City Council Recap 
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2025  
CHANHASSEN CITY HALL, 7700 MARKET BOULEVARD  

5:30 P.M. - WORK SESSION (Fountain Conference Room) 

Sketch Plan Review: Santa Vera Development Phase II: Community Development Director Eric Maass was joined by Josh McKinney (The Measured Group) and Ryan Sailer (Headwaters Development) to discuss the possibility of constructing a second building on an adjacent property located between the current Santa Vera Apartment building and the Chanhassen Elementary School. Prior to preparing more detailed architectural and engineered drawings for the project, the ownership group requested the opportunity to present an initial concept to the City Council to gain more insights into the City Council's thoughts and ideas as it relates to development of the site, especially as it relates to the nearby civic campus project and City Council's vision for downtown. 

“We want to do something that the city can be proud of as well as ourselves,” said Sailer, who presented new renderings, ideas and exterior concepts to the council. 

The site is 3.85 acres and current zoning designation for the property would allow for up to 62 housing units by right. In the city’s 2040 Comprehensive plan, there is a provision to allow a 25% density bonus for sites that incorporate affordable housing. By utilizing this “Affordability Bonus,” the ownership groups said that “our plan would be to preserve those units as affordable, and provide some additional affordable units within the new building to meet the 25% requirement.” 

The proposed plan by McKinney and Sailer would build 59 multifamily units that would be in addition to the existing 18 multifamily units. The entrance to the future apartment building will be located on Santa Vera Drive, helping to reduce traffic congestion on Laredo during the busy morning drop-off and pick-up times at the nearby elementary school. The proposed apartment building would also feature a shared amenity space with the existing apartment buildings, offering outdoor recreation areas, grill stations and an outdoor dining area. 

Many councilmembers said they appreciated the improvements made to this concept plan since the ownership group last presented a potential development concept to the city. They also expressed their preference that the residents of current 18 multifamily units not be displaced and that the affordability housing be seamlessly integrated into the design of the new proposed building. Some councilmembers noted that the reduced number of housing types from the previous plan was a positive change, while others emphasized the importance of architectural sensitivity to ensure the building complements the surrounding neighborhood. They also anticipated hearing from Santa Vera Drive residents regarding the shift in traffic flow and stressed the need to consider safety concerns related to turning onto Kerber. Additionally, they highlighted the role of landscaping in creating a smooth transition between the new development and the nearby single-family homes. 

Park Priorities Discussion 

Chanhassen Parks & Rec Director Jerry Ruegemer presented an overview of parks maintenance funding and upcoming renovation projects. The city plans to allocate $100,000 in 2025 toward park renovations, with a projected $700,000 investment over the next five years. Key projects for 2025 include resurfacing the heavily used pickleball courts at the Recreation Center and replacing the Carver Beach playground. The council also discussed the future of Chan Estates Mini Park and how to best address its aging playground.  

Ruegemer said that the higher park priorities from 2026 to 2029 will be:  

• Lake Ann Playground Replacement (2029)

• Bandimere Playground Replacement (2025) 

The council agreed to allocate $36,270 to resurface the existing pickleball courts at the Recreation Center but asked Ruegemer to present alternative ideas at a later date for where those pickleball courts might be relocated, given that the current site struggles with poor drainage and persistent soggy conditions, which contribute to court damage over time. Both Lake Ann and Bandimere Park were cited as potential new locations for the pickleball courts.  

 Ruegemer said he would work with the Park & Recreation Commission to present council with alternative locations. 

The Council selected “Option 2” for the Carver Beach playground equipment.

 7:00 P.M. CITY COUNCIL MEETING (City Council Chambers) 

The Council unanimously approved all items on the Consent Agenda. They were:  

• Approve City Council Meeting Minutes dated January 27, 2025 

• Approve City Council Work Session Minutes dated January 27, 2025 

• Receive Park and Recreation Commission Minutes dated December 10, 2024 

• Approve Claims Paid dated February 10, 2025 

• Approve Letter of Intent and Gift Agreement to acquire property for Chanhassen Bluffs Community Center 

• Approve Agreement with Roers for Fire Training at the Country Inn and Suites 

• Approve Quotes for Disassembly, Transport, Storage, and Assembly of Office Furniture 

• Resolution 2025-XX Donation of kitchen equipment to Humanity Alliance 

• Resolution Accepting Public Streets & Utility Improvements within the Erhart Farms Development 

Visitor Presentations 

One resident encouraged councilmembers to amend their policy regarding Accessory Dwelling Units to accommodate freestanding housing structures in order support the possibility of aging residents to live close to their family and avoid costly senior housing options.  

