City Council Recap 
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2025  
CHANHASSEN CITY HALL, 7700 MARKET BOULEVARD  

Summary   

5:30 P.M. - WORK SESSION (TRAINING ROOM) 

Heritage Tree Ordinance Discussion 

The City Council discussed a proposed Heritage Tree Ordinance, continuing a conversation first raised at a previous council roundtable where members expressed interest in stronger protections for large, mature trees. Staff presented a draft ordinance that would define Heritage Trees as deciduous trees at least 25 inches in diameter and coniferous trees at least 30 feet tall, and outlined potential regulations for their preservation, removal and replacement. 

Council members directed staff to narrow their focus at this time on heritage tree protections related to subdivision developments rather than individual private properties. The goal is to craft recommendations that would modify existing regulations that require developers to account for large, mature trees during new subdivision projects, including increased replacement requirements when heritage trees are removed. This approach will allow the city to balance preservation efforts with growth and development, while deferring any broader regulations for existing private lots. The Council referred the matter to the Planning Commission, where it is tentatively scheduled to be introduced on October 7, reviewed by the Environmental Commission on October 8, reviewed at a City Council work session on October 27 (if needed), reviewed at a formal public hearing with the Planning Commission on November 3 and then returned to the City Council for possible adoption on November 10. 

Market Blvd Improvement Project Update 

The City Council reviewed an update on the Market Boulevard Improvement Project, continuing its discussion from the August 11 work session where staff was directed to prepare a scaled-down version of the project. At the September 22 work session, staff presented an updated layout and provided details on the project schedule and budget. The discussion was intended to guide next steps, including preparation of a feasibility study and ordering the project to remain on track for construction in 2026. 

While staff outlined potential layouts and funding options, the City Council did not reach consensus on how best to move forward. Members weighed the competing goals of easing traffic flow, improving pedestrian safety and leveraging TIF funding, but several noted that the timing may not be right for a major project. With ongoing construction already affecting downtown, some council members expressed concern that residents may be weary of roadwork and that it could be better to revisit a larger reconstruction when traffic impacts from future downtown development are clearer. In the end, the Council opted against pursuing a full-scale overhaul of Market Boulevard at this time and instead directed staff to plan a more modest set of improvements. These targeted upgrades would focus on adding an enhanced pedestrian/bicycle path on the east side, repaving the street, traffic signal replacement at 78th Street and Market Boulevard, extending street repaving north of 78th Street (including Chan View) and making improvements at the railroad crossing. 

Accessory Structure Ordinance Discussion 

The City Council continued its discussion on a potential update to the city’s accessory structure ordinance, following up on an initial work session held September 8. The conversation stemmed from a resident request to construct an additional agricultural building on actively farmed land, which highlighted limitations in the current code that caps total accessory structure space on residential properties at 1,000 square feet. Since the earlier meeting, staff researched how comparable cities regulate accessory building size and prepared draft ordinance language that would exempt agricultural properties zoned A2 from the square footage maximum while still requiring compliance with setbacks and lot coverage standards. 

Staff recommends that if a broader amendment is pursued, the standard should not be based on a percentage of the principal structure’s gross floor area or the lot area. Instead, a specific total square footage limit should be maintained. 

After reviewing staff’s findings and draft language, the City Council agreed to move the proposed amendment forward in the process. The draft ordinance will now be sent to the Planning Commission for review and a public hearing on October 21. Following that step, the amendment is expected to return to the City Council for possible adoption on either October 27 or November 10. 
 
Permitted Burns Ordinance Discussion 

The City Council discussed the city’s current ordinance on permitted burns, continuing a broader conversation about fire safety and community impacts. Under existing code, burn permits are allowed only on rural properties—generally interpreted as those south of Lyman Boulevard—and require applicants to meet strict conditions, such as maintaining distance from buildings and showing no practical disposal alternatives. Fire Chief Andrew Heger noted that while only a small number of permits are issued each year, both permitted and unpermitted burns have led to challenging incidents that strain fire department resources and raise resident concerns about smoke and safety. Council feedback was sought on whether to clarify eligible properties for permits or to eliminate permitted burns altogether, except when managed by a DNR-approved contractor. 

During the discussion, the City Council directed Fire Chief Andrew Heger to draft updated ordinance language that would give the city flexibility to be more restrictive on permitted burns when necessary, while still allowing permits in cases that meet clear safety thresholds and receive fire department approval. Chief Heger will develop this language and bring it back for Council review at a future meeting. 

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

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

• Approve City Council Special Work Session Minutes dated September 4, 2025 

• Approve City Council Meeting Minutes dated September 8, 2025 

• Approve City Council Work Session Minutes dated September 8, 2025 

• Receive Planning Commission Minutes dated September 2, 2025 

• Receive Environmental Commission Minutes dated July 9, 2025 

• Approve Claims Paid dated September 22, 2025 

• Minnesota Valley Operation Round Up Grant Award 

• Firefighting Personal Protective Equipment Donation 

• Approve Civic Campus Splashpad Purchase with Commercial Recreation Specialist, Inc 

• Approve entering into agreements with Construction Manager for Chanhassen Bluffs Community Center 

• Resolution XX-25 Accepting Donation from Level 7 Development, LLC 

• Resolution 2025-XX; Authorize condemnation of land associated with the southerly extension of Laredo Drive 

• Resolution 2025-XX: Accept $528.01 Donation from Chaska Community Hockey Association for Community Day Sponsorship 

• Resolution 2025-XX: Authorize Design and Construction Administration Services Contract for the 2025 Stormwater Pond Maintenance and the Red Cedar Point Drainage Improvement Projects. 

VISITOR PRESENTATIONS 

The City Council heard a citizen action request from a resident who asked the council to consider revising the city’s accessory structure ordinance to allow larger buildings on properties with more acreage. The resident, who moved into a five-acre property in 2023, explained that the current 1,000-square-foot size limit prevents his family from constructing a pole shed large enough to house an indoor sport court for basketball and pickleball. His request builds on the council’s recent discussions about accessory structure regulations, which have been under review in prior work sessions. 

PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENTS 

Congratulations on Civic Campus Phase I completion, and welcome to the new Council Chambers 

The City Council marked an important milestone with its first meeting in the new Council Chambers, celebrating the completion of Phase I of the Civic Campus project. The new City Hall replaces the 1981 facility that no longer met the needs of a growing community and was designed to provide modern, flexible spaces that better serve residents. This opening was recognized not only as a replacement building but as a reimagined civic hub that reflects the city’s vision for the future and its commitment to strengthening downtown through public investment and community gathering spaces.  

District 112 Referendum - Dr. Erin Rathke, Superintendent of District 112 Schools 

Superintendent Dr. Erin Rathke of Eastern Carver County Schools spoke to the City Council about the district’s November referendum, noting that state funding has declined from 84% of revenue in 2002 to 69% today, shifting more of the burden locally. Rising costs for salaries, benefits and operations have created a funding gap where expenses outpace revenue. 

The referendum would add $742 per pupil in general education revenue, with an inflation adjustment, for 10 years. For the average $500,000 home, the impact would be $23 per month. Dr. Rathke said 80 cents of every dollar already supports classrooms and student services. If approved, the levy would stabilize funding, protect academic programs and expand counseling and gifted services; if not, the district would need to cut $6.5 million over four years, likely affecting class sizes, music, elementary support staff and activities. 

GENERAL BUSINESS