CHANHASSEN CITY HALL, 7700 MARKET BOULEVARD  
Summary   
5:30 P.M. - WORK SESSION (TRAINING ROOM) 

Lake Minnewashta Slow-No Wake Elevation 

The City Council continued its discussion on the Lake Minnewashta Slow–No Wake elevation following a citizen action request submitted in July 2025. The request asked the city to raise the elevation from 945.0 to 945.9 feet, aligning it with FEMA’s base flood level. 

Although staff did not support raising it to the 100-year flood elevation, noting it could expose the shoreline to damage during extreme high-water conditions, several options for modification were presented. Public Works Director Charlie Howley noted that a flood elevation represents a major event involving infrastructure risk and is not typically considered just high water. 

Council members agreed the current 945.0 elevation appears to be too low to provide reasonable use of the lake but were also not interested in going up to the 100-yr flood elevation. They supported exploring an adjustment to 945.3 feet, which staff will review further and bring back for additional discussion if this elevation proves to be unwarranted. Council also unanimously showed comfort with reducing the waiting period from three days to one, which would apply to all lakes in the city with Slow-No Wake restrictions. A public hearing is scheduled for November 10, at which date a draft ordinance will be presented. Then the request can be sent to the DNR for the required 120-day review and approval. The goal is to implement the change by the 2026 boating season. 
 
Fire Department Staffing Discussion 
 
The City Council continued its discussion on Fire Department staffing and service delivery needs, following an initial presentation held in May 2025. Fire Chief Andrew Heger provided updated data showing that emergency call volumes have nearly quadrupled over the past decade, climbing from 621 calls in 2014 to more than 2,400 expected by 2029. While demand has grown, staffing has not kept pace—placing strain on both full-time and paid-on-call firefighters and creating challenges with overtime, shift coverage and timely response to multiple incidents. 

To address these concerns, the department is evaluating options for both short- and long-term solutions. Near-term goals (2027 and beyond) include adding three full-time positions to ensure a minimum four-person crew on duty, pursuing a federal SAFER grant to help fund staffing and working with law enforcement to share certain medical lift assists. Mid-term priorities include enhancing data analytics, developing a standards-of-cover plan and completing a facility plan to address space and safety needs. The department’s existing fire station is at capacity and cannot accommodate additional staff as is. 

Chief Heger emphasized that current staffing levels will not meet future service demands and that additional planning will be needed to maintain Chanhassen’s high standard of emergency response as the city continues to grow and its population ages. The Council provided feedback and will revisit the topic later this year or early 2026 when results from the Fire Department facility assessment are available. 

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 Meeting Minutes dated September 22, 2025 
-Approve City Council Work Session Minutes dated September 22, 2025. 
-Approve City Council Special Work Session Minutes dated September 29, 2025 
-Receive Planning Commission Minutes dated September 16, 2025 
-Approve Claims Paid dated October 13, 2025 
-Approve Temporary Liquor License, Hackamore Brewing to host the SW Chamber of Commerce Gala 
-Approve Encroachment Agreement for 8465 Mission Hills Lane 
-Approve Amendments to Stormwater Management Agreements for Lots 1, 2, and 3, Block 1, of Fox Ridge Estates. (Planning Case 2022-10) 
-Award Construction Contract for Driveway Improvements at Lake Lucy Ground Storage Reservoir 
-Approve Partial Release of Development Contract 
-Approve Development Contract for Avienda Apartments (Planning Case 25-08) 
-Resolution 2025-XX; Call for Public Hearing to Order the Market Boulevard Improvement Project 
-Resolution 2025-XX: Highway 5 Improvement Project authorizations 

Quarterly Law Enforcement Update:  

The City Council received its quarterly law enforcement update from the Carver County Sheriff’s Office, which provides policing services to Chanhassen. Lieutenant Tyler Stahn presented the report, which summarized recent crime trends, response activity and community outreach efforts.  

Through September 30, deputies responded to 6,705 calls for service, which is consistent with recent years and just below the three-year average of 6,925. Crime remains low, with 348 total offenses this year—only 5 percent of all calls. Of those, just 39 were person crimes involving harm to another individual. The city continues to see an uptick in DWI arrests, with 40 this year, the highest total since 2019. 

