The most significant issue discussed was the preliminary plat and planned unit development (PUD) for the Victoria Ridge residential project. City planner Brian McCan presented the details of this development, proposing 70 townhome units and a clubhouse south of the Marsh Hollow development. The project, spanning multiple phases, was notable for its lower-than-guided density, attributed to its phased approach.

Key points of discussion included the developer’s request for a reduction in enclosed parking stalls and the proposed removal of 29% of existing trees, offset by planting 263 new trees and shrubs. Council member Chad Roberts sought clarification on parking requirements, particularly the deviation from the standard two spaces per unit to 1.89 spaces. The council also discussed access points extending from County Road 11 and the timeline for infrastructure improvements, expected by 2028.

The council’s approval of the preliminary plat came with conditions, including the completion and permitting of well number six before installing the development’s sanitary sewer system. The Department of Natural Resources had yet to permit this well, necessitating condition revisions, such as adherence to stormwater management rules and wetland impact assessments. The Planning Commission had previously reviewed the development, recommending approval with a 5-0 vote.

Council members deliberated on the potential lack of accessible parks within the development, with Roberts expressing concerns about families requiring recreational spaces, especially given the existing train tracks complicating access to parks in other neighborhoods. While introducing a city park at this stage was deemed challenging, the council highlighted nearby parks like Hunterbrook Park and a planned park in the Marsh Hollow development.

The council also addressed the broader implications of increased housing density as required by the Metropolitan Council’s “Imagine 2050” proposed land use policies. Community and Economic Development Director Jen Brewington and planning consultant Jenny Falkner explained that the new policies would necessitate adjustments to the city’s future land use maps, increasing density requirements for sewered areas from three to four units per acre. Strategies discussed to meet these targets included increasing minimum density within specific land use categories and reducing acreage dedicated to low-density developments.

Concerns about the impact of these density requirements on infrastructure, traffic, and neighborhood aesthetics were raised, with council members emphasizing the need for long-term strategies to diversify housing types and accommodate various populations. The council also discussed the necessity of recognizing historical injustices in land use policies and collaborating with communities affected by past discrimination.

In a related infrastructure discussion, the council emphasized the importance of concentrating developments near transit hubs, like bus and train stations, to minimize car dependency. Examples of pedestrian-friendly initiatives included investments in pedestrian overpasses and underpasses on Highway 5 and Rolling Acres Road. The council highlighted community connection, safety, and accessibility, discussing concepts like pocket neighborhoods centered around shared green spaces.

The council then turned its attention to a draft ordinance on the legalization of adult-use cannabis in Minnesota. The ordinance focused on retail sales in certain districts, hours of operation, and distance restrictions from specific uses. The Planning Commission had suggested restrictions in the C1 and C2 districts, with a conditional use requirement for retail sales. Staff elaborated on the locations, explaining the characteristics of the central business district, industrial district, C1, and C2 districts.

The council debated the practicality of enforcing hours of operation for retail cannabis sales and the potential restrictions on the size of retail spaces. Concerns about the proximity of cannabis businesses to schools and residential treatment facilities were also discussed, with council members seeking consistency in regulations to ensure that cannabis businesses operate within reasonable distances from daycares without promoting usage among children.

Finally, the council approved a joint powers agreement with Carver County for the construction of Highway 18, a project in discussion for over 20 years. This agreement, involving no financial responsibility for the city, includes improvements like a roundabout and city utility extensions to certain homes along the highway, funded by state efforts.