Public Hearing on the 2025 City Pavement Rehabilitation Project No. 25-01 

Assistant City Engineer George Bender presented a feasibility study for the 2025 City Pavement Rehabilitation Project No. 25-01, which includes 2.4 miles of street improvements, utility upgrades and ADA-compliant pedestrian enhancements. Bender discussed several specific elements of the project that have generated discussion and debate amongst affected residents, most notably a proposed 5-foot sidewalk along Frontier Trail and a "No Parking" designation. Preliminary assessments range from $4,502 to $15,393 per property, with further refinements planned. Construction is set to begin in late May 2025, with completion expected by June 2026. Bender said that the staff recommendation was that “the project is necessary, feasible, and cost effective from an engineering and financing perspective” and “recommends proceeding with ordering the project and authorizing preparation of plans and specifications.” 

Following Bender’s presentation, Mayor Ryan opened the public hearing to residents in attendance.  

Several residents spoke during the public hearing to address their concerns, which included:   

• Objections to the $15,000 assessments, with some residents stating they cannot afford the cost despite agreeing that road improvements are needed.   

• Questions about why full-depth reclamation is being used instead of a mill and overlay 

• Concerns about safety for pedestrians, with some suggesting alternatives to sidewalks such as better lighting and increased speed enforcement rather than additional curbs.   

• Opposition to tree removal for sidewalk installation, with suggestions to maintain the current road width, implement speed radar displays and restrict parking instead.   

• Support for "No Parking" restrictions and lowering speed limits while opposing sidewalk installation in the affected area.   

• A request to ensure the chosen contractor is efficient, minimizes cost overruns and limits change orders to keep the project within budget. 

Council members expressed mixed views on the sidewalk, with most leaning against forcing one if the community opposes it. They did, however, stress to affected residents that the road will not be safer without a sidewalk. They emphasized that parking policies are being reviewed citywide and that this project will be part of that larger discussion. In addition, Bender was asked to return at a later date with potential ideas on how to bring the proposed assessment amounts down for residents. The city is currently reviewing its assessment policy and this project will be part of that review. They were open to exploring options like better lighting and drainage improvements to enhance safety. Bender also noted the typical process is that no trees will be removed without first connecting with a nearby property owner. The council voted 5-0 to accept the feasibility study and Order the Improvements. 

Council Presentations 

Councilmember Mark von Oven praised the city’s new video series, “The Chan Check-In,” which aims to update residents on events and decisions taking place in a short, compelling format. 

Von Oven and Councilmember Jerry McDonald both expressed their condolences for the loss of Chanhassen Dinner Theatre Artistic Director Michael Brindisi and encouraged residents to check out the Theatre’s latest production, “Grease.” 

WORK SESSION (continued in the Fountain Conference Room) 

Assessment Policy 

Director of Public Works / City Engineer Charlie Howley and Assistant City Engineer George Bender led a discussion on the city’s current assessment policy and suggested changes. The city was tasked in June 2024 with reviewing its policy in order to provide greater clarification, details and consistency to residents, along with ways to help the cost burden. The discussion focused on how assessments are calculated, potential cost reductions for residents and options for shifting to a flat-rate system. Key topics included clarifying what costs are included in assessments, adjusting interest rates to align with Treasury yields, extending repayment terms for higher assessments and reviewing the impact of shifting costs to the city. The council also considered the financial implications of flat-rate assessments and the balance between cost predictability for residents and financial risk to the city. Next steps include formal consideration of the revised policy at upcoming City Council meetings. 

Councilmembers thanked Howley and Bender for their work on the revised policy. “This feels closer to something the residents would be happy about rather than the current policy,” said Councilmember Josh Kimber. All councilmembers agreed that they would like more time to review the presented data. 

Roundtable Discussion 

The quarterly roundtable is time for the City Council to discuss items of interest, propose new items for review and ask general questions of staff/each other.  

Mayor Elise Ryan emphasized the importance of election integrity during the roundtable discussion, asking if the City Council would like to further discuss election related issues sometime later in the year, suggesting that the city consider advocating for the county to take a closer look at how elections are managed. She also proposed establishing clear city guidelines for election processes such as the Public Accuracy Test to ensure consistency, eliminate misinterpretation and make enforcement straightforward. Ryan acknowledged confidence in the city's and county's current election procedures but stressed the benefits of proactively addressing concerns to support both residents and staff.