Traffic safety and enforcement remain a top focus, with deputies conducting 2,585 traffic stops so far in 2025, representing nearly 40 percent of total call volume. Enhanced enforcement initiatives have targeted Highway 5 and County Road 101, where deputies report a noticeable decline in speeding since the program began. 

Quarterly Fire Department Update:  

The City Council received its quarterly update from the Chanhassen Fire Department, presented by Fire Chief Andrew Heger. The report provided an overview of recent department activity, including call volumes, training efforts and community outreach initiatives.  

Chief Heger highlighted two new community risk reduction programs designed to enhance public safety and engagement. The first, an AED loaner program, allows residents, businesses and community organizations to borrow an Automated External Defibrillator free of charge for events where medical emergencies may occur. The program, fully funded through a Minnesota Valley Electric Cooperative grant, aims to improve access to lifesaving devices and increase survival rates from sudden cardiac arrest. 

The second initiative is an upgraded virtual reality fire extinguisher training system, which provides realistic, hands-on instruction for businesses and community groups. Participants can practice responding to simulated fires in different settings, learning proper extinguisher use in a safe and interactive environment. 

Resolution #2025-XX: Vacating a Portion of the Public Right-of-Way on Dogwood Road 

The City Council held a public hearing to consider vacating a small portion of public right-of-way along Dogwood Road, located east of Lake Minnewashta. The proposed vacation area—originally established through multiple plats dating back to 1930—has resulted in an unusually wide, 120-foot corridor. The intent of the action is to “clean up” excess right-of-way and restore the area to the city’s standard 60-foot width, retaining the portion that contains the existing road and utilities. 

During the hearing, staff outlined the history of the corridor and explained that abutting residents had been properly notified. Public comments focused on driveway access and easement rights for affected lots, with the city attorney recommending that the vacation be conditioned on securing those easements or recording property conveyances to ensure continued access. 

To allow time for staff and property owners to address these outstanding issues, the Council voted to table the item until the November 10 meeting, when the revised documentation and recommendations will return for further consideration. 
 
Ordinance: XXX Minnewashta Apartments Rezoning and Site Plan Review (Planning Case 25-11) 

The City Council reviewed a rezoning and site plan request for the proposed Minnewashta Apartments at 6440 Hazeltine Boulevard, a 44-unit apartment project proposed by Headwaters Development. The request sought to rezone the 5.6-acre property from Single-Family Residential (RSF) to Medium Density Residential (R-8) to allow for construction of a three-story building with 88 total parking stalls, stormwater treatment that also benefits city runoff and a future pedestrian connection to nearby trails. The proposal follows Planning Commission review in September, where commissioners recommended approval with conditions. 

Josh McKinney, principal and founder of Measure Group, attended the meeting and spoke on behalf of the developer. The Council heard extensive public testimony from residents of nearby neighborhoods, many of whom spoke in opposition to the project, citing concerns about increased traffic, pedestrian safety near Minnetonka Middle School West, the density of the development and the broader number of apartment projects recently approved in the city. Councilmembers acknowledged the large turnout and said they took residents’ objections seriously, stressing how difficult this decision was and how much time they spent weighing those concerns against the city’s legal obligations and planning framework. 

Council discussion focused heavily on traffic, roundabout timing and safety. City Engineer Charlie Howley provided details on the proposed roundabout, which would be a single-lane roundabout with striped and signed pedestrian crossings at all four legs, each equipped with rectangular rapid flashing beacons (RRFBs). He explained that roundabouts inherently reduce vehicle speeds, improving safety for both drivers and pedestrians compared with traditional signals. 

Councilmembers acknowledged residents’ frustration with the number of apartment projects recently approved in the city but noted that Chanhassen’s long-range plans call for a balance of housing options, including mixed-use and multifamily developments,. They also noted that the city is responsive to applications and does not choose or solicit certain housing types. They emphasized the importance of private property rights and the need to evaluate projects based on whether they meet the city’s Comprehensive Plan and zoning standards. Council agreed that continued coordination with MnDOT will be critical to ensuring pedestrian and traffic safety as the project moves forward. 

After extensive discussion, the City Council voted to approve the rezoning and site plan with staff-recommended conditions. While all members described the decision as a difficult one, they emphasized their shared commitment to ensuring traffic safety, responsible development and transparent communication with residents as the project moves forward.