents of the building’s integration into the surrounding environment.

Questions from the commission included inquiries about the building’s future expansion capabilities and the potential for retrofitting at the existing municipal services site. It was clarified that the current design does not anticipate a need for expansion, as it is intended to accommodate a 20-year departmental growth projection. However, options for exterior storage and retrofitting remain open.

The topic of a city compost facility also surfaced, with discussions about partnerships to facilitate resident access to the yard waste drop-off service, currently available for a fee. This initiative aims to enhance the existing biannual drop-off system at Athletic Park.

With no public comments recorded during the hearing, the commission moved to recommend approval of both the preliminary site and building plan for the MSB and the zoning ordinance amendment. Both motions were seconded and passed without opposition.

In other business, the commission discussed upcoming nominations for a new chair and vice chair, encouraging commissioners to express their interest and suggest candidates via email to avoid a quorum violation. The next meeting is expected to include a final review of the MSB proposal, slated as a consent item for swift approval.